Coachella Valley Weekly - September 22 to September 28, 2016 Vol. 5 No. 27

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coachellavalleyweekly.com • September 22 to September 28, 2016 Vol. 5 No. 27

Rob Lawrence

pg 11

Jeffrey Coleson

pg 13

Stuft Pizza

pg 18

Fleet Friend Easton

pg 23

Mekons

pg 25

September 22 to September 28, 2016

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THE MEN’S ISSUE 2016

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 Men's Issue 2016 ...............................3 Peter Mikulak............................................3 Mayor Robert Moon.................................5 David Herrlinger.......................................6 BB Ingle.....................................................6 Jerry Keller................................................7 Eevaan Tré.................................................7 Christopher Spellman..............................8 Steve Sanchez...........................................8 Jimi "Fitz" Fitzgerald................................9 Brad Guth..................................................9 Josh Bonner............................................10 Soterios Anagnostou .............................10 Local Music Spotlight- Rob Lawrence...11 Consider This - Game Theory.................12 Art Scene - Jeffrey Coleson....................13 Pet Place..................................................14 The Vino Voice ........................................15 Club Crawler Nightlife............................16 The Pampered Palate - Stuft Pizza........18 Screeners.................................................20 Book Review............................................21 Safety Tips...............................................21 Social Security........................................22 Valley Rhythms - Julio Iglesias...............23 Backstage Jazz - Fleet Friend Easton....23 Slim Man .................................................24 Breaking The 4th Wall - Stage Review of "The Realistic Jonses"......................24 Local Music Spotlight- The Mekons.......25 Haddon Libby.........................................26 Dale Gribow............................................26 Free Will Astrology.................................27 Sports Scene ...........................................27 Beauty with Dr. Maria Lombardo..........28 Life & Career Coach ................................28

From Publisher Tracy Dietlin: t is with great pride and pleasure that I announce to you in the following pages CV Weekly’s Top 12 Most Interesting & Influential Men of the Coachella Valley for 2016.

While there are many deserving men in the valley, with several of them actually being part of my CV Weekly team, I chose each of these Men for specific individual reasons. I selected Men that have contributed their time, money and passion to charities, Men that are at the pinnacle or perhaps precipice of their careers, Men whose talents are undeniable, Men that are successful in their fields, are respected by others, and have a strong sense of community.

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September 22 to September 28, 2016

TOP 12 MOST INTERESTING & INFLUENTIAL MEN OF THE COACHELLA VALLEY

Next week I will present to you the Top 12 Women. And next Thursday, September 29th we will throw a party to honor these 12 Men and 12 Women, with 4 charities benefitting from the event.

It will be held at the beautiful new spa Venus de Fido at 73600 Alessandro Dr. in Palm Desert from 5-8pm. The cost is $15.00 cash at the door or to reserve tickets in advance with credit card call 760-501-6228.

All proceeds from the door will be split between 2 charities: One of the 12 Men’s names will be drawn and one of the 12 Women’s names drawn at the end of the night with their charity of choice written on their sealed cards.

We also have a friendly competition going. Whoever of the Top Men and

PETER MIKULAK: FROM HOMELESS TO ROCK STAR ARTIST DOING THIRTY DAYS OF GOOD

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long the winding road of life he lost his passion. Then found it again while being homeless in Palm Springs. His story is an inspiration and a call to action for each of us to connect with our own ability to be a force for good. Peter recently completed his community project, “30 Days of Good,” and shared a bit of his story with us.

His story is an incredible journey, the type of American success story about a man against all odds who pulls himself up by his boot straps, conquers his demons and slays the dragon. Except his sword is a paintbrush, his shield a canvas. His battle cry, a scream for dignity and compassion for those in need.

Peter Mikulak is that rare breed of human that sees a problem and feels compelled to take action and right a wrong to the best of his God-given abilities.

“I remember as a kid, I loved the arts. I had an uncle who was a photographer and he used to make a special effort to compliment me. I had a four-year scholarship to a school in NY but lost eligibility when my parents moved to Indio,” says Mikulak.

Originally from Connecticut, his parents moved to the Coachella Valley while Peter was still in high school. The move proved to be a hard adjustment and the teenager found himself hanging out with the wrong crowd. “I got into drugs and partying and really messed up my 20’s,” he recollects a painful misstep.

He eventually got his G.E.D. from College of the Desert and studied art.

Women bring the most people, their charity of choice will receive half of the proceeds from the raffle. So make sure to let us know when reserving tickets in advance or when you come through the door, who you are there to support.

A buffet dinner will be provided by Lulu California Bistro and Cliffhouse Restaurant and is included in the 15.00 charge. Drinks will be available to purchase for $5.00 (CASH bar). La Quinta Brewing, Cupcake red & white wine and Crater Lake Vodka & whiskey along with Lotus Elixirs. Loving All Animals will receive half of the evenings bar proceeds.

This will be a fun-filled evening benefiting charities while honoring these fine Men & Women.

BY RICH HENRICH

CHARITY: THE DESI STRONG FOUNDATION

“I was going back and forth from the desert to Connecticut. I guess it was just maturity that got me back on track. I became a general contractor. I was doing really well. I did jobs for Yale (University) and a lot of rich people rehabbing their investment properties. But “the crash” happened and then companies I continue to page 5

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September 22 to September 28, 2016

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PETER MIKULAK continued from page 3

relied on to pay me stopped paying and I still had to pay my guys. It was terrible. How long can you keep paying people before you’re broke?”

One morning, he got out of the shower and looked in the mirror and said to himself: it’s a wrap! “I made some coffee and had breakfast then I called up Salvation Army and had them come take all my stuff. I had a suitcase and a backpack with art supplies by the door.

I gave the business to my partner and gave my youngest daughter’s grandmother a call. I said, ‘Grandma, you still need a car?’ She said yes. I said ‘drive me to the bus station and you can have mine.’ I jumped on a bus with $500 headed to Palm Springs!” It was the now or never moment to pursue his deepest belief that he was destined to be an artist.

It was a bold move fueled by gut instinct more than sound, logical planning. Scientists now say there is proof to the saying “trust your gut,” but Peter already knew this was his destiny. ”I was going to be an artist. I chanted all the way from Connecticut to New Yorkno plan B, no plan B! If my art won’t make me money than I won’t have any!” says the defiant troubadour. But when he returned to the desert, things didn’t work out as planned and he needed to find a place to stay.

Without much money, this would be a major challenge. “I ended up living in an

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abandoned camper I found in the windmill fields. But I could do my art. It was miserable with all the sand. I remembered when I was a contractor, how hard it was to get squatters out of properties. I’m not proud of it but I found a house that had been foreclosed on and I climbed in through the doggie door,” says Mikulak. The neighbors thought he was just an eccentric artist.

Alan at the Renegade Gallery saw his work, and reached out. “I needed to have ten framed pieces. I told him I would meet him but I had no idea how I was going to get to his gallery. It was around Christmas time and his neighbor had extension chords for lights outside. I “borrowed” the extension chords to tie my pieces together and then wrapped it around my body to carry all my pieces. It was so heavy! I started walking and just kept thinking I had to get there. Two Mexican gardeners picked me up. I was sweaty and covered in grass clippings when I arrived. Alan looked at me, and the situation and then just hugged me and said welcome to the family.”

Mikulak’s inspiration behind the 30 Days of Doing Good was the brave and strong Desi Cechin who battled the childhood cancer, Neuroblastoma. Desi brought hope, smiles, love, and laughter to a community while she endured difficult treatments and long stays in the hospital. In her honor, Peter wanted to

do something to give back to a community that had embraced his talents. Each day he volunteered at a different organization bringing home the experience in his heart to express onto his art. Peter hopes these 30 Days and the September 30th auction will bring a stronger awareness to each organization that was involved and a desire for others to reach out helping those in need.

The 30 pieces of Art that Mikulak painted will be auctioned off at an event in his honor on Friday, September 30 from 6pm-9pm at a private estate located at 925 East Paseo El Mirador, Palm Springs. Open to the public. $10/ticket. Below are the charities that will benefit: American Cancer Society Local Chapter Desert Best Friend’s Closet The Desi Strong Foundation Safehouse of the Desert Desert Arc California Paws Rescue MAKE: CV Art Center

ROBERT MOON: MAYOR, CITY OF PALM SPRINGS

CHARITY: DESERT AIDS PROJECT

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t’s an incredible honor,” said Robert Moon, Mayor of Palm Springs. “I have no other job. It is the only thing I do. I work full time being Mayor.”

When Moon is not at City Hall, he travels to meetings and events all over the Coachella Valley representing Palm Springs.

Moon spends hours reading and preparing for City Council sessions. “I love Palm Springs and its residents. It’s wonderful!”

Since Moon was elected Mayor last November, he has been most surprised that he is recognized. “It’s heart-warming when people come up to me and share their stories and concerns. I never mind, even when they say they didn’t vote for me. It’s a labor of love.”

Moon most enjoys helping frustrated residents. “It’s very rewarding to be able to answer their questions, provide direction and find solutions.”

A life of service and dedication is in Moon’s blood. As a naval officer, he served his country for 22 years -- 15 of those years at sea. He is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis and did graduate work at George Washington University. He worked in Washington, D.C. serving as a DOD auditor under President Reagan. For generations his family has been in public service. His grandfather died in the line of duty as a fireman.

Born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, Moon settled in Palm Springs after he and his husband, Robert Hammack, attended a Halloween party. Moon and Hammack just “

celebrated 35 years together. They have been permanent Palm Springs residents since 2001.

“My hero is my husband and partner,” said Moon. “He is the kindest, most intelligent, patient, and generous person that I have ever known. He has a smile that lights up a room, and he has been at my side and supporting me for more than half of my life. He is the wind beneath my wings. I just wish I could be more like him.”

The two consider their friends here in the CV as extended family along with their beloved 15 year-old grey tabby cat they rescued from a local shelter.

Moon is on the board of Contemporary Arts Council at the Palm Springs Art Museum, and also an Ex-officio Member of the Museum Board of Directors. Until recently, he served on the Board of the Palm Springs Opera Guild. He and Hammack support a number of local charities that include United Way of the Desert, Desert Aids Project, Well in the Desert, and the Stroke Recovery Center.

As far as hobbies go, Moon admits to being an “unabashed workaholic.” But he enjoys cooking with his spouse. “My husband is a better cook by far, but I love to plan dinner parties with him when we entertain our friends at home.” Moon and Hammack are also art collectors. Moon is a volunteer Docent at the Palm Springs Art Museum. “Giving tours at the museum is a tremendous joy for me.”

Moon loves period piece movies. Two

September 22 to September 28, 2016

BY HEIDI SIMMONS

of his favorites include Dr. Zhivago and Casablanca. “I enjoy watching them over and over. I also love Woody Allan’s Midnight in Paris and, more recently, Café Society.”

Moon’s favorite music is Opera and Jazz and his favorite place to vacation is his own backyard. “However, if I leave home, my favorite vacation spots are in Italy and Spain,” said Moon.

Passionate about the city of Palm Springs, Moon is especially keen on improving the city’s parks, recreation centers and infrastructure.

“So many residents have given up their lawns and need a place to take the kids,” said Moon. “We are also working hard to improve our streets and are currently upgrading our fire stations #4 and #5.”

Moon encourages residents to get involved with the city.

“In total, there are 15 boards and commissions. There is something for everyone,” said Moon. “It is very rewarding to get to know the city, its staff and to understand the strengths and limitations of city government.”

Every day, Moon spends time reading and answering email addressed to the Mayor. “I like being in touch with residents,” said Moon. “So, let us know what makes you happy and what you think we are doing right or wrong. This is our community and together we can continue to make it great.”

At a recent White House event for elected LGBT leadership, President Obama saw Mayor Moon in the East Room and

Loving All Animals CV Volunteers in Medicine All Desert Wellness Center Forever Meow Guide Dogs of the Desert Mattie Zemira Foundation Joshua Tree Cultural Preservation Walk to End Alzheimers Made for a Miracle Loma Linda’s Ronald McDonald House Girlfriend Factor SOS Rides FIND Food Bank Caulfield Counseling & Education Center Bella Vista School La Quinta High School Animal Samaritans LGBT The Center Selma Grows Comic Con’s choice of charity Coachella Valley Symphony Coachella Valley Rescue Mission KMIR’s choice of charity

MEN’S ISSUE

greeted him. “I’ve met him twice here in Palm Springs, but it was nice that he recognized me and came over to say hello and chat.” Moon has met four US Presidents over his career.

Retired as a Commander, Moon considers his service in the Navy the greatest honor of his life. “After that, being elected to represent the residents of Palm Springs as their Mayor is a tremendous honor for which I strive every day to be worthy.”

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September 22 to September 28, 2016

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MEN’S ISSUE

BB INGLE: PROMOTER EXTRAORDINAIRE DAVID HERRLINGER: CHARITY: PET RESCUE CENTER BY TRACY DIETLIN VICE PRESIDENT, HOT PURPLE ENERGY

BY HEIDI SIMMONS CHARITY: GO RED FOR WOMEN

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look at Go Red as a celebration of the heart, but it’s really a focused mission to educate woman on how to recognize heart symptoms and live a heart healthy life,” said David Herrlinger, VP, Hot Purple Energy. ”The ability to save so many lives by spreading the word about the need for smarter lifestyle choices is an extension of my work at Hot Purple Energy.”

Herrlinger, a former real-estate developer, partnered with former contractor, Nate Otto, in 2009 to form a solar integration business. They chose the name Hot Purple Energy because it sounded creative, fun and energetic. ”Our goal is to raise the bar in how solar is done and how a solar company operates within the community. Rooftop solar is one side of the energy equation, consumption is the other.” said Herrlinger. ”We strive to think outside the box to convey the best way forward. Our success is based on making smart choices today for the long term.”

Hot Purple Energy has helped thousands of private homes and businesses reduce energy use by recommending smart energy choices without even installing solar. ”We believe in education and have an honest relationship with our clients,” said Herrlinger. ”On one hand we are a home improvement company, but on the other, we are promoting a monumental shift in how we power our community.”

As a company, Hot Purple Energy supports many CV charities and they are often seen at local events providing mobile solar energy for lighting, music and vendors. For Herrlinger, it is a special honor to be appointed the first male to be chairperson for the Go Red Women luncheon. He will also serve as the chairperson for the local chapter of the American Heart Association during February’s heart awareness month. ”Go Red has a real and measurable preventative effect on our valley’s women.”

Herrlinger grew up in Cincinnati and everyone in his family now lives on the east coast. He’s single. ”I’m here with my dog,” said Herrlinger.

Hot Purple Energy has been awarded Small Business of the Year in California and the Most Green Company in Palm Springs.

Sir Richard Branson is someone who most resonates with Herrlinger. ”He’s an entrepreneur who challenged the status quo from day one,» said Herrlinger. «He has beat the odds, remained humble, founded global charities, leads the carbon-war and other notable enterprises. And most of all, he‘s never lost his desire for adventure and fun.“ For Herrlinger, Branson is living proof that being a successful entrepreneur isn’t about being selfish or greedy, but inspiring others and giving back.

Herrlinger is passionate about alternative innovations and sustainable technology. He is especially pleased that his business continues “

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to be fun and exciting. But his passion doesn’t stop there. When he is not at work, he loves to ride his motorcycle and explore the world.

He even keeps a motorcycle in Europe. “Some people have kids, some have vacation homes, I have my motorcycles,” said Herrlinger. “I guess it speaks to my inner cowboy.”

Two favorite movies of Herrlinger’s are Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and Shawshank Redemption.

An animal lover and squash player, Herrlinger is looking forward to the new world class squash court at Venus De Fido, a spa and gym in Palm Desert for people and their beloved pets. “Founder Lindi Biggi is great and it’s awesome what she is doing,” said Herrlinger.

Hot Purple Energy will be a sponsor at the next Energy Summit in Palm Springs. Last year’s event was dominated by solar naysayers who fear dwindling profits because solar farms and rooftop systems are saturating the daytime grid with excess energy they cannot sell. “It’s our hope to bring the reality of rooftop solar to the forefront and not let it get lost in lobbyist sound bites or politics,” said Herrlinger. ”There is so much pressure to remove solar incentives,” said Herrlinger. ”Utility companies are looking out for their best interests and bottom line. They’re powerful and will continue to do that. At Hot Purple Energy, our job is to be advocates, facilitators and educators of a better thing. That’s how we are able to maintain our mission. We all want technology to advance, but we want to make sure energy is safe, cost-effective and sustainable. That’s our goal.”

Herrlinger wants to change the world for the better and he and Hot Purple Energy are doing it here in the CV while making it fun. “It’s all about supporting the local community. It’s not about dollars and cents all the time, but doing the right thing. We’re not a civilization if we’re not cultivating the arts and giving back. We can do this without sacrificing our quality of life by just being smarter and thinking clearly about the future.”

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f you love a good party, and have been in the Coachella Valley for any period of time, you most likely have heard of BB Ingle, and most certainly have attended one of his monster parties. He has always had an affinity for bringing people together in celebration, and has taken his love for creating events into a career that has spanned over 32 years in the Coachella Valley.

BB was born and raised in Alabama.

After going to college in his native state, he moved to Nashville, TN. He started working for a new ground breaking restaurant chain, TGI Friday’s. In the early 80s he became part of their bartending team that traveled throughout the country opening up new restaurants.

The team eventually came to the Coachella Valley in 1983 to open a Palm Desert location. They were scheduled to only be in the area for no longer than a month, but they became enamored by the inviting weather, golf courses and resort atmosphere.

They decided to stay longer, eventually making the Coachella Valley their home and followed their dream to open up their own restaurant complete with a sports bar, dancing, live music and great food.

With determination and the help of investors, the groups dream became a reality and BB O’Brien’s was born. The popular nightspot had a healthy 12 year run and was sold in 1995.

The nightspot was a constant in desert nightlife, known for events such as their huge St. Patrick’s Day parking lot party. After it was sold and then eventually closed, BB decided to keep the party going by creating yearly events.

