Coachella Valley Weekly - November 15 to November 21, 2018 Vol. 7 No. 35

coachellavalleyweekly.com • November 15 to November 21, 2018 Vol. 7 No. 35

CVEP Economic Summit

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Avenida

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Rival Alsaka

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FrankEatsTheFloor

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Pacifica

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Casa De Silvia

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November 15 to November 21, 2018

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PICK UP "CV KIDS" TODAY AT 300 LOCATIONS IN THE VALLEY! WWW.COACHELLAVALLEYKIDS.COM

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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 Feature Writers Lisa Morgan, Rich Henrich, Heidi Simmons, Noe Gutierrez, Avery Wood, Tricia Witkower, Jason Hall, Olga Rodriguez Writers/Contributors: Robin Simmons, Rick Riozza, Eleni P. Austin, Craig Michaels, Janet McAfee, Bronwyn Ison, Haddon Libby, Dale Gribow, Laura Hunt Little, Sam DiGiovanna, Rob Brezny, Sunny Simon, Dr. Peter Kadile, Bruce Cathcart, Flint Wheeler, Denise Ortuno Neil, Dee Jae Cox, Patte Purcell, Angela Romeo,Aaron Ramson, Lynne Tucker, Elizabeth Scarcella, Aimee Mosco, Matt Claborn, Michelle Anne Rizzio Photographers Robert Chance, Laura Hunt Little, Chris Miller, Iris Hall, Esther Sanchez Website Editor Bobby Taffolla Distribution Phil Lacombe, William Westley

CONTENTS

7th Annual Props & Hops ...................... 3 Brewtality - Props & Hops...................... 5 Breaking The 4th Wall-Church & State... 5 CVEP 14th Annual Greater Palm Springs Economic Summit ........................... 6-7 Desert Music Friends For Arek.............. 8 Avenida................................................... 8 Rival Alaska............................................ 9 Sticky Fest............................................... 9 Consider This - FrankEatsTheFloor..... 10 Art Scene .............................................. 11 Pet Place................................................ 12 The Vino Voice ...................................... 13 Club Crawler Nightlife ................... 14-15 The Pampered Palate - Pacifica........... 16 Good Grub - Casa De Silvia.................. 17 Screeners ............................................. 18 Book Review........................................ 19 Safety Tips ............................................ 19 Haddon Libby ...................................... 21 Dale Gribow.......................................... 21 Venus De Fido....................................... 22 Sports Scene - Pickleball..................... 22 Cannabis Corner................................... 23 Mind, Body & Spirit.............................. 23 Free Will Astrology.............................. 24 Life & Career Coach............................. 24 Cannabis Corner.................................. 26

November 15 to November 21, 2018

PALM SPRINGS AIR MUSEUM HOSTS THE 7TH ANNUAL PROPS & HOPS CRAFT BEER FEST SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17. 1PM - 5PM. VIP GETS 12PM EARLY ACCESS

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n Saturday, November 17 from 1pm to 5pm, the Palm Springs Air Museum hosts the 7th Annual Props & Hops Craft Beer Fest. General admission is $50 and includes eight tastings. VIP admission is $75, includes 12 tastings, early admission at noon with special beer pairings from Babe’s Brewery and Coachella Valley Brewing, and a special beer stein. VIPs enter through a special door. No one under 21 will be allowed to enter the Festival. Participating breweries are: Absolution, Babe’s, Ballas Point, Belching Beaver, Boochcraft, Bootlegger’s, Brewcaipa, Charlie’s, Coachella Valley, Coachella Valley Home Brewer’s Club, Drake’s, Firestone Walker, Hangar 24, King Harbor, La Quinta, Mojave Desert Brewers’ Guild, Palm Springs, Refuge Brewery, Slo Brew, Stone Church and Thorn Street.

In addition to award-winning craft beers from 1pm to 5pm, there will be great food (In-N-Out Burger, Tost Pizza and Tacos A La Mexicana); great music both in the hangar and on the tarmac (John Stanley King Band and DJ Alex Harrington); and, of course, plenty of vintage planes landing and taking off.

The P-51 Mustang, one of the most iconic WWII fighter aircrafts, will be seen in the air throughout the day. Rides can be purchased for $1,895 and advance purchase includes one VIP Admission to the Festival. Festival-

goers can also purchase rides on three other vintage aircraft as a part of the experience: a DC-3; C-47 Skytrain; and the B-25 “Executive Sweet.” Reservations for bucket-list rides on the C-47 can be purchased in advance

for $225 per person. Rides on the B-25 are purchased separately.

This year’s festival takes place again inside the new Major Gen. Ken Miles Korea and Vietnam Hangar, which has the largest indoor LED screen in the valley, and restrooms.

Please be advised that festival tickets do not include admission to the rest of the museum.

While the museum normally welcomes kids of all ages, this festival is limited to those 21 and older. Your friendly fur-babies (on leashes), however, are welcome to join you.

To learn more, and to purchase your tickets in advance, visit PSPropsHops.com. To reserve a flight on the B-25 “Executive Sweet,” call 805377-2106.

Palm Springs Air Museum and the Props & Hops Craft Beer Fest are located at 745 North Gene Autry Trail in Palm Springs and can be reached by phone at 760-778-6262 or online at palmspringsairmuseum.org.

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November 15 to November 21, 2018

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BREWTALITY

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THE PROPS AND HOPS CRAFT BEER FEST IS THIS SATURDAY

don’t know about anyone else’s craft beer journey, but mine owes a lot to beer festivals. Although I’d enjoy the occasional Fat Tire or Samuel Adams Boston Lager, my main beer of choice for years was Miller Light, mainly because it was cheap and plentiful, and could be found in every grocery store I visited. Homebrewing my own beer started a path to my craftoriented curiosities, but it was attending my first ever craft beer event that blew those doors wide-open.

That event was the first Palm Springs Craft Beer Conclave, held in the parking lot of the Palm Springs convention center in 2010. There were maybe a dozen breweries and just as many food trucks on hand, with a homebrew club there to educate those who were interested in brewing their own.

Unfortunately, all I could do was watch other people drink, because I was an EMT on-duty and assigned to make sure no one got so hammer-kablammered that they’d slip, fall, and get a mouth full of pavement.

Thankfully, no one was hurt that year, and my most lasting impression from that day was how good the burgers from Red Robin’s food truck actually were.

I worked the Palm Springs Craft Beer Conclave as an EMT the next year as well, and this time they’d paired with the Palm

CHURCH & STATE

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November 15 to November 21, 2018

ew things divide Americans more than Guns, God and Politics. In the first 311 days of 2018, there have been 307 mass shootings. Many believe in the broad scope of the Second Amendment as devoutly as they believe in the bible and clearly espouse that more guns is the solution. Others believe that the original intent of the founders ‘well armed militia’ has been badly distorted. Few would disagree that gun violence is a National problem, yet the solution on how to resolve it is as divided as our politics.

Theatre has always been a reflection of communities and cultures. The stage is an arena where all aspects of any topic can and should be explored. Hats off to Dezart Performs and Artistic Director, Michael Shaw, for their production of Jason Odell Williams, “Church & State.”

Billed as a ‘serious comedy,’ with the laughs and tears to confirm the description, this story explores Republican North Carolina Senator Charles Whitmore’s, crisis of faith after a school shooting in his hometown community. It’s 3 days before the election and he is about to do a complete one eighty on his political platform. Beau Marie portrays Whitmore with such authenticity and genuine likeability that he could walk off of the stage and run for office. Kelly Moody is absolutely wonderful as Whitmore’s wife Sara, a southern belle with the iron will of Scarlett O’Hara. Sara is resolute in her belief in Guns and God and does her best to steer her husband back on to the right path when

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Springs Air Museum and brought dozens of vintage airplanes that were arranged and displayed around the streets of the convention center. The event was a success, and the combination of the Air Museum and craft beer has become a yearly event that allows beer fans to actually fly in vintage aircraft while sipping their favorite brews.

This Saturday, November 17th marks the 7th annual Props and Hops Fest in Palm Springs, CA. Hosted at the Palm Springs Air Museum since 2012, this annual event sees between 1,500-2,000 guests every year, and has become a yearly fixture that draws as many first timers as it does returning residents. Event organizer Heather Gage

explains, “It brings people in who wouldn’t otherwise come to the air museum regularly, and they discover a part of Palm Springs they didn’t know was there.”

When asked what event-goers can expect from this year’s Props and Hops, Heather says, “We will be having The John Stanley King Band, and DJ Alex Hamilton providing the entertainment. In-N-Out plus 3 other food vendors will be available, 25 breweries will be onsite providing tastings, and it’s the only festival in Southern California where you can catch a ride on one of our vintage airplanes!”. Breweries on hand at Saturday’s event include Absolution, Babes Brewery, BoochCraft, Ballast Point,

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he begins to doubt his faith. The chemistry between these two is as real as it gets and I thoroughly enjoyed their interactions and revelations, as they both struggle to come out the other side of this crisis.

And where would two southern Republicans be without a New York, Jewish Democrat in the mix? Tammy Hubler

Belching Beaver, Brewcaipa, Bootlegger’s, Charlie’s, CVB, Drake’s, Hangar 24, King Harbor, La Quinta, Lost Abbey, Refuge, Slo Brew, Stone Church, Thorn Brewery, and many, many more.

In 2012, the event was moved from the PS convention center to the PS Air Museum, and part of the event became a BJCP (beer judge certification program) recognized amateur brewers competition.

Many winners of those competitions went on to have careers as professional brewers, including myself. I switched careers from EMS to craft brewing and began as assist brewer at Babes Brewhouse in 2015. I represented Babes at Props and Hops in 2016 and ‘17, and this year I return as a representative for my new home, Brewcaipa Brewing Co. VIP ticket holders at this year’s event should arrive at 12 noon to get the full experience of the VIP hour. General admission gates open at 1pm, and tickets can be purchased through at pspropshops. com.

See you there!

BREAKING THE4TH WALL

portrays Alex Klein, Whitmore’s Campaign Manager who is on the verge of having a meltdown when she see’s her candidate about to blow the election, along with her chances of getting him into The White House.

Hubler is funny as hell and truly a gem in her portrayal of Alex, who is not about to allow Whitmore’s backsliding to detour them from their political goals. James Owens rounds out this talented cast as Tom/Marshall/Security guy.

Williams’ script is not afraid to tackle the tough subjects of God and Gun Control and the real life impact on both Democrat and Republican communities, and he does it with humor, poignancy and heart. A Republican politician taking on the topic of gun violence and control is the most brilliant way to give insights to this divisive issue. Williams wrote, ‘While most writers hope that their work will live forever, my dream for this play is that it will become obsolete. And many years from

now people will read it and think, ‘How quaint! Americans used to argue about gun control.’”

Michael Shaw’s direction is as smooth as Tennessee whiskey. I was captivated through every minute of this play. I really enjoyed the nonlinear elements highlighted through Phil Murphy’s lighting design.

Church & State, is recommended for family members of all ages. It’s a brilliant portrayal of a critically important topic. Church & State can be seen through November 18th, at Dezart Performs, located at the Palm Springs Women’s Club, 314 S Cahuilla Rd, Palm Springs, CA Show and ticket info: dezartperforms.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 losangeleswomentheatreproject.org palmspringstheatre.com

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November 15 to November 21, 2018

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A LOOK INTO THE CV’S FUTURE

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ast week in Palm Springs, the Santa Ana winds blew in from the north and moved through town swaying the tallest palm trees, dislodging dried fronds and scattering them across the manicured city. Along with the winds, came the temperature drop.

It’s November, the triple digits have passed, and the Coachella Valley is beautiful and perfect! This is the beginning of the season – eight months of clear skies and warm sunny days. It is also the beginning of significant change.

The Coachella Valley Economic Partnership (CVEP) held it’s 14th Annual Greater Palm Springs Economic Summit at the Palm Springs Convention Center.

“E!EVATE: Driving Innovation and Enterprise in Greater Palm Springs” was noted as the business event of the year.

CVEP shared plans to bring the future to fruition, addressing the ideas, possibilities, and challenges to generate a sustainable and more prosperous, year-round economy for the Coachella Valley.

IOT – INTERNET OF THINGS Looking at long-term economic prospects, CVEP recognized that the entire valley must have an infrastructure in place to support a significant increase in digital bandwidth.

“California State University, San Bernardino, Palm Desert campus, and CVEP will be offering data transfer speeds that exceed one gigabit per second,” said Jan Harnik, CVEP Chairperson. “The program

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CVEP 14TH ANNUAL GREATER PALM SPRINGS ECONOMIC SUMMIT

will also have the Comcast MachineQ internet of things (IOT) development platform. We believe, that this is the first innovation hub (iHub) in the country to offer both! This digital infrastructure is a strong and positive step that establishes our region as a place to grow and to develop businesses.”

Admitting she may have sounded like George Jetson, Harnik continued saying, “There is not a business represented in the room that will not benefit from the enhanced digital infrastructure.”

The CVEP office is just blocks away from the future College of the Desert’s West Valley campus. Harnik expressed that CVEP expects to see the ultra high bandwidth there, as well as at the other college campuses in the valley.

Harnik thanked Gary Honts CEO of JFK Hospital and Desert Care Network for his leadership, adding: “His vision encouraged CVEP’s evolution to an organization that is leading the region into a future as an emerging technology center with a year round economy.”

“CVEP has a motivated, engaged board and staff,” Harnik said. “We accept the challenge to broaden our economic base and our regions economy. We encouraged everyone in this room to be involved. It is time to elevate.”

The City of Palm Spring has re-committed funding for five more years to CVEP who runs the iHub program and Accelerator Campus.

VISION OF THE FUTURE Palm Desert architect Kristi Hanson presented a digitally rendered animated video of what the CV could look like in the year 2050.

“We are faced with some crucial and defining decisions,” said Hanson. “If we don’t all act together, the results may be very different. However, since we are in a region with philanthropists, pioneers and entrepreneurs, I am confident that what comes next will bring our region to the best possible outcomes.”

Before showing the video Hanson added, “Today we embrace the changes and welcome the vibrancy they bring to our world. Consider this a call to action to take an active roll in shaping our future.”

In the video, a narrator from the future comes back to 2018 to remind the viewers just how far the CV has come saying: “Don’t let the past keep you from the future you want.”

