Coachella Valley Weekly - December 8 to December 14, 2016 Vol. 5 No. 38

News

Music

Movies

Dining

Community Events

Photo By Rob Lebow

coachellavalleyweekly.com • December 8 to December 14, 2016 Vol. 5 No. 38

Voice Of The Valley

pg 5

Standing Rock

pg 6

SonStormer

pg 8

Shawn Don

pg 11

Miramonte

pg 18

December 8 to December 14, 2016

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#WhyRide? Wi-Fi! Play. Study. Work. Post. Swipe and type while you ride, so when you get to your destination, you can ‘disconnect to reconnect’ with what matters most!

SunLine’s free Wi-Fi allows you to enjoy your ‘smart devices’ on the bus – and leave the driving to us.

SunLine.org (800) 347-8628

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Coachella Valley Weekly

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

760.501.6228

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

CONTENTS

Alfie Pettit................................................ 3 Voice Of The Valley.................................. 5 Standing Rock.......................................... 6 Art Scene - Elaine Sigwald...................... 7 Breaking the 4th Wall - Review of "Meet Me In St. Louis"........................................ 7 SonStormer.............................................. 8 Concerts Under The Palms...................... 8 CV Music Showcase Round 2.................. 9 Slim Man................................................... 9 CV Open Mic Competition.................... 10 Backstage Jazz - Will Donato.................10 Shawn Don............................................. 11 Consider This - Sting.............................. 12 Art Scene - Robert Tahar....................... 13 Art Scene - Art For A Cause................... 13 Pet Place................................................. 14 The Vino Voice ....................................... 15 Club Crawler Nightlife........................... 16 Pampered Palate - Miramonte.............. 18 Screeners................................................ 20 Book Review........................................... 21 Safety Tips.............................................. 21 Haddon Libby........................................ 23 Dale Gribow........................................... 23 Toys For Tots at the Art Place................ 24 Real Estate.............................................. 24 Comic Con Palm Springs ....................... 25 Sports Scene .......................................... 25 Best Friends First .................................. 26 Health & Fitness .................................... 26 Free Will Astrology................................ 27 Mind, Body & Spirit ............................... 27 Ask The Doctor....................................... 28 Life & Career Coach ............................... 28

AN INTERVIEW WITH ALFIE PETTIT

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recently had the opportunity to sit down with one of the desert’s most colorful characters, Alfie Pettit, aka Arial Trampway. In the short time I’ve come to know Pettit I found him to be a very warm-hearted person who cares about his community, supporting numerous charities, and who loves the Cabaret. He is also quite funny and was born to entertain.

You can check out the show he is an owner in, promotes and previously performed with before going into semi-retirement, Carnival Cabaret at Oscars in Palm Springs on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Friday nights. Pettit took time out to answer a few questions for CV Weekly.

CVW: Can you give me a little background on yourself such as where you grew up? Your family life? How old you were when you did your first performance and what type of performance was it?

Alfie Pettit: “I grew up originally on my grandparent’s dairy farm in Richfeild, WA. Soon my mother, father and I moved to Vancouver, WA when I was 7 years old at the height of Disco. I thought I was moving to Funkytown, USA. Mom was dressing me in gowns, heels and wigs for as long as I can remember (photos on request). Now I am a 47 year old proprietor, but it all began performing as The Magical Toy in third grade, playing a robot that was magically alive. I remember making the costume out of a strapped on cardboard box. That was my first taste of the spotlight.”

CVW: Did you always want to be a performer? Have you had other careers?

Alfie Pettit: “I always wanted to be an actor, but did not have the heart for the

rejection. I had a successful autograph business. I coined the phrase “in person autograph” meaning we got them signed by the person, in person. It snagged me the cover of the LA Times covering me and my business, which sparked numerous appearances on shows. LA Times dubbed me the Paparazzi with a Pen. So even when not in show business, I’ve always been show business adjacent. You can take the boy out of Hollywood, but not Hollywood out of the boy.”

CVW: How long have you lived in the desert? What brought you out here?

Alfie Pettit: “I’ve lived in the desert permanently for the past five years, but have been here on a partial basis since 2006, after buying my first place here, commuting back and forth from Thailand. In 1991 I visited here for the first time to support a dear friend who was a puppeteer in the Follies, and knew this is where I would be settling down. Little did I know my dressing room would be Riff Markowitz’s old office and dressing room at the Follies.”

What do you enjoy most about the desert?

Alfie Pettit: “Of course the Hollywood history, the midcentury flare, the mountains, the windmills, the sacred essence that comes with it being Native American land, and the overall magic of the desert.”

CVW: And what about the desert would you most like to see change?

Alfie Pettit: “I’m so excited about being part of the overall growth of Palm Springs.

Palm Springs feels like Las Vegas was in 1989, on the verge of an explosion. I want

December 8 to December 14, 2016

BY TRACY DIETLIN COVER PHOTO & PHOTO BELOW

BY ROB LEBOW

to be a part of that change.”

Tell us about Carnival Cabaret. How it got started and why you chose to do it at Oscars?

Alfie Pettit: “I first saw the show roughly 2 years ago. I was so excited to see Gypsy, who I hadn’t seen since 1991 in La Cage.

Initially it was just a onetime New Year’s show, but it found purchase at Oscar’s and became a weekly Thursday, Friday and Saturday dinner theatre show. I came onboard as a performer and promoter, and shortly thereafter was offered a 40% ownership in lieu of a paycheck for the customer base and contacts I brought as a local personality. We then incorporated Carnival Cabaret into an LLC. I think it found a place here filling the void that the Follies left.” continue to page 5

Arial Trampway and parents receiving her star on her birthday 9-6-2016 in front of 849 restaurant for her entertainment and humanitarian work in the Palm Springs area.

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December 8 to December 14, 2016

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www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

ALFIE PETTIT continued from page 3

CVW: You mentioned that you are partially retired as in you don’t perform in the Cabaret, but still do charity events.

Tell us about the charity events you have coming up and why you chose the ones you do? Do you miss regularly performing?

Alfie Pettit: “As well as promoting, I performed in the show for a year to help draw attraction to it, and served that purpose. Now I’m continuing to work on the promotional end of things. Connecting the dots, making sure to reach out to the people with a level of cache’ to come enjoy the show and help bring notoriety to it. Also promoting the charities I work for, either as honorary chair, face, or fundraiser. Petunia and I just walked a fashion show in fabulous Mr. Turk duds for Animal Samaritans.

Fundraising with Barbara Keller for Desert AIDS Project. American Cancer Society.

You name it. If it speaks to me I want to be involved. And a LOT speaks to me. But of course I miss the performing! Always a performer at heart.”

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CVW: What is your favorite type of music?

Alfie Pettit: “Hip Hop and Blues.”

CVW: Can you tell us what it is like to be HIV positive for 30 years AND beat cancer and still do what you do and look so good doing it?

Alfie Pettit: “I’m built this way. I don’t know any other way. What the deal is . . . I have such a craving for life and joy for life that death isn’t really in my vocabulary.

And if it was I stayed in denial about it which helped me beat all odds.”

CVW: Who do you admire most in the desert and why?

Alfie Pettit: “Barbara Keller. She is a tireless hero for the AIDS community here.”

CVW: What celebrity do you admire the most and why?

Alfie Pettit: “Madonna. I won’t limit her by trying to answer why. Common sense.”

Please share about any upcoming events that you would like to promote?

I will be running for next year’s Queen of

December 8 to December 14, 2016

the Desert, my first public announcement, for the Desert AIDS Project. Next March 26th, 2017 the Desert Spirit Awards XXVIII for the American Cancer Society will be held, of which I’m an honorary chair. A potential reality show featuring Arial Trampway might be in the works, but that’s all hush hush. A soon to be published photo art book named “Gorgeous” I’m featured in, curated by Rob Lebow, which is all about new perspectives on gender and beauty, as well as co-chairing the entertainment board for next year’s Sober in the Sun event here in Palm Springs. And of course people ask me when I’ll be writing my own book of life stories. I’m sure I’ll get around to that soon enough too. It’s all about finding the time to get to all the enterprises I’m passionate about.

For tickets to Carnival Cabaret call 505-FUN-SHOW. You can check out Alfie on FB at facebook.com/AlfiePettit or facebook. com/ArialTrampway.

Contact at lovealfie@icloud.com.

EVENTS

VOICE OF THE VALLEY GRAND FINALE

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n 2011 Alexander Yepremian of AY Productions created Voice of the Valley, a search for the greatest singers in Southern California. In this, it’s 6th Season, he, along with Ben Smith of UK Dance Academy have brought their Vocal Competition to the Coachella Valley.

After three weeks of auditions in Palm Springs, Indio and Palm Dessert and hearing over 120 incredible vocalists, they have narrowed it down to the Top 10 who will be competing for a $2,500.00 Grand Prize.

Not only will there be the Grand Prize winner but, the live audience will get their vote as to who will take home the $750.00 Audience Choice Award.

The search throughout the valley found amazing talent of all ages, backgrounds and genres. With contestants singing songs made famous by Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston, Rhianna, The Drifters, Katy Perry, Paul Anka, Boyz II Men, Carrie Underwood and more.

This year the Finalist are extremely diverse from a 10 year old pop singing student, a 31 year old Country singing prison guard to a 62 year old opera singer, this year they have it all. The Top 10 Finalists

BLAKE LANSING

are Marissa Reinhagen of Palm Desert, Fiona Gulati of Temecula, Ressa Venegas of Desert Hot Springs, Chelsi Whalen of La Quinta, Kayley Serrano of Indio, Alexis Prior of Beaumont, Porsia Camille and Kristi King of Cathedral City and Blake Lansing and Gerald Colucci of Palms Springs.

The Grand Finale, will feature the top 10 competing with not only their own solo songs, but two group numbers choreographed by Ben Smith, will take

FIONA GULATI

KRISTI KING

Alfie as David Bowie.

Featured in the Gorgeous book, curated by Rob Lebow.

place at the Helene Galen Performing Arts Center on January 13th at 7pm.

This year they are honored to have a great line up of Guest Judges to help decide who will take home the Grand Prize. The Voice of the Desert Joey English, Coachella Valley Singing Sensation Keisha D, Owner of CV Weekly Tracy Dietlin, VP of Public Relations at Leaskou Partners, Rob Grace, Celebrity Cruise Line’s Jill Anderson and Owner of Destination Coffee Bar & Bistro

Giovanna Morel.

Voice of the Valley will be a show that the entire community can be proud of. A portion of the proceeds from Voice of the Valley 2017 will go to Desert AIDS Project and the Palm Springs Animal Shelter.

For tickets to the Grand Finale on Friday, January 13th 2017 at 7pm, go to HGPAC.org.

For any further information contact AY Productions at AYProductions.info@gmail. com or go to AYProd.com.

PORSIA CAMILLE

GERALD COLUCCI

RESSA VENEGAS

KAYLEY SERRANO

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December 8 to December 14, 2016

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STANDING UP FOR STANDING ROCK

BY TRACY RECTOR FROM HER JOURNAL ON HER EXPERIENCES AT STANDING ROCK

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n Sunday, December 5, we had a huge surprise and Obama denied the easement permit for drilling to Energy Transfer Partners. But what’s interesting is the CEO announced last night that they will continue drilling. So it’s a huge win for the short term but the fight is still very active and in two months with the new administration everything will change.

Everyone was in good spirits last night for the most part. Many expressed their concerns with the new administration coming in. Cautious optimism.

Today the vets had a ceremony with the Tribe called the Wiping of Tears Ceremony. It was very moving.

Others in camp took part in a procession to go over the bridge towards the blockade but the blizzard really stopped everyone in their tracks.

The blizzard took everyone by surprise and really created a lot of uncertainty and chaos in the camp. Many people tried to leave and the roads were so incredibly icy that a number of cars slid off into the side ditches. The Chairman asked people to go home because the weather conditions are getting to dangerous.

There’s been a lot of conversation about DAPL moving forward with their plans for drilling despite the denial. As I understand the penalty fees are minimal.

Quotes from those at the camp: “The feeling in camp is just awesome. What an experience! I was getting calls from so many people in Minneapolis real excited!” - Bob Thunder, US Marine Veteran “I feel cautiously optimistic and happy. I know how these things work. It’s not over.

I know it’s important to celebrate this small victory. But with DAPL specifically I’m guarded and still in shock. Hopefully this is one of many triumphs to come and I hope that it’s possible that this has set a précédant. We need to stay though because Trump is coming. So maybe we also need to remember to stay alert and help one another.” - Brook Spotted Eagle “I feel it’s a second time that I felt this way in a few years the first time was with Keystone XL alone in my kitchen but today it was with 10,000 people actually millions of people worldwide because of social media. Now that’s progress!”

- Faith Spotted Eagle It’s a win and I feel very emotional but we need to remember that we have to continue our efforts. - Wesley Clark Jr. Despite the Army Corp denying a permit for DAPL to go under the Missouri River,

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Energy transfer announced they will proceed regardless. We will continue to fight. This is from earlier today when we marched up Highway 1806. #NoDAPL The following piece was written by Tracy Rector the day before December 5 and the above happened.

Right now, corporations threaten the lifeblood of Mother Earth. There are ten thousand water protectors mobilized against the Dakota Access pipeline (DAPL) in Cannonball, ND, on the traditional territories of the Standing Rock Sioux Nation, guaranteed to the Tribe in the 1851 and 1868 treaties with the US government.

The activists at Standing Rock are not only concerned with protecting their sovereign rights, history, and land; they’re fighting for the health of the land and water for 18 million US citizens along the Missouri River.

Frankly, they’re gifting Americans with an opportunity to critically analyze the state of our so-called democracy. The arrests of journalists, the tactics of humiliation (strip searching), active surveillance of social media and personal communication, the bogus lies leaked to mainstream media, the destruction of documentarian’s equipment, the use of military grade weapons on unarmed people and the imposing of felony charges on protestors are all signs to take seriously. For these and many other reasons the water protectors are asking for all people to stand in solidarity. Their resistance is a wake-up call. We are living in a time of great change and tribal prophecies have foreshadowed what’s to come.

My work as an artist and activist responds to the pervasive colonizer mentalities of racism, entitlement, misogyny, and domination plaguing this country. Native history is everyone’s history, here on the territories now called the United States of America. We Native people are still here on the land of our ancestors despite the calculated genocide of our relatives. Why is this important? Well we know how to survive despite the most heinous circumstances and our historical oppression should not be ignored. We know the struggle, the signs and what happens when those in power perceive us as Native people “in the way”.

Our life experiences are a strength that we can draw upon in times of need. Our people are superheroes poised to shake our collective sleepy psyches awake. It’s not just brown and black bodies these corporate psychopaths are sacrificing for blood money—it’s everyone. In fact I believe that we are in a “class war” with the

1% and racism is another tool of the oppressors to pit us against one another.

Indigenous people all around the world have been facing environmental genocide for centuries. Colonial corporate greed permeates the air we breathe. But Energy Transfer Partners’ BLACK SNAKE (DAPL) should concern us all. Their investors and shareholders are raping the lands and poisoning the waters that nurture everyone’s lives here on Mother Earth.

Chemicals released into the environment as the result of domestic oil and natural gas production can damage our reproductive health. Our future generations are facing genocide before they are even born.

Mainstream media often ignores the pattern of numerous pipelines that have leaked, spilled and broken as our capacity for domestic oil production continues to grow. The most recent spill happened just last week in Cushing, Oklahoma, when a section of one of the biggest pipelines in the country burst. On October 20, 55,000 gallons of gasoline spilled into a tributary of Pennsylvania’s Susquehanna River, and just a month before that, another pipeline ruptured and dumped 250,000 gallons of gasoline in rural Alabama. On October 13, the Heiltsuk First Nation characterized the oil spill just north of Vancouver Island as an “environmental disaster” to their clam beds and surrounding sea life.

With these clear patterns of corporate pipelines failing, it’s not a matter of IF the Dakota Access Pipeline will break. It’s WHEN. The way we treat the earth is inseparable from how our society treats women. Rapists rape because they feel entitled to do so, because they’re abetted by cultures that systematically dehumanize certain bodies and lands. For example, in societies, where women’s bodies are intensely politicized, and the prevailing social hierarchy’s privilege certain members and where there’s a presumption of male authority and entitlement, the instances of abuse are greater. Yet, research suggests that when over- arching values of equity redefine notions of masculinity and male identity, these new approaches can disrupt the status quo of violence against women and children, including rape, and create fertile ground where real change can occur. What if we re-educated all Americans to feel empowered and proud to protect Mother Earth? What if we prioritized healing the bodies of water and Mother Earth over buying a new car every year, or created a culture that values sustainable practices? What if the majority of Super Bowl commercials made

OPINION

it feel exciting to be environmental stewards?!?!

This is why Natives and non-Natives alike must honor the sacrifices being made by the water protectors resisting another dangerous pipeline project. Let’s hold one another accountable for the over use and waste of precious resources.

Let’s embrace the acquisition of knowledge and good education for all, so that people are able to critically analyze mass media messages. Let’s nurture our children’s natural love for Mother Earth and reward them for being good stewards of the land. Our strength comes from protecting, not raping.

If you strip away the illusions of consumption and capitalism, you will realize that there is a connection to the earth that cannot be severed or ignored. Your bloodline is your heritage and your ancestry — the future generations, your parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and all your relatives throughout history and the natural world. To stand up for what is right and to be a true warrior is about the importance of honoring the water ways, the lifeblood of Mother Earth, and the presence of our ancestors in every molecule and particle surrounding us today.

My final thoughts come directly from the woman who initiated the stand against the Dakota Access Pipeline. Ladonna Bravebull Allard, who founded Sacred Stone Camp, says: “How can we stand in the face of violence?

Because I was born to this land, because the roots grow out of my feet, because I love this land and I honor the water. Have we not learned from history? I pray for each of the people who stand up. We cannot live like this anymore. It has to stop—my grandchildren have a right to live. The world has a right to live. The water, the life blood of the world, has a right to live. Mni Wiconi, Water of Life. Pray for the water, pray for the people.”

