Coachella Valley Weekly - November 12 to November 18, 2020 Vol. 9 No. 35

coachellavalleyweekly.com • November 12 to November 18, 2020 Vol.9 No.35

Daryn LaVoie, US Army Veteran

High School Student Journalism

pg6

CV Music Awards 2020

pg7

Chris Hillman John Carey Elvis Costello pg8

pg9

pg10

Pappy & Harriet’s

pg14

November 12 to November 18, 2020

2

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

November 12 to November 18, 2020

A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS FOR LOCAL VETERANS

Coachella Valley Weekly (760) 501-6228

publisher@coachellavalleyweekly.com coachellavalleyweekly.com facebook.com/cvweekly twitter.com/cvweekly1 Publisher & Editor Tracy Dietlin Art Director Robert Chance Sales Team Kirby Club Crawler Nightlife Editor Phil Lacombe Head Music Writer Noe Gutierrez Head Feature Writer Crystal Harrell Feature Writers Lisa Morgan, Rich Henrich, Heidi Simmons, Tricia Witkower, Jason Hall, Esther Sanchez Writers/Contributors: Robin Simmons, Rick Riozza, Eleni P. Austin, Craig Michaels, Janet McAfee, Bronwyn Ison, Haddon Libby, Sam DiGiovanna, Dale Gribow, Denise Ortuno Neil, Rob Brezny, Dr. Peter Kadile, Dee Jae Cox, Angela Romeo, Aaron Ramson, Lynne Tucker, Aimee Mosco, Michelle Anne Rizzio, Ruth Hill, Madeline Zuckerman Photographers Robert Chance, Laura Hunt Little, Chris Miller, Iris Hall, Esther Sanchez Videographer Kurt Schawacker Website Editor Bobby Taffolla Distribution Phil Lacombe, William Westley

CONTENTS CV Horse Rescue Veteran's Program...... 3 Travel Tips 4 U ......................................... 5 Safety Tips ............................................... 5 High School Student Journalism ........... 6 CV Music Awards 2020 Nominees ......... 7 Book Review - Chris Hillman .................. 8 John Carey - "Positive Thinking"............ 9

BY LISA MORGAN

COACHELLA VALLEY HORSE RESCUE VETERAN’S PROGRAM

W

hen my sister found me, I was still coherent.” Daryn LaVoie, US Army veteran who served in Desert Storm from 1993-1997 had not coped well with the loss of his father that year. The anguish combined with the grips of PTSD were often more than he wanted to bear, but this night would be darker than all the others. He was a God-fearing man, and this was not something he was in the habit of doing, but he brought home a bottle of vodka and began to drink it straight. “I hadn’t drunk like that in about ten years. I went to go to bed, and I grabbed my 38 out of a lock box; I was somehow actually able to dial the code, got my gun, took into my room, and went to bed.”

“I wasn’t planning on it. I remember buying the bottle and going home with it. I remember drinking the entire bottle. The next thing I remember was when my sister found me. I told her, ‘I didn’t do it, I didn’t do it.’ She was on the phone with my mom and my mom told her to look and see if I had my weapon on me. She hadn’t turned my bedroom light on, but from the light coming in from the living room through the bedroom door, she could see my right hand was covered in blood, and I had my gun in it. I had apparently fired one shot. She said, ‘Oh my God, he shot himself in the head. I have to call 911!’ She took the gun from my hand. When the police showed up with the ambulance, they looked me over and asked where the weapon was. She told them she had put it in the kitchen sink and that she had rinsed it off. They said, ‘Ma’am, this now looks like a crime scene. We’re going to need to check your hands for gun residue; it looks like you shot him.’ They wouldn’t let her back in the house until they had taken me away.”

LaVoie was rushed to Desert Regional Hospital suffering from life threatening blood loss. He died on the table twice. Thanks to the EMTs, the skilled medical staff that received him, and 8 pints of blood, he survived. The bullet that had traveled clean through his temples, however, and had severed the optic nerves in both eyes. He had lost all eyesight.

He was released from Desert Regional eight hours later with a medical bill of $33,333.33.

Further examination and treatment at “

University Medical Center revealed that his eyes had begun to die and would need to be replaced with acrylic implants. “My mom had to sign away my eyes,” he said, with heaviness of heart, not only for the loss of his eyes, but for his mother having to go through this. It took me a while to accept that I couldn’t see. I really believed that if they just took me outside of the hospital and into the light of day, I would be able to see.” He spent the next two years in the hospital learning to accept the truth and adjusting his condition.

There are programs available to the veterans with disabilities, but LaVoie hadn’t participated in any. When Ed Robles at the Palm Desert Veterans Administration told him about the Coachella Valley Horse Rescue’s veterans’ program, he jumped at the chance. “I wanted to get back out again.

I was ready. I wanted to live again. It’s very nice to be around people again, to get out and interact.”

LaVoie has been coming to the Coachella Valley Horse Rescue ranch every Monday for a month, joining several other veterans. He is working with Riley, a 28-year-old Missouri Fox Trotter. Riley has a lot of experience as a program horse, but this has been the first time Riley’s worked with someone who is blind. “They have a magical connection,” shares Annette Garcia, CV Horse Rescue’s Rescue Program Director. “It’s as though Riley knows that Daryn can’t see him, and he accommodates Daryn differently than the other veterans. It’s an amazing thing to watch.”

“Our connection is very fluid,” says LaVoie. “We bonded very well. Riley follows right behind me and has been like a seeing eye horse for me. I learned very early on that I didn’t have to force him to do anything. He wants to walk with me. Sean (another veteran who has been instrumental in developing the program and is mentoring LaVoie) was teaching me to watch out for Riley’s face and jaw bone (a significantly strong part of any horse that can cause accidental injury). But Riley wanted to be close to my chest right away. He follows right behind me and even gently bumps into me because he wants to be close to me. I used to work on a horse ranch 10-15 years ago, and this is a nice way

to reconnect with horses again, but this has been a phenomenal experience.”

LaVoie’s mother drives him to the ranch, and sits in with him and the rest of the veterans. There are very few Mondays that don’t bring a tear of joy to her eyes, or the eyes of the other veterans. A lot of healing has been taking place in a short time, but LaVoie knows there is still a lot of work to do.

“I’ve heard a lot of people who have had near death experiences say that ever since, every day is a new day for them. I don’t wake up every day happy to be alive. I have to talk to God and say, ‘I’m not as happy as I should be today, because I’m down in the dumps right now. Help me find out why and how to get out of it.’ I wish I could say that every day I wake up I’m happy to be here, but the truth is I’m not. Most days I am, but not always.

I pray every day that I’ll be able to have a surgery that will make me see again. I keep being told that the eyes are too difficult to do surgery on, but I know that it’s got to be possible. I don’t push Jesus on anyone, but I know I’m here because of two people - God and His Son.” LaVoie is now on a mission to bring his message to as many other veterans as he can. The high risk of suicide among veterans is widely known, and as LaVoie puts it, “I almost became one of ‘those’ veterans.” Now he wants to turn his tragedy into a life-saving message encouraging veterans to reach out and get the help they need. “Killing yourself is not the answer to your problems. Instead it creates more problems. It’s like the ripple effect of a boulder tossed into water. Come out to the CV Horse Rescue and try it. Even if you’re a recluse and don’t want to interact with people, interact with a horse. It’s a great experience.”

For more info visit cvhorserescue.org.

Consider This - Elvis Costello ......... 10-11 Pet Place .......................................... 12-13 Pampered Palate - Pappy & Harriet's... 14 The Vino Voice ...................................... 15 Screeners ............................................... 16 Haddon Libby........................................ 17 Dale Gribow........................................... 17 Swag For The Soul ................................. 18 Free Will Astrology ............................... 18

3

November 12 to November 18, 2020

4

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

TRAVEL TIPS4U

ARTICLE & PHOTOS BY LYNNE TUCKER

SUNNYLANDS GARDENS RANCHO MIRAGE, CA

D

URING THE PANDEMIC Access to the Gardens: • Sunnylands is gradually reopening for the 2020-2021 season, starting with public access to the gardens.

• Admission to the gardens is free from 8:30 am to 4 pm, Wednesday through Sunday.

• Guests are welcome to stroll the gardens, relax on benches, or take a selfguided audio tour of the gardens.

• At this time, the public is not allowed inside Sunnylands Center, except for controlled access to the restrooms and a temporary gift shop location.

Safety Measures: • Sunnylands will monitor attendance to make sure the gardens do not become overcrowded.

• Outdoor hand-sanitizing stations are available to guests.

• Frequently-touched objects, such as door handles, will be routinely disinfected.

• At this time, Sunnylands Center & Gardens is not allowing picnics or other gatherings on property.

What’s Changed: • The café is now open as an outdoor only venue.

• The gift shop is open for in-person shopping in a new, more spacious location.

• Tours of the historic Annenberg home and public programs, such as Yoga and Tai Chi on the Great Lawn, are on hold.

• A new exhibition, In Motion: Agam at Sunnylands, will be accessible to the public free of charge when the Center reopens.

• Outdoor tours of the 200-acre Sunnylands estate begin November 11.

Code of Conduct: To ensure a pleasurable visit for everyone, they ask all guests to adhere to the following code of conduct: • Stay home if you’re experiencing signs of illness, such as a fever or flu-like symptoms.

• Wear a face covering at all times while visiting Sunnylands, including our outdoor spaces.

• Frequently wash or sanitize your hands.

• Stay at least six feet away from people who are not in your party.

• Obey all posted signage, conditions for entry, and staff instructions.

• Please be respectful toward their staff and other visitors at all times.

Hours: The gardens are open with free admission Wednesday-Sunday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. sunnylands.org Visit Sunnylands and enjoys the outdoor gardens!

Lynne Tucker - A Passion 4 Photography 818.298.7007 Contributing Writer & Photographer for: CV Weekly (Coachella Valley) The Tolucan Times (San Fernando Valley) Conservation Ambassador for The Living Desert

November 12 to November 18, 2020

SAFETY TIPS FROM THE CHIEFS CORNER

BY FIRE CHIEF SAM DIGIOVANNA

NATIONAL DIABETES MONTH!

N

ovember is National Diabetes Month, a time when communities across the country team up to bring attention to diabetes. This year’s focus is on taking care of youth who have diabetes.

