Coachella Valley Weekly - December 18 to December 24, 2014 Vol. 3 No. 39

News Community NEWS MUSIC Music ART EVENTSMovies MOVIES DININGDining SPORTS HEALTH &BEAUTY BUSINESSEvents COMMUNITY

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com • December 18 to December 24, 2014 Vol. 3 No. 39

P R E S E N T S

A BENEfiT SHOW SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20 FEATURING: JOHN GARCIA NICK OLIVERI’S UNCONTROLLABLE HOUSE OF BROKEN PROMISES WAXY THE HELLIONS BLASTING ECHO BURNING BETTIE WAR DRUM DJ HABANERO

John Garcia

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WAXY

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H.O.B.P.

pg 7

JoJo Leone

pg 10

TAKING PLACE AT

Stan Foreman

pg 12

Cork & Fork

pg 20

December 18 to December 24, 2014

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CV Weekly Presents: A Benefit Show at The Date Shed

Coachella Valley Weekly

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

760.501.6228

Publisher & Editor Tracy Dietlin Art Director Robert Chance Sales Team Alaina Majiros, Raymond Bill, Jorge Gutierrez, Edward L. Prichard III Classified Manager & Nightlife Editor Phil Lacombe Features Writer Lisa Morgan, Judith Sulkin, Denise Ortuno Neil, Heidi Simmons, Kira Golden, Rich Henrich Writers/Contributors: Robin Simmons, Rick Riozza, Craig Michaels, Bronwyn Ison, Haddon Libby, Rachel Montoya, Angela Janus, Janet McAfee, Dale Gribow, Raymond Bill, Jack St. Clair, Rob Brezny, Eleni P. Austin, Noe Gutierrez, Sunny Simon, Karen Creasy, Richard Weiss, Dr. Peter Kadile, Dr. Maria Lombardo, Bruce Cathcart, Julie Buehler, Flint Wheeler, Laura Hunt Little, Rebecca Pikus, Monica Morones Photographers Laura Hunt Little, Scott Pam, Lani Garfield, Chris Miller/ Imagine Imagery, La Maniaca Distribution Phil Lacombe, William Westley

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Contents

DECEMBER 31, 2014 | 8:00 PM

2:00 AM | $25 COVER

10 DJ’S | 5 ROOMS | 3 FLOORS

PALM SPRINGS

TICKETS AT PARTYWITHBB.COM OR 760.880.1059

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CV Weekly Presents A Benefit Show......3 John Garcia...............................................3 Waxy..........................................................5 Don’t Be Clueless in the CV.....................6 House Of Broken Promises......................7 Breaking The 4th Wall- Rich Byford........8 Comedy - Amy Schumer..........................9 Events - Paul Rodgers..............................9 LMS - JoJo Leone....................................10 Tilted Kilt Open Mic Week 12................11 Stan Foreman & the Roadrunners........12 Consider This - Spoon............................14 Pet Place..................................................16 The Vino Voice........................................17 Club Crawler Nightlife...........................18 Pamp. Palate- Cork & Fork.....................20 Screeners................................................22 Book Review...........................................23 The PS Local - The Palm Desert Cross...26 Christmas Charities................................26 Haddon Libby: It’s All Local...................27 Dale Gribow............................................27 Safety Tips...............................................28 ShareKitchen..........................................28 Sports Scene...........................................29 Sports......................................................29 Health & Fitness .....................................30 Free Will Astrology.................................31 Mind, Body & Spirit................................31 Life & Career Coach................................32 Ask The Doctor.......................................32

A Night of Local Music to benefit Street Life Project and FIND Food Bank. Saturday, December 20 from 5pm -1:15am

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V Weekly is showing its support of the community’s homeless population with a rockin’ benefit on Saturday, December 20 at the Date Shed in Indio for FIND (Food In Need of Distribution) and the Street Life Project.

The night of music starts at 5 p.m. and runs through 1:15 a.m. at the Indio hot spot known for promoting local bands and new music. The event brings together eight bands to raise funds for Street Life Project, a movement of hope, friendship and faith, and FIND, the Coachella Valley’s long-established food bank which distributes more than 10 million pounds of food to 90,000 individuals each month across Eastern Riverside and Southern San Bernardino Counties.

Through its continuing support of homegrown and new music in the area, CV Weekly has gathered John Garcia, Nick Oliveri’s Uncontrollable, House of Broken Promises, WAXY, Blasting Echo, Burning Bettie, Slipping Into Darkness, and The Hellions to fill the Date Shed with live music, along with DJ Habanero’s Tongue and Groove to keep the music going between bands.

Joining CV Weekly for this important cause are Alex Haagen IV, owner of the Date Shed, who has donated the venue and the bands are lending their talents to support the important work of FIND and Street Life Project.

Along with the music, a raffle will raise additional funds throughout the night.

The amazing raffle prizes include the jampacked Grand Prize guitar package valued at nearly $1,000 from Musician’s Outlet;

JOHN GARCIA

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$300 tattoo certificate from Tg Tat; a $100.00 gift certificate to Hard Rock Hotel and $100 gift certificate to Record Alley. The second Grand Prize package includes a PSE Silver Snake Recurve Bow with arrows valued over $200 from Robin Hood Archery, $350 beauty package from Debut European Hair Design, $100.00 gift certificate to Record Alley and $50 gift certificate to CV Brewery. A third Prize Package includes gift certificates from TKB Bakery, Richie’s Diner, Wolfgang Puck’s, Skitzo Kitty, Estheticx.Obsession Massage & Wax Bar, Jesus Yvette Salon, Blo Dry Bar, LQ Wine, Dennis Ogas Salon, AcQPoint Massage, Adam Normand Tattoo and Eureka! Burgers.

Street Life Project is a movement of hope, friendship and faith, whose volunteers go into the community to help those in need where they distribute food, clothing, toiletries and other life supplies, along with life coaching and spiritual guidance, to nearly 180 people a week in Coachella, Indio and Palm Springs.

FIND Food Bank is the only regional food band serving Eastern Riverside and Southern San Bernardino counties in Southern California. FIND is dedicated to relieving hunger, the causes of hunger and the problems associated with hunger through awareness, education and mobilization of resources and community involvement. Its mission is to create a community free of hunger and food insecurity.

Tickets are $15, and the event is open to those 16 years and older. There are limited number of $30 VIP tickets, which include admission to the VIP lounge, dinner sponsored by Jackalope Ranch in Indio and the La Quinta Cliffhouse and a no-host bar.

For more information or to purchase tickets call (760) 501-6228.

Since its inception in March 2012, CV Weekly has supported local charities throughout the year with ongoing events.

CV Weekly’s Best of the Valley Dinner in August raised funds for Desert AIDS Project,

By tracy dietlin Photos by Steve Young

here is no debate that John Garcia’s legacy in music is firmly etched in stone.

He is revered all over the world for his work with Kyuss, Unida, Hermano, Slo Burn, Kyuss Lives and Vista Chino. He has at times been perceived as an enigma to many. He is as mysterious as the desert’s legendary generator parties. He himself admits that he rarely gets out and remains like a tortoise in its shell. Given his touring schedule we can’t blame him. As he states, “When I’m home, I want to be home.”

He’s the desert’s answer to the Sphinx. The Sphinx was viewed as benevolent and having ferocious strength and wisdom. These are traits John Garcia also embodies. (From the July 17th, 2014 Cover story by Noe Gutierrez. Go to www. coachellavalleyweekly.com Archives to read full interview) John Garcia’s first ever solo album via Napalm Records was released at the end of July. The video for the first single “My Mind” premiered

on-line on 7/15. It was directed by Douglas Quill and filmed at the Salton Sea. Garcia just returned from the European leg of his tour through Australia, New Zealand and Europe.

Garcia performed to a full house at The Hood in Palm Desert before going out on the tour. It was the first time I had the pleasure of watching

SafeHouse of the Desert, Street Life Project and Loving All Animals. The CV Weekly Music Awards, held in May, supported Loving All Animals. In addition, CV Weekly sponsors and supports charities throughout the year through advertising and editorial opportunities, with considerable assistance provided to SafeHouse, Loving All Animals and Street Life Project, among others.

Support the cause and celebrate the Holiday season with us as we give back to those in need.

Event Lineup 5:00 Doors open DJ music by DJ Habanero’s Tongue & Groove (Alfredo Hernandez) 5:00-8:00 Dinner with VIP tickets in VIP Lounge (provided by Jackalope Ranch in Indio and the La Quinta Cliffhouse) 5:30 Burning Bettie 6:30 The Hellions 7:30 Blasting Echo 8:30 John Garcia 9:30 Nick Oliveri 10:30 WAXY 11:30 House of Broken promises (HOBP) 12:30 War Drum

Garcia perform live. To say I was impressed and blown away would be understatements. I felt like I was truly in the presence of great rock royalty, not because he is considered one of the many desert rock legends from the original generator party days and the beginning with Kyuss, but because of who he was right there and then: a consummate performer who was passionate about his songs and the audience he was singing them to. I was an immediate fan.

While I sat in on CV Weekly’s original interview with Garcia that Noe Gutierrez did for our Cover back in July, I had the opportunity to meet his lovely wife Wendy and see that he is equally as passionate about his wife and children and his community. From that point the benefit at The Date Shed was born and now we desert rats will have the chance to see John Garcia again live here locally.

Garcia was gracious enough to take time this week to answer a few new questions after arriving back from Europe. continue to page 5

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continue rehearsing and writing with them. All we want to do is play, write, and rehearse. We are going to take our time writing the next one and do it together as a group.

CVW: Tell us what doing a show like the Benefit at the Date Shed means to you?

JG: Well as you know we live in a very wealthy place in the US. If some of that wealth can be spread around to the people who really need it, I think that would be great. Everyone goes through a rough time every now and then, when you’re up, you’re up, when you’re down, it seems you can never get back up again, this is why I’m doing it. It’s time to give back. This time of year is important to me. Kids whose parents can’t afford a hot meal, parents who cannot

afford to give their kids a present at Christmas time just kills me inside. Means a lot to me, I certainly know what it feels like not to have enough. It’s not a good place and no one should be there, especially during the holiday season.

CVW: Do you have a different feeling playing in your hometown like the last show you did at The Hood and this upcoming show, than you do when you’re playing away?

JG: Playing in front of your home town is always a little more special than playing abroad.

You’re surrounded by friends and family you grew up with but it can also be more distracting.

This time is more special than any other because of the cause and how many families the show can effect. I’m looking forward to it heavy.

CVW: What is the decompression process like for you when you get home coming off of such a big tour like this one?

JG: It’s huge. Being on the road with your brothers for so long and then coming back to your family is such a shock. You don’t want your family to forget about you or get used to living without you. Trying to get caught up with everything is overwhelming… from my son’s homework progress, to re-connecting with my best friend and wife Wendy. It takes me longer and longer these days, as I get older, to re-acclimate myself back to normality.

It’s something that’s always very hard to do.

Emotionally it can be exhausting.

CVW: What are your plans for 2015? Any more touring? New projects?

JG: Right now, its decompression time.

Going to take a little time off, then come the New Year, start writing with the guys. We are going to take it easy. We don’t want to force anything. This is the first time as a group we are doing this together. The writing process has already started though. It actually started on the road. So we are just looking forward to digging in and doing right and how we feel it should be done. Again, nothing forced.

Some summer festivals are in order so we do plan on going back over for a small festival run.

And we’re looking forward to it. facebook.com/JohnGarciaOfficial

By rich henrich

magical. Our music was well received. You never know. It’s always easier when a crowd knows what’s coming. We played Sydney, Melbourne, Byron Bay and Brisbane.

CV: What was most magical about the tour?

RW: I got to pet a kangaroo! (He laughs) It was really cool. They have big chests but are soft. In the wild, they will kick your ass! We went to the zoo and the kangaroo’s are born in to captivity so you can touch them around feeding time. One came up to me and I just had the biggest shit-eating grin on my face.

CV: How is it different to play for a crowd in Australia?

RW: What’s cool is it’s not as distorted as it is in Southern California or New York. It’s not about what’s cool for the moment. I think there’re two types of people- those who see live music and those who don’t. We’re not played that heavy but they really appreciate music and love the history of the desert scene.

CV: What does the “Desert Scene” mean to you?

RW: What does it mean? Creative people.

The cool kids growing up were the ones playing music not the jocks. That was really cool to grow up around. It was different than other places. It’s my home. It means everything. It’s an indie post-punk sub-culture. It’s peaceful.

Boredom. Weather. The sky. Stars. Mountains. I step outside now and it’s just beautiful. That in between place that allows for freedom. Today is nothing compared to then…it’s morphing more into punk and psych. It’s always an ebb and flow.

It’s a great community, though.

CV: You also have a recording studio?

RW: Yeah, I’m my own biggest client! I’m hoping to do more. A few bands have recorded here. Brian Setzer recorded here a couple years ago, which was cool. We also do books on tape and some other stuff, too.

CV: Are you recording now?

RW: Yeah, we are in studio now and hope to have a record out by February or March.

CV: Will it be independent or label?

RW: Probably Fuzzorama or someone.

CV: You also have a few other projects you are involved in?

RW: Yeah, War Drum. Our guitarist also plays with John (Garcia). And an acoustic project that’s more Folk Americana. Neil Young, early Springsteen-type of influence. We’ll be playing IPAC (in Indio) on the 28th.

CV: What do you like about playing acoustic?

RW: Playing quietly, you can get certain dynamics that you just lose otherwise. It’s not as chaotic. If it feels good on stage, it’ll be good for the audience.

CV: You’re playing the CV Weekly benefit this week. Thank you.

RW: Tracy and Phil have always been super supportive to me, the scene and the whole Coachella Valley, really. It’s a great benefit for the Valley. It feels good to give back, too. It’ll be great. I love Nick’s band and love John. It’s a good brotherhood. We’ll bring in people.

Definitely going to be a show. I’m grateful to the community.

CV: What would you like people to know about your music?

