Coachella Valley Weekly - November 29 to December 5, 2018 Vol. 7 No. 37

coachellavalleyweekly.com • November 29 to December 5, 2018 Vol. 7 No. 37

CVRep-“WHITE” Provoked Opera at Pickford CA Compassion In Action Cliffhouse pg5

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November 29 to December 5, 2018

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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

November 29 to December 5, 2018

26 ANNUAL PALM SPRINGS LORNA LUFT FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS PARADE TH

Coachella Valley Weekly (760) 501-6228

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he New York Times best-selling author, singer, actress and Palm Springs resident Lorna Luft will lead the festivities along Palm Canyon Drive as this year’s Celebrity Grand Marshal for the 26th Annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade, the City’s signature holiday event, which every year brings more than 100,000 residents and visitors to downtown on the first Saturday in December to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season in the Coachella Valley.

The daughter of legendary entertainer Judy Garland, Luft may be best known for her performances in the hit film Grease 2 and the television drama Extremities with Farrah Fawcett. She has also performed on Broadway and is the author of two best-selling books: Me and My Shadows: A Family Memoir and her latest with coauthor Jeffrey Vance, A Star is Born: Judy Garland and the Film that Got Away.

Joining Luft in this year’s parade is famed Palm Springs modernist architect Hugh Kaptur along with Gino Lamont, news anchor for NBC Palm Springs, who will serve as Community Grand Marshals. Garfield the Cat will also make an appearance, serving as the parade’s Children’s Grand Marshal.

SATURDAY, DEC. 1, 2018 NAMED CELEBRITY GRAND MARSHAL

The holiday lights spectacular kicks off on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 5:45 p.m. on Palm Canyon Drive at Ramon Road -- and heads north concluding at Tamarisk. Once again, the parade will be broadcast live on NBC Palm Springs. Coverage begins at 6 p.m.

Featuring twinkling floats, magnificent marching bands, huge Macy’s-style holiday balloons and Santa Claus, the parade is a much loved holiday tradition that is not to be missed!

BY AMY BLAISDELL

“The Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade has become one of Southern California’s most beloved holiday events and an important part of the magic that makes our destination, like no place else,” according to Mary Jo Ginther, Director of the Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism. “Bring the whole family and join us in downtown for what is sure to be a night to remember!”

For more information, visit www. psfestivaloflights.com.

CONTENTS

26th Annual Palm Springs Festival Of Lights Parade.................................. 3 CVRep Presents "WHITE"....................... 5 Palm Springs Aerial Tramway’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony..................... 5 Brewtality............................................... 6 Travel Tips 4 U - Vista House.................. 6 Daniel Tosh at Agua Caliente................ 6 Provoked - One Life................................ 7 Opera at Mary Pickford.......................... 8 Events at Venus De Fido......................... 8 CA Compassion In Action Benefit at Big Rock Pub..................................... 9 Frankie Valli at Fantasy Springs............ 9 Consider This - Fastball........................ 10 Art Scene - Marsha Geiger & Paul Morehead............................... 11 Pet Place................................................ 12 The Vino Voice ...................................... 13 Club Crawler Nightlife ................... 14-15 The Pampered Palate - Cliffhouse....... 16 The Pampered Palate - Snow&Crab... 17 Screeners ............................................. 18 Book Review........................................ 19 Safety Tips ............................................ 19 Haddon Libby ...................................... 21 Dale Gribow.......................................... 21 Sports Scene......................................... 22 Ask The Doctor..................................... 22 Awaken with Lizzy & Aimee................ 23 Mind, Body & Spirit.............................. 23 Free Will Astrology.............................. 24 Life & Career Coach............................. 24 Cannabis Corner.................................. 26

Celebrity Grand Marshal

Lorna Luft

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November 29 to December 5, 2018

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

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November 29 to December 5, 2018

THEATRE

CVREP TO PRESENT “WHITE” BY JAMES LJAMES

A BOLD, HILARIOUS PLAY THAT EXAMINES ISSUES OF RACE, GENDER, SEXUALITY AND ART! JANUARY 23-FEBRUARY 17, 2019

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he Coachella Valley Repertory (CVRep), now celebrating its ten-year anniversary, has announced they will offer White by James ljames as the second production of their 2018/19 season.

Set to open at the Atrium in Rancho Mirage on January 23 and run through February 17, 2019, White is a funny, 90-minute play that draws on both life and art to examine issues of racism, sexism, gender and identity - a perfect fit for CVRep’s 2018/19 seasonal theme of “a handful of isms.”

In White, gay white male artist, Gus, cranks out canvas after canvas of crèam-colored paintings. He lectures at a college, receives fellowships, and lives with his boyfriend, Tanner, who is of Asian descent. Although Gus has achieved comfortable success he is, by no means, famous.

When Gus learns that his best friend Jane has become senior curator at the illustrious Parnell Museum, he implores her to put him in their “New America” exhibition.

Unfortunately, Jane tells him that the “New America” only wants female ethnic voices, and that there’s no room for white guys. So, Gus hires Vanessa, a local African American actress, to invent a fictional artist named Balkonaé Townsend, a brash and political artist to claim his art, while also fitting the museum’s desire for “new voices”. Gus and Vanessa construct a quick, humorous backstory for her and everything is going smoothly until Balkonaé takes over and Gus has to deal with the mess he’s made.

Asked about his selection of this project for CVRep’s 2018-2019 Season of “isms,” Artistic Director Ron Celona, who will direct, says, “This play really has it all, and with the current heightened atmosphere in our country, couldn’t be more timely and relevant; it deals with issues of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual preference and affirmative action, and does so with ironic humor. We’re very much looking forward to presenting it to our audiences. It will give the Coachella Valley the opportunity to see and hear a young, upcoming playwright’s* perspective.”

Four LA-based actors are set to appear in WHITE: Paul David Story, Charlotte Munson, Franceli Chapman-Varela and Anthony Saludares.

WHITE had its 2017 world premiere at Philadelphia’s Theatre Horizon where it enjoyed critical acclaim.

“WHITE bursts with humor…the best of which come at the expense of the institutionalization of art…The ending adds a surreal twist, driving home Ijames’ exploration of black women’s exploitation by feminism, by contemporary culture, and by white women.”

– Philadelphia Inquirer “WHITE is pure gold… It’s bold, outlandish, insightful, and exciting…a sharp deconstruction of racial, ethnic, gender and social stereotypes, examined from multiple points of view. It’s a comedy, but its message is serious. It’s bold, outlandish, insightful, and as exciting a play as you’re likely to see this year.”- DC Metro Theater Arts White by James ljames will be performed from JANUARY 23 – FEBRUARY 17, 2019 at The Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre located in the Atrium 69-930 Highway 111 in Rancho Mirage on Wed. Thur. Fri and Sat at

Paul David

Charlotte Munson

7:30PM, Sat and Sun at 2:00PM. Individual tickets are $53. / Previews $48. / Opening Night $63 (includes post show reception). For more info, please call 760-2962966 or visit the website at cvrep.org.

THE COACHELLA VALLEY REPERTORY THEATRE is a non-profit, professional regional theatre which has Small Professional Theatre (SPT) status with Actor’s Equity. The Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre is an educational and dramatic theater organization that presents innovative productions and children’s outreach programs designed to enrich the quality of life for Coachella Valley residents and visitors. For more info, call 760296-2966 or visit cvrep.org PAUL DAVID STORY Broadway—Junius Urban in The Caine Mutiny Court Martial, Alan Strang in Equus (u/s). Off-Broadway-Ferguson/Wilkes Booth in Our Leading Lady at the Manhattan Theatre Club, David in The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel at The Public. Regional Theaters—Will Shakespeare in Shakespeare In Love and Ken in Red at South Coast Repatory, Philip, King of France in The Lion In Winter at The Colony Theatre; Malcom in Macbeth and Philip, King of France in The Lion in Winter at the Ensemble Theatre Company, Hamlet in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead!, Ferdinand in The Tempest and Arviragus in Cymbeline at A Noise Within, Mr. Bingley in Pride & Prejudice at the Dallas Theatre Center FILM/TV: In Time, American Violet, The Undying, St. Nick, Vartan LLP, The Mentalist, Body of Proof, Nip/Tuck, and Law & Order: SVU. Directing: My Sister

by Janet Schlapkohl which premiered at the Hollywood Fringe Festival and then moved to The Odyssey Theatre Ensemble. EDUCATION: The University of North Carolina School of the Arts, BFA. CHARLOTTE MUNSON - CVRep debut!

New York City credits include Cinderella in DISENCHANTED (original cast), Wendy in Princes Don’t Live in Cyberland (world premiere), and Sydney in Hedge Fun (Producer’s Club). Charlotte has worked in regional theatres across the country with Saint Michael’s Playhouse, Cape May Stage, Musical Theatre of CT, Bigfork Summer Playhouse, Vermont Stage Company, New London Playhouse, Lost Nation Theatre, NE Shakespeare Ensemble, and the Clarence Brown Theatre. Charlotte holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Emerson College and an MFA in Acting from The University of TNKnoxville. www.charlottemunson.com FRANCELI CHAPMAN is making her Regional Theater debut here at CVRep. She began her stage career doing Off-Broadway in New York in high school and has appeared at the Cherry Lane Theater, Ensemble Studio Theater, and The Castillo theater-- to name

Franceli Chapman

Anthony Saludares

a few-- and has worked with Katori Hall and Woodie King Jr. Recent stage credits include House on Mango Street, Den of Thieves, Blues for Mister Charlie. Ms. Chapman resides in Los Angeles where she’s a host for Maria Menounos’ network Afterbuzz TV, is a comedian on Buzzfeed’s Dominican Housewives and just finished 2 independent films. “I penned my first screen play and I look forward to heading to NYC this spring to film and star in it. Being a bilingual Afro-Latino actor it is important to tell our own stories.

I’m excited to be joining the Coachella Valley Rep family.” You can follow her journey on all social platforms @celihangout ANTHONY SALUDARES Anthony Saludares speaks Italian tolerably. He also enjoys eating, long walks in the forest, and traveling to places off the beaten path. He once made a decent amount of money from a McDonald’s commercial, but that’s long been spent on the profligacies of youth. He can be seen being a jerk to John Krasinski in the indie feature Nobody Walks (a Sundance award winner, co-written by Lena Dunham). Anthony had the time of his life studying improv at the Groundlings and scene study with Ivana Chubbuck. He hails from Texas and thinks about his niece and nephews every day.

*James Ijames, Playwright - Philadelphiabased playwright and actor James Ijames is the recipient of The National Arts Club’s 38th Kesselring Prize, an award of $25,000 given annually to a rising American playwright.

Ijames was awarded the prestigious prize for Kill Move Paradise, a play about four black men stuck in a cosmic waiting room in the after life, inspired by the growing number of slain unarmed black men and women in America today. The play was nominated for the Kesselring by the Wilma Theater in Philadelphia. Ijames’ plays have been produced by Flashpoint Theater Company, Orbiter 3, Theatre Horizon, The National Black Theatre, Alley Theatre, and have received development with PlayPenn New Play Conference, The Lark, Playwrights Horizons, Clubbed Thumb, Villanova Theater, The Gulfshore Playhouse, Wilma Theater, Azuka Theatre, and Victory Garden. He is a 2011 Independence Foundation Fellow, a 2015 Pew Fellow for Playwriting, the 2015 winner of the Terrence McNally New Play Award for WHITE, the 2015 Kesselring Honorable Mention Prize winner for ....Miz Martha, and a 2017 recipient of the Whiting Award.

James Ijames

HGTV’S ERIC & LINDSEYBENNETT BYEVENTS CRAIG LIGHT TRAMWAY’S HOLIDAY TREE MICHAELS

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ow would you like to kick off the holiday season 8,516 feet in the air? At the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Mountain Station, there’s no shortage of fresh pine trees and twinkling lights to get you in a festive mood.

This year, HGTV’s “Desert Flippers” hosts, Eric and Lindsey Bennett, will serve as the celebrity tree lighters for the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Festivities begin at 5:30pm on Sunday, December 2 at the Tram’s Mountain Station with a holiday performance by the Palm Springs High School Madrigals & String Quartet. Then the Bennett’s light the Tram’s landmark 45-foot tree comprised of 4,000 LED lights, which can be seen

throughout the Coachella Valley.

Since the 2016 premier of “Desert Flippers,” these Wisconsin transplants have been transforming Palm Springs one ‘unloved’ house at a time and showing the rest of the country the desert’s beautiful scenery and weather.

The Bennett’s are currently shooting Season 3 of their show and have also been seen on “Brother vs. Brother,” “The Today Show,” “Access,” “Entertainment Tonight,” and “E! News.” As well, they have been featured in HGTV Magazine, People.com, Palm Springs Life, The Desert Sun and Agent Magazine.

Also kicking off this weekend on Friday November 30, a decades-long tradition resumes when the holiday choir season commences. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through December 14, a different middle or high school choir performs holiday favorites at the Tramway’s Mountain Station. Show times are 5pm and 7pm and are complimentary with regular Tram admission.

For more information on either evnt, please call 888.515.TRAM or 760.325.1391, or visit www. pstramway.com. Also, download the free mobile tour now available in the App Store/Google Play.

Craig Michaels / (760) 880-3848

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November 29 to December 5, 2018

BREWTALITY

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CA BREWERIES TO AID IN WILDFIRE RELEIF

ccording to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the 2018 wildfire season is the most destructive season on record in California. As of Veterans Day, there were a total of 7,579 fires burning in an area of nearly 400 square miles; the largest amount of burned acreage in a fire season.

Officials say the number of people missing or unaccounted for continues to fluctuate, but the number remains at 475, with the remains of 54 people positively identified so far.

With so much grim news being reported, many relief efforts were started to aid the survivors of this catastrophic event. Chico, California is a city that was on the western edge of the Camp Fire (one of the two most destructive fires that burned) and is home to the Sierra Nevada brewing company. Working with the Golden Valley Community Bank Foundation, the brewery created the “Sierra Nevada Camp Fire Relief Fund” to assist residents affected by the Camp Fire, and now hundreds of breweries across the country are taking part in the massive fund-raising effort by brewing the RESILIENCE IPA together on Tuesday, November 27th.

A statement released by Sierra Nevada’s owner and founder Ken Grossman read, “We are proud to announce the upcoming release of Resilience Butte County Proud IPA. We will

be brewing Resilience on Giving Tuesday, November 27 and donating 100 percent of the beer sales to the Camp Fire Relief Fund.