He started by hosting parties at local resorts, hotels and nightclubs…and eventually at the Palm Springs Convention Center. In recent years, BB’s parties have grown into major events, with anywhere from 3,000 to over 5,000 attendees. Parties such as his Annual Halloween Bash and New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball are cemented in as yearly must attend Coachella Valley events.

After 32 years the events have become legendary, entertaining desert party goers for decades and earning BB the Master of Events and Godfather of Parties title that he has today. He is also the three time winner of our own Coachella Valley Weekly’s “Promoter of the Year” award. “I try to host about six major parties a year,” said BB. This past year BB was also brought aboard as a producer and promoter of the first ever Comic Con Palm Springs, which turned out to be a huge success with almost 15,000 in attendance!

There have been many memorable party moments for BB as one could imagine. One of his favorites is when he gets to go on stage and sing “Sweet Home Alabama” with the band. Another party highlight was the time he sky-dived into a party at the El Dorado Polo club. There is no wonder why he is the master.

His passion for animals has led him to

work closely with the Pet Rescue Center, donating a portion of his party proceeds to them.

His drive to create parties doesn’t seem to be slowing down for BB, “I’ve had a passion for social gatherings and creating situations for people to meet since I was a young boy,” said BB. “After 32 years of parties, we have all ages from 21 to 75, many of our original party goers’ children now attend. What makes me feel like all the hard work is worth it is when someone comes up to me and says ‘BB, thank you so much, if it wasn’t for your party I wouldn’t have met my soul mate.’ That is very rewarding and it has happened multiple times,” added BB. He said it made him seriously consider going into the wedding planning business.

On his down time, he enjoys golf, tennis, and of course college football; with his University of Alabama Crimson Tides close to his heart. In the Fall, BB takes a respite from the desert heat and travels back to Alabama to visit family and attend Alabama football games.

Despite his party icon demeanor, BB is actually a private person. When asked what people would be surprised to know about him, he shared that he once was an 8th grade history teacher. Never would have guessed that one.

While BB tries to throw a party once every couple months, he’s thinking about re-inventing himself a bit in 2017. He has several new endeavors including opening a new dance club. “So many people keep asking me when I’m going to open another club, so I think 2017 might be the time to do it,” he shared, excited to be taking on another project.

BB Ingle has become part of the party tapestry here in the Coachella Valley. He has created iconic parties and has done what he has loved all along, to bring people together in celebration. Here is to another 32 years BB!

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JERRY KELLER: RESTAURANTEUR

September 22 to September 28, 2016

MEN’S ISSUE

BY HEIDI SIMMONS

CHARITY: COACHELLA VALLEY REPERTORY THEATER

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“ like going through life doing my best to have a good time,” said Jerry Keller, restauranteur. “I’m lucky to have a business where I can be creative and effective enough to help people enjoy life and make everything a little more fun.”

The Keller family owns Lulu California Bistro in Palm Springs and celebrated five years in business in August. The restaurant has become one of Palm Springs’ favorite eateries and most beloved special event locations. The Kellers are in the process of opening a second restaurant: Acqua California Bistro at The River in Rancho Mirage. They previously owned and operated Acqua Pazza and will again take possession of the location using the same formula that has made Lulu so successful.

“We are excited about the new restaurant,” said Keller. “Acqua will have the same upbeat, happy and fun feeling as Lulu!

We’ll have our previous space plus we are expanding to the former salon next door to provide additional river-view seating. We’re also adding an event space, which we’re calling The River Room. It will seat up to 200 guests. The east valley needs a place for private parties, business meetings and wedding receptions and we’re thrilled to serve the community with this new space.”

Keller and his wife, Barbara, have been married 35 years. They had been coming to the Coachella Valley for over 30 years and

made Palm Springs their permanent home in 1996. Together the couple have four children and seven grandchildren.

Keller was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He has been in the publishing business for more than 60 years. He and his wife met in New York. Keller likes to play tennis to relax and is looking forward to getting back on the court after a knee replacement. “I’m biding my time,” Keller said. “I have a brand new knee and it’s getting better.”

As heroes go, Keller doesn’t hesitate.

“It’s my wife, Barbara,” Keller said. “She’s done an amazing job for so many charities.

She is genuinely interested in others, compassionate, helpful and extremely effective in helping to create better lives for so many people. She’s smart, beautiful, caring and we truly have a fairytale romance.

And, she’s usually nice to me.”

A romantic, Keller’s favorite movie is Casablanca. He is a music fan of the late Harry Chapin, a folk-rock composer and performer. “Chapin was phenomenal. He was very talented and always split the money he made with his band,” said Keller.

“It was tragic that he was killed on the Long Island Expressway. He was a wonderful musical storyteller, and a good person.”

The Kellers love to vacation in the South of France when they have the time. The couple has no pets but have seven grandchildren

that they adore and treasure. “Four of our grandchildren are going to college,” said Keller. “We’re doing our best to help them.

College is so expensive, but we want to give them a good sendoff in the world.”

Keller was honored to be named “Distinguished Businessman” by the cities of Rancho Mirage and Palm Springs. But Keller is quick to defer to his wife. “Barbara is the one with all the awards,” said Keller. “She has so many awards it’s hard for me to keep count -- and she truly deserves them all!”

Keller gives much of the credit for Lulu’s tremendous success to those who are at the restaurant everyday doing their best.

EEVAAN TRÉ: SINGER, SONGWRITER, PERFORMER

“It’s a challenging business and the people working day-to-day make all the difference in the world,” said Keller. “I’m lucky to have such good people on my team.

My executive chef Arturo Casillas is terrific, and his lovely wife, Karla, is the kitchen manager. I couldn’t ask for better, more hard working and honest people. We are like a family. We like to promote from within and reward our staff for their talent, dedication and hard work. I’m truly fortunate to have such wonderful people.”

Chief Operating Officer John Shay has been a positive addition and big help in getting the Kellers to go back into business at The River.

“John’s terrific! He’s proven himself more than I ever expected. I’m lucky to have him,” said Keller. “He is willing to do whatever it takes to make this crazy business work. I wouldn’t expand and put together Acqua without him. He makes it enjoyable, interesting and challenging. It’s all very exciting.” Keller is hoping for a December opening of Acqua.

As part of the Lulu’s anniversary party, the Kellers stayed true to their philanthropic roots by revisiting the “Dining Out For Life” concept and donated fifty percent of the proceeds to the Desert Aids Project.

“We all did well and had great fun,” said Keller. “We’re so pleased to be able to use our restaurants whenever we can to help support vital desert charities.”

BY NOE GUTIERREZ

CHARITY: RAICES CULTURA

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evaan Tré is an artist. Crossing music and fashion like no else in the Coachella Valley, he has developed his own unique brand and continues to cause females to swoon at the sound of his voice and at the cut of his rug. “My job is to be the artist. I have always been involved in marketing, but I’m a musician first then I toss in a little fashion.”

The younger brother of State Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia, Tré considers his older sibling his biggest inspiration. “I really dig my older brother Eduardo Garcia.

He is a public servant. His main goal is to give back to his community and humanity. Those are my goals too; to help the world progress and leave a legacy of positive change.

Working at a young age in campaigns for my brother helped me understand the need to be educated and to present myself in a successful manner and to go after what I want.” Tré is fulfilling his heart’s desires.

Keys to success for Tré include selfgratification and his relatives. “For me it has always been that I enjoy what I do and to be able to take care of myself and my family. To accomplish and maintain that IS success. I come from a family where both of my parents are from Mexicali, Mexico.

They taught us the core of who we are and I am me because of them.” On his journey

he has distinguished himself. “I’m the quiet one in the family. I was the weird one with the headphones on. I wanted to hear what I loved to hear and nothing else. Music was and is my escape.” He continues to take flight with his music.

Tré is heavily involved in creating and promoting his own brand of vibe rhythm & blues music. So much so that each move he makes is not far from the foundation of his music. “If I’m not doing music I’m talking about it or discussing what could be done with it.” Currently he is working on the release of his EP. “I feel like I have the connections. I just need my music to come out. It starts with the music. I’m putting the album together now. It has a lot of heart and soul. There’s no half-assing on this

recording. I will concentrate on being an artist and continue to evolve.”

Tré has recently got into playing video games to help him escape further. “I love video games! I’m a late bloomer but I find it fun and a good way to decompress.”

In being chosen as one of Coachella Valley Weekly’s Top Men of 2016, Tré stated it was easy to choose his charity. “I’m representing Raices Cultura an organization my brother and V. Manuel Perez were involved in creating.” The organization is a nonprofit that was founded by an energetic and dynamic young group of community leaders in 2004. Their mission is to create spaces for artistic and cultural expression, promote healthy communities, and strengthen the voice of the Eastern

Coachella Valley. “It represents music and the arts for my community. In my spare time I’m also a music instructor. I want to make sure the arts are funded and don’t go away.

Keeping these opportunities open to young people is a life-long goal of mine.”

Eevaan Tré will be performing at Agua Caliente 10/15/16 and at Terrorfest 10/29/16. eevaantre.com

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September 22 to September 28, 2016

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CHRISTOPHER SPELLMAN: FOUNDER, CHARITY: TEMPLE COMIC CON PALM SPRINGS ISAIAH “

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orking in the entertainment industry all my life, it‘s been about being creative,” said Christopher Spellman, Founder of Comic Con Palm Springs. “As a writer, producer, my career has been all about putting together creative projects at a very high level.”

For Spellman, Comic Con was a challenge that fit with his skill set and was motivated by his desire to benefit the community all the while enjoying a genre he loves best.

Nearly 15,000 people attended the inaugural event. Families, fanatics, nerds, young and old, flocked to the Palm Springs Convention Center in August!

“We’re very proud of Comic Con Palm Springs and happy about how our first year turned out,” said Spellman. “The event exceeded our expectations. A lot of it was serendipitous and luck.” Spellman rarely uses the first person pronoun “I” and doesn’t take direct credit for its success.

Spellman has spent nine years working in and around the comic book industry. “Comic Con Palm Springs was all about families,” said Spellman. “We wanted it to be family driven.

We admitted two kids twelve and under free with the purchase of one adult ticket.

We reached out to the Star Wars group, The Lego people and Zombie walk. It was about bringing cool photo ops and making it fun for everyone.”

Comic book conventions have become popular across the country and around the

world. “We didn’t want it to be just a two-note, institutional comic con. It was about bringing in talent, panels, music and partnering with local organizations and charities. Of course, having comic book icon Stan Lee participate was a home run.”

For the last 16 years, Spellman has worked as a talent manager and packaging producer.

However, recently, Comic Con Palm Springs has turned into a full-time job. Though he still has his hands in show business, he admits that this new venture is time consuming. “It all falls under one big umbrella,” Spellman said.

Spellman first came to Palm Springs in 1974 and his family bought a home here in 1977. He has always considered Palm Springs home and now resides in the city full time after living in Los Angeles and New York.

Unmarried and with one, tortoiseshell, long-haired cat he adopted from a local shelter, Spellman is a fan of vacationing at home in Palm Springs. His favorite movie is Star Wars and his favorite bands include Journey and Pink Floyd. An English literature major in college, Spellman loves the poetry in the lyrics of Pink Floyd. “I’m very boring. I mostly stay at home. I like movies and I like to read,” said Spellman.

Beyond his creative self, there is an astute businessman. Spellman insisted that Comic Con Palm Springs be in August.

“I lived here when all the businesses closed during summer because no one was around,”

BY HEIDI SIMMONS

said Spellman. “I know families who have to work multiple jobs to make ends meet. This event was a way to create jobs and generate business at a time of year when it would be most welcome and needed for families and business.”

Aware that his community has both working class and well-to-do people, Spellman modeled Comic Con Palm Springs ticket prices after Planet Comic Con in Kansas City, to make it affordable to locals and attract first-time attendees.

“There are very few cities that host

STEVE SANCHEZ: A MARINE ON A COMMUNITY MISSION

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a team of people since he was twenty-five years old, helped develop his ability to be a confident leader with integrity. He says, in politics, people stay too long. “They should find a mentee and groom them to take over like they do in the military,” asserts the leader.

After a career in military, Sanchez spent time in advertising and sales but real estate has allowed him the opportunity to give back and serve his community on an even greater level. “With politics it’s really about my desire to serve and give back. I got involved in my community with Big Brothers and Big Sisters and a lot of other non-profits across the valley,” he explains. He feels he has more to offer and whether active with the Chamber of Commerce or having worked with the state legislature, he believes City Council is another way to serve his country by serving the local.

His passion to serve and make a difference is evident.

Although Steve has received recognition for his military accomplishments, he considers the greatest award to be the reward he receives from helping those in need. “This article is such a surprise! I was really quite shocked to be included. In the military, I received a few honors but thank you as well for recognizing me,” says the humble man.

He’s a lover of people and animals and life

comic conventions that are also world-wide destinations,” said Spellman. “We have a special formula here. This is Palm Springs! It’s a unique environment. Setting a comic book convention here is a perfect recipe. Place and event converge and you get to participate in a fantasy world!”

The comic book industry and other cities are certainly aware of the tremendous success of the event and are watching closely for what comes next.

“We are closer to Hollywood than San Diego. We have ties to local celebrities plus we have international film festivals, which make the event especially inviting,” said Spellman. “There is a lot of potential as well as momentum to make this convention even more significant. We are looking to expand and we hope to have up to four different events throughout the year by 2018.”

Spellman’s passion comes through when he talks about the impact the event had on the community. “Seeing the smiles and joy of attendees is very rewarding,” said Spellman. “Bringing so many people together who are having a good time, and also, to be contributing to the greater community makes me happy. It puts a smile on my face.”

The youngest member on the board of Temple Isaiah, Spellman has a passion for helping children. “The local Jewish Federation feeds the hungry, helps local kids and families,” said Spellman. “It’s great to do something that makes a difference in the lives of those in our own home town.”

BY NOE GUTIERREZ

CHARITY: BIG BROTHERS AND BIG SISTERS his past weekend, I had the pleasure of speaking with Steve Sanchez, a Marine on a mission to serve community through sound principles of vision, leadership and integrity. In our current state of affairs, the political landscape may not seem so attractive. But when you need a tough situation to be handled, you send a Marine. Since leaving his eight-year military career, Mr. Sanchez has ventured into business and serving community through his board appointments to several non-profits.

A few short years ago, real estate broker Scott Wilson offered to mentor Steve if he agreed to work for him. “I said yes. You need a mentor. I’ve learned the ropes of life and business because of him and a few other great mentors in the Marines and throughout life.

Whether real estate or city council, it’s great to be able to seek the guidance from experts,” says a gleeful Sanchez.

One of the keys to his success is having a good mentor. In the military Steve Sanchez learned a lot of logistical skills and how to adapt instantly and to modify when things don’t go as initially planned. “We have a saying that amateurs think tactics but professionals think logistics,” says Sanchez.

Having the ability to make split second decisions and being responsible for leading

MEN’S ISSUE

and it pours from his inner most being. “I love being awake. I’m up every day at 4am ready to go!”

A few years after the military, Steve faced a near death experience. He went to a friend’s house and was trying to help get some uninvited guests to leave. When he stepped into the middle of the situation, he felt something then saw the blood coming out.

He says his military training kept him calm and the doctors claimed his healthy lifestyle really gave him a fighting chance. “Death doesn’t scare me. I knew I was alive. It really affected

the people around me more. I was really touched by the support of the community.

The lesson is you never know,” says the retired Marine.

As a member of the Board for Leadership Coachella Valley, Steve recently asked the class, who they admired most. The question helps the future leaders see qualities and traits that they will develop to lead the Valley in the years ahead as business and civic leaders. I asked Steve who he looks up to and with a chuckle, he says “it depends on what era!” Joking aside, he says his broker, Scott Wilson. “He guides me on how to be successful. Not a day or deal goes by that I don’t learn something from him. I hope along the way I will be that person for someone,” he states proudly.

Sanchez loves history and especially anything about the Constitution! He says he wishes more people would find “the glue to our society” more interesting. An avid reader of Roman and American history, he strives to keep his mind, body and spirit finely tuned. Part of that, is being involved with his community and helping others, like Big Brothers and Big Sisters. “I’m fortunate to be where I am. I’ve had it rough at times, we all have. Here’s this kid who needs a mentor to show him the good in life. Heck, I get to be a kid again, too!

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

JIMI ‘FITZ’ FITZGERALD:

SINGER, SONGWRITER, PRODUCER, RADIO PERSONALITY CV 104.3 CHARITY: ACT FOR MS

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hat can we say about FITZ that hasn’t already been printed in previous Coachella Valley Weekly articles featuring him? The fact that we’re writing about him again and that he is one of CV Weekly’s Top 12 Most Interesting & Influential Men of 2016 is an indicator that he continues to maintain his integrity while developing and promoting events throughout the desert.

He continues to be the calming voice of the ‘Fitz in the Morning’ show on CV 104.3 FM each weekday morning. He continues to host the ‘Fitz’s Jazz Café’ series at the McCallum Theater, now in its 18th year. The heavy-hitters Fitz has worked with are listed in his bio and reads like a who’s who in entertainment.

TIMELINE Fitz has had a long road to get to where he is. He gives us the short and sweet of his chronology. “I had bands when I was a teenager, I got into radio when I was 19, I started promoting concerts in small clubs.

I ended up getting on a country station just outside of Washington, DC. That got me into country and got me promoting country concerts. At the same time I was working at a DC rock station, just before Howard Stern got there. I had a deal with the Grand Ole Opry to take the old timers on tour. I was involved when the Oak Ridge Boys and the Gatlin Brothers were getting started. I was producing concerts with them and did a show for NBC called the World’s Largest Indoor Country Music Show. I then went on the road with the Oak Ridge Boys for about a year and a half. I was managing the back-up band and performing and recording with them. I then got an offer to be an agent with the Agency for the Performing Arts. I spent a lot of time with Rodney Dangerfield and I got to work with people like Tony Bennett, Manhattan Transfer and Tina Turner.” In a short time Fitz felt everything was falling into place.