“Warriors on the front lines are standing for land and life, not only for the sacred water here, but for water across the globe. One day, when this is over and we win this fight, I want my grandchildren to be able to say, ‘My grandmother fought for me so I could be here today.’”

Tracy Rector is a mixed race Choctaw/ Seminole curator and filmmaker, a co-founder of Longhouse Media, and serves as a Seattle Arts Commissioner. Rector has made 360 short films, is currently in production of her third feature documentary, CLEARWATER, and has most recently been reporting from the front lines of Oceti Sakowin Camp at Standing Rock, ND.

Photo By Petter Cohen

ART SCENE

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BY ANGELA ROMEO

THE FUSION OF ART AND CHARITY

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s art continues on it quest to give back, Fusion Art, a Palm Springs contemporary fine art gallery, will host an Art for Animals Juried Art Exhibition Fundraiser for Charity to support local Coachella Valley animal welfare organizations.

Fusion Art is the vision of Chris and Valerie Hoffman. “We started the gallery out of a passion for art and the artists who create it. It was our goal to promote and connect emerging and established artists with collectors and art enthusiasts,” said Chris. “We offer an opportunity for all to participate in the art experiences.

This exhibition is an example of art and participation.”

Valerie Hoffman explained, “A juried art competition was held July 21st through September 20th. For the competition artists and photographers, worldwide, were encouraged to share their artistic vision of animals, both domestic and wild. Twentyfour winners were selected and will be featured in the exhibition, which will run from December 7th through the 31st. An additional twenty-two finalists were also chosen to participate in the exhibition. An artist and fundraising reception will be held December 10th between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

A daytime event between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. will feature the SNIP bus for visitors to tour and learn about the mobile clinic that provides low cost spay and neuter services to Coachella Valley residents; holiday pet photos by local Palm Springs’ photographer Daniel James Ryan; ambassador animals from the local shelters; and pet portrait artist, Pamela LeGrand, will be on hand taking commissions, with a portion of the proceeds being donated to the charities.”

“Our plan included creating a calendar to raise funds for local animal charities. We partnered with the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, SNIP, The Living Desert, Animal Samaritans, and the Humane Society of the Desert. All five organizations are 501(3)(c) nonprofits that are committed

to the humane treatment of all animals and the preservation of life through no-kill philosophies. The twenty-four winners will each have their image representing one month of one of two calendars,” continued Valerie.

“But it was not just the artists that stepped up to help make this event special.

We were fortunate to have these businesses, such as Cougar Vineyard & Winery, help.

Others sponsored the costs for production of the calendars. Jack Farley’s Art Supplies, Howard’s Custom Frame, Colliding Worlds Fine Art Gallery, Artize Gallery, Trenz Gallery, The Bling Collection from the House of Simone, Maxson Art Studio & Gallery, The Village Corker, The Jewelry Bar on El Paseo, and Mercedes Benz of Palm Springs, each sponsored a month. As a result all proceeds from sale of the calendars will be divided among the charities. But that is not as far as the generosity goes! Net proceeds from the competition’s entry fees, the gallery’s proceeds from the sale of any artwork in the exhibition and many of the artists have also donated proceeds from the sale of their artwork, all will be donated equally to the charities,” stated Chris.

Fusion Art is located at 2658 S. Cherokee Way, in Palm Springs’ Backstreet Art District.

For more info visit FusionArtPS.com.

December 8 to December 14, 2016

BREAKING THE 4TH WALL

BY DEE JAE COX

A STAGE REVIEW “MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS”

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n Theater a ‘classic’ tends to be defined as a show that is timeless. It can be performed at any date and still be enjoyed by most audiences. There is much to be learned about the art of theater by watching performances that are not limited to any particular era or audience, but can be appreciated by any age at any point in time, regardless of the date for the show’s plot.

The Palm Canyon Theatre once more upholds their reputation for bringing quality performances to the stage with their latest production of “Meet Me in St. Louis.” Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane wrote the music and lyrics for the Tony nominated stage version of this musical in 1989 with book by Hugh Wheeler. It was based on the 1944 film, featuring the immortal Judy Garland, which was originally based on the book, ‘’The Kensington Stories’’ and later published as “Meet Me in St Louis,” by Sally Benson.

“Meet Me in St. Louis,” is the story of a family living in St. Louis, Missouri on the eve of the 1904 World’s Fair. It’s a familiar plot about love and family and realizing that there’s no place like home. Despite the simple and easy going storyline, it is engaging and most certainly one of the best ‘feel good’ shows that I’ve seen. It’s a perfect Holiday outing.

Sadie Paiz, as Tootie Smith, hooks the audience at the rise of the curtain.

Adorable and precocious, she is the perfect introduction for a show that will keep you smiling from the beginning until the end.

Elizabeth Schmelling as Esther Smith is a show stopper. She shines in the role of a young woman finding her first love. She is a stage natural and her performance of the song “Under the bamboo tree” was my favorite. Kate Antonov, is obviously an experienced dancer, as demonstrated by her grace and professional dance techniques, she brought an elegance to the role of Rose Smith. Grandpa Prophater, (Douglas Paul) was a highlight any time he entered the stage.

Steven David Lee as Warren Sheffield, was wonderful in his role as Rose’s tireless suitor,

and Katie’s (Karen Schmitt) rendering of, “A touch of the Irish” is definitely noteworthy.

This show has one of the best ensemble casts that you will find in any production.

I was mesmerized by Andrea Bellato’s choreography. The dancing flowed like sweet honey across the stage. J.W. Layne’s set design beautifully captured an elegant, turn of the century house. And the live music trio with Steven Smith on piano, Larry Holloway on Bass and David Bronson on Drums brought the familiar and beloved songs for this show to their full potential.

I dare you to leave the theater without humming the tune for “Meet Me in St. Louis,” or “The Trolley Song.” And only the Grinch’s heart wouldn’t melt upon hearing this cast sing, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” in the finale. Derik Shopinski once more brings his special art of design to the stage with a full wardrobe of beautifully crafted, era perfect costumes. And fitting all of the pieces together, William Layne’s direction makes this large cast production, cohesive and synchronized. Each step has intent and further defines the space and story.

Meet Me in St. Louis is a feel good classic musical and this production will keep a smile lingering long after the show ends. It is targeted for any age and is currently in production through December 18th, at the Palm Canyon Theatre, located at 538 North Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs.

For Reservations: Box Office: 760.323.5123 - palmcanyontheatre.org Dee Jae Cox is a playwright, director and producer. She is the Cofounder and Artistic Director of The Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Project. californiawoman411.com lawomenstheatreproject.org.

Correction: The review for “Santaland Diaries,” produced by The Desert Rose Playhouse and published the week of November 21st, incorrectly made reference to the actor using the phrase, “Retards.” His actual reference was to “Retarded People.”

My apologies for the script misquote.

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December 8 to December 14, 2016

LOCAL MUSIC SPOTLIGHT

SONSTORMER

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BY ESTHER SANCHEZ

JOSH HALL OF THR3 STRYKES LAUNCHES SOLO PROJECT

s 50% of Thr3 Strykes, one of the most popular hip hop acts to spring up from Coachella Valley soil and recipients of multiple CVMAs, Josh Hall is already an established character on the local music scene. Associated with multiple other musical collaborations such as percussion sensations, Drum Hall (lead

by Hall’s brother, Steven, drummer for Se7en4)...many of us who are already fans are definitely looking forward to what he has in store for us with his solo venture.

Hall: “What this means to me is the opportunity to put out my own, personal sound and express my unique perspective.

I have been doing this with collaborations for 10+ years and felt like I was ready to put something out on my own.”

Hall is part of a musical legacy and has grown up in an atmosphere that, if nothing else... nurtured his creativity, natural

musicality and charisma. His father, noted drummer, Steve Hall, was a member of the popular 70s/80s hard-rock band, Stormer...a clear indication for the inspiration for naming Josh’s newest project.

Hall: “My dad opened for bands like Metallica and Motley Crue. I am all about putting myself out there to keep the legacy alive. Listening to, appreciating and creating music has become part of my identity and that has been instilled into me by my father, my brother and guys like Mike Pygmie, who have spent so many hours in the garage, pouring into my life and helping me form a creative process.”

As far as Hall’s musical image, he, along with his partner Josh Fimbres, is primarily known as a member of the locally acclaimed group, Thr3 Strykes whose talent, innovation, lyrical skills and pure energy have captivated audiences in

Photo By George Duchannes

A SEASON OF STARS IS LINED UP FOR THE “CONCERTS UNDER THE PALMS” OUTDOOR LIVE MUSIC SERIES AT SPA RESORT CASINO

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pa Resort Casino presents a new season of Concerts Under the Palms, a series of outdoor live music shows in a unique setting at the corner of Indian Canyon and E. Andreas Road in downtown Palm Springs starting on November 12, 2016, and continuing through April 8, 2017.

Surrounded by a grove of skirted palms under a starry night sky, a stage, lights, sound system, and seating are placed in perfect harmony, creating an al fresco venue poised to present some of the most memorable music of all time.

“We have a stellar lineup for the new season of Concerts Under the Palms that spans musical genres,” Spa Resort Casino Assistant General Manager Kari Stout-Smith says, “offering something for every music lover to enjoy along with a glorious evening outdoors in downtown Palm Springs.”

Most concerts in the series have reserved seating with tiered pricing, depending on the seat location. Seating for the last concert of the season, which is free of charge, is on a first come, first served basis. A bar garden with food and drink items for sale will also be available at each show.

Don McLean is one of America’s most enduring singer-songwriters with classic hits like “American Pie,” ”Vincent (Starry Starry Night),” “Castles in the Air,” “And I Love You So,” and “Crying.” Since first hitting the charts in 1971, McLean has amassed more than 40 gold and platinum records worldwide and in 2004 he was inducted into the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame. Don McLean continues to tour the globe and he’s coming to Palm Springs to kick off the new season of Concerts Under the Palms on November 12. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35-45.

Beloved radio personality Art Laboe brings his Latin Jam to downtown Palm Springs for an intimate night of Latin soul, R&B, Tejano, and salsa. El Chicano came to prominence during

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the heightened Chicano consciousness of the 1970s and rose to fame with such hits as their jazzy soul rendition of “Viva Tirado” the tune, the band says, that “started the brown sound,” the funky “Tell Her She’s Lovely,” and their haunting cover of Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl.” Rose Royce, also a 70s radio staple with hit singles like “Car Wash,” “I Wanna Get Next to You,” “I’m Going Down,” “Wishing on a Star,” and “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore,” infuse the night with classic soul and R&B. Sunny Ozuna has over a half-century of Latin hits behind him like “Talk to Me” and the popular classics “Rags to Riches,” “Not Even Judgment Day,” “Out of Sight-Out of Mind,” and “No One Else Will Do.” René y René, inducted into both the Tejano Music Hall of Fame and the Tejano ROOTS Hall of Fame, scored timeless hits like “Angelito” and “Lo Mucho que Te Quiero (The More I Love You)” among many others. The Art Laboe Latin Jam hits the Concerts

Under the Palms stage on January 14, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35-45.

The four-part harmonies and upbeat songs of The Oak Ridge Boys have spawned dozens of hits, earned them Grammy, Dove, CMA, and ACM awards and garnered a host of other industry and fan accolades. Their string of hits includes the Country-Pop chart-topper “Elvira,” as well as “Bobbie Sue,” “Dream On,” “Thank God For Kids,” “American Made,” “I Guess It Never Hurts To Hurt Sometimes,” “Fancy Free,” “Gonna Take A Lot Of River” and many others.

The Oak Ridge Boys are set to bring an exciting show, sure to highlight their four decades of charted singles and 50 years of tradition, to the Concerts Under the Palms stage on February 18 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35-45.

Dennis Edwards led The Temptations through the group’s psychedelic, funk, and disco periods; two of the Temptations songs he

recent years through well-done videos and live performances that force everyone in attendance to stand up, bob their heads and recognize.

Hall: “The SonStormer sound has a trippy vibe that is darker, grungier and more mysterious than what I have been a part of in the past. Ninety percent of the production for this 7-track EP is the work of Tariq Beats who has been an essential ingredient in making all of this happen. I am really excited to get it out there and see how everyone responds to what we have come up with.”

Follow SonStormer on Facebook for updates on upcoming shows and release dates. facebook.com/thr3strykes

EVENTS appears on, “Cloud Nine” and “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,” won Grammy awards. Edwards, himself a winner of seven Grammy awards, was the lead singer on many of the other Temptations hits including “I Can’t Get Next To you,” “Ball of Confusion,” “Psychedelic Shack,” and “My Girl.” The Temptations became one of the most successful Motown groups in the world.

Experience The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards live under the palms on March 11 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35-45.

As a fitting conclusion to an illustrious season, the last show in the series will be free of charge when Concerts Under the Palms welcomes to the stage, Lou Gramm. Power marks the distinctive voice of Gramm who rose to fame as the original lead singer of Foreigner, which saw 16 songs hit the top of the charts during his reign, including “I Want To Know What Love Is,” “Double Vision,” “Cold As Ice,” “Juke Box Hero,” and “Hot Blooded.” Inducted into the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame in 2009, Gramm also has a robust solo career with hits including “Midnight Blue,” “Just Between You and Me,” and “True Blue Love.” Lou Gramm rocks the stage at Concerts Under the Palms on April 8 at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free.

Seating will be available for this performance on a first come, first served basis.

Information: Date: Dates vary. The new season of the Concerts Under the Palms series begins on November 12, 2016 and concludes with a free concert on April 8, 2017. Time: 7:30 p.m.

Event area: Bar Garden will provide items for sale.

Where: Entrance to the outdoor concert venue is from N. Indian Canyon and E. Andreas Road.

Tickets: Tickets are on sale on the Spa Resort Casino website at sparesortcasino.com or in person at the Paradise Rewards Club. No tickets are required for the free concert at which seating is on a first come, first served basis.

LOCAL MUSIC SPOTLIGHT

CV MUSIC SHOWCASE ROUND 2

R

ound 2 of CV Showcase at The Hood Bar and Pizza has once again made it wonderfully apparent just how much musical talent is bursting from just about every corner of our beloved valley. The competition was fierce, yet the vibe of the night was unifying and supportive and I don’t think anyone envied the job the judges had to do.

The next rounds of the 5 round competition is happening at The Hood on the 1st Sunday of each month for 3 more months leading up to the finals in April when the final bands will be competing for a $1,500 cash prize, a merchandising deal and other various prizes to be announced.

In addition to the battle of the bands that took place, a tragedy that happened earlier that day caused the owners and staff of The Hood and CV Weekly to swing into action. Bartender and member of “The Hood family,” Deena Bartoli who lived in her childhood home with her parents, Jackie and Lonnie Castro experienced a house fire on Sunday that destroyed everything they owned and took their beloved cats. Without hesitation the night turned into a fundraiser for the Castros and between donations from staff, bands and patrons alike over $1700 was raised to help the family start their road to recovery.

A GoFundMe account has been set up for the Castros. gofundme.com/help-the-castro-familyrebuild.

Sunday Funeral - Well-deserved winners of the night, Sunday Funeral has become somewhat established in the Coachella Valley music scene in recent years. All three musicians in the band are clearly skilled and the vocalist was arguably the strongest of the night amongst all entries.

The flow of their brief set took everyone on a journey that showed that Sunday Funeral has

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BY ESTHER SANCHEZ

WINNER: SUNDAY FUNERAL

the top-notch, musical chops and quality of songs to give anyone they compete with a run for their money in the upcoming finals. Clearly a class-act, the group decided to donate their winnings to the fire victims whom the event was raisings funds for. facebook.com/sunday.funeral SunDrug - The band of the night...selfdescribed as, “A veritable cornucopia of low desert, psychedelic, stoner, progressive rock,” this 3 piece, instrumental, jam-band fuses jazz, rock, funk and soul vibes in a manner that wreaks of skill and experience, probably more so than any other group of the night. I saw SunDrug for the first time recently at the 9th Annual Concert for Autism and thought, “Where have you guys been all my life?” As mentioned by one of the

guys!

And what about this whole Santa thing?

The guy flies around the world in a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer, delivering gifts to people’s houses. Can’t he just walk in the front door like the rest of us?

No. He sneaks down the chimney, which doesn’t seem like such a safe thing to do.

Especially during winter when there are fires blazing. Go to the wrong neighborhood, and there might be guns blazing!

Then I started thinking about Christmas trees. What wise guy came up with the idea to chop down a tree, bring it in the house, and put lighted candles all over? Because that’s how the whole Christmas tree thing got started. It seems pretty dangerous.

“Hey, Hon! I’m gonna step outside, chop down a tree, and bring it inside. Then, I’m gonna put candles all over it, and light them all. What do you think?”

It doesn’t seem like such a…wise thing to do.

of the night who happen to have a lovely lady on bass, Hundred Forms is a 5-piece, indie, alternative rock band based in Palm Desert with a vibe that is undeniably youthful.

Progressive and melodic, I was impressed by the musicianship and very cohesive vibe that was being displayed between the band-members as they performed. Technically on-point, Hundred Form flowed from song to song with an ease that set them apart from other bands of the night.

I am looking forward to seeing what Hundred Form will come up with in the future. facebook. com/Hundredforms CV Weekly would like to thank Mike Cancino, Jeannette Krehbiel, Julie Montante and Steve Johns for taking their time to give their valuable insight as judges as well as the owners and staff at The Hood Bar and Pizza for being making the night a memorable one.

SKITZO ATTACK

HUNDRED FORMS

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!

O

PHOTOS BY ROBERT CHANCE

judges, they don’t have a vocalist, but it says a lot about a band that is good enough to perform without one. facebook.com/sundrugband Skitzo Attack - This Cathedral City based trio is relatively obscure on the local scene at this point but they have definitely come to the table to play. I would definitely use adjectives such as, “diverse” and “eclectic” to describe Skitzo Attacks undefinable sound that has some definite alternative vibes that are peppered with a lot of funk. They closed their set with an original song dedicated to the Standing Rock Water Protectors which was a definite plus.