Diabetes is one of the most common chronic conditions in school-age youth in the United States, affecting about 193,000 youth under 20 years old. Regardless of their age, sometimes youth who have diabetes need support with their diabetes care. That’s why it’s important to help your child or teen develop a plan to manage diabetes, and work with their health care team to adjust the diabetes self-care plan as needed.

Here are some tips to consider for your youth’s diabetes self-care plan.

• Manage blood glucose levels. Make sure your child or teen takes their medicines as prescribed, at the right time, and the right dose—even when they feel good or have reached their blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol goals.

• Encourage healthy habits. Follow a healthy eating plan (especially if your youth is taking insulin), get enough sleep, and aim for regular physical activity. Youth with type 1 diabetes should also check their blood glucose levels before, during, or after physical activity.

• Stay prepared for emergencies. A basic “go-kit” could include medical supplies and equipment (at least a week’s worth) emergency and health care professional contact lists a medication list, including doses

and dosing schedules, and an allergy list Face coverings, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes may also be added to your “go-kit” during a pandemic.

• Monitor for diabetes complications. Early diagnosis and treatment can help reduce risk for heart disease, vision loss, nerve damage, and other related health problems.

• Seek mental health support. Encourage them to connect with other youth who have diabetes. Youth may not be used to talking about feeling anxious or alone about their diabetes. Speak with your health care team for help.

For more information and your Diabetes Tool Kit click here: https://lnkd.in/guJK6f5.

5

November 12 to November 18, 2020

EDUCATION

2

020 has been a year of historical proportions. Between politics and a pandemic, millions of eyes have been glued to screens and articles to see what new developments come to pass. Recent news content has also paved the path for how journalism is taught in schools for future generations of historians. Jennifer Cortez is an English instructor and journalism advisor at La Quinta High School, where she is not only adapting to distance learning, but also getting her students involved in reporting current events.

Cortez is going into her third year teaching at La Quinta High School, after a brief hiatus to get her master’s degree in journalism. Cortez is also a 2009 alumna of the high school, where she was part of the Hawkview staff throughout the years before graduating—coming full circle as the current faculty advisor.

The Hawkview launched a digital version of their newspaper in the 2017-2018 school year, replacing the physical version of the publication this pandemic season, since the Desert Sun had previously printed past issues and has now moved the printing headquarters to Arizona.

“Instead of focusing on deadlines and getting a publication out on time, right now I am prioritizing teaching my students what is important in journalism today. What we are focusing on is how we can engage with our community, especially when we are so disconnected from each other physically.

We are experimenting with the way we tell

6

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

STUDENTS SHARE THEIR VOICES THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM

stories,” explained Cortez.

Before the pandemic, students were able to familiarize themselves with Mac computers, camera equipment, and other journalistic tools essential for hands-on learning. But since school campuses are closed, students have limited access to these resources and have to rely on Zoom to conduct interviews. A notable way that students have engaged with the community through video interviews includes interviewing the Trustee Area 3 Desert Sands Unified School District candidates on their website. Hawkview staff members Miranda Muir and Layla Freiberg interviewed Celeste Fiehler, Doug Hassett, and Patricia Pearce about their aspirations and plans to reopen schools.

The Hawkview also has plans to relaunch their Humans of La Quinta High project, which is a photojournalism collection on Instagram (@humansoflqhs) that “aims to cultivate empathy with the Blackhawk community” by posting photos of staff and students with personal quotations about themselves.

“So many of my students have expressed interest in wanting to write about how the pandemic has affected their community, or the Black Lives Matter movement that reignited during the summer. This allows students to be more engaged with current events and create more empathy with these stories. And for

Humans of LQHS, not everyone knows what goes on behind the scenes of someone’s life.

This project develops more of an understanding between faculty and students,” stated Cortez.

The Hawkview staff has also been accepted as one of only five finalists in the annual Goldfish Bowl event held at Desert Sands Unified School District. This competition is inspired by the show Shark Tank, and enables students and staff to pitch their ideas for educational endeavors and receive funding to carry out their pitches. The Hawkview staff pitched their idea of installing vinyl banners at the perimeter of the high school to promote unity during the pandemic, centered on the theme of “What is a message you would like to deliver to your future self?”

BY CRYSTAL HARRELL “Now more than ever, the idea of media as being distrustful has become more prevalent.

Having students involved in journalism means they are engaging and interacting with their community. Instead of hearing about the news, they are taking part in it. Being a high school journalist lets students focus on something outside of themselves and contribute to something greater, allowing them to learn the value of empathizing and identifying with other people,” said Cortez.

Stories by the Hawkview staff can be found on their website, lqhawkview.com. You can also follow the La Quinta High School newspaper on Facebook and @lqhawkview on Twitter.

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com Voices Carrie (Carrie & Pat Mahon) Mod Squad (Francesca Amari & Jeff Stewart) BEST NEW BAND Call Upon Your Gods Yovés Saints & Rebels Grins & Lies EAS Christine & The Lost Keys Israel’s Arcade

BEST ROCK BAND Black Water Gospel Blasting Echo Mega Sun Waxy Silver Sky Cody White & The Easy Ride Giselle Woo & The Night Owls Captain Ghost Death in Pretty Wrapping House Of Broken Promises BEST METAL BAND Ormus House Of Broken Promises Perishment Instigator Call Upon Your Gods In The Name Of The Dead When Tides Turn Brain Vat EAS Rogue Ogre BEST PUNK BAND Throw The Goat The After Lashes The Sweat Act EAS The Hellions Se7en4 Whiskey & Knives Facelift Off The Wall Sleazy Cortez BEST ALTERNATIVE Cakes & The Assholes FrankEatsTheFloor The Flusters Empty Seat 5th Town Captain Ghost Slipping Into Darkness Plastic Ruby Black Water Gospel The Adobe Collective BEST RAP/HIP HOP Willdabeast Provoked

J Patron Kurlzz Razor J Carlos Cruz/2 Toxic Xpression/John Fajardo Versastyle Sol Akiva The Bermuda BEST REGGAE Tribe-O Higher Heights Desert Rhythm Project Unity Frenzy Mozaiq Bum Roots Project BEST JAZZ VOCALS Gina Carey Slim Man Keisha D Francesca Amari Rose Mallett Christine Michelle Symara Stone Deanna Bogart Barry Minniefield Yve Evans BEST INSTRUMENTAL Chase Huna Deanna Bogart Alex Santana Linda Lemke-Heinz Bri Cherry Will Donato Joe Baldino Bohemio Sergio Villegas Mikole Kaar BEST BLUES Kal David & Lauri Bono John Stanley King The Smooth Brothers Calista Carradine The Bonethumpers Deanna Bogart Barry Baughn

BEST COUNTRY Lisa Lynn & The Broken Hallelujahs Grady James Band Rick Shelley The Mighty Sweet Nothings Roger & The Roadhouse Rebels Peyton Bowie Band BEST FOLK /AMERICANA Rick Shelley Brad Mercer Jimi Fitz Lisa Lynn Morgan The Adobe Collective

Reborn By The Sunshine Cole Withers Courtney Chambers Michael Keeth Derek Jordan Gregg

BEST SINGER/ SONGWRITER Lance Riebsomer Derek Jordan Gregg Josh Heinz Lisa Lynn Morgan Rick Shelley Matt Claborn Courtney Chambers Symara Stone Jetta King BEST ADULT CONTEMPORARY Faults of Andreas John Stanley King Kevin Henry Marco Antonelli Denny Pezzin Keisha D Lizette Warner Johnny Meza Gina Carey Calista Carradine Michael D’Angelo BEST R&B Gina Carey Krystofer Do Keisha D Razor J Porsia Camille The Smooth Brothers Chris Lomeli Cakes & The Assholes Eevaan Tré Barry Minniefield BEST COVER BAND Ghost Notes The Refills Finesse Long Duk Dong Pescaterritory Lisa Lynn & The Broken Hallelujahs Avenida Wyldsky Barflys Misconstrued BEST YOUTH BAND Silver Sky EAS Pescaterritory Israel’s Arcade Screams on Silent BEST FEMALE VOCALIST Lisa Lynn Morgan Chelsea Sugarbritches

DJ Shasta DJ Aaron C Desert DJ Entertainment DJ Femme A DJ John Paul BEST PROMOTER* Kristen Reinhagen Mr. Miami Noe Gutierrez Lisa Lynn Morgan Steve Johns Nigel Dettelbach Brian Parnell Jimi Fitz Desert Noise Greg Gendron