Fitz quickly realized that everything happens for a reason. “I told my boss I don’t know if I really want to do this for the rest of my life and he fired me that day. We stayed friends. Six months later I had my first music video on MTV which was called ‘No Good For You,’ which was one of the first videos to air on MTV. I got a record deal with an independent record label and then my second MTV video was released called ‘Audio/Video’ which was my biggest hit. I had a #2 record in Italy with that song. I was signed to open for Joe Cocker then I unexpectedly lost both of my parents within four months of each other. It was devastating. I didn’t do the tour.

I kept making music. I met my future wife Wendy a couple of years after that. I started directing television shows. I directed Howard Stern’s first pay-per-view show. I did the first reality show for Disney called ‘Weddings of a Lifetime.’ That was Wendy’s background, the bridal industry. I then produced a big concert at Giants Stadium with Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings Tammy Wynette, the Oak Ridge Boys, the Gatlin Brothers and Eddie Rabbit, who was a good friend of mine. Wendy and I then did a show called, ‘This Country’s Rockin,’ in 1989 at the Pontiac Silverdome . I was then signed

BY NOE GUTIERREZ

to William Morris Agency as a producer. I was blessed to work with Crystal Gayle and Roy Clark.”

WHY THE DESERT? “In the late 80’s we were working on a show in Los Angeles and I asked, where is all this California sunshine I heard about? We were told it was in Palm Springs so we rented a car and drove out. We ended up going three weekends in a row and fell in love with the desert.”

Fitz is comfortable with how things have transpired. “All of these things seemed to happen. I was doing the right things and building on things. I’m just blessed to be in the business and wear different hats.” Fitz shared his blueprint: “My major keys to success is always trying to be creative and optimistic.

Not getting discouraged when things don’t go the way they should. I never really planned my career path. It was laid out. I love to record, write, being on the radio, communicating and creating.”

NOW Fitz’s upcoming album is once again being produced by Lewis Richards of 17th Street Records. Fitz has also been working with Penny Unniversity and recently released his dual single, ‘For What It’s Worth,’ the Buffalo Springfield hit, and a Fitz original, ‘Citizens of the Universe.’

Fitz has consistently provided support to many of the desert’s charitable organizations.

“The charity I’m representing for this event is ACT for MS. Gloria Greer started this nonprofit many years ago. She was a wonderful lady and Wendy and I worked with her on many occasion. Gloria left an amazing legacy. I believe in all the work that great organization has done.” ACT for MS provides assistance for Coachella Valley residents living with Multiple Sclerosis.

IN CLOSING “I’m honored to be in the company of these distinguished citizens of the Coachella Valley and thrilled with the work Coachella Valley Weekly has done.”

Saturday, December 10 – jimi FITZ and Friends – A CV Christmas at the McCallum Theater. jimifitz.com

September 22 to September 28, 2016

MEN’S ISSUE BRAD GUTH: OWNER OF THE HOOD BAR & PIZZA CHARITY: LOVING ALL ANIMALS BY NOE GUTIERREZ

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he success of The Hood Bar & Pizza may not have continued if a certain gentleman did not step in to take the helm. Sir Brad Guth is that man. Guth is no stranger to the business world. He has a storied career in sales.

“I began a career in retail as Buyer for Macy’s Department store where I bought girls sportswear and dresses for 10 years. I then moved on to become the Senior Vice President of Product Development for a chain of women’s sportswear stores in the Midwest called Paul Harris. I spent three years with Paul Harris, traveled the world creating exclusive fashions for the company before moving to the East Coast to become Vice President of Merchandising for The Avenue stores, a 550 store chain of apparel selling special sizes. After a few years with The Avenue, I become the president of retail for an exclusive chain of stores selling men’s and woman’s sportswear. I spent 13 years with this company building and developing their retail portfolio across the United States, Puerto Rico, and taking the company international into Canada. In 2003, I purchased my home in Palm Desert where I would spend every other weekend as I had a West Coast office located in Las Vegas. After 13 years of building a 46 store chain of stores which involved heavy and frequent travel demands, I decided to make Palm Desert my full time home, left the company, and acquired The Hood Bar & Pizza.” Since his takeover The Hood has continued to flourish.

Guth takes the customer service approach to all who enter The Hood. “I believe my success has been attributed in many instances because I am a huge believer in offering great service to all guests. I feel strongly that a guest in a store or a guest at The Hood should be treated like a guest in my own home. The guest experience should be a good one and people should leave feeling positive about what they just experienced.”

Guth is the oldest of 11 biological brothers and sisters. “I was adopted at birth and grew up in a wonderful family with one sister, also adopted. In 2009, I was fortunate enough to be found by my youngest birth brother on Facebook and shortly thereafter met my entire biological family with whom I developed great relationships. I think meeting my biological family when I was in my forties is one of the most interesting parts of my life. I myself adopted a daughter who is my pride and joy and have two terrific grandkids that I love hanging out with.”

Being with loved ones and his family is Guth’s priority. “I love to hang out with my daughter and my grand kids, my partner Eddie, and very best friend. Just being together enjoying a meal, spending time in the pool, or just talking is a great way for me to spend the day. We take one big family vacation each year which is something to always look forward to.”

You can find Guth at The Hood interacting

with his customers and staff. “I actually love spending time at my own bar; watching my new found friends have a good time is very rewarding for me. I enjoy going to the movies, eating out, and being social.”

Guth’s adoptive mother is his true inspiration. “She instilled values and principals in me that have lasted a lifetime.

She raised me by example teaching me to be honest and fair, treat people like I want to be treated, and to do the right thing. She was a hard worker, worked two jobs, and raised two kids, and at the same time went to school throughout her adult life to learn new trades. She became a model at age 40, a travel agent at 50 - travelled the world on her own. She was a risk taker and I followed her examples; a risk taker myself and strong work ethic. She was the least judgmental person I know and always looked for the ‘good’ in every situation and person she encountered.

I strive to do the same.”

Guth has also considered getting more involved in his city. “I actually have an interest in getting involved in city politics and may try and run for city council one day. It is such a great city with a lot to offer and I enjoy being here. I’m amazed at how beautiful it is.

Not only Palm Desert, but the entire desert community is a great place to live.”

Guth reflects on his decision to leave the big business world: “I left a solid career and job after 13 years to take the risk of buying a pizzeria, bar and entertainment venue. It’s been an interesting ride but I have found the bar is just like retail so I have followed my guiding principles, which are just to try and create the best guest experience possible and enhance what was already a fun place to be.”

Guth is in the process of determining the charity he will donate to in honor of his pick as one of Coachella Valley Weekly’s Top Men & Women event. ”I would love to support Loving All Animals as my partner and I just adopted a new puppy who has turned out to be deaf - which makes her even more special.”

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September 22 to September 28, 2016

JOSH BONNER:

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

MEN’S ISSUE

CEO & PRESIDENT OF THE BY NOE GUTIERREZ GREATER COACHELLA VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

CHARITY: GCVCC FUTURE LEADERS PROGRAM

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osh Bonner will tell you he’s a “simple guy”. He is far from it. As President and CEO of the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce, aka The Chamber, the second largest in Riverside County, he is leading the charge of the Coachella, Indio and La Quinta Chambers of Commerce as well as the Cabazon and Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians into an extraordinary collaborative that unites over 1,200 members. Through it all Bonner remains humble. “My primary interests are faith, family and work, in that order. There really isn’t much more to me.”

His modesty is paralleled by his business savvy.

Bonner’s career path coincidentally began in sales. “I started off my career running Learning & Development departments. Part of my duties in that role was creating and delivering sales curriculum. Eventually I transitioned into managing sales and marketing efforts directly, that is where I spent the bulk of my career, almost 15 years doing that.

During that time I stayed active in local non-profit work, serving on Boards for several local charities. One of the boards I participated in was the Indio Chamber. In 2013 that job came open and I interviewed for it, eventually becoming the President & CEO of that organization in January 2014.”

Bonner also has a multitude of experiences with big companies and small business. “During my career I have had the good privilege of working for two Fortune 500 Corporations and one International Company based out of France. I have also owned my own businesses and assisted with several startups. That diverse background of corporate and small business experience has really helped me in my current role; I have a solid understanding for business in general.”

Bonner has been able to achieve success through hard work and shunning failure.

“I’m not averse to putting in 50-60 hour work weeks. For me I set a bar of success in my position, whatever it is, and I insist on hitting my own benchmarks. I’m also a super competitive person; I want to win, even if it’s a game of Monopoly with my kids. I’m a horrible loser. When my oldest son started to play basketball a lot and was getting close to being able to beat me, I refused to play him one-on-one anymore,” laughed Bonner.

Bonner was born and raised in Indio with humble beginnings. “I spent most of my childhood in a little trailer park off of Miles Avenue in what is now La Quinta. My family is originally from Illinois, but a lot of them now live in the valley. The Bonner legacy of dedication will indeed live on. “I am married with 6 kids (yes, they are all mine lol). My oldest daughter is a third

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year nursing student at Texas A&M Corpus Christi. My son just graduated Palm Desert High School and is attending College of the Desert. I have one in middle school and three that haven’t started yet, including one year-old twins. I enjoy children, as you can see.” His children have followed Bonner’s varied path.

Bonner shared the diversity of his upbringing. “I have traveled a lot. I was fortunate to have a father that really enjoyed traveling. By the time I was 18 I had been to 15 different countries and all over the US. It was a nice cultural emersion for me. I once bought a house in Rancho Mirage for $8,000! I’m not sure how many people have pulled that off, ever.”

“I am a really big Denver Bronco fan.

One of my boys is named Denver, and the other is named Champ, after Champ Bailey the former All-Pro Corner. I also really like to Air B&B. I rent my house out for all the concerts and also enjoy renting myself at the beach and other places.”

Bonner shared that he respects and admires his father the most. “My dad was a single parent; he made a lot of sacrifices in his life to provide for me and to keep me heading in the right direction.”

At Coachella Valley Weekly’s Top Men & Women event Bonner will be representing the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce Future Leaders Program. “Well, since I work for a non-profit I kind of have to choose my own. Specifically though any money The Chamber receives will go directly to our Future Leaders program, a scholarship program that has been established for local high school students enrolled in the Chamber’s year round leadership development program.”

SOTERIOS ANAGNOSTOU: BY MORGAN JAMES OWNER OF DESERTWRAPS.COM CHARITY: SAFEHOUSE OF THE DESERT

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ill; Hard Work; Determination; For Soterios Anagnostou these are words to live by.

Growing up in Dana Point Soterios spent his youth surfing, skateboarding, fishing and immersing himself in the local art culture. At a young age he fused his artistic talent with his athletic abilities and became notably involved with a popular surfboard and apparel company that is still in business to this day. Although he learned early on he had a knack for design, he soon began to realize that the extent of his talent was not limited to the aesthetic arena. “As an artist you try to find ways to create art, yet make a living at the same time. I always wanted to work on projects that were going to teach me, but at the same time I wanted to express my art,” explains Anagnostou. Merging these ideas, the entrepreneur started a fashion arts and writing magazine and even owned two retail stores in southern Oregon, which really taught him the marketing side of how to make a business flourish.

Having a strong sense of familial responsibility, Anagnostou moved to Palm Springs to help care for his ailing father.

Anagnostou landed in the art department of a prominent advertising agency. During his employment, he realized many of the Desert’s small businesses needed assistance in branding and art direction. AdRhythm Advertising & Design was born. In 2003, Anagnostou’s forward thinking recognized an increase in the demand for vehicle wraps. “I sought after ideas and concepts of where I thought the market was going.

Large format was getting big. The economy was changing.”

Anagnostou immediately jumped on the opportunity by recruiting his high school buddy, Joe Rich, who was experienced in sign making and large format printing.

Rich installed the first vehicle wrap while Anagnostou drove the development of DesertWraps.com. “I trusted my gut and it has been uphill ever since.” Anagnostou notes that he is fortunate to have surrounded himself with an extremely hard working and talented team. Today DesertWraps.com wraps over 200 vehicles a year and helps a large portion of their clients improve their Branding and Marketing in the process.

In a lot of ways building his business is Anagnostou’s hobby. He’s currently working to build his newest division, InteriorBranding.com. When he is not working he enjoys coaching his son’s soccer team, running Spartan Races with his girlfriend, traveling as much as possible, and of course surfing. He still loves to play guitar and if you ask him what his favorite movies and celebrities are, he will tell you that he doesn’t watch much TV or keep track of “celebrities,” but older James Bond movies top his list.

“I am constantly working and they say

all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” laughs Anagnostou. However, this “dull boy” does get away from the work he enjoys to take his sport boat out onto the ocean and to surf, noting his favorite vacation spot as Cabo San Lucas, Mexico for the pure “rawness” of it. Other places Anagnostou has visited and loves are Costa Rica, Hawaii, Indonesia, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Vallarta. Another hobby of this “Most Interesting Man” are Spartan Races, “Which I don’t train for,” he admits. “I just schedule it... like the one this weekend. I will just get out there and kill myself, but once you are there and you get your headband on and you are surrounded by everyone else, you are not going to whimp out. It’s like jumping out of a plane.” Anagnostou shrugs casually as if to say “doesn’t everyone?” When it comes to music, Coldplay is a favorite, but as a former guitar player who toured up and down the coast for a time and who has written music with Ian Ashbury of The Cult and even practiced with No Doubt, Anagnostou notes those bands for their influence.

When it comes to charity, The Safehouse, which offers shelter, intervention and outreach for youth, has a place in Anagnostou’s heart, as a parent himself, he knows the challenges and rewards that come with parenting. “It is insane to me that there might be a 12 year old that no one is claiming. It is something that people don’t want to think about.” Anagnostou notably is very close with his 10 year old son who is a soccer fanatic. “I play soccer with him a lot, but I have always been more of a lax father, a nurturer,” he states. “I tell my son ‘it’s ok you made a mistake, but it was creative and what did you learn from that?’

There’s a give and take. I am a little soft on him sometimes.”

Anagnostou understands that some kids don’t get that kind of love and support, that’s why supporting Safehouse for his charity was an obvious choice for him.

LOCAL MUSIC SPOTLIGHT

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

ROB LAWRENCE

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ob Lawrence has a spirited nature, striving to enjoy the adventure of life itself, volunteering for causes near and dear to him, and self-expression through his music. Lawrence displays his big heart playing music for various charities supporting causes from Animals to Autism. If asked to give of his time, talents, or expertise, Lawrence is always the first to step up. Music is his profound passion however, and it is through music that Lawrence has found his peace.

Lawrence has created his place in the music scene here in the Coachella Valley through his strong relationships. His unassuming, cool aura speaks volumes to his character. I spoke with Lawrence as his band Upper Class Poverty heads into the studio to work on their first album.

MJ: Tell me how you found music and about your background in it?

RL: “I am a self-taught guitarist/singer. I’ve played in bands since high school spanning from South Jersey to Tacoma, WA to the Coachella Valley. I love all genres and although I currently front a punk rock band, you will get a lot more diversity out of my solo acoustic performances. I’m currently the singer/guitar player for Upper Class Poverty. My drummer (Corwin Hendricks) and I have been playing together since I moved here in April of 2010.

We were introduced by my sister before I really knew anyone in the valley. We got together, jammed out a few songs that I had previously written prior to moving here and the rest is history. We decided to go by Sol Jah Rock. We had an alternative/reggae/rock vibe. We were keeping an eye out for a bass player when a mutual friend at a party (Colten Tryon) said he wanted to play with us. We asked how long he’d been playing and he said ‘Well, I’ve never played, but I can get a bass and amp and I’ll figure it out.’ Low and behold he showed up at my house the next day with a bass and an amp...we taught him the basics over just a few practices and he became our bass player for the next 2 years...and a pretty decent one at that. We ended up losing our rehearsal spot in 2012 when I moved into a smaller place. We never ended up figuring it out from there, unfortunately. I played solo gigs for the next couple years until Corwin and

I formed Upper Class Poverty in early 2014.

We wanted to focus on a punk rock sound and got to writing with our new bass player Chaz Shapiro. Songs started to flow freely and we were playing gigs within a couple of months. Chaz has since moved to Lake Tahoe and has been replaced by Corwin’s brother Mikey Hendricks. It’s been a great fit and the vibe is exactly what we have been going for.

We are currently getting started on our first studio album and will continue to book gigs as we record. We are very stoked for the future!”

MJ: Your music is contains politically charged and passionate lyrics. What issues do you write about that have meaning to you?

RL: “I write about a lot of things. I think punk rock has always been a politically charged genre and I feel that music is a great platform to talk about matters that affect our world as a whole. I try to stay away from taking political sides and focus more on specific situations and examples of things that I feel can and should be paid attention too. I talk a lot about corporate greed and the unquenchable thirst we see for money and power on a daily basis.

I’ve worked in the corporate world for a majority of my life and many of my lyrics come from first-hand experience. That being said, listening to UCP, you will find that we expand into self-awareness, past relationships, past friendships, future goals...basically if I have to really dig deep and think while I’m writing my lyrics then I hope that these lyrics will be something that will allow our fans to think as well.”

MJ: Tell me why the desert is important to you as an influence and what you love about the music scene and people involved with the scene out here?

RL: “I have played in a few different music scenes. The Coachella Valley is by far my favorite. The camaraderie here is unparalleled from what I have seen in the past. For the most part everyone wants to see each other succeed. I was born here but left when I was 7.

Throughout my music career I always wanted to end up back here playing music. I’ve always loved the desert but I had no clue what was in store in terms of the people I would meet and the friendships I would build. As much as I love to play out of town, this valley will always

September 22 to September 28, 2016

BY MORGAN JAMES feel more like home than anywhere else I’ve been...I feel extremely fortunate.”

MJ: What projects have you been involved in and shows have you performed in that you are especially proud of?

RL: “I’m proud of every project I have ever been a part of. Sol Jah Rock was an amazing way to enter this music scene. And Upper Class Poverty is everything I dreamed it would be. There are a few shows, however, that I can definitely say stick out in my mind that I am extremely proud to have been a part of.