RW: Hmmm…I guess that our music comes from a good place. It’s about musical exploration. We’re mining for grooves! You listen to a few songs and you get the idea of what we are trying to do. We do it our own way with our own approach. (Our motto) is do your own thing to the max!!!

Check out www.waxy-music.com for more info on their upcoming album and follow their process as they release another diverse album fit for connoisseurs of rock and roll and beyond.

For info on Robbie’s recording studio, go to: www.unit-A.com.

Come check out Waxy and support of the community’s homeless population with a rockin’ benefit on Saturday, December 20 at the Date Shed in Indio for FIND (Food In Need of Distribution) and the Street Life Project.

As I’m reminded by a line from WAXY’s song Motorcade, “…if you realize the blessing just to be alive…,” you’ll be there with us celebrating all that is right in this world.

continued from page 3

CVW: Can you tell us about your recent tour to Australia and Europe?

JG: It was excellent. All the shows were amazing and the response was overwhelming.

Although it was a success, I’ve been looking forward to going back to the veterinary technician position. I miss it. I still plan on rehearsing and writing with the band and look forward to that as well. I’m very lucky to be able to do both.

CVW: How did it differ being solo John Garcia tour compared to when you’ve toured with the different bands you’ve been in?

JG: I think the biggest difference is the energy. Every band I’ve played in and in my opinion, has its own energy, to the songs they play, how they play them and who plays them and the environment they play them in. That said… it is also exposing yourself that’s more personal. No name to hide behind, it’s just you and your band mates. I’m very lucky to have a great band backing me up. Ehren, Mike and Greg are incredible musicians and I’m lucky to be sharing the stage with them.

CVW: Will the same guys who toured Europe with you be playing the Date Shed show?

JG: Yes. Ehren Groban, Mike Pygmie, and Greg Saenz: I do not want this line up to change.

They are a GREAT band and I look forward to

WAXY.. The Scorpion and the Turtle and Rock and Roll

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he story of The Scorpion and the Turtle is an allegory, a story meant to communicate an abstract idea. We all know to look out for the wolf in sheep’s clothing because of the allegory that was shared in our childhood. However, not as many people may be familiar with this story said to be written by the poet Nur ad-Din Abd ar-Rahman Jami.

As the story goes, a turtle and a scorpion were traveling when they came upon a river.

The turtle was not phased by this challenge but the scorpion was quite concerned. “How will I cross this river? You can swim but I will drown.”

The turtle looked at his friend and replied, “You can climb on my back but don’t sting me.” The scorpion laughed. “Why would I sting you? If I do, we will both drown. Where is the reason in me doing such a thing?” The turtle thought this over. “You’re right! Hop on!” The scorpion climbed aboard and about half way across the river, the scorpion stung the turtle. “What are you doing?” cried the turtle as they both started to sink. “What do you mean?” asked the scorpion. “You said there would be no reason in stinging me and you just stung me. We are both going to drown. Why did you do it?” The scorpion replied with resolute conviction, “It has nothing to do with reason. It’s just my nature.

I’m a scorpion.”

The beauty of allegories, like this one, is their ability to transcend words and meaning to communicate an abstract concept in a way that is not as vulnerable to manipulation as mere words in a story tend to be over time. It is true for the lyrics and the music of WAXY as well, as they will no doubt stand the test of time. The band is essentially, an allegory for rock and roll.

There is wisdom in this story and it’s embedded in WAXY’s iconic logo. As in life, as in the music industry, the message is that not everyone should be trusted, including our selves in moments of poor judgment. It’s a reminder that not everyone acts according to what makes logical sense. There is still “non-sense” and those

December 18 to December 24, 2014

who prescribe to that line of thinking. Perhaps the most important reminder is not everyone acts in what you may believe to be their own best interest. It is a warning and a reminder on the nature of things and the character of those around us. It is the harsher reality that we all must face at some point- even with a hard sell, those close to us can pierce our veil and take us down.

Below is my interview with WAXY frontman Robbie Waldman.

CV: So, what does “WAXY” mean?

RW: Without Any eXplanation Why. CV: Why? RW: I went to school in L.A. and I wanted a name. It’s the most important thing and the least important thing. What is Pearl Jam? It could be stupid but I love the band so…

Waldman grew up in the desert and in the “desert scene” but left to attend USC as a Music Industry major. “Our logo, a scorpion on the back of a turtle, comes from the story. The turtle lets the scorpion ride on his back but then the scorpion bites the turtle. The turtle asks the scorpion: why did you bite me? And the scorpion says that’s just who I am. The industry is a lot like that. (The logo) is really about knowing who you are and using your wits. It’s dog eat dog. I have it tattooed on me.”

CV: You recently were touring in Australia with John Garcia. How’d that come about?

RW: John Garcia is a good friend. I was nervous. It’s expensive for sure but it was

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Don’t Be

CLUELESS IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY How many days before the Big HO HO HO?

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ight (8) Days, 192 Hours, 11,520 minutes---more or less, cupcake--discounting closed stores and miscalculation by a sprinkles-jammed calculator on my desk... No, can’t be. Say it isn’t so! Here’s your cue: Get a hustle in your bustle, Dude and Dudette. Someone naughty is already serenading Santa with “Up on the Roof-top, Reindeer pause!” as he/she hands the bearded one an accumulated Wish list labeled “My Very Nice” Year: A Memoir.” Yeah, right. And Santa’s Elves play for the Lakers on their days off. (Look worried, Kobe.) Listen up: It’s too late to scream: “Unfair!” Hitch up your personal sleigh and set your course to share, to surprise, to add joy to the lives of those you love on Christmas---whether a card, a gift, a call or a visit. Click, click, click, it all counts. It all matters! Happy Holidays!

Thursday December 18, 6:00 – 9:00 PM. A different kind of “Fire Sale!” Where’s the fire? At retail store The Body Deli, 73560 El Paseo, Suite B, Palm Desert. Thanks Desert Sun! The community-conscious newspaper made this a page one story and now you can help the Morongo Valley Fire Department (MVFD) purchase a new fire engine so it can respond to the many dangerous car crashes on Highway 62. It’s free to the public. Enjoy holiday treats and meet some of the “Highway Heroes” in person. 25% of all merchandise by The Body Deli purchased during the event will be donated to the MVFD for a much-needed fire engine. Search for “Morongo Valley Crowdfunds Fire Truck” at www.desertsun. com to read the article, which explains why the department so desperately needs a new truck.

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“This is one of the most severe highways in the nation, or at least in Southern California. And these first responders need so much more to do their job,” said David Parker, owner of The Body Deli who has designed a website and “Highway Heroes” merchandise to help the town raise money.

“I don’t think this is just a Morongo Valley story, or an upper desert story. I think it’s a Coachella Valley story. How many people do you know that drive this highway? I don’t drive it every day ... but it’s reassuring to know that help is only five minutes away.”

Today’s Last Date! Give by Thursday, December 18, 9:00 – 5:00 PM. You’re guided by “Sell-by” Dates when grocery shopping.

So, when you want to make sure our local foster kids find a gift under the tree just for them, you’ll want to play Santa when the Family Health and Support Network kicks off the 11th annual Holiday Toy Drive.

FHSN is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing safe, loving homes for foster children in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Please do your part by donating an unwrapped toy or gift card, make an in-kind donation or offer a financial contribution no later than December 18, 2014. The gifts will be distributed at a private holiday celebration for children, youth, and families on Saturday, December 20. Volunteer Elves are also needed. Toys may be dropped off at FHSN, located at 74-410 Highway 111, Suite D in Palm Desert today until Dec. 18. Office hours are Monday – Thursday from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Friday from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM. “Children in foster care are separated from family, and siblings may be placed in different foster homes, causing additional stress, anxiety and loneliness during the holidays,” explained Sandra Austin, Executive Director of FHSN. “We want to do whatever we can to alleviate their sadness and lift their spirits by providing them with an evening of dinner, entertainment, and gift giving from Santa Claus. The goal is to provide our children with one special night where they are celebrated, empowered,

by Diane Marlin-Dirkx

and given a measure of hope.” Family Health & Support Network, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit that serves high-risk children 0-21 who have been removed from their families as victims of abuse, neglect and/or abandonment. For more information and to inquire about donations and volunteering, please call 760-340-2442.

Friday thru Sunday, December 19 – 21, 11:00 AM – 8; 00 PM. Go ahead, play Santa!

We‘ve Got You and Your Gifts Covered by the Family YMCA of the Desert Youth and Government Teens who will wrap every one of your carefully chosen gifts from the hottest-choice Singing “Elsa Doll” to the highly- embellished “Holiday Sweater” for Uncle Joe without let-it-go, as it were. Just stop by the Wrap Booth at Westfield Palm Desert Mall. “We work for tips,*” chorus these terrific future leaders who will drop all proffered coins (legal tender paper bills, too!) into the coffer to help fund the Y&G program. For more info, go to www. ymcaofthedesert.org.

Saturday, December 20, 7 PM. Holiday Magic! Take a friend to share a heartwarming holiday concert featuring the vocal talents of Patricia Welch performing seasonal favorites: Silent Night, Winter Wonderland, Joy to the World and many more. Highlights include selections from the Nutcracker Suite by Tchaikovsky. The Festive Sounds of Hanukkah, Sleigh Ride and White Christmas embracing the musical magic of the season.) The Coachella Valley Symphony announces its 2014-15 Concert Series with all four concert performances at the symphony’s new home, the Helene Galen Performing Arts Center in the Rancho Mirage High School, 31001 Rattler Road.

Individual ticket prices are $45 for front section, $35 for mid-section, and $25 for the rear section. Tickets for students and active duty military are $10. Individual tickets must be purchased through the Helene Galen Performing Arts Center website, www.hgpac.org or by calling (760) 202-6482 ext. 3. Please ask for the concert lineup when you make your ticket subscription selection. A season ticket subscription is $180 for front section; $140 for middle; and $100 for the rear. Season tickets guarantee same seats for all four shows. Subscription tickets may be purchased by calling the CV Symphony hotline760- 360-2222, email coachellavalleysymphony@gmail.com or visit online at www.cvsymphony.com “Don’t Be Clueless” wants to remind you that press releases for inclusion should be in to the Coachella Valley Weekly at least two weeks ahead of the scheduled event!

Thanks!

HOUSE OF BROKEN PROMISES, NOT FAST FOOD FOR THE BRAIN

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ife, struggle and balance,” says HOBP front man Arthur Seay, is what he and the band are working on currently. On the band’s Facebook page, a picture says it all- a baby is crying in the hands of rock and roll personified. “That’s photographer Chris Miller’s kid. It was a perfect shot. It actually helped us get an extension on a plug-in transfer date that we needed! It had just expired and I called the company and the guy actually did his homework on us and commented on that picture and hooked us up!” He is careful to note, “no babies were harmed.”

There is no doubt this desert rock band is working hard and about to kick it into another gear. I interviewed Arthur this week to catch up with him, the band, touring Europe and of course, the upcoming CV Weekly benefit show at the Date Shed on December 20th to benefit FIND Food Bank and Street Life Project.

AS: Sorry about the noise. We’re recording a new record starting today. We’re wiring up and setting tone.

CV: What can we expect from this creation?

AS: For the new record, we’re super stoked.

It’ll be a variety- Desert, Stoner, Metal. We all love a variety of music and it’s definitely going to show on this record.

CV: What themes do you want to explore?

AS: Militarization. Relationships. Love.

Hate. Drugs.

CV: What do you think House of Broken Promises stands for?

AS: It stands for bringing you high performance rock and roll. We’re taking it to the people. It’s quality, drive and determination. It’s definitely a guaranteed badass show! Bang a gong and get it on!

CV: Santa, Elves and rock and roll at the Date Shed for the Holidays?

AS: We always love to support this community. We’re lucky enough to play music and be able to give back. It’ll be great. We all know each other- Nick, John, everyone. It’s like a mini Desert Fest.

CV: What’s Desert Fest like?

AS: Desert Fest is a tribute to “the Scene,” you know, Kyuss, Unida, Fatso, Yawning Man. We play Europe, New Zealand, and Australia.

It’s homage to the desert. It’s really well run, organized. We play crowds of 2-3,000. It’s cool.

CV: What do you like about touring in Europe?

AS: America is fast food for the brain! It’s about what’s cool for now. European’s are more connoisseurs of music. They embrace it and continue to stay in to it. They really support the music and the desert scene. I don’t know it’s different than the U.S. for sure.

They add to what they like rather then forget about stuff.

CV: I heard they prefer vinyl, too.

AS: Yeah. We sell more vinyl there than anywhere. Ninety percent of what you work hard for in the studio is lost in digital.

CV: Is it refreshing for the band to play Europe and Australia?

AS: It’s what we all want to do- go and play music and come home with a penny or two to pay a few bills. We pay for our own backline and everything over there. It works out, though. It’s always great to come back home.

CV: What is the “Desert Scene” to you?

AS: Well, it’s definitely home. This is where the music flows from and comes back to.

There is a vibe. I feel it. I don’t know. I like to visit L.A. and get the f@#% out. There is something here. Like today, clean air and sunshine. It’s the sky, the stars. You don’t get that sh!# in L.A. Definitely an energy.

Sometimes it’s bleak, desolate. There’s a special mystic energy. I believe and feel that.

CV: Blender listed CV as one of the top ten cities in America for Rock and Roll.

AS: I think it is. It’s like Seattle, New York or Muscle Shoals. It’s come together, grown and collapsed on itself. It wasn’t always that way back in the day. It was cliquey:These people and those people. It was rather high school. You have to create and the more we can support each other, the more that gets done. That should be the scene, helping each other grow. I’m an activist and I’m not afraid to fight a mother f#@%er. I’m not afraid to say “you’re ripping people off.”

CV: Life. Struggle. Balance?

AS: We all have other jobs and commitments. I’m working for Godsmack and have to work around the tour schedule.

We’ll be in Australia in February. We started recording today but it will be late spring before we’re ready to release. Yeah, it’s just about scheduling around everyone’s lives and continuing to play our music.

CV: What are you trying to get in place for the new album now?