Skitzo Attack has a pretty extensive collection of original recordings on their Soundcloud account and are totally worth looking up. Search for Skitzo Attack on Facebook. soundcloud.com/ skitzo-attack Hundred Forms - The second of two bands

SUNDAY FUNERAL

SLIM MAN

r should I say Happy Holidays? It’s hard to know what to say these days for fear of offending or excluding someone. Joyous Festivus for the Rest of Us! Is that OK? I get confused at Christmas. I’m not sure how the whole Santa thing came to be, for instance. I understand the gift-giving; a child was born in a manger, and three wise men came bearing gifts of frankincense and myrrh.

That’s how the giving of gifts got started.

First of all, why are these wise guys bringing frankincense and myrrh? What exactly are frankincense and myrrh?

Frankincense and myrrh are things that make the air smell good. My guess is that the poor child’s soiled swaddling clothes must have been giving off quite a stench in that little manger. If these three guys were so wise, they should have brought some Pampers. Plus, how are you gonna wash out swaddling clothes in the middle of winter? How are you gonna dry them in the freezing cold? Get smart, wise

December 8 to December 14, 2016

Gift-giving is out of control these days. I see a lot of car commercials, encouraging people to buy cars as gifts. Am I missing something?

I’ve never met anyone in my life who got a car for Christmas. You give someone a car for Christmas…how are you gonna top that? Buy them a house? I can see getting a kid a bike for Christmas. But a car?

You can buy someone a star for Christmas and have it named after them. Which seems kinda bogus to me. Nobody is ever going to be able to travel to their star. You’ll need a telescope to see it. And it’s not really yours.

You get a “star” certificate with your name on it.

You could probably do the same thing with a country in Africa if you wanted to.

“Hey Slim! I bought you an African country for Christmas! It’s not really yours, I just named it after you. I’m calling it ‘SlimBobWay’. Here’s your certificate. Merry Christmas!”

Lots of folks are buying gift cards as Christmas presents. For instance, men will buy their girlfriends gift cards for Victoria’s Secret.

Women love lingerie. But men have no clue about women’s sizes, especially for underwear.

SUNDRUG

Buy your girl a pair of extra-large granny panties and you’re in a heap of trouble. Give her a gift certificate for Victoria’s Secret, and you’re saving yourself a night in the doghouse.

There is no store called “Victor’s Secret”.

Why? Because for men, underwear is utilitarian. All we care about is comfort, not sex appeal. And we wear our drawers until they have more holes than a slice of Swiss cheese.

Sexy!

But, if you are looking for a perfect gift for Christmas, may I suggest a Slim Man Cooks cookbook? It has 52 ravishing recipes, and each one starts with a funny story. The cookbook has links to cooking videos and it comes with a free Slim Man CD. It might be easier than going out and trying to find some frankincense and myrrh.

Who loves ya? -Slim Man Slim Man is doing a cookbook signing at La Rue Bistro in OldTown La Quinta on Thursday, December 15th. Details at slimman.com.

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December 8 to December 14, 2016

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

JAMES LOCAL MUSIC SPOTLIGHT BY MORGAN CV OPEN MIC COMPETITION AT THE BLOCK: WEEK 9

BACKSTAGE JAZZ

WILL DONATO

BY PATTE PURCELL

W

W

eek #9 of the CV Open Mic Competition was one of the most incredible thus far. The immense support of each performer and of the event itself was so great it made this host have to take a step back in awe. The room was not just packed with close to 70 performers and fans cheering enthusiastically, but several of whom approached me, verbally applauding the event itself and the supportive, exciting atmosphere that it provides for musicians and fans alike. Personally I wanted to take a moment for us all to sit in a circle and sing cumbaya, but the show must go on! And go on it did! Not only did the performers pack a punch on stage, but the crowd was right up in their faces, arms in the air, video cameras at the ready, capturing each and every moment of greatness.

Audience giveaways like T-Shirts from Brutal Bee Music Group kept the excitement rolling as the crowd warmed up their voices to vote. Even more new faces came out to see what all this fun is about and guest judge Symara Stone gave us all in inspiring closing performance as each novice was awestruck, mouths agape. Once all of our musicians graced the stage and the votes were tallied, it was a tie for 1st place! Marco Thoma, a crowd favorite, played the bucket and harmonica and won for a second time! Marco is already in the semi-finals Jan 4th however, but now he will be joined by Matt Claborn who rocked an acoustic song. If either performer wins there, he will move on to the Grand Finals on January 11th for a shot at a MTV Quality Music Video Production from Desert C.A.M. Studios/Winmill Films and award winning Director Chip Miller, plus a $500 trip to Las Vegas from Crater Lake Spirits, as well as an Artist Development Session from Grammy nominated Producer Ronnie King, a Promotional Photo Shoot from Rav Holly, and a Boss RC-1 Loop Station Pedal from Guitar Center Palm Desert, and an artist Merchandise Package from Brutal Bee Music Group including logos, 25 shirts, stickers, and

more. 2nd place was awarded to another crowd favorite, Bino Sotelo whose smooth rap stylings won him the place. Bino and Marco chose to take home each a $25 gift card to The Block Sports Bar & Grill, while Matt chose to take home 2 movie tickets to the Mary Pickford Theatre.

THANKS to ALL our performers at the CV Open Mic Competition for putting on a great show AND making the environment so supportive for all of the artists involved: Daniel Scopelitis aka Aviators, Erick Estrada of Zero Sum Game, Jim Holiday, Zech B, Mike Sickboy, Matt Claborn, Jesse James Brewer aka Crown Royal Prince, Chris Guzman of Who Shot the Drummer, Bino Sotelo, Gabriel Reyes aka MCKG, Marco Thoma, and Solus Lupus. I also want to thank all of the fans that keep showing each and every week just to enjoy the show! Also a big thanks to Johnny Carmona, our amazing sound technician. I hope to see you all next WEDNESDAY at THE BLOCK SPORTS BAR & GRILL in Cathedral City! Look for coverage of this week’s event and the announcement of winners in the next issue of Coachella Valley Weekly! SPECIAL THANKS to all of our sponsors: Desert C.A.M. Studios/Winmill Films & Chip Miller, Ronnie King Music, Crater Lake Spirits, Rav Holly, Guitar Center, CV Weekly, Canyon Copy & Print, Stuft Pizza Bar & Grill, Brutal Bee Music Group, and The Block Sports Bar & Grill.

Be sure to “LIKE” Facebook.com/ CVOpenMicCompetition for updates! ALL AGES ALLOWED and YOU may compete EVERY week!

PLEASE NOTE: Due to our overwhelming number of interested performers, sign in starts at 7pm and will be closed at 7:45pm. BRING YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY and FANS and note that the competition usually ends by 11pm so be sure your friends and family know to stay until the end to voice their vote!!! For questions or information about sign-up, please see Facebook.com/ CVOpenMicCompetition or contact creator and host, Morgan Alise James at MorganAliseJames@ gmail.com or (714) 651-1911

ill Donato won ‘Best Instrumental Jazz Artist’ at the Coachella Valley Music Awards last May. He is one of the nicest and most talented people I have ever met. We had a great phone conversation last week about what he’s been up to. I would like to start with a little background.

I met Will Donato in 2010 after my late husband told me to “Go to the Riviera” as I was driving downtown to have a bite to eat. Len (my late husband) and I had talked about going to hear the jazz by the pool that they offered but never made it. This was the most direct afterlife communication I had from him and I of course pulled into the resort. I asked the valet if they had jazz by the pool? He said they were starting it today again at 5. So I went in. It was a Sunday afternoon about 4 and as I took a seat I was the only soul in the place. By 4:30 I was beginning to wonder if anything was going to take place when in walked the cutest guy with a sax, a dazzling smile, blue specs, and a personality to match his looks, Will Donato. He was joined by vocalist Shon Reddick and his long term musical mate, bass player Eddie Reddick. Together they make up ‘Art of Sax’ now celebrating 27 years in the music business. The three of them serenaded me shamelessly, dazzled me to no end and they instantly became my favorite band.

I became a follower of theirs and would make the trek to the Hyatt Regency in Indian Wells on Friday’s and Saturdays to see them play and came to be a friend of Will’s aka my ‘Big Brother’. Right after I met him, Will was diagnosed with cancer (something I had just lost my husband to) and I was devastated.

Through the love of his wife, family and some great doctors at Mayo Clinic who operated on him with an experimental laser, his throat and life were saved. He would have been unable to play the sax anymore. It was a miracle made of prayers from so many and a will to live. That is what brings me to my story about Will.

He talked about his 27 year long term career with his band Art of Sax. Eddie Reddick has been with him since the beginning. He told me stories about how at one point they were playing every single day of the week and after a couple of years of that, they decided to take Mondays off. He said they didn’t know what to do with themselves.

He’s still plays 5-6 nights a week driving from the desert to the coast and back again. I would find this exhausting but he said it prepares him for the national tours. He mentioned that the ‘A list’ all tour the world at a dizzying pace and if he wanted to get to the top he had to train for it. He considers this his training.

Will Donato & Rick Braun

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Will is more than the entertainer, showman that leads Art of Sax in the best R&B and dance music 6 nights a week all over Southern California. He is also an ‘A List’ artist with hits of his own. He also has a national career which has come more and more into play the last few years.

He just got back from Portugal where he played with Rick Braun one of the ‘A List’ smooth jazz artists at the top of the game. One of the things I love about Will is his constant praise and support for everyone else. Even though the interview is about Will, he told me how much he is learning from Rick Braun. He enthused about how Rick sends his charts, handles his rehearsals and even how the green room is handled. Leave it to Will to notice the details.

As a side note, Will was the’Valedictorian of his class.

Will has had a string of hits his most memorable was his song “Funkability” from his CD What it Takes, which made the top 50 smooth jazz hits for 2010.

He’s working on his next CD Supersonic due in 2017. He’s enjoying writing new songs for it and wrote one he’s calling “Gravitas” over the Thanksgiving holiday. His schedule has picked up and he’s joined the jazz cruises and is flown all over the world for concerts. He said it’s such an amazing gift to be paid to play his originals to people who came to hear them.

I’ve called him the ‘hardest working man in the music business’ and have seen drive to San Diego on a Sunday morning, play a wedding in the afternoon on the coast and come back to play in the desert at night. That’s dedication!

Will mentioned to me that he books over 200 gigs a year which is no small feat especially in an overcrowded field of musicians. In addition to that he travels to his national gigs all over the world. I asked him if he ever gets tired of the travel? He spoke of how he wakes up every morning saying “I have another day!” He says he loves to travel and even when he takes his morning walk he visualizes himself walking terminal to terminal.

It’s one of the few times that he sits by himself and writes music. He also loves the hotels and places he gets to visit. For Will, it’s a labor of love. Coming from a cancer survivor it should give us all pause on how amazing life really is.

Will Donato and the Art of Sax play Friday and Saturday nights at the Indian Wells Hyatt from 8-12. For details visit willdonato.com.

LOCAL MUSIC SPOTLIGHT

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

December 8 to December 14, 2016

BY MORGAN JAMES

SHAWN DON R

ecording artist and Actor, Shawn Don, has paved his way into an early career in the music and television arenas, achieving incredible successes through hard work, a positive attitude, and a spirit of giving back to his Coachella Valley community. With several roles in shows on MTV and ABC Family over his teens and early twenties, Shawn continues to energetically push forward and create opportunities for himself, including a new album and development of his own television docuseries about his life and being a musician. Through his experiences in television and music, this entrepreneur has already collaborated with several big names including Snoop Dogg and John Legend and Don embraces each opportunity as a learning experience and as a stepping stone for what’s to come in his exciting career. A Coachella Valley native, Shawn looks to lift this valley up and into a world spotlight and give back by passionately supporting and mentoring other performing artists. With the support of a loving family and now an impressive, professional team behind Shawn Don, the ball keeps on rolling and it doesn’t seem that even the sky has a limit.

MJ: As a teenager you landed an opportunity with MTV. How did that come about and what have learned about acting on television from that experience and since?

SD: “There weren’t many opportunities in the desert, so I just started reaching out to any and every lead I could. MTV got wind of some of the moves I was making and wanted to build with me. They gave me the opportunity to do my first show and it took off from there. I got the chance to do 4 other shows on that network afterwards.

So I’m grateful to MTV for giving me a start which would eventually lead to me starring on a TV series on ABC Family and more.”

“Nowadays, music and TV really go hand-in-hand so it’s been a natural move for a recording artist like myself to continue

doing TV. I love television because it gives you a platform so you can project your message and brand on a bigger stage. I’ve learned to be careful with that platform because it’s a privilege and I don’t want to abuse it or waste it. I’ve also learned the importance of parlaying the success of one TV show into another so you can stay relevant. I think Coachella Valley native, recording artist Aubrey O’Day, has done an amazing job at this with all the TV shows she has done. That same concept of parlaying parallels into the business industry and I look up to another Coachella Valley native, entrepreneur Nachhattar Chandi, for his ability to parlay one successful business into another and another to now own a massive business conglomerate, Chandi Group USA. And lastly, another Coachella Valley native, boxer Timothy Bradley was able to parlay fight after fight into a huge one with Manny Pacquiao. It’s not that simple getting a fight with Pacquiao, let alone winning it. So props to all these locals who are out there winning and paving a way for the rest of us!”

MJ: With the television experience of almost 10 years under your belt, what projects are you currently working on?

SD: “The most recent show I did was on ABC Family and it was a full 12 episode season. We initially took “Pretty Little Liars” time slot and they had the biggest time slot on television for millennials, so we were pretty pumped about that. After the success of that show, I was just cast on another major network show that I can’t talk about yet but it will be out soon. And then we’ll finish up development on my show “Life of Shawn,” a docuseries about my life and being a musician.”

MJ: Was there a defining moment in your life when you decided to follow your passion for music? When did you realize that you had major potential for success?

SD: “I started pursuing music at the end of high school when my passion for it really grew. I starred on a TV show called “Making the Next Hit” with Lil’ Wayne and he chose me as a finalist even though I was up against some stiff competition. At that point, I felt like I had a shot if I could get recognized by Lil’ Wayne even though I was just a beginner. And I competed in that show against other would-be celebrity musicians like Tyga, so that really pushed me to step it up.”

MJ: Tell me about your latest album and also about your impressive new publicity and management team?

SD: “My new album is called Game 7 and features people like Snoop Dogg, DJ Mustard, Clyde Carson, Joe Moses, and more. My radio single off of it is called “Leave Your Mind” and specifically features Snoop. It was fun to work with people like DJ Mustard who is arguably the biggest producer in the game right now. I had just gotten off touring across the country at venues like The Venetian/Palazzo in Vegas and I wanted to get back out on tour, so I wanted new material to push and that’s when Game 7 was born. I wanted to put out some quick music for the tour and radios and I’m hoping to drop a few more tapes in 2017. ABC now handles my publicity and Nick Cannon’s team handles my management, so I’m excited about what my next music project and press will be like with this new team behind me.”

MJ: What has it been like collaborating with superstars like Snoop Dogg, John Legend, and Kurupt? Can you share what you have learned from these experienced performers?

SD: “It was a super humbling experience working with legends like Snoop Dogg, John Legend, and Kurupt. John Legend alone has nine Grammys. These guys are so talented and make me want to be better. The underlying themes amongst these three artists are hard work, talent, and consistency. These guys don’t have super powers; they’re just guys who put some hard work behind their talent. They don’t give up. You never know when your moment will come, so you gotta work like every moment IS your moment.”

MJ: Who inspires you and influences your life and career?

SD: “My parents, sister, and God have influenced me the most. They’ve been with me from the start and will be with me to the end. They give me reason to wake up every morning and go and get it. I do this for them. I also do this for my community.

That’s why I’ve invested so much here and am still physically here. Michael Jordan makes Chicago dope. Drake makes Toronto dope. So let’s make the Coachella Valley dope ourselves. Let’s stop complaining it’s dead here, let’s stop moving away to bigger cities, and let’s put our community on the map for something other than being a retirement community. Our community is only as great as we are, so let’s make it happen together.”

MJ: What are your goals for the immediate future?

SD: “I’ve done appearances and performances everywhere across the country and this valley, but the one show I haven’t done yet is Coachella Fest, which is obviously the holy grail of shows. That would be an honor and a blessing to perform there in the immediate future, especially since I’m an artist from the Coachella Valley..... and I even got a song called “Coachella.” So hopefully Paul Tollett, Skip Paige, and Gopi Sangha read CV Weekly!”

MJ: How about long term career goals?

SD: “Continue doing TV and movies, putting out radio singles, growing the team, collaborating with other major artists, and try to get that major door open whether it’s a co-sign or a breakout single. More importantly, my overall long-term goal is to continue serving my family and this valley because legacy outlives fame.”

MJ: Where can our readers see you perform next? Where can we keep updated with all that you are achieving?

SD: “I’m the headlining performer at BB Ingle’s New Year’s Eve Masquerade Party at the Hard Rock Hotel in Palm Springs. You can buy tickets at www.PartyWithBB.com to come see me perform and have a good time! With or without me, BB’s parties are always lit so you’d be missing out if you’re in the desert and didn’t go. I heard tickets go up in price, so if you’re planning to go, you might as well buy early.”

“Please follow me on social media and check out my music available everywhere (i.e. YouTube, Spotify, iTunes, etc.). I got love and respect for everyone out here trying to make their dreams come true and I want to see us all win. Hit me on social media and let me know if there’s anything I can do to serve any of you in anyway. God bless.”

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December 8 to December 14, 2016

CONSIDER THIS

STING

H

“

BY ELENI P. AUSTIN

“57TH & 9TH” (A&M/INTERSCOPE RECORDS)

ow well I remember the stadiums we played, and the lights sweeping across a sea of 50,000 souls we’d face/A serious drug you can never kick, or one you couldn’t imagine you’d ever replace… Rock stars don’t ever die, they only fade away.”