In addition, we are also asking every brewer in America to brew Resilience and do the same. I’m sending a letter to brewers across the country, inviting them to join us in this effort. We are working with malt, hop and yeast suppliers to provide raw ingredient

TRAVEL TIPS 4 U

BY LYNNE TUCKER

VISTA HOUSE-THE CROWN JEWEL OF THE COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE, OREGON

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he Vista House was built in 1917 on one of the most beautiful scenic points on the Historic Columbia River Highway. It was constructed to provide travelers a place to rest and refresh themselves as they made their way down the magnificent Columbia River Gorge.

The Friends of Vista House is a non-profit group in partnership with Oregon State Parks who work to help preserve and share the story of this beautiful historic Oregon structure. The volunteers provide visitors with regional and interpretive information to help make their visit a valuable experience.

Information about the educational exhibits and displays relating to the building is available. Their volunteers provide special building tours and talks to school, civic, and tourist groups. Visitors learn about the architecture of Vista House, the Historic

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Columbia River Highway, the Columbia River Gorge, local history, the geology, flora and fauna of the region, and the many wonderful attractions along the Highway and throughout the Gorge.

The Vista House has recently been approved as Bike Friendly.

The Friends of Vista House Gift Gallery offers visitors high quality regional artwork and local gift items and is open throughout the spring, summer, and fall seasons. Our Espresso bar serves refreshments and snacks for travelers and is open year-round (winter weekends, weather permitting).

For more information and directions visit www.vistahouse.com.

Lynne Tucker a travel writer and photo journalist based in Palm Desert CA

donations to all participating breweries and are asking those breweries to donate 100 percent of their sales to the fund, as well. We know that the rebuilding process will take time, but we’re in this for the long haul. Our hope is to get Resilience IPA in taprooms all over the country to create a solid start for our community’s future.”

Popular local spot the La Quinta brewing company is participating in the event, with brewers Skip and Ryan brewing the IPA with brewers across the country, including yours truly. Brewcaipa brewing company’s founder, Scott Daniels, is a retired Fire Captain who’s had firsthand experience in battling forest fires. He’s witnessed the devastation to animals and nature, people and property, and he made sure to sign his brewery up for the event immediately. Hangar 24, Escape, Black Market, and Bootleggers are just a few of the neighboring breweries that will also be taking part in this event and serving Resilience IPA in their taprooms.

Malt and hop suppliers are working around the clock to ship materials to all the breweries involved so this massive tandem brew day can take place. Resilience will be a massively hopped, classic west coast style of IPA, a style that Sierra Nevada helped to pioneer. The beauty of this project comes from a customer’s ability to visit different

BY AARON RAMSON breweries and taste all the slight differences that come from so the various techniques and styles that different brewers employ.

Even when using the same malts and hops, there are many other variables that will made a beer taste distinct to where it’s made. Many brewers usually have a house yeast that they use to impart a signature flavor into their beers, and the different types of well and ground water found from region to region also can change a beers character ever so minutely.

By the time this article goes to print, the big brew day will have just happened the day before. Most brewers will allow their IPAs to ferment and age for 3-4 weeks (Or longer. Or shorter?? I dunno, I just do me, fam. I like to give my IPA’s about a month to round off the harder edges and smooth out the flavors, but I know other guys turn and burn theirs in 2-3 weeks) before serving, so expect to see Resilience IPA in breweries across the state by mid to late December. When it’s finally on tap, I’ll be joining by fellow brewers by raising a pint, and toasting Ken Grossman for making this happen. Cheers!

COMEDIAN DANIEL TOSH EVENTS RETURNS TO THE SHOW AT AGUA CALIENTE CASINO RESORT SPA ON APRIL 26, 2019

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30 AT 8 A.M.

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est known for the Comedy Central show “Tosh.0,” comedian Daniel Tosh will return to The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa to perform and host an evening of stand-up comedy on Friday, April 26, 2019 at 8 p.m. Tosh previously performed to sold-out audiences at The Show in 2013 and 2017.

An American comedian, television host, actor, writer, and executive producer, Tosh

is the host of the Comedy Central television show “Tosh.0.” Earlier this year Comedy Central announced that it had given the show a three-season renewal, keeping it on air through 2020. “Tosh.0” was a breakout hit when it premiered in June 2009, and early on broke numerous ratings records for Comedy Central. With the premiere of its 10th season in March 2018, the show remains one of the network’s highest-rated series.

Show Information: Date: Friday, April 26, 2019; 8 p.m.

Location: The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive in Rancho Mirage.

Tickets Prices: $80-$100, based on seat location. www.HotWaterCasino.com (800) 514-3849

LOCAL MUSIC

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rovoked is not the artist you want to poke a stick at. Instead, you should stop…watch…and listen. A man who has endured seasons of circumstances in a breath of time, Provoked has released a new album, “One Life”, and has adjusted himself to transport desert Rap and Hip-Hop to a new horizon. Provoked will be performing on Saturday, December 15th for ‘Sleigh Bells & Beats Charity Toy Drive’ at The Hood Bar & Pizza in Palm Desert, California along with Willdabeast, The Bermuda, Thoughts Contained and DJs C Four and Jae Rawkwell. All proceeds and toy donations will go to the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission. The event is sponsored by Coachella Valley Weekly and Desert Music. Suggested donation is $5 or a new unwrapped toy.

Coachella Valley Weekly spoke with Provoked about the release of his new album, “One Life”.

CVW: The title of your new album is “One Life”. After listening to the album, I interpret the title as communicating to the listener that you only have “one life,” one opportunity to do and give your best. In living your life in the desert you refer consistently to the Coachella Valley and that you are proud of your community.

Please elaborate on its meaning.

PROVOKED: “James Dorris and I came up with the title ‘One Life’ and your interpretation is correct. This title also helped me realize that everybody has ‘One Life’ on Earth, so it’s really important to treat the people in your life the best you can. The harsh reality is that everything can be ripped away from you at any given time.

Not saying we should entertain the thought of that, but rather embrace it so we know not to take things for granted. As far as the valley goes, I am definitely very proud of our community.

The growth over the last decade is amazing, and some of my favorite artists and musicians are here in the desert. Our scene is really something special and there’s always a good vibe at shows.

I recently heard that Palm Springs is one of the top vacation destinations in the United States.

Needless to say how beautiful our area is. Great food too. And the people of course.”

CVW: What makes “One Life” separate from your other work?

PROVOKED: “This is definitely the fullest product I have. All the production, rapping and singing, audio engineering, art direction, and design is local. I’m a big fan of everyone involved; Ivan Canevaro, Source1st, Kancun, Tevan, Thoughts Contained, Savier1, J Patron, James Dorris, DJ BA5E, L.Hundo, Capitxl G, and Floaticz. There have only been a few people involved in my previous albums, and ‘One Life’ is my most mature sound yet so it definitely stands out from the rest of my work.”

CVW: You’re diplomatic when it comes to artists from the Coachella Valley and High Desert. I admire that in you. You are respectful and humble. Why do you think it’s important to not play favorites and to remain equitable?

PROVOKED: “Showing genuine love is very important. I really want anyone out here that is serious about their craft to succeed and there is nothing better than the feeling of unity among local artists. And I can’t stress how important humility is. The self-made “I’m the best and the only one really doing it” attitude might work temporarily, but it won’t last forever. Helping each other is vital.”

CVW: In the last line of your song, “Touch the Sky”, you say, “…I’m not the one for excuses, I got the creative juices, flowing for

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PROVOKED–ONE LIFE TO TOUCH THE SKY

people, the music is how I touch the sky”. Does ‘touch the sky’ mean reaching your potential or does it refer to your music and how you tap into your artistic self?

PROVOKED: “Touch The Sky” is definitely referring to reaching my potential, but also how I tap into consciousness through my music.

Making my brain work to get uplifting messages across. Thank you Source1st for the musical inspiration on this song.”

CVW: What are your feelings on the completion of “One Life”?

PROVOKED: “I’m really happy with the outcome of this album. Definitely my best work yet and the feedback and support has been a huge blessing. Thank you to everyone in the Coachella Valley that has been downloading, streaming, and sharing. I appreciate you to the fullest.”

CVW: You’re performing on 12/15 at The Hood for “Sleigh Bells & Beats”. What do you want to tell all the children and families at CVRM who will benefit from the show?

PROVOKED: “Don’t ever give up and hold the faith. Love is all that really matters, and if you put it out there it will come back around. Lend a helping hand whenever you can. Find out what programs and resources you can benefit from and take advantage of all of them. Go all the way with the gift you’ve been given. God Bless You.” Coachella Valley Weekly also spoke with frequent collaborator JPatron about Provoked: JPatron on their first collaboration: “There’s so many stories we have. The closest one that I have to my heart is we were in high school, I think we were 15 or 16 years old and I had this little job and I was saving up some money to buy some studio equipment and my parents were really iffy about sharing credit card information online, this was back in the late 90’s early 00’s, so I told Provoked about it and he said, ‘dude, my dad will do it for you, just give him the cash and shoot me the links,’ so his pops bought me the equipment and when it arrived he hit me up, ‘yo, your equipment is here’ so I was stoked. Hell yeah! I’m gonna go open up these boxes, pop this shit open, hook it up, take it to my crib and put it all together. So I go and pull up to his crib and getting ready to throw these boxes in my car, whip it to my house and put it all together, and I pull up, his garage door is open, this motherfucker had taken everything out of the box, hooked everything up, had everything running. He even had made a beat and he was ready to record. I couldn’t help but laugh. This fool just opened up all my shit, but I was stoked because we had equipment and we were ready.”

JPatron on “One Life”: “I’m really proud of his new album. He’s the type of artist that always

spits from the heart. We spit facts ya know. After an obstacle he went through in his life, you know, before he went in we weren’t really talking. We had our ups and downs and some bullshit, but he contacted me when he was in there, and you know, I was never really about that shit, I think it was more people not wanting us to be cool or whatever, but I just feel like he came out a total different person. He’s more in tune with who he really is and got to know himself a little better; that shit makes me happy. I got my homie back, I got my dude back and I’m really proud of his new work, from the heart.”

James Dorris (Reborn by the Sunshine): “Provoked has been a friend of mine for a long time. One thing I realized a long time ago and quickly was how amazing his work ethic is. I don’t think I’ve met anyone with the same drive he has when it comes to music. I had never done anything in the Hip-Hop realm before “One Life” and the night I saw Provoked’s “400 Bars” video, I was inspired. The hook just came to me and I immediately recorded the raw melody on my phone. I told Provoked I was going to make him a beat and a couple months later I took some time and put the foundation of the track together.

I emailed it to him and he called me about 10 minutes later and said we need to record this immediately! So, we did. I am a musician and I grew up listening to a variety of music including Hip-Hop. One thing Provoked and I both believe in is having heart in everything we do musically. I put my heart into that track and he did too, and I think you can feel that when you listen to the track.”

“One Life” Album Review: Overtimin’: Provoked looks back at time he spent “away” and reflects on it accordingly so that the time he’s “putting in” now is relevant, with meaning and purpose. Has a nice swaying hook with the DJ displaying their skills.

Quality Art: The value Provoked puts into his rhymes produces a positive spin on his presentation. There’s an exasperation he communicates to the listener in that he lets it be known that what he is accomplishing is creativity with distinction. The beat only plays as a backdrop in this song as the content is of utmost importance.

Hit the Ground Runnin’: Provoked comes into existence on this track. The keyboards and background vocals exaggerate the R&B feel and make the tune songful. The lyrics broadcast that he has returned and is entering upon a new era in his journey.

17 Years: This track features J Patron. I’ll let J Patron tell you about their beginnings which are featured in the lyrics.

“How we first me, we battled. Somebody told

November 29 to December 5, 2018

BY NOE GUTIERREZ me there was this new kid in school who wanted to battle me, so we met up, shook hands and battled. We started going at it, he got me the first time, and then we battled the same or next night at a party and I got him and we became homies ever since, kickin’ it every day, went to parties, ditched school, burned nothing but the finest greens, we’d bump a lot of Jungle, Bass, Underground, Hip-Hop, paint, it was dope man; it was like our Golden Era. We’d go out of town and hit freights and rooftops. We were coming back one night from LA at 4 in the morning, mad tired we’d been painting all night. I would get really tired and fall asleep at the wheel and I was pulling up to his crib. He lived at the Citrus in La Quinta. I fell asleep and dozed off. I woke up and the gated community wall was right in front of my face and I hit the brakes hard, turned the wheel. It was me, Provoked and the other homie Ivan. we all the woke the fuck up and said dang, we almost hit the wall 50/60 miles per hour. We were scared shitless. That was a close encounter.”

Every Step: The most danceable track yet.

Great lyrical flow. An ode to the Coachella Valley and its Rap/Hip-Hop artists.

Grid Lock: This song features Thoughts Contained. A message to rappers, MCs and HipHop artists to avoid the congestion of a less than concerted effort and not giving props. Thoughts Contained releases ideas thoughtfully along with Provoked.

One Life: The title track features the memorable vocals and guitar work of James Dorris of Reborn by the Sunshine which makes this the most radio friendly song on the album.

The visuals and performance of Provoked and Dorris in the video are as powerful as the lyrics.

Look for it on the ProvokedMusic YouTube channel. This is the most poignant song on the album.

Kcod: A snippet from Provoked’s interview with local radio station KCOD. 10 Towns: A rhyming tribute to the cities of the Coachella Valley and those he represents.

Anyone can identify with his perception of the desert’s beauty. We can all take notes from his allegiance to community. Love the stomping pace of the tempo and the guitar work on the outro is fitting.

Homies Making Music: This song features Savier1. If there is a ballad on the album this is it.

The title says it all, Savier1 and Provoked having “hella-fun”.

Stay Ahead: Up-tempo reminder to stay prepared to avoid the pitfalls of repeating the same mistakes.

Juggle It All: A suspenseful rhythm to the song that stresses how difficult it can be to keep your balls in the air. Provoked verbalizes the struggle of balancing family, work, rap, etc. but maintains it’s all worth it.

Find a Balance: This song features Tevan.

With the bilingual element added, the song further carries the theme of the album that it takes hard work and self-control to succeed in life.

Touch the Sky: The proper closer with the fitting beat. Positive, motivational and responsible rap at its finest.