I love playing benefits. I love the fact that what we do as musicians can directly help a cause. And I have been lucky enough to be a part of an annual Autism Benefit put on by my good friend Josh Heinz. He works his ass off every year putting it together and it feels great to be invited to participate. (I will be playing again this year the weekend of Nov 18th at Tack Room Tavern.) Another huge weekend that sticks out to me was the End of the World festival for the closing of Schmidy’s Tavern. That show was the epitome of what our music scene is all about. The owners of that bar did so much for this community and just about every musician in the valley came together to let them know how much we appreciate them. Over 40 local bands played to give them the appropriate farewell. It was a powerful weekend to say the least.”

MJ: Looking to the future, where do you see your music headed in the next year?

RL: “Upper Class Poverty just began working on our first studio album. We are projecting a release around spring of 2017.

Stay tuned to our Facebook page for updates and new material that may or may not be on the album. We plan to continue to gig while we record and I will have sporadic solo acoustic gigs in between (Next one is Sept 24th at La Quinta Brewery w/ Courtney Chambers).”

MJ: What is your outlook on your future in music? Is it something you are actively pursuing as a career, side career, or is it all in fun?

RL: “I intend on playing music till the day I die. Whether or not it is ever a full time gig, music has always been and will always be way more than that to me. It’s a form of selftherapy that I have never found a substitute for. And I just hope that I can share it with as many people as possible over my lifetime so that they might get to feel that same feeling I get from it. I aspire to help people feel... sometimes feelings they didn’t even know they had. It’s a pretty special thing we get to do as musicians and I’m thankful every day for it.” facebook.com/upperclasspoverty Reverbnation.com as Rob Lawrence & as Upper Class Poverty

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September 22 to September 28, 2016

CONSIDER THIS

GAME THEORY

S

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

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BY ELENI P. AUSTIN

“BIG SHOT CHRONICLES” (OMNIVORE RECORDS)

cott Miller was born in 1960 and grew up in Sacramento. In fact his family originally settled there during the California gold rush of the 1850s. His parents had an eclectic record collection that included Broadway show-tunes and a cross-section of Folk music. By the time he was school-age he was obsessed with the Beatles and the Monkees.

At age nine he began taking guitar lessons and by the time he was 11 he had formed his first group. Not really realizing you probably shouldn’t name your band after an existing band, he called his four-piece the Monkees.

Apparently, he assumed Mike Nesmith role.

No evidence exists that he sported a wool cap.

Scott seriously pursued music during his junior high years. By high school he was fronting bands like Lobster Quadrille, Mantis and Resistance. When he began attending college at UC Davis his latest aggregate was known as Alternate Learning. A going concern from 1977 to 1982, they recorded a 7” EP in 1979 and released a full-length LP, Painted Windows, on Rational Records in 1981.

The following year he formed his longest lasting band, Game Theory. Named after the mathematics strategy, the original line-up included Scott as lead vocalist and guitarist, Nancy Becker on keyboards, Fred Juhos on bass and vocals and Michael Irwin on drums.

Operating on a shoe-string budget, they recorded their 1982 debut, Blaze Of Glory, for Rational Records. Lacking the funds to both press and package the album a thousand copies were originally released in white plastic trash bags with photo-copied cover art glued to the bags.

Game Theory’s sound was a pithy synthesis of Power Pop and lush Psychedelia.

Instrumentation and arrangements were dense and intricate, the lyrics verbose. They immediately struck up a loose affiliation with L.A.’s Paisley Underground bands, (Three O’Clock, Dream Syndicate, Rain Parade and The Bangles). In fact, when Game Theory released a pair of EPs in 1983, Pointed Accounts Of People You Know and Distortion, Three O’Clock frontman Michael Quercio produced the latter.

By this time, Dave Gill replaced Michael Irwin behind the drum kit. (Personnel changes would plague the band, Scott Miller remaining

WESTFIELD MALL

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the only constant presence throughout the years). Game Theory signed with Enigma Records, and for their second full-length, Real Nighttime, the band hooked up with protean producer Mitch Easter.

A native of North Carolina, Easter was part of the seminal ‘70s Power Pop band the Sneakers before opening Drive-In Recording Studio in Winston-Salem. Along with fronting his own band Let’s Active, he began to make a name for himself as a producer on R.E.M.’s debut EP and their first two long-players.

Mitch was a perfect foil for Game Theory, providing Scott Miller with a broad sonic canvas. The result was something akin to an Indie-Pop Pet Sounds. Scott’s affection for Big Star was also made explicit with the band’s cover of Alex Chilton’s “You Can’t Have Me.” Mitch Easter remained Game Theory’s producer on the band’s next three records.

From1986’s Big Shot Chronicles, he continued with 1987’s double LP magnum opus, Lolita Nation and 1988’s Two Steps From The Middle Ages. Each effort was met with rapturous and universal critical acclaim.

The band had accrued a small but devoted following that included contemporaries like Aimee Mann (who was then the frontwoman for ‘til Tuesday), and Stephin Merritt, (visionary behind bands like Magnetic Fields, The 6ths, The Gothic Archies and Future Bible Heroes). They also made an impression on up-and-comers like the Posies, Ted Leo and Spoon front-man Britt Daniel. Unfortunately, commercial success still eluded their grasp.

After myriad line-up changes that included Jozef Becker, Gil Ray, Shelley LaFrenaire, Suzi Ziegler, Donette Thayer and Guilliaume Gaasaun, Scott pulled the plug in 1990.

Ironically, he reconvened some of the same players for his new project, the Loud Family. The band was named after television’s first reality series, “American Family.” A groundbreaking early ‘70s documentary that saw an all-American family practically implode before the cameras. (It’s also where eldest son, Lance, came out as gay, literally in front of America).

Between 1991 and 2006 the Loud Family released seven albums and one EP. Early in the new millennium Scott and acolyte Aimee Mann recorded a number of tracks together, but those have yet to see the light of day.

In 2010, Scott wrote a well-received critical history of Rock & Roll entitled Music: What Happened? He had also reactivated the Game Theory moniker and was in the process of writing new music for a new album when, tragically, he took his own life in April, 2013.

He left behind a wife and two daughters.

For years, the entire Game Theory catalog has been out of print, but thanks to the fine folks at Omnivore Records, that wrong is finally being rectified. Omnivore, has quickly eclipsed Rhino Records as the go-to label for comprehensive re-issues of forgotten treasures.

To paraphrase the “Sound Of Music,” they started at the beginning, a very fine place to start. Going all the way back to Game Theory’s genesis in 2014 they released the band’s 1982 debut, Blaze Of Glory and included 15 bonus

tracks. Dead Center, a compilation of their two EPs, followed less than six months later.

The Real Nighttime re-issue appeared in March 2015 a year later the label jumped the chronological order releasing the double album Lolita Nation. Now they take a leap back in the space-time continuum to properly deliver the 1986 record The Big Shot Chronicles.

The album opens with the pulsating “Here It Is Tomorrow.” A pummeling backbeat, fuzztastic guitars, jet-set keys and thrumming bass provide ballast for wildly loquacious (but crazily cryptic) lyrics like “Quick judger, longtime begrudger dialed in to the pyramid structure/ Efficacious B-follows-A-cious, something you can shove in their faces, holding out for maximum missed time, the stereotype was right this time.”

Re-visiting this album 30 years on, it’s frankly shocking that this band wasn’t more popular. Their music builds on the sharp Beatles/Monkees paradigm and adds the more wistful sounds of Brian Wilson and Big Star. The first single, “Erica’s Word,” is powered by an infectious handclap rhythm, stuttery acoustic riffs and a kaleidoscopic electric guitar solo that spirals and exhales. All the while Scott addresses an ex who is “taking me clear and leaving me blurred, singing the praise and playing the blues/Pulling the rug out from under my shoes.”

Several tracks here are ridiculously nonstop catchy. The dizzying “Make Any Vows” is fueled Gil Ray’s breakneck backbeat. Rubbery bass and spacey keys quietly underscore ricochet guitars that jangle one second and squall the next. The lyrics offer this tart metaphor for a rickety romantic relationship; “Latticework without foundation holds as long as we agree/Question and you’ll hear it buckle, all on your own suddenly.”

Tilt-A-Whirl guitars shimmer and shake over sparkly keys and a workman-like rhythm on “I’ve Tried Subtlety.” The lyrics make veiled references to a school prom, political expediency and an attempted Grand Theft Auto. If the listener is left scratching their heads, Scott promises to do better; “I’ve tried subtlety before, but I will not anymore.”

The action slows for four tracks. “Book Of Millionaires” is awash in phased keys that almost tilt the song in a Prog-Rock direction. Fleet acoustic fretwork threads through the instrumental tapestry along with piquant electric riffs. The lyrics are a caustic commentary on television that pre-sages the Kardashian-ization of the airwaves; “Who’s this they’re letting get on TV, he’s new and he’s great and it’s just not me.”

The twangy guitar, languid melody and relaxed back-beat of “Too Closely” belie lyrics that straddle the line between romantic supplication and passive-aggressive stalkerism. “If you were here I would wait, wait all day right here/If no one were watching girl, I guess I’d wait all year.” Yikes.

“Where You Going Northern,” pairs rippling acoustic licks with bent electric notes. As the tempo gathers speed, Scott bemoans the loss of a kindred spirit; “Cause you see the world just as I do, and we do the things that I say to/ But one day you’ll do what you want to.”

“Regenisraen” is a Folky, Elizabethan roundelay. The instrumentation is pared down to trickling acoustic arpeggios and pastoral keys. They blur together, accenting the madrigal bliss of Scott, Shelley and Suzi’s vocal blend. The title is a bit of Scott jabberwocky that co-opts the words regenerate and rain.

The two best tracks, “Crash Into June” and “Never Mind,” kick the album into interstellar overdrive. On the former, flickering guitar riffs pogo in and out of the melody, then collide with stabby, New Wave synth fills, roiling bass and a caffeinated rhythm. The lyrics kind of come to terms with intense nostalgia for the recent past; “And if I answer to a different hunger from the one I had when I was younger/Please remember that it’s still just me inside.”

The latter is anchored by fuzzy, distorto guitar, furrowed bass lines, a see-saw rhythm and playful vocals. The shambolic melody is a cosmic cousin to “A Legal Matter,” the Who’s early treatise on domestic ennui. The quick, scattershot guitar solo is drenched in feedback.

The album closes with “Like A Girl Jesus.”

Tender and tentative, the song feels like an sideways homage to the Velvet Underground as well as the gossamer delicacy of Chris Bell’s Big Star songs; a quiet and contemplative end to a classic record.

As with their previous re-issues, the kids at Omnivore don’t disappoint with the bonus content. 14 extra songs make up a plethora of essential ephemera. They include some trenchant covers; Vince Guaraldi’s “Linus And Lucy,” Todd Rundgren’s “Couldn’t I Just Tell You,” Roxy Music’s “Remake/Remodel” and Big Star’s “Jesus Christ.” Randomly there’s a version of “Seattle,” the theme from the TV series “Here Comes The Brides” and a live take of the Velvet Underground’s “Sweet Jane.”

There’s also rough mix versions of “Erica’s Word” and “Like A Girl Jesus,” plus a twotrack demo of “The Only Lesson Learned.”

Live offerings of Game Theory songs include “Make Any Vows” and “Friend Of The Family.”

Rounding out the bonus set is a rehearsal of “If And When It All Falls Apart” and a particularly affecting acoustic rendering of “Come Home With Me.” The Big Shot Chronicles, as well as the rest of Game Theory’s oeuvre, is ripe for rediscovery. Thankfully, it’s all been lovingly curated by Omnivore. Sadly, Scott Miller was never fully appreciated in his own lifetime. But revisiting these classics makes it clear that he left a musical legacy that is both beautiful and bittersweet.

ART SCENE

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September 22 to September 28, 2016

BY ANGELA ROMEO

WHIMSY MEETS FUNCTION THE ART OF JEFFREY COLESON

A

rtists are influenced by their location. Lighting, weather, natural landscape, man-made landscape all factor into one’s work. For Jeff Coleson the sunshine of the desert was a break after so many years in Seattle.

“Seattle is many things including rainy and cold. Palm Springs, even in the summer, is refreshing. I am feeling at home,” noted the resident artist. “I think I have met more artists in months I have lived here than I did in 40 years in Seattle.”

“I grew up in South Bend Indiana. By the second grade I had discovered that drawing monsters and hot rods was fun! I knew that art would be my life and it continues to be my passion.

Jeff works with a variety of materials including metal, glass, plastic and paint.

His primary material is wood. “Wood is a great versatile material. It is adaptable even for the desert environment. The dry air is well suited for it. Like anything else, proper maintenance is the key to longevity. With care, my work will last for generations.”

“My work is functional but with a twist

of whimsy. Tattoo Box is a good example of function and art together. The piece serves as a storage box but with the fake fur lining and the winged heart handles, a row of skulls and hand drawn vintage tattoo flash, it becomes a conversation piece.”

“I am also inspired by the midcenturymodern lifestyle of the 1950’s and 60’s.

Googie architectural signage was very popular. I have taken that inspiration and created work that captures the feel and, I hope, the essence of Googie style.” Googie captured that futurist architecture that was being fed by the post war fascination with the California car culture, the nascent space age, and the very real atomic age.

The exaggerated style was a fixture of every diner, pool hall, coffee shop and bowling alley.

“In 1972, myself and two other artists opened a custom retail leather shop, The Leather Banana. Like all things, it came to end. I moved to Seattle in 1976 where I worked as a graphic designer and illustrator until relocating to Palm Springs.”

“With the experience and training I have, I am able to create the work I want to create. I prefer unique, one-of-a-kind pieces which offer positive outlook and bring joy. My work has a sense of fantasy but the most important thing is that it makes people smile.”

“I have recently teamed up with Tule Peak Timber to create custom live edge slab furniture in the many wood varieties that exit here in Southern California. From coffee table to massive conference tables, doors and bars, people can expect to see a range of furniture. Beginning November 1st, examples of wood and finished pieces will be on display at my studio. Please stop by. My studio is located at 691 Industrial Place in Palm Springs.”

For more information visit www. jeffcoleson.com

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September 22 to September 28, 2016

PET PLACE

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BY JANET McAFEE

THE FACES OF EUTHANASIA F

ive emails containing the daily euthanasia list of Devore’s shelter animals appeared on my computer, sent by folks who tirelessly network homeless animals. At the bottom of the list was a pair of adorable little fluffy terrier dogs described as “rescue only” due to fearfulness, which means only an approved animal rescue group could take them.

They were considered unadoptable and unavailable for a private individual to adopt.

I called the shelter and learned that no other rescue organization had expressed an interest in them. Loving All Animals’ foster mom, Carole Ricco, told me a few days earlier she would foster a pair of dogs if they were together. Carole did not hesitate, “Let’s go get them! I’ll come with you to the shelter.”

At 4:00 pm, we arrived at the Devore San Bernardino County Shelter, located in a remote industrial area near the base of the San Bernardino Mountains. The wail of the kenneled dogs echoed hauntingly off the nearby mountain peaks. Because of their “rescue only” status, we were not permitted to visit with the dogs, and they were whisked into the required kennels for the trip back to the Coachella Valley. Papers were signed, and we were on the road by 4:15 pm. The shelter closed at 5:00. Representing Loving All Animals, we were the only rescue group that came that day, and my heart ached for the other dogs that were on that day’s list.

By 5:30 pm, we arrived at Carol’s house.

The dogs emerged from their kennels and began joyfully playing in Carol’s backyard.

We were happy to see the dogs had no signs of fear, but rather were friendly, lively, and clearly bonded. At 5:30, I realized that without our 11th hour rescue, these dogs would be in the shelter’s euthanasia room about now. One would have watched the other die. The dogs, believed to be 2-yearold sisters, perfectly healthy and adoptable, would be another statistic among the millions of healthy, adopted animals that are euthanized in public shelters across America.

Nationwide, about 50% of the dogs entering public shelters will be killed there.

Nationwide, approximately 75% of the cats entering public open admission shelters, many of them underage kittens, never make it out alive. A few of the animals euthanized may be seriously ill, injured, or have a record of aggression. But the vast majority that are killed every year are healthy adoptable creatures, whose only crime is not having a home.

A few communities have made heroic strides to become a ‘No Kill’ community, defined as a shelter with a life release rate of 90 percent. But without extensive funding, volunteers and public awareness, shelter staff struggle valiantly to find homes for their animals. Our shelter system needs improvement, but an irresponsible segment of the public fail to spay their pets and create a stream of unwanted litters of animals entering shelters. Hoarding cases stretch shelters to their limit, and they simply run out of kennel space.

Today, Crystal and Pearl play happily at

their foster home. Initially, they were not leash trained or house trained. Most likely they were “outdoor only” dogs, coming in as strays from the unincorporated area of Highland. In Loving All Animals’ obedience training class, dog trainer Sandy Miller is teaching them how to walk on a leash and respond to a variety of commands. The pups

DELIGHTFUL AERO Come meet this fabulous female Calico feline at PetCo, on Hwy 111, Palm Desert this Saturday. Not quite 1-yr-old, playful Aero frolics with toys just like a kitten.

Rescued by ForeverMeow.

Contact (760) 335-6767, www.forevermeow.org.

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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are now house trained and use a doggie door.

A bonded pair, the dogs move as if they are one, eating out of the same food bowl and then moving on together to the next bowl. There is something special about sibling dogs together. Crystal and Pearl have a genetic bond that goes far beyond canine companionship. If separated, they look longingly for the other. They are family, and have endured the worst together, and now are full of joy playing together. Sandy Miller believes it would be a very difficult transition for Crystal and Pearl should they be adopted separately.

Crystal and Pearl now seek their forever home, and they would love to be adopted together. This lively spunky duo would like a home where they have a back yard to play in before coming inside to cuddle with their humans. They are now spayed and vaccinated, and there is an adoption fee. To meet Crystal and Pearl, call Loving All Animals at (760) 834-7000, www. lovingallanimals.org. Having two special bonded dogs like Crystal and Pearl doubles the fun and doubles the love.