BEST LIVE PERFORMANCE BAND Slipping Into Darkness Giselle Woo & The Night Owls BEST LIVE PERFORMANCE Cakes & The Assholes VENUE Jetta King The Fluster Date Shed Nikki Dickinson Mega Sun Big Rock Courtney Chambers Instigator The Hood Cakes EAS Plan B Meagan Van Dyke Desert Rhythm Project Palm Canyon Roadhouse Porsia Camille Jesika Von Rabbit Pappy & Harriet’s Giselle Woo Gene Evaro Jr. The Alibi Palm Springs Christine Michelle Tack Room Tavern BEST GUITAR Coachella Valley Brewing Co. BEST MALE VOCALIST Christian Colin Copa Derek Jordan Gregg Mark Wadlund Michael Keeth Nick Hales BEST LIVE MUSIC EVENT Josh Heinz Arthur Seay Concert For Autism Lance Riebsomer RC Torres Idyllwild Strong Slim Man Chris Rivera The Warburton Grady James Chaz Marriott Garden Jam Music Fest Dougie Van Sant Razor J Joshua Tree Music Festival Eevaan Tré Jimmy Palmer Splash House Krystofer Do Brad Garrow DAP Evening Under the Stars Vinny Berry 111 Music Fest BEST BASS Desert Stars BEST FRONTWOMAN Serene Noell Synergy Music & Arts Festival Esther Sanchez Aaron Ramson Chelsea Sugarbritches Dub Wallace BEST PRODUCER Lisa Lynn Morgan Mondo Flores David Williams Cakes Dan Dillinger Esjay Jones Erin Marie (Red) Andrea Taboada Will Sturgeon Giselle Woo Garrison Calkins Ronnie King Meagan Van Dyke Carlyn Basore 2 Toxic (Carlos Cruz) Nikki Dickinson Bryanna Evaro Mikey Doling Jetta King Mark Fry Brian Parnell Jesika Von Rabbit Arthur Seay BEST DRUMMER Jerry Whiting BEST FRONTMAN Troy Whitford Zach Fogle Brian “Puke” Parnell Mike Cancino Nicco Ysiano Tyler Ontiveros BEST PHOTOGRAPHER Joe Lynn Jeff Bowman Laura Hunt Little Robbie Waldman Death Valley Ali (Saenz) Brian Blueskye Jeremy Parsons Nick Willman Robert Chance Nicco Flores Daniel Perry Steve Young Dougie Van Sant Greg Saenz Anna Cheung Mikey Reyes Corwin Hendricks Yasin Chaudhry Xan Abyss Raymond Patrick Michael Mitchem Marc Glassman Martin Posada Orlando Welsh Michael Keeth BEST KEYBOARDS Chris Miller BEST DUO Tony Patler Ceasar Rodriguez Yovés (Chelsea Sugarbritches Deanna Bogart & Bobby Taffolla Linda Lemke-Heinz BEST SOUND ENGINEER Las Tías (Giselle Woo & Andy Cahan Greg Little Janine Rivera) Herbert Jeff Mazur Michael Keeth & Josh Danny Torres Nigel Dettelbach Fimbres Will Sturgeon Jon Ballard Dougie Van Sant & Meagan Josiah Gonzales Van Dyke Jesika Von Rabbit BEST DJ/ON-AIR Nick Hales & Stevie Jane Todd “TK” Killiam Lee BEST DJ Mike Mozingo Lance Riebsomer & David DJ Smoke 1 Bianca Fort Morales Alex Harrington Jimi Fitz Josh Heinz & Linda Lemke Alf Alpha Chase Martinez Heinz Guy Worden Bradley Ryan Mark Gregg & Misty Howell DJ LF

AND THE CVMA 2020 NOMINEES ARE..

BEST BAND Giselle Woo & The Night Owls The Flusters Slipping Into Darkness Empty Seat Desert Rhythm Project The Sweat Act John Garcia & The Band Of Gold Captain Ghost Call Upon Your Gods Cakes & The Assholes

November 12 to November 18, 2020 BEST RADIO STATION 93.7 KCLB U 92.7 KCOD Coachella FM Q 102.3 CV 104.3 The Eagle 106.9 97.7 KRCK Big 106.1 KPLM Alt 101.5 BEST ALBUM Captain Ghost – “Into The Grave” Brightener – “Stay Open” The Sweat Act – “Share The Blame” 5th Town – “Road To Nowhere” Instigator – “Necessary Evil” Rogue Ogre – “The Dungeon” Yawning Man – “Macedonia Lines” Giselle Woo & The Night Owls – “Gemini” 2Toxic – “Toxicology Chapter 2” Sol Akiva – “Ouraboros” Slim Man – “Live at Vicky’s” Intel$ – “92260” Nigel Roman – “Nigel Roman” Provoked – “Synchronicity” Call Upon Your Gods – “Post Oblivion” Higher Heights – “Desert Dread” BEST SONG “House of Cocaine” – Derek Jordan Gregg “Road to Nowhere” – 5th Town “We Were Young” – The Flusters “Won’t Wait” – Empty Seat “Everything Right Outside” – EAS “King Street” – Pescaterritory “Poison Skies”– Captain Ghost “Shut Me Up” – The Sweat Act “Going Home” – Grady James “Under Attack”– Mega Sun featuring Mikey Reyes “Coachella Gold” – Giselle Woo & The Night Owls “People Like You” – Throw The Goat “Back On Track” – Will Sturgeon “Cheap Date” Hot Patooties “Pretty” – 5th Town “White Pistils” – The Sweat Act “Bowie’s Last Breath” – Yawning Man “Red Wednesday” – EAS “We Are Love” – Kelly Derrickson & Benny Cancino “Find Your Oasis” – The Greater CVB (Group of Collective Artists) “Runaway Eyes” – Silver Sky “I Feel at Home” – Steel Guapo “Magic Blob Boogie” – Billy Tsounis “Thank You Robots” – Matt King “It’s No Mistake” – Waxy “Peace Love and Happiness” – Kristen Lee and Ronnie King

*With the passing of BB Ingle we will not include him in this category this year as we will do a special tribute to him and he also received the Lifetime Achievement Award last year for Promoter as we wanted to honor him while he was still here. He won this award 6 out of the 7 years we have done the CVMAs. He also received many nominations for this year’s category. RIP BB.

7

November 12 to November 18, 2020

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

“TIME BETWEEN: MY LIFE AS A BYRD, BURRITO BROTHER, AND BEYOND” BY CHRIS HILLMAN

BY ELENI P. AUSTIN

I

n 1965 Los Angeles, the epicenter of musical cool was the Byrds. The epicenter of the Byrds was bassist and multi-instrumentalist, Chris Hillman. Now, 55 years later, Chris has written a memoir, “Time Between,” which covers that heady Swinging ‘60s era, as well as his musical adventures during his time in The Flying Burrito Brothers to the Desert Rose Band and everything in between.

A brisk and engaging read, it begins when Chris was born in 1944 to a successful adman father and a homemaker mom. Along with his brother and two sisters, he enjoyed a mostly idyllic childhood in a rural area right outside San Diego. Early obsessions included cowboys, horseback riding and surfing, until he discovered Folk music in his early teens.

His older sister Susan introduced him to the music of Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger and the Weavers and pretty quickly he was learning guitar. Soon enough he became captivated by Bluegrass and he managed to pick up banjo and mandolin. He began playing in regional bands.

When financial reversals and a family tragedy struck, Chris was able to bury his head in his music. Soon enough he was asked to join Bluegrass outfits like the Scottsville Squirrel Barkers and the Golden State Boys.

In 1964, he traded in his banjo for a bass and joined The Jet Set, which included Gene Clark, David Crosby, Jim (ne’ Roger) McGuinn and Mike Clarke. After changing their name to The Byrds, they secured a gig as the house band at Ciro’s, the coolest club on the Sunset Strip.

Things came together quickly when the five-piece signed with Columbia Records.

Along with their producer, Jim Dickinson, the band artfully re-arranged an unreleased Bob Dylan track and pretty much inventing FolkRock on the spot. “Mr. Tambourine Man” shot to #1 on the charts. Soon enough each of the Byrds were driving Porsches and living high above L.A., the first members of Rock royalty to move the artistic enclave of Laurel Canyon.

Paranoia and personality clashes were huge problems for the band, who shed members left and right even as they

8

recorded five brilliant albums that fused Folk, Rock, Psychedelia and even Jazz. Fresh from “firing” David Crosby (who managed to land on his feet by forming Crosby, Stills & Nash), from the group, Chris and Roger recruited Gram Parsons to take his place.

Gram was a Georgia/Florida transplant, ex-Harvard student and trust-fund baby who was influenced by the Beatles, Merle Haggard, The Rolling Stones and George Jones in equal measure. Gram injected a dose of Country comfort into the Byrds sixth album, Sweethearts Of The Rodeo. Once again, the band was forging a new musical path. But just as quickly, Gram quit the band, siting a questionable concert scheduled in segregated South Africa. Chris remains convinced that Gram’s predilection for drugs, as well as his budding bromance with Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones were bigger motivations to leave the Byrds.

But not long after, Chris also quit the Byrds and partnered with Gram to form The Flying Burrito Brothers, playing a hybrid of Country, Soul and Rock that Gram characterized as Cosmic American Music.

The Burritos released two dazzling albums before Chris became disillusioned with

Gram’s mercurial ways. Labelling Gram as “a charmer and a hustler” he contends that “his fascination with the party scene chipped away at the tight musical brotherhood” they had established. As the ‘60s wind to a close, the Manson Murders and Altamont finish the era of Flower Power.

Gram quit the band for a solo career, (later famously dying from an accidental overdose at his favorite Joshua Tree hotel).

Meanwhile, Chris and the Burritos soldiered on before finally breaking up. At this point he joined ex-Buffalo Springfield/CSN gunslinger Stephen Stills’ band Manassas and they immediately score a Top 5 hit. They lasted a couple of years, and a couple of albums before Chris reunited with the Byrds (a project that seemed dead on arrival). He spends the rest of the ‘70s joining or forming Super Groups that also sound like law firms: Souther-Hillman-Furray, McGuinn-ClarkHillman. He admits that it’s a “dark time in my life,” but really never says why.

Although Chris first met Connie Pappas in the late ‘60s, they didn’t really get to know each other until the mid ‘70s. Connie was also a part of the music industry, and not easily impressed with musicians. But Chris won her over and the pair married in 1979, and not long after, welcomed a son and daughter,

BOOK REVIEW

Nicholas and Catherine. At the same time, he also began to explore a more spiritual life and embraced Christianity. (He later converted to Greek Orthodoxy, joining his wife’s family’s church). The book chronicles Chris’ solo career, which began in the late ‘70s, it also details his commercial success with his ‘80s band, Desert Rose, a Country-Pop outfit that found great success on Country radio. He also found critical acclaim when he returned to his Bluegrass roots in collaboration with musicians like Herb Pederson, Larry Rice and Tony Rice.

The book comes to a close following a couple of serious health scares and the release of Chris’ most critically acclaimed solo album, Bidin’ My Time. His seventh solo effort (and 42nd recording overall), was coproduced by longtime Byrds fan, Tom Petty.

Sadly, before he could savor the album’s success, Tom died from an accidental overdose. By 2018, he came full circle reuniting with Roger McGuinn and enlisting Country Rocker Marty Stuart for a tour celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Byrds’ classic (Gram Parsons-infused) Sweetheart Of The Rodeo.

“Time Between” chronicles a pivotal moment in Rock & Roll history. Chris Hillman was very much a pioneer in Folk-Rock and Country-Rock. He captures an epochal era of peace, love and understanding that hopefully is making a comeback.

LOCAL MUSIC

J

ohn Carey may not currently be a resident of the Coachella Valley but the man has left an indelible mark on our collective hearts forever. He is the first to volunteer his talent and time as well as encourage younger generations to pick up an instrument. He has donated multiple guitars to numerous students throughout the desert.