Purchase album at: provokedmusic.com provokedvideos.com

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November 29 to December 5, 2018

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

MARY PICKFORD THEATER BEGINS SCREENING OPERAS LIVE & IN HD, ALONG WITH PERFORMANCES FROM THE MET 2018-19 SEASON FROM WORLD FAMOUS BOLSHOI BALLET

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he iconic state-of-the art Mary Pickford Theatre has begun screening live performances of the Met’s awardwinning Live in HD series. Entering its 13th season, the popular series brings New York City’s esteemed Metropolitan Opera performances to big screen. Featuring opera’s celebrated stars, as well as rising new artists, the new season includes four new productions.

In addition to the The Met Opera productions, performances from the Bolshoi 18-19 season that have been captured live from Moscow will also be playing along with a number of other Art and Culture type events, all of which are a result of the new partnership between D’Place Entertainment and Fathom Events.

“Now the Mary Pickford Theatre is D’Place for event cinema,“ proclaimed General Manager Ted Hane. “We can now offer a large selection of great EVENT CINEMA like concerts, sports, broadway productions, shows dealing with faith and Inspiration, great anime and family friendly animation, presented on our big screen in ways that create wonderful and memorable experiences.”

In addition to the high-definition productions, movie goers will experience behind the scene content with the people who make up one of the most renowned opera companies in the world – including exclusive interviews with cast,

crew and production teams.

The remaining 2018-19 MET Live season includes a new production this December of LA TRAVIATA (Giuseppe Verdi), A January production that is also new of ADRIANA LECOUVREUR (Francesco Cilea). February brings a revival of CARMEN (Georges Bizef). Two events will grace the screen in March with LA FILLE DU REGIMENT (Gaetano Donizetti) and DIE WALKURE (Richard Wagner), the season finishes in May with DIALOGUES DES CARMELITES (Francis Poulenc).

Bolshoi Ballet performances kick off in January with LA BAYADERE followed by SLEEPING BEAUTY in March, THE GOLDEN AGE in April and CARMEN SUITE / PETRUSHKA in May.

Information about upcoming Opera and Ballet Events and other Art and Culture events can be found online at D’Place Entertainment. com. Ticketing is also now available for all scheduled performance which when purchased in advance online will cost less than if purchased at the box office.

SCHEDULE: Met Live in HD Series 2018-19 Season La Traviata (Live) 12/15 – 9:55am La Traviata (Encore) 12/19 – 1pm Adriana Lecouvreur (Live) 1/12 – 9:55am Adriana Lecouvreur (Encore) 1/16 – 1pm and 6:30pm Carmen (Live) 2/2 – 9:55am Carmen (Encore) 2/6 – 1pm and 6:30pm La Fille due Regiment (Live) 3/2 – 9:55am

TIME TO BREAK OUT THE CHRISMAHANUKWANZAKAH FESTIVITIES AT VENUS DE FIDO

BY AMANDA DORTA

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enus De Fido is bringing the Hot Coco and Warm Apple Cider to frame some cozy community holiday events while continuing to serve as a toy drop off location for the Toys for Tots charity until December 10th.

When groups collaborate with Venus to create programs and productions offered to their community, the staff at Venus De Fido focuses on the vision of the group and dedicates themselves to assisting in bringing it to fruition.

This opportunity to be of service is genuinely appreciated by the staff at Venus De Fido.

Those under the Grand Venetian Dome located in central Palm Desert have expressed their care and desire to be of particular benefit to the Coachella Valley Community.

The upcoming Event Calendar from the Venue at Venus De Fido offers a variety of fun we fondly refer to as the “Healing Arts”; inviting our community to express their passion for life via music, dance, & arts including supporting special interest groups, Charities and traditional health and wellness modalities. “It’s an honor to host these events at Venus,” shares CEO, Lorie Loftis. “It is a beautiful experience to be part of (Venus) and share meaningful community enrichment with the Coachella Valley.”

November 29th 6 – 9 pm: (DSEF) Desert Sands Educational Foundation’s fundraiser at Venus De Fido hosted by Saxophonist Jason Weber. This dinner and concert fundraiser to benefit Desert Sands Educational Foundation’s upcoming event: CAMFest (Children’s Art and

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Music Festival); a community event scheduled to be held at the Indian Wells Tennis Gardens on December 15, 9:30 am – 4 pm where local student projects and productions will be honored and special guest Nathan Harrell will perform. East is an American jazz, R&B and Rock for the community of DSEF supporters.

Local Schools Participating in CAMFest on Dec. 15: Dr. Reynaldo Carreon Elementary, Carrillo Ranch Elementary, Carter Elementary, Ford Elementary, Franklin Elementary, Hoover Elementary, Jackson Elementary, Kennedy Elementary, Reagan Elementary, Van Buren Elementary, Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle School, Desert Ridge Academy, Indio Middle School, Indio High School, La Quinta High School, Palm Desert High School, Shadow Hills High School, Xavier College Prep High School, Eisenhower Elementary (tickets only), Monroe Elementary (tickets only), and special thanks to Xavier College Prep High and the Academy of

Musical Performance.

The Venus at Venus De Fido will continue to collaborate with the Desert Sands Educational Foundation as we move toward the new year with monthly fundraisers on the 2nd Friday of each month, showcasing different local musicians in the Coachella Valley community.

Friday, November 30th 6 - 9 pm Singles Mingle Casting Party. Have you ever wanted to Mix it up and mingle with singles of any preference or orientation? It’s time to break down the walls that categorize our “differences” and let it all come together at a casting party. Venus De Fido plans to film a pilot for Match.com and other online dating platforms to be considered as a “dating show” and possible parody commercial staged by the incredible backdrop of the Venus Facility.

Are you interested in participating? LGBTQ and Straight preferences are encouraged to strut their stuff. If you like to ham it up for the camera, like making friends and maybe have an interest in finding some love, Venus wants

FILM La Fille due Regiment (Encore) 3/6 – 1pm and 6:30pm Die Walkure (Live) 3/30 – 9am Die Walkure (Encore) 4/3 – 12:30pm Dialogues de Carmelites (Live) 5/11 – 9am Dialogues de Carmelites (Encore) 5/15 -1pm Bolshoi on the Big Screen 2018-19 Season La Bayadere 1/20 – 9:55am Sleeping Beauty 3/10 –12:55 The Golden Age 4/7 – 12:55 Carmen Suit / Petrushka 5/19 – 9:55am D’Place Entertainment and Mary Pickford Theatre Managed by D’Place Entertainment, the state-of-the-art Mary Pickford Theater is located in Cathedral City, California. D’Place Entertainment designs, builds, manages and operates Entertainment Centers that incorporate a number of upscale, quality attractions like Bowling, Cinemas, and Amusements all fused with exceptional food and beverage options while maintaining the highest levels of guest service. Mary Pickford Theater offers luxury recliner seating, and is the only theater in the Coachella Valley with D-Box motion seats. The theater is also known for its Cinema Café offering a variety of food options, adult beverages and for making their own house made ice cream. Located in downtown Cathedral City across from city hall, at 36-850 Pickfair St Cathedral City, CA 92234. Movie line (760) 327 7100.

EVENTS

you - to join the party. RSVP for this free casting event venusdefido.com/events/casting-party.

Saturday, December 1st 6 - 9 pm: Moonbaby in Concert at Venus De Fido. Moonbaby is an alternative rock band from Coachella Valley that has been together 5 years and play all original music composed by the band. They have twice been Semi-Finalists for the “Tachevah” Festival and have had two songs used in a pilot for a now sitcom in Hollywood called “Thanks for Trying”.

The band believes that music is a way to keep the mind active and believes music promotes health and overall wellbeing.

Monday, December 10th 5- 7 pm: Hanukkah Wrap up Party. This special event is hosted by David Hirsch who has a special interest in providing the community with time together to celebrate the end of another beautiful Hanukkah season. Hirsch will be conducting a group of his young students in offering some Traditional - Hanukkah music.

To RSVP or schedule your next event at Venus call (760) 834 -7070 or email events@ venusdefido.com

EVENTS

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

November 29 to December 5, 2018

DOING A LITTLE, GOES A LONG WAY: CALIFORNIA COMPASSION IN ACTION BENEFIT CONCERT FRI. NOV 30, 6PM

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know I’m not alone when I reach for the television remote and have a little anxiety over what horrors I’m going to see and feel reported on the news. It seems there is so much need and hurt in the world, and the idea of being able to make a difference seems overwhelming. It would be an easy thing to tell myself that it is just too big and I am powerless, giving me the excuse of removing my heart and mind from the things going on around me. Fortunately, I am surrounded by a team and leaders who just don’t roll that way. This Friday, November 30 at 6 pm, a wonderful lineup of compassionate artists will take the stage to earn your voluntary $10 donation. These donations will go directly to the American Red Cross to assist in the recovery from the most devastating fire in California history. Door donations will also be directed to the Ventura County Community Foundation and their well-organized efforts to support the victims and their families of the tragic shooting at Borderline Bar & Grill this month, a venue not unlike our own.

The Artists: We are so grateful to announce that the incomparable Terry Reid, aka "Super Lungs," will make a special acoustic appearance on behalf of the charities. Terry Reid was part of the British invasion, opening for the Rolling Stones during their American tours. He's recorded and performed with all the greats ever since. Reid has never stopped writing or performing here in America or in England, and can often be found on stage or in the studio with Joe Perry of Aerosmith – that is if he isn’t busy hanging out in Johnny Depp's kitchen/studio, or on the Roxy stage in Hollywood with the rest of the Hollywood Vampires. Reid is an incredibly passionate performer with timeless recordings, who also happens to have a huge heart.

We're extremely grateful to him for donating his time and being part of this.

First on board was James Johnson and his band of brothers known as Rival Alaska. They had the date booked to play, but immediately agreed to opening their date up on behalf of our charities.

Johnson is a passionate artist who takes the music business seriously, and he should. He is incredibly talented as are his bandmates. But it is his heart and tenacity that are impressive. Despite setbacks and difficulties, he and the rest of his bandmembers always rise to the occasion, and always end up better than they were before. With a little luck, their hard work will one day pay off in bigger ways by industry standards. They are going to be a great band to watch not only this Friday, but in the years to come.

Next on board was Courtney Chambers. A fulltime troubadour, and an inspirational songwriter and performer, getting Chambers on board took all of one minute. I asked, explained what is was for in the briefest of detail, and said, “Yes.” Courtney Chambers is a diverse artist and accomplished musician. Whether you see her in a full band or solo, it is her passion and uniquely powerful sweetness that endears you. Don’t get me wrong – sweet she is, but if you follow her at all, you quickly find out she is an absolute badass. Her recordings are beautiful, but her live performances are magic.

Grady James was third on the list but only because he was my third phone call. Home from working the dream in Nashville, this incredibly talented singer/songwriter and smoking guitar player is as good as they come, inside and out. The guy has genuine talent, heart and proper raising spewing out of his pours. His rocking, three-piece,

MUSIC LEGENDS FRANKIE VALLI AND EVENTS THE FOUR SEASONS SET TO RETURN TO FANTASY SPRINGS RESORT CASINO IN MARCH

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rankie Valli and the Four Seasons, the original Jersey Boys, are back by popular demand and will take over the Special Events Center at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino on Saturday, March 2, 2019.

Frankie Valli is a true American legend.

His incredible career with the Four Seasons, coupled with his solo success, has spawned countless hit singles. With unforgettable tunes like “Sherry,” “Walk Like A Man,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Rag Doll,” “December ‘63 - Oh What A Night,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” and of course, “Grease,” his songs have been omnipresent in other iconic movies such as The Deer Hunter, Dirty Dancing and Mrs. Doubtfire.

As many as 200 artists alone have covered “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” from Nancy Wilson’s jazz treatment to Lauryn Hill’s hip-hop makeover.

Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons have sold over 100 million records worldwide. They continue to tour throughout the U.S. and abroad to packed houses, receiving nightly standing ovations from fans of multiple generations.

Valli’s long-lasting career has led to the huge success of the Broadway musical Jersey Boys, which chronicles Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons’ incredible career and features

all of their greatest hits. The Jersey Boys juggernaut has now been seen by over 24 million people worldwide and has won 4 Tony Awards including Best Musical (2006). It is the 12th longest running show in Broadway history, having played over 3,250 performances, recently surpassing Miss Saigon, 42nd Street, Grease, Fiddler on the Roof, Hello Dolly!, The Producers, Hairspray, My Fair Lady and Oklahoma.

Frankie Valli’s latest release, his ‘Tis The Season holiday album, was released in 2016 on Rhino Records.

Tickets for the 8pm Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons performance on Saturday, March 2, 2019 are on sale now for $69, $59 and $39 at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, via telephone (800) 827-2946 or online at www.

FantasySpringsResort.com.

hotrod band will wow you as they did the crowd at our recent Cars, Stars, Rock ‘N’ Roll and BBQ Festival.

Brad Parker was another instant “yes” in my scramble to make this concert happen. The man who has written, recorded and/or performed with greats like Cher, Cindy Lauper and Grammy Award Winning, Country Hall of Fame inductee, Kathy Mattea, has a heart as big and humble as they come. His song, “Nobody’s Going to Rain on Our Parade,” recorded by Mattea, earned Parker the number one hit record that now hangs on his wall.

Parker jumps at the opportunity to be part of our local music scene and to help our community when it’s hurting. His songs are soulful, unforgettable and inspiring, as are his encouraging words and mentorship to less experienced artists like myself.

He is one of our precious musical gems who, lucky for us, has found a home here in our desert.

The Roadrunners featuring Brad Mercer gathered all their members quickly to take part in the evening. Stan Foreman, the founder of the group, spent decades as Capitol Record’s A&R guy, working with everyone from Tina Turner when she launched out on her own, to Garth Brooks and Dave Grohl. The man has a huge collection of gold and platinum albums that he contributed to from artists as wide ranging as Poison, MC Hammer and The Foo Fighters. Still, his greatest passion is performing the music. The formidable pianist, now retired, manages one of the workingest bands in the desert.

While they are sought after by many prestigious country clubs regularly, we were fortunate to find a break in The Roadrunner’s performance schedule.

The most recent version of The Roadrunners, already packed with some of the desert’s leading musicians, includes the fabulous Brad Mercer. With a huge career in the entertainment industry doing everything from comedy with Jay Leno to producing and acting in movies, I personally feel that Mercer’s inner light shines brightest when he picks up his guitar and performs. This will be an incredible treat for all those attending and supporting our charities.