That’s Sting on the song “50,000” off 57th & 9th, his first album of new material in nearly 10 years. Opinions have always been sharply divided over Sting. Some music lovers deeply appreciate his cross-cultural melodicism and political activism and consider him as an erudite Rocker. Others view him as a pedantic, tantric-sex aficionado and musical dilettante, who consistently pillages a variety of World Music genres to his own camouflage his lack of originality.

Gordon Sumner was born in October, 1951 in Wallsend, Northumberland England. The eldest of four, his father was a milkman and his mother a hairdresser. He grew up in the shipping town of Newcastle. Helping his dad deliver milk in the pre-dawn hours gave him plenty of time to daydream about a more glamourous life. When a friend of his father’s left behind an old Spanish guitar, he taught himself to play, and began envisioning a career in music.

He worked his way through school as a bus conductor, building laborer and tax officer and by 1974 he received his teaching credentials and taught at St. Paul’s School. On weekends he played bass in various Jazz combos, most prominently, Last Exit. When he wore a yellow and black striped sweater to a gig, a band-mate quipped he resembled a bee. From that day on, he was known as Sting.

Moving to London in 1976, Sting connected with ex-Curved Air drummer Stewart Copeland and guitarist Henry Padovani. Punk (and subsequently, NewWave), had just begun to make waves when the trio formed as the Police.

They recorded their first single, “Fall Out” in 1977, but Sting quickly tired of Padovani’s limitations and soon recruited veteran guitarist Andy Summers. Nearly 10 years older than Sting and Stewart, Andy began playing in the ‘60s with venerable outfits like Kevin Ayers, Zoot Money and a late edition of Eric Burdon And The Animals.

The Police was one of the first New Wave bands to achieve massive success. Their sound was a canny blend of Punk, Jazz and Reggae. By

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

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late 1978, they signed with A&M Records and released their debut, Outlandos d’Amour. Their first single, “Roxanne,” (an ode to a prostitute), managed to be a Top 40 hit on both sides of the pond. The trio paid their dues, touring the U.S. in a junky Econoline van.

In the five years that followed, the Police achieved world domination. They released a string of albums in rapid succession; Regatta de Blanc in 1979, Zenyatta Mondatta in 1980, Ghost In The Machine in 1981 and Synchronicity in 1983. Songs like “Message In A Bottle,” “Don’t Stand So Close To Me,” “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” and “Every Breath You Take” shot to the top of the charts.

After a lengthy world tour that included headlining the US Festival, the three-piece took a much needed break. Sting had already began to make an name for himself as an actor, working in good films like “Quadrophenia” and “Brimstone & Treacle,” as well as resounding flops like “Dune,” (anyone remember him as the golden diapered villain Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen?) and “The Bride.” Now he felt ready to record his first solo album.

Enlisting up-and-coming players like saxophonist Branford Marsalis, drummer Omar Hakim, bassist Daryl Jones and pianist Kenny Kirkland, he recorded his 1985 debut, The Dream Of The Blue Turtles. Hewing more closely to the Jazz paradigm he had honed prePolice, the album was a massive success. The Police officially broke up in 1986.

One year later he doubled down with …

Nothing Like The Sun. The lengthy album tackled weighty topics like the recent death of his mother, as well as the brutal dictatorships in South America and even the American assimilation of British bon vivant Quentin Crisp, (author of “The Naked Civil Servant”). The Soul Cages album arrived in 1991, a reaction to the death of his father and a reflection of his Newcastle childhood.

After the contemplative mood of Soul Cages, Sting came roaring back in 1993 with Ten Summoner’s Tales. It included his most infectious songs like “Fields Of Gold,” “Shape Of My Heart” and “If Ever I Lose My Faith In You.” It spent a considerable amount of time at #2 on the Billboard charts and was certified Platinum three times over.

Creatively, Sting hit a wall with his next album. Mercury Falling was released in 1996, and with the exception of “I’m So Happy I Can’t Stop Crying,” (which became a crossover hit when Country singer Toby Keith covered it), the rest of the songs felt like aural wallpaper. By the end of the millennium, Sting had regrouped and recorded Brand New Day. That song collection relied heavily on Middle Eastern influences and incorporated Algerian Rai singer Cheb Mami on several tracks.

Three years into the 21st century Sting returned with his most half-assed record to date, Sacred Love. Recasting himself as some sort of smooth, Quiet Storm R&B singer, he enlisted Mary J. Blige for a tepid duet. The album sold well, but it felt dull and uninspired.

One would think for Sting’s next effort he might go back to the drawing board, perhaps revisiting his Punk Rock beginnings. Instead, he made a hard left turn and released Songs From The Labyrinth in 2006. A collaboration

with Bosnian lutenist Edin Karamazov, the duo reinterpreted songs from 16th century composer, John Dowland. (Because what could be less pretentious?).

For the last 10 years, aside from a very satisfying Police reunion tour (sans a new studio album), it felt like Sting completely abandoned Rock N Roll. He recorded the obligatory Christmas album, If On A Winter’s Night, followed by Symphonicities in 2010. Enlisting the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra he recorded a selection of Police and solo songs giving them a Classical flavor. (Um, yuck).

In 2011, he turned his attention to Broadway, composing The Last Ship, a musical inspired by his childhood and the demise of the British shipping industry. It opened in Chicago in 2014 before moving to Broadway a few months later. A resounding flop, it struggled to find an audience even after Sting rather famously joined the cast. A companion solo album, released ahead of the stage debut in 2013 fared slightly better. But all the signs pointed to Sting returning to his Rocker roots.

The result is his new album, 57th & 9th.

The album opens with the rollicking first single, “I Can’t Stop Thinking About You.” A bludgeoning beat and wind-milling power chords anchor this tale of obsessive love. The lyrics are weirdly cryptic, and the melody echoes older Police tracks like “Synchronicity II” and “Truth Hits Everybody.” Thankfully, this urgent rocker is devoid of any Lute solos.

When Sting is on his game, he still seems as potent and profound as he did in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. The buoyant melody of “One Fine Day,’ belies this dire message to climate deniers; “Today the North west passage just got found, three penguins and a bear got drowned/ The ice they lived on disappeared, seems things are worse than some had feared.”

For “Inshallah,” he effortlessly slips into the skin of a scared and tired (Syrian?) refugee shepherding his young family from country to country, hoping for a respite from war and bloodshed. The hypnotic tune is propelled by a percolating tabla rhythm and keening guitar. Sting intones the title (Arabic for “God Willing”), like a mantra, trusting his fate to a higher power.

On the aforementioned “50,000,” Sting offers a wry meditation on Rock stardom, his halcyon Police days and the unexpected deaths of contemporaries like David Bowie and Prince. Over a kick-drum beat and tensile guitar riffs he comments on the 21st century mourning process; “We tweet our anecdotes, our commentary, or we sing our songs in a sad tribute/While the tabloids are holding a story of kiss & tell, that he’s no longer able to deny or refute.”

As good as those songs are, they are offset

by a few glaring mis-steps. Spiraling guitar figures spin clockwise and counter-clockwise on the winning melody of “Pretty Young Soldier,” but the lyrics feel half-baked. Sting sketches out a “Yentl-esque” scenario of a young bride masquerading as a soldier in order to find her groom at the frontlines of a war. But the story abruptly ends as a commanding officer discovers her ruse. His yarn seems better suited as part of a breathless Harlequin Romance.

While “Petrol Head” offers the Punkiest melody Sting’s attempted in years, the stinging guitar, fractious arrangement and blustery vocals can’t compensate for a tedious “driving as sex” metaphor. Yes, the stick-shift as phallus imagery is employed, along with incongruous Bible references; “I’ll take you someplace you’ve never been before, a place you’ve only dreamt about once more/Like Moses driving to his promised land, left turn at the burning bush, a stick-shift, two stone tablets, God’s commandments in my hand.” (Huh?) Finally, “Heading South On A Great North Road” feels like a leftover Lute-y song from 10 years ago. Apparently people and dogs are travelling, maybe by wagon on a road. The verbosity of the lyrics can’t disguise the fact the story is stretched pretty thin.

Sting does better sticking to affairs of the heart. “Down, Down, Down,” is accented by lithe and supple guitar licks, wiry bass lines and a see-saw rhythm. The lyrics offer a bleak marital mea culpa. The best track here is the raw and intimate “If You Can’t Love Me.” A minor-key masterpiece, it presents a stark soliloquy of a marriage in shambles.

The piano-driven melody is spare, conversely, the language is dense, intricate and confrontational; “You can’t be here and someplace else if your mind is in that other place/You’re trying to convince yourself but you’re lying in my face/I’ve listened ‘til my head will spin, I don’t want half of anything.” That last line he spits out equal parts brutality and anguish.

57th & 9th closes properly with the tender benediction of “The Empty Chair.” It’s one of those melancholy “Danny Boy”/”Green Green Grass Of Home” songs where it isn’t quite clear if the narrator is alive or dead.

The album ends there unless you pony up the extra dough for three additional tracks. A more Countrified take on “I Can’t Stop Thinking About You,” and a live version of the old Police chestnut, “Next To You.” Here Sting is backed by the Last Bandoleros, an up-and-coming TexMex four-piece. Those songs are interesting, but not essential. However a version of “Inshallah” that features the Qanun (a Turkish zither) adds a layer of ethnic verisimilitude that renders the bonus track vital.

No one expects a man of 65, an actual Kennedy Center honoree and CBE (Commander Of The Most Excellent Order Of The British Empire), to ditch his stretchy yoga togs and return to his old Punk Rock Bondage pants. That would seem desperate and kind of depressing.

Like a bald man trying to recapture his youth by strapping on a toupee. 57th & 9th isn’t perfect, Sting still needs to resist the urge to be didactic, but it’s a step in the right direction. One final word of advice: step away from the Lute.

ART SCENE

ROBERT TAHAR

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BY REBECCA PIKUS

MUSIC PUBLISHER/PRODUCER/SONGWRITER – DRUMMER – EXPLORER/ADVENTURER – ARTIST/PAINTER & SCULPTOR – ACTOR/COMEDIAN – PHOTOGRAPHER – TOUR GUIDE

R

obert Tahar has been living a very fulfilled & rich life so far! Handsome, sophisticated, charming & talented, -- intense(!), animated -- with the demeanor of Marcel Marceau!

Tahar was Born into a Jewish family in French Tunesia (N. Africa). In 1958, when he was 9-1/2 yrs old, his family moved to Paris, France, where he grew up. Being from Tunesia, where everyone plays the drums, he has always been a drummer.

At age 13 & 14, he was a constant visitor to the Louvre Museum -- he fell in love with Van Gogh, Old Masters, Impressionists, but especially with Picasso. His first “art purchase” was a postcard of Picasso’s early Blue Period, “Mother & Child”. At age 15, he studied for 2 years to be an Actor, and was also a comedian. At age 17, Tahar became a Music Publisher. The Tahar family, including his father & his brothers, became the largest Music Industry & Record Producers in France.

But he could not be restrained by the confines of Paris, and wanted to see the World! In his late teens, He went to Asia and India for a year. Then Tahar embarked on sailboat Expeditions to the Antarctic Peninsula in the North Pole. He did his first painting, of a glacier, after visiting the Patagonia (near the South Pole) in Argentina.

He then went on Scandanavian Expeditions, dog sledding in Finland, Lapland, & Greenland. Tahar then went on Safari’s to South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Tanzania. In 1979 he went to Thailand, then Szechuan Province and the Great Wall in China. In 1980 he went to Tibet, and did several treks in the Himalayas to Mt. Everest & Annaturna. He also lived in monasteries & ashrams with Tibetan monks and was one of the first few people to be allowed in the Forbidden City of Ladaka.

Tahar then lived in New York City and in 1982 married an American Model. He served as Assistant Photographer to the famous photographer Peter Vaeth, and was also a Music Producer. In 1984 he moved to California for the first time, and became a Tour Guide on charters for French tourists. This endeavor is one of the loves of his life -- guided tours to the Grand

Canyon, Zion National Park, Antelope Valley, Bryce National Park, tours in Nevada, Arizona & Utah. In 1995 his tours took him to Sausalito, CA. where he was fascinated & inspired by the paintings of a NYC artist, Elan Vital, who was exhibiting in the Hanson Gallery. He later lived in the Hollywood Hills, where he did drumming with his neighbor David Carradine.

In 2007, Tahar moved to Palm Springs, CA. His career as an Artist -- a Painter and Sculptor, began full-time then. Rich indeed is the person who can enter Tahar’s world -- his home and studio in Cathedral City, Ca. where he lives with his beloved cats Lulaa and Simone. Paintings everywhere! the smell of oil paints, turpentine, linseed oil, incense. His drums, and a music collection like no other - original, rare recordings of jazz musicians, rock & roll, classical. He has painted tributes to Basquait, Prince, Miles Davis.

He is completely passionate about his art, he becomes mesmerized and goes into a trance-like state, painting round the clock until a canvas is finished. He loves the words “le sublime” and “beaute”. The “wave” and the convergence of 2 points are the essence of each canvas. He is a voracious reader of books on philosophy, Buddhism, Abstract art, futurism, theology, spirituality.

“Tahar is a secret man… Color, color, color... shape will follow - and it always does, in an often times surprising way…How comes that, out of this chaos or orgasmic energy… arises such harmony, such timeless beauty…. Tahar’s art is religious beyond religion, spiritual beyond spirituality, significant beyond significance, “brut” as Dubuffet described; “calligraphic” as Malraux eructed; away from fashions, schools, and tendencies…Essential - in a word.” JeanPatrick Capdevielle Robert Tahar, Artists Reception, Sat. Dec. 10, 5PM-8PM and “Masters of Abstract Art” Exhibit, opening Sat. Jan. 7, 2017, 5PM-8PM at REBECCA FINE ART GALLERY, 68895 Perez Road, #7, Cathedral City, CA. - Open Bar, Music, Amazing Art - (760) 534-5888 - Rebeccafineart.net & Roberttahar.com

ART FOR A CAUSE

A

rt has always had the power to move people. Raising funds for a cause is no exception. December 7-10 new paintings, Abstracts by Mark Heger, Strange Little People by Christopher Michael will be exhibited at Colliding Worlds Fine Art Gallery.

A portion of the sales of the artwork will benefit Desert AIDS Project.

When I was approached to host the exhibition, there was never a doubt in my mind. The Gallery is not taking percentage of sales because I am very familiar with the work DAP does. Like many of the Valley’s nonprofits, the money raised stays here to help our residents.

I am also familiar with Christopher Michael and his work. Chris’ work is a blast of color wrought with emotion. “I find it difficult to write about my art. My paintings are colorful, emotional, an outgrowth of my inner life, my addiction and recovery, my feelings, aging, death, love, life, constant changing position in society and a warped but view of the world within and without,” said Christopher. “I have found my emotions, especially the last year, to be highly flammable and best expressed in my art. My technique has changed, it is readily apparent in the People collection; sometimes showing my joy, elation, and sometimes depression, sadness, grief and joy.”

It is the vulnerability that makes Christopher’s work stand out. “I am a gay artist painting. I don’t believe, outside of erotica, that there is a gay art sensibility. My art is gay because I am. My use of imagery and color, perhaps, but I’m not the first artist, gay or straight, to use intense color. I think being a gay man, and one slightly over 70, influences what I paint and the intensity of my art. I try to not let the outside world influence my art. I start each piece with only the vaguest of ideas and let the art take me where it wants to go.”

That art can express when words fail is power. That art can transform our inner thoughts and manifest them in a tangible form is beauty. “My art, I hope, crosses social, religious, political lines in its deepest search for spirituality. Or the essence of spirit ‘Who am I? What am I? Why?’ These are not questions I take lightly. I have over the decades explored the superficial aspects of my life through my

December 8 to December 14, 2016

BY ANGELA ROMEO

art. As I age, as I realize the closing strictures on my life, my art attempts to pull forth my feelings, thoughts and desires of the moment, in the hopes of getting one step closer to whatever lies beyond,” continued Chris.

“But ultimately art must speak for itself,” said Chris. “I firmly believe art should speak for itself. If not, then I’m in the wrong medium.

Tomes have been written detailing the minutia of details surrounding every classic painting, but painting is visual and each viewer needs to take away with him or herself, the essence of what my art is for them. My expression is mine. The viewer’s interpretation is theirs alone.”

Colliding Worlds Fine Art Gallery is located at 68-895 Perez Rd., I 13, Cathedral City CA.

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December 8 to December 14, 2016

PET PLACE

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BY JANET McAFEE

TENKAY, THE 10,000TH ANIMAL RESCUED

O

n November 16, 2016, a beautiful Basenji mix dog, emerged from a back room in our county shelter, the Coachella Valley Animal Campus, to much fanfare in the lobby. Met by the media and a bevy of onlookers, the dog appeared startled by all the attention.

TenKay represented a milestone for Animal Samaritans’ “Adoption Alliance Animal Rescue Program,” as the 10,000th animal they successfully transferred to a private animal welfare organization. Loving All Animals happily accepted TenKay into their rescue program, and transported the lucky dog to her awaiting foster parents.

This successful example of a privatepublic partnership began in April, 2011.

Since then, this program has saved the lives of 10,000 dogs, cats, kittens, and puppies, in addition to an occasional horse, donkey, rabbit, tortoise, bird, rabbit, and even a snake. Tom Snyder, Animal Samaritans’ CEO, notes, “Six years ago we embarked on a partnership with Riverside County Animal Services with the shared mission of saving animal lives. Rescuing our 10,000th animal is a testament to that partnership and the many partnerships we’ve formed with

fellow no-kill shelters and rescue groups.”