The gracious multi-instrumentalist, producer, singer and songwriter released his most recent album, Positive Thinking on October 20, 2020, on all major music platforms. The album is a Jazz, Funk and Rock flight of fancy that takes you on a tour through Carey’s sweet-sounding repertoire.

With over 40 years in the business his music has been heard all over the world. He has produced three #1 songs and five top ten songs in the United Kingdom.

Please check out Positive Thinking on Camp Records Int. on all digital media platforms. You can also order a signed copy from Carey at johncareyinfo@gmail.com.

Below is the Coachella Valley Weekly review of Positive Thinking: John Carey - guitar, keyboards, vocals Nathaniel Scott - drums Marvin “Sweet Bass” Banks - bass Dave Thomasson - sax Theo Coakley - electric piano Charleston Quinn - bass Jackie Bertone - percussion Ronnie Moss - background vocals and percussion There Goes That Smile Again Self-assured and hooky ‘A’ Section. The electric keys, bass line and vocals loom over the rest of the music. There are plenty

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

November 12 to November 18, 2020

JOHN CAREY – “POSITIVE THINKING”

BY NOE GUTIERREZ

of songs that describe the feeling you get when you see a beautiful woman. It’s never unfashionable to make beauty known. “so electric whenever she pass by…turnin’ heads of a million men”.

Hold On Hold On is another positive composition from Carey. It includes more of his prevalent and signature guitar sound. Given Carey’s life struggles, I can imagine he’s singing to himself as much as he’s delivering a sermon to his listeners. “Open up the door and walk on in…hold your head up high…as long as you try”. We also get to listen to him play a little Spanish guitar.

3. Dance With You Baby When Carey introduces himself and asks you to dance, you say YES! This is his interpretation of Smooth Jazz at its best. A

slower tempo ballad brimming with its own idiomatic devices. The keyboard solo keeps the song’s integrity intact and lengthens to 5:11 of sustained swaying.

4. Walking In Faith A magnificent acoustic intro from Carey leads to what sounds like voices from heaven, “Walking in faith is all I want to do…the rest is up to you…you turned my life around….I’m standing on solid ground”.

Whether you believe in a Higher Power or not, you will be enlightened by this song. I’ve never heard Carey sing so deeply. The sax solo is outstanding.

5. I’m So Happy Positive tempo to guarantee a great day and to remind us that our attitude dictates everything. The song represents a constructive mental outlook on obtaining

happiness. The keys/horns are reminiscent of the Earth, Wind & Fire sound. More great showing off from sax-man Thomasson. In a world of strife, let’s declare, I’m So Happy.

6. Wish You Were Here Wish You Were Here is the punctuation mark of the album for me. The only instrumental on the album, Carey gives you his whole heart through six strings. His fully-plugged Santana/Neal Schon sound showcases the Rock and electric side of Carey that can move you as much as his Jazz side.

7. Gimme Summa Dat (featuring Darryl F. Walker) Here comes the Funk. The first club-style dance tune on the album. Significant sax from R&B, Pop, Blues and Jazz artist Darryl F. Walker. Walker has lit up countless live shows and recording sessions with lead and background performances adding vocals or horn for a bevy of record labels (Tabu, A&M, Motown, Mesa Blue Moon Records, Northern Blues, and Ripa Records) to name a few.

8. Hindsight 20/20 (featuring Vivian Love) Love’s vocals compliment the interlacing of Carey’s Rock guitar and Thomasson’s Bluesy sax parts. Upbeat and danceable.

Great outro sax playing.

9. I’m So Happy (Jazzy version) A “Jazzier” version of the perpetually optimistic song. More of everything elevates the song even further.

9

November 12 to November 18, 2020

CONSIDER THIS

I’ve got no religion, I’ve got no philosophy, I’ve got a head full of ideas and words that don’t seem to belong to me... I’ve got no illusions, I’ve had no epiphany, why should anyone listen to me?” hat’s Elvis Costello kicking against the pricks on “No Flag,” a song off his newest record, Hey Clockface. Anyone who knows me, knows that Elvis is my all-time favorite musician . His first album came out in 1977, and I heard a few intriguing songs on KMET and KLOS radio, but it wasn’t until 1980, that I actually owned some of his music.

That year I had a “PUNK” party on my 17th birthday (that’s a whole other column), and a friend gave me a “Regatta de Blanc” tape from the Police. Problem was, I already had, and loved that one. So, I took it back to Gemco (ahh, Gemco) to exchange it. Luckily, they had Elvis’ latest, his fourth album, “Get Happy,” so I took the plunge.

I became obsessed, much to my mother’s dismay (she didn’t like his voice). I listened to Get Happy before and after school. I parsed the lyrics and marveled at the melodies. It was sort of Punk, but so much more. That summer I cycled through six other albums, the B-52’s debut, London Calling from the Clash, the Beatles’ Red and Blue singles collections plus Pink Floyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon and The Wall. But first in rotation was Elvis.

As the year wore on, I back-tracked and got his Armed Forces album, then the newish Taking Liberties, as well as his debut, My Aim Is True. The following January I saw him live for the first time when he toured around the release of his sixth effort, Trust. His next record was a sharp right turn. Almost Blue was an album of Country standards recorded in Nashville. At that point in my life I had no interest in Country music, I found it kind of corny and old-fashioned. But because it had Elvis’ stamp of approval, I began to open my mind.

In the ensuing years, Elvis provided that service again and again for me, acting as a musical ambassador, introducing me to artists like N.R.B.Q., Gram Parsons and Dusty Springfield. Elvis covered songs by Bob Dylan, John Hiatt and Richard Thompson, and I’d take a deep dive into their catalogues. It didn’t always work, I still don’t get Randy Newman, but E.C.’s love of Abba made me re-evaluate what I had previously considered to be AM Pop radio fluff. Yes, I actually like “Waterloo.”

Elvis was born Declan McManus in 1954, in Paddington, London, the son of Lillian and Ross McManus. His parents met through their affinity for music. She ran Jazz clubs and worked in record shops, he was a Jazz trumpeter and later gained fame as a vocalist for The Joe Loss Orchestra. As a kid, Declan was exposed to myriad musical styles and retained a love for Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald, even as he was discovering the Beatles, the Stones, and later Bob Dylan, the Band, the Flying Burrito Brothers and Pub Rock.

By 1970, he began performing, first as a solo artist and then in the band Flip City. He had also started writing his own songs. Fast forward seven years and Declan was married with a young son, working as a computerprogrammer for Elizabeth Arden. By then his manager had rechristened him Elvis Costello (several months before the King Of Rock & Roll met his ignominious end). But more importantly, he had amassed an impressive

T

10

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

“HEY CLOCKFACE” RECORDS) ELVIS COSTELLO (CONCORD

stockpile of original songs.

Using up his sick days at work, he went into Pathways studio with producer Nick Lowe and a backing band from San Francisco called Clover (they later evolved into Huey Lewis’ band, the News). The result was his stunning debut, My Aim Is True.

An instant classic, the record matched angular melodies to vitriolic lyrics. Along with bands like The Clash, The Jam, The Damned and The Sex Pistols, Elvis helped usher in the Punk era. Although he was part of the Class Of ’77, his music was never really defined by that narrow paradigm. Once he connected with Bruce Thomas, Pete Thomas (no relation) and Steve Nieve, on bass, drums and keys, respectively, they became his backing band The Attractions.

Elvis’ second and third albums, This Year’s Model and Armed Forces exceeded expectations. Released in 1978 and 1979, the former married the snarl of Punk with concise songcraft that echoed the Rolling Stones’ mid ‘60s output. The latter took inspiration from Abba (!) as well as the more Pop-tastic sounds of New Wave. This triptych is considered Elvis’ classic “Angry Young Man” period. Some fans were content to stop there, but really, the best was yet to come.

Although New Wave was the musical lingua franca of the 1980s, Elvis, to quote Linda Ronstadt quoting Mike Nesmith, traveled to the beat of a different drum. Get Happy channeled the hard-charging R&B of Stax and Motown. Almost Blue was a Country-Western effort recorded in Nashville.

In 1982, he delivered Imperial Bedroom, a dazzling collection of songs that owed as much to Cole Porter and Frank Sinatra as it did to the Beatles. A year later, he followed up with Punch The Clock, a sleek Pop record that featured back-up singers and a horn section.

It seemed as though his appetite for musical exploration knew no bounds. 1986’s King Of America, produced by new pal T-Bone Burnett, was a deep dive into Country and Folk. Three years later, Spike featured contributions from The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, the Chieftans Chrissie Hynde and Allen Toussaint. His first ‘90s effort, Mighty Like A Rose leaned closer to the ornate Pop flavors of ‘60s bands like The Left Banke, Love and The Zombies.

In 1993 he connected with a String section, the Brodsky Quartet. Together they wrote The Juliet Letters, a song cycle based on the imaginary letters of Juliet Capulet. A year later he reunited with the Attractions (after an eight-year hiatus), for the caustic Brutal Youth album and the more opulent All This Useless Beauty.

Throughout the years Elvis produced albums for The Specials, Squeeze, The Pogues and classical vocalist Anne Sofie Von Otter.

There were also acclaimed collaborations with Paul McCartney and Burt Bacharach. Shortly before he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, he returned to his Punk roots with his new backing band, The Imposters (basically still Steve Nieve, Pete Thomas and new bassist Davey Farragher) and released the blistering When I Was Cruel. Naturally, his next effort North, was a collection of jazzy Torch songs. After two divorces, Elvis finally met his match in Jazz chanteuse Diana Krall. The pair married in late 2003 and welcomed twin sons, Dexter and Frank three years later.

As the 21st century progressed, Elvis and The

BY ELENI P. AUSTIN

Imposters retreated to Mississippi to record the Countrified Delivery Man. He also created a Classical orchestral work, Il Sogno. Hurricane Katrina motivated him to collaborate again with New Orleans legend Allen Toussaint to record The River In Reverse. Then he whipped up the Rock & Roll raver Momofuku in a matter of days in Los Angeles.

Reuniting with his best mate, T-Bone, they made a Bluegrass effort, Secret, Profane & Sugarcane in 2009 and the more Folk-flavored National Ransom the following year. 2013 found Elvis at his most experimental when he hooked up with celebrated Hip-Hop collective The Roots. Not only did Wise Up Ghost include new songs, but it also deconstructed and recalibrated a few songs from Elvis’ extensive back catalogue. The unlikely collaboration actually made it to #16 on the charts.