Coming all the way from Idyllwild, Cole Withers is once again lending musical talents for a cause. The appearance at Big Rock Pub for the Professional Firefighter’s Benevolent Fund, is an organization that helps injured or fallen fire heroes and their families. The soulful Bob-Seager-esque vocals and unforgettable songs will start off our event at 6 pm. I, Lisa Lynn Morgan, will follow with a few songs as these are two charities that I have personal experience with. I would be remiss to not follow in the generous footsteps of these other amazing musicians.

Just added to the line-up are: Rob Martinez, Andy Fraga and Josh (JB) Burrell The Charities: American Red Cross: As a former DAT (Disaster Action Team) member for our local Red Cross chapter, I was second on the scene to many home fires here locally. I witnessed the heartbreak as well as the relief that our local Red Cross was able to bring. The mission of the American Red Cross is to alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. Disaster

BY LISA MORGAN

relief is at the heart of our mission. When disasters like the California Wildfires threaten or strike, the Red Cross mobilizes its dedicated disaster workforce — 95 percent volunteers — to deliver shelter, meals, health and mental health services and other assistance to address essential needs of disaster survivors. For days, deadly and destructive wildfires burned out of control in Northern and Southern California. Fueled by dry conditions and high winds, the fires ravaged everything in their paths. In Northern California, the Camp Fire became the most destructive and deadliest wildfire in state history. It has already burned more than 130,000 acres and destroyed more than 7,600 homes, including the entire small town of Paradise.

The inferno has, sadly, also taken at least 48 lives.

The situation is dire, but the Red Cross is there, doing all they can to deliver aid where it’s needed most, providing physical and emotional support during people’s darkest moments.

Ventura County Community Foundation: By 8 a.m. the morning after a shooter entered the Borderline Bar & Grill leaving 13 people dead, including a Ventura County sheriff's sergeant, the Ventura County Community Foundation, in coordination with the City of Thousand Oaks, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Amgen Foundation, California Community Foundation, Edison International, Bank of America Charitable Foundation, and others, had set up a specific fund to help support the victims, families, law enforcement community, and organizations providing first and second line support.

The type of support provided to victims includes: Food money, rent money, groceries, travel expenses (gas, hotel, flight), money to help get their drivers licenses back if lost in the chaos, cellphones which were lost, clothes and shoes, baby supplies for those with young children, etc. This support compliments the services that the California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB) provides to victims and survivors. The foundation is working directly with their Advocate Liaison Claimant Assistance Branch to not duplicate efforts and to maximize the impact of each philanthropic dollar.

How a Little Can Go a Long Way: A single $10 bill is not likely going to put a dent in what it is going to take for so many to recover from their shock, their losses and their pain. However, working together, pooling our resources with these two organizations, we are all actively being part of the solution. The difference will not only be felt by those immediately affected by these tragedies, but it will be felt tangibly at Big Rock Friday night. These bands are full of love and compassion and they will be bringing it with them. In all honesty, we are doing more than easing the pain of others, we are easing the pain in our own hearts. We are keeping our hearts open to the idea that the smallest drop of hope will ultimately win in the long run. We are actively being a light, however small, amidst the dark by doing for others in a way we hope might be done for us should we, God forbid, ever fall under similar circumstances. And, even better, we’ll be doing it together as a community. www.thebigrockpub.com

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November 29 to December 5, 2018

CONSIDER THIS

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he 1990s brought us so many cultural touchstones; little black backpacks, willfully unwashed, uncombed hair strategically decorated with child-size barrettes, babydoll dresses, flannel, belly shirts, the sexy school girl look, acid wash jeans, Hypercolor t-shirts and let’s not forget mom jeans. Happening TV series included “Friends,”“Seinfeld,” “NYPD Blue,” the “Simpsons” and “Buffy The Vampire Slayer.”

Musically, Alternative, Grunge and HipHop all exploded along with Third Wave Ska, Brit-Pop, Neo-Soul, Electronica, Drum N’ Bass and House. Of course, we also suffered through the re-emergence of Boy Bands, the unfortunate hybrid of Rap-Rock and Lou Bega’s bastardization of Prez Prado’s “Mambo #5” re-fashioned as “A Little Bit Of Mambo.”

(Admit it, it’s stuck in your head right now).

As the 20th century wound down there were a surfeit of one-hit-wonders clogging the airwaves. Crash Test Dummies’ “Mmm, Mmm, Mmm,” OMC’s “How Bizarre,” Len’s “Steal My Sunshine,” House Of Pain’s “Jump Around,” Chumbawumba’s …(well, whatever the fuck they were singing about…lager drinks, maybe). Lumped into this ignominious category is Fastball’s “The Way,” but it really shouldn’t be.

The Texas trio of Tony Scalzo (bass, keys, vocals), Miles Zuniga (guitars, keys, vocals) and Joey Shuffield (drums, percussion) came together in 1994, connecting through the fertile music scene of Austin. Miles and Joey had already made their bones in a band called Big Car. Tony had just relocated from Orange County, following a stint fronting The Goods.

They cycled through a series of names, Star 69, Magneto, Magneto USA, Ed Clark’s Business Bible and Starchy, before settling on Fastball.

Honing their sound as they gigged around town, they quickly created a buzz. Soon enough they signed with Hollywood Records, a boutique label from Disney Studios. Their 1996 debut, Make Your Mamma Proud, came and went with little fanfare. But on their sophomore effort, Fastball partnered with producer Julian Raymond, (who in recent years made a name for himself providing sympathetic and symbiotic production for Cheap Trick and the late Glen Campbell).

Recorded at the iconic A&M studios in Los

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www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

FASTBALL

“ALL THE PAIN MONEY CAN BUY” (OMNIVORE RECORDINGS)

Angeles, All The Pain Money Can Buy was released in early 1998.

The album was immediately embraced by critics and fans alike, their first single, “The Way,” went into heavy rotation on MTV and on the radio. Finally, the guys could quit their day jobs. Suddenly they were appearing on “The Tonight Show” and “Late Night With Conan O’Brien.” Within six months the record had sold over a million copies. Two other singles charted in the Top 40 and the band toured extensively with other late ‘90s charttoppers, Everclear and Marcy’s Playground.

They also earned a spot on the final H.O.R.D.E. Tour and were nominated for two Grammy Awards for Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals (phew), and Best Long Form Video.

Now you’re probably expecting to hear that following the sudden success, the three-piece succumbed to “Behind The Music” excesses, snorting cocaine from exotic dancer cleavage, busting up hotel rooms, ingesting ants off the pavement, ( oh, wait, that was Ozzy). Maybe they allowed personal differences and raging egos to create an acrimonious split…but that never happened. Twenty some years later, Fastball remains a going concern.

Although they never achieved those meteoric heights again, they continue to make great music as evidenced by albums like 2000’s The Harsh Light Of Day, (their final effort for Hollywood Records). Keep Your Wig On arrived four years later from the Rykodisc label. 2009 saw the release of Little White Lies and their sixth studio album, Step Into Light came out in 2017.

Perhaps, the guys keep their sound fresh by making time for solo albums and side projects.

To mark the 20th anniversary of All The Pain Money Can Buy, Omnivore Recordings is rereleasing the CD and making it available on vinyl for the very first time.

As though someone is flipping the radio dial, ambient noise and snatches of advertisements open the album before settling on the opening bars of “The Way.” Insistent keys and a tick-tock rhythm give way to Tony’s soothing tenor as he unspools a saga inspired by the 1997 disappearance Of Lela and Raymond Howard. The elderly Texas couple left home one day and two weeks later their bodies were discovered hundreds of miles away in a ravine in Arkansas. The sprightly melody, which shares some musical DNA with the classic Elvis Costello track, “Oliver’s Army,” nearly camouflages the grim reality of the song.

The following track, coincidently the record’s second single, executes a stylistic 180 that completely ups the ante. Miles take the lead on “Fire Escape” and his vocals add a tinge of Dylanesque snarl. Jangly guitars wash over tensile bass lines and a pile-driving beat as he insists “Well, I don’t want to be President, Superman or Clark Kent, I don’t wanna Walk ‘round in their shoes…I can be myself, how ‘bout you?”

By front-loading the album with not one, but two hit singles, one might expect the rest of the record to head downhill. That’s definitely not the case. Tony and Miles split the songwriting duties pretty evenly singing

BY ELENI P. AUSTIN

lead on their own compositions. They manage to hit the sonic sweet spot time and time again. Tony is front and center on “Better Than It Was,” “G.O.D. (Good Old Days),” “Out Of My Head” and “Nowhere Road.”

“Better...” is powered by Joey’s stutter-y backbeat. Guitars strafe and shudder over lush organ notes and rubbery bass lines.

The dynamics are positively Who-tastic, as the lyrics note “There’s nothing new about Money woes.” If the Plimsouls and the Partridge Family had ever collaborated, it might have sounded like “G.O.D.” Peppery horns accentuate an irresistible Bubblegum groove. The lyrics wax nostalgic for simpler times; “I’ve been thinking about the good old days, my silly clothes and my silly ways/Each drunken, drugstore purchase, each chemical advance, seven days a weekend every day the same old dizzy dance.”

“Out Of My Head” also happens to be the third single off the album; it went all the way to #8 on the Billboard charts. Churchy Hammond organ runs swirl around a rippling rhythm and angular guitar. Soul-searching lyrics offer this backhanded mea culpa; “Don’t matter what I say, only what I do, I never mean to do bad things to you/So quiet but I finally woke up, if you’re sad then it’s time you spoke up too.” The agile melody of “Nowhere Road” is buoyed by organ notes that split the difference between Tex-Mex and an “everyone skate backwards” roller-rink style.

Skittery guitar and a snapback beat give the track ballast, and the road that he speaks of seems to be a tart reference to the vagaries of the music business.

Miles takes charge on “Slow Drag,” “Charlie The Methadone Man,” “Damaged Goods” and “Sooner Or Later.” With “Slow…,” countrified guitar licks flicker over a languid rhythm. The opening couplet, “Slow drag off a cigarette, slow drag and I’m lying in my bed,” is something of a cosmic exhale, but things quickly turn, um, homicidal; “all the world is sleeping like a baby tonight, I wanna see you dead, laying in the muddy ground.”

Tempos shift on the break, exploding into a Psychedelic work-out “Charlie…” spins the snarky tale of a drugadled musician “living to get his freak on.”

Stacked harmonies crest over portentous guitar, wily bass lines, liquid keys and a hint of cello. “Damaged Goods” sports ringing power chords, a chunky back-beat and tilta-whirl bass. Cryptic lyrics allude to a longdistance romance gone wrong. Meanwhile

the Moog-y “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds” keys open the suitably Beatlesque “Sooner Or Later.” Crisp and crunchy, it features the tandem time-keeping of pounding piano and pummeling drums, crackling guitar riffs and chiming Fab Four harmonies. Lyrics like “I’m gonna get under your skin sooner or later, I’ll find the key that lets me in, sooner or later” feel vaguely stalker-ish, but the melody is so infectious it’s almost beside the point.

The action slows briefly on Miles’ warm Country/Soul combo-platter, “Which Way To The Top” and includes a vocal assist from Poe, (remember Poe?), as well as “Warm Fuzzy Feeling,” Tony’s Baroque groover.

Originally, the album closed with the spectral melancholy of Miles’ “Sweetwater, Texas.”

Cinematic and yearning, it’s a bit of a sweetsour lament.

The re-issue adds a plethora of bonus tracks, nine to be exact. Demos for “The Way,” “Fire Escape,” “Slow Drag” and “Sweetwater, Texas” are appropriately barebones. Both “Quit Your Job” and “Freeloader Freddie” were inexplicably left off the album.

The former is a blast of Punk-tastic energy, the latter is sly and shambolic in all the right ways. Other cuts include an astute take on the Replacements’ classic, “Androgynous,” along with a surprisingly sweet version of Burt Bacharach’s “This Guy’s In Love With You.” Twenty years on, All That Money Can Buy still snap-crackles and pops with authority.

The music Fastball created here feels timeless.

Chumbawumba, not so much.

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BY ANGELA ROMEO

ARTSCENE

November 29 to December 5, 2018

JTAG AND THE WORKS OF PAINTER MARCIA GEIGER AND PHOTOGRAPHER PAUL MOREHEAD

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oshua Tree Art Gallery continues to bring compelling exhibitions to the area.

December is no exception. A two-person show will feature the works of Painter Marcia Geiger and Photographer Paul Morehead.

“A photographer once said ‘Painters can create a composition any way they desire.

Photographers have to work with what’s already there,’” said Paul Morehead. As a photographer Paul does not just work with what is there, he transforms it. Paul’s work captures the landscape, finding the deep beauty that exists.

“I always ask myself ‘What am I attempting to capture within this image?’” continued Paul.

“The answer to that question, combined with the infinite variety of circumstances, helps me determine what techniques could best be used to present this vision.”

“Painters and photographers face the same challenge of creating the illusion of three dimensions within a two dimensional space. To help create this slight of eye and facilitate the viewer’s immersion in the image, we use the same tools. Color that recedes in the mindseye as it goes from warm to cool shades; Perspective, where painters may create their own vanishing lines and photographers get to accentuate what’s already there by changing the camera’s angle to the subject and its relationship to the surroundings. Focus, or the lack of it, is used by both styles with equal effectiveness. Contrasting areas of dark and light are used to create space where there is none. Some capture it in pigments and others in film, chips and algorithms.”

Painter Marcia Geiger grew up on a farm near Cozad, Nebraska. She studied Commercial Art at a community college in the early 80s. But her artistic soul felt unfulfilled. After several years of traveling, Marcia came to Joshua Tree in 1989. In 2005 she returned to painting and joined Joshua Tree Art Gallery in 2010.

“People seek out the desert for many reasons, and it never fails to make a change in them,”said Marcia. “The same could be said for those who come out to live in this welcoming yet unforgiving climate. They are at once free to break from the rules of conformity from which they have escaped, even as they are absorbed into the very soul of the desert.”

Her work captures the sites of the high desert – things we see and somehow, we politely ignore. Like Paul, Marcia transforms her subject. She elevates those sites into things of beauty. “I moved to the Joshua Tree area in 1989, and have been painting, exploring, and discovering the desert’s secrets ever since,” Geiger said.

“In the end,” noted Paul, “it’s all about light.

What does the light have to say and how may we engage and delight the viewer?”