The narrator complains about the common 2018 problem of regular Netflix crashes. He visits the “World-renowned Cal State University Palm Desert campus,” stating the 2018 community leaders had the vision to invent a cyber security program at the digital iHub. The state of the art bandwidth and IOT platforms launched the campus onto a growth path that became the integrated learning and innovation centers. It’s programs and leading edge technology sector increased the area’s visibility and attract entrepreneurs and investment dollars.

The narrator explains that the restoration of the Salton Sea began in 2019 saving our valley from ecological disaster.

In 2050, it is a vibrant tourist industry that compliments the agricultural business and inland water shed conservation center where cutting-edge research takes place.

The Salton Sea has eclipsed Lake Tahoe as the most visited inland body of water. At the 2050 visitor’s center and cooperative campus of COD, students from all over the world study environmental science, nutritional economics and automated logistics.

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Thermal’s Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport has become an automated interconnected center of trade, a model for integrated logistics and supply change management hub for the entire southwest.

The narrator concludes that the CVEP iHub has transformed standards for innovation, not only in the Coachella Valley, but has centers across the country. He thanks the people in 2018 for what is now possible in 2050.

FARGO & THE COACHELLA VALLEY Dean Bresciani, Ph.D., President, North Dakota State University, a native Californian originally from Napa Valley, shared how Fargo changed its image and culture transforming itself into one of the nation’s leading cities.

Bresciani compared the Red River Valley and its five cities with a population of 280,000 to the CV’s nine cities of 360,000 residents.

“We have great weather eight months of the year, and you have great weather eight months out of the year. Four months of the year, I’ll admit, are not great at all [in Fargo], but come here in the summer and some would say your weather isn’t great either,” Bresciani said. “The big difference between the two valleys is: the economy in the Red River Valley is increasing exponentially as is the population. Here, it is a hold-even state not realizing its potential.”

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com Bresciani explained the two factors that worked in combination to change Fargo in only 20 years. Number one was higher education. Building universities and colleges not only created jobs and generated significant economic impact, but the scholarly growth and reputation established national visibility that it never had before.

For Fargo, one university was the economic catalyst that made a billion dollar impact!

“What makes people want to live and start a business in Fargo is connectivity,” said Bresciani. “The connectivity factor is critical in drawing business and young people. We have two firms now providing one gig capacity in the area. I’m excited for what’s coming here, but also recognize you are already two years behind Fargo!”

The results of these two factors is measureable. In North Dakota, every public dollar spent on education was a $7 return to the state in economic impact emphasizing Bresciani’s mantra: “Educated citizens give more and need less in society.”

“If it’s possible in North Dakota, imagine where else it’s possible,” said Bresciani.

“Nothing had changed from 1940 to 1980 in the downtown business area of Fargo. It was the colleges and universities that made that possible. Young people are critically important to our future.”

Bresciani concluded by saying: “The opportunity is in front of you if you take advantage of the young, higher education, and connectivity. Expand beyond one gigabyte. Don’t be the last, be the first.”

ELEVATING THE COACHELLA VALLEY “Elevate is doing something everyday that makes your life, business and community better,” said Joe Wallace, CEO, CVEP. “We have the E factor -- educating, engineering and entrepreneurship.”

Wallace shared statistical data about businesses and earning potential. He encouraged creating careers that not only provide a living wage but a thriving wage.

“The businesses that have generated the most jobs and greatest income are less than five years old. That means growth depends on start ups and emerging business,” said Wallace.

Wallance interviewed Joel Kinnamon, Ed.D, College of the Desert President, on video about meeting the educational demands of the future.

Kinnamon remarked that with the help and support of the community, COD is prepared to assist students to be successful and earn degrees.

“Without duplication, every valley COD campus will have high-end, state-of-theart programs,” said Kinnamon.

“It’s amazing what just a little bit of imagination and generosity can do,” said Wallace, to which Kinnamon strongly agreed.

Wallace pointed out the top 25 highest paying jobs in the country were all are STEM related -- Science Technology Engineering Mathematics -- with salaries of $100,000 and better. The list of jobs, all required a bachelors degree or higher.

In a video interview with Gemma Kim, MD, UCR, Palm Desert, Wallace discussed the need for health care providers in the CV. The program trains new doctors at Desert Regional Medical Center.

“There are pockets in our valley that have one doctor for 9,000 patients,” said Kim. “The normal ratio should be one physician for every 2,000 patients.”

Kim was happy to report that six of the seven residents in the first UCRPD graduating class, chose to stay in the CV. The reasons they are able to keep doctors locally include affordable housing, ongoing training programs, and local resources.

The UCR Health Family Medicine Center in Palm Springs is run by the program’s residents and faculty. The facility has 20 exam and two procedure rooms. It serves 30,000 patients a year.

Wallace shared more details on the region’s move towards meeting the needs of the future.

NECESSARY BANDWIDTH “Digital iHub Entrepreneurship Program is a game changer,” said Wallace.

“It is one of the programs on the horizon along with many others.”

With more advanced programs and businesses, and the infrastructure in place, Wallace sees an increase of connectivity to 100 gigabytes per second!

Wallace also talked about the importance of adults reinventing themselves. “The world is changing fast,” he said. “Our schools are re-training people who need a new skill… 50 percent of jobs are in the bull’s eye for automation. We need to reinvent our workplace so people don’t end up without a marketable talent or skill. Portable skill sets and the ability to think are important.”

According to Wallace, Cannabis, “the great green hope,” will continue to make a lot of money for business owners, but as it moves towards automation, it will eliminate more jobs than it will create.

Wallace discussed the demand for cyber security entrepreneurs with Dr. Tony Coulson, Director CSUSB Cyber Security Center.

Coulson and his department are seeking valley residents who have an aptitude and entrepreneurial spirit to build the program.

“It’s important to raise up the community to meet this national demand,” said Coulson. “Cyber security is a new job environment where the sky is the limit.”

The starting salaries in the field can be in the six figures.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION Wallace used Huntsville, Alabama’s technology based business success to illustrate what can be done in the Coachella Valley.

Wallace ticked off the CV’s advantages: “We have CENIC Bandwidth speeds, IOT development platforms, close proximity to a base of over twenty million people. We have Southern California, an education system and worldwide recognition! We are going to take advantage of that!”

PEOPLE POWER Guest speaker Ankur Gopal, CEO

Interapt, spoke candidly to the audience about the difficulty in finding and retaining talent to work in his IT services firm, a company that specializes in “innovationas-a-service” software.

Starting in his parent’s Kentucky home after college, Gopal’s business took off.

But, he quickly realized he lacked the people – the talent - to take on more business passing up millions of dollars. It was a problem he was compelled to solve!

“We learned you have to build a workforce that can continuously learn,” said Gopal.

Gopal approached the local community college and set up a curriculum and mentoring program. With that success, the Governor asked Gopal if he could teach former coal workers to code.

“We have to re-train people if we are going to compete in the world,” said Gopal. “We figured out how to teach nontraditional students.”

Gopal has taken his program to the military and is re-training veterans and their spouses.

“We have an opportunity to lift up the community by training those who want to work,” said Gopal. “What can we do to give people upper mobility for the rest of their life? We teach the skill of how to learn.”

Gopal has seen first hand the return on investment (ROI) from re-training and teaching locally.

“I think if you are a company that wants to compete in the next generation economy, you have to come across with some diversity of thought and think broadly,” said Gopal. “Think of your citizens as infrastructure. Investing in your citizens is a multiplier in the economy.

For each person with a good job, it creates five ancillary jobs. To create a thriving community, you need all people, all walks of life to succeed.”

LOCAL ECONOMY Economist Manfred W. Keil, Ph. D., Claremont McKenna College was the final speaker of the CVEP Elevate Summit. Filled with wit, wisdom and charm, he addressed the rumors of a “2020-21 Recession” and the important economic indicators.

“Long run visions are really important,” encouraged Keil. “You need to know where you are going. But, the short run is

November 15 to November 21, 2018 also important when it comes to forecast.

Especially out here in the inland empire. It was a very slow recovery. Now, Riverside and San Bernardino have seen the highest employment rate.”

Keil talked about what was relevant to the Coachella Valley but also looked nationally for recession indicators. During the 2007- 08 recession, every eighth person lost a job here in the CV. Using graphs and charts, Keil looked at the CV’s nine cities’ housing, population, industry, jobs, commute times, growth rate, age factors and other local data.

“We have had nine years of economic expansion,” said Keil. “It is remarkable how the economy grows. You look for a common theme. Growth of GDP --gross domestic product-- is at plus or minus three percent and that is all you need to know.”

Keil mentioned consumerism and that if it continues to go up, that indicates forward thinking. Variables include consumer sentiment and confidence. Consumption is 70 percent in the US. So far, Keil doesn’t see a downturn in economic conditions, which would indicate a recession. He noted that home construction is still low and has yet to recover, but could not say why or what that might indicate other than the high cost of lumber due to Trump tariffs.

Like the other speakers, Keil identified the human factor saying if you have a community with low education, it will have high unemployment.

“The inland empire is a leading indicator in recession -- first in, last out” said Keil looking at his graphs. “Things turn bad here, before the state and nation. There is no evidence of something bad coming up.

There is nothing for you to worry about at this time.”

TECH REALITY The message of the summit was clear: Technology based industry is the future, and to compete and succeed, the region needs an educated workforce.

The nine cities and their representatives, along with educators, entrepreneurs, and local businesses, took in the reality of the inevitable, contemplating the next steps to sustain and elevate the community.

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November 15 to November 21, 2018

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DESERT MUSIC FRIENDS FOR AREK

his Friday, November 16, 2018, at the award winning La Quinta Brewing Co. in Palm Desert, several Coachella Valley artists will be performing to help out one of their own, Arek Religa, a local working musician who has had to take a break from performing due to a non-life threatening illness. Arek assured us he will be okay and will return to performing once he is able to regain his full strength in approximately two months. These unfortunate circumstances provided the desert music community an opportunity to help Arek and his family through this rough patch. Performing LIVE in the LQ Brewing Co. warehouse will be: COURTNEY CHAMBERS! Marc Diaz and Daniel Torres of Desert Reggae maestros MOZAIQ! Chelsea Sugarbritches and Martin Barrera of 5th TOWN! Marc Gentry, Charlie Ellis and Jeff Bowman of MIGHTY JACK with special guest bassist, Martin Barrera! Benny Cancino, Jr., Noe Gutierrez, Gentry and Barrera of APHRODISIAC JACKET with special guest bassist Jerry Bryson (BLACKWATER, JOE’S BOYZ)! Frank Michel, Shawn Fisher and James Hollis Eaton of HOVER! Mario Quintero

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to come out and enjoy a beautiful night of humanitarianism!

What: DESERT MUSIC FRIENDS FOR AREK Live musical performances from members of Mozaiq, Courtney Chambers, Mighty Jack, 5th Town, Aphrodisiac Jacket, Crucial Culture and more! CRAFT TACOS LIBRE will

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be providing the food When: Friday, Nov. 16, 2018. 6pm-9pm Where: La Quinta Brewing Co. 77917 Wildcat Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92211 Cost: FREE! FAMILY FRIENDLY! ALL AGES ARE WELCOME! laquintabrewing.com

of HIGHER HEIGHTS and CRUCIAL CULTURE! Admission is FREE and this a FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT! ALL AGES ARE WELCOME! Each artist is donating their time and talent and request that you consider and make a donation to Arek and his family. Donation boxes will be available at the venue. CRAFT TACOS LIBRE will be cooking up some great food to pair with some of the best craft beer in Southern California. Sound/backline provided by THE SOUND HUB REHEARSAL STUDIO and artist backdrop by BLOOM. EVERYONE is invited

AVENIDA – ROCKING FOR A CAUSE

f you haven’t yet had the privilege to check out an Avenida show, you have been missing out on one of the best all-around cover bands, period. From modern rock to country to disco Spanish rock, and a repertoire of hundreds of songs, Avenida can do it all and make it look easy.

That is partially because, brothers, Samuel, Vincent and Josiah Gonzales have been playing music together since childhood.

Growing up in church, the sons of a pastor, learning and playing music was just a part of life. I had a chance to chat with keyboard player, Josiah Gonzalez about the band’s origins, where they are headed and their ultimate mission which is to raise funds and awareness for people with disabilities and Desert Arc. Gonzales: My brothers and I have been playing music together for over 15 years.

The first time we played was a little show we put together for our Aunt’s birthday.

It went so well that we kept jamming. We were basically a little garage rock band. We eventually started getting little gigs at places like Schmidy’s Tavern, and a couple of years ago we decided we wanted to make what we were doing more lucrative. After going

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through something like 3 or 4 different drummers, we added Sean Poe about a year and a half ago and it all blended into where we are today.

CVW: Your diversity as musicians is part of what makes you guys so marketable for just about any occasion. How have you guys built up such a huge set list of songs from so many genres?

Gonzales: We practice every week and each week we aim to add 4 or 5 songs to our repertoire so eventually we can have a catalog of 400-500 or so songs to pick from at any time. We have a system in place that has taken us a while to establish and it’s working for us. We have learned from others and are trying to emulate those who we have seen that are doing this well.

CVW: So, it’s been well established that Avenida is the go-to band for any crowd or occasion. Besides private events, where can somebody catch an Avenida show?

Gonzales: We have a couple of residencies now. Our main one is at the Hyatt in Indian Wells on Friday nights and we have been playing Big Rock Pub more lately as well as some of the smaller venues in the desert. That said, we have really spread

BY ESTHER SANCHEZ

out doing weddings, corporate events, etc throughout places like San Diego, OC and all over Southern California in general. We are also looking forward to playing the 60th Anniversary Party for Desert Arc. CVW: Let’s talk about the special connection that Avenida has with Desert Arc. Gonzales: I guess it started with my dad who bartered services such as landscaping in order to be able to pay for our music lessons. I will never forget him telling us that he is not doing all of that for us to keep our musical abilities to ourselves. He said that what we learn needs to be a blessing to others. With that inspiration, our main goal is to be able to give back to those in need. That is why we donate a percentage of everything we make to Desert Arc to help fund music and art programs for people with disabilities in the Coachella Valley.

CVW: Is it true that you work for Desert Arc as well?

Gonzales: My brother Vince and I do work for Desert Arc. My brother Sam works with kids with disabilities at the High School and our drummer, Sean Poe also works with people in the spectrum. So yeah, all of us work with people with disabilities in some way. Desert Arc is one of the oldest NPOs in the valley and 2019 marks its 60th year serving people all from Cabazon, to the high desert and all the way out to Blythe. We started in 1959 and offer a wide variety of services to over 700 people. This is a time for us to reflect on where we have been, what we have done and where we are going.