Michelle Bergeron is the woman who lovingly escorted those thousands of animals out of the shelter on their way to a new life. As rescue coordinator for Animal Samaritans, Bergeron works alongside the county’s shelter staff to evaluate, select, and promote animals for rescue. She helps socialize animals who are frightened, she cares for those who are sick or injured, and she comforts those who appear neglected and abused. Out of a small office inside the shelter, Michelle contacts prospective 501(c)(3) rescue organizations. Some of these rescue groups are breed specific, and Bergeron has a knack to know which rescues would be a good match for particular animals.

Bergeron explains, “Every time an animal leaves the shelter through our program, I am reminded of how blessed I am to be a part of such lifesaving efforts, and I pray that I can continue to do so for many years to come.” She maintains a list of over 200 rescue organizations across the United States and Canada, contacting the local ones by phone and email, and arranging for transports to distant locations.

Most shelter dogs eagerly greet the public with happy wagging tails. However, some are bundles of frightened fur wedged against kennel walls. The latter are the ones that get the most attention from Bergeron, who optimistically tells the rescue, “I’ll work with him, and he’ll be ready for you next week!” Personable and cheerful with humans, and possessing an innate ability

MEET RUBY Lovely 3-yr-old Ruby promises to bring joy to your home this holiday season. Animal Samaritans rescued this little terrier from the county shelter.

Visit her at 72-307 Ramon Rd, Thousand Palms, animalsamaritans.org, (760) 601-3918.

MEET GROUCHO This sweet shy 3-yr-old fellow was rescued by Animal Samaritans after some callous person dumped him in a trashcan. Groucho hopes for a nice, calm home.

Meet Groucho at 72-307 Ramon Rd, Thousand Palms, animalsamaritans.org, (760) 601-3918.

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to relate with fearful and abused animals, Michelle Bergeron is one of my animal heroes.

TenKay is now enjoying life in her foster home with Lauren Blachley, a student at CSUSB studying to become an applied animal behaviorist. Blachley reports, “She has transformed from a shy, untrusting dog into the happiest and most outgoing dog in our family. TenKay will do whatever it takes to cuddle and give kisses.” The dog loves the company of other dogs, and all humans including the small ones. Anyone interested in adopting TenKay can contact Loving All Animals at (760) 834-7000.

Animal Samaritans relies on foundation grants and the generosity of individual and corporate donors to continue funding the Adoption Alliance program. You can make a tax deductible donation online at www.animalsamaritans.org and designate the “Adoption Alliance program” as the reason for your donation. Imagine 10,000 once homeless animals now living in loving homes. Animals like TenKay, abandoned and neglected, transformed into happy creatures, deserve the second chance this program provides them.

Jmcafee7@verizon.net

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

THE VINO VOICE

December 8 to December 14, 2016

BY RICK RIOZZA

SKATING ON THIN ICE WITH SWEET WINE

J

ust the other night, our family was enjoying happy hour at the Cheescake Factory when we spied ice-skaters mixing it up with axel & edge jumps along with combination spins all on the valley’s new festive canvas of ice.

Yep—believe it or not, this season’s unexpected and new activity for everyone is outdoor ice skating at The Renova Rink @ The River at Rancho Mirage, now open daily through January 8, 2017.

My good friend, Palm Springs’ publicist and marketing guru, Joe Enos, wrote recently in these pages that, “The 2016 holiday season at The River at Rancho Mirage promises to the best one ever, where everyone will gather to create a lifetime of memories at the very first outdoor ice skating rink on Highway 111. The Renova Rink brings the seasonal excitement and energy of New York’s Rockefeller Center and San Francisco’s Union Square to Rancho Mirage with ice skating under the desert’s bright warm sun and twinkling star-lit nighttime sky.

“Perfect for the young and young at heart, locals and visitors, this will be the most popular destination in the Coachella Valley for creating holiday traditions or just people watching. Live entertainment at The Renova Rink @ The River will include local bands and DJ’s to set the tone. Stay and enjoy ice skating, shopping and dining at our extraordinary lineup of boutiques and award-winning restaurants, or enjoy a movie in the new Luxury Loungers at The Century Theatres. The River offers guests the perfect combination of luxury and recreation -including ice skating- all within a short distance of Rancho Mirage’s worldclass resorts and golf courses at the corner of Highway 111 and Bob Hope Drive.

What this all brought to my mind were the snowy and fuzzy memories of my first foray into the “Fatherland’s display of delicious vino and my fortunate stumbling onto what was to become a liquid love affair with German ice wine. Spelled Eiswein in Germany and Icewine in Canada, it is a rich, flavorful and rare dessert wine that deserves to be on any wine enthusiast’s bucket list.

To boot, my first ice wine romance involved a very rare 1986 bottle of wine made from shriveled but premium Riesling grapes that had hung on the vines until Christmas Eve where a quick and total freeze hit the vineyards and all of the grapes were handharvested that night before the Christmas Day sunrise would bring its incremental heat to thaw and ruin the fruit.

That’s classic ice wine production: where as soon as the temperature drops sufficiently and the grapes freeze, grapes must be picked before dawn, and pressed into grape must.

Because much of the water in the grapes is frozen, the pressed juice is concentrated, rich in flavor and high in sugar and acidity.

Indeed, ice wines are extraordinarily

sweet but yet balanced by laser-focused acidity exhibiting bright fruit essences.

Germany and Canada—having early and cold winters in common, probably produce the best ice wines in the world and are the leading producers of traditional ice wines, but Austria, Switzerland and the United States, particularly Michigan and the Finger Lakes region of New York, also produce offerings.

They make an excellent aperitif and these sweet nectars are a perfect complement to nut & fruit-based desserts and ice-cream or sorbets. And, they are stunningly impressive enough on their own to be dessert.

Ice wine usually has a medium to full body, with a long lingering finish. The nose and palate is usually reminiscent of peach, pear, dried apricot, honey, citrus, figs, caramel, green apple. Further aromas of tropical and exotic fruits such as pineapple, mango, or lychee are also quite common.

Even those enthusiasts who do not even think about enjoying a “sweet wine”, once they’ve finally relented and taste the wine, they realize the bracing acidity keeps the experience fresh, alive, and exciting.

Relatively low in alcohol—often with only seven percent or so, it’s the perfect dinner party quaff—before, during, or after the meal.

The intrigue—and scarcity—with ice wines is that the perfect one-night harvest comes only once in a blue-moon, so to speak. There has to be that “perfect storm of factors”: healthy grapes still on the vines, a fast and complete frost, and a ready core of harvesters

who have to act immediately, battling frostbite and lack of sleep. As mentioned earlier, the (Trockenbeeranauslese) Eiswein I first enjoyed came from the acclaimed “Christmas Eve Harvest” that had not occurred in over fifty years, and, has not occurred since 1986.

German Eiswein is a true specialty, and a rarity, the last Eiswein harvest of any size was in 2012—it wasn’t on Christmas Eve, but absolutely delightful. “An ideal Eiswein is like a diamond.” says Rowell Hepp, managing director of Schloss Vollrads in Rheingau (one of my favorite Eiswein production areas), “Crystal clear, pristine, pure, cool—it’s the benchmark for which all other Eisweins are judged.”

“It’s a game against Mother Nature that often results in painstakingly low, and sometimes nonexistent, yields. Birds are known to destroy entire crops. And the grapes can fall prey to a host of other dangers—wild boar, disease, mold, rain, wind or hail. Unseasonably warm winter weather can thwart an ice wine harvest completely.”

Catch the wine while you can—Cheers!

Details on The Renova Rink @ The River, such as hours of operation, pricing, renting of skates and general information are available on The River’s website at TheRiveratRanchoMirage.com. The Renova Rink @ The River VIP Lounge by Acqua will be open for Thursday-Sunday skating sessions.

Parking for ice skaters and their fans is suggested on the west side of The River, near Babe’s Bar-B-Que and Brewhouse.

15

December 8 to December 14, 2016

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

THUR DECEMBER 8

16

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bobby Furgo & Co 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Discoteca w/ DJ Victor Rodriguez 9pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Jazz Trio w/ Francesca Amari, Bill Marx and Doug MacDonald 7pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Piano Bar 6pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Million’s Birthday Bash w/ J Patron, Stevie Crooks, Hannah Mills, Porsia Camille and DJs Amavida and Addemup 9pm THE BLOCK; CC; 760-832-7767 Reggae Thursdays 9pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 John Stanley King 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CHILL BAR; PS; 760-327-1079 TBA 8pm THE CONGO ROOM; PS; 760-322-7353 TBA CORKTREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Michael Keeth 6-9pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 The Bill Baker Show 6pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm FISHERMAN’S GROTTO; PD; 760-7766533 Barry Baughn and Bob Gross 6:30pm GADI’S RESTAURANT AND BAR; YV; 760365-6633 Open Mic Night 7pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 T.B.A. 7:30pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm HOODOO COCKTAIL GARDEN @ THE HYATT; PS; 760-322-9000 Chris Lomeli 7pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Open Mic 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Frank DiSalvo 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Punk Rock Night 9pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke 7pm LA RUE BISTRO; LQ; 760-296-3420 Slim Man 6pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Rox LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Live Entertainment 5:30pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-345-2450 Country Night w/ Hollywood Hillbillies 8pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888999-1995 Quinto Menguante 8-1am MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 The Creosote Serenaders w/ TK Smith, Bobby Furgo, Danny Frankel, Jim Austin and Special guests 7:30pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Intimate Acoustic w/ Morgan James, Johnny Carmona, Courtney Chambers, Before the Funeral and Marc Saxe 8pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 DJ Dracer 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 STUFT PIZZA; PD; 760-777-9989 Acoustic Live w/ TBA 6pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Dude Jones 6pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 T-Bone Karaoke 8pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Anthony DiGerlando Show 6:30pm VICKY’S OF SANTE FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Robert Salisbury 5-6pm, Carolyn Martinez Trio 6:30pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-9pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am WANG’S; PS; 760-325-9264 TBA 6pm

WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Linda Peterson Jazz 6pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJ 8pm

FRI DECEMBER 9

19TH HOLE; PD; 760-772-6696 TBA 9pm 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Alex Santana 6:30pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 The Full House Band Ft. Nena Anderson 8pm AGAVE LOUNGE@THE HYATT REGENCY; IW; 760-674-4080 Art of Sax 8pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Mark Kahny & Francesca Amari 7pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Fleet Easton 7:30pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 DJs Alex Harrington, Murphi Kennedy, Nicky Saponaro, IMDEAD and more 9pm BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 Lucky Tongue 9pm BISTRO 60 @TRILOGY; LQ; 760-501-0620 The Carmens 6pm THE BLOCK; C.C.; 760-832-7767 Karaoke 9pm BLUE BAR, SPOTLIGHT 29; INDIO; 760-7755566 DJ Double A 8pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 The Stanley Butler Trio 6-10pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT CASINO; PS; 888-999-1995 DJ Michael Wright 9-1am CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CHILL BAR; PS; 760-327-1079 TBA 7pm CLUB 5 BAR; IND; 760-625-1719 TBA 8pm THE CONGO ROOM; PS; 760-3227353 TBA 6pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 The Bill Baker Show 6pm ELECTRIC SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-2281199 DJ Ceddy Cedd 9pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm FISHERMAN’S GROTTO; PD; 760-7766533 Gina Carey 6pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 The Myx 8:30pm THE HARD ROCK; PS; 760-325-9676 Esjay & Friends Acoustic Sessions w/ Basson, Rogue Ogre and Avenida 8pm Lobby THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 30 Miles Out 9pm HOODOO COCKTAIL GARDEN @ THE HYATT; PS; 760-322-9000 Bill Ramirez 6:30pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Frank DiSalvo 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-3662250 Live DJ 8:30pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 The Whiskey Blues 8pm LA RUE BISTRO; LQ; 760-296-3420 Slim Man 6pm

LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company in the afternoon, Hot Rox in the night LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Live Entertainment 5:30pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-3452450 Champagne Band 9pm THE LOUNGE; AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888999-1995 DJ Jerry 9pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm MITCH’S ON EL PASEO; PD; 760-779-9200 Michael Keeth 12-3pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760-3274080 9pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760345-0222 Geninne Francis-Whitney 6:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Hanni El Khatib, The Buttertones and The Molochs 9pm PEABODY’S CAFÉ; PS; 760-322-1877 Karaoke 7:30pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Kinsey Sicks-Oy Vey In A Manger 8pm RANCHO LAS PALMAS; RM Meltdown 5:30pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 The Refills 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 Carmens 8-11pm SHELLY’S LOUNGE@TORTOISE ROCK CASINO; 29 Palms; Rojer Arnold & Bobby Furgo 9pm SMOKIN’ BURGERS; PS; 760-883-5999 Ron James 6pm SOUL OF MEXICO; IND; 760-200-8787 Latin Rock 10pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Demetrious and Co. 6pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 Lisa & The Gents 9pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Pat Rizzo & Dennis Michaels 6:30pm TJ’S; PD; 760-345-6744 Derek Jordan Gregg 9pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm VIBE; MORONGO CASINO; CAB; 951-7555391 The Rick Whitfield Band 10pm VICKY’S OF SANTE FE; IW; 760-3459770 Meet the Corwins 5:30pm, The John Stanley King Show 8pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 T.B.A. 1:304:30pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am, DJ Anwaar Hines 9-2am

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VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 TBA 5:30pm WANG’S IN THE DESERT; PS; 760-325-9264 Karaoke 8:30pm WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-328-5955 Michael Keeth 7-11pm THE WINE EMPORIUM; LQ; 760-565-5512 Rob Martinez and Todd Ashley ft. Lisa LaFaro Weselis 5-8:30pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Rose Mallett 6:30pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJ 9pm

HOODOO COCKTAIL GARDEN @ THE HYATT; PS; 760-322-9000 Bill Ramirez 6:30pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Frank DiSalvo 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Teddy Quinn 5pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke 7pm LA RUE BISTRO; LQ; 760-296-3420 Slim Man 6pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company,in the afternoon,Hot Rox,in the night 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bev LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Live & Bill 6:30pm Entertainment 5:30pm 19TH HOLE; PD; 760-772-6696 TBA 9pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-345-2450 TBA 9pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Devil One DJ Sets noon poolside, Stronghold Reggae 10pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888999-1995 Those Guys 9pm AGAVE LOUNGE@THE HYATT REGENCY; IW; 760-674-4080 Art of Sax 8pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm Cabaret On The Green Open Mic 7:30pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Denise Carter 7:30pm Karaoke 8-1:15am BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Connecta THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry Latin Night w/ DJ Sets by Rich Brandon, 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm Cielohigh, Contraz and LF 9pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760-327BEATNIK LOUNGE; JT; TBA 9pm 4080 Hotwyre 9pm BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 Agave PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760Blues Masters 9pm 345-0222 Marko Russell 6:30pm THE BLOCK; C.C.; 760-832-7767 TBA 9pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 The Handsome Family and Drunken Prayer 9pm BLUE BAR; SPOTLIGHT 29; IND; 760-7755566 DJ 9pm PEABODY’S CAFÉ; PS; 760-322-1877 Karaoke 7:30pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Gina Carey 6-10pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT CASINO; COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s Rockstar PS; 888-999-1995 DJ Michael Wright 9-1am Karaoke 9pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Kinsey Tuzzolino 5:30pm Sicks-Oy Vey In A Manger 8pm CHILL BAR; PS; 760-327-1079 8pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 California Celts 9pm CLUB 5 BAR; IND; 760-625-1719 TBA 9pm RIVIERA; PS; 760-327-8311 Michael Keeth THE CONGO ROOM; PS; 760-322-7353 7-10pm TBA 9pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Brothers 8pm The Bill Baker Show 6pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 MARKET; PS; 760-322-9293 Barry Baughn Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm DILLON’S BURGERS & BEER; DHS; 760-774- Blues 8-11pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S 7131 TBA 8pm MARKET; LQ; 760-777-1601 The Carmens ELECTRIC SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-2288-11pm 1199 DJ Ceddy Cedd 9pm SHELLY’S LOUNGE@TORTOISE ROCK EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 CASINO; 29 Palms; Rojer Arnold & Bobby Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm Furgo 9pm FISHERMAN’S GROTTO; PD; 760-776-6533 SIDEWINDER GRILL; DHS; 760-329-7929 Jack Ruvio 6:30pm Karaoke w/ Milly G 6pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 SMOKIN’ BURGERS; PS; 760-883-5999 Ron TBA 8:30pm James 6pm THE GROOVE LOUNGE; SPOTLIGHT 29; SOUL OF MEXICO; IND; 760-200-8787 Latin INDIO; 760-775-5566 DJ 8pm Music 10pm THE HARD ROCK; PS; 760-325-9676 DJ SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-341Paparazzi and TBA at Bardot 9pm 3560 TBA 6pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Dali’s Llama, TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 Hot Beat, Supersonic Dragon Wagon and Sleazy Cortez 9pm Stereoflex 9pm

SAT DECEMBER 10

December 8 to December 14, 2016

THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Dennis Michael 6:30pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm TRYST; PS; 760-832-6046 TBA 10pm VIBE, MORONGO CASINO; CAB; 951-7555391 DJ Hektik 10pm VICKY’S OF SANTE FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Rose Mallett & Barney McClure 5pm, Kal David, Lauri Bono & The Real Deal 7:30pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Rob & JB 1:30-4:30pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am, DJ Anwaar Hines 9-2am THE WINE EMPORIUM; LQ; 760-565-5512 Abie Perkins and Bert Vela 7pm WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-328-5955 TBA 7-11pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Stanley Butler Trio 6:30pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJ 9pm

SUN DECEMBER 11

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bob Garcia 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Slacker Sunday w/ DJ Neil Schield 9pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Jazz Brunch w/ Shelley Yoelin & Bill Casale 11am AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 The Judy Show 7:30pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 DJ and Dancing 9pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Michael Keeth 6-10pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT; PS; 888999-1995 Nash with Quinto Menguante 9pm THE CONGO ROOM; PS; 760-322-7353 Mikole Kaar Pro Jazz Jam 1-4pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Radio 60 3-6pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm continue to page 22

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December 8 to December 14, 2016

THE PAMPERED PALATE

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

MIRAMONTE RESORT & SPA IN INDIAN WELLS

I

recently attended a sit down media dinner at Miramonte Resort & Spa in Indian Wells where they introduced a few of the new signature dishes that Executive Chef Paul Hancock will be offering at the Grove Artisan Kitchen restaurant. The event was upstairs, outside next to the fire pits overlooking the gorgeous property at one of their several special event spaces. Courvoisier cocktails were provided while everyone mingled before sitting down to experience a tasty four course meal accompanied by two lovely wine selections.