The show opens December 8 with an artist reception from 5 pm to 8 pm.

For more information visit Joshua Tree Art Gallery (www.joshuatreeartgallery.com). The gallery is located at 61607 29 Palms Highway, Joshua Tree CA. To learn more about Paul Morehead visit www.paulmorehead.com. To learn more about Marcia Geiger visit www. geigarts.com.

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November 29 to December 5, 2018

PET PLACE

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BY JANET McAFEE

SIBERIAN HUSKY DOGS IN CRISIS

S

iberian Huskies are magnificent dogs with striking facial masks and piercing blue or multi-colored eyes, incredibly intelligent in addition to being beautiful. It is incredulous to see so many of these wonderful animals in public shelters throughout Southern California. And it is heartbreaking to learn how many don’t make it out alive from those shelters.

The athletic and independent Huskies can be a challenge for first time dog owners.

Many Huskies are “Houdini’s,” escaping from fenced in yards. They should never be left alone in a back yard when their humans are away. They require a great deal of attention and mental stimulation. Some will require a very secure yard that is sunk in the ground to prevent escapes.

Pictured here is Shyah, a 5-year-old Siberian Husky, rescued by Loving All Animals from the Riverside county shelter in Thousand Palms. Curtis Sweesy, foster parent for Loving All Animals, spotted the beautiful dog. He felt bad for her plight after learning she’d been at the shelter several times after escaping, and finally her family callously relinquished her. To adopt Shyah, contact www.lovingallanimals.org or

MEET KRYSTAL This 1 ½ yr old Husky is 45 pounds of athletic fun.

She would love to be your hiking buddy. Krystal’s dream home would be with an active family and a big yard for exercise (and a 6 ft fence!). Apply at lunasiberianrescue.dog

MEET JADE & ECHO Double your fun and adopt both these 6-mo-old siblings! These pups are great with children. They love long walks and lots of attention from humans.

Apply to adopt them at lunasiberianrescue.dog

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call (760) 834-7000. You must have a secure back yard with a tall fence in order to adopt this dog.

Shanna Roberts, founder and director of Luna Siberian Huskie Rescue, shed some light on why so many Huskies end up in shelters. Shanna cites the television program, Game of Thrones, as one reason for the increase. The program’s direwolves are awesome animals that are super-loyal, read the minds of their human companions, and fiercely protect loved ones. “Thronies” purchase Huskies on impulse from pet stores and breeders without understanding the special needs of this breed and the work and commitment they require.

Shana cites the proliferation of illegal back yard Coachella Valley breeding operations as contributors to the overpopulation of Huskies. There are simply too many dogs and not enough homes. Shanna states, “These back yard breeders provide very little care for the dogs, and they sometimes send out sick dogs to anyone who pays.

There is often no vet care. Animal control does not have the resources to police these illegal operations. You can adopt a beautiful Huskie now at the Coachella Valley Animal

Campus shelter.” There is no reason to go any breeder and spend thousands of dollars when you can adopt a rescue dog of any age and of any breed. Search for a rescue dog near you at www.petfinder.com.

Dogs from Luna Siberian Husky Rescue

are featured on this page. The group rescues this breed from shelters throughout Southern California, and they need foster homes to help save them. To view their adoptable animals, make a donation, or inquire about fostering go to www.

LunaSiberianRescue.dog.

Huskies do not fare well in shelters.

They are extremely active dogs and become frustrated in a confined small kennel space.

They have a loud, high pitched bark which makes them unsuited for apartments with adjoining walls.

Game of Thrones star, Peter Dinklage, shares this important message with his fans and with dog lovers across the country: PLEASE, TO ALL OF GAME OF THRONES’ WONDERFUL FANS, WE UNDERSTAND THAT DUE TO THE DIREWOLVES’ HUGE POPULARITY, MANY FOLKS ARE GOING OUT AND BUYING HUSKIES. PLEASE, PLEASE, IF YOU’RE GOING TO BRING A DOG INTO YOUR FAMILY, MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE PREPARED FOR SUCH A TREMENDOUS RESPONSIBILITY AND REMEMBER TO ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ADOPT FROM A SHELTER. Jmcafee7@verizon.net Photograph by Sandy Swett

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THE VINO VOICE

BY RICK RIOZZA

BABE’S NIGHT OUT

Dedicated wine folk typically enjoy rounds—all around—when it comes to beverages. Add to the affair with some imaginative food pairing and we’re interested all the more. We recently enjoyed ourselves at a recent seven course Brewmaster’s Dinner at Babe’s Bar-B-Que and Brewhouse at the River in Rancho Mirage.

Most micro-brew fanatics in this valley for over a decade have been over to the brewery at Babe’s seeking suds and enjoying the grub. Note the fact just three years ago, the brewery was awarded the California State Fair’s Golden Paddle, as the best overall brewery in California. Babe’s came out on top in a field of over 300 breweries.

And this year the restaurant gained favor as the “best BBQ in the Valley” by three reader choice awards polls.

The Palm Springs Travel Guide has written, “With a focus on good barbecue and good beer, Babe’s is a popular Western-themed restaurant in Rancho Mirage. From St. Louisstyle ribs to pulled pork sandwiches, Babe’s has you covered on all the barbecue fronts.

You’ll find pork, beef and chicken options in a variety of finger-licking good styles, as well as home-style sides like cornbread, coleslaw and sweet potato fries. Don’t miss the homemade rhubarb pie, which is made fresh in the kitchen. The bar also focuses heavily on craft beers from the award-winning inhouse brewery, and, from top breweries around the world. Babe’s Honey Blonde is one of the most popular beers, while the Blackfin lager pleases more discerning beer palettes.”

And a little more catching up to do: Donald “Lucky” Callendar, son of the original owner, has recently re-dedicated his time and presence in the operations at this iconic eatery. A month or so ago, a gathering of business and media peeps were on hand to celebrate this event with food, fun, and festivities which included witnessing a multi-

November 29 to December 5, 2018

ton bronze pig being hoisted way up in the air to its resting location near the entrance of the restaurant. (Lucky directed the final positioning of the heavy art-piece, and we found him true to his name as he fortunately avoided the sway of the pig!)

Setting up the first Brewmaster’s Dinner was definitely on Lucky’s mind for the new dining season. Prior to the tasting, we spoke with Lucky about his own experiences of brewing beer. It was certainly his pleasure to showcase the new items added on Babe’s menu and pairing them with stellar beers.

A shout-out to the chefs, Brian Lopez Ortiz, Omar Resendiz and Joel Estrada prepared a delicious menu. Some of our favorites were the fresh roasted beet salad, paired with Hazy Grapefruit IPA, the crab cake slider with lobster mac & cheese, paired with Vanilla Blonde Ale and the wild game sausage sampler, paired with the Peach Scotch Ale. The rabbit sausage was especially delicious.

Continuing a Legacy: On the up-dated Babe’s website, babesbbqandbrewhouse. com where you can subscribe to emails of up-coming culinary events, Lucky shares his memories and experiences with his dad which gives him perspective to going forward.

For instance, he begins his tribute, “Growing up in Palm Desert, Babe’s was

a large part of my life. I remember the moments I shared with my dad as a child exploring the restaurant designed to his liking and all the ‘experiments’ he brought home from the kitchen.”

“There are bar-b-que styles from every part of the U.S. and world, from Texas to Korea. The secret is in the smoking process, unlike many that rely on heavy sauces or rubs.

Sweet, fresh, made-from-scratch, chefcreated and taste-tested with his personal stamp on it. Try our Baby Back Ribs, Pulled Pork Sandwich, Boneless Beef Short Ribs, Callender’s Skillet Cornbread and fresh pies and shortcake, made daily in our kitchen.

Complement your meal with one of our icecold, award-winning micro brews, perfect with any entree or by themselves.”

There’s always a Happy Hour and you’ll wish to catch Monday Beer Appreciation Day. Here are some tasting notes on four of Babe’s most famous and awarded brews: Belgian Vanilla Blonde Ale, Alc, 7.5% with wheat, and vienna malts. What makes this blonde so special is the presence of the belgian yeast, all natural raisins, and three different additions of whole Madagascar bourbon vanilla beans.

Blackfin Lager, 4.8% This is Babe’s Flagship beer with the most accolades. This dark German-style lager drinks like its lighter counter parts. Light-bodied crisp lager is hopped just long enough to add balance with no bitterness while subtle hints of caramel and toast add accent.

Honey Blonde Ale, 5.0% Golden in color with flavor and aroma of the real California Honey that it’s brewed with, this is a light, smooth beer with a subtle finish from Orange Blossom Honey.

Palm Springs IPA, 6.8% Babe’s takes 2 of the hottest things in America and brings them together. Palm Springs & IPA! Think of this easy drinking IPA as a lifestyle beer. Not technically west coast but definitely So -Cal! 6.8% ABV with a smooth 65 IBUs on the hop meter.

Hot off the Press! In January, Babe’s will be the “Official Beer Purveyor of the Palm Springs International Film Festival” and its beers will be served at the festival’s filmmaker’s lounge and several industry events during the 10-day run. This is a first for a local brewer to be participating at the festival!

At the recent event, we actually had the time to read through Babe’s vast menu of items. Also one can create a pizza or calzone, and there are “signature” homemade tamales that our waitress kept raving about.

I think we’ll try those for Christmas! Cheers!

Babe’s Bar-B-Que & Brewhouse. 71800 Hwy 111, Rancho Mirage CA 9227 (760) 346-8738

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November 29 to December 5, 2018

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THUR NOVEMBER 29

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bobby Furgo & Co 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 TBA 9pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Bill and Doug Duo 6:30pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 LGBT Bart Takeover Hip Hop Night w/ DJs Femme A, P Nasty and Alex D 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 Aghori, Strip the Soul and Black Phantom 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/ Country Nation 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 The Cordovas 8pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Desert Noise Presents: Hide Your Guns, Urban Desert Cabaret and Farm Trout 9pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 MissConstrued 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

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; Vinny Berry 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 Agent Orange w/ Off the Wall, SWWK and The Lessoffs 8pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 West Coast Cannabis Club Presents: Welcome to the Neighborhood w/ Jasper Bones, Ocho Ojos and Cakes & The Assholes 8pm 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 El As De La Sierra 9pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke 8pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Roxx 7:30pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-3452450 Rhythm Nation 9pm THE LOUNGE; AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888999-1995 DJ Jerry 9pm MASTRO’S; PD; 760-776-6777 Finesse 6:3011pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm TH 19 HOLE; PD; 760-772-6696 Live Music MIRAMONTE; IW; 760-341-2200 Trio NV 8pm 5-9pm 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bill MOXIE; PS; 760-318-9900 Eevaan Tre and Bob Duo 6:30pm 6:30pm, DJ Pedro Le Bass 9:30pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 DJ Day 10pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 AGAVE LOUNGE@THE HYATT REGENCY; Karaoke 8-1:15am IW; 760-674-4080 TBA 7-11pm THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm Sharon Sills 6:30pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760-327AMERICAN LEGION; PS; 760-325-6229 4080 Heavy Revel 9pm Tony DiJerlando 5:30-7:30pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Selected 345-0222 The Rockaholics 6:30pm Gems by DJs Addemup, Dxsko and Mick Mac PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 7pm Moonsville Collective and Ben Reddell Band BERNIE’S; RM; 760-202 4499 Barry 9pm Minniefield, Brian Dennigan and Leon PEABODY’S CAFÉ; PS; 760-322-1877 Bisquera 7pm Karaoke 7:30pm BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND California Compassion In Action Fundraiser COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s w/ Rival Alaska, Grady James, Cole Withers, Rockstar Karaoke 9pm Courtney Chambers, Brad Parker, Lisa Lynn PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Scot Morgan and the RoadRunners and a special Bruce: Elvis the Early Years 8pm acoustic appearance by Terry Reid 7pm BLUE BAR, SPOTLIGHT 29; INDIO; 760-775- RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 The Refills 5566 DJ Double A 8pm 9pm

FRI NOVEMBER 30

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RIVIERA; PS; 760-327-8311 Michael Keeth 8pm 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 Andy Cahan Bday Bash 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 Jason Weber 6-9pm 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; 760-328-5955 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 DECEMBER 1

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Michael Lowe 6:30pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 DJ 11am, poolside, Highlife w/ DJ Day 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 Get Down Global Bass Hip Hop w/ CieloHigh and Rich Brandon 9pm BERNIE’S; RM; 760-202 4499 Barry Minniefield, Brian Dennigan and Leon Bisquera 7pm BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 Flogging Seagulls 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

TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 Off Da Cuff 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 Moonbaby 6-10pm DRINGK; RM; 760-888-0111 DJ Journee 9pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Rose Mallett and Co. 5-7pm, Kal David, Lauri ELECTRIC SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-228Bono and the Real Deal 7:30pm 1199 DJ Ceddy Cedd 9pm WANG’S; PS; 760-325-9264 Live Music 5pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-328-5955 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm FRANK’S PLACE; IW; 760-797-8700 Frankie Michael Keeth 6pm WOODY’S PALMHOUSE; PS; 760-230-0188 DiSalvo 6-9pm The Stanley Butler Band 6:30pm GADI’S BAR & GRILL; YV; 760-820-1213 ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 Snapchat Comedy Night 8pm Saturdays w/DJ LF and Cali Redd 9pm 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 Super Sonido 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Sistema, Alf Alpha & Halfman 9pm Bob Garcia 6pm HOODOO COCKTAIL GARDEN @ THE ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Claap! And HYATT; PS; 760-322-9000 The Carmens 7pm Santana 11am poolside, TBA 9pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 HOTEL PASEO; PD; Michael Keeth 4-10pm Sunday Brunch w/ Barney McClure 11am HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Kick INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760Back w/ DJs LF, Contraz and Geo Hosted by 345-6466 Bob Allen 6pm Ron T 7pm KILO’S CANTINA; TP; 760-835-1363 Divas BERNIE’S; RM; 760-202 4499 Patrice Morris Del Swing 9pm 7pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Michael 8pm Keeth 5pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT; PS; 8882794 PS Sound Company 1pm, Hot Roxx 999-1995 Nash with Quinto Menguante 9pm 8pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-345Tuzzolino 5:30pm 2450 Rhythm Nation 9pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888Radio 60 3-6pm 999-1995 TBA 9pm continue to page 20 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; 760-3274080 Buck & Bo Roadshow 9pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760345-0222 TBA 6:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Red Fang, Telekinetic Yeti and Zig Zag 9pm 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 Shawn Ryan 8pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 Karr 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 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

November 29 to December 5, 2018

SUN DECEMBER 2

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November 29 to December 5, 2018

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THEPAMPERED PALATE ENCHANTING, ELEGANT, INTIMATE – A FEW WORDS TO DESCRIBE MY JOYOUS EXPERIENCE AT THE CLIFFHOUSE IN LA QUINTA

O

ne of the first things you will notice about this restaurant is the location.