To learn more about Avenida and find out when and where to catch them live: facebook.com/littlestreetmusic littlestreetmusic.com

LOCAL MUSIC

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BY NOE GUTIERREZ

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PHOTO BY JACK HARTIN

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BY JASON HALL

THE FIRST INAUGURAL STICKYFEST A SUCCESS!

RIVAL ALASKA

ival Alaska is an indie, pop and rock band based out of the Coachella Valley consisting of longtime music mates Max Powell on bass/background vocals, James Johnson on guitar/vocals and Hugo Chavez on drums. They’ve been performing together for about five years and have reestablished themselves earlier this year. Rival Alaska will be performing this Saturday at 11 a.m. on the main stage at the 5th Annual Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival & Food Truck Mash-up. Their performance will be at Cathedral City Town Center 68-700 Avenida Lalo Guerrero in Cathedral City, CA. The festival will incorporate numerous events throughout several valley locations from November 16-18, 2018. The events include balloon tether rides, night time balloon glow, romantic dinners, gourmet food, Kids’ Zone family-friendly activities, kite display, fireworks, ‘Now and Then Car Show’ and multiple musical performances. The festival has partnered with the City of Cathedral City, Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort and Spa and The Desert Sun to expand the 2018 festival offerings. The SEAthletes Foundation will receive a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Food Truck Mash Up, the celebrity golf tournament and brunch tickets. The donation will be used to benefit the valley’s youth and promote recreation at the Salton Sea. Find more information and purchase tickets at hotairballoonfest.com. Coachella Valley Weekly connected with Rival Alaska mastermind Johnson for an update on the band.

CVW: What’s the narrative behind the name “Rival Alaska”?

Johnson: “Rival Alaska is a play on words

STICKYFEST

November 15 to November 21, 2018

describing the desolate difference of the desert, compared to Alaska. The desert is the complete ‘Rival to Alaska’!”

CVW: I listened to your most recent releases, “Famous Talk” and “Tunnel Vision”. They are wonderful, up-tempo and seemingly biographical songs. How would you describe the Rival Alaska sound?

Johnson: “The Rival Alaska sound is related to pop-rock, and has some funk driven into most of the structured songs.”

CVW: You released the songs this year.

How do you feel about those releases and what’s next for Rival Alaska?

Johnson: “Our first singles we released under this project had to have been one of the most exciting moments for us this year. We are more than proud of how far these tracks have taken us, and will continue to. We’re also developing a brand new EP, releasing a cover and advance soon!”

CVW: What are your thoughts about the Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival & Food Truck Mash-up and your participation?

Johnson: “We are more than excited for our show in Cathedral City. We played this festival a few years back, and we can’t wait to make a major return! Expect high energy, massive smiles, anthems of love, and genuine, youthful entertainment!”

CVW: You recently performed several shows in Arizona including the Mesa Music Festival. How did they pan out?

Johnson: “Exhausting! But absolute fun!

We opened up for alt-rock group DREAMERS and the legendary Henry Rollins! We had three major performances scheduled within one day, over the course of a three-day festival! We rocked it, and can’t wait to be back next year!”

Rival Alaska have come a long way from their previous incarnations. Johnson and Co. are an idealistic trio of been-there-donethat musicians who have amplified their opportunities with their new vision. We look forward to hearing more from them and we recommend you not miss their live performance this Saturday on the festival lawn in downtown Cathedral City.

Find Rival Alaska music on iTunes and Spotify and follow them on all social media outlets!

he first annual Stickyfest presented

by Greg Gendron and Sticky Doll has come and gone. It’s safe to say it was a success, especially when you think about it being a DIY punk and metal fest. The line-up was stacked and the location and crowd were perfect.

Early in the day, pre doors, there were a few hiccups which were promptly addressed and resolved by the time 29 Palms band Dirty Boys hit the stage at 2pm. Dirty Boys were a perfect opener for the fest. They were very inviting. They let everybody in attendance know they were there to have fun and invited everyone to join them.

Next came the youth band, UU. These kids have talent. They just lost their bassist/ singer 2 weeks prior and found perfect replacements. They launched into a set of what I would assume is classic rock to them, but music that the majority of attendees grew up on. They covered Nirvana, Rage Against The Machine, Marilyn Manson, and Radiohead, just to name a few and did it with ease.

The Wastedeads were next. They are a couple of zombie punk rockers who got the energy flowing in a bit of a different direction.

They started the rowdy, high energy segment of Stickyfest. Ormus helped build that high intensity momentum. The sun was going down, and they proved it was time for the next level.

It was a few hours into the fest when Instigator started that the beer truly began to take effect. Instigator is a young band that seems to be heavily influenced by 80’s LA thrash. These guys were a highlight to me and obviously to most that were there. The crowd was moshing and falling all over the place and

Instigator gave them the proper music to let their energy out. Puke (Throw the Goat) and I jokingly argued about me trying to steal them from his label Regurgitation Records. He scored when he signed this band.

The last few bands of the night solidified the awesomeness of Stickyfest. Throw the Goat came out and did their usual face melting set of high energy music. These guys are on their way up on a national level and it shows in how tight and polished their performance was.

Mega Sun is another top notch new band who is on a steady rise. Mega Sun and Instigator are easily my favorite newer bands in the desert. Mega Sun is a powerhouse trio who deliver every time. Look for them to be an integral part of the scene.

Defacto house band and namesake to Stickyfest, Sticky Doll, are creating sounds out of a three piece you would only expect out of a 5 piece. These guys and gal put on a true show. Makeup and all! The sound Greg gets out of his bass sounds like 2 guitars and a bass.

It’s incredible. Their energy is phenomenal.

Sleazy Cortez closed the night. Typically, you would want somebody to bring the crowd down at the end of the night. Stickyfest was anything but typical. Sleazy Cortez destroyed the stage and made sure everyone who was camping would be up a long time. I hope this was the first of many Stickyfests to come!

PHOTOS BY IRIS HALL

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November 15 to November 21, 2018

CONSIDER THIS

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FRANKEATSTHEFLOOR “FLOOR IT!”

BY ELENI P. AUSTIN

E

ven though FrankEatsTheFloor has only been a going concern for a couple of years, they have already accomplished a lot. Coachella natives Matt King (bass), Aleks Romo (guitar), Joseph Beltran (guitar) and Franky Altamirano (drums) began contemplating a musical collaboration when they all attended acting class at Coachella Valley High School in 2016.

Joe and Franky had already been playing together as the Power Strangers when they invited Matt to sit in. Although his bass skills were rudimentary, enthusiasm was contagious. Rather quickly Aleks was added to the line-up. Unfortunately, another Power Strangers already existed so the guys used a band-name generator and created the distinctive FrankEatsTheFloor moniker.

Inspired by the combustible energy of Iggy and the Stooges, the White Stripes and the Strokes, as well as absurdist humor of Lonely Island, they immediately started writing their own songs. Within a few

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PHOTO BY JESUS DE ROSAS

months, they began booking gigs.

Since then, the four-piece has hit the ground running. They recorded their first EP, participated in Battle Of The Bands and the Tachevah competition. They’ve played local haunts like the Hood, Plan B, and the Hard Rock Hotel. Whether they’re playing a backyard concert or Pappy & Harriet’s, they bring the same level of wit, intensity and showmanship to each event. This Spring the guys were voted “Best Youth Band” at the the Coachella Valley Music Awards. FETF recently played a free show at the Record Alley, (apparently, their home away from home), to celebrate the release of their new EP, Floor It! Some songs are bookended by tonguein-cheek introductions and “public service announcements,” plus there’s a heartfelt and succinct maternal tribute here. Essentially, there are five full-length songs here. After the kaleidoscopic “Expectations Intro” the EP kicks into gear with “Ungrateful.”

A pummeling backbeat connects with prickly guitar riffs and churning bass lines.

Following the fractious overture, the instrumentation recedes slightly as Matt and Franky split vocal duties. The lyrics chart the brutal disappointment of dashed romantic expectations; “I’m guessing I was too nice, cause you did me wrong, and I’m such a goddamn mess, you really strung me along/Now it’s apparent to me I’m not worth your time, but it’s not like it matters to me, I’m doing just fine.” The tensile melody and danceable angst of the arrangement recalls the 20th century Post-Punk of Wire, Gang Of Four, Mission Of Burma and No Knife.

FETF executes a stylistic 180 with the Primordial stomp of “Hungry.” Fee-fi-fo-fum guitar notes crest over search-and-destroy bass and a kick-drum beat. Joe takes the lead here, his voice adopting a feral menace as he searches for sustenance. Things get

positively anthropophagus, “Wait a minute, I smell something nice…stop your running it won’t do you no good, you’re my prey just like you should/Don’t look now (I’m right behind you), I’ll eat your face (and chew it too) better get ready (I’m after you).” On the break guitars spark and pinwheel with minacious grace. Probably a good idea to make sure these guys have plenty of Snickers bars on hand during band practice.

“Don’t Eat Instruments” is positively Dadaesque. Matt is up front for this one.

Taking a page from Paul Simon’s nursery rhyme-tastic “50 Ways To Leave Your Lover,” the lyrics offer a cautionary tale on ingesting, um, instruments. Fuzzy guitars collide with popping bass lines and a pile-

driving beat. Sure, it’s slightly silly, but in the tradition of Frank Zappa, Devo and Primus, there’s a subversive subtext at the core of the song.

The howly Santa Ana winds that open “Sand Dunes” are quickly eclipsed by prowling bass lines, a tick-tock rhythm and strafing guitar riffs. Joe and Franky trade verses that equate relationship struggles with a desolate desert landscape. The tempo accelerates on the urgent chorus; “Sand dunes, I’m tryna get through to you/What am I gonna do with these Sand dunes.” There’s a power and economy to this track that recalls the quiet tenacity of bands like Oysterhead, Rush and the Police.

The EP closes with “Avenida,” a propulsive instrumental that weds stripped-down guitar and wily bass runs to a whip-crack rhythm. It’s the kind of exultant melody that should play over the end credits of a smartass teen comedy.

Probably at this point FETF is a little weary of the focus zeroing in on their relative youth. That novelty will certainly recede as they gain more experience and their music continues to evolve. But for now, in the immortal words of Pete Townshend, The Kids are Alright.

ART SCENE

THE DESERT OF LOVE

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heater– from Aristophanes The Clouds to Jez Butterworth’s The Ferryman – has been a part of our cultural landscape. The Coachella Valley is fortunate to have several theater groups – the McCallum Theater, Annenberg Theater, Coyote Stage Works, CV Repertory Theater – are just a few of the opportunities to experience theater.

The Writers’ Studio at the Coachella Valley Repertory Conservatory is adding to that experience. On December 15 they will present a public staged reading of The Desert of Love, a new full-length play by Studio member Bruce Bonafede. The reading will be the first time the group has presented such an event.

The Desert of Love is a dark comedy touching on adult themes. “It’s an entertainment on the subject of love,” said Bonafede. “Set in Palm Springs, it follows five characters – some gay and some straight – as they make their way through the challenging terrain of love in its many forms – romantic, parental, and philial.”

Bruce has been a published playwright for more than 30 years. His first produced play, Advice to the Players, won the Heideman Award at Actors Theatre of Louisville’s Humana Festival in 1985. In 2017 his play Quarantine was an award-winner in the One-Act Playwriting Competition at the Little Theatre of Alexandria in Virginia. So why this play?

“I decided to write this play because I wanted to do something fun. I had written three new plays in about a year – one fulllength and a couple long one-acts – and all three were very serious, with lots of characters dying. In the full-length play I wrote before this one there are six characters and they all die in the course of the play. I thought, ‘You know, I’d like to write a play that’s fun and where nobody dies.’”

Often a play starts with an idea but the end result differs greatly. Bruce continued, “The original concept and the finished work are almost identical because I don’t start writing a play until I know how it will end. I decide what I want the audience to be thinking and feeling as they leave the theatre, and then I determine what final action will leave them with that reaction. Once I know how the play will end I work backwards from there. I don’t actually write a play backwards, of course, but when I start I always know where I’m headed, what the curtain will be. That can change in the course of the writing, but it usually doesn’t.”

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

November 15 to November 21, 2018

BY ANGELA ROMEO

THE WRITERS’ STUDIO SHOWCASES NEW WORK

“The theatre is about collaboration – if you don’t get that or want that you’re probably in the wrong business,” noted Bruce. “I ALWAYS want to know an actor’s interpretation of what I’ve written for them. The actor, after all, is the one putting themselves out there and charged with convincing the audience.

Their view matters. That said, let’s not leave out the director, who plays a rather important role too.”

Theater is also predicated on the audience reaction to the work present. An audience reaction can be unexpected. “As a playwright I’m never surprised by the audience reaction.

A play isn’t an argument or debate; you’re not trying to get people to agree with you.

You’re trying to SHOW, not tell. And if you show something and someone has a different interpretation, so what? It means you got them successfully engaged, what you showed them worked.”

Theater is not film. The high tech world of CGI has captivated a generation. Does Bruce feel that film negatively impacts theater? “I don’t think film, including CGI, have had a big effect on live theatre. In some superficial ways, yes – almost nobody writes threehour, three-act plays anymore. Even two act plays are less common than they used to be.

The ninety-minute, no-intermission play is becoming the dominant form, but I think that has as much to do with TV as it does with film.

And some writers try to incorporate modern tech devices into their plays. But that doesn’t change the basic paradigm. Theatre is live, film is not. Each has its own power exactly because of that.”

For Andy Harmon, the founder of the Writers’ Studio, the reading has great significance. “This reading marks an important milestone for our group as we expand our offerings to valley audiences,” said Andy.

“This play showcases the high quality of the work that’s emerging from our group. It’s a privilege to direct the first public reading of a play of this caliber and to have played a part in the development process.”

CVRep is located at the Atrium, 69-930 Hwy 111 in Rancho Mirage. Admission to the reading is $15 and tickets are available through the box office at 760-296-2966 or online at www.cvrep.org.

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November 15 to November 21, 2018

PET PLACE

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BY JANET McAFEE

CANABIS OIL - A MIRACLE TREATMENT FOR SAPA?

O

ur eyes locked when I spotted this lovely large black dog in the shelter kennel. Her gaze had a magical, knowing quality. Her chances of making it out alive from the San Bernardino County shelter at Devore were not good considering her color and size. We rescued her from the shelter, and headed to a vet clinic for vaccinations and spaying. Sapa went to a wonderful foster home with dog lovers extraordinaire, Vanessa Ruggles and Curtis Sweesy.