AS: I really want to get the drums and bass set before the tour (with Godsmack). This

December 18 to December 24, 2014

By rich henrich

album will be out by summer, for sure. It’s part of the schedule of things.

CV: What’s your approach?

AS: Do it right and go hit hard! We’re gonna have some fun with it. Sign up on our mailing list and you’ll get a private link to SoundCloud and be able to listen to some of our new recordings. It’s a way to thank every one for supporting us! There will be free songs coming for download, too. We don’t want to bug, just update people who like our music and let them see a bit of the process behind the scenes. We’ll be filming it, making our own reality series and putting out webisodes on the process. We’ll probably do a mini-doc, too.

CV: Looking forward to seeing you guys at the show, It’s a great line up.

AS: Yeah, it’s gonna be fun. We really

wanted to do this benefit. It’s a great cause with friends.

Take a look at HOBP’s new website (which is still being updated with new content) at: www.houseofbrokenpromises.com and be sure to “like” the band on Facebook, too. www.facebook.com/HOBPMUSIC

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December 18 to December 24, 2014

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Breaking the 4th Wall

By Dee Jae Cox

ADecember Stage Review: The Heart of a Gypsy Troubadour 14 at the Indio Performing Arts Center th

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he English word troubadour is derived from a French word first recorded in 1575 in an historical context to mean a poet who carried messages from one town to the next, sometimes from one lover to another.

Richard Byford’s, The Heart of a Gypsy Troubadour weaves the adventures of his life into a poetic cadence and performance.

The set and props are simple, each story transitioned by a hat or a jacket as his folksy songs add another layer to the telling of his life. Not all life adventures are worth the retelling and some more interesting to those involved than observers once removed, but as the phases of his life unfold, we catch glimmers of what it means to live a life filled with ambition and promise.

Gypsy Troubadour is a history of selfexamination, a journey from the writer’s conception in the back of a car at the end of World War II, through is his accomplished career as the other half of ‘Richard & Mary’, a successful folk duo known for their unique musical storytelling.

Richard Byford’s transformation into an Arctic gold miner in the lyrical, ‘Cremation of Sam McGee,’ by poet Robert W. Service, was brilliant. It was the highlight of the show as Mr. Byford donned a winter cap, flaps hanging over his ears and stooped into the posture of a weary old man, held upright only by the aid of a walking stick.

The poetry of the story was magical and vivid and engaging to watch: There are strange things done in the midnight sun By the men who moil for gold; The Arctic trails have their secret tales That would make your blood run cold; The Northern Lights have seen queer sights, But the queerest they ever did see Was that night on the marge of Lake Lebarge I cremated Sam McGee. With only a cowboy hat and a guitar, the audience was taken to the rodeo and cheering when Maurice, the rodeo’s rebel horse was rescued from a certain fated demise and so began a 29 year friendship

between a man and his horse.

Richard Byford’s, one man show is poetry in motion, fluid and flowing like a stream through the stages of a life well lived. The occasional backdrop of slides adds color and visual images to the performance, breaking up the monologue and providing a welcome enhancement to the storytelling.

The Sunday, December 14th performance was listed as a private matinee at the Indio Performing Arts Center, IPAC, in Indio.

The Indio Performing Arts Center (IPAC) is a beautiful facility with 3 theatres that serves the Indio and surrounding desert communities. It is located at 45-175 Fargo Street , Indio, CA 92201 Phone: 760-775-5200 info@indioperformingartscenter.org www.indioperformingartscenter.org Dee Jae Cox, is a playwright, director and producer. She is the Cofounder and Artistic Director for The Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Project and the host of KPTR 1450’s hit radio show, “California Woman 411” in Palm Springs.

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

AMY SCHUMER

comedy

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s the funniest, freshest face on television, Amy Schumer is on the rise in the world of comedy with her blend of honesty, and unapologetic sense of humor. On Saturday, March 28th, she dishes out hysterical comedy on the Special Events Center stage at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.

Schumer is the creator, star, writer and executive producer of the Emmy-nominated Inside Amy Schumer, the popular Comedy Central television series which premiered in April 2013 to the network’s highest season premiere ratings of the year. Schumer’s provocative and hilariously wicked mind is on full display as she explores topics revolving around sex, relationships, and the general clusterf*ck that is life through a series of scripted vignettes, stand-up comedy, and man-on-the-street interviews.

The show will return for a 3rd season in April 2015.

This past summer she completed production on Universal’s Trainwreck that Schumer wrote and will star in alongside Bill Hader, Tilda Swinton and Brie Larson. Judd Apatow will produce and direct the feature film that is scheduled to be released in July 2015.

Schumer’s hit one-hour stand-up special, Mostly Sex Stuff, became Comedy Central’s

December 18 to December 24, 2014

SPECIAL VALENTINE’S DAY SHOW FEATURING PAUL RODGERS OF BAD COMPANY

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Saturday, February 14th at 8 p.m.

second-highest rated special in 2012. She was also one of the featured comedians on Comedy Central’s Roast of Roseanne, which followed her memorable and quotable performance on the 2011 Roast of Charlie Sheen. She was recently seen in such critically acclaimed series as FX’s Louie and HBO’s Girls. Previously, Schumer had a recurring role on the third season of Adult Swim’s Delocated, and guest starred in the latest season of Curb Your Enthusiasm.

On the big screen, Schumer filmed the feature Seeking a Friend for the End of the World starring Steve Carrell and Kiera Knightley, as well as Price Check, an independent feature opposite Parker Posey which premiered at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.

Her album Cutting placed in the top 5 of the Billboard Charts and has been included on multiple Best Comedy Albums of the Year awards’ lists.

The comic made her network debut in 2007 when she starred on NBC’s Last Comic Standing and soon after co-starred on 30 Rock and received her own Comedy Central Presents special.

Tickets for the 8PM Amy Schumer performance are on sale Friday, December 12th for $79, $59, $39 at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, via telephone (800) 827-2946 or online at www.FantasySpringsResort.com.

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potlight 29 Casino is proud to present a special Valentine’s Day show with platinum selling vocalist Paul Rodgers of Bad Company to the Spotlight Showroom on Saturday, February 14th at 8 p.m. Tickets go on sale Friday, December 12th at 10 a.m. and are available at www.Spotlight29.com. Spotlight 29 Casino’s Spotlight Showroom offers the premier entertainment experience in the Coachella Valley.

Rodgers, a co-founder of British rock supergroup Bad Company, enjoyed great success as the lead singer with the band throughout the 1970s and ‘80s. Their selftitled debut album included smash hits “Can’t Get Enough,” “Movin’ On” and “Ready For Love.” Led by the incomparable Rodgers, Bad Company earned six platinum albums and had such notable hits like “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” “Bad Company” and “Rock and Roll Fantasy.”

After leaving Bad Company, Rodgers pursued a solo career and had a musical collaboration with guitarist Jimmy Page in the group, The Firm. Rodgers also had a five-year long venture with Queen, and most recently has been touring with a Bad Company reunion show, as well as playing solo concerts. A poll in Rolling Stone ranked

him number 55 on its list of the 100 Greatest Singers of All-Time.

Don’t miss Paul Rodgers of Bad Company for this special Valentine’s Day show on Saturday, February 14th. Tickets for the show are $45, $65 and $75 per ticket, and are available at www.Spotlight29.com, Star Tickets (800) 585-3737, or the Spotlight 29 Box Office and Gift Shop. Doors open at 7 p.m. The show starts at 8 p.m.

ADDITIONAL UPCOMING SHOWS Dec. 12-14 Winter Gathering POW WOW Dec. 20 Desperado, A Celebration of the Eagles Dec.31 Stayin’ Alive, A Celebration of the Bee Gees Jan. 3 Randy Linder, A Celebration of Creedence Clearwater Revival Jan. 10 Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers Jan. 17 Revolver, A Celebration of the Beatles Jan. 24 Starship featuring Mickey Thomas Feb. 7 John Mulaney Feb. 14 Paul Rodgers of Bad Company Feb. 26 Martina McBride

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December 18 to December 24, 2014

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Local Music Spotlight

JoJo Leone

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by Lisa Morgan

A Music Filled Journey from Brooklyn, NY to Palm Springs, Ca One of the Best Male R & B Voices in the Desert that Started Out as a Heavy Metal and Punk Rock Drummer

o look at him, you would never suspect the level of talent cloaked beneath his nonchalant, humble mannerism. Not to say that the guy doesn’t have swagger. When you learn about his Brooklyn roots, the character that is JoJo Leone starts to make sense. But nowhere in casual conversation would you even begin to realize the depth and variety to this local musician’s music skill and experience. The minute you hear the first pure, soulful notes coming through the PA, you know there has to be an amazing story behind his music.

And there is.

Leone grew up in epicenter of the mob scene in the Bensonhurst neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Leone’s love affair with music had quite different origins than one would ever suspect from an artist you’ll find with guitar in hand, singing the soulful R&B and pop that venues like Mastros and Pete’s Hideaway pay him for. “It all started in New York, watching the bands at block parties,” shared Leone in his somewhat tamed Brooklyn accent. “I was enamored by everything they did. I used to order records off the television at night when my mom didn’t know. They’d send them COD back then. The mailman would deliver them and surprise my mom. Fortunately, she was very supportive of my love for music so she’d pay for them. My grandfather was a ragtime piano player on Coney Island, my grandmother on my dad’s side played mandolin guitar and sang, my dad played drums in the military and had a nice voice actually. But a lot of my inspiration came from 70’s radio and bands like Ambrosia and The Beatles. Then I’d listen to my sister’s collection that had Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye. I remember standing in front of a mirror, pretending I was Michael Jackson with a hair brush in my hand. I sang that song Ben all the time.

But my very first gigs were as a heavy metal drummer.”

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“I always sang, but in the late 70’s early 80’s, when I was 14, my first gigs were at all the famous punk and metal houses like L’Amour in New York - places where bands like Metallica started. We were a popular band in New York back then. We’d draw over 1500 people. Then I went out to LA and played. Those were my first gigs. I started with original music and never played covers until I was in my 20’s. Friends I hung out with ended up in bands like Poison, Type O Negative and Journey. From the time I was 12-16, I was playing punk and metal (this was when punk was getting really big in New York). I hung out with guys like Marky Ramone (drummer for the Ramones). And I’ve been told I’m going to be in the L’Amore book (a book documenting the heyday of the premier heavy metal club).

It wasn’t until his 20’s when Leone started working with R&B and pop artists, the genre that would highlight his incredible vocal skill and ultimately earn him his bread and butter. “I worked as drummer/ percussionist/vocalist with Phyllis Hyman.

We toured in Asia and Europe opening for a lot of R&B stars like Roberta Flack and James Ingram.” From there Leone played at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. He played in a show called, “Signed, Sealed, Delivered”, a tribute to Stevie Wonder that starred Chaka Khan and Peabo Bryson. “When I was 25/26 years old I got to live out a dream and played a show at Madison Square Garden with many 80’s and early 90’s R&B acts that became huge in the 90’s.” Leone followed that up with playing in a Motown Review for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.

It wasn’t until after all of this, Leone moved to Palm Springs for a house gig as a guitarist and vocalist at St. James Restaurant (Now Sammy G’s). He was also a regular at Rancho Las Palmas, Jackalope Ranch the Zoso (before it became the Hard Rock Hotel). Leone enjoyed a 1 1/2 year residency at the Riviera Hotel in Palm

Springs back then, with popular season 5 of “The Voice” contestant, Will Champlin.

Today, you can find Leone in some of the nicest venues the desert has to offer, but every Sunday, you count on enjoying his music in the warm and intimate setting of Pete’s Hideaway in Palm Springs, every Sunday from 7:30-11pm.

But this Friday only, December 19th, JoJo Leone will be joining me, Lisa Lynn Morgan, for a dinner set at Schmidy’s Tavern in Palm Desert, from 6-8pm. I’ll be adding a little classic country as well as some great female pop standards to Leone’s already huge repertoire. I shared the stage with him one other time at Palm Desert Country Club, and was overwhelmed by the purity of his voice, the soulfulness of his delivery and his skilled guitar playing, considering this is a drummer at heart we’re talking about. I thought I had been blown away already by his floating tenor vocals as he sang songs from Stevie Wonder, Kool and the Gang and even Vince Gill, when out of nowhere, I hear Michael McDonald being channeled through him!

One of our desert’s most widely adored and respected staples in live music, Mark Gregg, has this to say about Leone: “JoJo is a singer’s singer, and multi-instrumentalist cursed with good looks and perfect pitch.

I really, really hate this guy. No one should be so talented. I actually go to his gigs and under bid him, so he will leave town. JoJo and I did a number of shows together in different bands, and he got all the chicks. I really do hate him. All kidding aside though, JoJo is one of the finest dude’s I’ve had the pleasure to meet and call friend. If you can catch a show, you will be privileged to hear one of the best soul singers anywhere with a huge cache of tunes and stories. I hope to

TILTED KILT OPEN MIC COMPETITION FALL EDITION WEEK 12 WINNERS

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be working with him often in 2015.”

I am truly honored to have the opportunity to share the stage with Leone, considering the guy doesn’t seem to work with any slouches. Leone was gracious enough to honor me with this overly gracious quote: “Lately, I’ve been performing with an amazing female vocalist named Lisa Lynn Morgan. She has a unique, powerful voice that captivates you with the sweetest melody sense. I am really enjoying our gigs together. And as it turns out, we worked with many of the same musicians in Las Vegas at different times!”

We simply love music, and will love you, if you would join us for dinner this Friday, December 19, between 6pm and 8pm, at Schmidy’s Tavern in Palm Desert on the corner of Highway 111 and Fred Waring, next to Men’s Warehouse.