The first course was Butter Poached Alaskan Halibut with Cauliflower puree, Parsley puree, Tangerines and Fried leeks.

As much as I am a fish lover I must say that I’ve never been a fan of halibut until now as it’s usually too chewy for me. However, this halibut was absolutely perfect: moist, flavorful

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and melt in your mouth. I will definitely be going back just for the halibut (pun intended)!

Next course was a citrus winter squash with Mole Negro, Plantanos Albondigas, Tangerines, Cotija Cheese and Pepitas. I was so excited to have a dish that included squash as I don’t feel enough chefs use this vegetable enough. The cotija cheese and pepitas were also a welcome addition and the albondigas were a delightful ball of plantains that looked like hush puppies and were oh so good!

Next up was the Charcoaled NY Strip with a Bourbon demi sauce, Potato Aligot with Fried Onions on top, Charred Broccolini and Herb puree. The steak was a perfect medium rare; tender and tasty. The mashed potatoes with the fried onions were also a nice switch up from the usual.

Dessert was a Charcoaled Pecan Pie, Date Ice Cream with Chocolate Ganashe and Apple

BY TRACY DIETLIN Butter Whipped Cream. It was as delicious as it sounds and the apple butter whipped cream was a little something special.

Not only is Miramonte changing up the menu in their restaurant, but they are making quite a few other changes at the property including introducing special events, live music and even beer pong competitions.

They will also start renovations on the spa and rooms in the summer. It’s hard to believe they could make this property any more beautiful, but the new GM Mark Jeffrey and Director of Sales & Marketing David Folkeson have quite a vision to give the Miramonte an edgy new modern vibe while still keeping the classy upscale charm of the property.

Miramonte will be having a “Naughty or Nice” Holiday Party open to the public: Unsure which of Santa’s lists you’ll be on this year? Well, Miramonte Resort & Spa has the inside scoop from the North Pole and will be hosting a Naughty or Nice Party on Friday, December 16th from 6-8 PM where guests

who RSVP will find out if their stockings will be filled with candy or coal.

For just $25, guests can enjoy drinks with both a naughty and nice theme, farm-tofork holiday bites prepared live by Executive Chef Paul Hancock, photo booth fun, and a chance to wipe the slate clean at our Santa Confessional.

In addition, Naughty guests will be entered to win a $50 bar credit and Nice guest have a chance to win a $50 spa credit during the evening’s raffle. Miramonte will also be donating proceeds from the evening to FIND Food Bank. Miramonteresort.com

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December 8 to December 14, 2016

19

December 8 to December 14, 2016

SCREENERS

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BY ROBIN E. SIMMONS

No. 242

MISS SLOANE SLAYS

NOW PLAYING: MISS SLOANE This is a dense political drama set in the high stakes world of power-brokers and lobbyists. Under John Madden’s tight direction, Jessica Chastain plays Elizabeth Sloane, a crafty and determined gun lobbyist who is committed to win no matter the cost.

This drama kicks into high gear when Sloane, who is known equally for her cunning and her track record of success, finds that

winning may come at too high a price.

Although I had little sympathy for the title character as she relentlessly follows her own, well-defined path, I was impressed by the power of Chastain’s performance, makeup and wardrobe! She exudes power and

20

confidence and is a formidable presence and a defiant opponent.

When asked to help oppose a bill that imposes regulations on firearms, she instead joins a scrappy little boutique firm that represents the backers of the newly proposed law. Her defiance and determination makes her a target and puts her self, career and the people she cares about in the cross hairs.

The movie rests fully on Jessica Chastain’s performance -- and she delivers an awardsworthy performance that engages and elevates the film into a satisfying diversion.

Walking out of the theater I wondered if the movie had a message. Is it pro or anti gun?

I’m not, sure but it does have a lot to say about how we are manipulated by greedy bureaucrats, self-serving politicians and the media. Recommended. Now playing.

NEW FOR THE HOME THEATER: THE TWILIGHT ZONE (COMPLETE SERIE on Blu-ray) Travel to another dimension of sight and sound this holiday season with this pristine high-definition Blu-ray box set that includes all 156 episodes of Rod Serling’s classic, groundbreaking series.

Voted #3 on the Writers Guild of America’s list of “101 Best Written TV Series” and included on TV Guide’s list of “Top 50 Shows. This set includes unforgettable guest appearances from Art Carney, Burgess Meredith, Cliff Roberston, Dennis Hopper, Bill Bixby, Leonard Nimoy, Burt Reynolds, Don Rickles, Jack Klugman, Robert Redford, Lee Marvin, Martin Landau,, Telly Savalas, William Shatner, and many more.

This great set also includes hours of new and exclusive bonus features including the rare, unaired pilot version of “Where is Everybody?” with Rod Serling’s network pitch; numerous audio commentaries and interviews; Rod Serlings’s audio lectures, radio dramas, sponsor billboards, isolated music scores and more. This great set has a run time of approximately 74 hours, 34 minutes !), all in full-screen format as originally broadcast. Blu-ray. Paramount CBS. FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS Meryl Streep gives yet another Oscar©caliber performance in this hilarious and poignant true story about a New York socialite who dreams of becoming a great opera singer. While the voice she hears in her head is beautiful, to everyone else it is a hideous screech and hilariously awful. Her husband and biggest fan, St. Clair Bayfield (Hugh Grant) is determined to protect his beloved Florence from the truth. But when Florence stages a gargantuan concert in Carnegie Hall, he faces his greatest challenge to make sure her performance hits all the right notes. Stephen Frears directs with a light, bemused touch . As Florence’s pianist, Simon Helberg steals his scenes with a look of barely controlled astonishment. Rebecca Ferguson co-stars as St. Clair’s girlfriend. Blu ray. Paramount.

Comments, questions?

RobinESimmons@aol.com

BOOK REVIEW

CLOSE TO DEATH

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

“WHEN BREATH BECOMES AIR”

BY PAUL KALANITHI MEMOIR & “THE STILL POINT OF THE TURNING WORLD”

BY EMILY RAPP MEMOIR -----------------------------------------------------

W

e are all mortal. Death is inevitable, yet it is something we rarely talk about.

As uncomfortable as death is, two excellent books take the reader to the private depths of despair and the emotional challenges of living with the dying.

A wife honors her husband in When Breath Becomes Air (Random House, 238 pages) and a mother mourns her son in The Still Point of the Turning World (Penguin, 272 pages). These first person narratives shed light not only on the sadness of death, but how very profound life is.

When physician and author Paul Kalanithi was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, he decided to write about his life and pending death for himself, his baby daughter and the medical community. He wrote until he couldn’t physically write anymore. His wife, also a physician, finished the book in an extended epilogue.

Author Rapp had a beautiful baby boy who was diagnosed with a fatal brain defect and she

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

December 8 to December 14, 2016

BY HEIDI SIMMONS chose to write about the life-altering experience of slowly accepting losing her beloved child.

Both books provide a brave, thoughtful and intimate look at being close to death and the deep emotional impact on those who survive and must carry on.

In a recent stop-over in the Coachella Valley, Lucy Kalanithi, Paul’s widow, met with UCR professor and author Rapp to discuss “Writing the Medical Narrative.” After Paul died, Rapp was hired by the publisher to help Lucy finish her husband’s book. They became fast friends.

The women talked for more than an hour at the Rancho Las Palmas Omni Hotel & Resort about the writing and publishing process. With no outward sign of personal grief, Rapp and Kalanithi have become experts at talking about the hardest subject of all -- the death of a loved one. Calm, present, soft-spoken, genuinely pleasant and sometimes humorous, the women engaged in the subject of writing the medical narrative.

Rapp defined “medical narrative” as writing anything pertaining to the body as memoir and non-fiction. The loved ones of Rapp and Kalanithi died slowly from disease allowing the authors time to consider the nature and consequences of the illness during the writing process. The experience with doctors and the medical treatments are detailed in the pages.

When Paul first got sick, he wrote an essay about his eventual death that went viral garnering the attention of literary agents. From

that piece, a book deal became a reality. Lucy shared the story of how wonderful the publisher was in wanting to honor her husband’s dying wish to complete his book and keep it in his words.

Kalanithi considered how her husband -- as a lover of literature and doctor -- always had a fascination about human mortality with a curiosity and desire to write about it. Not saying it was a self-fulling prophesy, Lucy noted the irony that he did exactly that.

“It’s not a burden to talk about my husband.

If I didn’t have that, I’d feel isolated,” said Lucy.

“Living in the real world, connecting to others makes me happy.”

Rapp and Kalanithi shared how their books have reached people around the world and that their story’s serve others in need. Rapp disclosed how incredibly difficult and emotional catharsis writing is. Reading these books, the honesty is so visceral, I felt the pain and loss as if I were a family member. (Read my reviews at coachellavalleyweekly.com)

Kalanithi shared how much of her husband’s identity was caught up in the future as a brilliant young neurosurgeon and scientist. And that after his diagnosis, he faced an existential crisis.

“It was the writing process that sustained him,” Lucy said. “The writing gave him purpose and an identity and a way he could continue to help people.” The book was published posthumously.

Both Rapp and Kalanithi agreed that the medical narrative provides structure. The act of writing the story allows to reconstruct and restore the deep fracture.

“When you get a diagnosis of death for you or someone you love, it’s so disorienting,” said Rapp. “Writing gives you work to do and there’s an internal logic that is unique to you. It helps restore your identity.”

There is something special and brave about coming to terms with dying. Understanding death, the pain and suffering it brings, seems a healthy way to embrace life more fully.

“My marriage didn’t end when I became a widow,” said Lucy. “It is the most profound experience a human being goes through.” When Breath Becomes Air is a bestseller and Lucy divides her time seeing patients, being a mother and speaking about the book. “I’m proud that Paul lives on in the future.”

SAFETY TIPS

BY FIRE CHIEF SAM DIGIOVANNA

ENJOYING CHRISTMAS THE SAFE WAY!

T

he lights are likely up outside so now is a good time to look at some safety tips for inside the home as Christmas nears reminds Chief DiGiovanna.

• When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label “Fire Resistant.”

• When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness.

• When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces and radiators. “Heated rooms dry live trees out rapidly, be sure to keep the stand filled with water.

• Do not block doorways.

• Use only lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory.

• Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections, and throw out damaged sets. Always replace burned-out bulbs promptly with the same wattage bulbs.

Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord.

• Never use electric lights on a metallic tree.

The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.

• Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.

• Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens.

• In homes with small children, take special care to avoid sharp, weighted, or breakable decorations. Keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children who could swallow or inhale small pieces, and avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a child to eat them.

• Do not burn wrapping papers in the fireplace.

For additional Holiday safety information contact your local fire department.

Merry Christmas and be Safe!

Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

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December 8 to December 14, 2016

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CLUB CRAWLER NIGHTLIFE continued from page 17 INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 345-6466 Ted Herman’s Big Band 6pm Bill Marx 6:30pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Mood Open Jam 6pm Deep House Lounge 6pm-2am LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325THE CONGO ROOM; PS; 760-322-7353 2794 Palm Springs Sound Company, in the Open Mic Comedy 8pm afternoon, Hot Rox, in the night INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Live 345-6466 Larry Capeloto 6pm Entertainment 5:30pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 2794 Hot Rox 760-325-2323 Sunday Jam 4-8pm LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Golden Live Entertainment 5:30pm Era Karaoke 4-7pm, Red’s Rockstar NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 7:30pm 7pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Leslie PAPPY & HARRIET›S; PT; 760-365-5956 Stevens & The Badgers, Casey James, Open Mic 7pm Prestwood & The Burning Angels 7:30pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 The Judy COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Industry Show 7pm Night w/ DJ Tone 2pm-close RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 Guy Worden SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3419pm 3560 T.B.A. 6pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Eddie Gee 7pm VICKY’S OF SANTE FE; IW; 760-345-9770 SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-341Mike Costley’s Showcase 6:30pm 3560 The Myx 6pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 The Khodi Rayne 4:30-2am, Michael James & Chris Gore Group Pro Jam 7pm 3sum 9-2am VICKY’S OF SANTE FE; IW; 760-345-9770 VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 John Stanley King Trio 6:30pm TBA 6:30pm VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 TBA 5pm Trish Hatley and Barney McClure Jazz 6pm WANG’S IN THE DESERT; PS; 760-325-9264 TBA 6pm THE WINE EMPORIUM; LQ; 760-565-5512 Rob Martinez and Scott Carter 6-8pm 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 The 3505 Michelle & Eric 6pm Smooth Brothers 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Ace Karaoke with Kiesha 9pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Eric Lindstrom 7pm 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 The AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Bella da Ball Luminators 6pm Dinner Revue w/ guest performers 7:30pm

TUE DECEMBER 13

MON DECEMBER 12

BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 DJ and Dancing 9pm-2am THE BLOCK; C.C.; 760-832-7767 Karaoke en Espanol 9pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Stanley Butler Trio 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm THE CONGO ROOM; PS; 760-3227353 Latin Night w/ DJ Lisp 9pm CORKTREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Michael Keeth 6-9pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 The Bill Baker Show 6pm FIRESIDE LOUNGE; PS; 760-327-1700 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm FISHERMAN’S GROTTO; PD; 760-7766533 Chuck Alvarez 6:30pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Drag Queen Bingo 9pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Karaoke hosted by Phillip Moore 9pm INDIAN CANYONS GOLF RESORT; PS; 760-833-8700 DJ Randy Johnson 6pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Michael D’Angelo 6:15pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-3662250 Ted Quinn’s Open Mic Reality Show Jam 8pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke 7pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Live Entertainment 5:30pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Tim Burleson 7:45pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 Jethro BoDidley 7pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Ladies Night 7pm

PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Rose Mallett 6:30pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Demetrious and Co. THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Douglas McDonald Duo 6:30pm VICKY’S OF SANTE FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Mike Costley Trio 6:30pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Tequila Tuesdays 9pm VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 TBA 6pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 John Boliver Jazz 6pm

WED DECEMBER 14

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Daniel Horn 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Valley Queen 7pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Jazz Jam w/ Shelley Yoelin Group 7pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Piano Bar 6pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-7998800 TBA 9pm BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 The Smooth Brothers 8pm THE BLOCK; C.C.; 760-832-7767 CV Open Mic Competition Hosted By Morgan James 7pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-8624581 TBA 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm THE CONGO ROOM; PS; 760-322-7353 TBA 6-9pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 The Bill Baker Show 6pm ELECTRIC SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-2281199 Karaoke 7:30pm FISHERMAN’S GROTTO; PD; 760-7766533 TBA 6pm

S and G

PUMPING SERVICE

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

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760-404-6325

HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Open Mic w/ Rich Bono & Poupee Boccaccio 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Live Music KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Open Mic hosted by Amy Angel 6:30pm LA RUE BISTRO; LQ; 760-296-3420 Andy Cahan 6pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Rox LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Live Entertainment 5:30pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 “Sing Jam” w/ Mikael Healey 8pm MITCH’S ON EL PASEO; PD; 760-779-9200 Michael Keeth 12-3pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Golden Era Karaoke 4-7pm, Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 Roger Lemieux 5pm PJ’S SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-2881199 Karaoke w/ KJ Ginger 8pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Michael Holmes Jazz Trio 6:30pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 9pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 The Myx 6:30pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Mike Costley Band 6:30pm TJ’S; PD; 760-345-6744 Derek Jordan Gregg 9pm VICKY’S OF SANTE FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Barry Minniefield 6:30pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-2am, Nite Fixx 9-2am WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-2300188 Chuck Alvarez 6:30pm

HADDON LIBBY

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

GIFT IDEAS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

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re you like most of us who are scratching our heads while trying to figure out what to get those people who seem to have everything?

Don’t worry! We here at CV Weekly want to help you in making this season’s holiday gift giving your most memorable in years.

If you have more money than sense, Ulubulu sells a diamond encrusted pacifier for $17,000. If your princess is a bit older, how about Dolce & Gabbana headphones decorated with leather, rhinestones, Swarovski crystals and an attached crown for only $8,895. Too ostentatious, you say?

How about a crocodile leather yoga mat case for $5,495 or a crystal backgammon set for $800?

If this gifts are a bit outside of your price range, do not worry, there are plenty of equaling unique gifts available.

Do you know someone who gets upset when someone eats their favorite ice cream flavor? Get them the Ben & Jerry’s EuphoriLock Ice Cream Lock Protector that locks the top of the ice cream pint. While this might secure the pint top, I personally would just turn over the pint and rip a whole in the bottom.

I enjoy a cup of coffee to start the day

yet I don’t think I need the Bathe & Brew Shower Nozzle Coffee Maker (it dispenses soap too!). The R2-D2 coffee press seems cute but at $40, I will go to Williams Sonoma. There is also a coffee mug/walkie talkie (and AM radio) - that must have a use but I am certain that these mugs must short out fairly quickly when someone inevitably forgets and put them underwater or in the dishwasher.

For the baker, there is the motorized rolling pin and a self-balancing soup ladle that sits atop a pot of soup. There is also a 28 piece whisk set if that special someone just can’t whisk enough. Anyone this focused on whisking might want the Wake and Bake Dream Griddle and Alarm Clock.

I’m sure there is a 420-friendly version somewhere for whoever has to live with this Kitchen-zilla.