Jmcafee7@verizon.net

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THE VINO VOICE

September 22 to September 28, 2016

BY RICK RIOZZA

AUTUMN OPENS TO OENOPHILES

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lover or connoisseur of wine is known in some places as an “oenophile”, pronounced: “eeno-file”. One would think that this is perhaps some ancient Classical Greek term that we’re stuck with—but it’s not. It was more-or-less the name of one of the first Manhattan restaurants to encourage bringing in your own bottle of wine—and probably prompting yet another term, the “corkage fee”.

As we wine enthusiasts comfortably settle in on our favorite quaffs, media and the like will always attempt to stir us to consider what’s trending in wine! So while we’re softly sipping, let’s enjoy a bit of what the wide world of wine is working on: Millennial Lives Matter: Recently, both USA Today and Wine Spectator Magazine reported that in 2015, Millennials drank 42 percent of all wine in the U.S, more than any other generation.

Millennials, defined as the 79 million Americans ages 21 to 38, drank 159.6 million cases of wine in 2015—an average of two cases per person. Whereas, Baby Boomers made up 38 percent of regular drinkers and Gen Xers made up 20 percent.

Another fun fact is the use of another fine term, “high frequency millennials”, who drank 3.1 glasses of wine per sitting, also more than other generations. And among those frequent drinkers under 30, twothirds were women. (Among 30-something millennials, it’s half and half.)

All media is reporting: “Wine is winning with women”. Hey!—I’m always about wine, women and song! Welcome aboard ladies!!

As a wine steward, I’ve noticed that these millennial women are more than happy to consider eclectic wines from places as varied as Greece, South Africa, New Zealand, and Chile. And they’re not afraid of spending every so often more than $20 a bottle— where my generation of men sometimes fall over when spending more than $12!—just kidding, I love my baby boomers!

And, of course, over half of wine-drinking Millennials said they talk about wine on Facebook. (Full disclosure, I, too, publish these articles on Facebook.)

Ingredient-based Labeling: As you

consumers become more and more educated, one naturally becomes a bit more selective and choosy about what goes into the wines you’re drinking. Wines labeled organic, bio-dynamic, and low sulfur are already a big trend, and, we’ll be seeing forward-thinking winemakers listing more info on their labels to highlight their “unmanipulated” wine inside.

We here in the Coachella Valley have our own organic wine maven, Annie Arnold founder of the Organic Wine Exchange, who writes on her website; “Organic Wine Exchange is designed with the organic consumer in mind. Our mission is to keep you informed on the latest organic wine trends and wine reviews. You are exposed to the heart and soul of the organic and biodynamic wine movement through biographies, interviews and videos on wine makers and wineries.

“Additionally, we provide interesting content ranging from internal blogs to national articles all on one resource, and expose you to many of the organic and biodynamic wines available on the market today.” Good stuff for sure. Check it out at organicwineexchange.com.

New World Wine: If I do say so myself, I think we have fun covering out-of-the ordinary wines of the world in this column.

My particular picks for the upcoming season as to wines and areas to keep an eye one are: Of course, the latest “queen of reds”, Pinot Noir. The last 20 years or so have found the pinots all along the Pacific Coast to provide almost every type of style to the

original red Burgundy grape. From especially bold and fruit forward to the more nuanced complexities, pinots continue to rise and shine not only in California and Oregon but the world over.

New Zealand Pinot Noir may well fit the category of “new pinot kid on the block”.

We’ll be seeing more of this kiwi pinot coming into our markets, and, it is very reasonably priced for the quality. These wines are typically light to medium-bodied with fresh and crisp red fruit and lively spices that are versatile with so many dishes and meals. As soon as you try one, you’ll see what we’re talking about.

Another wonderful wine to speak of is the Syrah from Walla Walla in Washington State. We’re well-aware how dark and grand the Syrah grape is, and the type of fruitful but complex wine it produces. Walla Walla Syrah surely provides the usual fruitforward flavors but is also accompanied with bright acidity—which always makes itself welcomed at the dinner table.

I know we usually pour California Syrahs with big grilled and barbecued meats as it handles the char and heavy sauce flavors— and quite deliciously, I may add. But the Walla Walla stuff meets up very well with roasted poultry and pasta dishes; similar to the French Syrah with new world tendencies such as flavors like blackberry and plum to pomegranate, black pepper, olive, floral and mineral notes.

On the European front, we will continue to see delicious red wines with their lower level of alcohol. The wines of Sicily continue to gain popularity, in particular the reds from the Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappucio grapes. These wines are incredibly high quality, and offer an excellent value. In Portugal, with over 250 grape varieties— many of them indigenous to the country— their wines, apart from Vintage and Tawny Ports, are starting to show and attract some well-due attention.

Watch for Australia again! After years of declining sales, many are realizing the wines are a great value and are better than ever.

And try South Africa—great wines coming out of there. Stay tuned! Cheers!

15

September 22 to September 28, 2016

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­­­THUR SEPTEMBER 22

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 Roger Best Classic Country 6-9pm CORKTREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Michael Keeth 6-9pm 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; 760365-6633 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/ South 65 8pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888999-1995 Quinto Menguante 8-1am MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Mekons, Sam Coomes and Sun Foot 9pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 The CMF’s Present: A Classy Music Showcase w/ Daytime Moon, Sleaze Fix and The CMF’s 8pm 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; 760-3413560 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

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FRI SEPTEMBER 23

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 The Sleepover 9pm AGAVE LOUNGE@THE HYATT REGENCY; IW; 760-674-4080 Art of Sax 8pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Siobhan 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 Hungry Hearts, Choices and Rogue Ogre 8pm THE CONGO ROOM; PS; 760-322-7353 Jojo Leone 8:30pm 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/ Bill Anderson and Zulluu Hosted by Courtney Chambers 8pm Lobby, Flashback Fridays in Bardot w/ DJ Paparazzi and Alf Alpha 9pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Don Bolles DJ set w/ Dead End Friends, Brain Vat and Venus & The Traps 9pm HOODOO COCKTAIL GARDEN @ THE HYATT; PS; 760-322-9000 Bill Ramirez 6:30pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Frank DiSalvo 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 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; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company in the afternoon, Hot Rox in the night

LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-345-2450 Common Ground 9pm THE LOUNGE; AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888999-1995 DJ Jerry 9pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760-3274080 Southbound & Co. 9pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760-3450222 TBA 6:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 9th Annual Desert Stars Festival 1pm 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 Darryl Reed and Southbound and Co.: Tribute to Buddy Holly 8pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 212 Band 9pm ROCKYARD@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND ; 800827-2946 Crimson Crow and You Got Lucky (Tom Petty 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; 760-3413560 Demetrious and Co. 6pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 Alyce Bowie 9pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Pat Rizzo & Dennis Michaels 6:30pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760328-2300 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 5:30pm

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

September 22 to September 28, 2016

SHELLY’S LOUNGE@TORTOISE ROCK CASINO; 29 Palms; Rojer Arnold & Bobby Furgo 9pm 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 WANG’S IN THE DESERT; PS; 760-325-9264 THE HARD ROCK; PS; 760-325-9676 Pool SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-341Party w/ DJ Paparrazi and TBA 10am, DJ Karaoke 8:30pm 3560 TBA 6pm Paparazzi and TBA at Bardot 9pm WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-328-5955 TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 The rd THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 3 Annual Michael Keeth 6-10pm Refills 9pm Blues for Cancer Awareness Fundraiser w/ WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 TBA 9pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 THE WINE EMPORIUM; LQ; 760-565-5512 Rob Voodoo Hustlers, The Bone Thumpers, Mighty Dennis Michael 6:30pm Martinez and Todd Ashley ft. Lisa LaFaro Weselis Deltatones, Blue Ribbon Rooster and more 9pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760HOODOO COCKTAIL GARDEN @ THE 5-8pm 328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm HYATT; PS; 760-322-9000 Bill Ramirez 6:30pm TRYST; PS; 760-832-6046 Gutter Candy 10pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Rose HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm Mallett 6:30pm VIBE, MORONGO CASINO; CAB; 951-755INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760-345- 5391 DJ Hektik 10pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJ 9pm 6466 Frank DiSalvo 6pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Rob & JB JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 1:30-4:30pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am, DJ Anwaar Hines Tremble Weeds 8pm 9-2am KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke 7pm THE WINE EMPORIUM; LQ; 760-565-5512 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bev LA RUE BISTRO; LQ; 760-296-3420 Slim Man & Bill 6:30pm Mark Gregg pm 6pm 19TH HOLE; PD; 760-772-6696 TBA 9pm WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-328-5955 LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 The Sleepover Michael Keeth 1-5pm, Andy Cahan 7-11pm 2794 Palm Springs Sound Company,in the 11am poolside, Highlife w/ DJ Day 10pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 AGAVE LOUNGE@THE HYATT REGENCY; IW; afternoon,Hot Rox,in the night Stanley Butler Trio 6:30pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-345-2450 ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJ 9pm 760-674-4080 Art of Sax 8pm Common Ground 9pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888Cabaret Open Mic 7:30pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Denise Carter 7:30pm 999-1995 80’z Allstarz 9pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 DJ and 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bob 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm Dancing 9pm Garcia 6pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke BEATNIK LOUNGE; JT; TBA 9pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Skemaddox & 8-1:15am THE BLOCK; C.C.; 760-832-7767 TBA 9pm Justin Cornwall DJ Sets 11am poolside, Intoxica THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry BLUE BAR; SPOTLIGHT 29; IND; 760-775Radio Live w/ Howie Pyro 10pm 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm 5566 DJ 9pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Jazz PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760-327BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Gina Carey Brunch w/ TBA 11:30am 4080 Hotwyre ft. Buddy Greco Jr. 9pm 6-10pm continue to page 22 PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT CASINO; 345-0222 TBA 6:30pm PS; 888-999-1995 DJ Michael Wright 9-1am PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 9th CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Annual Desert Stars Festival 1pm Tuzzolino 5:30pm PEABODY’S CAFÉ; PS; 760-322-1877 Karaoke CHILL BAR; PS; 760-327-1079 Mid-Late 7:30pm Summer Dance Party 8pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND CLUB 5 BAR; IND; 760-625-1719 TBA 9pm COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s Rockstar THE CONGO ROOM; PS; 760-322-7353 Karaoke 9pm Comedian Steven Kimbrough 8pm, Derek PLAYOFF’S SPORTS BAR; DHS; 760-251-2644 Jordan Gregg 9:30pm 8pm DATE SHED; IND; 760-775-6699 The PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Angela Expendables 8pm Teek 8pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 TBA 9pm Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm RIVIERA; PS; 760-327-8311 Michael Keeth DILLON’S BURGERS & BEER; DHS; 760-7747-10pm 7131 TBA 8pm ROCKYARD@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND ; 800ELECTRIC SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-228827-2946 Lifetime Rocker and Which One’s Pink 1199 DJ Ceddy Cedd 9pm (Pink Floyd Tribute) 7:30pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers Cesar 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 THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 TBA Blues 8-11pm 8:30pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S THE GROOVE LOUNGE; SPOTLIGHT 29; MARKET; LQ; 760-777-1601 The Carmens INDIO; 760-775-5566 DJ 8pm 8-11pm

SAT SEPTEMBER 24

SUN SEPTEMBER 25

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September 22 to September 28, 2016

THE PAMPERED PALATE

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

STUFT PIZZA: CONSISTENTLY DELICIOUS

W

hile there are many fabulous restaurants in the Coachella Valley, there is one that keeps me going back week after week and that is Stuft Pizza. The original La Quinta location was doing so well that owner John Bertram decided to open a second location a little over a year ago at the Westfield Palm Desert Mall.

Obviously that was a good decision.

When I spoke to Bertram a few weeks ago he mentioned they might be opening a third location. There are several things about Stuft Pizza that has made it so successful: consistently delicious food, an extensive menu sure to satisfy the pickiest of taste buds, stellar service, great prices and a commitment to their customers.

It’s not easy to have such a large menu and always get every dish right, but Stuft pulls it off. I can attest to this personally as my

18

husband and I eat there at least once a week and sometimes more. I have never had a bad experience there, which continues to amaze me every time we dine there.

Let me start by saying that they have the best calamari in town hands down! I’m not a fan of the round as I prefer the meaty calamari steak fries that Stuft serves, accompanied by a special tartar sauce and a chili sauce both perfect for dipping.

Stuft also offers quite an extensive wine list that includes several of my favorite reds and whites by the glass. And here’s another thing that sets them apart: their wine pours are bigger than anywhere else! If I’m drinking wine I want it in a big glass and an ample pour!

They refer to it as the Stuft 8 oz. signature pour.

A few of my favorite items are the ahi tuna poke stack, the beet salad (I get mine with a piece of salmon on top), the fish tacos, spaghetti with meatballs (tender and delicious), green bean fries, pepper crusted Ahi steak, sea bass piccata and the crispy fish sandwich.

They even do a filet mignon to perfection; served with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Asparagus with a Mushroom Demi-Glace.

But my new favorite is their scallops! This is a specialty item on the menu so I can’t guarantee the availability. But if you’re a

BY TRACY DIETLIN scallop lover like I am you have to try these.

We even ordered food to be delivered from Stuft by Postmates and the Cajun chicken & shrimp pasta and the crispy fish sandwich arrived hot, fresh and delicious.

And of course, you can’t go wrong with any of their pizzas. You can order the classics, build your own or be adventurous and try one of their signature pizzas like the lamb and curry, one of my favorites.

While I usually pass on desert, I just can’t seem to say no to Stuft’s peanut butter blondie or gluten free brownie. I prefer mine accompanied by a snifter of Hennessey, which is served in the large snifters and again with a heavy pour.

So hopefully I’ve said enough to make your taste buds tingle and get you to Stuft.

Both locations are open daily from 11am until 9:30pm. Happy Hour is from 3-6pm daily with house wines at 4.00 per glass, draft beer 16 oz. for 2.50 or 25 oz. mug for only 3.75 and well drinks for 4.00. They also have great lunch specials. For more info or to check out their menu go to: stuftbarandgrill.com.

Locations: 72840 Highway 111 in Palm Desert in Westfield Mall or 78015 Main St. in La Quinta.

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

September 22 to September 28, 2016

19

September 22 to September 28, 2016

SCREENERS

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BY ROBIN E. SIMMONS

No. 231

HERO OR TRAITOR? NOW PLAYING: SNOWDEN

The first thing I did when I got home after watching “SNOWDEN” at the newly refurbished Mary Pickford Theater was to stick a piece of masking tape over the camera lens of my laptop computer. I love paranoid thrillers and I’m a big fan of Oliver Stone’s movies. He’s like a modern leftleaning Shakespeare who dramatizes real world politics for our collective enjoyment and continued conversation. Several years ago, a friend who was a career intelligence officer confided to me that there was no place on the planet to hold a truly private conversation. I found that frightening. Is privacy essential to our desire for both freedom and security? Is it unreasonable

20

to assume we can expect to have true nation-wide security without privacy? I have no answers, but the question itself is a flashpoint in today’s volatile world of rampant terrorism. I know some people who welcome total surveillance because as they are quick to say, “If you’re not up to anything evil why worry about surveillance? But is it really as simple as that? What if we had total transparency among all governments? What if everyone knew everything? No secrets. Would we all be safer? For me, the very idea that we willingly and eagerly surrender our privacy for the perception of added security is unsettling and sickening.

I am aware that many people think of Edward Snowden as a national hero for revealing the massive phone tapping on American citizens by the NSA. Surely there

must be other ways to track those who wish to do us harm.

In Stone’s compelling new film, Joseph Gordon Levitt plays a troubled Edward Snowden who can’t be content as long as he harbors and facilitates this ongoing cyber snooping as a required part of his job description. Snowden considers himself a true patriot and Stone seems to agree. I like how this knowledge creates a rift with his girlfriend and how it troubles him and impacts his moral compass. The weight of this secret is nicely portrayed and it at the heart of the drama.

The central turning point is when Snowden decides NSA’s illegal surveillance techniques must be leaked to the public.

Stone’s truly thrilling movie does justice to the two threads of the story: Snowden’s personal life and the technology involved in the government’s over-reaching, illegal, phone surveillance.

I was much more intellectually stimulated than I was emotionally moved, but even so, this may be Stone’s best and most relevant movie. Even if you consider Snowden a traitor, it’s worth spending time considering or reconsidering this timely tale that one way or another touches all of us living in the web of the cyber world we have created to our advantage and perhaps peril.

Perhaps the bigger question is why aren’t we as frightened and horrified as Snowden.

If you saw Laura Poitras’ terrific documentary “Citizenfour,” you will enjoy Oliver Stone’s wonderful companion piece.

It’s a movie that illuminates our troubling times in ways that only cinema can do.

Highest recommendation.

NEW FOR THE HOMER THEATER: THE HONEYMOON KILLERS (1969) In Mobile, Alabama, lonely nurse Martha (Shirley Stoler) takes care of her invalid mother. Starved for affection, she takes out an ad in a lonely-hearts column and soon receives a letter from Ray (Tony Lo Bianco).

They meet and run off -- with her dowry -to New York City. Martha puts her mom in a

nursing home and follows the good-looking hustler on the road, agreeing to pose as his sister. In a flash, the two go on a crime spree fleecing lonely, unsuspecting women.

Only problem is Martha’s jealousies of Ray’s victims leads to murder. In Michigan, an elderly matron is killed and her child is drowned in a washing machine. For a time, Martha considers confessing to the police but finally realizes Ray will never be true to her -- or any other woman. This sensationally grotesque tabloid story is based on actual events. In 1951 the real-life couple were executed in Sing Sing. I love the way unknown writer/director Leonard Kastle utilizes a stark, almost minimalist documentary style. It certainly imbues this sordid story with an aura of authenticity and further locks in it’s secure position as a beloved cult classic of American cinema..

The persistent rumor is that Martin Scorsese set up the two opening shots but did not stay on as director. Criterion. Blu-ray Comments? RobinESimmons@aol.com

BOOK REVIEW

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

September 22 to September 28, 2016

BY HEIDI SIMMONS

THE MEN I LOVE

S

ince Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press, male authors have dominated the written word.