For booking, you can reach JoJo Leone at (212) 470-8523 Please check out and support JoJo Leone at these following links: http://youtu.be/J7RTn3DzRXE Myspace.com/jojoleone stevebeyerproductions.com/artist/jojo

December 18 to December 24, 2014

he Tilted Kilt Open Mic Competition brought excitement and fun times in week #12! This was the final week to qualify for the Fall/Winter Finals on December 17th. The rowdy audience cheered for their favorite musicians as well as for t-shirts and prizes from the Mary Pickford Theater. An excited crowd chose The Classy Mother Fu?kers as the 1st place winner moving on to the finals on December 17th where they’ll compete for the Grand Prizes of a 3 day/2 night trip to Las Vegas from Crater Lake Vodka, a $500 shopping spree at Guitar Center and a n entire weekend recording session with producer Ronnie King at his Chateau Relaxo to produce one mastered “radio ready” track. Jasyn and Joseph of The Classy Mother Fu?kers took home $20 gift certificate to Record Alley. 2nd place was awarded to Qeu, Beau and Austin of The 3 man Quartet who took home a $100 spa services certificate from EstheticX.Obsession Massage & Wax Bar. 3rd place was awarded to an inspiring performer, The Puppet aka Dan Scopelitis who took home a $20 certificate to Record Alley.

I am so proud that our competition’s performers are really all about the music and coming out to perform for the fun and pleasure of it and to support one another in the music community. THANK YOU for putting on a great show: Dan Scopelitis, Will Kelly, Mike Sick-boy, Felipe Reyes, Jim Holiday, Tanya Nunez, Marco

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Thoma, Joseph Vaughan, Jasyn Smith, James Velasquez, Rick Dame, Kirk Kelly, Dillan Bailard, Juan Espino, Austin Lawrence, Jacob Garcia, Jeremy Goodlander, Brian Goodlander, Brandon Richardson, Chance Batson-Horn, Cristian Alvarez, Unity Frenzy consisting of Paul Vasquez, John Montez, Ryan Diaz, plus Somatic Offense consisting of Thomas Myers, Tyler Kersten and Ross Madick. I hope to see you all next week!

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: Ronnie King Music, Guitar Center, Crater Lake Vodka, EstheticX.Obsession Massage & Wax Bar, CV Weekly, Mary Pickford Theater, Abe’s Brand and Skitzo Kitty.

Remember, the Tilted Kilt Open Mic Competition is ALL AGES and runs EVERY WEDNESDAY, however WE WILL BREAK FOR THE HOLIDAYS and be back January 14th. 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 runs from 8-11pm 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/ TiltedKiltOpenMicCompetition or contact creator and host, Morgan James at (714) 651-1911

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December 18 to December 24, 2014

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Local Music Spotlight

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

by Lisa Morgan

Stan “The Man” Foreman and The Road Runners From Decades as Capitol Records A&R Man, Working with

Artists Like Dave Grohl, Bob Seger, MC Hammer,Tina Turner, Garth Brooks, Poison and More, to a Country Club Near You

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here are so many people living, working and playing in our desert, who underneath the surface, carry huge life stories and experiences that read like an award winning biography.

Stan Foreman’s story is one of the most fascinating. After two decades during Capitol Records heyday, working as Promotion Manager for artists like Tina Turner, Bob Seger, Bonnie Raitt, Dave Koz, Garth Brooks, Poison (and that’s the short list), Foreman has more stories and memories to share than could ever fit in this article. The memories and mementos barely fit in his music room where the walls are lined with the platinum records he directly helped make happen.

One might suggest that he write a tell-all of his life and times with Capitol Records finest, but as good a read as it would be, it probably wouldn’t sell in today’s market.

There just wouldn’t be any dirt. If Foreman has any knowledge of dirty secrets or nasty experiences with any of his artists, you will never know it, talking to him. You won’t even think he’s withholding anything due to some sort of professionalism or loyalty.

If anything, to hear him speak about those years, it begins to dispel the music industry’s

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corporate image of being a brutal task master and cut throat business. Instead, you begin to think of it as a place where the best and most deserving finally received the recognition they deserved, thanks to the help of a very supportive label and its Promotion Manager. My educated guess is that this man’s successes and reputation are a reflection of who Stan Foreman is at his very core: a positive and forward thinking visionary, intelligent and focused, with an incredible work ethic. And while his days with Capitol Records may dwell in the past, these character traits continue to make him successful to this day, even as a very busy local musician during his retirement here in the desert.

CVW: How did you begin your career at Capitol Records?

Foreman: I’d been in top 40 radio as a programmer and as an owner. I was also a radio DJ, a concert promoter, and owned a couple of retail establishments. I kind of got tired of doing the radio thing and wanted a career change. The record business always appealed to me, and having worked in radio, I knew a lot of the people in the business, so I thought I’d give it a shot. I applied for

a few jobs and was passed over because they couldn’t see why I wanted to do it.

Finally, I got a call from an independent distributorship. It was a foot in the door and it paid $150 bucks a week. Fortunately, at that time in my life, I could afford to do it.

Three months later, I got a call from Capitol Records. They hired me and I stayed with them for the next 23 years. I was their North West Regional Promotion Manager.

My job was to get Capitol Records artists on the major radio stations. At that time Capitol didn’t have their own country music department (country music wasn’t what it is today), so I worked with a lot of the country acts back then, acts like Sawyer Brown and Asleep at the Wheel. I also would go out on the road with our touring acts, and take them in to do the in-stores at Tower records and such, TV appearances... whatever it took to get them the exposure they needed.

If they were new, we tried to get all the exposure they could. If they were a super act, someone like Bob Seger or Tina Turner, we would do a lot of meet and greets and after parties. Then we’d relay information to the sales department, so they could back up whatever air play we had with product in the stores.

CVW: Did you have a favorite artist to work with?

Foreman: We had a huge roster of stars, and almost all of them were really nice people, so it’s really hard to say who was my favorite. When I first met Bob Seger, he was the opening act for Blue Oyster Cult.

We worked together for 20 years between

1976 and 1996. He’s a real nice guy.

I had a special bond with Tina Turner.

I had seen her show back in ‘84, when Capitol had just signed her and before her album, Tiny Dancer, that had “What’s Love Got to Do With It” came out (this was also just after her split from Ike). She was doing a show at a little club. Afterward, I went back and introduced myself to her, and told her I was really glad we signed her and looked forward to her record. The album came out a year later and was an instant smash. I reunited with her for her tour of that album.

She was opening for Lionel Richie. She told me, “I never forgot that you came to see me when I was nobody.” So we had a bond right from the beginning. She’s just a really terrific person.

Anne Murray... At first, when I found out that I’d be working with her, I thought, ‘This is going to be boring.’ I talked to another promo guy about how she was to work with. He said, ‘Anne Murray knows the meaning of the word mother fucker, and is not afraid to use it. You guys will get along great.’ She was just so cool, and one of the greatest voices out there. Every night her show was unbelievably good. Some people might think that Anne Murray is not hip.

To me, she’s one of the hippest artists out there.

Some of my favorites were people who weren’t quite as commercially known, like Dave Koz, or Bonnie Raitt - the coolest people I’ve ever met - even Garth Brooks.

By the time Garth came along, the label knew he’d be a cross-over act (appeal to both country and pop listeners). The first show I saw him at, was in Seattle at a little 200 person venue. You could easily see that he was going to be around for a long time.

It’s kind of funny story with Garth; I had a lot of things to do at that point, and might not have seen him, if my assistant hadn’t pulled me aside and said, ‘You really have to see this guy!’ When I did, I knew it was just a matter of time. (As an A&R guy for the label, Foreman really had to make the call as to who he put most of his energy and reputation behind). I remember we had set up a show for Garth to play with his band for all the top 40 and hot AC folks in radio, as well as R & R Magazine, one of the biggest trade magazines in the industry. It was going to be a very important showcase for him. Just before the show, Garth’s drummer’s wife had her baby early. Garth came to us and said that, even though this was probably the biggest show of his career, he just couldn’t ask his drummer to come play it (and obviously replacing him wasn’t an option). He said he’d come by himself, with just his guitar and entertain them. We all thought to ourselves, ‘Oh great, how’s this going to work?’ Within 15 minutes, he had the entire room in the palm of his hands.

I worked with Poison. They really didn’t get a whole lot of respect other than from the fans who bought their albums. They have 23 platinum records, and I have them in a display they gave me, hanging on my wall in my music room.

I also worked with the Foo Fighters, when Dave Grohl first started that band.

I remember driving him around, visiting radio stations. I thought, right from the beginning, that this guy really gets it. This guy was so smart.

Capitol had everybody from Paul McCartney to Butthole Surfers on their label.

There was Natalie Cole, Glen Campbell, Little River Band, America, Doobie Brothers - there’s so many greats, I can’t even remember. There was an incredible amount of talent on the label at that time. Record labels based their decisions to sign people that they felt would be around for several years. You couldn’t make a lot of money on a one shot artist in those days. It wasn’t good for the label, and it wasn’t good for the artist. I go in my music room now and see all the gold and platinum records, and I just smile for all the great things that happened, and how much fun we had.

CVW: What do you feel was the main difference you and the label would see in the artists that would be a star for a moment and the artists that would be timeless?

Foreman: Every once in a while there would be an act, 18-20 years old, that would put their first record out and it’d

be a wild success. But what I’ve noticed is that most of the acts that ultimately earned long-term success and label attention, had worked hard. They toured, they had been out there for a while working and paying their dues - working and working. Then finally, as a result, they hit with the right songs, the right producer, the right label.

Heart, is a great example. They started out on Mushroom Records, a little label out of Vancouver BC with their album, Dreamboat Annie. CBS picked them up and had them on Epic. Then, after some success, they went a little dry. We signed them in 1984 and put them with one of our great producers, Ron Nevison, and they brought out their selftitled album with the song, “These Dreams” sung by Nancy Wilson. They had a ten year run with Capitol. If the talent is there, and you just stick with it, you’re probably going to make it.

CVW: How did you come into becoming a performer yourself, here in the desert?

Foreman: I had been playing keys since the ‘60s. I quit for a while when I worked with Capitol. After I retired and moved to the desert full time in 2006, I would play golf with friends. They’d have parties, and I’d always end up sitting at the piano and playing. They’d dance and have a great time, so I figured there was a market for it.

I put together about 3 sets worth of songs.

The first country club I went into, I played a couple of songs for the manager, and he hired me on the spot. I called it, ‘Stan the Man and the Old Time Rock and Roll Dance

Party’. I planned on sticking to country clubs and private parties. I tried meeting as many people in the music scene here as I could.

I was Brad Mercer’s key board player for a while. I met other great local musicians like Michael James and Barry Baughn. I was approached by Dan Spriegle of Just Java Coffee and co-hosted an open mic for them. Folks from PGA West came in, and we started talking about a music program for them. We ended up putting a band together and called it the Road Runners.

We’ve had a couple of changes since that original lineup, but now we’re pretty busy playing music that is very tuned in to the older demographic here in the desert. I’m very selective where we play, because I know who we are and where we fit.

You can meet Stan Foreman and his extremely talented band, of rocking, bluesy

December 18 to December 24, 2014

Road Runners (Alex A on guitar, John Weir on drums, and Tim High on bass) this Friday night at Palm Desert Country Club between 6:30 and 9:30pm. They are booked once a month on the Palm Desert Country Club patio, which is famous for its beautiful waterfall back drop against the greens, and its warming fire pits. It will be the perfect setting to dance along to your classic favorites provided by a band that rarely plays public venues due to their popularity and very busy schedule of private bookings.

You can follow Stan “The Man” Foreman and the Road Runners on Facebook at www. facebook.com/RoadrunnersRock (or just type in RoadRunners La Quinta) You can also get a taste of their music from their promotional video on YouTube at http://youtu.be/bOcq2K77jPc

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December 18 to December 24, 2014

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by Eleni P. Austin

SPOON

“They Want My Soul” (Loma Vista Records)

Consider This

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December 18 to December 24, 2014

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poon has been called “America’s most prominent cult band.” That’s a pretty accurate assessment for an outfit that has accrued a passionate following but are hardly a household name.

Guitarist and vocalist Britt Daniel and drummer Jim Eno originally met playing in an Austin, Texas Rockabilly band, the Alien Beats. They formed Spoon in late 1993.

Their moniker was a sideways homage to Kraut-Rock progenitors, Can. The German band had some minor commercial success with a song entitled “Spoon.”

Their full-length debut, Telephono released through Matador Records arrived in 1996. Critics took notice of their wiry visceral sound, and the band quickly signed with Elektra Records.

Their sophomore effort, A Series Of Sneaks, came out in 1998. Unfortunately, the album under-performed. Ron Laffitte, the A&R executive that signed them, quit Elektra, despite a promise to stick with the band. Soon after, Spoon was dropped from the label. They took their revenge in the form of two sharp, musical rebukes, The Agony Of Laffitte and Laffitte Don’t Fail Me Now. Spoon bounced back, signing with another indie, Merge Records. The band cycled through bassists like Spinal Tap drummers, but they managed to release Girls Can Tell in 2001 and Kill The Moonlight

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

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in 2002. Soon after, the band found a permanent bass player, Rob Pope.

Multi-instrumentalist Eric Harvey was added to the fold in 2004, just in time for Spoon’s fifth album, Gimme Fiction. The album debuted at #44 on the Billboard charts.

Suddenly, it seemed as though the zeitgeist had caught up with Spoon. By 2007, their music was everywhere. Featured in television shows like “The O.C.,” “Bones,” “Scrubs,” “Simpsons,” “Veronica Mars,” and “How I Met Your Mother,” movies like “(500) Days Of Summer,” “I Love You Man,” and “Horrible Bosses.”

For the Will Farrell film, “Stranger Than Fiction,” Britt Daniel collaborated with Brian Reitzell, stripping songs from Kill The Moonlight and Gimme Fiction down to their instrumental skeletons. This unparalleled exposure guaranteed that their next album, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga debuted at #10 on the charts, and their 2010 follow up, Transference, arrived at #4.

Following a lengthy tour supporting Transference, the band took an extended hiatus. Jim Eno worked in production, Rob Pope opened a bar and Eric Harvey released a solo record. Britt Daniel’s relaxation took the form of Divine Fits, a collaboration with members of Wolf Parade and New Bomb Turks. They released an album, A Thing

Called Divine Fits, and toured extensively.

Now Spoon is back, with the addition of Alex Fischel on keyboards, guitars and backing vocals. Their first new album in four years, (also their first for Loma Vista Records), is entitled They Want My Soul.