Nestled snugly up against the cliffs, this place offers a one of a kind dining encounter. From the deep depths of color to the cascading waterfalls, I can’t imagine a more delightful way to enjoy a meal. You have a couple different options as far as seating goes, you can sit in the formal dining room, which has its own brand of elegance and tamed lighting, or you can dine cliffside out on the patio. I chose the latter, and found myself immersed in nature and sophistication. Crisp clean linens embellish all surrounding tables and plenty of heaters set up on the patio to ensure you are comfortable in the brisk desert evenings. Happy hour is Monday - Saturday 3:30 to 6:30 and 3:30 to 9:00 on Sundays, with an award-winning wine list and splendid cocktail options, the La Quinta Cliffhouse has you covered.

Diving right into the menu, we ordered up the crispy calamari and pork belly for our small plate starters. Notable service and timing of the delivered plates throughout the meal was exceptional. The calamari arrived beautifully plated and alongside two different sauces, one being a spicy Vietnamese, and the other a rich, cool, calm and collected jalapeno-buttermilk aioli. Remarkably cooked, the exterior of the calamari was crispy and luscious, the interior being the most tender and delicate calamari I’ve yet to come across. My sister, who lives

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about five minutes from the beach, could not believe just how fresh and stunningly delicious they were. Now for the next plate, I can tell you one thing about pork belly, it can be very difficult to cook. I know for a fact that time and patience goes into this dish, and the chefs here at The Cliffhouse know exactly

how to execute. Two succulent pieces of belly are sat neatly upon juicy, fork-tender apples, topped with vibrant pomegranate seeds, and surrounded nicely with roasted shishito peppers.

For the entree portion of my meal, I sampled three dishes from The Cliffhouse kitchen. All three dishes were nothing short of astonishing, be it that they were all very different styles of cuisine, I can easily say this restaurant can deliver on all levels. First up was the sugar-spiced salmon, right off the bat, plating of this dish is superb, unlike any salmon dish I’ve seen before. A pool of mustard sauce sits at the bottom, next a crispy, crunchy wonton ring is filled with creamy garlic mashed potatoes, Chinese beans, which were tossed in a full-bodied umami sauce, atop of all this sits a perfectly cooked piece of succulent, flaky salmon. Next up was the hand rolled gnocchi, another dish that takes time and patience

BY MATT CLABORN

to execute. The gnocchi was extremely well prepared, swimming in a splendid, jampacked meat bolognese, covered in parmesan cheese, this plate was greatly balanced. Last but not least was the November special, surf and turf. The 8oz. filet mignon was seared to perfection, the lobster tail was nothing short of amazing, drawn butter, garlic mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables accompany this long-lived duo.

I would highly recommend anyone that is looking for a guaranteed, over the top dining experience to reserve your table at the La Quinta Cliffhouse. Staff here know exactly how to treat their guests, paying close attention to detail and making sure your experience is well taken care of. Whether you jump, dive, or climb your way into The Cliffhouse, once you arrive, you know you’re in for a real treat.

La Quinta Cliffhouse - 78250 HWY 111 760-360-5991

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THEPAMPERED PALATE

W

ho says that you can’t find snow in the desert? Not only can you find some sweet ice, but also some seafood finds at Snow & Crab in Palm Springs.

A cold morning Saturday walk on Palm Canyon, soon turned into a slower paced warm afternoon stroll, and to cool down and perk up, I thought of snow. I also thought of this new restaurant that I had heard of, Snow & Crab, and thought that a visit there would bring in the chill I was looking for.

The restaurant opened in February 2018, in a cut out of a South Sunrise Way strip mall in Palm Springs. Snow & Crab is in the image of their anchor location in Temecula. They feature Cajun inspired seafood selections (think Crawfish Boil), and a variety of crab, as well as highlighting their “Snow”, which is their sweet shaved ice concoctions.

The space of Snow & Crab has modern accents and is on the small side, with a few window lined tables and banquette seating on the wall. Tables are lined with paper, and each are provided with a roll of paper towels, no doubt as to act as absorption for the seafood that can be poured on to the table as a large plate. Guests can enjoy seafood selections by the pound, including Crawfish, Clams, Jumbo Shrimp, Crab Legs (Snow, King, Blue or Dungeness) and much more. They then can decide on a flavor (Cajun, Lemon or Scampi), heat

November 29 to December 5, 2018

GET A LITTLE SNOW & CRAB IN THE DESERT

(mild, medium, spicy or extra spicy) and any extras (potatoes, sausage, corn). There are also appetizers and soups available (Gumbo anyone?). But on that day, I was there for the Snow part of the equation.

My past experience with shaved ice is quite tame in comparison to what they offer at Snow & Crab. I just recall a modest cup of shaved ice, drizzled with the flavored syrup of my choice and voila! A cold dessert is born. That is not how they do it at Snow & Crab, they take shaved ice to another level, incorporating fresh fruit and condensed milk, which gives the ice an almost creamy texture….not ice cream, but perhaps a distant relative, twice removed.

Their selections include, Let it Snow (milky shaved ice topped with marshmallows and coconut), Kakigori Strawberry (strawberry

BY DENISE ORTUNO

shaved ice topped with fresh strawberries, strawberry mochi and condensed milk) Matcha Green Tea (green tea shaved ice, topped with green tea matcha mochi and granola) and Mangonada (mango shaved ice, topped with fresh mango, mango mochi and Tajin Clasico), or you can create your own.

I chose the Mangonada. The portion was huge (24 oz), but I thought, “Hey, it’s mostly ice, how filling can it be”? The answer, very!

It tasted ice milk-ish, heavy on the ice. The mango was very present, and the touch of the condensed milk enhanced the rich fruit.

The fresh pieces of mango on the perimeter of my bowl were gobbled up quickly, but like my walk on Palm Canyon earlier, my pace slowed down…maybe I just needed a nap. I left behind a small hill of shaved ice, I

just climb it any more.

Snow & Crab in Palm Springs brings seafood fun to the table, and lets it snow in Palm Springs, for a chill cool down all year round.

Snow & Crab is located at 186 S. Sunrise Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262 More info: snowcrablounge.com.

17

November 29 to December 5, 2018

SCREENERS

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

No. 346

ROBIN REDUX

NOW SHOWING: ROBIN HOOD

BY ROBIN E. SIMMONS NEW BLU FOR THE HOME THEATER: ZOMBIE (1979)

The iconic left-leaning (antifa?) hero Robin Hood has been a staple of movies for almost 100 years. At least a dozen films have centered around and on the mythic character.

This time out, he’ll rob your wallet and two hours of your life and you’ll get only the mildest diversion from the concerns of ordinary life.

18

The origins of the popular character are not clear and certainly not sourced from a classic literary tale. My guess is the primary influence on modern cinema has been the great illustrator N.C. Wyeth, Douglas Fairbanks’ 1922 film and the 1938 MGM classic starring Errol Flynn.

Historically, the Sherwood Forest outlaw Roger Godberd may have been an inspiration for the many fictional Robin Hoods.

In Sir Walter Scott’s 1820 novel Ivanhoe, elements from his tale about a nobleman’s son, Wilfred of Ivan, returned from the

Crusades to fight for the rightful king, Richard, were absorbed into the Robin Hood legend, who appears in Scott’s book as only a supporting character.

In the latest iteration, Robin of Loxley (Taron Egerton) is a war-weary crusader who, with his Moorish commander (Jamie Fox) -- “you can call me John” -- stages a revolt against a corrupt British crown. There are moments of okay fight choreography, in this less-than-thrilling, needlessly confusing, action adventure that is unintentionally funny in places.

Welsh actor and Kingsman: The Secret Service star Taron Egerton does his best, but it’s his cool wardrobe, complete with a “hood,” that stands out. Love that quiltedleather designer look. Besides Foxx as Little John, co-stars included Ben Mendelsohn as the Sheriff of Nottingham, Tim Minchin as Friar Tuck and Eve Hewson – Bono’s pretty daughter -- as Maid Marian.

If you need more Robin, check out Sean Connery and Audrey Hepburn in Robin Marian (1976). Or John Cleese in Terry Gilliam’s fantasy adventure Time Bandits (1981).

Perhaps the most impressive Robin Hood is pioneer Hollywood director Allan Dwan’s lavish 1922 silent film. I had the pleasure of seeing this film as a guest of nonagenarian Dwan at a special Directors Guild screening in the 70s.

In scale and ambition, no modern version can compare. This magnificent film, which Fairbanks helped write and produce is available for home viewing on DVD and is worth finding. Its gargantuan sets along with Fairbanks’ physical prowess and sense of humor make it a timeless treasure.

The late Lucio Fulci, was a master of gruesome horror. His surprisingly wellcrafted and audacious 1979 spectacle was initially presented as a semi-sequel to George Romero’s Dawn of the Dead and released in Italy as Zombi. It was a worldwide hit and certainly the instrumental force in making zombie-gore movies the dominant motif of 1980s Italian horror.

The central story has Anne Bowles (Tisa Farrow) and a group of vacationing tourists traveling to an island where they encounter a doctor (Richard Johnson) attempting to cure a condition that reanimates the dead!

One wonders why this seemingly miraculous achievement would even need a “cure.”

Maybe it’s because things quickly get out of control and undead Spanish conquistadors crawl from their moldy graves hungering for human flesh!

The stomach turning ultra graphic setpieces by Gianetto de Rossi include a closeup of an eye pierced by a shard of wood and a zombie fighting a Great White shark underwater.

The 40th Anniversary, 3-disc limited edition is a 4K restoration from the original, uncensored, camera negative (2.40:1) in stunning 7.1 DTS-HD. More than 20 bonus features include hours of new and archival material. BLUEUNDERGROUND. Not for all tastes.

robin@coachellavalleyweekly.com

BOOK REVIEW

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

"MY SISTER, THE SERIAL KILLER" OYINKAN BRAITHWAITE FICTION -----------------------------------------------------

S

iblings are not always easy to get along with and often the first-born has an added responsibility to care for and protect those younger. In Oyinkan Braithwaite’s My Sister, the Serial Killer (Doubleday, 227 pages) sibling devotion becomes dangerous.

The story is told by Korede the eldest of two daughters in a prominent Nigerian family. Her little sister, Ayoola is beautiful and beguiling, and also a sociopath.

For the third time, Korede, a nurse, is called by her sister to fix Ayoola’s mess – another boyfriend stabbed to death. After they clean up the blood evidence and dump the body, Korede is pretty certain her sister is now clinically a serial killer. Ayoola claims – once again -- she stabbed the boyfriend in self-defense.

Ayoola refuses to follow Korede’s instructions to lay low and quit posting comments and selfies on social media which make Ayoola look suspicious and guilty. Ayoola also refuses to get rid of the murder weapon -- the nine-inch knife that was once their father’s.

When Ayoola meets the doctor Korede has been pining for at work, Ayoola uses

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DEVOTED SISTER

her charm to reel in the good man. Worried Ayoola will kill the only man she secretly loves, Korede tries to intervene only making herself look jealous, mean and crazy.

While dating the doctor, Ayoola has an affair with a married man who ends up dead during their tryst in Dubai. When Korede finds out, she wonders if her sister struck again even though Ayoola insists it was from natural causes.

As the police close in on Ayoola, she charms them and lies with shocking ease.

Korede does her best to protect her sister’s horrible secret, but the situation gets way out of control and Korede herself is looking guilty.

This is author Braithwaite debut novel.

She lives in Nigeria. With short, vibrant sentences, the reader is pulled into the world and Korede’s terrible dilemma.

Korede is a fresh and complicated character. She is the head nurse at a private hospital -- in charge and controlling. She works hard, likes things ship-shape and abhors laziness. She is not pretty or good with men. Her sister is everything she is not. Ayoola’s beauty and charm make her life easy. Men flock to her and fall for her quickly. To Ayoola, it’s all a game.

Ayoola is an intriguing character. She is a predator who destroys influential men who want to possess her.

As the story unfolds, the author hints at how Ayoola was shaped into a man-killer.

Korede reveals the family dynamics and

November 29 to December 5, 2018

BY HEIDI SIMMONS

cultural eccentricities. The father beat his daughters and allowed the pretty, innocent, fourteen-year-old Ayoola to be used sexually by an important chief to gain favor.

For Ayoola, her beauty was a curse and not a blessing.

Braithwaite is a recognized slam-poet and her prose reflect a tight, colorful, rhythmic, minimalism that moves the provocative story along quickly. She writes with honesty and intelligence. I appreciated the subtle cultural subtext of the story about surviving male dominance and women being mere property.

One of my favorite moments in the story is when Korede realizes the doctor she so

SAFETY TIPS

loved and respected is not at all interested in a mutually compatible mate like she had imagined, but rather he only wants a pretty young thing at his side. She sees the doctor as just another shallow man wanting to own a beautiful woman.

When Korede asks the doctor what he loves most about her sister Ayoola, his answers are dismissive and superficial. I was pleasantly surprised by the genuine love Korede had for her sister as she tickedoff Ayoola’s unique and admirable gifts and talents that the doctor – and her parents did not recognize.

I wanted to know exactly what was going to happen to these complicated women, but the ending is ambiguous, which was not fully satisfying, yet is perfect for a book club discussion.

Sibling relationships are considerably nuanced and often complicated, but family is something we are born into without choice.

BY FIRE CHIEF SAM DIGIOVANNA

HOLIDAY SAFETY FROM THE OUTSIDE IN!

T

he next best thing than Thanksgiving is the day after when we start preparing for Christmas. This week, we’ll start from the outside and work our way inside next week.

“Did you know between November and December there are about 240 injuries per day caused by holiday decorating-related injuries. That’s a lot of injuries that could be prevented,” reminds Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.”

• One of the most common causes of holiday-time house fires results from these bulbs being too close to gutters filled with dried out leaves and twigs from recent Santa Ana Winds.