Vanessa recalls, “Sapa was our first foster dog and our first ‘foster failure’. This 40-lb dog stole her dad’s heart when she silently snuck into bed every night to snuggle in her dad’s arms despite my ‘no dogs on the bed’ rule. She fit into our family immediately, and welcomed and guided numerous other foster dogs into our home. Sapa was the referee.

She was the loving, brilliant Alpha dog who knew who needed protection and who needed comforting.”

Vanessa continues, “When she was 6 years old, we noticed Sapa was not finishing her food and losing a noticeable amount of weight. The vet prescribed antibiotics and sent her home.

Back to the vet for multiple tests, and we got the worst diagnosis imaginable, terminal lymphoma. The vet gave Sapa 2 weeks to live.”

The couple knew their dog detested

MEET CHICO Come meet this handsome 6-month-old Silver Tabby boy at PetSmart in Palm Springs. Chico loves others cats and people too! Rescued by Kittyland, www.kittylandrescue.com, call (760) 251-2700.

MEET JOEY Want a buddy to play fetch with you? Precious Joey was abandoned and attacked by a larger dog.

Now recovered and fully vetted, this happy 4-yr-old boy hopes for a forever home. Call Loving All Animals at (760) 834-7000.

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trips to the vet, and no vet would provide chemotherapy during house calls. Vanessa states, “We refused to torture her for what might have been only a brief extension of her life. Sapa declined quickly, and when she quit eating all together, we force-fed her which made us all miserable. She quit chasing birds in the yard, and trailed lethargically behind on walks. I began researching studies regarding holistic remedies for lymphoma and asked every ‘science minded’ person I could think of for ideas. After consulting with an expert as to dosage and administration, Sapa was soon taking CBD and THC oils. We consulted with a dog nutritionist, Lori Weiner, and dove into radical diet changes and a regimen of multiple supplements and essential oils.”

“Suddenly our feisty little girl did an about face at death’s door. She began eating, she trotted into the lead position on walks, and became joyful again. The results were shocking and thrilling. Sapa’s vet said she had never seen a dog whose body was so riddled with cancer survive more than a couple weeks.”

For three and a half months, Sapa thrived.

The dog accepted the bad-tasting doses dropped on her tongue like a champ. She had few side effects. Occasionally she peed on the bed, but her Dad wasn’t about to put her on the floor when she most needed comfort, and

he devised a complicated system of potty pads and towels. Sapa enjoyed homemade meals with organic ingredients, snuggled with the other pups, and loved on her human parents.

Her regimen was expensive and required dedication.

Four months after her diagnosis, Sapa again lost interest in food, developed skin infections, and rapidly lost weight. Curtis and Vanessa were devastated to learn the lymphoma was back.

They arranged for a vet to put their beloved dog to sleep in her own home, surrounded by their love of her humans and dog companions.

Vanessa states, “We said goodbye to our precious girl, this brave fighter, on May 18, 2016.

Although it did not cure her, we are confident

that cannabis oil caused Sapa’s remission. It gave us 4 months that we otherwise would not have had.”

AS WITH ANY MEDICATION, PET PARENTS SHOULD CONSULT WITH THEIR VETERINARIAN FIRST BEFORE TREATING A DOG WITH CANNABIS OIL. From there, those who have a medical marijuana card can visit a reputable dispensary and purchase the product that best meets their pet’s needs. Dosages and administration must be carefully monitored depending on the dog’s weight, temperament, and other factors.

YOU SHOULD NOT EXPERIMENT FREELY WITH YOUR DOG’S HEALTH. The number of marijuana toxicosis cases at Colorado veterinary hospitals has quadrupled since that state legalized marijuana, and some dogs have died after eating baked goods containing the substance.

Canine cancer is epidemic (50% of deaths in dogs over age 10 are due to cancer), and desperate animal lovers look to alternative treatments. There is enough anecdotal evidence to warrant scientific research exploring the effect of marijuana on canine cancer pain.

Additional resources include a YouTube video “Shorty Beats Cancer”, and the book The Dog Cancer Survival Guide by Dr. Damian Dressler, DVM. Jmcafee7@verizon.net

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THE VINO VOICE

BY RICK RIOZZA

THANKSGIVING BUBBLY

A

nd just like that, Thanksgiving 2018 is already fast approaching.

There is so much wine out there to recommend, why don’t we narrow our focus to a type and style of wine that simply and forever speaks of holiday joy and celebration—Champagne & Sparkling wines!

Bubbly is produced from vineyards all over the world. And due to ever increasing improvements in winemaking practices, the sparkling wine market continues to excel— with very reasonable prices persisting.

However, as we must declare—either as an homage or from well-earned respect, France’s Champagne region retains its place as the world’s premier sparkling wine producer. And as we all know, in order to call itself “Champagne”, the wine must have been made in that French region, everything else from everywhere else is happily deemed “Sparkling wine”.

Last year my particular recommendation was a sparkling wine type: a brut rosé. Like its “still wine” counterpart, rosé wines can pair and match with almost every food on the holiday table. Rosé Champagnes often take twice the time to produce because of the cumbersome rosé winemaking process of blending or bleeding, along with aging, thus the selling prices per bottle can often reach the ceiling.

For instance: Piper-Heidsieck Rare Rosé 2007--$700.; Dom Pérignon P2 Rosé 1996— $1500.; Cristal Vinothèque Rosé 1995-$4,000. Dreaming of a “Pink Christmas”— are we? Fortunately, we’ll hear from our esteemed column guest, the valley’s wine guru, Costa Nichols, who’ll chime in with some wonderful holiday bubbly recommendations, both as to quality and price.

My personal pick this season is a blanc de blancs Champagne. Where Rosé Champagne has various amounts of Pinot Noir in the blend, Blanc de Blancs are made with only the Chardonnay grape. You readers seem to be quite familiar with this style of bubbly: it’s always selling out at my store—never mind what haters say about Chardonnay, when it

November 15 to November 21, 2018

comes to a sparkler, it’s clean and crisp.

Champagne Henriot Brut Blanc de Blancs is one of my all-time favorites. As their company has always stated, “With history that dates to 1808, Champagne Henriot has been guided by the pursuit of the purest expression of Chardonnay for 200+ years, acquiring only family-owned properties that boast exceptional terroirs. Champagne Henriot is one of the few remaining familyowned Champagne houses and the first to venture into Burgundy.”

Henriot’s Brut Blanc de Blanc is the Champagne House’s flagship label and is indeed one of the purest expressions of 100% Chardonnay at a reasonable price range.

Actually, I think the entire Maison Henriot portfolio which includes Bruts, Roses, and Cuvees, are some of the best wines for the price. We did a comparison with the Veuve portfolio a couple of years ago, and Henriot consistently showed better and was priced lower.

The non-vintage Henriot Blanc de Blanc is especially delicious. I believe that’s because up to 40% of the bubby is from reserve wine—it simply shows in the flavor. The nose is lively and fresh with soft floral nuances,

hints of ginger, pear and citrus around some minerality. Quickly the aromas impress that an exquisitely made wine is before you.

What surprises everyone is that for a blanc de blancs, it is a full-bodied bubbly with lots on the palate. We get honey, toasted brioche, quince, orchard fruits, candied lemon peel, toasted nuts with a touch chalky and stony presence that simply drives us brut devotees crazy!

At around $60, it is the enthusiast’s treat of the season. It’s the holidays, so why not enjoy a great bottle of Champagne!--cheers!

And now, we welcome the wise wine recommendations from our friend Costa Nichols, owner of the beloved Palm Springs wine, beer & spirits shop of all time here in the valley, Desert Wines & Spirits, and, GO DELI MARKET, at the same location in the Sun Center Mall on Palm Canyon Blvd.

There’s nothing more satisfying for us wine folk than to support this venerable wine shop that is still family owned. For the up-coming holidays, Costa tells us, “We are passionate about providing thoughtful, worldly and hand-picked selection of the fine wines and spirits gifts available.” Gift services include wrapping and shipping!

And of course, we love to mention their Saturday wine tastings at the wine bar. Do get on their email list to keep up with all the weekly theme bottles being poured. Here are Costa’s picks and comments for your holiday pleasure: Sensi Prosecco Brut $19.99 This GOLD bottle from Sens is a very approachable Prosecco that is loaded with generous apples, pears and stonefruit, with a refreshing and dry finish; a sublime sparkling wine, pleasantly-refreshing and superbly lively on the palate. Great as an aperitif!

Canard-Duchene Brut Champagne 29.99 Here you can have the real thing, an excellent French wine that over delivers in quality for the price. It is truly elegant, fine, fresh and well balanced. Light gold, with fresh apple and lemon aromas and flavors that are complemented by subtle floral and honey nuances.

Domaine Laurier Brut Rosé 10.99 This is an excellent bargain in that the sparkler is made in the French method (Methode Champenoise) and not in the bulk process. It offers good fruit, lovely bubbles and finishes dry. A great holiday buy for the price!

Sensi Pinot Noir Rosé 19.99 Sensi makes two wines and this dry Italian sparkler (spumante, in Italian) in a beautiful pink bottle is a lively wine to pair with turkey and all the trimmings. The aroma is fresh, pleasant and fragrant, enriched by pungent notes of white flowers and soft fruits like blackberries, raspberries and strawberries.

Desert Wines & Spirits, Go Deli Market10am to 6pm. daily, Sunday 11pm to 5pm Go Deli, 611 South Palm Canyon, Suite 22, Palm Springs (760) 327-7701 www. desertwinesandspirits.com

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November 15 to November 21, 2018

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THUR NOVEMBER 15

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bobby Furgo & Co 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Goldstar 9pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Bill and Doug Duo 6:30pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Turnt Up Thursday w/ DJ John Paul and MC Twogunz 7pm BERNIE’S; RM; 760-202 4499 Barry Minniefield and Brian Dennigan 7pm BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 Open Mic Hosted by Lance Riebsomer 8-11pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 John Stanley King 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CASUELAS CAFÉ; PD; 760-568-0011 Johnny Meza and Co. 6-10pm CATALAN; RM; 760-770-9508 George Christian 6-9pm COPA NIGHTCLUB; PS; 760-866-0021 Lipstick hosted by Bella Da Ball 8pm, DJs Banks and Ax 10pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm EUREKA; IW; 760-834-7700 TBA 8-10pm FRANK’S PLACE; IW; 760-797-8700 Patricia Welsh 6-9pm GADI’S BAR & GRILL; YV; 760-820-1213 Corners of Sanctuary w/ Instigator and Karr 8pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm HOODOO COCKTAIL GARDEN @ THE HYATT; PS; 760-322-9000 Chris Lomeli 7pm

HOTEL PASEO; PD; Michael Keeth 4-7pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Open Mic 9pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 TBA 9pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Roxx 6:30pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-3452450 Country Night w/ TBA 9pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888999-1995 Quinto Menguante 8-1am MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm MOXIE; PS; 760-318-9900 Pedro Le Bass 9:30pm 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 These Pilgrims 8pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 So Cal Comedy Night 8pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 Jack Ruvio 9pm ROWAN; PS; 760-904-5015 Symara Stone 6-9pm 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 6:30pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 Karaoke 9pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Mike Cosley 6:30pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Robert Salisbury 4:40-6pm, The Steve Oliver Band 6:30-10pm WANG’S; PS; 760-325-9264 Black Market Jazz 5-8pm WOODY’S PALMHOUSE; PS; 760-230-0188 Yve Evans 6:30pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 Banda Night w/ Banda Sin Nombre and DJ Markuz Area 9pm

FRI NOVEMBER 16

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19TH HOLE; PD; 760-772-6696 Live Music 8pm 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bob Garcia 6:30pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Sean Hayes 9pm AGAVE LOUNGE@THE HYATT REGENCY; IW; 760-674-4080 TBA 7-11pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Sharon Sills 6:30pm AMERICAN LEGION; PS; 760-325-6229 Fleet Easton 5:30-7:30pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Bluechips Presents: Gamer’s Club w/ Eevaan Tre, Cam Archer, Jay Kasai, Oh Gosh Lotus, Nicklaus Gray and Darehouse 7pm BERNIE’S; RM; 760-202 4499 Barry Minniefield, Brian Dennigan and Leon Bisquera 7pm BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 Radio 80’s 8:30pm 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 CASUELAS CAFÉ; PD; 760-568-0011 The Myx 6:30-10pm CATALAN; RM; 760-770-9508 George Christian 6-9pm COPA NIGHTCLUB; PS; 760-866-0021 Viva Friday’s w/ DJ Banks 9pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm DESERT FOX; PD; Lance Riebsomer and David Morales 9pm DRINGK; RM; 760-888-0111 DJ Journee 9pm ELECTRIC SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-2281199 DJ Ceddy Cedd 9pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm FRANK’S PLACE; IW; 760-797-8700 Frankie DiSalvo 6-9pm GADI’S BAR & GRILL; YV; 760-820-1213 Alex Perez and the Rising Tide 8pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Grand Scovell and special guests 9pm HOODOO COCKTAIL GARDEN @ THE HYATT; PS; 760-322-9000 Keisha D 7pm HOTEL PASEO; PD; Michael Keeth 4-7pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Bob Allen 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Karaoke 7:30pm KILO’S CANTINA; TP; 760-835-1363 TBA 9pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke 8pm LQ BREWERY; PD; 760-200-2597 Desert Music Friends for Arek 7pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Roxx 7:30pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-3452450 TBA 9pm THE LOUNGE; AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888999-1995 DJ Jerry 9pm MASTRO’S; PD; 760-776-6777 Finesse 6:30-11pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm MIRAMONTE; IW; 760-341-2200 Trio NV 5-9pm MOXIE; PS; 760-318-9900 Eevaan Tre 6:30pm, DJ Pedro Le Bass 9:30pm 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; 760327-4080 The Refills 9pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760345-0222 The Orlandos 6:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Jerry’s Middle Finger 8pm PEABODY’S CAFÉ; PS; 760-322-1877 Karaoke 7:30pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Linda Lavin 8pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 Ghosts of Kelso 9pm RIVIERA; PS; 760-327-8311 Michael Keeth 8pm