The opening track, “Rent I Pay,” announces itself with an insistent snare drum kick and slashing, Stones-y guitar licks. It’s an anthem of dissatisfaction that shares musical DNA with Elvis Costello’s “Uncomplicated.” Daniel seems intent on defying expectations, as he repeatedly I asserts “I ain’t your dancer.”

Spoon mines a plethora of styles on this record. “Rainy Taxi” is a muscular rocker anchored by a propulsive back beat, quavery guitar riffs, urgent piano and U.F.O. synths.

The lyrics, like those in the Beatles’ “Run For Your Life,” guarantee undying loyalty, but there is a layer of menace just underneath the pledge of emotional allegiance. “I came home last night I had no good news, and you received me through the brightest flash of apocalyptic ruin/And if you leave I’ll never sing another tune.”

Celestial synths open “Inside Out” before kicking into a four-on-the-floor Disco thump. Daniel’s scratchy-soulful vocals run roughshod over glassy harp notes that cascade over the melody like a waterfall.

“Do You” is a Glam-tastic charmer featuring jangly acoustic guitar, percolating organ and pounding piano keys. The lyrics recall the afterglow of a carnal Indian Summer afternoon. “Someone get popsicles, someone do something about this heat/’Cause it’s late October and tar’s still melting the street.”

Finally, “Knock Knock Knock” blends acoustic Flamenco fret work with a stopstart rhythm. As synths soar, guitars get static-y and fractious. Daniel unspools a cryptic conversation concerning movies and time travelling to 1892.

A couple of tracks, “I Just Don’t Understand” and “Let Me Be Mine” are actually kinda casually brilliant. The former is anchored by guitars that swoop and swoon over a piano-driven melody and seesaw rhythms. The infectious Wall-Of-Sound arrangement almost camouflages Daniel’s romantic confusion. “Well you call me your baby, when you’re holding my hand/ But the way that you hurt me, I just don’t understand.”

The latter is a slice of finger-snappin’ savoir faire. Chicken scratch guitars boomerang as Daniel offers a skewed take on Sting’s tedious aphorism, “if you love someone set them free.” “Auction off what you love, it will come back sometime/Lock it up, what you love and it says let me be mine.”

Other interesting tracks include the disco apocalypse of “Outlier.” The title track is powered by Eno’s rock steady wallop and ping pong guitar riffs. The album closes with “New York Kiss.” A wistful romantic memory cloaked pulsating dance rhythms.

Production chores for “They Want My Soul” were split evenly between Joe Chiccarelli , (Real Estate, Morrisey and Divine Fits) and Dave Fridmann (Flaming Lips, MGMT and Tame Impala).

The most interesting thing about Spoon is every album sounds different. Hell, every song sounds different. Their signature is they have no signature sound. Each album is dense but meticulous. They all feel intricately hand-crafted and they reveal new layers with each listen.

The crisp textures that color They Want My Soul will satisfy old fans and probably garner new ones. What could be better than that?

15

December 18 to December 24, 2014

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PET PLACE DJ, “Tail” of a Smart Dog

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by Janet McAfee

Meey Mojo

“GET YOUR MOJO BACK” and adopt this fabulous fellow for the holidays! This 1-yr-old boy is 12 lbs of Terrier joy. Dog ID#1160160 at Coachella Valley Animal Campus, 72-050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms, (760) 343-3644.

Prancer & Dancer

These two special kittens will prance and dance their way into your heart this holiday season. Call ForEverMeow rescue at (442) 234-8405. forevermeow.org

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It was no surprise that no owner came forth. Dogs are “dumped” all over our Coachella Valley, and sometimes left behind in homes when people move out, but at least these two were placed in a spot where someone could find them. But the weather

by Rick Riozza

Simply Having a Wine-derful Christmastime

A

good Samaritan found them huddled together by a path in the Palm Desert Civic Center Park.

The two small dogs were very still, not on the run like most strays, and by some miracle the man was able to pick both of them up and put them in his car. Young and resourceful, Nigel Stephens went on his iPhone and located the nearest animal rescue organization.

Their stiff bodies and their frightened eyes told part of their story. The two dogs made no eye contact with any of us at the Loving All Animals office, their eyes reflecting terror, from whatever experience we will never know. “We’ll take them” was my immediate response. We checked for id tags and microchips, and finding there were none, made other attempts to locate an owner, including posting flyers at the county shelter in Thousand Palms. Volunteer Judy Anderson stepped up to foster the female Spaniel mix puppy she named Ellie Mae. I called the fluffy boy puppy Darcy, and the lucky fellow went to live in style at the BG Bird Gardens.

I

was still hot, and the dogs were overheated and thirsty. Their first trip to the vet revealed a nervousness about travel.

How could it be that such young, beautiful animals could be abandoned? In all likelihood they were left in the park by a “human” who has no awareness of how loving and loyal a dog can be.

Tracy Habijanac, a Loving All Animals volunteer, agreed to foster Darcy, taken in by his friendliness and complete cuteness.

What Tracy didn’t know when the pup arrived to live with her and her husband Ron, is that that Darcy is an incredibly intelligent dog. Tracy reports, “We found out Darcy had never been on a leash before, so at first we didn’t know what we were getting into. Ron and I put him on a leash, and he became trained and ready to go for a happy walk within 10 minutes! He is so affectionate with people, and he quickly fell in love with both of us.”

None of us were surprised when Darcy became DJ, even though the Habijanac’s were originally set on adopting a Chow.

This smart dog knew that Ron would be the harder human to convince that he should become a permanent resident. DJ made sure Ron received equal treatment of love and attention, hanging his side and becoming his best buddy. Tracy explains, “DJ was great in the beginning, but he

otto Otto’s list for Santa has only one wish, a home of his own!

Create some holiday magic and meet this 3-yr-old, 15 lb Terrier mix at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus, 72-050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms. Dog ID#A1158001. (760) 343-3644.

quickly became nothing short of fabulous.

DJ did everything right. He played with the cats, he became house trained in 2 weeks, even though we think he was an ‘outdoor only’ dog in his previous life.”

Last month Ellie Mae, DJ’s little buddy abandoned in the park, went to Loving All Animals’ Super Pet Adoption Festival and found her forever home. Just like her little partner in the park, this sweet Spaniel mix puppy with the soft curly hair is living a life filled with love and luxury. Thanks to the good Samaritan, Nigel, both pups are home for the holidays.

DJ will spend this holiday season in a wonderful home. Thankfully, he did not have to spend part of it in a shelter, or wandering the streets. With the open heart and mind of a dog, DJ lives in the moment and expects only a bright future.

Don’t spend the holidays feeling lonely.

Let your children experience the joy of a family dog. You can find the largest number of adoptable animals at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus in Thousand Palms, view their adoptable dogs at www.rcdas. org, or call them at (760) 343-3644. And if you want to join our movement to end pet homelessness, contact Loving All Animals at (760) 834-7000. Happy holidays to you and your fur friends!

Jmcafee7@verizon.net

December 18 to December 24, 2014

t never fails; time simply rushes through at this end of the year. And every so often the hustle and bustle gets in the way of thinking through a nice wine choice or so for the gatherings and holiday meals.

As your friendly neighborhood wine steward at Pavilions in Rancho Mirage, perhaps I can help with some very reasonably priced recommendations.

Sure—for many, you’re already glancing and imagining the quaff of your favorite vino which stands vertical and gleaming on your dining table—ready to be uncorked!

For Cabernet Sauvignon lovers who really like to treat themselves, I know bunches of you will be experiencing the 2012 Caymus’ 40th Anniversary Napa Valley, $55. Wine critic Robert Parker says “it’s ‘spectacular’ with its dense purple/black color that’s followed by copious quantities of crème de cassis and blackberry fruit with silky tannins, a voluptuous texture and stunning purity as well as length—a full-bodied effort.” My humble comment is that it surely exhibits lush textures and opulent fruit—a big bomber for those wishing full throttle.

Let’s quickly remember that the California Napa 2011 vintage was rainy and cold where the 2012 was “ideal and warm”, and, the 2013 was bright with sun and heat. For a California Chardonnay, 2012 was a stellar year! And we have the luxury of enjoying so many tasty chards at all price ranges. Whether it’s highend, discount, or medium range, enjoy what the 2012 California chard has to offer.

For Cabs, on the other hand, as with the 2012 Caymus, that “ideal” weather can produce pretty hefty ones. But the 2011 has produced some delicious toned-down red wine that can wonderfully pair with meals.

So if you wish to “treat” you and yours to a delicious Cal Cab that won’t take you down at dinner but is lively and elegant, consider the 2011 ZD Napa Valley Cabernet at around $35.

This has the winter power of a Cab, but is so

well balanced with fresh red & black fruits, with elegant complexities and a toasty vanilla finish.

One of the most reasonably priced Cal Cabs, at around $12, is the 2012 Souverain from the North Coast of California. It boasts bright and vivid aromas of roasted vanilla, mocha and baking spices which meet elegant layers of blackberry and ripe cherry flavors.

Fully balanced with fruit, tannins and acidity, it leads to a juicy and lengthy finish. Honestly, this wine makes me look like a wine maven to the customers: Almost everyone loves it and comes back to purchase more—it barely stays stocked on the shelves!

Another red wine keeping my patrons happy is Open Range Red Blend from Casey Flat Ranch Vineyards, also around $12. This Syrah/Cab Sauv blend is a real crowd pleaser.

And the wine was just featured at 3rd Corner Wine Shop & Bistro winemaker dinner and previously at Bellatrix. By the way, look forward to my review of these restaurants and winery in a couple of weeks.

Of course, the two Italian wine recommendations in last week’s column continue to be perfect reds for Christmas dinner As to my white wine endorsements, the 2013 Honig Sauvignon Blanc, just over $15, is a crisp, fresh flowery and electric Sauv Blanc with white peach, lemon grass & hints of jasmine and pea shoot balanced by grapefruit and lime. Medium bodied, with a bright lingering finish, a really yummy wine that serves as a featured white for many meals and cleanses the palate between all the courses of the holiday dinner.

For my 2012 Chardonnay pick, that goes to Chloe. Crafted from grapes grown primarily in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley by winemaker Georgetta Dane, it has structure and depth from new and used oak to showcase ripe, clean flavors of fresh citrus, apple, pear with notes of creamy butter and a hint of vanilla. A great buy at around $13.

As to party-opening and celebratory sparklers, Candace over at Total Wine will be driving my next Champagne & sparkling wine article next week—so stay tuned. But for a great, tasty, and colorful brut rosé for Christmas, at only around $14, is the Mumm Napa Brut Rosé.

It offers a bouquet and palate of ripe Pinot Noir fruit, rich with black cherry and

strawberry notes; added, is a small percentage of Chardonnay that gives the wine power and structure. It’s a robust Brut Rosé and a wonderful wine for Christmas cuisine around the world, ranging from Thai to Italian.

The Lucien Albrecht Crémant d’Alsace Brut Rosé goes for around $20 and is a different style of rosé from the Mumm. It’s 100% Pinot Noir and definitely European in bouquet and palate, it’s tangy with flavors of watermelons, strawberries, lemons and some minerals.

As I’ve mentioned in prior columns, a great and classic medium-dry (that is to say slightly sweet) wine that works both as a sexy aperitif and an elegant dessert wine is Dry Sack Medium Dry Sherry, easily recognizable by its distinctive sack-cloth bag and sleek bottle.

The wine also performs well with the meal and is very good company with soups.

The famed Dry Sack Sherry is full-bodied and balances its sweetness with crisp acidity; flavors range from roasted nuts, apricots, raisins, figs, toffee, yeast & musk. For you in the know, it’s a unique blend of Palomino and Pedro Jimenez grapes aged in oak for 6 years in the traditional Solera method. One of the best wine buys at around $13.

Cheers! Happy Holidays!

17

December 18 to December 24, 2014

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December 18 to December 24, 2014

Club Club Crawler Crawler Nightlife Nightlife

Scan the QR Code to get the Club Crawler Nightlife on your Mobile Device via the Smartphone Phone Book!