• Remember, we still may have Santa Ana Wind events in the forecast. Make sure your decorations are properly secured and stable in the yard, on the house and in trees.

• Make sure that the strings of lights you are using outside have built-in fuses on the lines.

• Check the actual plug. Make sure you are using lights designated for outdoor use only.

• If you have a string of lights with a blown bulb, be sure to replace it with a bulb of the exact same wattage.

• Never tap into your home’s feeder line to power your outdoor Christmas lights or hang decorations on the line.

• Avoid using nails, tacks or metal staples to secure your outdoor Christmas lights. Use insulated hooks. Be sure your lights are strung tightly to avoid damage from the wind.

• Use only outdoor rated extension cords.

Connect no more than three strings of lights to a single extension cord. All plugs should be plugged into a GFCI protected outlet when used outside.

• Watch for overhead wires when using a ladder.

• When climbing a ladder, use caution at all times, preferably having someone secure the ladder for you.

• Do not place the ladder in damp or muddy areas. Make sure you have a safe and solid foundation before climbing. If you are uncomfortable climbing or on unable, have someone else that is capable or hire a professional.

For additional Safety Tips visit: safety. blog.nfpa.org/2013/03/new-safety-tipsheet-outdoor-electrical-safety.html Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

19

November 29 to December 5, 2018 CLUB CRAWLER NIGHTLIFE continued from page 15

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 4th Annual CV Music Showcase Round 1 w/ Frankseatsthefloor, Krystofer Do, The CMF’s and Empty Seat 9pm 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; 760-230-0188 John Carey and Friends 6:30pm

MON DECEMBER 3

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 The Luminators 6pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Bill Marx 6:30pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 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 WANG’S; PS; 760-325-9264 Nick Sosa 7pm WOODY’S PALMHOUSE; PS; 760-2300188 Motown Mondays 6:30pm

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TUE DECEMBER 4

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Lawrence and Clare 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; 760-366-2250 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 The Shelly Scott Band 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 DECEMBER 5

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 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 Yappy Hour Mixer Hosted by Johnny and The Sarge 5-7pm 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

S and G

PUMPING SERVICE

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

20

760-404-6325

HADDON LIBBY

P

rotecting the environment from single-use plastic straws has become all the rage. While images of sea turtles crippled by these straws generated enough public outrage to begin a movement toward paper or reusable straws, we hear very little in potential remedies related to a much larger plastic problem - the Great Pacific Garbage Patch; this plastic-laden garbage patch in the Pacific Ocean which is twice as big as the state of Texas. It is estimated that plastic straws make up 0.02% of the Great Garbage patch.

As these environmental problems are larger than most cities or states can reasonably impact, it stands to reason that environmentally-concerned folks want to make at least token gestures toward making the world a greener place.

In 2019, California will ban full-service restaurants from automatically giving customers plastic straws. Patrons will now have to ask for a straw unless they are buying fast food or takeout where plastic straws are allowed.

To the casual observer, it appears that state-level politicians are making this gesture on behalf of the environmentalists without changing anything. Locally, Cathedral City is following the lead of progressive cities like Seattle, Miami Beach, Berkeley and

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PLASTIC STRAW POLLUTION

Provincetown by banning plastic straws altogether.

However well-intentioned the act of banning single-use plastic straws may be, the financial impact on small businesses is not insignificant. The Cathedral City ban weakens the finances of restaurants in that town which puts those businesses on disadvantaged footing as compared to eateries in Rancho Mirage, Palm Springs and Palm Desert where plastic straws are allowed. This additional cost works out to an annual cost of approximately $600 for every 100 drinks sold per day. While that may not sound like a lot, in an industry where it is difficult to pay workers a living wage while remaining profitable, any additional cost that cannot be passed on to a customer hurts.

Sensitive to this concern, the city held a working session with local businesses to hear reasons why the plastic straw band should not passed into law.

Only one restaurant attended.

If you want to join the eco-friendly straw users, bring a reusable straw with you when you go out to eat. As making paper straws from recyclable materials is generally frowned upon for health reasons, the straw of choice amongst trend-setting environmentalists and the sipping elite is a metal straw. Metal straws of all shapes and

DALE GRIBOW ON THE LAW

LET’S TALK TURKEY

W

e just celebrated Thanksgiving where we gave thanks during wonderful dinners for all we have. However, many of our neighbors recently injured in an auto accident continue to suffer while they can’t find a lawyer to help them. WHY YOU ASK? People often wonder why attorneys will not accept their accident case. Most people believe if they were injured then they have a case. Well, only dog bite accidents have Strict Liability which means if a dog bites you then the owner is responsible. That is why I love dog bite cases!

For all other accidents, causation is the most important factor. To hold someone responsible for your injuries an attorney has to show the party at fault breached a legal duty. In other words, the lawyer must show the defendant did something wrong, resulting in an injury.

A severe injury is not enough. For instance, if you blow a stop sign and get in a major accident with horrendous injuries, the first question is who was a fault? If it was you then the conversation is over. In order to find someone legally accountable you must show they were at fault for your injuries.

If you are partly at fault, a lawyer may reject your case because the value of the case will be reduced by your percentage of fault. Thus, there may not be enough money in the case for the lawyer, let alone the plaintiff. In other

November 29 to December 5, 2018

colors can be purchased for about one dollar.

Other types of reusable straws are made from glass, bamboo, silicone and BPA-free plastic. For the eco-friendly with more dollars than sense, Tiffany has a $375 straw.

The first straws made date back in 3,000 BC were gold tubes adorned with precious stones. These straws were made by the Sumerians of what is now southern Iraq for drinking tea.

Portugal and Argentina have used bombillas for hundreds of years when drinking mate tea. The bombilla is a straw and filter used to keep tea leaves out of the drinker’s mouth.

Here in the United States, straws made of hollowed ryegrass were all the rage in the 1800s. As the ryegrass would turn to mush and add a grassy flavor to many drinks, Marvin Stone, the owner of a paper cigarette holder manufacturer, created the paper straw in 1888. About seventy years later, plastic straws took the place of paper as it is cheaper and more durable.

While eliminating plastic straws is a nice feel good thing to do, changing all singleuse packaging so that containers are either compostable or easily recyclable is where change is needed. Even with large fast food restaurants like McDonalds and Starbucks stating their intent to eliminate plastic straws over the next three to five years, the elimination of plastic straws is a token effort that does little to reduce waste polluting the world.

Haddon Libby is the Founder and Managing Partner of Winslow Drake Investment Management and can be reached at HLibby@WinslowDrake.com. For more information on this Investment Fiduciary firm, please visit WinslowDrake.com.

LEGAL REPRESENTATION OF THE INJURED & CRIMINALLY ACCUSED

words, a lawyer will analyze whether they can prove the other party is legally responsible and that injuries can be compensated for by the other parties insurance company.

Other reasons to reject a case are when the injury is not serious enough. It is not enough for the potential client to say “I could almost have been killed.” Almost is not enough! The damages/injuries are a way of gauging the expected recovery. The legal system does not deal in speculation for either injuries or potential loss of earnings.

In an accident case, the degree to which you were hurt by someone else’s fault is the most important factor. Without the substantial injuries it just may not be economically worth it for the law firm to handle the case.

If a potential client is elderly, a lawyer may reject the case because of their concern the victim may not survive until a trial date.

Some defense lawyers will stall on settling the case, hoping the victim will pass away. If that happens the pain and suffering aspect of the case passes with them.

If a lawyer accepts the case it will be on a contingency. That means the lawyer will take 1/3 of the recovery unless the case is in litigation. A lawyer looks to see whether it is financially worth it to take the case. For instance, will the client be a problem client?

On the other hand, a defense lawyer is paid hourly and thus has a vested interest in the case not settling quickly. Some defense firms milk cases and take unnecessary depositions or send out discovery that is not

really needed to evaluate the case. These costs all reduce the recovery to the victim.

When a lawyer interviews you the attorney looks to see if you have been talking to other lawyers (let alone the insurance company) and what the lawyers have said.

In other words, is the client looking to find a lawyer that will agree with their opinion as to the value of the case?

Defense lawyers get paid whether they win or lose the case. However the plaintiff’s side is stuck with the costs and do not get the money back unless they win. Obviously, a personal injury lawyer must be a good business person and thus accept or reject a case after careful consideration and guesstimates of time and money to be invested versus chances of success.

Suggestions for future columns contact Dale Gribow at (760) 837-7500 or dale@ dalegribowlaw.com.

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”

21

November 29 to December 5, 2018

SPORTS SCENE

N

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

VEGAS FAVORS ‘BAMA AS PLAYOFF PICTURE TIGHTENS

otre Dame apparently has the best odds to reach the college football championship game after finishing the regular season 12–0.

According to ESPN, the top three teams and their percentages are below: 1. Notre Dame, >99% 2. Clemson, 96% 3. Alabama, 83% There are a couple things to take away here. First, Alabama fans must be furious that they’re not only not in the second spot, but they’re all the way down in third. Soak up in the tears, my friends. Soak ‘em up.

These salty Tide fans are going to be great to deal with if they actually don’t make it. That meltdown will be epic.

The regular season is over, and Championship Weekend is here. The race to the College Football hits its final turn.

Is there room for some last-minute chaos that would flip the Playoff picture? Four unbeaten teams remain in the mix, and three Power 5 teams have one loss heading into the weekend.

Four In; 1. Alabama (12-0) - Tua Tagovailoa left his mark on the Iron Bowl in a 35-point second half that was part of a 52-21 blowout against Auburn. Five different Crimson Tide players caught a touchdown pass, and now Nick Saban has Alabama in its seventh SEC championship game since he took over. The Tide are 5-1 in that game under Saban. Even with a loss, Alabama might still be in.

2. Clemson (12-0) - The Tigers capped another unbeaten regular season under Dabo

BY FLINT WHEELER

Swinney with a 56-35 victory against South Carolina, and now they have a chance to win a fourth consecutive ACC championship, this one against Pitt. The Tigers rushed for seven touchdowns against the Gamecocks, and Trevor Lawrence finished the regular season with 22 touchdowns and four interceptions.

3. Notre Dame (12-0) - The Irish are in.

That’s right, after a 24-17 victory against USC, this team will be in the College Football Playoff. There is no solid argument for keeping Notre Dame out, but this will call into question whether Notre Dame should join a conference, considering the Irish don’t play a conference championship game. That’s a fair gripe for another day, but Brian Kelly deserves credit for building an impressive roster that will compete with its next opponent.

4. Georgia (11-1) - Georgia will be a placeholder for at least a week heading into the SEC championship game, a rematch of last year’s College Football Playoff championship with Alabama. This is a chance for the Bulldogs to win back-to-back conference championships. Georgia has

ASK THE DOCTOR

GALLSTONES

A

patient of mine had developed severe indigestion and bloating last week. I initially thought he may have had a mild case of food poisoning but the symptoms persisted for a week until he had sudden, sharp and very painful abdominal pain. I got him a CT scan and it turns out he had gallstones. He needed antibiotics to treat the infection in his gallbladder and surgery to remove the gallbladder with the gallstones.

So what are gallstones and how does one get them?

Gallstones are hardened forms of digestive fluid in your gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small pear shaped organ located on the right side of your abdomen just below the liver.

Most gallstones are formed from cholesterol. Risk factors for developing gallstones are: • being female • age greater than 60 • obesity • poor diet, high in fat, high in cholesterol, low in fiber • family history • diabetes Gallstones can vary in size and may

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BY DR PETER KADILE cause no symptoms, but if they get lodged in the duct leading out of the gallbladder, it may cause right sided upper abdominal discomfort to severe pain. Larger gallstones usually do not cause a problem because they are too large to fit into the gallbladder duct.

It is the smaller stones that usually cause a problem. If the stone does not get dislodged and gets “stuck”, a severe infection can develop called cholecystitis or possibly an infection of the pancreas (pancreatitis).

Treatment for symptomatic gallstones is usually surgery. Small gallstones may pass through the duct and into your small intestine, so it is possible to “pass” a gallstone with a bowel movement, but generally these stones don’t cause symptoms.

Dietary modifications to help prevent gallstones: • Limit refined sugars • Vegetarian diet, particularly high in vegetable protein • High fiber diet • Caffeinated coffee may protect against the development of gallstones • Supplementation with vitamin C

allowed 18.4 points per game since the loss to LSU. That defense will get its biggest test against the Crimson Tide.

Two Out; 5A. Oklahoma (11-1) - The Sooners punched their ticket to the Big 12 championship with a 59-56 victory against West Virginia, and Kyler Murray built on his Heisman resume with 478 total yards of offense. Oklahoma’s defense continues to be questioned after giving up more than 40 points for the fourth consecutive game. Now, the Sooners get a chance to correct their only blemish in the Big 12 championship game against Texas.

5B. Ohio State (11-1) - Let the arguments with the Sooners begin. The Buckeyes picked

the right time to look like a Playoff contender in a 62-39 blowout against rival Michigan.

Dwayne Haskins pushed his way back into the Heisman Trophy conversation, and Urban Meyer improved to 7-0 in The Game. Now, the Buckeyes have an opportunity to win a third Big Ten championship under Meyer against Northwestern in Indianapolis.

However, according to Las Vegas, money is still pouring in on the Tide. Which, as we know, provides value if you’re looking at another team, Notre Dame anyone?

Currently the betting odds are as follows; Alabama -250, Clemson +350, Michigan +650, Notre Dame +700, Georgia +1800.

From a wagering perspective, Tua of Alabama, as predicted in week 2, is a -1000 favorite to with the Heisman, so that competition is over. Look for Notre Dame to shock Clemson and keep it close vs Alabama.

Defense and nerves play a huge part in these playoff scenarios so take all the points you can. As always, G’Luck!

AWAKEN W/LIZZY&AIMEE

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BY ELIZABETH SCARCELLA & AIMEE MOSCO

BECOMING ENLIGHTENED IS EASIER THAN YOU THINK

T

he term ‘light’ is interchangeable with the term ‘energy’ and it sums up the evolution story of the human spirit. As we ascend and allow more refined light to infiltrate the space we claim, we become ‘enlightened’ beings, literally.” (pg. 19 Gratitude + Forgiveness x(Love) = Happiness) Think about all of the references you associate with ‘light’. To name a few: – Something ‘of the light’ typically means that it is good.

– ‘Bright’ means intelligent.

– To ‘shed light’ on something means that you have uncovered a previously unknown truth.