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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 Smooth Brothers 8-11pm SHELLY’S LOUNGE@TORTOISE ROCK CASINO; 29 Palms; Rojer Arnold & Bobby Furgo 9pm SOLANO’S BISTRO; LQ; 760-771-6655 Michael Madden 6-9pm SONOMA GRILL; PD; 760-340-6600 Denny Pezzin 7-10pm SOUL OF MEXICO; IND; 760-200-8787 Latin Rock 10pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Demetrious and Co. 6:30pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 Closet Queens 9pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Dennis Michaels 6:30pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm VENUE@VENUS; PD; 760-834-7070 Singles Mixer w/ Johnny Meza 4-6pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 “Meet the Corwins” 5:30-7:30pm, The John Stanley King Show 8pm WANG’S; PS; 760-325-9264 DJ Galaxy and the House Whores 5pm WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-3285955 Michael Keeth 5-7pm WOODY’S PALMHOUSE; PS; 760-230-0188 Rose Mallett 6:30pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 Fantasy Friday w/ DJ LF and Cali Redd 9pm

SAT NOVEMBER 17

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Michael Lowe 6:30pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Dublab DJs 11am, poolside, Sean Hayes 5pm, DJ Heatwave 10pm AGAVE LOUNGE@THE HYATT REGENCY; IW; 760-674-4080 Steppin’ Out 7-11pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Cabaret on the Green Open Mic 7:30pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 The Seven/Six Presents: First Round w/ Aaron C, Jakzz, Gregnwmn, El A, Jaelyn and Ckeelay 7pm BERNIE’S; RM; 760-202 4499 Barry Minniefield, Brian Dennigan and Leon Bisquera 7pm BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 Avenida 8:30pm BLUE BAR; SPOTLIGHT 29; IND; 760-7755566 DJ 9pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Gennine Francis 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 CASUELAS CAFÉ; PD; 760-568-0011 The Myx 6:30-10pm CATALAN; RM; 760-770-9508 George Christian 6-9pm COPA NIGHTCLUB; PS; 760-866-0021 DJ Banks and Mr. Miami 9pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm

DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm DRINGK; RM; 760-888-0111 DJ Journee 9pm ELECTRIC SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-2281199 DJ Ceddy Cedd 9pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm FRANK’S PLACE; IW; 760-797-8700 Frankie DiSalvo 6-9pm GADI’S BAR & GRILL; YV; 760-820-1213 TBA 8pm THE GROTTO @ FISHERMAN’S MARKET; PD; 760-776-6533 Jack Ruvio 6-9pm THE GROOVE LOUNGE; SPOTLIGHT 29; INDIO; 760-775-5566 DJ 8pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Toons and Tunes w/ DJs Jae Rawkwell and Luthergates 9pm HOODOO COCKTAIL GARDEN @ THE HYATT; PS; 760-322-9000 The Carmens 7pm HOTEL PASEO; PD; Michael Keeth 4-10pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Bob Allen 6pm KILO’S CANTINA; TP; 760-835-1363 TBA 9pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke 8pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 PS Sound Company 1pm, Hot Roxx 8pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-3452450 TBA 9pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888999-1995 TBA 9pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm MIRAMONTE; IW; 760-341-2200 Trio NV 6-10pm MOXIE; PS; 760-318-9900 Derek Jordan Gregg 6pm, DJ Pedro Le Bass 9:30pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 5th Annual Rock For Prostate Benefit Concert 8pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760345-0222 Off Da Cuff 6:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 The Redwood’s Revue, Dani Bell and the Tarantist, The Midnight Pine, Birdy Bardot, Low Volts and Kake Najor and the Moment of Truth 8pm PEABODY’S CAFÉ; PS; 760-322-1877 Karaoke 7:30pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-3432115 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Linda Lavin 8pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 California Celts 9pm ROWAN; PS; 760-904-5015 Lance Riebsomer 6-9pm 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 Smooth Brothers 8-11pm

November 15 to November 21, 2018

SHELLY’S LOUNGE@TORTOISE ROCK CASINO; 29 Palms; Rojer Arnold & Bobby Furgo 9pm SONOMA GRILL; PD; 760-340-6600 Denny Pezzin 7-10pm SOUL OF MEXICO; IND; 760-200-8787 Latin Music 10pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Demetrious and Co. 6:30pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 Meltdown 8pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Reggie “Vision” Alexander 6:30pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm VENUE@VENUS; PD; 760-834-7070 Mystic Mixer Wellness Festival w/ Leon Hendricks and Joe Baldino 12-5pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Rose Mallett and Co. 5-7pm, Kal David, Lauri Bono and the Real Deal 7:30pm WANG’S; PS; 760-325-9264 Live Music 5pm WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-3285955 Michael Keeth 6pm WOODY’S PALMHOUSE; PS; 760-230-0188 The Stanley Butler Band 6:30pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 Snapchat Saturdays w/DJ LF and Cali Redd 9pm

SUN NOVEMBER 18

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bob Garcia 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 DJ 11am poolside, Bells Atlas 9pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Sunday Brunch w/ Barney McClure 11am BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Kick Back w/ DJs LF, Contraz and Geo Hosted by Ron T 7pm BERNIE’S; RM; 760-202 4499 Patrice Morris 7pm continue to page 20

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November 15 to November 21, 2018

THEPAMPERED PALATE

J

ust what you’d expect from a firstrate restaurant of this caliber, Pacifica Seafood Restaurant delivers the most incredible dining experience.

From the moment you step onto the second floor overlooking El Paseo, tasteful elegance leads you up the stairs to the entrance of Pacifica. Quickly greeted and asked if we had a reservation, I let the hostess know we had a made one for 7:45pm that evening. I should also mention that online, through their website, they make it very simple and easy to book an evening for any occasion. We opted for the outdoor seating, seeing as it was a perfect 75 degrees out that night. Wasting no time, we ordered up some tasty drinks and decided that the Sea Bass Ceviche was going to work for starters. Pacifica offers an array of mouthwatering signature cocktails, full bar options and extensive wine list sure to quench any and all diners’ specific thirst. Happy hour is from 3pm - 6:30pm daily, all night on Wednesdays and Sundays. The restaurant also offers half and full portioned plates to accommodate anyone’s wallet or appetite size.

Our server asked if we were there celebrating any occasion, I answered, “Not really, just getting out for some alone time since we had our first child.” She then insisted that it was an occasion and swiftly brought back Bacon Wrapped Medjool Dates, compliments of the chef. Let me say that I am not the biggest fan of dates however these were nothing short of phenomenal. The local

16

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PACIFICA SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

Coachella Valley medjool dates are prepared with extremely thought out ingredients on the plate. Delicately encased in apple wood smoked bacon, these dates are then placed upon a silky beurre blanc and sprinkled with aged goat cheese, blue cheese crumbles, toasted almonds, and finally a thin wisp of balsamic for an astounding touch of acidity.

Up next we dug deep into the freshest and most satisfying ceviche that has ever graced my palette. Piled high on the plate, chunks of fresh, delicate sea bass, married lusciously with tomato, onion, cilantro, all drenched with a bright lime juice. The vivid green hue of a superbly sliced avocado was adorned atop the mixture. As simple as this dish is, Pacifica showcases the meaning of “less is more” in some situations, and boy do they know how to execute.

On to the main course, I opted for the sautéed Atlantic Diver Sea Scallops and my better half with the Pan-Seared Chilean

Sea Bass. At first glance it’s hard to miss the attention to detail Pacifica’s kitchen staff pays to the plate. Scallops with the most wondrous sear are strategically placed alongside Brussels sprouts, cauliflower mash and a buttery beurre blanc. Now the cauliflower mash is somewhat of a newer item on menus these days, obviously a much healthier version of mashed potatoes. After my first taste, I can easily say any doubts of my plate missing a russet went right out the window. The cauliflower mash is packed with garlic, butter and the perfect seasoning; I’d challenge anyone to discern the difference between them and “the real deal”.

A true, much less guilty pleasure to enjoy.

The Pan-Seared Chilean Sea Bass was nothing short of a culinary delight. The building blocks to this plate start with a light and fluffy ginger rice, bok choy, green currycoconut sauce, topped with a honey-soy glaze and sesame seeds. Of course, the sea bass was executed with precision on the cooking side of things. Again, I was amazed at the finely tuned

BY MATT CLABORN thought process that goes into every dish prepared at Pacifica Restaurant.

Comfortably satiated, we decided to skip dessert and head back to pick up our little one, as we imagined the grandparents might be the ones getting on the fussy side at this point.

All in all if you’re looking for a top notch dining experience, out of this world wait staff and food you’ll be wishing you hadn’t finished, just so you could take some home for a midnight snack, Pacifica Seafood Restaurant is a Coachella Valley gem I urge you not to sleep (with the fishes) on.

PACIFICA SEAFOOD RESTAURANT 73-505 EL PASEO, PALM DESERT - (760)6748666 - pacificaseafoodrestaurant.com

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GOOD GRUB

I

t’s a cozy home feeling, with incredible Mexican dishes and family fueled service, at Casa de Silvia in Old Town Indio.

The International Tamale Festival award lined counter was a dead give-a-way that I was in for food that was going to tip my “Yum” scale.

Framed with warm tones, and welcoming décor, the ambience put me at ease, creating its own atmospheric appetizer. For me, being there was one of those lucky situations. Where I heard about it from someone who heard about it, and they swore that their Tamales were the best that they’d ever had. Well, with that kind of endorsement, there was no doubt that I would be crossing the restaurants threshold sooner than later.

Casa de Silvia opened two years ago, but has only been a full-service eatery for the past year. They started out doing catering, focusing on their award winning tamales. Matriarch Silvia Rendon is at the helm of the kitchen, her family works along her with including her daughter Isamar. In no time at all requests for more dishes came rapidly pouring in, and the family decided to expand as a restaurant, offering a variety of Mexican specialties. Isamar explained to me that their home style menu incorporates different dishes from different areas of Mexico, and does not focus on just one specific area. That kind of diversity gives their menu a delicious edge and their customers a range of choices.

As it was the Tamale talk that brought me there, it was only fitting that I would lead with the dish as my introduction to Casa de Silvia’s food. Made daily, along with everything at the restaurant, the Tamale selection can fluctuate as demand subtracts its availability. Luckily, I was

FEEL AT HOME AT CASA DE SILVIA

there early enough and had the option between Pork, Cheese or Chicken. Being a pork freak, there was no deciding. I ordered the Tamale as a combo with rice and beans (as I have mentioned before, the rice and beans in a Mexican restaurant is my gauge for their food). It is stated on their menu, for guests to be patient as their food is scratch made, and does take time…basically, don’t be in a hurry, relax and enjoy. A practice that should always be exercised when dining out, but hey, that’s just me.

I didn’t wait long at all actually, and after my experience there, I would have happily waited without compliant. The plate came out adorably staged, everything looked perfectly placed, even the small clay dish that housed the beans was so cute….I mean just darling! I unwrapped the corn husked encased Tamale, and examined it for its filling to masa ratio, an important tactic that I have come up with to evaluate a good Tamale. From my view, the ample Tamale looked completely balanced, and even had some residual filling protruding out of its seams. It was time to dig in, my fork made contact with the fluffy masa, and from the lack of resistance from my utensil, I could tell that the masa was moist and soft. The nucleus of the Tamale revealed a beautiful bed of crimson pork filling. I knew the bite was going to be big time Yum….and yeah, it was! I gave it a Yum, Yum, Yummers! It really was one of the best Tamales that I have ever had. It all came together, the masa and the filling, light in texture yet hearty.

And then there were the rice and beans, which at one point became a little embarrassing for me.

They were crack beans, the addictive beans that I can’t get enough of, coupled with the float in the air rice. Well, I was in rice and beans heaven. I

November 15 to November 21, 2018

BY DENISE ORTUNO

found myself scraping the little adorable clay bean bowl for every last bean morsel, almost hoping that the beans would regenerate in some way.

Finally, realizing that beans were really gone, and not going to re-appear, I put the fork down. Oh my goodness, it was so good!!

But little did I know, I wouldn’t have to go without Casa de Silvia for long. I actually returned swiftly the following day, with my boyfriend and his family. It turns out that they were going to have lunch there, so “Why yes, I’d love to come too!”

It was a perfect opportunity to try more of their food. This time I tried their Coachella Chili Verde (tender chunks of pork in a delicious homemade green sauce), and ordered a side of Mole sauce (dried chiles, onion, garlic, ground seeds, nuts and spices), just because I love Mole and wanted to taste their version of the complex sauce. Everyone at the tale ordered something different, which allowed me to take more pretty food photos.

My Chili Verde was insanely tasty, with the perfect amount of heat for my buds, and came with homemade corn tortillas. And the Mole sauce, well, I could pretty much put it on anything.

Between the Mole sauce and the beans I really didn’t need anything else. My boyfriend had the Barbacoa Sinaloa (slow-cooked beef stew in red sauce) and his family tried combination plates with Tacos, Enchiladas, Tamales and Tostada’s. All of it was amazing, and I do mean all of it. I even tried their Horchata Iced Coffee, because I had so much room left in my stomach. The drink is a must for those who love Horchata, a cinnamon and caramel treat, with a kick of espresso.

Moderately priced, Casa de Silvia is opened for breakfast and lunch every day except Wednesdays.

Guests can dine in, or take out. Weekends are especially busy, so get there early.

There is so much more that I look forward to trying at Casa de Silvia’s, the food is just freaky good. Along with their homey vibe, and genuine service, it is easy to become one of their biggest fans.

Casa de Silvia is located at 82-720 Miles Ave, Indio 92201. For take-out call 760-899-3765.

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November 15 to November 21, 2018

SCREENERS

THE BALLAD OF BUSTER SCRAGGS

The six chapters that make up the latest Coen brothers movie are not interconnected by any overlapping narrative threads or shared characters However, most of the fables literally unfolding on screen from the hand-turned classically illustrated pages of the vintage tome “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs and Other Tales of the American Frontier” are concerned with violence, betrayal and justice – both earthly and divine.

Brothers Joel and Ethan are masters of their trademark droll and darkly humorous but decidedly acerbic cinematic language.

Their stories of fate and luck (good and bad) are often factors with which their character must contend, if not reluctantly examine.

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WHOOPIE-TI-YI-YO

And then there’s always the overriding reminder of one’s fragile mortality during the difficult dance between finding a close human connection in an uncaring and perhaps hostile universe.

Two stand-out “chapters” are the Tom Waits segment, based on a story by Jack London, and the Zoe Kazan one, which was inspired by Stewart Edward White, a contemporary of London’s. The other four stories are the Coens’ own. One that will linger long in the mind follows a traveling entrepreneur his limbless featured attraction.

This one could easily be a stand-alone feature.

I wanted more As usual, the Coens have crafted a world of rich detail and authenticity.