­­­THUR DECEMBER 18

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Rojer Arnold & Bobby Furgo 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Reunion w/ DJ Day Amigo Room 10pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Paul Elia 7-10pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 John Bolivar 7pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 John Stanley King 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 6pm CORK TREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Live Entertainment 6pm DESERT FOX; PS; 760-325-9555 Thirsty Thursdays 7pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm ESCENA LOUNGE & GRILL; PS; 760-9920002 Courtney Chambers 5pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 T.B.A. 7:30pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Open Mic 9pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke w/ Roberto 8pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325-2794 Hot Rox LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-345-2450 Country Night w/ River Road 8pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888-

999-1995 Quinto Menguante 8-1am MARGARITA’S; PS; 760-778-3500 Live Music 6pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760-3274080 Jazz and Supper Club Night w/ Barry Baughn 7pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 RFJT Presents: End of the Year Best of Ted Quinn’s Variety Holiday Show 7:30pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Rap/Hip Hop Open Mic w/ Desert Beatz 8pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760327-1161ext.230 Kal David Unplugged 8pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-327-8311 Martin Ross Starlite Lounge 6pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Dude Jones 6pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 Karaoke w/ T-Bone 8-12am THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Tony DiGerlando 6:30pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Rodeo Drive’s Happy Hour Cabaret 3:305:30pm, Stan Watkins Latin Swing 6:30-10pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-9pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-328-5955 Michael Keeth 6-10pm THE WINE BAR BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-8744 Rob Martinez and Todd Ashley 7pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Bill Saitta 6pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 Tropicana Nights 9pm

FRI DECEMBER 19

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29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 The Bob Garcia Band 6pm 19TH HOLE; PD; 760-772-6696 Karaoke w/ T Bone 9pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 The Full House Band ft. Nena Anderson 8pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Karaoke w/ AJ The KJ 8-12am AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Noches Azul Latin Night 8pm BAR; PS; 760-537-7337 T.B.A. 10pm BILLY REED’S; PS; 760-325-1946 Live Music 6-10pm BISTRO 60 @TRILOGY; LQ; 760-501-0620 The Carmens 6pm BLUE BAR, SPOTLIGHT 29; INDIO; 760-7755566 DJ PWee 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 6pm CORK TREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Live Entertainment 6pm DATE SHED; IND; 760-775-6699 DICKIE O’NEALS IRISH PUB; PS; 760-3252600 The Hive Minds 9pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333

Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 House Band 8:45pm HARD ROCK HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9676 “Jump Off” DJ 9pm Lobby THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Right On Right On, Tribesmen and Sunday Funeral 9pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Michael D’Angelo 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Live DJ 8:30pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 T.B.A. 7:30pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company,in the afternoon,Hot Rox,in the night LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-345-2450 Common Ground 9pm THE LOUNGE; AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888999-1995 DJ 9pm MARGARITA’S; PS; 760-778-3500 Live Music 6pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760-3274080 Stormin Normin 9pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760345-0222 Roadrunners 6:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Trevor McSpadden 7:30pm PJ’S SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-228-1199 T.B.A. 9pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760327-1161ext.230 Jump ! 5:30pm, The Gand Band 8:30pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 T.B.A. 9pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-327-8311 Martin Ross Starlite Lounge 7pm, Scott Carter & The New Breed Sidebar Patio 7pm, Machin’ Sidebar Lounge 10pm ROC’S FIREHOUSE; PD; 760-340-3222 T.B.A. 6:30pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 JoJo & Lisa 6pm, Long Duk Dong 9pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; LQ; 760-777-1601 Barry Baughn Blues 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. TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 John Wabrandt Band 9pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Ron & Peggy “Heart to Heart” 6:30pm TILTED KILT; PD; 760-773-5458 T.B.A. 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 SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770

Trish Harley & Barney McClure Duo 6:30-10pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 T.B.A. 1:304:30pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am, DJ Anwaar Hines 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Slim Man Solo Show 5:30pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 T.B.A. 9pm THE WINE BAR BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-8744 Rob & jb 7:30pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Rose Mallett 6:30pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 Girl’s Night Out w/ The Men on the Hollywood Strip 9pm

SAT DECEMBER 20 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bev & Bill 6pm 19TH HOLE; PD; 760-772-6696 Karaoke w/ T-Bone 9pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 DJ Brian Waters 12pm, Valida 10pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Cabaret on the Green w/ Les Michaels & Joel Baker 7-10pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Chix Mix-LAW 7pm BAR; PS; 760-537-7337 T.B.A. 9pm BILLY REED’S; PS; 760-325-1946 Music 6-10pm BISTRO 60 @TRILOGY; LQ; 760-501-0620 The Carmens 6pm BLUE BAR; SPOTLIGHT 29; IND; 760-7755566 DJ PWee BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Live Music 6-10pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT CASINO; PS; 888-999-1995 DJ Michael Wright 9-1am CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 6pm COPA NIGHTCLUB; PS; 760-866-0021 Blu Saturdays 9:30pm CORK TREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Live Entertainment 6:30-9:30pm DATE SHED; IND; 760-775-6699 CV Weekly Presents: A Benefit Show w/ John Garcia and featuring Nick Oliveri’s Uncontrollable, House of Broken Promises, Waxy, Blasting Echo, The Hellions, Burning Bettie and War Drum 5pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm DICKIE O’NEALS IRISH PUB; PS; 760-3252600 Karaoke 8pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm FIRESIDE LOUNGE; PS; 760-327-1700 T.B.A. 9pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 T.B.A. 8:30pm THE GROOVE LOUNGE; SPOTLIGHT 29; INDIO; 760-775-5566 DJ 8pm HARD ROCK HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9676 “Solid” Guest DJs, 11am poolside, 9pm Lobby THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 VM Management Xmas Showcase w/ As Blood Runs Black, Remnants of Man, Galaxy Crusher and Ash The Sky 8pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Rich Bono & Poupee Boccaccio 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 T.B.A. 8pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 T.B.A. 6pm, Karaoke w/ Roberto 8pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company,in the afternoon,Hot Rox,in the night LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-345-2450

Common Ground 9pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888999-1995 Fresh 9pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm MARGARITA’S; PS; 760-778-3500 Live Music 6pm 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 Lucky Tongue 9pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760345-0222 Agave Blues Masters 6:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Shadow Mountain Band 5pm, The Far West 8pm PJ’S SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-228-1199 T.B.A. 9pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Klonus and Elektric Lucie 9pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760327-1161ext230 Bobbie Eakes Holiday Sow 5:30pm, The Gand Band 8:30pm RENAISSANCE PALM; PS; 760-322-6100 Art of Sax featuring Sax Man Will Donato & Eddie Reddick 7-10pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 T.B.A. 9pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-327-8311 Martin Ross Starlite Lounge 7pm, Jade & Gino Sidebar Patio 7pm, Zulluu Starlite Lounge 8pm, Michael Keeth & Martin Barrera Sidebar Lounge 10pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 CVxHC !: Green Terror, Alter Boys and Out Of Tune 8pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; LQ; 760-777-1601 Barry Baughn Blues 8-11pm SHELLY’S LOUNGE@TORTOISE ROCK CASINO; 29 Palms; Rojer Arnold & Bobby Furgo 9pm SIDEWINDER GRILL; DHS; 760-329-7929 Karaoke w/ Milly G 6pm SMOKIN’ BURGERS; PS; 760-883-5999 Ron James 6pm SOUL OF MEXICO; IND; 760-200-8787 Latin Music 10pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Dude Jones 6pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 T.B.A. 9pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Darci Daniels 6:30pm TILTED KILT; PD; 760-773-5458 T.B.A. 9pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm VIBE, MORONGO CASINO; CAB; 951-7555391 DJ Hektik 10pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Pat Rizzo & All That Jazz Band 6:30-10pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Rob & JB 1:30-4:30pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am, DJ Anwaar Hines 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Chris Lomeli 8pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 Salsa Night, Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm THE WINE BAR BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-8744 Scott Carter 7:30pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Stanley Butler Trio 6:30pm

continue to page 24

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December 18 to December 24, 2014

The PamperedPalate

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

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December 18 to December 24, 2014

By tracy dietlin

Cork & Fork: winebar & Kitchen

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with orange Muscat pesto, caramelized fennel, pistachio, upland cress. I was excited to move onto the reds of the evening with our first being a smooth 2012 Benovia Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, CA. This wine was absolutely delicious and made me wonder why I don’t stray from my Merlot and Cabernet more often.

Our next course would be served with a NV Chateau St. Cosme ‘Little James Basket Press’ Grenache Gigondas (Rhone Valley), France and had a smoky, heavy taste that I wasn’t quite sure about until the Orecchiette ‘Oreganata’ Wild Mushroom & Eggplant Melange, Gorgonzola Dijon Crème, Applewood Bacon entrée’ arrived. This pairing was impressive as they went together like hand and glove. I was so surprised how the

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texture of the wine changed after enjoying it with the food. I purchased 2 bottles.

The star pairing of the night was indeed the last course before dessert and was a Tuscan Beef Stew ‘Pepperonata’ with pancetta, sweet onions, pine nut Meyer lemon gremolata and was accompanied by a 2012 Farm Collective Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley wine. This was hands down the best stew I’ve ever tasted and paired perfectly with the Cabernet. I hope they will consider

including this on their regular menu. If not we will simply have to take a cooking class from owner/Executive Chef Andie Hubka and see if she is willing to part with this delicious recipe.

Our final tasting of the night was a velvety Pumpkin maple mascarpone mousse with pumpkin seed brittle. Just when we thought it couldn’t get any better it did. It was the perfect ending to a fabulous meal.

I highly recommend signing up for one of Cork & Fork’s wine dinners. They will be having another one in January and they also do beer dinners. You don’t have to wait for one of these events to go and enjoy this amazing food. Cork & Fork is open Tuesday through Sunday from 4-9pm.

Reservations are strongly suggested as they fill up every night. Call 760-777-7555 or visit them at www.corkandforkwinebar.com. They are located at 47-875 #A106 Caleo Bay Dr. in La Quinta, CA.

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y husband and I recently had the experience of participating in our first wine pairings dinner at Cork & Fork Restaurant in La Quinta. Being a bit set in my ways as to what wines I prefer to drink and with what food, I was a bit hesitant, however every dining experience we have had at this lovely eatery has always been topnotch and it has become one of our favorite spots to dine.

The event took place on their private patio which is located next door on the side of Cooking with Class, which they also own.

The ambiance was perfect with total privacy from the high bushes with white lights and ample heaters to keep us toasty in the brisk evening air.

We were served a crisp glass of Prosecco as we were seated which was followed by the evenings amuse bouche; a tasty squash blossom. We were off to a good start. Our first course was the roasted butternut squash bisque with the most delicious lump crab, finished with vanilla bean brown butter and crispy fried shallots and was accompanied by a glass of 2012 Tahbilk Estate Viognier from Central Victoria, Australia. The two fit together well and the presentation of the bisque was well done.

Next we were presented with a Baby Beet & Laura Chenel Goat Cheese Terrine

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December 18 to December 24, 2014

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Movie Reviews with Robin E. Simmons

HOLIDAY HOME THEATER FUN

Screeners No.143

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or many of us, traditional Christmas movies are a ritual. Feeling good about the unasked-for-gift of life can be especially hard during this festive season with news of irrational evil and bloodletting here and abroad. However, great holiday movies can be a legitimate antidote to this malaise as they remind us of the hope for peace and love that is often elusive. IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, CHRISTMAS VACATION, THE CHRISTMAS STORY hardly need to be touted since they are part of our shared American culture.

Charles Dickens’ beloved “Christmas Carol” has been filmed at least five times.

I really like the motion capture of Disney’s CHRISTMAS CAROL directed by Robert Zemeckis showcases an exceptional Jim Carrey as Dicken’s tightwad curmudgeon.

Carrey plays at least five roles. Terrific production design infuses every scene.

Originally intended for Imax 3D, both the Blu-ray 2D and 3D look great. This film has a devoted following and is a regular seasonal treat with many families.

While staying true to the source material, it’s also a beautiful and frightening motion capture piece of contemporary pop movie art. So is Zemeckis’ über eerie POLAR EXPRESS, in which zombie-eyed kids visit a gigantic Santa who rules an icy kingdom of forced cheer in the North Pole populated by genetically bred, mostly male, red-uniformed midgets (I use that word advisedly). I love this film for all the wrong reasons. See it again with new eyes.

For a most worthy but much lesser known film that fills the movie void this winter solstice, try the under-appreciated gem REMEMBER THE NIGHT (1940).

Prosecutor Fred MacMurray falls in love with shoplifter Barbara Stanwyck over the Christmas holiday. Writer-director Preston Sturgis is at the top of his game. The more I see this little gen, the more I appreciate its wit and sweetness.

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KEEP WALKING (CAMMINA CAMMINA) The journey of the Magi to Bethlehem is the subject of the great Italian artist and filmmaker Ermanno Olmi’s 1982 epic tone poem. Shot in Northern Italy in rustic and rural locations and filled with amateurs, this magical film is spiritually rooted in a way that is open to all faiths. And even to those with no faith. I was reminded at times to Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales” as the Magi interact with a caravan of soldiers, merchants, villagers and assistants following in the direction of a comet. This rich tapestry makes real a journey cloaked in mystery and humanity.

THE FIRST CHRISTMAS & OTHER STORIES This collection of three stop-motion Christmas themed stories can be found in discount bins and dollar stores. But don’t mistake that for a shoddy product.

Animator Will Vinton popularized and coined the term “claymation.” The first title in the set is the multi-award winning “The First Christmas.” Christopher Plummer narrates the Biblical story of the birth of Jesus. The range of detail and emotions is portrayed is startling. Charles Dickens’ “The Chimes” is about a man that sees so much sadness around him that he regrets being born when church bells heard in a dream send another message. Derek Jacobi narrates. “The Christmas Gift”, based on the Peter, Paul & Mary song “Christmas Dinner” is only 9 minutes long but is heartfelt and rather moving.

In my opinion, the best Santa movie is BAD SANTA starring Billy Bob Thornton as

a profane, angry, cynical, doomed alcoholic thief who finds the meaning of an authentic Christmas spirit in the unconditional love of a fat, bullied boy. The movie is a masterpiece of acerbic honesty but certainly not for all tastes. Three editions of the film exist including BAD(DER) SANTA.

On the far end of the holiday musical movie spectrum is the colorized Laurel and Hardy classic MARCH OF THE WOODEN SOLDIERS. Adapted from Victor Herbert’s operetta “Babes in Toyland,” there’s more of the Holiday Spirit in this 1934 classic than in most of the insipidly lame attempts of movies that exploit kid stories.

Dum (Stan) and Dee (Ollie) are Santa’s toymakers preparing for the big delivery on Christmas Eve. Mother Goose and nursery rhyme characters are all over the place and Stan and Ollie are in constant, bewildered, trouble (“Is that 100 six-foot toy soldiers or 600 one-footers?”). Making an appearance are Silas Barnaby, (remember “the meanest man in town”?) and Bo Peep who’s being forced into marriage by Silas. Will evict Bo’s mom, who is in fact The Old Woman In The Shoe? And there’s Tom Tom the Piper’s Son who swoons as Ms. Peep’s true love. The great finale revels the creepy attack of the Bogeymen.

This classic has been cleaned up and colorized and looks about as perfect as the best of old-style children’s book illustrations.

Stan Laurel once said he regretted they couldn’t shoot this in color. The colorizing is certainly no sacrilege. This is one beautiful, Fauvist fever dream of a movie and a weirdly mesmerizing cinematic drug.

For those who dare to read between the lines (or movie frames), this film can be seen as a subversive horror fest that plumbs deeply disturbing psychological and political elements rarely touched on in contemporary films. Space does not allow a deeper analysis. It is amazing to me that someone hasn’t examined this in detail. It’s worthy of a doctoral thesis. I have often wondered how much of it may have been intentional -- perhaps from the brilliantly demented mind of Stan Laurel. Only on the surface can this be considered a children’s movie.