William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Edger Allen Poe, J.R.R. Tolkien, John Steinbeck, Ray Bradbury, Leo Tolstoy, Oscar Wilde, Arthur Conan Doyle, J.D. Salinger, Franz Kafka, George Orwell, Raymond Carver, Dr. Seuss, and the list of great authors goes on and on and on.

It’s nearly impossible to imagine life without great literature. The worlds that have been created and traveled in the pages of all kinds of wonderful books have entertained, informed and inspired generations of readers.

For me, it is the most exciting thing I can do -- get lost in a great story. It’s difficult to choose favorite writers when stories and style vary so greatly, but there are certain authors who can rock my world.

For the CVW Men’s Issue, I thought about fiction writers who are alive and working that genuinely excite me.

Here is my short list of some of the men who turn me on: Stephen King, Richard Ford, Neil Gaiman, Salmon Rushdie, Carl Hiaasen, Ken Follett and Dennis Johnson. These men are giants at the top of their game. These authors always show me a good time.

For a long time I avoided Stephen King for reasons that were just silly. I thought he was beneath me because he only wrote gruesome horror. Not completely true, he is a literary master. His short stories are amazing and his novels are filled with complicated and provocative characters that stir the heart and mind. King is a brilliant psychoanalyst and it’s fascinating to see how twisted life can become in dangerous and forbidding circumstances. I’ll read everything now no matter how much blood is shed. Take me King, I’m yours. Favs: Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption (Short Story) The Shining (Novel).

What a discovery when I came across Richard Ford. My life changed for the better and I never looked back. Ford gave me an experience I’ll never forget out on the back roads of the Great Plains. He’s a man’s man

and in his worlds there is no fairness, no Karma and no justice. Favs: Rock Springs (Short Story) Canada (Novel).

I love to get down and freaky with Neil Gaiman. His imaginative, tantalizing, and very strange worlds merge into the known world creating a space that is both beautiful and frightening. Often dark and disturbing, I don’t mind trusting him when the world goes black. Favs: Coraline (Novella) American Gods (Novel).

Creative, imaginative and exotic, Salmon Rushdie is my mystic hero. He taught me there is no need to be searching for allegory or hunting for metaphor, just let your mind wander free and go with the flow. Favs: Two Years Eight Months and Twenty-Eight Nights (Novel) Luka and the Fire of Life (YA).

There is nothing quite like kicking back and relaxing with Carl Hiaasen. I can hardly

wait to hang out in the Florida Keys, drink some kind of tropical blend of alcohol, smoke some local weed and watch in a bikini as chaos unfolds. Hiaasen is cool and way fun. I’d get a tattoo with Hiaasen Fav: Skinny Dip (Novel).

Ken Follett is a master, a genius and irresistible. I’ll go anywhere with this man!

He can take me away to a place and I won’t ever want to come back. The details in a world created by Follett are so vivid and gritty that the reader lives on the page with the characters. Fav: Pillars of the Earth (Novel).

Sexy and dangerous, I’ll just say it, I love Denis Johnson. He is that bad boy who lives on the wrong side of the tracks and there is nothing you can do to stop me from going over to the dark side. Johnson provokes me and sometimes I admit I want to hit him, but that’s why he’s awesome. Favs: Jesus’ Son (Short Story) Nobody Move (Novel).

The way to a woman’s heart is through great stories and fantastic prose. Tease me, mistreat me, tell me you love me, but be sure it’s all on the page. Hugs and kisses to all my favorite men.

SAFETY TIPS

BY FIRE CHIEF SAM DIGIOVANNA

HEROES COMING TOGETHER IN THE VALLEY!

A

pproximately 140 Firefighter’s, Police Officers and United States Military Members golfed with local residents this last Saturday Sept. 17th to raise money for the Folds of Honor Patriot Golf Tournament at the Westin, Mission Hills raising money for educational scholarships for children of United States Military members who have been killed or disabled while serving our nation.

Mission Hills Golf event coordinator and Hero Rick Vaughn who served twenty years in the US Navy was the event coordinator. What a great job he and Pete Dye Golf Shop Staff did coordinating the event. Kudos to all of you!

After the Golf scramble, everyone joined

together in the Mission Hills Ballroom to break bread with a delicious lunch, acknowledge the Folds of Honor and its purpose while participating in a raffle with generous donations.

The second annual event was supported

by Tracy Dietlin and the CV Weekly, the Ritz Carlton, Mastro’s, Flemings, Frankie’s Old World Deli, Starbucks, Cliffhouse, Somotherapy Massage Institute, Castelli’s, Roy’s, In and Out Burger, Escena Golf, Hilton Garden Inn, Power of Fitness and a host of others. You were our Heroes supporting the event providing generous donations.

Thank You to all of our nations Heroes!

Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

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September 22 to September 28, 2016

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

CLUB CRAWLER NIGHTLIFE continued from page 17 AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 The Judy Show 7:30pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 DJ and Dancing 9pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Robert O’Conner 6-10pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT; PS; 888999-1995 Nash with Quinto Menguante 9pm THE CONGO ROOM; PS; 760-322-7353 Mikole Kaar Pro Jazz Jam 1-4pm, Mark Gregg Big Acoustic Show w/ Misty Howell & Friends 6-9pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Radio 60 & Friends 3-6pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm THE HARD ROCK; PS; 760-325-9676 Pool Party w/ DJ Paparazzi 10am INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760-3456466 Ted Herman’s Big Band 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Open Jam 6pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325-2794 Palm Springs Sound Company, in the afternoon, Hot Rox, in the night MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Sunday Jam 4-8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Golden Era Karaoke 4-7pm, Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 7:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 The Sunday Band 7:30pm PETE’S HIDEAWAY;PS; 760-322-6500 The Evaro Brothers 7pm PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 The Judy Show 7pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 Karaoke 9pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Eddie Gee 7pm

SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 The Myx 6pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 The Chris Gore Group Pro Jam 7pm VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 TBA 5pm WANG’S IN THE DESERT; PS; 760-325-9264 Lizann Warner 6pm THE WINE EMPORIUM; LQ; 760-565-5512 Rob Martinez and Scott Carter 5-8pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 The Smooth Brothers 5:30pm

MON SEPTEMBER 26 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 The Luminators 6pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Bill Marx 6:30pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Mood Deep House Lounge 6pm-2am THE CONGO ROOM; PS; 760-322-7353 Open Mic Comedy 8pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Larry Capeloto 6pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Rox NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 7pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Open Mic 7pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Industry Night w/ DJ Tone 2pm-close SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 T.B.A. 6pm

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 27

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 CORKTREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Michael Keeth 6-9pm 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; 760-3252794 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; 760327-4080 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 28 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Daniel Horn 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Uncle Abe Presents; Heatstroke A Monthly DJ Night 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

SOCIAL SECURITY JOINS THE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATION

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ocial Security joins you and your family in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 to October 15.

We know the contributions of Hispanics can be traced to before the origins of the United States with the discovery, exploration, and naming of many places in our nation, such as state names like California, Colorado, and Texas and city names like San Antonio, Santa Barbara, and Boca Raton. Hispanics have influenced every facet of life, from language to our cultural development. Hispanics play a crucial role in American life.

The most important things to you are your family and maintaining the feeling of individuality through your language. That’s why Social Security provides a website — www. segurosocial.gov — with a variety of publications and services in Spanish that are important to you and your family.

If you need to apply for your first Social Security number or a get a replacement Social Security card, we invite you to read our publications Social Security Numbers for Children and Your Social Security Number and Card.

We offer a toll free number, 1-800-7721213, which provides automated instructions for Spanish speakers. We also try to have employees available on the phone and in many

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of our offices who speak Spanish. However, if you need an interpreter, you can go to www. segurosocial.gov/espanol/interpreter.htm to find out more about our free interpreter services.

Just as grandparents help guide their grandchildren through life’s journey, we at Social Security are with you throughout yours.

The services we provide guide you through your journey from birth, with your first social security card, to your dream of a secure retirement.

You don’t have to wait to find out what your retirement benefits may be. We provide the Retirement Estimator, one of our most popular online calculators, in Spanish. It offers instant, approximate estimates of your future retirement benefits. Try it for yourself at www. segurosocial.gov/calculador.

Remember what your father wisely said to you: “It is up to this generation to secure our community’s today and tomorrow.”

Whether it’s through our website, visiting one of our offices, or calling our toll free number, we at Social Security maintain our commitment of providing first-class service to the nation’s growing Latino community.

To learn more, visit www.segurosocial.gov.

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 TBA 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; 760-3252794 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; 760327-4080 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 Deanna Bogart 6:30pm

VALLEY RHYTHMS

JULIO IGLESIAS

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BY LOLA ROSSI

FANTASY SPRINGS CONTINUES TO BRING TOP NOTCH ENTERTAINMENT TO THE COACHELLA VALLEY

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nternational singing superstar Julio Iglesias performed at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino last Saturday, September 17, in The Special Events Center to a capacity room of adoring fans from the Coachella Valley, Los Angeles and some as far as Arizona.

During the Concert he spoke to the audience about his life, his music and his back surgery and reminded them how frail our bodies are and that we should all love life. “At 72 years old, my brains and my heart are more together than ever,” said Julio Iglesias. “I am grateful to life and to all my fans who allowed me to sing for 49 years.”

The crowd cheered throughout the show and sang along with several of his most famous songs. Toward the end of one song, during a slow quiet moment, a fan shouted out, “We love you, Julio,” and without missing a beat in the song, he quickly changed the next lyric as he slowly sang, “I love you, too.” The crowd cheered with joy to his response. A wonderful Concert.

Born and raised in Madrid, Spain on September 23, 1943, Julio Iglesias, auditioned for the school choir as a child, but was told by the Priest he couldn’t sing; something he remembers vividly. Instead, he was told to play football, aka soccer, which he loved. He played throughout his school years and became a professional football player with Real Madrid Castilla until he was 20 years old. In a traumatic, near fatal car accident, he could no longer play football.

“I was completely paralyzed from the accident.” He said he could see his parents seemed to have no hope. A Doctor gave him a guitar to help him move his fingers as therapy. This opened up a whole new world to him; the World of Music. That changed

the direction of his life.

Music is a Gift from God. Iglesias is certainly proof of that. Spending two and a half years learning to play an instrument for therapy; singing for the first time and discovering harmonies and writing songs; while recovering from near death, is nothing short of a miracle. God uses people to do His Will, and it is evidenced by all the beautiful love songs Iglesias has written and continues to sing. He has touched the hearts of millions of people, of all faiths and beliefs, throughout the world with his music...“If I wasn’t in an accident, I wouldn’t be singing today.”

In 1968, Iglesias won the Benidorm International Song Festival. This brought him to the 1970 Eurovision Song Contest where he represented Spain, singing his own song, “Gwendolyne” and although he finished fourth, Iglesias believes this was the springboard that kick-started his career.

Soon after, he beat records in Spain, where he performed 41 concerts in 41 cities in 30 days.

In 1983, the duet he recorded with Willie Nelson, “To All The Girls I’ve Loved Before,” catapulted his career in the United States. When Iglesias met Nelson, he wasn’t fluent in English and the pronunciation of “girls“ was a bit of a challenge, but this unusual duet combination did it. This song was Iglesias’ biggest hit in the United States and Canada; and Nelson’s biggest European Hit. Thanks to this song, written by Hal David and Albert Hammond, “1100 Bel Air Place” became Iglesias’ world-wide best selling album. In 1984, Nelson and Iglesias were named “Duo of the Year” by the Country Music Association and “To All The Girls I’ve Loved Before” was named “Single of the Year” by the Academy of Country Music.

“You learn something from singing with other singers like Sinatra and Sting, I love it.” Visit www.JulioIglesias.com for more...

I was personally invited to the Concert by Julio Iglesias and given his road manager’s name and number to visit with him after the show. She brought me and my friend; personal body guard for Jose Jose, Jilly Rizzo and Frank Sinatra, Jr.; actor David DeCastro, to meet him. This picture was taken backstage before he left the venue. “I love Jose Jose. He was one of the Great Masters of all time. We did many Concerts together.

He is a legend and sang like a bird.”

There was no “Meet and Greet” that evening, but the fans were lined up outside and cheered Iglesias as he walked to the Limousine. Marcus, Francisco and the entire Casino Security Staff did an outstanding job with crowd control. It is an evening I will always remember.

September 22 to September 28, 2016

BACKSTAGE JAZZ

BY PATTE PURCELL

FLEET FRIEND EASTON

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ho’s that entertainer on the stage, screen, TV, radio, behind the camera, in front of the camera, singing with combos, orchestras, and every musical genre from jazz standards to country? One performer stands out, the “Prince of Palm Springs” Fleet Friend Easton.

I met this bundle of energy last year at the Purple Room with my friend Sherrie Lilly as “The Prince” and then became Facebook friends. I’ve seen him play gig after gig with a host of Palm Springs favorites and even dance on the tables. Yes, we have a real entertainer in our midst.

Born in Akron, Ohio he began as a singer, actor, and dancer. A competitive roller and ice skater it purred him into the show biz world. He wanted to do everything and decided to make it his life. He began taking classes and received scholarships from both the American Ballet Theatre and Julliard. His dancing was mentored and there were big plans in the works for his career in dancing but Fleet looked at the injuries involved and knee and ankle issues and walked away and decided to become an actor.

He moved to New York and began auditioning on and off Broadway. He did well but wanted to be the featured act so he moved back to Ohio to become a nightclub entertainer. He entered a talent show and told his friend that he was going to win it and that they would love him and they would hire him. That is exactly what happened. A band leader called him and hired him. He moved to Florida for the next 16 years. While there he did lots of independent film work and was very successful.

One day he heard a voice tell him it was time to go to Palm Springs and that he would meet people who would take him to his next space. Although he was very busy with a TV show and many other things he decided to heed the voice. As he said, “When the voice speaks I have to go.” So he moved 3,000 miles.

Once here he created a ‘Vision Book’ of all the things he wanted to accomplish. He is at stage 9 of his goals here and has achieved a very impressive legacy. He has performed at or produced over 200 charity events. He received the “Touching Lives Humanitarian Award,” an award that has been given to Smoky Robinson and Tippi Hedren.

He raised over $1,000,000 for charitable causes.

When he received the award they listed his accomplishments and he was so overwhelmed he began crying uncontrollably, which continued as he received his award. “I can’t believe I’ve done all that,” he said humbly.

While there, the Prince of Germany, Mario Maz Schaumburg-Lippe, and he connected. He approached Fleet and praised his self-branding skills. They struck up a friendship and he was on the cover of the Prince’s Magazine in July. Part of

Fleet’s vision was to become the “Prince of Palm Springs,” and as part of his inauguration asked the Prince to be the one to Crown him. The Prince agreed and flew in from Monte Carlo to crown Fleet. The Prince presented him with a Royal Proclamation naming him a “Legendary Entertainer of the World” by the Royal family.

The other big goal on Fleets list was to get a star on Palm Canyon and he is rapidly moving toward that goal.

He’s been holding series of fundraisers with the help of friends and they are already half of the way towards raising the necessary funds. The Prince is planning to attend as well. There is one more coming up at Azul’s in Palm Springs, ‘Disco Night’ is the theme. There is a $20 suggested donation.

He also did a Country themed night along with a special “Evening with the Legends” with Cat Lyn Day as Marilyn, Tommy Dodson as Sammy Davis Jr. and Paul Elia as Dean Martin. It was a smashing success!

Fleet is one of the hardest working performers in the desert. He performs non-stop for 3 straight hours with all kinds of music including Latin, country, Bruno Mars, Jazz standards, and he loves gospel and is part of an Innerfaith Spiritual Center Worldwide called ‘New Thought Palm Springs’.

Fleet has a spiritual outlook on life and looks for signs and synchronicities. He believes that certain markers in our lives are destined. He’s very driven and determined to be successful. “I create a vision then ‘Let go and let God.’ I love my work, make great money and enjoy doing it. My instrument is my voice,” said Easton.

He believes we have a vibration with the universe, a harmonic tone or frequency attached to us. If something is pleasing to the ear we are drawn towards it. He is drawn to the Coachella Valley or “Hand of God” because of its energy vortex.

His goal is to build a humanitarian center for helpless, homeless individuals and leave a mark in this town. He is deeply spiritual and wants to use his fame to help humanity. He’d love to be able to work with Oprah on a global project.

He’s releasing a new single this year entitled “Find Your Voice” written by Mr. Art Reynolds who has recorded hit songs with Patti LaBelle and Leann Rimes.

Fleet is one busy entertainer, to see his schedule friend him on Facebook at Fleet Friend Easton or email him at fleeteaston@yahoo.com Don’t miss out on the hottest jam in the desert.

Celebrity Jam Fest at Woodhaven Country Club, Wed. Oct. 5 from 6-9. Twenty National artists and local favorites. Wine, liquor and food tastings.

Contact Patte Purcell for more information. 1-702219-6777.

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September 22 to September 28, 2016

SLIM MAN

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

FIFTY SHADES OF GREY

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ne thing you gotta love about America, when a movie hits big, you can be absolutely sure there will be sequels coming out for the next fifty years or so. The first Godfather sequel was the first movie to actually use a number after the name, as in Godfather II. Seriously!

The Star Wars movie franchise got a little more creative. They actually named their sequels instead of using numbers after the name. Then, the Star Wars people decided to do prequels, going back in time before the events of the first Star Wars movie.

It all gets a bit confusing, but they keep pumping out Star Wars movies as fast as they can make them. When a movie makes money, the Hollywood moviemaking machinery will spit out sequels and prequels like there’s no tomorrow.

Think of all the James Bond films. There are 26. Seriously!

There is now a sequel to the first Fifty Shades of Grey movie. The book was a world-wide smash, and the movie did well, so now there’s a sequel called Fifty Shades Darker.

When I first heard about the Fifty Shades of Grey book, I thought they were talking about the hair color of the blueplate special crowd. Imagine my surprise when I found out Fifty Shades of Grey was about S&M. Let me tell you about my own personal experience with S&M. One night I was having a drink at a bar, when a lovely lady asked me if I liked S&M. I said, “Absolutely!