What at first seems like a joke is in fact something far more significant. A wise professor once said to me, “next to sustenance, humans crave story above all else. Only narrative gives our lives meaning.”

The Coen brothers understand this.

Bruno Delbonnel’s cinematography deserves mention. His breathtaking images alone make this wonderfully entertaining film worth seeing on a big home or theater screen.

The terrific supporting cast includes: Tyne Daly, James Franco, Brendan Gleeson, Zoe Kazan, Liam Neeson and Tim Blake Nelson as singing cowboy Scruggs, aka, “The San Saba Songbird” and “The West Texas Twit”.

Although he wears a white hat and outfit, a wanted poster identifies him as “The Misanthrope,” hinting that he may not be the good guy his costume suggests.

In limited theatrical release. Streaming next week on Netflix. Strongest recommendation.

combat is the rousing centerpiece of this oldschool widescreen historical epic. There’s romance, a little nudity and sex that fully fleshes (no pun intended) this satisfying, grand and often eye-popping royal tapestry.

It’s no surprise that some viewers see Pine’s striking similarity to a young Peter O’Toole.

The movie benefits tremendously from painterly location filming in Scotland where landscape and standing castles convey a rich period authenticity. Streaming now on Netflix.

NEW BLU FOR THE HOME THEATER:

THE OUTLAW KING

Big, bloody and bold, Chris Pine is fine in David Mackenzie’s mud-soaked, medieval and mostly true epic tale of Robert the Bruce who transitions from defeated nobleman to outlaw hero during the oppressive occupation of Scotland by the despotic Edward I of England and his volatile son the Prince of Wales.

Despite grave consequences, Robert seizes the Scottish crown and rallies an impassioned group of like-minded men to fight back against the mighty invading English army.

Extensive and explicit, large scale bloody

18

BY ROBIN E. SIMMONS

BLACKkKLANSMEN Based on the book “Black Klansman: A Memoir” by Ron Stallworth, Spike Lee’s hit undercover cop comedy-drama tells the incredible true story of Stallworth (played by John David Washington), an African American police officer who tried to stop local Klu Klux Klan activity in the in the 70s by sending a white associate (Adam Driver) to infiltrate Klan functions while he supervised and managed the entire operation by phone! Don’t miss this terrific and timely film that is unexpectedly funny and genuinely thrilling. Bonus: A behindthe-scenes featurette. Universal Home Ent. 4K UHD. robin@coachellavalleyweekly.com

BOOK REVIEW

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"THE GREAT ALONE" KRISTIN HANNAH FICTION -----------------------------------------------------

T

here is an allure to Alaska, the largest and most untamed state in the union. It is a romantic notion to live off the land and survive the harsh winters. In Kristin Hannah’s The Great Alone (St. Martin’s Press, 440 pages) a family comes to terms with the dangers of living a remote life.

The story begins in 1973. Leni is 13 and her family has moved so many times she is friendless and considers herself an outsider.

Her father Ernt returned from Viet Nam a changed and volatile man who is restless and cannot hold a job. His best buddy died in his arms during jungle combat.

When his buddy’s father gives his son’s Alaska cabin and land to Ernt, the family moves from Seattle, hoping for a better future.

Unprepared and with hardly any money, Leni and her folks make their way to Alaska at the beginning of summer and find the remote homestead in need of repair. They

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WILD AND DANGEROUS

clean and fix it up the best they can, but they still have no idea what’s to come.

But with the help of a few folks in the small isolated community, they soon find the support they need to make it work.

Leni’s father Ernt becomes close with his dead buddy’s father “Mad Earl,” a separatist and doomsday believer who has a compound nearby. His influence quickly melds with Ernt’s government-hating beliefs, which further fuels his drinking and post traumatic stress disorder.

Leni attends school and meets Matthew with whom she not only becomes a friend, but his girlfriend. Unfortunately for Leni, her father loathes Matthew’s father and forbids her to date him.

Alaska takes a toll on the family and Ernt goes back to his old ways, drinking and beating his wife. Leni is confused by her folk’s relationship and doesn’t understand why her mother can’t or won’t leave her father. Ernt’s anger and violence emotionally imprisons Leni and her mother as the winter closes in.

This is a coming of age story. Leni and her mother become skilled outdoorswomen and survivalist. The community becomes their extended family.

But, when it becomes evident to the community that Ernt is abusive and off his rocker, they intervene, finding him a job far away working on a pipeline. Of course, Ernt

loses his job, and the abuse and insanity gets worse. Now he resents the community’s invasion into his family’s private lives.

The story reveals how difficult it was in the 1970s for women to report, get protection, or justice from spousal abusers.

Leni’s mother can’t get a credit card or earn equal pay for equal work, making it even more difficult for her to leave.

Surviving harsh winters, bears and wolves, was equally dangerous as surviving an abusive and crazed patriarch.

Author Hannah captures the cold and wildness of Alaska. I felt like I visited Leni’s homestead. She also reveals how quickly

SAFETY TIPS

November 15 to November 21, 2018

BY HEIDI SIMMONS people can get sucked into insane loop thinking when they are isolated and have no dissenting voices. This aspect of the story was as chilling as the harsh Alaskan winter.

I found that the “happy ending” was actually closely inline with the repeat pathology of a child growing up in an unstable and abusive household. Leni, in more ways than one, follows in her mother’s footsteps -- almost quite literally.

The title, The Great Alone, comes from a Robert Service poem and captured the intensity of Leni’s emotional state when she dare not share what was happening with her father behind closed doors and miles away from her closest neighbor.

I still dream of going to a remote place, homesteading the land and living closely with nature. Building an independent life and finding a like-minded community where everyone is self-sufficient, generous and helpful sounds idyllic -- as long as the humans are not insane and/or dangerous.

BY FIRE CHIEF SAM DIGIOVANNA

WILDFIRE AND HEALTH HAZARDS

I

t’s pretty inevitable living in California, even if your home is not in the path of a fire, you can still be affected by smoke particles released into the air from wildfires reminds Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.

Particulate matter is the main public health threat during short-term exposure to wildfire smoke, so it’s crucial to protect yourself.

Really it’s about common sense, If you can see the smoke, if you can smell the smoke, chances are the particulate matter levels are high. If you can do that, you should exercise caution.

Stay indoors; close all doors and windows. Avoid vigorous outdoor and indoor activity. Those with respiratory difficulties or heart problems, as well as

the elderly and young children should all remain indoors. Keep windows closed and run your air conditioner if possible. When smoke subsides, you should air out your home to clear any polluted air that might be trapped inside.

What if I have to be outside? Wearing a special N95 or P100 respirator mask can help protect you against the fine particles in smoke. Paper or surgical masks are not effective in preventing inhalation of smoke.

Remember, a car should only be used to leave an area, not as shelter. If you’re in a car, close windows and doors and run your car’s air conditioner, making sure you’re circulating the air already in the car and not pulling in fresh/smoky air.

Stay Safe!

19

November 15 to November 21, 2018

CLUB CRAWLER NIGHTLIFE continued from page 15

BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Michael Keeth 5pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT; PS; 888999-1995 Nash with Quinto Menguante 9pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Radio 60 3-6pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm FRANK’S PLACE; IW; 760-797-8700 Ted Herman 6-8pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Comedy Night w/ Ian Edwards and more 8pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Risque’ Drag Show 9:30pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 PS Sound Company noon, Hot Roxx 6:30pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Sunday Jam 3:30-7:30pm, Mikael Healy 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Finesse 7pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 The Sunday Band 7:30pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-3432115 Open Mic w/ Rockin’ Ray 7pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; LQ; 760-777-1601 Jack Ruvio 6-9pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 The Myx 6:30pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Darci Daniels and Reggie Vision 7pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 The John Stanley King Trio 6-9:30pm

WANG’S; PS; 760-325-9264 Live Music 5pm WILDEST GREENS; PD; 760-636-0441 Lance Riebsomer 11-2:30pm WOODY’S PALMHOUSE; PS; 760-2300188 John Carey and Friends 6:30pm

MON NOVEMBER 19

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 The Luminators 6pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-2021111 Bill Marx 6:30pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Meh! Mondays 7pm BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 Music Video Mondays 6pm CASUELAS CAFÉ; PD; 760-568-0011 The Mighty Sweet Nothings 6pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm FRANK’S PLACE; IW; 760-797-8700 Larry Capeloto 6-9pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 PS Sound Company 6:30pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Mikael Healey 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Finesse 7pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Open Mic 7pm ROWAN; PS; 760-904-5015 Michael Keeth 6-9pm VENUE@VENUS; PD; 760-834-7070 Jazz Jam w/ Doug McDonald 5-7pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-3459770 Deanna Bogart and Friends 6:3010pm

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com WANG’S; PS; 760-325-9264 Nick Sosa 7pm WOODY’S PALMHOUSE; PS; 760-2300188 Motown Mondays 6:30pm

TUE NOVEMBER 20

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Jasmine Tommaso 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Ace Karaoke with Kiesha 9pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Shelley Yoelin Group 9:30pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Tequila Tuesday w/ Sounds Driven by Touch Tunes 7pm BERNIE’S; RM; 760-202 4499 Chris Lomeli 7pm BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 Tuesday Bluesday Blues Jam 7-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm FIRESIDE LOUNGE; PS; 760-327-1700 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm FRANK’S PLACE; IW; 760-797-8700 Terri Olsen and the Perfect Blend 6-9pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Drag Queen Bingo 9pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Karaoke 9pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-3662250 Ted Quinn’s Open Mic 7pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke 7pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 PS Sound Company 6:30pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-3452450 Brad’s Pad 7pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Mikael Healey 8pm

NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Tim Burleson 7:45pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 Acoustic Open Mic 7pm PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Rose Mallett 6:30pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 Cinch 6pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 John McCormick and Friends 6:30-10pm WANG’S; PS; 760-325-9264 Alex Santana 5-8pm WOODY’S PALMHOUSE; PS; 760-2300188 Yve Evans and John Bolivar 6pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 Coachella Tuesday w/ DJ Jeezy and Cali Redd 9pm

WED NOVEMBER 21

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Daniel Horn 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Big Horn w/ Soul Jams 9pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Jazz Jam w/ Doug MacDonald & Friends 7pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Whiskey Wednesdays w/ Touchtunes 7pm BERNIE’S; RM; 760-202 4499 Chris Lomeli 7pm BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 The Smooth Brothers 7pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Michael Keeth 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm COACHELLA VALLEY BREWING CO; TP; 760-343-5973 Open Mic 6-8pm COPA NIGHTCLUB; PS; 760-866-0021 ThanksGlowing Party w/ DJs Banks, John Paul and Ax 9pm

CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm DRINGK; RM; 760-888-0111 S.I.N. w/ DJ Mirage 9pm ELECTRIC SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-2281199 Karaoke 7:30pm FRANK’S PLACE; IW; 760-797-8700 Terri Olsen and Patricia Welsh 6:30pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Karaoke 7:30pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Open Mic 8pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Roxx 6:30pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-3452450 Latin Night 7pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Mikael Healey 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 Roger & Friends 7pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Katheryn White 6:30pm VENUE@VENUS; PD; 760-834-7070 Wine Down Wednesdays w/ Derek Jordan Gregg 4-6pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 The Slim Man Band 6:30-10pm WANG’S; PS; 760-325-9264 Jeff Bonds 5-8pm WOODY’S PALMHOUSE; PS; 760-2300188 Shelley Yoelin’s Jazz Showcase 6:30pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 Calentura Nights w/ DJ LF 9pm

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20

760-404-6325

HADDON LIBBY

L

ast year, Warren Buffett predicted that the Dow would reach 1,000,000 within 100 years. To achieve that level of growth from the current 26,000 level, the Dow would need to go up by only 4% a year – less than half historic levels.

Had Buffet become a long-term pessimist?

Not at all. Buffett is trying to help people understand that even if growth is below average for a very long time, there is still an awful lot of growth in front of us.

To get your head around his prediction, back in 1968 the United States had 206 million residents and the typical family earned $7,743 a year. The cost of a new home was $26,600 while a postage stamp was 6 cents.

The Federal budget was $178 billion and we had national debt of $369 billion. Meanwhile, the Dow was at 985, the unemployment rate was 3.8%, a 10-year Treasury earned 6% and gas cost $0.34 per gallon.

Today, we have 328 million here in the United States where the typical family earns $61,858 a year. A new home costs $290,100 while the cost of a postage stamp will increase by a nickel to 55 cents on January 27th. The Federal budget for the current year is $4.4 trillion while we have a national debt of $21.6 trillion. Meanwhile the Dow is at 26,000, the unemployment rate is 3.7%, a 10-year Treasury earns 3% and a gallon of gas costs $2.70.

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

November 15 to November 21, 2018

DIGITAL SUPERCYCLE

While prices have gone up, so too have earnings as well as the quality of life in the United States. Debt has ballooned but so too has Dow. Does this suggest that a crash like 1929 is in the wings?

Not at all. While debt increased, so too did wealth.

How is wealth measured? Without getting too wonky, governments around the world print new money. When done correctly, the new money represents the value created by the people of that country. When done incorrectly, look no further than Puerto Rico, Turkey or Italy.

We need some inflation as it is good for a nation’s psychology. Would you want to earn the same amount every year? A little bit of inflation helps society function better.

What many of us forget is that advancements by society or innovation, spur growth which is responsible for the increase in wealth for society raising everyone’s standard of living.

Economies have regular growth spurts and then they have bigger growth spurts. We are currently in a Third Industrial Revolution which began back in the 1980s when information moved from an analog format to our current digital format. As such, this 3rd revolution is commonly referred to as the Digital Revolution. These revolutions are very good as they create wealth and higher living standards for society at a rapid pace.

While this latest revolution is in its fourth decade, it appears to be entering a SuperCycle phase. A supercycle is where

technological advancements change the way we do everything in society. Over the next twenty years, the way we drive, communicate, eat, exercise and receive healthcare will experience advancements once only imagined in science fiction novels.

Whether you want to call it part of the Digital Revolution or some other name, this Digital SuperCycle will bring more value to society than anything that we have experienced to date. While advancements will cause disruptions just as the automobile disrupted the horse and buggy, this supercycle will improve the quality of life for all. The growth in wealth that we can expect will make the debt levels of today look like those of the 1960s. Depending on your perspective, this could be the beginning of a Utopian world or something out of a dark horror film.

I’ll choose a Dow 1,000,000+ and the hope of an exponentially better tomorrow.