And if you’re still seeking a fringe Santa story, there’s always SANTA CLAUSE CONQUERS THE MARTIANS. A recent digital restoration doesn’t really make this exceeding odd 1964 movie better, even though it’s sharper. See the movie debut of beloved (?) B singer and actress Pia Zadora (Where is she today? In Palm Springs reading this?). The plot has a Martian invasion that kidnaps Santa since there’s no one on Mars that gives children presents – or something like that. Two earth kids attempt to rescue Santa and return him to earth. And it’s all captured in “Space Blazing Color!” Happy holidays. robinesimmons@aol.com

Book Review

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

December 18 to December 24, 2014

By Heidi Simmons

Something For Everyone: A One-Stop Shop

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hat if I said you could get all your holiday shopping done in an hour and find the perfect gift for everyone on your list – even grandkids.

It would be a dream come true, right? The local Barnes & Noble can turn the Christmas nightmare into a sweet holiday breeze.

Books are always a wonderful thoughtful present that can be opened over and over to thrill, surprise, inform and entertain. So, go ahead and make your list.

Here are some suggestions to get you started.

Begin with the bestsellers. Located in the front of the store (facing Hwy 111), this selection of books is usually 30 percent off hardcovers. If you are a “member,” there is an additional 10 percent discount.

Best Seller Hardbacks Nonfiction. Certain people only like to read nonfiction and there is plenty to choose from. In fact, creative nonfiction is often stranger than fiction!

If the person on your list is curious and open-minded What If by Randall Munroe, and The Innovators by Walter Isaacson are certain to provide compelling reading.

Anything by Isaacson is good, so check out his past biographies.

For the conservative males in your circle of family and friends, how about:

41: A Portrait of My Father by George W. Bush. For the history buff, there’s Bill O’Reilly’s, Killing Patton.

Is there a female you know who loves to laugh, play hard and who can relate to workingwomen? Try Yes, Please by Amy Poehler or Not That Kind of a Girl by Lena Dunham.

For the evangelical male or female -- no worries, every family has one or two. You Can You Will by Joel Osteen might have the magic answer they are looking for.

Fiction. Nothing beats a great story and these seasoned authors always deliver.

For those who love suspense, thrillers

or intelligent mysteries there’s James Patterson’s Hope to Die and Grey Mountain

by John Grisham.

Stephen King’s Revival and Prince Lestat

by Anne Rice are perfect for those who love to be seduced into something dark and dangerous.

Fiction works best when it takes the reader to another place and time. Jodi Picoult’s Leaving Time and Ken Follett’s Edge of Eternity take the reader back a few generations to deliver a rich yet familiar world.

science, cosmology and philosophy, A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking is back on the bestseller list because of the new movie A Theory of Everything. But the movie’s title and story come from Hawking’s ex-wife’s book. She wrote two books about her life with the famous professor. This would be a nice gift for the reader in your family who understands the sacrifice of putting their husband’s career and family before themselves.

Fiction If you’re worried that the fiction reader in your family has already read Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, then get either of Flynn’s other two books, Sharp Objects or Dark Places.

They have a similar tone and complicated female protagonists.

Gone Girl is a suspenseful and intriguing read. So even if the person on your list saw the movie, but hasn’t read the book, this is a still a good gift.

Memoirs, Biographies and Cookbooks are great gifts for both young and older readers. Consider actor John Cleese’s memoir So, Anyway… Cleese is an intelligent, fascinating and crazy funny human being.

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Best Seller Paperbacks are on the shelf just to the right of the Current Best Sellers. Some are current feature films.

Nonfiction. Men may like Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand only a little more than women. It is a WWII story of redemption and forgiveness. This was one of my favorite books this year and I’m looking forward to the movie that opens on Christmas day.

Even if you and your loved ones see the movie, this book is still a great gift and memorable read.

Wild by Cheryl Strayed is now a major motion picture staring Reese Witherspoon.

The book is a much better experience than the movie. It is an exceptional tale of a woman gaining back her sanity. Don’t be afraid to give this book even if you don’t love the movie. The read is terrific and it will appeal to all women, especially those who have struggled to overcome weakness and heartbreak.

For the one on your list who loves

Make It Ahead, by Ina Garten is a cookbook for busy people who love to entertain. This would make a lovely hostess gift. Consider cookbooks for your adult grandchildren male and female. There are a huge variety of cookbooks from vegan vitals to brewing beer.

Want something different? How about graphic novels, glossy magazines, books on CD and story collections? Don’t forget classic literature. Might be nice to combine a book with its movie version?

If the books you seek are not on the shelves, no worries, they can be found online and mailed to your home, or directly to the lucky recipient. And B&N will wrap them!

Don’t hesitate to ask advice from one of the Barnes & Noble booksellers. They all seem well informed and love books.

The people you think are hard to buy for may not be so difficult when you consider there is a book for everyone. Happy holidays and make time to enjoy a book.

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December 18 to December 24, 2014 continued from page 19 ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJs 9pm

SUN DECEMBER 21 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bob & Allison 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Slacker Sunday w/ Matt Harris 10pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 The Judy Show 7:30pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Steve Madaio 6-10pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT; PS; 888999-1995 Nash with Quinto Menguante 9pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke 9pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm HARD ROCK HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9676 “Fusion” Pool Party 11am poolside, Mix 100.5 Acoustic Palooza 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Open Jam 6pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company,in the afternoon,Hot Rox,in the night MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Sunday Jam 4-8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Golden Era Karaoke 4-7pm, Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 7:30pm THE NEW YORK COMPANY RESTAURANT; PS; 760-778-7789 Lili Rose 7pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 Longest Running Jam Session in the valley. Hosted by JB, Sign up 6pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 The Sunday Band 7pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 The Jam Session 5-9pm

PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760327-1161ext.230 The Judy Show 5:30pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-327-4080 Art of Sax Sidebar Patio 5pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Eddie Gee 7pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Smooth Brothers THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Michael Bolivar 6:30pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Jazz Time Band 2-5pm, John Stanley King 6-9pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Scott Carter 1:30-4:30pm, Rob & JB 4:30-9pm, DJ Idol Eyez 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Tony DiJerlando 6pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 Line Dancing w/ Tina 5:30-9pm THE WINE BAR BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-8744 Michael Keeth & Martin Barrera 7pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 The Smooth Brothers 5:30pm MON DECEMBER 22 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bonny Jean 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Rox NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 7pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760327-1161ext.230 Spencer Day 9pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 T.B.A. 6pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-2am, Michael James & 3sum

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Tony Grandberry 6:30pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Trish Hatley & Barney McClure 6pm

TUE DECEMBER 23 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Paul & Jo 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Ace Karaoke with Kiesha 9pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Mikole Karr’s Jazz Quartet 6pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Bella da Ball Dinner Revue w/ guest performers 7:30pm BAR; PS; 760-537-7337 Vinyl Sessions 8pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Stanley Butler Trio 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 6pm CORK TREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Michael Keeth 6-9pm ESCENA LOUNGE & GRILL; PS; 760-9920002 Jesse Sweitzer 5pm FIRESIDE LOUNGE; PS; 760-327-1700 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Karaoke hosted by Phillip Moore 9pm INDIAN CANYONS GOLF RESORT; PS; 760833-8700 DJ Randy Johnson 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Ted Quinn’s Open Mic Reality Show Jam 8pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Dana Larson 6:30pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Tim Burleson 7:45 PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760-3274080 Acoustic & Electric Guitar Challenge

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com sign up at 7pm, Show at 8pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161ext.230 The David Ring Duo 6:30pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 Open Mic 8pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-327-4080 Martin Ross Starlite Lounge 6pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 Marty Lloyd ( Freddy Jones Band ) and Scott “Kooze” ( Gin Blossoms ) 6-8pm Open Mic 8pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Demetrious and Co. VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 T.B.A. 4pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Live entertainment VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Chris Lomeli 6pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 John Bolivar & Barney McClure 6pm

WED DECEMBER 24 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Dan Horn 6pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Mikole Carr AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Paula Prince 7pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 T.B.A. 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 6pm ESCENA LOUNGE & GRILL; PS; 760-9920002 Jesse Sweitzer 5pm HAMILTON’S SPORTS BAR & GRILL; LQ; 760-698-8303 Karaoke w/ T-Bone 8:3012:30am HARD ROCK HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9676 “Shine” Karaoke 7pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Open Mic 8pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm

December 18 to December 24, 2014

JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Live Music KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke w/ Roberto 7pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Rox MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 “Sing Jam” w/ Michael Healy 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Golden Era Karaoke 4-7pm, Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm NYPD; PS; 760-778-6973 Live DJ 9pm PJ’S SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-288-1199 Karaoke w/ KJ Ginger 8pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161ext.230 The Michael Holmes Trio 6pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-327-4080 Martin Ross, Starlite Lounge 5pm, Open Mic w/ Esjay Jones, Sidebar 7pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Straight Ahead Jazz TILTED KILT; PD; 760-773-5458 Tilted Kilt’s Open Mic Competition hosted by Morgan James 8pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Lizann Warner 6:30-10pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-2am, Nite Fixx 9-2am WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-3285955 T.B.A. 7-10pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 Karaoke THE WINE BAR BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-8744 Scott Carter 7:30pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Deanna Bogart 6pm

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December 18 to December 24, 2014

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the palm springs Local

The Palm Desert Cross

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don’t remember ever not noticing its bright light. It has stood above the desert area of Palm Desert that I have called home for well over 30 years (yes, I’m only 30 years old). Above El Paseo, above the mall, above all the touristy hoop la and probable hoop Nah. The cross of Palm Desert stands…proud…hovering over our small desert city, sheltering us from the tip of the mountain from inclement weather, and possible other nefarious situations.

The cross that illuminates the Palm Desert sky has been in existence since 1981, erected in association with St Margaret’s Church just a slight mountain below.

At one point it was a source of light pollution annoyance….the nearby residents complained about the crosses bright lights as some sort of inhibitor to the skies normal resilient darkness. The cross was in danger of being un-erected.

But because it sits on private property and with the adjustment to the brightness of bulbs, the issue was resolved and the cross was saved. I remember hearing about the scenario, and being relieved that it had been resolved. Because really, what would Palm Desert be without that peaceful cross on the mountain for everyone to see?

It is possibly fodder for some to argue about religion and such. But at the end of the day, no matter what you believe in, the cross is just a constant reminder that something is well…just constant. And in this world of cell phones and computers that can go dead from an energy serge… what is wrong from looking up to see that

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By Denise Ortuno Neil

something that is shining bright for us to see…to even maybe make a wish upon…no plug to worry about.

What is even more awesome about the Palm Desert Cross is that you can even hike up to it if you’re feeling extra frisky. You can hike up to it via Bump n Grind or through the Homestead Trail. It is a hearty trail, so be prepared. It is not meant for the meek hearted by any means…so do some cardio beforehand if you haven’t worked out in a while.

Christmas time will be extra poignant for all of you Christians out there….and even if you’re not, it’s still just an awesome hike and an awesome site to see. You will be in the midst of the brightest light fixture in the Coachella Valley…and in turn you will shine right along with it.

Community

Christmas Help for Local Families and Individuals Throughout the Coachella Valley

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s is traditional, many charities and organizations rally their troops to help the under-served and less fortunate. The heart of our giving community here in the Coachella Valley is huge, as are the organizations that provide services specifically during Christmas. In CV Weekly’s attempt to get as much information as possible to those who could use it, we have compiled a list of the main services that will be open to the public the week of Christmas.

It is far from complete, but hopefully, still very helpful.

COACHELLA VALLEY RESCUE MISSION: Saturday, December 20th - CVRM will hold their annual toy giveaway for kids. Toys for our valley’s underserved kids are given away starting at 8 am and will go on until toys run out (approximately 5000 children will be served).

Christmas Meals: December 24, Wednesday, from 2-6pm, CVRM will be serving a holiday meal. December 25, Thursday, Christmas morning, breakfast will be served from 6-10 am. This will be followed by a Christmas dinner that will be served from 4pm until 6pm. For this event, the Mission needs everything from food (canned goods, turkeys, hams, and pies to all the cutlery paper goods it takes to serve the masses.”

To volunteer or donate supplies, call Linda at 760-347-3512 ext. 221 STREET LIFE PROJECT: An organization that reaches out to the homeless in our community in an effort to “love them back to life” and help them off the streets, will be increasing their outreach this Christmas season, by bringing a stocking full of toiletries, tire patches, batteries, small flashlights, gloves, socks, gift cards for food, etc. More details will be provided on their web and Facebook pages as it gets closer to the event: Facebook.com/TheStreetLifeProject and www.streetlifeproject.com.

Deliveries will be made to the homeless, Tuesday, December 23rd, at 6pm, at Miles Avenue Park in Indio, and on Christmas Day, at Sunrise Park, at 6pm. In the meantime, donations for this event can be dropped off at three Starbucks locations: Jefferson & 111 in La Quinta, Jackson & Showcase Pkwy, in Indio, and Varner & Washington in Palm Desert.

LOCAL CHURCHES & FIND Food Bank: Many of our local churches are financially supporting programs run through the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission. Some do have on-going food pantries open to those in need. The list can be found on the FIND Food Bank website: www.findfoodbank.org

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Haddon Libby:It’s all local

Going Postal

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he busiest days for the post office all year are December 18th and 19th. Package shipments which are up 12% from last year are some welcomed relief to the US Postal Service as they recently reported a $5.5 BILLION loss for their fiscal year-end September 30, 2014.

Along with that loss, Postmaster General Patrick Donahue announced his intent to retire after four years as the nation’s head letter carrier. His replacement, Megan Brennan, is currently Chief Operating Officer and, like Donahue, has spent her entire career at the US Postal Service. She will be the first female Postmaster General the organization’s 240 year history.

The US Postal Service is currently dealing with a trifecta of business challenges. The first and largest problem is a decline in their most lucrative lines of business due to the advent of the Internet. Second, many reforms that the US Postal Service needs to make have been blocked by Congress and the Senate. Third, is in its large, unfunded healthcare and pension liabilities. These three factors are responsible for nearly $50 billion in losses over the last seven years with

at least another $50 billion in unfunded off balance sheet liabilities outstanding.