My favorite!”

She invited me back to her house. When we got in the door, she slapped some

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handcuffs on me and whacked me across the face with a riding crop. I asked her what the hell she was doing. She said, “I thought you were into S&M?” And I said, “I am! I thought you were talking about Slim Man! Isn’t that what S&M stands for?”

Then she explained to me what S&M stood for. Whoa! It wasn’t Slim Man. It was Sadism and Masochism. Big difference.

Glad I got that straight! So I showed her the Slim Man website, and played her some SM music, and then she smacked me across the chops again with the riding crop.

I guess she wasn’t a big fan.

But Fifty Shades of Grey has a lot of big fans. The first book sold millions of copies.

The first movie did really well at the box office. And now they’ve got the sequel coming out, it’s called Fifty Shades Darker.

The trailer has been tearing up the Internet.

And there’s a third movie on the way.

Slim People, I don’t understand all this hoopla. I don’t get the whole S&M thing.

Back in the dark days of slavery, whipping people was pretty horrible. Well, really horrible. And now? I guess a lot of people are fascinated by it. How fascinated?

I was listening to the radio, and they were talking about the book, and the first movie. The host of the radio show asked a panel if the movie was good or bad for the S&M community. True story.

S&M community? These people have a community? Seriously? Their monthly meetings must be fun. I can imagine what they must be like. The S&M community leader stands up at the podium and says, “I call this meeting to order!”

And then someone smacks him in the face with a ping-pong paddle. And then ties him to the podium and whips him with a bullwhip.

“Meeting adjourned!”

I hope I haven’t offended anybody in the S&M community. I don’t want those people coming after me with handcuffs and riding crops. Especially at a Slim Show!

Although it might be good for attendance.

Slim Man is a singer, songwriter, and has a new cookbook. His cookbook and concert schedule are on his website, slimman.com.

BREAKING THE 4TH WALL

BY DEE JAY COX

A STAGE REVIEW OF ‘THE REALISTIC JONESES’

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t some point in our lives we are all faced with mortality. The Realistic Joneses by Will Eno, takes us into the melancholy and somewhat strange world of two couples, Bob Jones (Luke Rainey,) Bob’s wife Jennifer, portrayed by Christine Tringali, and their new next-door neighbors, John (Tanner Lieser) and Pony Jones (Brianna Eylicio.) Eno, whose previous work, ‘Thom Pain (based on nothing)’, was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2005, would seem well suited for TV. His dialogue is quick and choppy and every second sentence is an exercise in wit. When Jennifer Jones says, “we’re sort of throwing words at each other,” it perfectly summarizes the play’s dialogue. Rather than having synchronized conversations, these characters talk in punch lines.

The play opens with Bob and Jennifer painfully trying to have a conversation. Two people who seem bound only by a marriage license and sad avoidance. Within a short time the banging of garbage cans signals the arrival of their new neighbors, John and Pony (also named Jones). These are four people hidden away in a mountain town attempting to live lives that appear to be as generic as their names. The new neighbors bring wine and when Bob goes in search of glasses Jennifer impulsively reveals the reason they moved to this town: Bob has a degenerative disease, and a leading doctor in the field happens to live here. The treatments are experimental, and the prognosis isn’t great.

Seeming to be embarrassed at divulging so much to strangers, Jennifer apologizes, “I’m sorry, I just kind of blurted that all out.”

John responds: “That’s all right. That’s what separates us from the animal. You never hear animals blurting things out. Unless they’re being run over by a car or something.” Badda bing! Bada Boom!

Watching The Realistic Joneses is like viewing life through a kaleidoscope. The genre is written in a sitcom style, where each scene is little vignettes strung together to create the larger picture of these two suburban couples who have more in common than their shared last names. The whole premise is the Joneses must decide between having something more in their life or their imperfect reality. Eno has created a world of broken people who are in limbo. The challenge in watching The Realistic Joneses is that no one really communicates with each other, which is part of the angst of the whole play, but I was left wondering who exactly it was they were talking to?

Christine Tringali, (Jennifer Jones) is by far the best performance of the evening. Tringali portrays a caretaker who has devoted her life to her husband and is now also in the role of sorting out the mess lying underneath her neighbors easygoing exterior. Eno seems to have stereotypically written his female characters as either the matriarchal woman caretaker who carries the burden of everyone’s woes, or the chatterer who is always on the edge of fear that she will be left alone and doesn’t have a clue what’s going on in her world. If only the Playwright had allowed the women to actually have a conversation with each other, they may have figured things out.

Though as disjointed as Eno’s dialogue is, even John and Bob couldn’t manage a connection with their evening talk under the stars.

Director Daniella Ryan, has used her masterful stage skills to create a top notch presentation of The Realistic Joneses. Ryan’s direction seems to bring out the vulnerabilities in characters that are seriously flawed. Loved Ron Phillips-Martinez’s sets and found Phil Murphy’s lighting designs to greatly enhance each scene.

Desert Theatre Works is a top notch theatre and they know how to do a professional production. “The Realistic Joneses” is a complex play that is most likely an acquired taste for some and an instant hit with others. If you are looking for theatre that will make you laugh and hopefully think a little, check out this show.

The Realistic Jonses, a production of Desert Theatreworks, can be seen through September 24th at the Arthur Newman Theatre in the Joslyn Center, located at 73750 Catalina Way in Palm Desert.

For Reservations: call 760-980-1455, or visit www.dtworks.org.

Dee Jae Cox, is a playwright, director and producer. She is the Cofounder and Artistic Director for The Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Project and host of the hit radio show, “California Woman 411.”

LOCAL MUSIC SPOTLIGHT

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

September 22 to September 28, 2016

BY LISA MORGAN

MEKONS – FLYING SPECTACULARLY UNDER THE RADAR FOR THREE DECADES AND COUNTING @ PAPPY AND HARRIET’S, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22ND, 8 P.M. FIRST COME FIRST SERVE

“The most problematic times for the band were when we tried to play by the rules. When we just said, ‘Screw that! We’re just going to do what we want,’ like make a record about lesbian pirates and put on a vaudeville-like show...those ideas were limitless.” - Sally Timms here are few bands who survive the music industry without bending to it, sacrificing integrity, authenticity, and pure artistry, in exchange for a piece of the proverbial “big payoff” or “deal.” And while ASCAP, BMI and musician’s unions fight seemingly to no avail for the monetary rights stripped from song-crafters, it would seem that artists in today’s music industry are becoming more and more powerless against the corporate machine.

Yet, The Mekons have survived since 1977 with their tenaciously adoring cult following, and their love for their craft and each other. Mekons have been sticking it to the proverbial “Man” in true Punk Rock fashion since their departure from A&M. As long time member Sally Timms says, “Commercialism doesn’t matter. It’s irrelevant.”

They simply refuse to do it for the money or the fame. So while you may never see the Mekons accepting a trophy at the Teen Choice Awards, you will definitely be treated to a show that will be part of your own creative spark for a lifetime.

These personable artists have been mastering their craft, reinventing and re-mastering it for over 30 years. The show at Pappy and Harriet’s this Thursday, is one of only ten shows they’ll be doing this year, and the one you will most likely regret not seeing the most, should you make such a fateful decision.

The Mekons are one of the longest-running and most prolific of the first-wave British punk rock bands in existence. The Mekons can be described as a post-punk, cowpunk and/or alt country band, but they’ve also been known to experiment with dub step. I had the absolute pleasure of catching up with longtime member, Sally Timms. This incredibly well spoken and passionate artist, born in Leeds, England, had much insight as to what keeps the Mekons thriving, and what any tribe of minstrels should embody as they pursue their art.

CVW: “I imagine you are asked this a lot; after all, it is part of the inspiration for the documentary, ‘The Revenge of the Mekons’... but what, in your opinion, is the cord that has kept all of you individual artists working together in this particular project for all of these years?”

Simms: “You used the word ‘artists’... that is interesting and telling. That is the connection to why we’ve kept going. The band was initially started by a group of Fine Arts students at the University of Leeds who were also going through a punk rock kind of hiff. They left the University to be in the band and took a sabbatical from their degrees because the band seemed like a more valid way of making art than staying in school. It kind of informs as to what they do – they came from an intense, rigorous, intellectual art school background (I didn’t; I came later). So their ideas about making art were pretty interesting. It wasn’t just, ‘We paint,’ or ‘Hey, let’s get together and be in a band because we love playing music,’ for them. The thing that came first was the idea and the concept. So that’s what has permeated the whole ethos of the band, and why it’s managed to.”

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“There were a lot of situational ideas in the punk movement back then. The era affected me in a different way because I was friends with all these people but didn’t come from that background of learning. I came from a different angle, which was Punk Rock; the ideal was that anybody who wants to, can make something musically, you can put out into the world, and it’s OK to do that. It was game changing for a lot of people. I don’t think anyone went through that movement in England without being in a band that I knew, or without being really affected by the ideas of it. That’s basically the reason we’ve stayed together this long; we all came together for a reason – it wasn’t for making money or even to just to make music. It was more of a community idea that you can make things and put it out there and it wouldn’t matter if five people were listening or 5000; you just did it you expressed yourself.”

“The ethic of self sufficiency came from Punk Rock too. We’ve never waited for someone to give us money. We’re savvy. We don’t make a lot of money from the band (we don’t make livings with our music). We make it work within whatever context we have. So if we want to go on tour we make it a financially viable thing. We don’t go on tour and loose personal money. And we try and make it an exciting event for people who are interested and the reason we do that, is it makes it exciting for ourselves. And if it’s not exciting for us, then no one else is going to be excited by it.”

“We’ve always been quite careful of not over stressing ourselves. We have done that in the past. The most problematic times for the band were when we tried to play by the rules, which is what you do when you have a label and you try to make a record people will buy, make a hit, make a video... go through all the motions of how you typically behaved in the music industry at that time. When we did that, it was always really really hard. But when we just said, ‘Screw that! We’re just going to do what we want,’ like make a record about lesbian pirates and put on a vaudeville like show, or touring the highlands of Scotland, or doing a book, or an art show - those ideas were limitless and exciting for us as a band.

It’s a long answer to the question, but those are the reasons we are able to keep doing this. “ “The other reason, which is unusual, we all actually like each other. We’re not a band that came together just because each person had a role to play musically. We did meet each other through those things, but for the most part, we’re really happy to be in each other’s company and that is a great thing.”

CVW: “What do you account for the longevity and loyalty of your fan base?”

Timms: “I don’t think people who admire us necessary like all our albums or even like our music, but I think people really respond to the idea of what we are. The fact that we do things that challenge the way that a band on our level can function.”

“Each show charts a weird course, and it still works for us. Even if it didn’t, we would still do it, because we came from the background that commercialism doesn’t matter. It’s irrelevant.

Obviously we need to make money; the band would exist very differently if people didn’t want to come to our shows or we didn’t get paid. But even then, I think we would still find a way around it. I think people focus too much on money. What I don’t think people should do is carry on indefinitely overstressing their lives in order to do their art... Like musicians thinking they can go out on tour 6 months out of the year making no money when they’re in their 50s. If you love it, do it, but you have to re-think that balance. We don’t tour often. We get together

for about 3 weeks a year. We get nice breaks, and that works for us.”

CVW: “Are there plans for a new record?”

Timms: “We’re going to be recording in Yucca Valley after our show at Gatos Trail - Recording Studio, and write a desert influenced record.

We decide to go out in the desert and see what happens. I’ve been to Joshua Tree before, but the others haven’t. I’m a big Gram Parsons fan – there’s so much history there and mythology around music there. The concept is this: we’re going to make a record in the day time, and we’ll do a mirror record in the evening while we sit outside at night and make a camp fire record. The first will be a studio based album and the other a more casual instant record. We’ll see how that works, and then release them together. We try to make use of ‘place.’ We start with concepts.”

The Mekons, known for their raucous live shows and one of the longest-running and most prolific of the first-wave British punk rock bands, will be bringing all 8 pieces to Pappy and Harriet’s, and play much of their old and new material. “We have great opening bands,” added Timms. “Sun Foot with Chris Johanson, who is also a visual artist, has quirky beautiful music, and Sam Coomes, half of the indie band, Quasi, will open as well. Both of them are very much worth seeing too.”

Follow Mekons on Facebook.com/Mekons.

Tickets can be purchased at the door but will be first come, first serve, and are expected to sell out. Your best move is to purchase them in advance at pappyandharriets.com.

THE PET RESCUE CENTER PRESENTS

EVENTS

DOG DAY AFTERNOON FALL FUNDRAISER

FASHION, FUN AND CELEBRITY GUEST SPEAKER CINDY WILLIAMS

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og Day Afternoon, a fashion show and luncheon event to benefit The Pet Rescue Center, will be held on Monday, November 7, 2016 from 11:30am to 2:00pm at Mountain View Country Club in La Quinta. One highlight of the event will be celebrity guest speaker and longtime animal lover Cindy Williams, best known for her role as Shirley Feeney on the hit TV program Laverne & Shirley, and author of Shirley, I jest!

A Storied Life.

For $125 per person, guests will join other pet lovers for an afternoon filled with a delicious luncheon, women’s fashion show presented by Lady Golf and Divas of the Desert, silent auction, a raffle by Lady Golf valued at $1,000, and a variety of unique vendors including: Amra (facial products), LuLu’s (accessories), Cactus Flower (shoes, purses and hats), Linnér Jewelry, and Divas of the Desert (clothes). Fifteen percent of sales and orders taken at the event with the vendors will be donated to The Pet Rescue Center.

Most importantly, guest will have the knowledge that they are helping support the

previously abandoned dogs now awaiting forever homes at The Pet Rescue Center. The Pet Rescue Center has saved over 10,200 dogs and found them new loving homes. Proceeds from Dog Day Afternoon will help to save many more.

Reservations for Dog Day Afternoon can be made by contacting Pet Rescue Director Christine Madruga at 760-398-7722 or email: PetRescueCenter@gmail.com to reserve you place.

Mountain View Country Club is located at 80374 Pomelo, La Quinta, CA 92253.

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September 22 to September 28, 2016

HADDON LIBBY

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

WHO IS RUNNING?

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he 2016 elections are coming up in about 45 days. If you listen to many politicians and their marketing machines, these will be the most important elections since the beginning of time. While that bit of hyperbole is not necessarily true, it is important that we exercise our constitutional right to vote.

During this election season, most incumbents will win reelection. This is due in large part to the natural advantages of name recognition and fundraising that most incumbents have. Generally speaking, the electorate is not angry with politicians at the local level this year.

Here in California, your vote for President of the United States will most likely make no difference as Los Angeles and San Francisco would have to fall into the ocean for any candidate other than Hillary Clinton to have even the most remote of chances at winning this state. If you want to help in developing a legitimate option to the two-party system, consider voting for one of the third party candidates. I like to use the analogy that the national level Democratic and Republican Parties are like Coke and Pepsi yet most of us want to drink water. If you want water, don’t vote for a carbonated beverage.

Your choices in the Presidential election

are: Hillary Clinton, Democrat; Donald Trump, “Republican”; Gary Johnson, Libertarian; Jill Stein, Green, and; Gloria La Riva, Peace and Freedom.

Moving our focus to elections that are closer to home, let’s take a quick look at the uncontested local elections: State Assembly 56th District: Incumbent Eduardo Garcia (D).

Cathedral City Mayor: Incumbent Stan Henry.

Coachella City Mayor: Incumbent Steven Hernandez.

Coachella City Council: Incumbents Emmanuel Martinez and Felipe Bautista.

Coachella City Clerk: Incumbent Angela Zepeda.

Indio City Clerk: Incumbent Cynthia Hernandez.

Indio City Treasurer: Incumbent Sharon Ellis.

US Senate: As Barbara Boxer is retiring, you can vote for one of two Democrats, Attorney General Kamala Harris or Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez. It is expected that Harris will win big.

US Representative 36th District: Incumbent Raul Ruiz (D) is running against California Senate member Jeff Stone (R).

Most believe that Ruiz will win handily.

State Assembly 42nd District: Incumbent Chad Mayes (R) is running against Greg Rodriguez (D) who is the former Chief of Staff for Raul Ruiz.

Cathedral City City Council has two Incumbents in John Aguilar and Greg Pettis and one challenger in Sergio Espericueta.

Indian Wells City Council has three seats up for election and four candidates: Incumbents Doug Hansen, Ted Mertens and Ty Peabody and challenger Kimberly Muzik.

The Indio City Council election has seven candidates, two incumbents and a former council member running. The incumbents are Lupe Ramos Watson and Glenn Miller, former council member Sam Torres and newcomers, Gina Chapa, Joan Dzuro, Jackie Lopez and Noe Gutierrez.

The La Quinta Mayor’s race is between Incumbent Linda Evans and newcomer Paula Maietta.

La Quinta City Council has five candidates

and only two seats. Incumbents Kristy Franklin and Lee Osbourne are running against Kathleen Fitzpatrick, Victoria Llort, Joe Johnson and Steve Sanchez.

Palm Desert City Council has six candidates and three seats. The three incumbents are Robert Spiegel, Van Tanner and Susan Weber while the challengers are Kathleen Kelly, Jerry Martin and Gina Nestande, the wife of former State Assembly member, Brian Nestande.

The Coachella Treasurer’s race is between Incumbent Irene De Leon and Arturo Aviles.

The Desert Health Care District has two incumbents in William Grimm and Mark Matthews running against David Duffner, Jerome Estes, Linda Levinson, Donald Lorack, Jennifer Wortham and Les Zendle.

The Coachella Valley Water District has incumbent Ed Pack running against Anthony Bianco, Sergio Nunez and Jim Schmid.

Additionally, there are a number of people running for the boards of school districts.

For a full list of all candidates, go to www. voteinfo.net.

Haddon Libby is a Financial Advisor and Managing Director at Winslow Drake and can be reached at 760.449.6349 or by email at HLibby@WinslowDrake.com.