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

DALE GRIBOW ON THE LAW LEGAL REPRESENTATION OF THE INJURED & CRIMINALLY ACCUSED SHOULD I TELL MY INSURANCE COMPANY ABOUT MY DUI?

T

he burden is on the Automobile Insurance CARRIER to find out about your DUI Conviction and I’m advised they usually SPOT CHECK driving records for the last year. If you are asked directly don’t lie. However, if you receive something in the mail from your insurance carrier, many experts suggest that you ignore it. It may fall through the cracks and they may not contact you again...but to be safe ask your attorney.

When arrested for a DUI, the arresting officer takes license under the “Stop and Snatch Law”, and issues you a Pink Temporary License that is good for 30 days. IF your lawyer requests a DMV hearing and Stay within 10 days, your license is good until the results of the hearing.

If you had a DUI with an accident please do NOT volunteer info to your insurance company that you had a DUI. It is their responsibility to find that out. Even if you had a traffic accident the carrier does NOT always know that alcohol was involved. So Silence is Golden and Handcuffs are Silver. Don’t lie! But don’t volunteer info.

If you lose the DMV hearing or enter a plea to the court, then in order to get a license to drive, you must file an SR-22 with DMV in addition to paying a reissuance fee and showing proof you have enrolled in the correct DUI class. The SR 22 shows proof of insurance, but don’t file through your own company.

The SR- 22 is a special document only an insurance company can provide and then file with DMV. It is a “Proof of Insurance” Certificate that guarantees the individual has obtained the required minimum limit of liability coverage

mandated by California law.

California requires you keep your insurance and SR-22 in force for 36 months. DUI drivers must file proof of active insurance as a condition to having their license reinstated. They are susceptible to extreme insurance premium increases.

The unique SR22 filing program from companies we suggest, will reduce the risk of an immediate cost impact to your premium. It helps you avoid being dropped entirely from your existing policy.

If you stop paying for the SR-22 your driver’s license will be suspended automatically. If you drive with your license suspended you could be arrested for a misdemeanor (14601 VC, Driving on a Suspended License) and face jail, fines and lose your car.

You must contact our insurance company before there is a DMV Hearing and/or a Plea/ Conviction to the Court, in other words while your record is still clear. Thus you are getting insured with NON OWNED Vehicle coverage, while you have a clean record without a DUI conviction showing up on your record.

The insurance company insures the DUI driver with a non-owned vehicle policy to drive any vehicle. Thus you can get the SR 22 Proof of Insurance that DMV demands before they issue the new restricted driver’s license. This allows the driver to retain a valid driver’s license. Your worst case scenario is to go to DMV to get a DMV Identification Card that looks like a license.

If it turns out there is no filing and the SR 22 is not needed, then the clients get a 100%

refund. This kicks in if we win the DMV and Court proceedings, which thus determines the DUI driver does not need to file the SR-22. This is the exception rather than the rule.

If/when the DUI driver’s insurance company learns of the DUI, then our company would take the drivers insurance policy limits info from your old auto policy and write a new policy using the clean record stats that existed when they initially wrote the non-users policy. They do this because the driver was insured and rated by the new insurance company when there was NO DUI on their record.

If/when the DUI driver’s insurance company learns of the DUI, then your new insurance company would take the drivers insurance policy limits info from your old auto policy and write a new policy, using the clean record stats that existed when they initially wrote the non-

users policy. They do this because the driver was insured and rated by our company when there was NO DUI on their record. This is true if you contact our suggested company right away.

DALE GRIBOW - “TOP LAWYER” - California’s Prestige Magazine, Palm Springs Life (PI/DUI) 2011-19 & “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” Suggestions for future columns contact Dale Gribow at (760) 837-7500 or dale@ dalegribowlaw.com.

21

November 15 to November 21, 2018

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

OPEN YOUR MIND, OPEN YOUR HEART, OPEN THIS SEASON WITH ENLIGHTENMENT AND LOVE - MYSTIC MIXER AT VENUS DE FIDO

D

ebbie G Productions presents a Spirituality Gone Wild Event with Satori Center for Wellbeing and Venus De Fido. With a common purpose to encourage wellness and promote community unity; this made for a natural collaboration with Debbie Gratitude, to produce an OUT OF THIS WORLD Mixer benefiting Shelter from the Storm. Get ready to Network, Learn, Enjoy Live Musical Experiences, Exhibitors, Shopping, Food and Fun. It’s a free event, November 17th, 2018 from 12 - 5pm, being hosted at our valley’s own, one of a kind location, Venus De Fido at 73600 Alessandro Dr. Palm Desert.

“Venus De Fido has become much more than a Spa and Fitness Center, that happens to be pet friendly, it’s the unique services offered, activities and events that have become increasingly popular because we need to feel good mentally as well as physically.” Lorie Loftis; CEO of Venus de Fido, explains. “This is a hybrid of festival and a fellowship, a communion with healers and those who want to learn. Come enjoy time together focusing on mastering the art of self-awareness while accessing the wisdom of Divine Universal Consciousness.”

The Mystic Mixer offers a grateful lineup

SPORTS SCENE

W

ith over 2,200 players representing nearly all fifty states, this year’s championships recorded 4,293 matches with players ranging from as young as eight years old to as seasoned as ninety years old. The tournament was the largest in the history of the sport, with the largest purse in history at $75,000. Barney McCallum, one of the three original founders of pickleball, and a partner in the first company to provide pickleball equipment was in attendance and moved to tears at the evolution of the game he invented along with Congressman Joel Pritchard and Bill Bell one summer day in Bainbridge Island, WA over fifty years ago. For the past week, Indian Wells Tennis Gardens waged an impressive campaign to cement a permanent home for Pickleball, the fastest growing sport in America as they played host supreme to the Margaritaville USA Pickleball National Championships.

Crowds were energetic across the 44 courts constructed specifically for the tournament, essentially turning each of the outdoor tennis courts into pickleball courts (one tennis court can be turned into four pickleball courts since the court size is much smaller). Vendors from the industry and fans from across the valley as well as all across the country and a couple from Canada all expressed enthusiasm for the growth of the sport and the excitement around being part of history as the sport achieved a monumental turning point with live streaming and coverage provided by

22

of co-creatives and Spiritual Guides: Mel Zabel: Meditation and Sound Bowls Lorie Loftis: Movement Mary Electra: Vocal Training Debbie G: Gratitude Alchemy Dr. Clarice Barrett: Astrology Elysia Ashley: Vibrational Therapy Leon Hendrix: Astral Travel Josie Herndon: Messages from Archangel Gabriel David Strickel: The Stream of David Join us for this beautifully grateful event where co-creatives can connect and collaborate on a whole new vibrational level with an incredible performance by Leon Hendrix, younger brother to the late, great, Jimi Hendrix. Leon will be sharing stories about his childhood being raised by Jimi, discussing Astral Travel and performing: “The Purple Haze Spiritual Experience” by Leon Hendrix. Other musical guests include Prince Fleet Easton and Joe Baldino.

Your attendance also includes access to special Mystical offers provided by the Events Sponsors. You can experience a FREE 20 minutes of VibraSound Therapy from Satori Center for Wellbeing. You could redeem your 50% off Exclusive Gratitude Plan with Debbie G. You can enjoy discounts

in the Venus Boutique and even buy one lunch and get one free from the Treats Cafe at Venus.

Don’t forget to redeem your Grand Prize Entry by donating: a new item of clothing or new unwrapped toys for the holidays to benefit Shelter from the Storm during the Mystic Mixer. To find out more information about this event call (760) 834-7070 or go to venusdefido.com. Admission is free,

EVENTS

please RSVP to enter a free drawing for a Salt Cave Experience.

LINKS TO SPONSORS: venusdefido.com satoricenterforwellbeing.com thestreamofdavid.com debbiegratitude.com elshecky.com melzabel.com josieherndon.com

MARGARITAVILLE USA PICKLEBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

BY RICH ‘DINK’ INDIAN WELLS TENNIS GARDENS HENRICH

ESPN3. Margaritaville provided live music and entertainment throughout the event while stilt walkers energized the crowds between match play.

Executive Director of USAPA, Justin Maloof, expressed tremendous gratitude for the production team and Indian Wells Tennis Gardens for providing a top-notch event that

elevated the sport with a glimpse into a BNP Paribas-like future. “This really raised the bar for us! Having partners like Margaritaville and our platinum level sponsors help us achieve something I couldn’t imagine possible for several more years,” said the elated leader of the sport. Maloof also expressed a desire to bring in more vendors and sponsors next year, especially some of the companies that have helped push pickleball along for several years. He said with the late February announcement, many companies already allocated budgets, making participation in this year’s event too much of a stretch.

However, he is already receiving calls from businesses outside of the sport interested in sponsoring next year’s championships and expects even greater levels of participation.

Players not familiar with Indian Wells Tennis Gardens said the pictures did not do the venue justice and the ability to have the opportunity to play in front of so many fans while competing with the top players in the game really added to their experience and anticipation for what will come next year.

On Saturday evening, the crowd inside Margaritaville Championship Court witnessed a showdown between Pro Men’s Doubles teams Dave Weinbach-Matt Wright and Kyle Yates-Ben Johns that proved to be a showcase of the top athletes in the sport. ESPN3 Court side coverage added magnitude to the match as the pumped

up players battled in a heated matchup with brilliant plays coming from each pickleballer. In a tie-breaker final, the gold medal scores of 8-11, 14-11, 11-2 and the 15-6 decider that ultimately crowned Yates and Johns as the Champions, left the fans feeling like the real winners! Even the DJ, a newcomer to the sport was lost in the intense back and forth action as Yates and Johns continuously pinned the pickleball to their opponent’s chests without a chance of a return. Yates threw his hands to the heavens as Johns appeared stunned at the moment of realization- they had just defeated Weinbach-Wright to win the Gold!

The teammates embraced in celebration before fans swarmed for photos and autographs. ESPN3 interviewed the duo and accentuated the turning point for the sport.

Congratulations to USAPA, Indian Wells Tennis Gardens and all the participants that made this such an incredible event for the Valley for years to come.

For those interested in learning how to play or interested in learning more about pickleball in the desert, contact Kim Scholz, Commissioner of the Desert Pickleball League at futfalt@aol.com or call him directly at (760) 238-2636. This is a great lifestyle game for all ages and levels of play.

CANNABIS CORNER

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BY MICHELLE ANN RIZZIO

CV CANNABIS INDUSTRY IN BLOOM

November 15 to November 21, 2018

AWAKEN W/LIZZY&AIMEE

BY ELIZABETH SCARCELLA & AIMEE MOSCO

KEYS TO THE KINGDOM ARE IN YOUR UNDERWEAR DRAWER

H

ave you ever thought you lost something but that something has been right there within your reach all

I

n the recent years cannabis in the Coachella Valley has become a culture with industry diversity ranging from dispensaries being approved across desert cities filling prior empty buildings to corporate cultivation sites constructing indoor growing operations in the Coachella Valley’s dirt lots. In 2016, California voters approved Proposition 64--the Adult-Use of Marijuana Act--quickly cementing the Coachella Valley’s status as a cannabis mecca. Today in the Coachella Valley there are over 25 operating legal dispensaries in 4 cannabis-friendly cities, 2 open consumption lounges, and countless cultivation sites owned by local growers and international growers alike. A quick job search on indeed. com for “cannabis” results in brands and companies from outside of the valley infiltrating the desert cities with lucrative job postings for Brand Ambassadors, Sales Reps, Cultivation Managers, Packaging Staff, and administrative opportunities. Not only is outside commerce capitalizing on this new market; local commerce is thriving as well.

Proposition 64 went into immediate effect on November 8, 2016 allowing immediate recreational use of cannabis and continued medical purchase of cannabis.

Recreational cannabis was not able to be regulated and purchased until phase 1 compliance was enacted on January 1st, 2018. In June of 2017, the Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA) was created into a single regulatory set of rules under three different state agencies. All aspects of cannabis from seed to sale are created, regulated, and enforced by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the California Department of Public Health, and the Bureau of Cannabis Control (BCC). In July of 2018 phase 2 of compliance went into effect, ensuring quality and safety standards for medicinal and recreational cannabis consumers. Known across California as the “Weed Apocalypse”, phase 2 of compliance ensured that all transitional cannabis goods were destroyed and compliant to a healthy list of testing, packaging, and labeling requirements with newly defined THC limits for edible and non-edible cannabis products.

Phase 3 of compliance will be enforced on January 1, 2019 adding additional testing for terpenoids, mycotoxins, heavy metals, and water activity.

For a shopper entering a retail storefront or a consumption lounge, things can be a bit intimidating! Standing in front of an array of cannabis products with very little to no information available beyond each specific brands logo, look, and feel is enough to make anyone not know where to start. Perhaps you have ethical standards and want your cannabis to be organically grown. Maybe you like indoor cannabis with a frosty and tight aesthetic. Maybe you just want to see what the highest THC% is on the shelf with the biggest bang for your buck. No matter the case, your budtender is waiting to open the gates to the land of cannabinoids and offer their expertise on the matter at hand.

Cannabis itself offers a multitude of benefits that synergistically work with our human bodies along with other mammals.

Within our body lives the endocannabinoid system. This is a biological system composed of endocannabinoids which are created by our own bodies and have interactive receptors in our brain and throughout our central and peripheral nervous system.

The endocannabinoid system is involved in physiological processes like pain, sensation, appetite, and handles how the psychoactive effects of cannabis present themselves.

When our body does not create enough endocannabinoids deficiency happens and presents as a variety of conditions.

Overuse of antibiotics, pesticides, and free radicals in our environments can dull out our body’s capability to stimulate the endocannabinoid system; hence the need for phytocannabinoids found in cannabis.

Historically, prior to cannabis and hemp prohibition phytocannabinoids were in the majority of our food supply. It was used as feed for all the livestock in our then food system. Correlation between the complete removal of phytocannabinoids from our food supply due to prohibition and the increasing rate of autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases are fascinating to ponder. We should honestly be looking at cannabis as a vitamin for our endocannabinoid systems.

In the coming weeks you can look forward to articles regarding the cannabis business, legalities, cultivation, and the herb itself as well interviews with your next favorite cannabis brand, features on your neighborhood dispensary, budtender reviews, and the latest in cannabis as a wellness tool.

along?

Like for example; you are feverishly looking for your glasses when you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror and realize they are sitting on top of your head! Or you can’t find your phone and it’s sitting in plain sight on the counter where you left it. Maddening, eh?