– To become ‘enlightened’ means that you have reached a higher level.

It’s easy to understand why humanity has subconsciously embraced these references for light when you know that light is synonymous with life-force energy.

The word ‘enlightenment’ itself can feel intimidating because it is often associated with mysterious and secret information. Many people believe that only those who choose an arduous path and dedicate themselves to spiritual study are able to reach a state enlightenment.

That’s just fake news!

‘Light’, in the context of enlightenment, simply represents a higher form of Universal truth. And the thing to keep in mind is that LOVE effortlessly connects you with cosmic, earthly and inner truths. The energy of LOVE is not only refined light, it is the standard for refined light. Therefore, the more you center yourself in love, the more refined light you are circulating through your energy field. Integration of more refined light equals enlightenment. You will naturally be drawn to exploring higher consciousness and Universal truth with ease as your energy field begins to upshift from LOVE. You don’t need to meditate on a mountain top and let your armpit hair grow into

dreadlocks to become enlightened.

You don’t need to study with a guru and starve yourself of the material things you enjoy to become enlightened.

You don’t need to follow in the footsteps of anyone else “who knows the way” to become enlightened.

You will get the job done in the most beautiful and magical way if you commit yourself to bringing more LOVE into your life today than you did yesterday.

For a deeper conversation on How to Become Enlightened the Easy Way, please watch our YouTube video at https://youtu.be/ UCOSBROsSi0.

Lastly, in our pursuit to help you connect more deeply with one another and further re-discover your gifts as an enlightened being, 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

November 29 to December 5, 2018

MIND,BODY & SPIRIT

BY BRONWYN ISON

RELINQUISH POOR HABITS

P

oor habits? I candidly admit I have mine. You will reap long-term rewards by jettisoning your poor habits. Commence to identify your habit(s).

Secondly, develop a plan to modify. Lastly, take action and follow through with your plan. Lifelong habits will be challenging to break. Remember nothing is insurmountable.

Temptation is defined as enticement or to allure. Typically, if temptation surfaces it may not be the best choice. Often there is a little voice telling you not to move forward. Why do you inveterate nature? It’s simple… we’re not supposed to follow the temptation but it’s to enticing. Following temptation generally produces poor results. Anytime I have been challenged by temptation, I’ve been terribly disappointed. However, I only have myself to blame. I made the decision and then need to reconcile my choice. Presumably, these are life lessons.

If you are cognizant of your bad habits this will allow you to identify your temptations and weaknesses. If you have a tendency to snack on junk food, you should dispose of unhealthy food in your home. When you feel lonely, be sure to fill your time with something or someone who is nurturing. Don’t entertain unhealthy relationships simply because you are bored. Select activities that will invigorate your health and attitude. Consider helping a friend in need if you have time to spare.

Both of you will benefit. Your spirit will be

recharged.

You may have heard, “Don’t link up with those who will pollute you.” Spend your time with people who lift your spirits and feed your soul. Within the past year I resolved to surround myself with soul feeders versus those who will extract every bit of life from you. Nothing is worse than wasting your time on someone who gains pleasure by venting their misery. Break the habit of maintaining company with negative people.

Perhaps your poor habit is a lack of exercise. Fill your free time with healthy activity. What physical exercise is appealing to you? Fortunately, we live in a beautiful city. The sun shines a majority of the year and there is an abundance of outdoor activities.

The New Year is around the corner. About this time of year we ponder our New Year’s resolutions. Why should you wait to preclude what is not prospering you? I know… you desire to indulge in the poor habit a little longer because it’s been your buddy for so long. I can relate. When you decide to release your poor habit it may feel like a divorce or similarly, you’ve lost your best friend.

Remember, relinquishing your inveterate nature is holding you back from your greatest potential.

Do not fear your habits. You have everything to gain by saying goodbye. Be patient, stay confident and resist temptation.

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November 29 to December 5, 2018

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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

Week of November 29

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Every year the bird known as the Arctic tern experiences two summers and enjoys more daylight than any other animal.

That’s because it regularly makes a long-distance journey from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back again. Let’s designate this hardy traveler as your inspirational creature for the next eleven months.

May it help animate you to experiment with brave jaunts that broaden and deepen your views of the world. I don’t necessarily mean you should literally do the equivalent of circumnavigating the planet.

Your expansive adventures might take place mostly in inner realms or closer to home.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): When the American Civil War began in 1861, the United States fractured.

Four years later, the union was technically restored when the northern states defeated the southern states. At that time, African American slavery became illegal everywhere for the first time since the country’s birth decades earlier. But there was a catch. The southern states soon enacted laws that mandated racial segregation and ensured that African Americans continued to suffer systematic disadvantages. Is there a comparable issue in your personal life? Did you at sometime in the past try to fix an untenable situation only to have it sneak back in a less severe but still debilitating form? The coming weeks will be an excellent time to finish the reforms; to enforce a thorough and permanent correction.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Does an elusive giant creature with a long neck inhabit the waters of Loch Ness in northern Scotland? Alleged sightings have been reported since 1933. Most scientists dismiss the possibility that “Nessie” actually exists, but there are photos, films, and videos that provide tantalizing evidence. A government-funded Scottish organization has prepared contingency plans just in case the beast does make an unambiguous appearance. In that spirit, and in accordance with astrological omens, I recommend that you prepare yourself for the arrival in your life of intriguing anomalies and fun mysteries. Like Nessie, they’re nothing to worry about, but you’ll be better able to deal gracefully with them if you’re not totally taken by surprise.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Does moss really “eat” rocks, as Cancerian author Elizabeth Gilbert attests in her novel The Signature of All Things? Marine chemist Martin Johnson says yes. Moss really does break down and release elements in solid stone.

Gilbert adds, “Given enough time, a colony of moss can turn a cliff into gravel, and turn that gravel into topsoil.” Furthermore, this hardy plant can grow virtually everywhere: in the tropics and frozen wastes, on tree bark and roofing slate, on sloth fur and snail shells. I propose that we make moss your personal symbol of power for now, Cancerian. Be as indomitable, resourceful, and resilient as moss.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Let’s shout out a big “THANKS!” and “HALLELUJAH!” to the enzymes in our bodies. These catalytic proteins do an amazing job of converting the food we eat into available energy. Without them, our cells would take forever to turn any particular meal into the power we need to walk, talk, and think. I bring this marvel to your attention, Leo, because now is a favorable time to look for and locate metaphorical equivalents of enzymes: influences and resources that will aid and expedite your ability to live the life you want to live.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): “Every dreamer knows that it is entirely possible to be homesick for a place you’ve never been to, perhaps more homesick than for familiar ground,” writes author Judith Thurman.

I’m guessing you will experience this feeling in the coming weeks. What does it mean if you do? It may be your deep psyche’s way of nudging you to find an energizing new sanctuary. Or perhaps it means you should search for fresh ways to feel peaceful and well-grounded. Maybe it’s a prod to push you outside your existing comfort zone so you can expand your comfort zone.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Venice, Italy consists of 118 small islands that rise from a shallow lagoon. A

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© Copyright 2018 Rob Brezsny

network of 443 bridges keeps them all connected.

But Venice isn’t the world champion of bridges.

The American city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania holds that title, with 446. I nominate these two places to be your inspirational symbols in the coming weeks.

It’s time for you build new metaphorical bridges and take good care of your existing metaphorical bridges.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): To aid and support your navigation through this pragmatic phase of your astrological cycle, I have gathered counsel from three productive pragmatists. First is author Helen Keller. She said she wanted to accomplish great and noble things, but her “chief duty” was “to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble.” Second, author George Orwell believed that “to see what is in front of one’s nose” requires never-ending diligence.

Finally, author Pearl S. Buck testified that she didn’t wait around until she was in the right mood before beginning her work. Instead, she invoked her willpower to summon the necessary motivation.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Blackjack is a card game popular in gambling casinos. In the eternal struggle to improve the odds of winning big money, some blackjack players work in teams.

One teammate secretly counts the cards as they’re dealt and assesses what cards are likely to come up next. Another teammate gets subtle signals from his card-counting buddy and makes the bets. A casino in Windsor, Ontario pressed charges against one blackjack team, complaining that this tactic was deceptive and dishonest. But the court decided in the team’s favor, ruling that the players weren’t cheating but simply using smart strategy. In the spirit of these blackjack teams, Sagittarius, and in accordance with astrological omens, I urge you to better your odds in a “game” of your choice by using strategy that is almost as good as cheating but isn’t actually cheating.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): What has become of the metaphorical seeds you planted during the weeks after your last birthday? Have your intentions flourished? Have your dreams blossomed? Have your talents matured? Have your naive questions evolved into more penetrating questions? Be honest and kind as you answer these inquiries. Be thoughtful and big-hearted as you take inventory of your ability to follow through on your promises to yourself.

If people are quizzical about how much attention you’re giving yourself as you take stock, inform them that your astrologer has told you that December is Love Yourself Better Month.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): If you want to play the drinking game called Possum, you and your friends climb up into a tree with a case of beer and start drinking. As time goes by, people get so hammered they fall out of the tree. The winner is the last one left in the tree. I hope you won’t engage in this form of recreation anytime soon—nor in any other activity that even vaguely resembles it. The coming weeks should be a time of calling on favors, claiming your rewards, collecting your blessings, and graduating to the next level. I trust your policy will be: no trivial pursuits, no wasted efforts, no silly stunts.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In his song “Happy Talk,” Academy Award-winning lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II offered this advice: “You gotta have a dream. If you don’t have a dream, how you gonna have a dream come true?” Where do you stand in this regard, Pisces? Do you in fact have a vivid, clearly defined dream? And have you developed a strategy for making that dream come true? The coming weeks will be an excellent time to home in on what you really want and hone your scheme for manifesting it. (P.S. Keep in mind Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s idea: “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”)

Homework: Hug yourself as you tell yourself your biggest secret.

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

LIFE & CAREER COACH

BY SUNNY SIMON

LISTEN TO THE SILENT VOICE

E

ver go through with something knowing it won’t end well? That happened to me recently. To my credit, I tried to gracefully get out of doing a business transaction with someone who did not have my complete trust. Perhaps I was too polite, or perhaps I was giving this individual an opportunity to gain my confidence. Bottom line, I ignored the red flags and forged ahead.

The warning sign I neglected to heed was intuition. We are all gifted with that very powerful tool helping us navigate through life’s crossroads. Some call it a little voice, others identify it as that queasy feeling something is amiss, but we all experience a gut reaction whispering the signals. According to the experts at “Psychology Today,” intuition is the brain on autopilot, performing actions of processing information without our conscious awareness.

Let me give you an example. In hindsight, I realize the exact point where my intuition kicked in. During my first impression of the individual who convinced me to do business with her, my brain was processing unconscious clues. Red flags went down on the field as I listened to her voice and studied her facial expressions. At that point I suspected she might be a bad actor playing a part, so I made

an effort to say no and then allowed her to convince me otherwise. It’s rather ironic my lesson learned here is trusting your gut, advice I often dole out to others.

What are some ways we can live more intuitively? Begin by becoming fully aware of that intuitive hit, then engage your rational mind to sort out what action to take. Doing so saved me a serious injury once. Driving down the freeway one day I noticed a truck several car lengths ahead of me transporting a picnic table in the bed of his vehicle. Something told me I was in danger. Within a few seconds the picnic table flew out of the truck and was about to connect with my car. Had I not been aware of imminent danger, my car would have been struck. But sensing this, I quickly changed lanes. In this situation, my intuition was on high alert. Other warning signals are a chill, pain in the gut or chest or the sudden onset of a headache.

Know that you have a voice within that doesn’t use words. Pay attention to that silent noise and when possible add data as a tool to enhance clear conclusions. By doing so you will make safer, wiser decisions.

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 29 to December 5, 2018

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November 29 to December 5, 2018

CANNABIS CORNER

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BY MICHELLE ANN RIZZIO

CLEAN GREEN CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

A

s a consumer stepping into a recreational cannabis dispensary there are so many brands to choose from. How can you discern what is the cleanest flower? If having organic cannabis is an importance to you, read on to learn about the Clean Green Certification program.

Clean Green Certification is the closest you can get to organic in the cannabis market. Due to cannabis not being federally regulated, the USDA cannot stamp organic on cannabis products. Clean Green Certification is the largest cannabis certification program in the entire country. On their website, www. cleangreencertified.com, they share “the Clean Green Certified program was created in 2004 as a way to regulate legal cannabis products that called themselves organic.”

Since 2008, they have certified over 175 clients and over 60,000lbs of cannabis flower per year which is not even counting the trim, and small buds used for extracts and edibles.

The certification was founded in 2004 by Chris Van Hook who was previously a lawyer and an accredited USDA organic certification agent. In 2003, he was contacted by a cannabis farmer to certify their farm as organic but couldn’t under federal law. Van Hook went on to create the Clean Green

Certification and extend it to cannabis producers, processors, handlers, and products used in cultivation.

For cannabis to be approved as Clean Green Certified cannabis, they must be created using pre-approved seeds, clones, soils, nutrients, pesticides, edible manufacturing ingredients, and all other products used to create crops, extracts, or edibles. Consumers can rest assured when they buy a Clean Green Certified cannabis product that it has met all of the requirements of the rigorous program” So what exactly is that rigorous program?

Their website explains, “becoming certified requires….details of how the crop is being grown. Questions address topics such as the source of water and electricity, soil erosion protection, border areas (are they natural vegetation allowing for beneficial insects or are the plants next to a toxic area?), pest/weed/disease control, etc.”

The certifying process requires an on site crop inspection to confirm the methods the farmer stated in the application is being used on site. All fertilizers, pest control sprays, potting soils, and beyond are inspected.

Finally the program requires a Standard Agricultural Inspection. This means that the inspectors examine the plants for excess molds, mildews, pest problems, or other agricultural problems and collect samples for laboratory testing of systemic pesticide residues. By following the same rules as USDA certified products, Clean Green has been aligning itself to a globally trusted organic standard that is used in all other fields of agriculture.

Some brands that are currently Clean Green Certified for cannabis products includes Henry’s Original (a flower and preroll company), Raw Garden (a vape and concentrate company), and Swami Select (a flower company) For more inquiry into what other brands are Clean Green Certified (including nutrients and other growing potions!!!!), check out cleangreencertified. com/cg-licensed-distributors.

publisher@coachellavalleyweekly.com

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November 29 to December 5, 2018

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November 29 to December 5, 2018

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