In the ensuing years, Elvis has continued to tour at a furious clip. 2015 saw the release of his autobiography, Unfaithful Music & Disappearing Ink. A serious health scare in 2018 truncated a summer tour, but he still released his 30th album, the brilliantly Baroque Look Now. It featured the Imposters and included collaborations with Burt Bacharach and Carole King. Earlier this year, it won the Grammy Award for “Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.” In between touring and recording commitments, he has been working on a Broadway musical based on Budd Schulberg novel, A Face In The Crowd, which was also a powerful Elia Kazan film.

Elvis has always excelled in confounding expectations. But his die-hard fans have stuck with him nearly every step of the way. Now he is back with his 31st album, Hey Clockface.

Executing a stylistic 180, the new record sounds nothing like his last effort. Toward the end of his last tour and before the Covid pandemic really hit, he holed up alone in Helsinki, sans Imposters, and later with Steve Nieve in Paris and New York, accompanied by a Jazzy combo of Parisians dubbed Le Quintette St. Germain.

The album’s first four cuts hopscotch through a series of moods and musical idioms.

“Revolution #49” opens tentatively, like an orchestra warming up. Lowing serpent notes (a brass/woodwind instrument somewhere between a cornett and a tuba) are buttressed by cor anglis oboe, Lowrey organ, cello, melodica and a soupcon of drums. The modal melody swirls around Elvis’ spoken soliloquy, as he intones; “Life beats a poor man to his grave, love makes a rich man from a beggar, love is the one thing we can save.”

The aforementioned “No Flag,” which is also the record’s first single, is essentially a one-man effort, as Elvis handles all the

instrumentation. Stinging guitars, whooshy keys and tensile bass lines are tethered to a clanky, industrial crunch. Elvis’ vocals are suitably sinister and snarly as he unleashes a cynical rant that mirrors these divisive days; “You may be joking but I don’t get the gag, I sense no future but time seems to drag/No time for this kind of love, no flag waving high above, no sign for the dark place that I live, no God for the damn that I don’t give.”

The musical sturm und drang of “…Flag” is replaced by plangent guitars, towering grand piano, shivery Fender Rhodes, peppery Flugel horn, mellifluous tenor sax, graceful cello and percussive drums on “They’re Not Laughing At Me Now.” Settling a few scores Elvis hurls loquacious bon mots like “You could shake my hand, if I could unfold my fist, if I were a gentleman, if I were a Christian/But I wouldn’t risk it, why would you? You know my name now, and it’s ‘Mister’ to you,” with deadly accuracy. The melody, which is an amalgam of spiky Folk and jagged Jazz, aligns perfectly with the effortless eloquence of the lyrics.

Meanwhile, “Newspaper Pane” is awash in sprightly Farfisa and Vox colors, percolating bass lines brittle baritone guitar, as Stratocaster blasts atop a tick-tock beat.

The language is vivid and the narrative dense as Elvis paints a portrait of a woman trapped by circumstance; “Weeping Miss Imogen said to her priest ‘I gave him my virtue, it was the least I could leave him, on the eve of departure, though I will long for him now and hereafter/ And the child I’ll be raising may have his blue eyes, what if he grows up and dies on some distant unnamable hillside or field, because a king and a concubine put a mark on his shield’.”

Horns pulsate and twitch on the bridge, giving this sad-sack saga a caffeinated kick.

The record swings mightily on the title track, (which Elvis co-credits to Jazz giants Andy Razaf and Fats Waller), as well as “I Can’t Say Her Name.” The former is Elvis at his most exuberant, as he impatiently urges time to move forward. The melody and instrumentation a heady brew of Ragtime and English Music Hall flavors. The latter opens with plaintive acoustic guitar and Elvis’ tender croon before launching into a jaunty, Gypsy Jazz refrain powered by trumpet, all manner of clarinet, piano, Lowery organ, cello and a swellegant backbeat.

Several ballads dot the record as well. “The Last Confession Of Vivian Whip” pairs painterly piano chords with willowy cello, shadowy trumpet, searing bass clarinet and beatific cor anglais. Elvis’ manner is both ominous and seductive as he unspools the story of Vivian Whip, again the wordplay is labyrinthine; “Just when I needed it, when I couldn’t conceive that it’s so hard to lose your nerve, to just get what you need and not what you deserve.”

“What Is It That I Need That I Don’t Already Have” is a litany of regret wrapped in jangly acoustic guitar, swooping cello, mad scientist organ, slippery Flugel horn and sidling bass flute. Contrition and complacency coalesce on couplets like “What is it that I lost that I don’t really need, some glasses for my eyes, an hour or two of speed/My hands don’t blister, my hands don’t bleed, but I’ll never be contented,

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com repent or even lamented, ‘Til I’m planted down like rotten crops and covered up with weeds.”

Elvis has been previewing “Face In The Crowd” songs for concert audiences for the last couple years. “The Whirlwind” is the latest. A delicate post-mortem that blends wistful piano, melancholy Flugel horn, wily bass clarinet and swoony cello. You don’t need to know the story of Lonesome Rhodes, to appreciate lyrics like “I’ve had my moments, but all too few, you think you know me, maybe you do/You will turn to see me go, nothing’s lost and no one’s won, it’s all over now and now it’s done.”

For my money, the best tracks here are “No Flag” and the other two solo songs from his Helsinki sessions, “Hetty O’Hara Confidential” and “We Are All Cowards Now.” On “Hetty…”

EC is a bit of a human beatbox, matching his noises to junky Rhythm Ace, carnivalesque Hammond organ, stately upright piano and his trusty Fender Jazzmaster. Tart lyrics conjure up a fictional counterpoint to 20th century gossip columnists like Hedda Hopper and Louella Parsons. “Hetty” is nearly made obsolete by social media and the cancel culture; “Her reputation curled like yellow smoke, she named the wrong man in the story she broke/ She had an unfortunate character flaw, the irresistible impulse to assassinate, but the damage it did was quite substantial to Hetty O’ Hara Confidential.” Elvis’ noirish vocal delivery echoes the terse reportage of a bygone era.

With “…Cowards...” Elvis stacks his own dissonant harmonies over a blend of wahwah guitars, skittery bass, brittle keys and a stompy beat. The melody, a soulful slice of syncopated angst, the lyrics, a scathing take on the paranoia that fuels every assertion

November 12 to November 18, 2020

that all liberals are eager to repeal the Second Amendment; “They’re coming for our Peacemakers, our Winchesters and Colts, the rattle of our Gatling Guns, our best cowboy revolts and threats and insults, we are all cowards now/The emptiness of arms, the openness of thighs, the pornography of bullets, the promise and prizes can’t disguise we’re all cowards now.”

Other interesting tracks include the mournful, moody magnificence of “I Do (Zula)” and “Radio Is Everything,” which is another spoken-word entry. The record closes with the elegant epistle of “Byline.” Elvis deftly caresses each sharply turned phrase as nimble Flugel horn notes thread through burnished piano, sly bass clarinet, warm cello notes and barelythere drums. The lyrics offer a rueful dissection of a failed romance; “I read by line by line by line, that old sarcastic Valentine, that you’d denied you sent to me, then took it back/It’s a though that we shared, a careless phrase, a curse or a joke, so words of praise, but I didn’t write, did you wonder why? It was the easiest way to say ‘goodbye’.”

Hey Clockface is not made for casual listening. It’s best consumed through headphones, where complex melodies and knotty, erudite lyrics slowly reveal their hidden charms. The first time through it didn’t connect completely for me, but then I had the same reaction to When I Was Cruel and National Ransom, which became two of my favorites.

Anyone still waiting for Armed Forces 2: Electric Boogaloo has missed the point. On the song “Newspaper Pane,” Elvis spells it out for us; “I don’t spend my time perfecting the past, I live for the future, because I know it won’t last.”

11

November 12 to November 18, 2020

PET PLACE

O

n the day before his 19th birthday in 2013, Clark Cavalier lost both his legs while serving in Afghanistan during the Gulf War. He spent the next 4 ½ years recovering at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. His injuries were so extensive that he could not be fitted with prosthetic “artificial” legs.

His life was just starting, and now what would the future hold? He could not perform the simplest of tasks. Venturing out into the public was an ordeal filled with obstacles, both physical and psychological barriers.

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

DOGS FOR OUR BRAVE, HELPING HEROS!

physical parameters. She retrieves items for Clark who is wheelchair bound. She travels with him, and during trips outside the home Josie is always by his side anticipating and responding to his needs. He is no longer alone.

Josie is there during the nights when Clark’s internal demons creep in. She’s his other half who snuggles close to him, waking him when the nightmares become too real. The dogs are trained to help with psychological issues as well, as many combat Veterans suffer from PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Clark describes his best friend, “Josie can tell when I’m getting aggravated. She will just nudge me until I pet her and I calm down.

She’s really good about calming me down.

Josie is trained to pick stuff up for me and carry things for me. I call her my Christmas miracle. She’s been amazing. Josie has changed my life!”

Dogs provide miracles in the lives of many of us humans, comforting us when we are sick, sad, or lonely. They understand up to 1,000 words, and they can also detect the intent behind our words. Their love and loyalty is unconditional. Working breeds like Josie especially love performing assigned tasks for their people. Josie spent over 6 months in training with expert dog trainers, learning basic obedience in addition to specialty skills such as opening the refrigerator to get a

Andy Gladstein, Rancho Mirage resident, heard Clark’s story and believed his organization, Dogs For Our Brave (DFOB), could help. In 2018, Andy met Clark at Walter Reed accompanied by Josie, one of DFOB’s trained service dogs. The lovely white colored Golden Retriever quickly bonded with Clark, and a match was made!

Josie became an extension of the disabled Marine, not only providing assistance with physical tasks, but helping to heal the despair and depression. Josie provides hope, mobility, and freedom to live and operate within new

MEET STACY

MEET APOLLO

This lovely gentle Shepherd girl is at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus in Thousand Palms. She’s 7 yrs old, already spayed, and hopes to spend the holidays in a loving home. Email shelterinfo@rivco.org with her ID#1601422 and call (760) 343-3644. www.rcdas.org

This sweet calm 7-yr old fellow hopes to be home for the holidays! Apollo is at the Humane Society of the Coachella Valley in N. Palm Springs. This pit bull terrier is a staff favorite, he loves to be with people.