Hosting a holiday party? Order a bunch of finger plates - they literally fit on a finger like a ring. You can be the life of your party (and a police lineup) for only $300 with a beer cannon that shoots cans of beer up to 100 years. While you are at it, get the Santa Hat Flask, some Red Solo Party Cup trash cans and memorize Dale Gribow’s number below.

For the crazy cat lover in your family, buy the Licki Brush. This is a tongue-shaped brush that one holds in their mouth so that they can groom their cat in the way Mother Nature wanted it. This person might also want a motorized cat tail that wags and swishes and attaches to their pants.

For those who are not pet people, there is always the Automatic Pet Petter with packaging that brags, “Never touch your pet again!”

That Pet Petter principle might be at work with the Crib Dribbler that looks like a large gerbil water dispenser. The user simply attaches the Dribbler to the side of the infant’s crib making the toddler (in theory) self-sufficient.

My favorite odd ball gift for the season is the ExhausTXT. This is a sign that goes

December 8 to December 14, 2016

on our back or side winder where you can text messages to driver near you. Just think of the nice things that you can say to the person in the left hand lane going half the speed?

Other notably odd gifts include rhino hoof boots, a magnetic bandage for your car, a mini butter churn and a piggy bank that makes it look like your money is being shredded when you put it in.

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

DALE GRIBOW ON THE LAW

SPEND HOLIDAY TIME WITH FAMILY- NOT CELLMATES

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he holiday season gives us a chance to give thanks for all the things we have and to spend time with our family... and, not “friends” we met in the holding tank. During this time of thankfulness and parties, we see dramatic increases in binge drinking, DUI’s and Drunk Driving Accidents. Thus from a business standpoint this is a good time of the year for a lawyer.

The holiday drinking period starts with Thanksgiving when DUI related accidents and traffic stops increase. Christmas shows a 33% increase and 42% on New Year’s Eve. During this season people who do not drink at other times are more likely to “have a drink or two”. They drive without realizing their low tolerance has caused more impairment then they realize. The combination of all these factors has led to about 1,200 alcohol related deaths in 2015.

The Coachella Valley has more DUI fatalities, per capita, than anywhere else in California. Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s 2-3 times as many people die in alcohol-related crashes and 25,000 will be injured in alcohol related accidents.

December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. During an average year 30 million Americans drive drunk, and 10

million drive impaired by illicit drugs. With Marijuana in the process of being legalized these figures will likely increase.

Until recently, most lawyers were not aware of a private company where a DUI driver can register for a SCRAM ankle bracelet. SCRAM is an alternative to jail using Continuous Alcohol Monitoring.

Drivers who completed the program had a 91% completion rate wearing it for an average of 109 days. I would like to note that men and woman are not equal regarding alcohol consumption. When you compare each having the same age, height and weight, thirty minutes after a standard mixed drink a man will be .02 and a woman will be .03.

A DUI arrest kicks in two events. One is a criminal with a possible trial. The other is DMV beginning a process of suspending your driver’s license.

When arrested your license is taken under the “stop and snatch” law and DMV destroys your license. You receive a pink piece of paper which becomes a temporary license for 30 days. You must request a DMV hearing within 10 calendar (not business) days, or the license will be suspended 30 days after the arrest. When requesting a hearing you can ask for a STAY which freezes

the suspension until the hearing results.

Life gets very complicated if you try to handle a DUI on your own, and having an attorney hold your hand is important. I am here for you if you make a mistake... many do!

I look upon my job as protecting the

Constitutional Rights of every American who drinks and drives and gets arrested for a DUI. I do however “Change Hats” when I SUE Drunk Drivers for damages to my Injured or Deceased (Wrongful Death) clients.

DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE, CALL A TAXI, LYFT OR UBER………THEY ARE A LOT CHEAPER THAN CALLING ME … LAW ENFORCEMENT WARNS “DRIVE SOBER OR GET PULLED OVER” “Though I am sometimes referred to as a criminal DUI defense lawyer, I choose to not view my clients as “criminals”. I prefer to view them and more importantly to treat them as good, honest people that have found themselves in a scary and unfortunate situation by drinking too much.”

If you have any questions regarding this column or ideas for future columns please contact Dale Gribow 760-837-7500 or dale@dalegribowlaw.com.

DALE GRIBOW “TOP LAWYER” - Palm Springs Life (DUI) 2011-2017 “TOP LAWYER”-Inland Empire Magazine Nov, 2016 10.0 AVVO Perfect Peer Rating

23

December 8 to December 14, 2016

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

COMMUNITY

BY CRAIG MICHAELS

HO HO HOLIDAY GATHERING AT THE ART PLACE TO BENEFIT TOYS FOR TOTS

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he Art Place in Palm Desert wants to put the Ho Ho back in your Holidays! They have partnered with the 29 Palms Marine Corps to help bring Christmas to less fortunate families. The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys to underprivileged families. The Christmas gifts collected by the Marine Corps will go directly to families here in the Coachella Valley and surrounding cities of Riverside County.

Wednesday, December 14th from 3pm to 6pm, The Art Place toy drive will culminate with the Ho Ho Holiday Gathering. Bring your toy donations and enjoy Christmas cookies, holiday music and the US Marines who will be on hand for pictures and toy collection. Guests are also encouraged to bring Christmas tree ornaments to help decorate The Art Place Christmas tree sponsored by Woody Miller Christmas Trees on Ramon Road East of Date Palm in Cathedral City - look for the giant snowman.

While you’re in the mood for giving you might want to browse The Art Place shops for great gift ideas to give to the loved ones on your Christmas list. Shop owners will

welcome you with festive music and great gift ideas from art and décor to holiday gift baskets. For those residents who are unable to make it to this free event, the Toys for Tots donation boxes will be available to drop off toys starting Tuesday December 6.

Stores times may vary but most shops are open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm. The Art Place is located at 41801 Corporate Way, Palm Desert.

Written By: Craig Michaels Productions (760) 880-3848

REAL ESTATE

BY BRUCE CATHCART

A FIREPLACE IN THE DESERT?

A

bout this time every year my mailbox is stuffed daily with catalogs many of which have cover photos of fires in fireplaces decked out in all the holiday trimmings. Captions read, “When bitter cold winter weather is outside, nothing beats the warm crackle and glow of a fire in a fireplace inside.” The only problem here in the desert is the part about “bitter cold winter weather” as we seldom go below 40 degrees here in the Coachella Valley! When shopping with buyers for a desert home I often get asked, “Why do you need a fireplace?” My standard answer is so you have a place to hang your stockings at Christmas. The truth is that after enduring summer temperatures in excess of 120+ degrees any day in the 40’s is worthy of a fire in your fireplace and even if the fire itself is not necessary to heat your home, it brings a certain ambience to the room that radiates comfort to all those present. So for all of you who have a fireplace in your desert home and actually use it, I thought I would offer a few common sense safety tips to insure that this holiday season your fire stays inside your fireplace where it belongs! But first, let’s take a look at the sales data for the Coachella Valley for the month of November.

According to the Desert Area MLS (as of 11/30/16) there were 790 pendings of

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residential properties here in the Coachella Valley in November. That’s pretty consistent with the 813 pendings in the previous month (October) and still showing good volume and representing another significant increase in pendings when compared to the same time last year. In October there were 625 solds and in November we had 620 solds again representing consistency in closed sales. This is another significant increase over last year when we sold only 556 homes in November 2015. In summary, we continue to surpass last year’s total sales through November with a total of 8,457 homes sold this year compared to only 7,934 homes sold through November last year (2015) representing an approximately 7.5% increase. Our inventory of homes for sale was up significantly again this month with 4,767 homes available on November 30, 2016 compared to 4,350 homes available on November 1, 2016.

Home prices continue to rise with the highest increase on entry level homes where inventory is still scarce and more modest increases on the more expensive homes. The continued increase in sales over the summer months and now the increase this month in inventory suggest that our market is again self-correcting and as the trend continues it will likely keep most valley home prices in

check until the end of the year.

Fireplaces come in all shapes and sizes and can burn a variety of fuels. Some burn real wood, some use natural gas or propane, and some will burn a combination of fuels. For those of you who intend to use your fireplace this holiday season you should familiarize yourself with the type of fuel to be used and the proper starting methods. I recently lost the hair on the back of my hands while lighting an older gas wall heating unit that had not been in service for quite a while by assuming I knew what I was doing. The good news was that both the Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide detector both functioned properly after the minor explosion went off!

So Tip #1, make sure you know what type of fuel you can burn in your fireplace and how to properly light it! Tip #2 is to make sure you have a properly functioning Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide detector. Tip #3 is to make sure that you remove all the flammable material from around the fireplace… for sure take the stockings down before burning the Yule log! Tip #4 nearly all fireplaces have a “damper”. This is a little metal door at the top of the fire box that blocks the chimney flue… make sure that this is in the OPEN position before lighting your fire. Tip #5 make sure that you have a fireplace screen or glass doors in place to keep the hot embers from escaping into your room. And finally, Tip #6 if you just purchased a home that has a fireplace or if

you have had fires in your fireplace for several years (especially if you burn “Duraflame” or similar logs in your fireplace) consider hiring a professional chimney sweep certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America to inspect, test and clean your fireplace/ chimney.

From all of us here at La Quinta Palms Realty, we wish you the happiest of holiday seasons and a prosperous New Year!

Join me each month this year as we keep a close eye on our Coachella Valley real estate market. If you have a real estate question or concerns please email me at the address below.

Bruce Cathcart is the Broker/Co-Owner of La Quinta Palms Realty, “Your Friendly Professionals” and can be reached by email at bycathcart@laquintapalmsrealty.com or visit his website at laquintapalmsrealty.com.

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COMIC CON P.S.

SPORTS SCENE

COMIC CON PALM SPRINGS 2017

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OMIC CON PALM SPRINGS… is excited to begin a new chapter with our family and partners the heralded Coachella Valley Weekly the periodical pillar in arts and entertainment. Every month CCPS plans to contribute articles, information, stories, the latest news and info regarding the upcoming Comic Con Palm Springs 2017 and much more all stemming from the pop culture phenomenon of today. We are glad to add an additional dynamic to everyone’s experience as readers grab a CV Weekly to start their weekend. CCPS had an incredible inaugural year with so many fans and guests coming to the event. We together as a community made a great many people from around the globe feel special as Comic Con Palm Springs hosted the very first international comic con in our valley. So stay tuned and look each week to the Coachella Valley Weekly for your dose of pop culture comic book escapism.

Now…Get Ready to Suit Up! - Christopher Spellman Founder/Executive Producer -----------------------------------------------------

WHY YOU NEED TO BE READING COMIC BOOKS

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By Tomas Novak ith so many forms of visual entertainment available today, the idea of reading comic books may appear so simple to the point where it’s brilliant.

Now yes, I wrote brilliant, because if you think about it, for decades writers and artists have been offering readers a story, an adventure, an experience that offers something they may not be getting from the cinema or TV. In these stories, the reader decides how involved to get, whether it means reading an entire story at one time, or waiting from month-to-month for each issue. But it won’t be delayed due to buffering.

For years, comic books were viewed by most adults as something fleeting and something distracting that kids used and should “grow out of them.” Well, I think it’s safe to say since Hollywood started eating up comic properties left and right, the concept of “growing out of them” has fallen to the wayside. I mean it’s safe to say EVERYONE has seen DC’s “The Dark Knight” and Marvel’s “The Avengers” and knows how successful each was at the box office. I mean in 2003, people had no idea that a comic published by Image Comics called “The Walking Dead,” which was written by Robert Kirkman and drawn by Tony Moore, would 7 years later spawn one of the most popular TV shows on cable television. Look how many people spent time worrying over just who Negan killed between seasons 6 and 7. I have to say I wasn’t all that shocked that it was Abe and Glenn, as that’s along the lines of how they were killed in the comic.

So why should the average consumer bother with reading comics way before a title catches the eyes of Hollywood. Well honestly for the fun of it. Now I’m not saying abandon all other forms of consumable entertainment, but hear me out. I’ve spent close to 30 years reading and collecting comics, and with each issue of X-Men, Dr. Strange, Batman and Nailbiter, I get to escape, and enjoy a story and amazing art

that lets me focus solely on the content in front of me. I don’t have to wonder what Gotham city looks like on a night where it’s rained for the fourth straight night in a row, I get to see that through not only Greg Capullo’s art, but also Scott Snyder’s words! I get to witness how the group of people labeled freaks by some and the next stage of human evolution by others, try to survive in X-Men. I get to see how the theme of a group of outsiders looking to still do good, still holds a meaning in today’s divided culture.

In Nailbiter I get to see how trifling it would be being an FBI agent trying to save a longtime friend amidst a town full of serial killers, and I get to see how demented some people can become! I get all of that laid out for me in a presentation that some movie studios wish they could not only capture, but create!

Another great thing is that comics are created and produced by folks who want the reader to share in their excitement, and do so through a story filled with conflict, drama, romance, passion and character dynamics, all within 28 pages. I personally enjoy the monthly periodicals as opposed to the trade, or wait, what’s the politically correct term that retailers who didn’t carry them 10 years ago categorize them as now, oh yeah the “Graphic Novel.” The other great thing I’ve discovered over the years of reading comics, and the various sub-genres offered, is that when you have the visuals with the written material it carries the material to the next level. And all of this is being accomplished by spending any where’s from $3.00 to $5.00 on an issue. I know some folks are scratching their head going “$ 5.00 for a comic book!?” To those folks I say, well … yeah, the folks who own the local comic shops and the artists and writers who create the books have families to feed too.

Now on a related note, for those still waiting to be impressed by this column, and have stuck through it, thanks. This should hopefully make your lives a tad bit easier, especially if you’re a parent with a kid who doesn’t want to read in school. Here’s an idea, give them a comic book!

Sure you’re probably sick of them being glued to a screen, so why not use their love for Captain America or the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to your benefit. Take them to a local comic book store and give them enough for a single issue of the new release shelf. Then get them to read that. If it’s already something they like, from a movie or video game, then before you know it, they’ll use those same skills and work their way to novels. Who knows, their reading may even improve in both the classroom and on homework. I mean I’ve never heard a parent complain “damn, my kid spends too much time reading and studying!”

So whether you’re looking to be entertained by something that features a popular character seen on the big screen, you’re looking for something different to read that’s outside your comfort zone, or if you just want to challenge your kid to become better at reading in general, read a comic book.

December 8 to December 14, 2016

BY FLINT WHEELER

FINAL 4 TAKES SHAPE FOR NCAA…

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he debates are hardly over, but regardless, matchups are set for college football’s New Year’s Six bowl games, including the College Football Playoff semifinals.

I spoke with Rusty Justice, lines manager for an offshore sportsbook and my former co-host on my “Behind the Lines” podcast with ESPN Radio, about the opening lines and early action on the two national semifinals matchups, set for New Year’s Eve. Peach Bowl No. 4 Washington Huskies vs. No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide (-14.5) Over the past few weeks, there was talk of Alabama being a double-digit favorite against any possible CFP contender. That proved more than true in this case, and in fact, the line is already on the rise, which Rusty expected. That’s why, when several other shops opened Alabama at -14, some the offshore shops went a notch higher, opening at 14.5.

“We didn’t even want to mess around and give bettors an opportunity to get the flat -14 without incurring some extra juice,” Rusty said.

“We’ve taken steady Tide money for the past two months, from sharps and squares alike, and I don’t see any way this number closes at two touchdowns or less. Don’t be surprised if this spread jumps to -17 at some point.”

Alabama (13-0 SU, 9-4 ATS) has now won 25 consecutive games, including Saturday’s 54-16 beatdown of Florida laying a massive 24 points in the Southeastern Conference title game in Atlanta. Washington battered Colorado 41-10 Friday night in the Pac-12 final in Santa Clara, Calif.

Rusty said that within 30 minutes of posting Washington-Alabama, early action moved the Crimson Tide to -15. By late this afternoon, it was up to 15.5. Needless to say, if you like Washington wait until 3 minutes before kickoff, you might be getting 17.

Fiesta Bowl No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. No. 2 Clemson Tigers (+3.5) Clemson bagged the ACC title on Saturday, but had to hold off a Virginia Tech comeback to do so, perhaps explaining why the Tigers (12-1 SU, 6-7 ATS) swapped spots with idle Ohio State in the CFP rankings. DeShaun Watson and Co.

bested the Hokies 42-35, coming up short as a 10-point neutral-site chalk in Orlando.

Ohio State (11-1 SU, 6-6 ATS) sat back and waited this weekend, failing to reach the Big Ten title game due to an upset loss to Penn State back in October. But that setback didn’t keep the Buckeyes out of the playoff. In its regular-season finale, Ohio State went double overtime to edge Michigan 30-27 laying 4.5 points at home.

“We’re anticipating the classic sharp vs. square divide, with the public bettors siding with Ohio State and the pros on the underdog,” Rusty said. “Adjustments in the odds are almost always predicated on sharp money, but this spread should stay around a field goal if we get the influx of Buckeyes action that we expect.”

Rusty said early action on Clemson moved Ohio State down a tick in price, to -3.5 (-105).

Later this afternoon, most larger books adjusted to Buckeyes -3 (-120).

Early look at lines for next week, I couldn’t help but notice what I believe to be an early mistake for the books. Why is Pittsburgh such a small favorite vs. Buffalo? Analysis: I think this a great indicator of just how good Pitt is coming down the stretch. The Pitt team that most expected to be a contender needs to show up here. Buffalo might have lost the season last week with a road loss to the Raiders, but the Steelers really opened up a good chance now to surge in the playoff race. Dropping this game for the Steelers would be a killer for them in the playoff race. Steelers defense has played rather well and the offense is getting back into shape now with thanks to playing together for an extended period. Buffalo, with long travel during the season now sits at 6-6 with three games following this match up with the Steelers that are very winnable. Perhaps the Bills look past this week and attempt to close out the season winners of three in a row and finish 9-7 on the season. Bills offense is good but I trust Big Ben vs. Taylor any day of the week. Pitt has won 3 in a row and the defense has been the key to the recent success. Buffalo on the other hand hasn’t been very strong on defense. They got lit up for 38 points last week. When the Bills play a team that is actually good, they tend to give up big point totals. I’ll grab Pitt to keep it going here lying under a FG. G’Luck!