As we have reminded you throughout our article and video series, you are an eternal being of light. You have more power than you can even imagine just by virtue of the fact that you have had multiple lifetimes of experiences. These experiences are archived in your soul memory vault which you can choose to connect with as you begin to awaken.

Don’t beat yourself up, the keys to your inner kingdom have never been out of your reach. They have been patiently waiting for you right where your soul left them…for you to re-discover. Your “keys” are with all of the other most prized possessions, the parts of you that you have kept sacred and hidden from view – even from yourself. These “keys” we speak of are your divine and cultivated creative abilities, and it is time to dig down, pull them out and honor them by having faith in yourself.

When you open the doors to your unique and expansive creativity, you begin to function more consciously as the creator of your reality.

What’s great is…the choices you make about what comes next in your life, as you connect with your previously hidden inner resources, become different and more calculated than the choices you made before.

And what happens is you begin to recognize that YOU are the ultimate authority on you.

YOU are the boss of you, and YOU possess the knowledge to create your life according to your best plan.

Imagine this: -You innately and intuitively turn inward for answers to your burning questions instead

of relying on others to tell you what’s best for you.

-You feel a new sense of freedom, as if the right set of keys suddenly appeared allowing you to open the once barricaded door to your creativity and sense of self.

-You genuinely feel happier; smiling more and find yourself chuckling at those annoyances that once used to ruin your day.

We are so excited for you to re-connect with your ability to be the creator of your life.

For a deeper conversation on Your Nature as a Creator, please watch our YouTube video at https://youtu.be/IGkQD5NUhkM. Lastly, in our pursuit to help you connect more deeply with one another and further rediscover your gifts as a creator, we invite you to join our interactive Facebook group and watch our show “Evolve through Love”. Go to www. facebook.com/groups/evolvethroughlove.

Elizabeth Scarcella MA, Brand and Goodwill Ambassador, Self Love Advocate, EFT and Hypnosis Practitioner, and Fountain of Youth Finder, is dedicated to helping others discover Wellness in all aspects of life. Elizabeth can help you awaken to your best self yet. For more information, find her at info@gogetyoung.tv Aimee Mosco is an Author, Certified Reiki Master and Co-Founder of Intentional Healing Systems, LLC. Aimee’s passion for helping others inspired the collaborative healing movement, IHS Unity. For more information, find Aimee at aimee@ihsunity.com

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November 15 to November 21, 2018

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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

Week of November 15

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Interior designer Dorothy Draper said she wished there were a single word that meant “exciting, frightfully important, irreplaceable, deeply satisfying, basic, and thrilling, all at once.” I wonder if such a word exists in the Chamicuro language spoken by a few Peruvians or the Sarsi tongue spoken by the Tsuu T’ina tribe in Alberta, Canada. In any case, I’m pleased to report that for the next few weeks, many of you Aries people will embody and express that rich blend of qualities.

I have coined a new word to capture it: tremblissimo.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): According to my astrological intuition, you’re entering a phase when you will derive special benefit from these five observations by poet and filmmaker Jean Cocteau. 1.

“There are truths that you can only say after having won the right to say them.” 2. “True realism consists in revealing the surprising things that habit keeps covered and prevents us from seeing.” 3. “What the public criticizes in you, cultivate. It is you.” 4. “You should always talk well about yourself! The word spreads around, and in the end, no one remembers where it started.” 5. “We shelter an angel within us.

We must be the guardians of that angel.”

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Adolescence used to be defined as a phase that lasted from ages 13 to 19.

But scientists writing in the journal The Lancet say that in modern culture, the current span is from ages 10 to 24. Puberty comes earlier now, in part because of shifts in eating habits and exposure to endocrinedisrupting chemicals. At the same time, people hold onto their youth longer because they wait a while before diving into events associated with the initiation into adulthood, like getting married, finishing education, and having children. Even if you’re well past 24, Gemini, I suggest you revisit and reignite your juvenile stage in the coming weeks.

You need to reconnect with your wild innocence.

You’ll benefit from immersing yourself in memories of coming of age. Be 17 or 18 again, but this time armed with all you have learned since.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Cancerian baseball pitcher Satchel Paige had a colorful career characterized by creative showmanship. On some occasions, he commanded his infielders to sit down and loll on the grass behind him, whereupon he struck out three batters in a row—ensuring no balls were hit to the spots vacated by his teammates.

Paige’s success came in part because of his wide variety of tricky pitches, described by author Buck O’Neil as “the bat-dodger, the two-hump blooper, the four-day creeper, the dipsy-do, the Little Tom, the Long Tom, the bee ball, the wobbly ball, the hurry-up ball and the nothin’ ball.” I bring this to your attention, Cancerian, because now is an excellent time for you to amp up your charisma and use all your tricky pitches.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): “Everyone tells a story about themselves inside their own head,” writes fantasy author Patrick Rothfuss. “Always. All the time.

We build ourselves out of that story.” So what’s your story, Leo? The imminent future will be an excellent time to get clear about the dramatic narrative you weave. Be especially alert for demoralizing elements in your tale that may not in fact be true, and that therefore you should purge. I think you’ll be able to draw on extra willpower and creative flair if you make an effort to reframe the story you tell yourself so that it’s more accurate and uplifting.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In describing a man she fell in love with, author Elizabeth Gilbert wrote that he was both “catnip and kryptonite to me.” If you’ve spent time around cats, you understand that catnip can be irresistible to them. As for kryptonite: it’s the one substance that weakens the fictional superhero Superman. Is there anything in your life that resembles Gilbert’s paramour? A place or situation or activity or person that’s both catnip and kryptonite? I suspect you now have more ability than usual to neutralize its obsessive and debilitating effects on you. That could empower you to make a good decision about the relationship you’ll have with it in the future.

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© Copyright 2018 Rob Brezsny

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “I had to learn very early not to limit myself due to others’ limited imaginations,” testifies Libran astronaut Mae Jemison. She adds, “I have learned these days never to limit anyone else due to my own limited imagination.” Are those projects on your radar, Libra? I hope so. You now have extra power to resist being shrunk or hobbled by others’ images of you.

You also have extra power to help your friends and loved ones grow and thrive as you expand your images of them.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): The U.S. is the world’s top exporter of food. In second place is the Netherlands, which has 0.4 percent as much land as the U.S. How do Dutch farmers accomplish this miraculous feat? In part because of their massive greenhouses, which occupy vast areas of non-urbanized space. Another key factor is their unprecedented productivity, which dovetails with a commitment to maximum sustainability. For instance, they produce 20 tons of potatoes per acre, compared with the global average of nine. And they do it using less water and pesticides. In my longterm outlook for you Scorpios, I see you as having a metaphorical similarity to Dutch farmers. During the next 12 months, you have the potential to make huge impacts with your focused and efficient efforts.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “The world is like a dropped pie most of the time,” writes author Elizabeth Gilbert. “Don’t kill yourself trying to put it back together. Just grab a fork and eat some of it off the floor. Then carry on.” From what I can tell about the state of your life, Sagittarius, the metaphorical pie has indeed fallen onto the metaphorical floor.

But it hasn’t been there so long that it has spoiled.

And the floor is fairly clean, so the pie won’t make you sick if you eat it. My advice is to sit down on the floor and eat as much as you want. Then carry on.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Novelist Anita Desai writes, “Isn’t it strange how life won’t flow, like a river, but moves in jumps, as if it were held back by locks that are opened now and then to let it jump forward in a kind of flood?” I bring this to your attention, Capricorn, because I suspect that the locks she refers to will soon open for you. Events may not exactly flow like a flood, but I’m guessing they will at least surge and billow and gush. That could turn out to be nerve-racking and strenuous, or else fun and interesting. Which way it goes will depend on your receptivity to transformation.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): “Miracles come to those who risk defeat in seeking them,” writes author Mark Helprin. “They come to those who have exhausted themselves completely in a struggle to accomplish the impossible.” Those descriptions could fit you well in the coming weeks, but with one caveat. You’ll have no need to take on the melodramatic, almost desperate mood Helprin seems to imply is essential. Just the opposite, in fact.

Yes, risk defeat and be willing to exhaust yourself in the struggle to accomplish the impossible; but do so in a spirit of exuberance, motivated by the urge to play.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): “Never invoke the gods unless you really want them to appear,” warned author G. K. Chesterton. “It annoys them very much.” My teachers have offered me related advice. Don’t ask the gods to intervene, they say, until you have done all you can through your own efforts. Furthermore, don’t ask the gods for help unless you are prepared to accept their help if it’s different from what you thought it should be. I bring these considerations to your attention, Pisces, because you currently meet all these requirements.

So I say go right ahead and seek the gods’ input and assistance.

Homework: What do you want to be when you grow up? Testify at Freewillastrology.com.

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

LIFE & CAREER COACH

BY SUNNY SIMON

WHERE THE ROAD TO HAPPINESS BEGINS

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hose who know me understand I’m a junkie. To be more specific, I’m a happiness junkie. Color me passionate about the study of happiness. The fabricated word for me is Eudaimonologist, (or so I’m told) if we use the Greek word eudaimonia for happiness. Whenever I discover a new book about happiness, I consume it and make it part of my collection.

The latest addition to my happiness library is “15 Things You Should Give Up to Be Happy,”

by Luminita Saviuc, a Romania blogger, who like me, professes happiness is not just a birthright, it’s a skill anyone can cultivate.

Here’s where it gets interesting. Unlike me, Luminita experienced a tragic childhood.

I’m talking unbelievably dark. When she was 10 years old, her extremely abusive father discovered one of his children ate some candy he wanted for himself. Consequently, although she was not even the guilty party, he set Luminita’s toes on fire. Pretty amazing that an individual with this kind of start can dish out advice on creating a life filled with happiness and contentment.

Logically, Ms. Saviuc began her book at the right place. Before she could learn to let any life and light into her world, the author had to let go of her past. Imagine how difficult that

was when for many years she was tormented in a violent environment. Somewhere along her difficult journey, Luminita had an epiphany. She realized taking charge of her life and moving into the happy zone could only be accomplished when she let go of all that was negative and toxic. Stop and think about that for a moment.

Any chance you continually cling to recollections of a time when you were victimized? You know revisiting those painful memories and reliving the hurt will only serve to keep you prisoner to the past, so why continue? As Luminita points out, you must let it go. Okay, I get it. It’s not easy to make peace with past hurts, but as the author realized, you can never experience a life transformation until you do.

Need a little help in getting there? Begin by committing to it. Say it out loud, write it in your journal, and tell your best friend that you are no longer dwelling on the past. Make a solemn choice that your life will not be determined by pain. If you find yourself regressing, look down at your toes. No one set them on fire, right?

Use them to step into a bright future.

Sunny Simon is the owner of Raise the Bar High Life and Career Coaching. More about Sunny at www.raisethebarhigh.com

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November 15 to November 21, 2018

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November 15 to November 21, 2018

CANNABIS CORNER

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BY RUTH HILL R.N.

CANNABIS PROHIBITION MAY FINALLY END IN 2019

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watershed in the legalization of marijuana occurred after the 2018 midterms. Michigan voted for adult use they already have legal medicinal use, Utah voted to legalize medicinal use, Missouri, tied up in knots with three measures on the ballot, legalized Amendment Two with 65.5% of the vote, Sessions is gone, and the House is now controlled by the democrats.

Congressman Earl Blumenauer from Oregon issued a blueprint to the Democrats in October 2017 on how to bring the federal laws in line with state laws ending prohibition on marijuana by the end of 2019. This blueprint will be front and center for implementation with Democrats controlling the House. Three of the steps include immediate House Judiciary Committee hearings on de-scheduling marijuana; House Veterans Affairs Committee hearings on safe and equal access to medical marijuana for veterans; and House Financial Services Committee hearings on eliminating unnecessary and unwise barriers to the safe access of banking services and capital for state legal marijuana businesses.

The FDA in 2018 not only approved the use of GW Pharmaceuticals Epidiolex (CBD) it reclassified this cannabis drug from Schedule I to Schedule V. Epidiolex is the first US cannabinoid oral solution of pure plant-derived cannabidiol, or CBD. This leaves doctors in a quagmire as on the one hand it is legal to prescribe for the treatment of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome how then is cannabis illegal? Can physicians use Epidiolex off label to treat seizures in cancer patients?

Both the American Cannabis Nurses Association and the National State Boards of Nursing Council issued marijuana guidelines for nursing practice in 2018. Nurses have the imprimatur to teach patients about the endocannabinoid system, the pharmacology of marijuana, and the freedom to advocate policies for safe access while delivering nonjudgmental care.

It will not be long before the Joint Commission of Accreditation for Hospitals and Home Health Agencies mandate marijuana guidelines for accreditation. Federal legalization has the best chance in 2019 to end

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the seventy year prohibition of a plant used legally for 5000 years. Nurses and doctors need to catch up to the scientific knowledge of cannabis that is already known by the public.

Cannabis in the last forty years had become the most researched drug in the history of drug research since Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, a scientist from Israel, created the scientific bridge between Cannabaceae and medicine by isolating in 1964 delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) molecule, the most famous, which gives the stigma to marijuana.

In 1999 the Institute of Medicine produced the first 257 page scientific and clinical report supporting medical marijuana use. Also, in 1999 the Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research (CMCR) was established at the University California San Diego, where research on treating autism with cannabis is being conducted. The International Cannabinoid Research Society has 28 years of worldwide research published on medicinal use of cannabis. http://icrs.co.

I continue pursuing my goal of educating as many professionals and the public as I can.

With that in mind I invite you, your neighbors, your doctors and anyone you can bring to a lecture by the Desert Area Chapter of Oncology Nursing Society (DACONS) on Palliative Care in Oncology and Cannabis Therapeutics on Tuesday November 20, 2018 at Venus de Fido. DACONS is the local chapter of the national Oncology Nursing Society. It was formed twenty-five years ago to give nurses in the Coachella Valley access to education on the various trends, uses, side effects and patient teaching information for oncology pharmaceuticals.

Come join us for an entertaining evening at Venus de Fido. Ruth’s Chris Steak House is catering a meat carving station, a thanksgiving meal will be presented, and exciting prizes will be given to lucky winners. Network with Dr. Aikens, myself, vendors and other professionals learning about the medicinal use of cannabis. RSVP www.venusdefido.com/ dacons Ruth A Hill RN, President DACONS, a cannabis nurse navigator, can be contacted at hilruth@gmail.com

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November 15 to November 21, 2018

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November 15 to November 21, 2018

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