Call (760) 329-0203 for an appointment to meet him. www.orphanpet.com

12

BY JANET McAFEE bottle of water.

Andy Gladstein founded DFOB in 2013 after befriending a Navy Seal who trained the Seal teams. The man was deployed to combat 28 times, and had many stories about the challenges faced by returning Veterans. One day during lunch, Andy told his new friend and his wife he wanted to get a unique and memorable gift for his wife Marilyn on their anniversary. They suggested he purchase a dog from one of the organizations that provides service dogs for disabled Vets and present it in his wife’s name. Andy recalls, “Wow, that was a unique gift idea, and I did it!”

Andy did a lot of research and discovered it cost about $25,000 for up to 18 months of training and related costs to provide a fully trained service dog for a disabled Veteran. He also discovered that once a dog was placed, the Veteran was on his own from there. He knew that many Veterans struggle to provide for themselves and their families, and might be unable to provide costly veterinary care if their dog became sick or injured. The idea of an organization that would provide follow up and cover costs for the life of the dog was hatched.

The need is great. Every day in America,

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com 22 Veterans commit suicide. The Veterans Administration reports that between 2005 and 2017, 78,875 Veterans took their own lives, a far greater number than the 7,000 who perished in Iraq and Afghanistan during the past two decades. There are approximately 4600 Veterans who lost limbs during the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Andy Gladstein explains how his organization provides assistance, not only for a Veteran to obtain a service dog, but for all the costs of keeping that dog. “No disabled Vet should have to choose between feeding his family and keeping his dog. We take that burden away from them. DFOB pays for all food, vet care, pharmaceuticals, supplies, and training needs that might arise.” There is a continuum of free support for the life of the dog. Their goal is to use rescue dogs whenever possible, thus saving two lives with every placement.

Check out their website www.

DogsForOurBrave.com and consider making a tax deductible donation to this worthy charity. Like DOGS FOR OUR BRAVE, INC. on Facebook for updates, amazing videos, and information about their Veterans and Dogs.

As we salute our heroes on Veterans Day, November 11th, we also salute an organization dedicated to making the world a better place for the bravest amongst us.

Freedom is what our Vets fought for, and Dogs For Our Brave and their miracle creating canines give it back to them.

Janetmcafee8@gmail.com --------------------------------------------------Below is a partial list of shelters and

rescues in the Inland Empire with animals for adoption. They are currently closed for walkins, and you must call for an appointment.

You can view most of their animals online before calling. Thank you for rescuing!

COACHELLA VALLEY ANIMAL CAMPUS – The county shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. You can view the animals at all four Riverside county shelters at www.rcdas.org, and get the ID number of the animal you want to adopt. Email them the animal’s ID number at shelterinfo@rivco.org, or schedule a virtual adoption appointment at www.rcdas.org, 72050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms, (760) 343-3644. (Public) PALM SPRINGS ANIMAL SHELTER – The shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. They schedule appointments Wednesday through Monday. View their animals online at www. psanimalsshelter.org, 4575 E. Mesquite Ave, Palm Springs, (760) 416-5718. (Public) ANIMAL SAMARITANS – The shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. View their animals at www. animalsamaritans.org. Email acorrow@ animalsamaritans.org to foster. Located at 72307 Ramon Rd, Thousand Palms, (760) 601-3918. (Private) CALIFORNIA PAWS RESCUE - The shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. Located at 73650 Dinah Shore, Palm Desert. View their animals at www. californiapawsrescue.com, (760) 656-8833.

(Private) HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE COACHELLA VALLEY – The shelter is closed but you can

call for an appointment to adopt a dog or cat.

This shelter has lots of big dogs in addition to small dogs and cats. View some of their animals at www.orphanpet.com. Located at 17825 N. Indian Canyon, Palm Springs, (760) 329-0203. (Private) KITTYLAND – The shelter is closed so call for an appointment to adopt a cat. Located at 67600 18th Avenue, Desert Hot Springs, www. kittylandrescue.org, (760) 251-2700. (Private) FOREVER MEOW – Foster based rescue for cats located in Rancho Mirage. Contact them at www.ForeverMeow.org, (760) 3356767. (Private) PRETTY GOOD CAT – Foster based rescue for cats located in La Quinta. Contact them at www.prettygoodcat.com, (760) 660-3414 (Private) LOVING ALL ANIMALS – The shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. Located at 83496 Avenue 51, Coachella, www.lovingallanimals.org, (760) 834-7000. (Private) MORONGO BASIN HUMANE SOCIETY – Located at 4646 Sun View Rd, Joshua Tree,

November 12 to November 18, 2020

www.mbhumanesociety.com, call between 11am-4pm for updates (760) 366-3786 (Private) CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO ANIMAL SHELTER – Shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. Hours for adoption 10am – 4pm Tuesday thru Sat. Google “City of San Bernardino Animal Shelter” for website to view animals and get the ID number of the animal you want to meet. Located at 333 Chandler Place, San Bernardino, (909) 3841304 or (909) 384-7272. (Public) SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER AT DEVORE – Shelter closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. Call (909) 386-9280 daily. View animals at www. sbcounty.gov/acc and get the ID number of animal you want to meet. Located at 19777 Shelter Way, San Bernardino (Public).

DREAM TEAM ANGELS RESCUE - Foster based rescue located in Grand Terrace/ San Bernardino area. Contact them through website www.DreamTeamangelsrescue.com, (360) 688-8884. (Private)

!

H S A R T Y A W A L U A H WE 13

November 12 to November 18, 2020

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

PAPPY AND HARRIET’S

P

appy and Harriet’s is located in Pioneertown in the Yucca Valley.

Pioneertown was founded by a group of Hollywood investors in 1946. Gene Autry, Russell Hayden, Roy Rogers needed an

14

BY DANIEL PARIS

authentic 1870’s frontier town as a location to film their movies and television series.

Pappy and Harriet’s was the centerpiece and served as a saloon and cantina. Built with weathered timbers and adobe it provided a spacious interior film set for Roy Rogers and his musical group, “The Sons of the Pioneers” the namesake of Pioneertown. In the 70’s Pappy and Harriet’s was a renegade bikers’ Tex-Mex pit stop where they could let off some steam in an isolated location. In 1982 Claude “Pappy” Allen and his Wife Harriet developed the cantina into more of a family destination with a small stage for musical acts. They were committed to serving the Tex-Mex fire grilled specialties that remain on the menu.

In 2003, East Coast refugees Robin Celia and Linda Kranz were smitten by the rugged, honest venue and purchased P&H.

THEPAMPEREDPALATE

They ushered in an era of elevated cuisine remaining true to the original Tex-Mex and booked big name musicians who enjoyed the small rowdy venue where they could unwind and take a break from the LA club scene.

Performers such as Leon Russell, Robert Plant and more recently, Paul McCartney loved the all-in attitude of the audiences.

It has become a home to the “High Desert Sound” performers like Queens of the Stone Age and Jesika Rabbit (who has a nacho dish named after her).

The ambience of P&H is pure desert rebel funk. License plates, antlers and humorous signs adorn the aged wooden walls. Seating is at picnic tables and mismatched tables and chairs. All kitsch aside, the food is delicious and is a consistently star performer. The aromas of mesquite-fired grilled meats permeate the atmosphere. The Santa-Maria

style grills are loaded with Tri-tip, pork ribs, rib-eyes steaming kettles of chili and beans.

Salmon and spatchcocked chicken carve out a little space as well. Salads, quesadillas and several types of nachos give plenty of variety.

In this Covid era the live music is scaled back for now but the covered outdoor dining has been expanded to accommodate the large crowds. On a Sunday morning there were 150 diners and several waiting their turn. Many were enjoying the surrounding western town with their families. A great outing with excellent food, P&H is a worthy destination.

Pappy and Harriet’s 53688 Pioneertown Road Pioneertown, Ca. (760) 365-5956.

Hours: Thurs.-Su. 11-9:30 Mon. 5-9:30 Closed Tue and Wed.

THE VINO VOICE COGNAC COCKTAIL TIME!

O

kay—alright. For so long, I’ve played the old-school wine curmudgeon where I did not want to hear about mixing wine with other stuff; and I especially did not want to even think about using my beloved Cognac for mixed drink purposes.

I mean if there was anything sacrosanct in the booze category—we knew we could count on the fact that Cognac was going to be served neat!! Yeah—you could play around with different style glassware & snifters and what type of cigars one would be lighting up to join in on the fun—for those so inclined.

Just a couple of weeks ago, we did a “primer” article on Cognac—and believe it or not, I received some good responses to it. Indeed, many readers didn’t realize that Cognac is a very special brandy, and that brandy itself is a wine that’s gone through the distillation process.

Cognac is special in that it is a blend generally of many aged quality brandies --“eaux de vie” from the unique Cognac region in France.

And because the quality of this “strong drink” (the term used in the Bible), from Cognac over the centuries, it became the standard of a great liquor. It’s been said the love and care the craftspeople in the Cognac region put into its development has been enormously impressive.

And that’s how we beverage vets grew to respect and revere Cognac. A spirit that stands on the throne—proud & alone! Enough already?

Of course I’m having fun with you guys.

Indeed, the Cognac cocktail reigns in libation lore. Some of you may have forgotten that Cognac brought to light the term “cocktail”.

Legend holds that Monsieur Peychaud, a druggist from New Orleans, served a libation in a Coquetier [co'k-tee-yay], a double-ended egg cup resembling our modern jigger. Of course when English speakers pronounced the term—it became “cocktail”. Peychaud used Sazerac De Forge et Fils brand of Cognac, an Absinthe rinse, sugar, and his house-made bitters. Peychaud called his concoction the Sazerac Cocktail becoming the oldest cocktail in America. I think Peychaud also coined the word cocktail, for any structural medicinal tincture.

Another credible version for the term is derived from Coquetel, the name of a mixed drink known in the vicinity of Bordeaux for centuries, and introduced to Americans by officers during the Revolutionary War. The concoction was a mixture of “tailings” from various left-over liqueurs thrown together in a common receptacle and sold at a lower price.