25

December 8 to December 14, 2016

BESTFRIENDSFIRST

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BY GAY PATRICIA MATHESON L.M.F.T. & DEAN DEL GIUDICE L.M.F.T.

QUESTION: I HAVE A HARD TIME BEING DIRECT WITH MY PARTNER BECAUSE I’M AFRAID OF HURTING THEIR FEELINGS, WHAT SHOULD I DO?

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he best way to get what you want is to ask for it. Conversely, the best way to avoid getting what you don’t want is to say “NO.” Then why are these two simple things so hard to do when you are in an intimate relationship? Honest communication can be difficult because we fear the pain of being rejected. You take a chance when asking for exactly what you want in a relationship because you run the risk of being refused, or even worse… judged! That can feel painful. For some, depending upon childhood experiences, you may feel as though you have done something wrong when your partner refuses your request. There can be a feeling that YOU, not you’ve asked for, have been rejected. Partners will always make requests of you, and there is nothing wrong with that. But, if you are not comfortable with the request, and you comply with it anyway, you will begin to resent the other person.

You may even resent yourself for going along with something you don’t believe in. If you’re not getting what you want or if you’re giving what you don’t want, pressure will build up and there will be an explosion or an implosion.

If you find yourself thinking: “I can’t say that, it will hurt his/her feelings,” you are

not only making a mistake, you are making an excuse. We see so many relationships suffer because one partner will not be honest about their feelings with the other.

They use the excuse that asking for what they want, or saying no to what they don’t want, will hurt their partner. Your own fear of being negatively judged or losing the relationship will have a negative impact on the relationship sooner or later.

When you’re not honest about your feelings you may think that you have temporarily saved the situation, but eventually you will feel used by your partner and betrayed by yourself. What is happening is that you are settling for the immediate gratification of avoiding pain, instead of doing what is best for you in the long run. Why should there be pain at all when you state your preferences and desires to the one you love? Well, there need not be. Identifying and expressing your feelings honestly and openly accomplishes wonderful things, such as personal growth and deeper intimacy in the relationship.

When you take the time to identify what is behind your hesitation to express yourself, you get to know yourself better.

As a matter of fact, that is exactly how to get to know your real self. By knowing your

HEALTH&FITNESS

TIS THE SEASON T

he holiday season often brings stress and depression brought on from a lot of demands — parties, shopping, baking, cleaning and entertaining, and more, but here are some practical tips to help you minimize the stress that accompanies the hustle and bustle.

- Keep your expectations modest.

Don’t get hung up on what the holidays are supposed to be like and how you’re supposed to feel. Don’t worry about “holiday spirit,” just take the holidays as they come.

- Be realistic. The holidays don’t have to be perfect or just like last year. As families change and grow, traditions and rituals often change as well. Choose a few to hold on to, and be open to creating new ones.

- Stick to a budget. Before you go gift and food shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Then stick to your budget. Don’t try to buy happiness with an avalanche of gifts.

- When stress is at its peak, it’s hard to stop and regroup. Try to prevent stress and

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depression in the first place, especially if the holidays have taken an emotional toll on you in the past.

- Hike your mood with sunlight. It stimulates the production of feel-good serotonin and also helps relieve seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which impacts millions of Americans every year Does the prospect of the usual routine fill you with holiday dread rather than holiday joy this year? If so, don’t surrender to it.

Try something different. Spend Christmas day at the movie theater. Get your family to agree to skip gifts and instead donate the money to a charity.

- Lean on your support system. If you’ve been depressed, you need a network of close friends and family to turn to when things get tough, so during the holidays, take time to get together with your support team regularly -- or at least keep in touch by phone to keep yourself centered.

- Don’t abandon healthy habits. Don’t let the holidays become a free-for-all.

Overindulgence only adds to your stress and

self fully, you experience life in a richer and more satisfying way. You become better equipped to realize what you truly want from life and how to go about getting it. This is the essence of personal growth…simply becoming more of who you really are.

Just imagine how much more the real

you will have to contribute towards your relationship. If you should discover that the person you are with doesn’t like the real you, you will soon see how much better off you are by realizing that now. Then, find someone who does like the real you!

Questions for Best Friends First? Email us at: info@bestfriendsfirst.com

BY DOUG MORIN

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORCV VOLUNTEERS IN MEDICINE INDIO, CA

guilt. Have a healthy snack before holiday parties so that you don’t go overboard on sweets, cheese or drinks.

- Take a breather. Make some time for yourself. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do. Find something that reduces stress by clearing your mind, slowing your breathing and restoring inner calm.

- If you know there are going to be conflicts, prepare a neutral response, such as, “Let’s talk about that another time,” Then escape to the restroom, offer to help in the kitchen, or hang out with the kids.

- Cut back on the alcohol consumption.

Yes, it might help you get over anxiety, but abusing it will make you feel worse.

And keep smiling – it’ll be over soon!

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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

Week of December 8

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Normally I cheer you on when you devote single-minded attention to pressing concerns, even if you become a bit obsessive.

But right now, in accordance with astrological omens, I invite you to run wild and free as you sample lavish variety. It’s prime time to survey a spectrum of spicy, shiny, and feisty possibilities . . . to entertain a host of ticklish riddles rather than to insist on prosaic answers. You have been authorized by the cosmos to fabricate your own temporary religion of playing around and messing around and fooling around.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Taurus poet Adrienne Rich described “an honorable human relationship” as “one in which two people have the right to use the word ‘love.’” How is that right earned? How is such a bond nurtured? Rich said it was “often terrifying to both persons involved,” because it’s “a process of refining the truths they can tell each other.” I bring this to your attention, Taurus, because you’re in a favorable phase to become an even more honorable lover, friend, and ally than you already are. To take advantage of the opportunity, explore this question: How can you supercharge and purify your ability to speak and hear the truth?

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In Goethe’s play Faust, the hero bemoans his lack of inner unity. Two different souls live within him, he says, and they don’t cooperate. Even worse, they each try to rule him without consulting the other. I’m guessing you’ve experienced a more manageable version of that split during the course of your life. Lately, though, it may have grown more intense and divisive. If that’s true, I think it’s a good sign. It portends the possibility that healing is in the works . . . that energy is building for a novel synthesis. To help make it happen, identify and celebrate what your two sides have in common.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): The poet Dick Allen described Zen Buddhism as being “so filled with paradoxes that it jumps through hoops that aren’t even there.” I’m tempted to apply this description to the way you’ve been living your life recently.

While I can see how it may have entertained you to engage in such glamorous intrigue, I’m hoping you will stop. There is no longer anything to be gained by the complicated hocus-pocus. But it’s fine for you to jump through actual hoops if doing so yields concrete benefits.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): For decades, numerous self-help authors have claimed that humans use ten percent or less of their brain’s potential. But the truth is that our gray matter is far more active than that. The scientific evidence is now abundant. (See a summary here: tinyurl.com/mindmyths.) I hope this helps spur you to destroy any limited assumptions you might have about your own brainpower, Leo. According to my astrological analysis, you could and should become significantly smarter in the next nine months -- and wiser, too!

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Born under the sign of Virgo, Mary Oliver is America’s best-selling poet.

She wasn’t an overnight sensation, but she did win a Pulitzer Prize when she was 49. “What I loved in the beginning, I think, was mostly myself,” she confesses in one poem. “Never mind that I had to, since somebody had to. That was many years ago.”

I bet that even at her current age of 81, Oliver is still refining and deepening her self-love. Neither she nor you will ever be finished with this grand and grueling project. Luckily for you both, now is a time when Virgos can and should make plucky progress in the ongoing work. (P.S.: And this is an essential practice if you want to keep refining and deepening your love for others.)

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Most high-quality suits worn by men are made from the wool of merino sheep raised in Australia. So says Nicholas Antongiavanni in his book The Suit: A Machiavellian Approach to Men’s Style. There are now more than 100 million members of this breed, but they are all descendants of just two rams and four ewes from 18th-century Spain.

How did that happen? It’s a long story. (Read about it here: tinyurl.com/merinosheep.) For the oracular

© Copyright 2016 Rob Brezsny

purposes of this horoscope, I’ll simply say that in the next nine months you’ll also have the potential to germinate a few choice seeds that could ultimately yield enormous, enduring results. Choose well!

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Five of my Scorpio acquaintances and 17 of my Scorpio readers have let me know that they’re actively seeking to make new alliances and strengthen their existing alliances. Does this mean that Scorpios everywhere are engaged in similar quests? I hope so. I would love to see you expand your network of like-minded souls. I would love for you to be ardent about recruiting more help and support. Happily, the current astrological omens favor such efforts. Hot tip: For best results, be receptive, inviting, and forthright.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “The awesome splendor of the universe is much easier to deal with if you think of it as a series of small chunks,” wrote novelist Terry Pratchett. That’s true enough, but I’ll add a caveat: Now and then the trickle of small chunks of awesome splendor gives way to a surge of really big chunks. According to my astrological analysis, that’s either already happening for you, or else is about to happen. Can you handle it? I’m sure you’ve noticed that some people are unskilled at welcoming such glory; they prefer to keep their lives tidy and tiny. They may even get stressed out by their good fortune. I trust you’re not one of these fainthearted souls. I hope you will summon the grace you’ll need to make spirited use of the onslaught of magnificence.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In his book The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows, John Koenig coins words to describe previously unnamed feelings. I suspect you may have experienced a few of them recently. One is “monachopsis,” defined as “the subtle but persistent feeling of being out of place.”

Then there’s “altschmerz,” meaning “weariness with the same old issues you’ve always had.” Another obscure sorrow you might recognize is “nodus tollens,” or “the realization that the plot of your life doesn’t make sense anymore.” Now I’ll tell you two of Koenig’s more uplifting terms, which I bet you’ll feel as you claw your way free of the morass. First, there’s “liberosis”: caring less about unimportant things; relaxing your grip so you can hold your life loosely and playfully. Second, there’s “flashover,” that moment when conversations become “real and alive, which occurs when a spark of trust shorts out the delicate circuits you keep insulated under layers of irony.”

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In 1983, two Australian blokes launched a quest to tip a drink at every pub in Melbourne. Thirty-two years later, Mick Stevens and Stuart MacArthur finally accomplished their goal when they sipped beers at The Clyde.

It was the 476th establishment on their list. The coming weeks will be a highly favorable time to plan an epic adventure of your own, Aquarius. I hope and pray, though, that you will make it more sacred and meaningful than Stevens’ and MacArthur’s trivial mission.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): For three seasons of the year -- spring, summer, and fall -- a certain weasel species has brown fur. During that time, it’s known as a stoat. When winter arrives, the creature’s coat turns to white. Its name changes, too. We call it an ermine. The next spring, it once again becomes a stoat. Given the nature of the astrological omens, Pisces, I think it would make poetic sense for you to borrow this strategy. What would you like your nickname to be during the next three months?

Here are a few suggestions: Sweet Sorcerer; Secret Freedom-Seeker; Lost-and-Found Specialist; Mystery Maker; Resurrector.

Homework: Imagine it’s many years from now.

As you look back on your life, what adventure do you regret not trying? Truthrooster@gmail.com ---------------------------------------Rob Brezsny Free Will Astrology freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com

December 8 to December 14, 2016

MIND,BODY & SPIRIT

BY BRONWYN ISON

YOU ARE ENOUGH

T

he question begs to many, “Am I enough?” You are enough if you choose to believe so. Our selfdoubt looms within us lending one to believe we need to measure up to others.

There are days you feel on top of the world. Perhaps, the following day you feel powerless. Consider your mindset and whom you choose to keep your company with on a daily basis.

Comparing yourself with others is human nature. You were made to be exactly who you are. Have you ever considered cutting yourself a little slack? If you find you are trying to be someone else, measure to another, or being who you are not, it is time for a reality check. You will drive yourself into a false perception of your true self. This will only lead you to further unhappiness.

Are you a perfectionist? If you are plagued with the perception of what is ideal then you may be doing more harm than good. You may be losing your momentum rather than propelling yourself to your main goal. Aiming for perfection can be exhausting. Please forgive me; you are not perfect. I am not perfect. Consider the strengths you have and strive to work on your shortcomings without judgment.

Feeling terrible about yourself will not allow you to love you. Loving yourself, in a healthy manner, is highly encouraged.

Loving and taking care of yourself, setting boundaries, and knowing you need to give yourself well-respected time, is not narcissistic. Narcissism is entirely different.

In order to love others you must love who you are.

Remain positive. We live in a society with so much negativity. Refrain from allowing your time to be utilized improperly. In other words, remove yourself from negative relationships. Misery loves company.

Energy suckers will rob your joy. They do not have your best interests. Clearly they do not feel confident in themselves and seek to have others join in their misfortunes.

We’ve all desired to have what somebody else has going on in their lives or that of material items. Practice gratitude and be thankful for your blessings. You have more than someone else and the other guy may have more than you. It doesn’t matter.

All that matters is you find happiness and joy in what you have in your own life.

Remember, you have complete control of your thoughts. You can choose to love you. You don’t need anyone to validate whether or not you are enough or valuable.

Know in your heart and the depths of your soul that you are worthy and more than enough.

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

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December 8 to December 14, 2016

ASK THE DOCTOR

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BY DR PETER KADILE

Dr. Peter M. Kadile is Board Certified in Family Medicine. He has an integrative, osteopathic medical practice and is also known as the local, house call doctor; Desert House Call Physician. He is on staff at Eisenhower Medical Center and medical director for Serenity Hospice. His office is located in beautiful Old Town La Quinta, 78-100 Main Street, Suite 207, La Quinta, CA 92253. (760) 777-7439. DesertHouseCalls@aol.com. deserthousecalldoc.com.

COLD SEASON (COUGH ) IS BACK..

Dr. Kadile, I know antibiotics don’t work against the common cold, but is there anything I can take that would make a cold go away faster? - Jill, La Quinta Jill, you are correct, antibiotics do not work against the common cold and that includes a Zpack.

Vitamin C has demonstrated antiviral effects and plays a role in immune system function. Most studies have shown that treatment with large doses of vitamin C at the first sign of a cold reduced the duration and severity of symptoms. I generally recommend supplementing with vitamin C 6,000-10,000mg a day at the first sign of a cold.

Vitamin A plays a role in immune system function. In a study involving 147 preschool children, the group that received 1,500IU/ day of vitamin A for 11 months had 19% lower incidence of respiratory infections compared to the placebo group.

Vitamin D also plays an important role in immune system function. Most people who develop respiratory infections have low levels of vitamin D. I have observed fewer incidences of colds in patients when they are regularly supplementing with vitamin D 5,000IU a day. Taking higher doses at the first signs of a cold may abort the cold or decrease the severity.

The best chance of aborting or shortening the duration and severity of a cold is to

start supplementing at the first sign of a cold. I recommend high doses of vitamin C (6,000-10,00mg/day) and vitamin D (10,00020,000IU/day) at the first signs of a cold (fatigue, scratchy throat, sniffles). Take the supplements for the first 1-2 days. Along with adequate rest and hydration, you may be able to abort the development of more severe cold symptoms or shorten its duration.

Dear Dr. Kadile, When I have a cold and my mucus turns green, is that a sign that I need antibiotics? - Carol, Rancho Mirage Carol, this subject regarding the color of one’s mucus or phlegm determining the need for antibiotics is another one of the most frustrating medical myths primary care physicians encounter in their practices. Every cold and flu season, I deal with this type of question quite frequently in my own practice.

When you have cold symptoms and blow your nose or cough up phlegm that is green, this does not mean you have a bacterial infection which would need antibiotics. The green color comes from enzymes released by your white blood cells used to fight off the infection. When your sinuses are clogged during a cold, the mucus in the sinuses will stagnate and appear green when you sneeze or blow your nose.

The bottom line is that green mucus or phlegm does not mean you need antibiotics.

LIFE & CAREER COACH

BY SUNNY SIMON

A LESSON IN LESS IS ENOUGH

F

or months I asked my husband to please clean out the garage. One day he did. I mean he really did! When I asked what happened to the Christmas tree, he smiled and proudly announced he donated it to a worthy cause. I was shocked. Yes, we are in a downsizing mode and I do walk around espousing the benefits of becoming more minimalistic, but the Christmas tree? Grumbling I pulled out the few remaining holiday decorations left in our now clutter-free garage.

As I looked around a few hours later, it occurred to me that sometimes less is enough.

Our home looked warm and cheerful with the few items I placed throughout the rooms. There is something kind of cozy about minimalist Christmas décor. Small touches like a holiday pillow here, a candle there, a fresh poinsettia and a wreath on the door conveyed a simple joyous message.

Of course you know this column is not really about my decorating prowess. No, I’m talking about eliminating holiday clutter which can take many forms and cause undue stress.

Web MD reports the average American spends 42 hours a year on holiday activities.

That number sounds low to me but what it does signify is we often cram too many events into our already busy calendars. A myriad of activities

like parties, shopping, wrapping, holiday baking, concerts, plays, entertaining guests (both short and long term) although fun, can rack up an emotional toll.

One of my favorite movies, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” is a perfect example of a holiday gone bust. Our hero, Clark Griswold, tries to create the perfect holiday for his family. Caught up in the excitement of the season, Clark falls into the trap of setting unrealistic expectations. Sound familiar? Yes, sometimes we all reach too high.

If, like me, you can identify with Clark, take a step back and look at the big picture. Sort out what is a “must do” and eliminate some of the “nice to do” activities.

Need a holiday stress buster? My favorite is what I refer to as “white out.” Select an evening and protect the white space. Commit to planning nothing other than staying in and enjoying some quiet time alone or with a loved one. Soak in the simplicity of a period free of the holiday hustle.

This year make the holidays a joyful and memorable experience by making some changes in the way you celebrate. You may find, as I did, that less really is enough.

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

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