DALE GRIBOW ON THE LAW

SECRETS TO AVOIDING HIGHER INSURANCE RATES AFTER A DUI

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hese secrets and suggestions are not known by many lawyers who only focus on the guilt or innocence of their client. Most lawyers don’t consider the financial consequences DUI drivers encounter upon insurance renewals. Good attorneys, however, consider all DUI consequences.

You don’t have to be drunk to be guilty of a DUI. A DUI (Driving Under the Influence), DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) or OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) are all the same “Drunk Driving” charge, known by different names throughout the country. It is similar to a Hurricane being called a Typhoon or Cyclone in other parts of the world.

Drivers do not realize one does NOT have to be DRUNK to receive a DUI—drivers merely have to be impaired or buzzed. Unfortunately, most of us are not aware when we are impaired and thus drive and get “popped.” A simple secret is that it is not how many drinks you had, but how much alcohol was in each drink. Thinking it is ok to drive after “two drinks” may be the biggest mistake of your life, particularly if each drink had 3 ounces.

A DUI arrest results in your driver’s license being snatched by the officer under the Stop and Snatch law. Because of this, you should pay $6 at the DMV for your records and request a DMV ID CARD. You will need some form of picture ID during this DUI process and for travel. The DMV record may advise your

26

attorney of your breath test reading before the court date.

If you lose at trial or enter into a plea bargain, in order to get your license back, you must pay a reissuance fee, enroll in a DUI class and file an SR22 showing proof of insurance. However, the biggest SECRET many knowledgeable DUI lawyers do not know is that they should advise clients to NOT use their regular auto insurance carrier for filing the SR22.

DUI drivers should consider SR22 filing programs offered by a few new DUI auto insurance carriers. It is important to use a new auto insurance carrier as it will prevent your current insurance company from being put on notice of your DUI right away. I would never advise a client to lie, but why “volunteer” that information unless it is specifically requested.

You don’t call your insurance carrier to tell them you got a speeding tix do you?

The cost of the new SR22 policy is based on age, zip code and one’s driving record. It can be filed electronically by the new insurance agent in three minutes and if an SR22 is later determined to not be needed, they will provide a 100% refund. Remember you are innocent until proven guilty. Your insurance company’s post-conviction rate increases, on average, by $2,500. Why not protect an increase in your insurance premium? If contacted after the DMV suspension, these

new insurance companies can still help, but with lesser savings.

It is the responsibility of the insurance company to learn of your record, not yours to notify them. Insurance companies have millions of customers and cannot ask each customer yearly if they had a DUI. I advise my clients to wait to be asked or for their insurance company to run their driving record. For further information on these new DUI insurance carriers, contact me at 760837-7500.

The biggest secret of this article is to have the DUI driver file the SR22 with the new auto insurance carrier BEFORE a plea or DMV Hearing. Remember, the driver is still “presumed innocent until proven guilty.”

Thus, if the driver files the SR22 with the new auto insurance company before a plea or DMV hearing, the DUI will not yet have appeared on their record.

The suggestions noted above allow my clients to get back on the road quickly and with less expense, though they will still be facing a potential conviction or DMV suspension.

DALE GRIBOW - TOP LAWYER - Palm Springs Life DUI 2011-2017 AVVO Perfect 10.0 Peer Rating 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!

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

Week of September 22

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Even if you are a wild-eyed adventure-seeker with extremist views and melodramatic yearnings, you’ll benefit from taking a moderate approach to life in the coming weeks. In fact, you’re most likely to attract the help and inspiration you need if you adopt the strategy used by Goldilocks in the fairy tale “Goldilocks and the Three Bears”: neither excessive nor underdone, neither extravagant nor restrained, neither bawdy, loud, and in-your-face nor demure, quiet, and passive -- but rather just right.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Some of my readers love me but also hate me. They are drawn to my horoscopes in the hope that I will help relieve them of their habitual pain, but then get mad at me when I do just that. In retrospect, they feel lost without the familiar companionship of their habitual pain. It had been a centerpiece of their identity, a source of stability, and when it’s gone, they don’t know who they are any more. Are you like these people, Taurus?

If so, you might want to avoid my horoscopes for a while. I will be engaged in a subtle crusade to dissolve your angst and agitation. And it all starts now with this magic spell: Your wound is a blessing. Discover why.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In my dream last night, bad guys wearing white hats constrained you in a canvas straitjacket, then further wrapped you up with heavy steel chain secured by three padlocks. They drove you to a weedy field behind an abandoned warehouse and left you there in the pitch dark. But you were indomitable. By dawn, you had miraculously wriggled your way out of your confinement. Then you walked back home, free and undaunted. Here’s my interpretation of the dream: You now have special skills as an escape artist. No cage can hold you. No riddle can stump you. No tangle can confuse you. (P.S.: For best results, trust yourself even more than you usually do.)

CANCER (June 21-July 22): The next four weeks will be a favorable time to come all the way home.

Here are nine prompts for how to accomplish that: 1.

Nourish your roots. 2. Strengthen your foundations.

3. Meditate about where you truly belong. 4. Upgrade the way you attend to your self-care. 5. Honor your living traditions. 6. Make a pilgrimage to the land where your ancestors lived. 7. Deepen your intimacy with the earth. 8. Be ingenious about expressing your tenderness. 9. Reinvigorate your commitment to the influences that nurture and support you.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): What tools will work best for the tasks you’ll be invited to perform in the coming weeks? A sledgehammer or tweezers?

Pruning shears or a sewing machine? A monkey wrench or a screwdriver? Here’s my guess: Always have your entire toolbox on hand. You may need to change tools in mid-task -- or even use several tools for the same task. I can envision at least one situation that would benefit from you alternating between a sledgehammer and tweezers.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): I’m confident that I will never again need to moonlight as a janitor or dishwasher in order to pay my bills. My gig as a horoscope columnist provides me with enough money to eat well, so it’s no longer necessary to shoplift bread or scavenge for dented cans of beets in grocery store dumpsters. What accounts for my growing financial luck? I mean besides the fact that I have been steadily improving my skills as an oracle and writer? I suspect it may in part have to do with my determination to cultivate generosity.

As I’ve become better at expressing compassion and bestowing blessings, money has flowed to me in greater abundance. Would this strategy work for you? The coming weeks and months will be a good time to experiment.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Here’s my translation of a passage from the ancient Gospel of Thomas, a gnostic text about the teachings of Jesus: “If you do not awaken and develop the potential talents that lie within you, they will damage you. If you do awaken

© Copyright 2016 Rob Brezsny

and develop the potential talents that lie within you, they will heal you.” Whether you actually awaken and develop those talents or not depends on two things: your ability to identify them clearly and your determination to bring them to life with the graceful force of your willpower. I call this to your attention, Libra, because the coming months will be a highly favorable time to expedite the ripening of your talents. And it all starts NOW. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You can’t completely eliminate unhelpful influences and trivial saboteurs and debilitating distractions from your life. But you’re entering a phase of your astrological cycle when you have more power than usual to diminish their effects.

To get started in this gritty yet lofty endeavor, try this: Decrease your connection with anything that tends to demean your spirit, shrink your lust for life, limit your freedom, ignore your soul, compromise your integrity, dishonor your reverence, inhibit your selfexpressiveness, or alienate you from what you love.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Work too much and push yourself too hard, Sagittarius. Eat corn chips for breakfast, ice cream for lunch, and French fries for dinner -- every day, if possible. And please please please get no more than four hours’ sleep per night. If you have any extra time, do arduous favors for friends and intensify your workout routine. JUST KIDDING! Don’t you dare heed any of that ridiculous advice. In fact, I suggest you do just the opposite.

Dream up brilliant excuses not to work too much or push too hard. Treat yourself to the finest meals and best sleep ever. Take your mastery of the art of relaxation to new heights. Right now, the most effective way to serve your long-term dreams is by having as much fun, joy, and release as possible.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): I propose that you and I make a deal. Here’s how it would work: For the next three weeks, I will say three prayers for you every day. I will ask God, Fate, and Life to send you more of the recognition and appreciation you deserve. I will coax and convince them to give you rich experiences of being seen for who you really are. Now here’s what I ask of you in return: You will rigorously resolve to act on your core beliefs, express your noblest desires, and say only what you truly mean. You will be alert for those times when you start to stray from the path with heart, and you will immediately get yourself back on that path. You will be yourself three times stronger and clearer than you have ever been before.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): If you loosen yourself up by drinking an alcoholic beverage, don’t drive a forklift or ride a unicycle. If you have a hunch that your luck at gambling is peaking, don’t buy lottery tickets or play the slot machines.

If you’re drawn to explore the frontiers of intimacy, be armed with the ancient Latin maxim, Primum non nocere, or “First, do no harm.” And if you really do believe it would be fun to play with fire, bring a fire extinguisher with you. In presenting this cautionary advice, I’m not saying that you should never push the limits or bend the rules. But I want to be sure that as you dare to experiment, you remain savvy and ethical and responsible.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): I invite you to explore the healing power of sex. The coming weeks will be a favorable time to do so. You are also likely to generate good fortune for yourself if you try to fix any aspect of your erotic life that feels wounded or awkward. For best results, suspend all your theories about the way physical intimacy should work in your life. Adopting a beginner’s mind could lead you to subtly spectacular breakthroughs. (P.S. You don’t necessarily need a partner to take full advantage of this big opening.)

Homework: Name the one thing you could change about yourself that would improve your love life. Testify at Freewillastrology.com.

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

SPORTS SCENE

September 22 to September 28, 2016

BY FLINT WHEELER

NFL ON TWITTER A WORK IN PROGRESS

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hursday night represented our first look at a very big bet by Twitter on its future as a live events platform.

The social platform live-streamed the first of 10 Thursday night football games, with the stream available on mobile as well as its brand new connected device apps. Twitter has streamed some sports before, but this was by far its biggest event so far.

How did it do under the bright lights?

Maybe not quite a touchdown, but Twitter showed it could move the ball.

Instead of just tuning into cable television or an online stream of CBS to watch the Buffalo Bills versus the New York Jets, football fans could visit Twitter.com, Twitter’s mobile app and three TV apps — Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Microsoft’s Xbox One — to view the game as well as live commentary.

Twitter’s streams received 2.1 million unique viewers, meaning they watched at least 3 seconds of the video as is the standard in digital measurement and 100 percent in view.

On a per-minute basis, in English; 243,000 people were watching on average for 22 minutes per view.

More eyes tuned to television. CBS and NFL Network had 48.1 million viewers on television, who had watched at least 24 minutes of the game.

While Twitter has been around for the last 10 years to provide a network of conversation to accompany live television, Thursday was the first time live football was streamed alongside a live feed of tweets. It was the grand showcase Twitter has been prepping for since the company won the NFL’s digital streaming rights for Thursday games in April, beating out Verizon and Amazon.

Live video isn’t some ancillary feature. In 2016, it has emerged as Twitter’s big bet to prove its present worth and future viability amid Wall Street’s disappointment over the network’s lackluster user growth and limited product innovation, especially when compared to social networking giant Facebook and younger player Snapchat.

In addition to the NFL, Twitter has inked live video deals with Major League Baseball, the

National Hockey League and the Pac-12.

“We’re focused now on what Twitter does best: Live,” Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey told investors in February on CNBC. “We believe we can become the first screen for everything that’s happening now.”

The Game Itself The game wasn’t the best for everyone.

For people like me watching on Apple TV, live tweets spoiled parts of the game as the actual game feed lagged people’s reactions.

For instance, I saw a flood of tweets cheering for Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor while on the video feed he was still waiting to throw the ball.

I watched the game on mobile, twitter.com and Apple TV, and they were all out of sync.

Apple TV was about a minute behind during the first half of the game. It synced up in the last quarter. The streaming on desktop was about 30 seconds behind the feed.

Despite the frustrating delay, I continued to watch on Apple TV because I wanted to experience the side-by-side video feed the app had received exclusively. But, over the entire game, I only saw one Twitter video and no feeds from Twitter’s live-streaming app Periscope.

Watching football via mobile is not brand new. Yahoo had paid the NFL $20 million for the broadcast rights on one game last year.

However, Yahoo’s mobile experience was ridiculed. It failed to work for some and came through as freezing and jumping for others.

Twitter’s stream succeeded. Unlike other mobile apps, Twitter’s stream did not require a cable subscription or other fee. In fact, it did not even require a Twitter account.

There is room to improve on advertising as well as better incorporating the video and Periscope from the NFL into the feed.

But it’s just the beginning for Twitter, Yahoo, Apple and any of the other umpteen hundred social media and T.V. platforms.

The company has nine games left under its contract with the NFL for this season. Until then, I’ll stick with good ‘ol NBC for now. If I ever find myself with my television, I guess there is a distant second option to get my NFL Thursday Night fix.

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September 22 to September 28, 2016

BEAUTY

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BY DR MARIA LOMBARDO

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

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

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

CHEMICAL PEELS: SKIN CARE FOR EVERYONE! (EVEN CLEOPATRA KNEW ABOUT IT)

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veryone should be doing a few basics to take care of their skin (and men, this means you too!): AM: wash, moisturize using a lotion with SPF for sun protection PM: wash, mechanically exfoliate and moisturize with a richer/heavier lotion.

AND… every 6 months to a year…

Get a chemical peel! (some people more frequently) A TCA (trichloracetic acid) Chemical Peel is a powerful and effective tool for resurfacing your damaged skin to yield the skin you are looking for and deserve. This medium depth peel will improve many of the skin conditions that we all see (and wish we didn’t!) when we look in the mirror. After peeling, your skin will be softer, smoother, with improved texture and tone and greatly reduced hyper-pigmentation (sun damage).

Those are the differences on the surface lot of progress since then and the chemical of your skin. But the real magic is going on peels available now are sophisticated and under your skin where collagen is being effective. Peels vary in strength and provide stimulated. This is what plumps up the different benefits. Light peels (15% TCA) lines and scars, yielding a smoother, more provide substantial results by removing sun refined and beautiful complexion. This light damage and over time will help smooth to medium peel helps with the following very superficial lines. These peels have light skin conditions: IMPROVES: Fine Lines, peeling and flaking, not usually enough Acne, Sun damage, Blackheads, Improves to avoid social situations. Medium peels skin Tone, Improves skin Texture, Rosacea, (TCA 20% - 30%) are where the results Milia, Age Spots, Shallow Acne Scaring, really start to show. These peels can have Enhanced penetration of topical skin care heavy peeling, crusting and take 7–10 days products (moisturizers, serums etc.) to completely finish the peeling process.

How it works: Chemical peels are These are our most popular peels because versatile tools that are used to resurface they make the most difference, helping to Dr. Rebecca Diazstrip off sun the upper layers of your skin by loosening smooth lines, plump up skin, the bonds between the dead skin cells that damage and reveal smooth, even skin. dull your skin, while stimulating the collagen Skin must be taken care of very gently beneath the skin to form and align, which and carefully, but these peels are fantastic in turn plumps up the fine lines and scars for damaged skin. This is one of the most from below the surface. They have been commonly performed chemical peel in around since Cleopatra bathed in sour milk medical offices because it is one of the (containing lactic acid!) make herveterinary skin most effective anddedicated has the most impressive Dr. Rebecca Diaz is atocat-loving professional, to keeping smooth.

Fortunately, science has made a results. your cats and kittens happy and healthy with top-quality care in a stress-free environment.

LIFE & CAREER COACH

BY SUNNY SIMON

IN THE PINK WITH CHANGE

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hen Marla walked in my office it was obvious she had big news.

Once she was seated my new client blurted out her job was eliminated in a company downsizing. It seemed clear to me Marla was happy about leaving her present position. She confirmed my suspicion admitting the job was boring, she hated the commute and her boss was a micro-manager with an insecurity complex. When I inquired why she would remain in job she disliked, I received an answer I’ve heard more than once. Marla confessed starting a job search seemed scary and overwhelming.

Although embarking on the journey of finding a new position requires preparation and a concerted effort, it need not be drudgery. On the contrary, this could be an exciting time for my new client. I began to walk Marla through the following positive elements related to launching a job search.

The process begins with updating your resume. Preparing that document and taking stock of your many achievements, reveals how much you’ve expanded your skill set. Writing accomplishment statements is proof on paper the value you bring to a future employer. Once you’ve crafted a killer resume, it’s uplifting to take pride in your past career achievements.

Statistics show 80% of jobs are discovered through networking. The number one priority in

a search is reconnecting with former colleagues and expanding your network by making connections. Acquaintances are happy to hear from you and can be helpful in introducing you to others. Enjoy the time spent catching up with your friends and meeting new people.

If you’ve been toying with the idea of making big changes in your life, do it now.

Does relocating to another city or state sound enticing? No better time than the present to take your search in a new direction. Ready for a jump up on the career ladder? Again, now is the ideal time to position yourself in an upward direction. Thinking of changing professions? I repeat, now is the time.

Comprehending the timing issue, Marla’s expression brightened. She shared her desire to return to college and complete her degree. She could put the severance her company provided toward tuition. Once she earned the remaining credits for her bachelor’s degree, she could begin a job search.

Watching Marla head out the door, I knew she visualized a new chapter in her career embracing the pink slip for prompting a long overdue change. How about you? Perhaps now is the time to implement a positive job change in your life.

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

Full Service Feline Only Veterinary Clinic

760-325-3400

Full Service Feline Only Veterinary Clinic

Feline Veterinary Service

Every aspect of our clinic is designed with the special needs of cats in mind.

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.

Dr. Rebecca Diaz

Services include: • Routine Care • Geriatic Care • Spay/Neuter

760-325-3400 • Vaccinations

• Digital Radiology • Laboratory Services • New Kitten Care

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67870 Vista Chino Cathedral City, CA 92234

Dr. Rebecca Diaz is a cat-loving veterinary professional, dedicated to keeping your cats and kittens happy and healthy with top-quality care in a stress-free environment.

www.catcitycat.com

Feline Veterinary Service

28 Every aspect of our clinic is designed with the special needs of cats in mind.

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.

publisher@coachellavalleyweekly.com

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

September 22 to September 28, 2016

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