Coquetel-tailings was shortened to—well, you guess it.

As a wine guy—the reason I prefer Cognac over whiskeys, is that it is a grape based liquor, not a grain based one. I like my grains in my breads & cereals; I like drinking fruit. (There I go again—help me!)

Market Watch assists my position and writes (quoting Mark Phelan, beverage director of Revival Cafe-Bar), “Cognac is lively, rounded, and a touch sweet, like Bourbon, but where vanilla and barrel tend to dominate Bourbon, Cognac has a fruity and floral palate that sets it apart and primes it for so many different cocktail applications.”

Playing with Cognac’s fruit origin, it mixes very well with various flavors—thus, very fun and tasty concoctions. Sacrosanct aside, if you’ve got the time and the money, each July take a fair

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

November 12 to November 18, 2020

BY RICK RIOZZA

portion of Cognac and slice as many ripe peaches possible, submerging them into the liquid. In the Fall, pour your peach-infused nectar with a touch of lemon juice & peach syrup into a good Brut rose sparkler. And voila!—a nice spin on the classic French 75.

Although I’m not having any of it, I hear that Cognac paired with vermouth and amaro bitters make for a rich, deep, earthy flavored drink. An extended version of that recipe blends Cognac with Cardamaro amaro, garam masala, and cold brewed coffee. They say it comes off very complex—you think?

“The biggest evolution in Cognac-based cocktails in recent years is in the style of the drinks,” says famed mixologist Karol Ansaldi. “In the past, Cognac was treated like the royal family of spirits with its history and strict guidelines. It was always used for stiff drinks, but now we’re moving toward more easy drinking.”

Ansaldi’s “Let it Bee” cocktail blends honeycomb-infused Remy Martin 1738 Cognac, pineapple and lemon juice, Monin caramel syrup and Peychaud bitters. I think Ansaldi is mixing it up for the Millennials who run with a “anything goes” mentality—which is a good thing! Ansaldi continues, “I like to use ingredients in my Cognac cocktails that will help smooth the acidity of the spirit—honey, pineapple, chocolate, maple, banana, and apricots are some of my favorites.”

One of my favorite Italian actresses is Monica Belllucci. And as many of you readers know—I make a fantastic annual limoncello [LEE-moanCHELL-low] from my three lemon trees. (Hey, call me if you’d like some.) Well, I just found out that there is a Cognac cocktail named for Ms. Bellucci, and one of the ingredients in indeed limoncello!!

So here we go! The cocktail comprises Montanaro 6PM aperitivo, my limoncello, Park VS Cognac, cucumber, tangerine, lemon juice, Peychaud bitters, and a “house-made” kombucha foam. Cheers! (This is the recipe served at New Orleans’ famed Loa Restaurant).

And speaking about New Orleans—and no doubt due to its French history, Cognac has always been mixed with the best of them.

Perhaps my favorite cocktail name is “the Sidecar”—I just love the old school charm of that name, maybe I’ll rename my kid’s cat that.

Having roots in New Orleans, mixing a little French Cognac, a little Spanish Curaçao, and a little American ingenuity into a single, sugar rimmed glass, we have the Sidecar, a wellbalanced delight, the father of many cocktails and the child of one classic one with an Italian twist—the Brandy Santini. Goin’ full international man! Cheers to You!

15

November 12 to November 18, 2020

T

SCREENERS

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

No. 447

NEW FOR THE HOME THEATER

heater starved movie lovers are transitioning to the pleasures of watching movies on their ever larger and more efficient ultra hi-def, smart televisions that almost recreate the theatrical experience without the risk of mingling with masked (?) and socially distant strangers in an indoor venue.

Along with the glut of streaming titles on numerous platforms, there are new and great looking transfers of recent as well as older titles that have found a niche with the home-bound audience. Here are some newly released titles that may be of interest: THE OTHER SIDE OF MADNESS (1971) The controversial cult film that’s a time capsule of the Manson murders returns in a 4K transfer 50 years after its original release.

This film was the first cinematic depiction of the Manson murders, filmed so astonishingly close to the time of the events that the Manson trial was still in progress.

Portrayed as a modern “noir,” it proved so shocking to audiences at the time that the film was banned in Los Angeles.

Superbly photographed and directed by award-winning filmmaker Frank Howard and produced by Wade Williams, the film was partially shot I Kansas City with a cast of mostly unkmnown actors. However, the film transports audiences closer to the real

16

Coming on the heels od Quentin Tarantino’s box-office sensation Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), the anniversary release of this certified cult classic is considered one of the most sensation accounts of the vicious “Helter Skelter” murders. Blu-ray. The Film Detective.

BY ROBIN E. SIMMONS

BILL & TED FACE THE MUSIC The stakes are higher than ever for the time-traveling exploits of William ‘Bill’ S. Preston Esq. (Alex Winter) and Theodore ‘Ted’ Logan (Keanu Reeves).

Yet to fulfill their rock and roll destiny, the now middle-aged best friends set out on a new adventure when a visitor from the future warns them that only their song can save life as we know it. Along the way, they will be helped by their daughters, a events than most recreations have dared to go. Partially filmed at the infamous Spahn Ranch before the compound was destroyed by fire in the ‘70s.

Selections from the original soundtrack, written and performed by Charles Manson, are included on a limited release Bonus CD (only 2,000 copies). Performances of “Mechanical Man” and “Garbage Dump” have been reproduced exactly as they were released from the original, 7-inch, vinyl soundtrack.

new bunch of historical figures, as well as a few famous music legends – to seek the song that will set their world right and bring harmony to the universe.

The handful of watchable extras including the timely “Be Excellent to Each Other.”

WB. Blu-ray. robin@coachellavalleyweekly.com

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

HADDON LIBBY

APATHY, MINKS AND MUTATIONS

M

any are excited about Stage 3 test results for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination that proved effective in 90% of patients. Between Pfizer and other drug makers looking to roll-out vaccines and treatments over the next few months, many experts believe that it will take until the end of 2022 for a sufficient percentage of the population to be vaccinated.

For many local businesses, this timeline is the equivalent to a death sentence. The despair experienced and expected to be increasingly experienced by more due to long slowdown and shuttering of many businesses should be enough for all of us to want to do our part.

If we want to help in keeping local businesses open, restart our festivals and attract Canadians for the winter, people need to feel safe. In the near-term, the only option that we have is to wear masks when around others. With better focus on COVID under a new administration in January, we can expect fast, free, and readily available

BY HADDON LIBBY

testing along with some form of opt-in contact tracing soon although not soon enough to save the upcoming winter season.

As vaccines and treatments are rolled out, one of the greatest risks is that the virus will mutate. If the virus were to change in composition sufficiently, upcoming vaccines and tests would not treat a new strain of the virus. This concern became real in recent weeks as minks in mink farms have been catching the virus from humans and

DALEGRIBOW ON THELAW

NEW CREDIT CARD SCAM T

his is a very, very clever credit card scam! I would probably fall for it if not warned. THUS, Beware of STRANGERS bearing gifts, per Shakespeare's missive. The following is a recounting of the incident from the victim: The victim received a phone call from someone saying that he was from some outfit called: "Express Couriers" (The name could be any courier company). He asked if she was going to be home because there was a package for her that required a signature. The caller said that the delivery would arrive at her home in roughly an hour.

Sure enough, about an hour later, a uniformed delivery man turned up with a beautiful basket of flowers and a bottle of wine. The victim was very surprised since there was no special occasion or holiday, and she certainly didn't expect anything like it.

Intrigued, she inquired as to who the sender was. The courier replied, "I don't know, I'm only delivering the package." Apparently, a

November 12 to November 18, 2020

then infecting humans in return. If a strong enough mutation were to enter the general population, could see a new strain of the virus spread globally.

As you can see, the longer this goes on, the greater the chance of a mutation and a lengthening of the pandemic. Given that the virus is more heavily spread by asymptomatic people, we all need to follow the science and do our part in eliminating COVID-19. To do anything else will simply extend the time where business activity remains too low for many of our local businesses to survive while killing more people.

The way that America has dealt with the virus has been badly hampered by the Presidential election cycle. The Trump administration has actively used disinformation to try and downplay the impact of the virus while Speaker Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell put party before people.

What did we learn from the recent elections? Here in the Coachella Valley most cities saw between 35-40% of voters participate – matching the national average.

That means that 3 in 5 people did not

participate in democracy. As is usually the case, the affluent voted in higher percentages than those with lower incomes.

Older voters participated more than younger voters.

The vote tells us that the majority of Americans do not care for the politics of division. This means that the divisive tactics of both parties were repudiated.

Stock markets are clearly relieved that the GOP gained in the house while barely holding the Senate. A Biden presidency without Speaker Pelosi (or a severely weakened one) and a GOP Senate was virtually a best-case scenario for equities.

Bringing this back around to the Coachella Valley, we need to find a way to engage all locals in the voting process – it is a tragedy that so many locals did not participate in democracy.

We also need to work together as a community to bring down infection rates instead of behaving in careless and selfish manners. Until we all learn to work as one in eliminating the virus, we can expect hard times for many of our local businesses, neighbors and friends.

Wear a mask, wash your hands a lot and socially distance. Anything else will not work.

Haddon Libby is the Founder and Managing Partner of Winslow Drake Investment Management. For more information, please visit www.WinslowDrake.com or email Hlibby@WinslowDrake.com.

LEGAL REPRESENTATION OF THE INJURED & CRIMINALLY ACCUSED

card was being sent separately... (the card has never arrived!).

There was also a consignment note with the gift. He then went on to explain that because the gift contained alcohol, there was a $3.50 "delivery/ verification charge," providing proof that he had actually delivered the package to an adult (of legal drinking age), and not just left it on the doorstep where it could be stolen or taken by anyone, especially a minor. This sounded logical and she offered to pay him cash.

He then said that the delivery company required payment to be by credit or debit card only, so that everything is properly accounted for, and this would help in keeping a legal record of the transaction. He added couriers don't carry cash to avoid a loss or be likely targets for robbery. The victim's husband, who by this time was standing beside her, pulled out his credit card, and 'John,' the "delivery man," asked him to swipe the card on a small mobile card machine with

a small screen and keypad. Her husband was asked to enter his PIN number and a receipt was printed out. He was given a copy of the transaction. The guy said everything was in order, and wished us good day.

To their horrible surprise, in the next few days, $4,000 had been charged/withdrawn from our credit/debit account at various ATM machines. Apparently the "mobile credit card machine," which the deliveryman carried now had all the info necessary to create a "dummy" card with all their card details including the PIN number.

Upon finding out about the illegal transactions on their card, they immediately notified the bank which issued them a new card, and their credit/debit account was closed. They went to the Police, where it was confirmed that it was definitely a scam because several households had been similarly hit.

WARNING: Be wary of accepting any "surprise gift or package," which you neither expected nor personally ordered, especially if it involves any kind of payment as a condition of receiving the gift or package. Also, never accept anything if you do not personally

know or there is no proper identification as to the sender. Above all, the only time you should give out any personal credit/ debit card information is when you yourself initiated the purchase or transaction!

PLEASE Pass this on, it may just prevent someone else from being swindled.

DALE GRIBOW - Representing the injured and criminally accused "TOP LAWYER" - California's Prestige Magazine, Palm Springs Life (PI/DUI) 2011-21 "TOP LAWYER" - Inland Empire Magazine 2016- 2019 PERFECT 10.0 AVVO Peer Rating "DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE OR TEXT AND GET A DUI OR ACCIDENT... CALL A TAXI, LYFT OR UBER....THEY ARE A LOT CHEAPER THAN CALLING ME" FUTURE ARTICLES? CONTACT DALE GRIBOW 760-837-7500/dale@dalegribowlaw.com.

17

November 12 to November 18, 2020

SWAG FOR THESOUL

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BY AIMEE MOSCO

MEMORIES ARE THE KEYSTONES OF CREATION

“As our world changes around us on this threshold of a new era, we begin to awaken to the remembrance of our divinity.” Gratitude + Forgiveness x (LOVE) = Happiness, by Aimee Mosco and Donald L. Ferguson page 12 emories serve as the keystone for all of our creations. They hold the structure in place that forms the basis for everything we create in life, from relationships to apple pie. If you are a baker, you can attest to this! Your ability to bake the best apple pie likely rests on memories of either having baked it before, eaten and appreciated apple pie before, or your grandmother’s tutelage as she handed her recipe down to you.

The point is, we formulate our best (and worst) creations from the memories of past experiences. This is a good news/bad news situation because carrying certain memories forward works to your advantage, but it can also work to your detriment.

If you have cycled with a pattern in your life that is unfavorable, it may benefit you to consider the memories you have carried forward that feed this repetitive creation.

When you target these memories and replace them with a collection of memories you have consciously curated, you position yourself for a different result.

It is first helpful to acknowledge that you have the power to choose the memories that fuel your creations. This is the same as giving yourself permission to take charge of your creation process. When you have taken the reins, identified the memories that hold you back from meeting a higher potential, and set your intent to block their circulation through subconscious channels, you are on the path to a different outcome.

The next step on this journey is to sift through your memories and choose replacements for the ones you have relieved of their duty. Consider which favorable memories tucked away in your archives, or recently manifested, support the outcome

M

18

you desire. And remember, you are a divine spark of light. You have the ability to summon memories from deep within you that reflect your divinity, even if you don’t know exactly what they are. You call them to you with your intent. The most potent memories to call forth are ones that evoke happiness, satisfaction, self-appreciation, or something associated with personal success. These are the memories to invite to power your creation process.

It takes some practice to train yourself out of recirculating the unfavorable memories that are most familiar to you, but it is well worth the effort!

In my pursuit to help human beings connect with their divine power, I invite you to join Facebook group Evolve through Love hosted by Elizabeth Scarcella and me. Go to facebook.com/groups/evolvethroughlove and share with us your joy.

Aimee Mosco is an Author, Intuitive Channel, Spiritual Teacher and Co-Founder of Intentional Healing Systems, LLC. Aimee’s desire to help others inspired her book “Gratitude + Forgiveness x (LOVE) = Happiness”. Aimee is one of the founding members of World Game Changers and she serves on the Board of Directors of this charitable CIC based in the UK. Find Aimee at www.ihsunity.com

FREEWILL ASTROLOGY

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 12

ARIES (March 21-April 19): “Love can’t always do work,” wrote novelist Iris Murdoch. “Sometimes it just has to look into the darkness.” From what I can tell, you’ve been doing that recently: looking into the darkness for love’s sake. That’s a good thing!

You have been the beneficiary of the blessings that come through the contemplation of mysteries and enigmas. You’ve been recalibrating your capacity to feel love and tenderness in the midst of uncertainty.

I suspect that it will soon be time to shift course, however. You’re almost ready to engage in the intimate work that has been made possible by your time looking into the darkness.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Author Barbara Kingsolver says, “Don’t try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say.” That’s always valuable advice, but it’ll be especially useful to keep in mind during the coming weeks. You’re probably going to feel more pressure than usual to tell others what they wish you would tell them; you may experience some guilt or worry about being different from their expectations of you. Here’s the good news: I’m pretty certain you can be true to yourself without seeming like a jerk to anyone or damaging your long-term interests. So you might as well say and do exactly what’s real and genuine.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): “The violets in the mountains have broken the rocks,” wrote playwright Tennessee Williams. I think that’s a poetic but accurate description of the feat you’ve been working on lately, Gemini. You’re gently smashing through stony obstructions. You’ve been calling on your irrepressible will to enjoy life as you have outsmarted the rugged, jagged difficulties. You’re relying on beauty and love to power your efforts to escape a seemingly no-win situation. Congratulations! Keep up the good work!

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Cancerian rapper Vince Staples says, “I feel like it’s impossible to be completely yourself.” Why? Because ideally we’re always outgrowing who we have become; we’re moving beyond the successes we have already achieved. There is no final, whole, ideal “self” to inhabit and express—only more and more of our selfness to create. Staples suggests we’d get bored if we reached a mythical point where we had figured out exactly who we are and embodied it with utter purity. We always have a mandate to transform into a new version of our mystery. Sounds like fun!

Everything I just said, Cancerian, is an empowering meditation for you right now.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): “I am my own sanctuary and I can be reborn as many times as I choose throughout my life.” Singer-songwriter Lady Gaga said that, and now I offer it to you to use as your motto. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, it’s a fabulous time to be your own sanctuary.

I invite you to rebirth yourself at least twice between now and the end of November. What’s the first step you’ll take to get started?

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The National Football League is a giant socialist enterprise. It earns billions of dollars of revenue, and shares it equally with each of its 32 teams. So the team in Green Bay, Wisconsin, population 105,000, receives the same payout as the team in Chicago, population 2.7 million. I advocate a comparable approach for you in the coming weeks. Just for now, distribute your blessings and attention and favors as evenly as possible, showing no favoritism toward a particular child or friend or pet or loved one or influence. Be an impartial observer, as well. Try to restrain biases and preferential treatment as you act with even-handed fair-mindedness. Don’t worry: You can eventually go back to being a subjective partisan if you want.

For the foreseeable future, your well-being requires cordial neutrality.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “Who is to decide between ‘Let it be’ and ‘Force it’?” asked Libran author Katherine Mansfield. I mention this because you’re now hanging out in the limbo zone between

© Copyright 2020 Rob Brezsny

“Let it be” and “Force it.” But very soon—I’m sure you’ll have a clear intuition about when—you’ll figure out how to make a decisive move that synthesizes the two. You will find a way to include elements of both “Let it be” and “Force it.”

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “I hold a beast, an angel, and a madman in me,” wrote Scorpio poet Dylan Thomas (1914–1953) in a letter to a friend.

That sounds like a lot of energy to manage! And he didn’t always do a good job at it—although he did at times tap into his primal wellspring to create some interesting poetry. I’m going to use Thomas’s words in your horoscope, because I think that in the coming weeks you can be a subtle, refined, and mature blend of a beast, angel, and madperson. Be your wisest wild self, dear Scorpio!

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Activist and author Rebecca Solnit writes, “The grounds of my hope have always been that history is wilder than our imagination of it and that the unexpected shows up far more regularly than we ever dream.” In my astrological estimation, her grounds for hope should also be yours in the coming weeks. The future is more wide-open than you might think. The apparent limitations of the past are at least temporarily suspended and irrelevant. Your fate is purged of some of your old conditioning and the inertia of tradition. I encourage you to make a break for freedom. Head in the direction of the Beautiful Unknown.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The famous Leaning Tower of Pisa doesn’t stand straight, but tilts at an angle. Why? The soil it was built on is soft on one side. So the marble-and-limestone structure began to tip even before it was finished. That’s the weird news. The good news is that the tower has remained standing for more than eight centuries— and has stayed intact even though four major earthquakes have rolled through the area. Why? A research team of engineers determined it’s because of the soft foundation soil, which prevents the tower from resonating violently with the temblors. So the very factor that makes it odd is what keeps it strong.

Is there a comparable phenomenon in your life? I believe there is. Now is a good time to acknowledge this blessing—and enhance your use of it.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Even if you tend to pay more attention to what’s going wrong than what’s going right, I ask you to change your attitude for the next three weeks. Even if you believe that cynicism is an intelligent perspective and a positive attitude is a wasteful indulgence, I encourage you to suspend those beliefs. As an experiment—and in accordance with astrological potentials—I invite you to adopt the words of activist Helen Keller as your keynote: “Every optimist moves along with progress and hastens it, while every pessimist would keep the world at a standstill. The consequence of pessimism in the life of a nation is the same as in the life of the individual. Pessimism kills the instinct that urges people to struggle against poverty, ignorance and crime, and dries up all the fountains of joy in the world.”

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Researchers in the UK found that 62 percent of the adult population brags that they’ve read classic books that they have not in fact read. Why? Mostly to impress others. George Orwell’s 1984 is the top-rated book for fake claims, followed by Tolstoy’s War and Peace, James Joyce’s Ulysses, and the Bible. I hope you won’t engage in anything like that type of behavior during the weeks ahead. In my opinion, it’s even more crucial than usual for you to be honest and authentic about who you are and what you do. Lying about it might seem to be to your advantage in the short run, but I guarantee it won’t be.

Homework: What’s the one thing you have never said to your best friend that you really should say? FreeWillAstrology.com ---------------------------------------Rob Brezsny - Free Will Astrology freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

November 12 to November 18, 2020

19