First class “snail mail” has seen a drop 30% in volume over the last seven years with another 40% drop expected over the next seven years. Since the peak in mail volume of 213 billion pieces of mail in 2006, volume has dropped nearly 25% with another 35% drop expected over the next five years. Transaction mail such as bills and bill payments by mailers has represented as much as 35 billion pieces annually. With the rise in online electronic billing and bill pay, volume is down 20% over the last three years alone. Where 75% of bills were paid through the mail in 2002, only 40% are paid in this manner today. While advertising mail has remained constant at 80 billion pieces, this is the least lucrative mail type. Only package delivery has continued to grow, up 7% over the last two years. This increase is due to more online purchasing by consumers.

To deal with higher costs and lower income, the US Postal Service has been attempting to cut staff and locations. One of their challenges is that the closure of post offices is limited by federal law. As a result, they have not been allowed to close the smallest and least needed postal offices in the United States. As an example, the bottom

Dale Gribow On The Law WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE PULLED OVER FOR A DUI

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f you get stopped during the 2014 Holidays you are possibly under suspicion of a DUI arrest and if the officer smells any alcohol you are certainly under suspicion of a DUI. Of course the officer needs a reason or probable cause to stop you, unless you are at a checkpoint. Unfortunately, probable cause could be almost anything. Even without drinking there are times when we all cross the line, speed or do not stop at the limit line for a red light. Do not become a statistic like the 1.2 Million people who were arrested for a DUI last year….Don’t Drink and Drive….Call a Taxi…

It is a lot cheaper than calling me.

During December there are roving enforcement saturation patrols and checkpoints. They stop drivers leaving The Nest and dozens of other famous restaurants and watering holes in the greater Palm Springs area. For them it is like shooting fish in a barrel. National statistics show there is over a 90% chance of being arrested if you have the odor of alcohol on your breath. Thus you have to play the odds and prepare for the worst.

If there is a moderate amount of alcohol on your breath you could become a victim of an overzealous police officer…though that does not happen here in the CV as often as other parts of the country. If you have been drinking there is good chance you will be arrested. Most of us do not realize it is not the number of drinks but rather the amount of alcohol in each drink that is determinative.

If stopped you should be Respectful and Cooperative with the officer. Initially you need to know that you can refuse to answer questions because you are probably being arrested anyway. You can say I am not going to answer any questions but remember to cooperate and show the officer your driver’s license and proof of insurance.

When stopped the impaired driver usually makes many mistakes. Drivers are not aware, unless they read my weekly legal column, that the field sobriety and breath test at the scene are optional. Thus you do not have to take the walk the line, finger to nose, reciting the alphabet backwards and other so called sobriety tests. Likewise the breath test at the scene (unless you are on probation) is optional.

A driver stopped and offered DUI tests should be cooperative and politely say that their attorney is Dale Gribow and he has advised them not to talk without calling Gribow for permission (of course they will not let you call me). The driver should explain “they have been advised these Field Sobriety Tests and the Breath Test at the scene are optional. If that is correct Mr. Officer, then I elect not to take them (unless the driver is on probation). Then explain that you are happy to cooperate with law enforcement and take a blood test.”

Though I am sometimes referred to as a criminal defense lawyer, I choose to not view my DUI clients as “criminals”. I prefer to

December 18 to December 24, 2014

4,500 post offices bring in only $52 a week of revenue while serving only 5 customers a day. Nevertheless, Congress has not allowed the shuttering of these unneeded facilities.

Since 2006, the workforce has shrunk by 24%. A plan remains on the drawing board that would further reduce the workforce by 23% to 487,000 while closing 20% or 3,600 post offices. Unfortunately, these changes require congressional approval which has not been forthcoming.

Moving from a “pay as you go” approach to a prefunding of healthcare and pension benefits of postal workers is responsible for much of the postal services losses over the last seven years. This was required at the unfunded liability had grown to $94 billion.

Congress then required the postal service to fully fund this obligation over the next ten

years - a burden that the post office could not cover. This led to the post office defaulting on the $16 billion requirement for 2013 and borrowing $15 billion for the US Treasury.

While there has been a movement in Congress to slow the prefunding of this liability, as with most things out of Washington DC these days, no action has been taken.

While some in Congress want to bankrupt the US Postal Service in order to break its union contracts, it is more likely that the US taxpayer will yet again be called on to resolve this financial crisis at some point in the not too distant future.

view them, and more importantly to treat, them as good, honest people that have found themselves in a scary and unfortunate situation and not treat them as criminals, but rather someone that screwed up.

I look upon my job as protecting the Constitutional rights of every American who drinks and drives and thereafter gets arrested for Drunk Driving. I do however change “hats” when as a lawyer I SUE Drunk Drivers for damages on behalf of my clients for their injuries or death by the drunk driver.

After the driver bails out of jail or gets an OR release they should call a DUI attorney as the attorney must request a DMV hearing within 10 days. When stopped the driver receives a pink piece of paper which is a temporary license good for 30 days in exchange for the driver’s license which is taken away. By requesting a DMV hearing and a stay, the license is good until after the results of the hearing. IF the license is suspended it is for about 4 months. At the same time the driver should go to DMV and request a DMV identification card as it will be needed during the next few months.

The DUI driver must understand that a DUI kicks in two proceedings, the court and DMV. Unfortunately here in the CV we do not have adequate transportation as is the case in NY or SF. When your license is suspended there is almost no chance of getting a restricted license to drive from the California DMV. Your license is a necessity in the desert but it is just gone. Our laws are tougher out here in the CV than in many other parts of California.

I have heard the Police are working on a laser beam that will send out a ray to your car to detect alcohol vapors. Another instrument that may have to install an ignition interlock device. This happens in 21 states where before your car will start you have to flow into it to prove you do not have alcohol on your breath. It is hooked up to your electrical system requiring you to blow before the car will start and there is a mini camera attached to prove it was you that blew.

Remember, When you drink don’t get behind the wheel and be involved in an auto accident (whether it is your fault or not) or get arrested for a DUI…I don’t need the extra business.

DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE, CALL A TAXI……

IT IS A LOT CHEAPER THAN HIRING ME! The Dale Gribow law firm continues to be rated: 1) TOP LAWYER again this year by Palm Springs Life 2) Perfect AVVO 10.0 Peer Review Rating by fellow attorneys 3) Preeminent Rating by Martindale Hubbell in addition to having been Man of the Year 7 times including the City of Palm Desert and the City of Hope and Dale Gribow Day being proclaimed 4x’s.

If you have any questions regarding this column or ideas for future columns please contact Dale Gribow Attorney at Law at his NEW number 760-837-7500 and or his new email: dale@dalegribowlaw.com

27

December 18 to December 24, 2014

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

safety tips

by Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

Listen up! The best gift this season doesn’t cost a dime!

T

he holidays provide a good opportunity to spend quality time with family, friends and co-workers while making deposits in our relationships.

Naturally, conversation and talking with people is a big part of this season. “Most people are very good at talking about themselves, however, the best gift this year is the gift of listening, and it doesn’t cost a dime reminds Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.”

Listening is more than “hearing.” When you truly hear and comprehend what another person is saying, you add to their self-worth and validate them. Who wouldn’t want that for a gift?

What’s the key? Speak less, listen more.

Don’t try to “one up” the other person.

Know you’re okay just who you are.

We live in an increasingly busy world. No matter how busy or who you are, take the time to listen to others. Give co-workers, family and friends your attention. Greet them with a smile. Look them in the eyes and honor their thoughts.

There is no better compliment you

Community

can pay another person than taking the time to ask them questions and listen to their responses. Try to listen without the intent to reply. Practice patience and listen completely until the person finishes his or her point.

Break out of old habits of not listening and needing to be the center of attention.

You’re great just the way you are. Not only will it make the holidays more enjoyable, it will help you in your professional and personal life. And it doesn’t cost a dime!

Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

by Maria M. Miranda

RING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH A COLA

H

appy New Year from Social Security!

Put down the champagne and ring in the New Year with a COLA! And we don’t mean the soda. In 2015, nearly 64 million Americans who receive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will receive a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase to their monthly benefit payments of 1.7 percent.

The average monthly Social Security benefit for a retired worker in 2015 is $1,328 (up from $1,306 in 2014). The average monthly Social Security benefit for a disabled worker in 2015 is $1,165 (up from $1,146 in 2014).

For people who receive SSI, the maximum federal payment amount increased to $733 (up from $721 in 2014).

Other Social Security changes in 2015 are also worth noting. For example, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security payroll tax will increase to $118,500 (up from $117,000 in 2014). A worker will earn one credit toward Social Security coverage after paying taxes on $1,220 in earnings in 2015 (up from $1,200 in 2014). As a reminder, eligibility for retirement benefits still requires 40 credits (usually about10 years of work).

Information about Medicare changes for

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2015 is available at www.medicare.gov.

The Social Security Act outlines how the COLA is calculated. To read more about the COLA, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/ cola.

To learn more about other changes in 2015, read our fact sheet at www. socialsecurity.gov/news/press/factsheets/ colafacts2015.html.

Maria M. Miranda is Social Security District Manager in Palm Springs, CA

sharekitchen

SHAREKITCHEN WINS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD

O

n December 11th, ShareKitchen received the DOING THE RIGHT THING award from the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health (DOEH) at the Riverside Convention Center. The DOEH recognizes the accomplishments of one outstanding business establishment in Riverside County each year for going above and beyond in representing the highest of standards and quality in the industry.

We are humbled to be the recipient of this prestigious recognition. ShareKitchen is home to a number of food businesses and we take great pride in sharing this award with all of them. To have a shared commercial kitchen recognized for high standards in food safety is a testament to high standards of all of ShareKitchen’s client members.

SAGUARO HOTEL HELPS CARE FOR THOSE IN NEED We would like to thank and acknowledge Saguaro Hotel for their support of the upcoming 3rd Annual Charity Christmas Eve Feeding of the Homeless started by ShareKitchen client members Sean & Yvette Smith of CV BBQ. Last week, we published an open letter

from the Smith’s looking for help in their efforts to help more than 200 local homeless people, the residents of three convalescent homes and runaway teens at Safe House of the Desert.

You too can help whether it be with time, donations or goods. The Smiths are still looking for items to be shared with those in need. A partial list of the goods that they need includes bottled water, sports drinks, granola bars and snack items, travel sized hand wipes and hand sanitizer. Warm clothing such as hats, jackets and gloves are needed as well. The Saguaro Hotel in Palm Springs was most generous in pledging shampoo, conditioner, soap and lotions to be included in the bags.

Would you like to help give to your community this holiday season? Please contact: Yvette Smith at yysmith@ gmail.com Sean Smith at info@cvbbq. com or share@ShareKitchen.org

sports scene

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by Julie Buehler

Lott IMPACT Trophy Shifting Conversation In Football

S

ports fans all know the name Ronnie Lott. It’s synonymous with punishing hits, fierce pursuit of opponents; fundamentally sound tackling and a little pinkie.

Lott is the Hall of Fame safety for the San Francisco 49ers and owns 4 Super Bowl rings from his tenure with the Niners.

He’s a legend in the game and largely credited with inspiring a generation of football players who look to make highlight-reel tackles.

But he’s also a very real, very cool guy and I get the opportunity to catch up with him every year as a voter on the college football trophy bearing his name, the Lott IMPACT Trophy.

The IMPACT Trophy stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity and as a voter, I’m instructed to weigh performance and character equally. This year, Eric Kendricks, UCLA’s star linebacker won the Lott Trophy.

Each summer, as the college football season gets under way, as a voter, I get the Lott Trophy Watch list, 42 (Lott’s number at USC

December 18 to December 24, 2014

and in NFL) of college football’s best defensive players, that ALSO exhibit superior character, academic success, community involvement and of course, incredible talent on the field.

We’re instructed not only to watch these young men each Saturday, but also keep an eye on them through the press clippings, listen for stories from local media about how the players interact in the community, find stories of them supporting charities, and doing the things we all hope our sports stars and public figures do with their limited spare time: use their platform to help others.

Funny thing, it’s SO much easier to find news about athletes doing wrong than the stories of athletes doing right.

The sports world is under heavy scrutiny right now.

And it’s not just the NFL. It’s each league, at the collegiate and professional level, as a SMALL FEW number of entitled athletes run amok and create a disproportionate amount of bad press for the vast majority of amateur and professional athletes.

Whether we discuss the domestic violence

sports

issue in the NFL, NBA or NHL where players have been suspended for assaulting women or their children, or whether we discuss the gut-churning cases at the college level, like the dismissal of Oklahoma State receiver Tyreek Hill, an All-Big-12 talent who assaulted his pregnant girlfriend or the sexual assault investigation that STILL continues into 2013 Heisman winning quarterback Jameis Winston, we know those stories well as they collide in the headlines and require us as sports fans to adjust our notion of who these athletes are.

But in reality, those very high-profile stories are tilting the perception for the many, many, thousands actually, of athletes that are earning an education or living thanks to their superior athleticism and seek to give back.

I spoke with David Helton, a Duke linebacker, Campbell Award winner (the Academic Heisman) and Lott Trophy finalist and he told me he considers those few athletes who can’t handle their social responsibility to be decent members of their community are a personal affront to him.

And I agree.

In my decade-plus career of sports journalism, I’ve encountered numerous professional and collegiate athletes. Some big names like Kobe Bryant, Derek Jeter, Ronnie Lott, Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith, Joe Torre, Manti Teo, JJ Watt, and many, many more, and some not-so-nationally-known names like Jacob Hester, Mark Herzlich, Brian Banks, Shaine Boyle, Thomas DeMarco, James Dockery and Greg Latta, and many, many more, and the ONE common denominator among all the athletes I’ve ever met: the profound ability to

distract themselves from disappointment with their vision of victory.

That’s it. There’s no such thing as a cookiecutter athlete.

In my decade-plus career, I have but a handful of stories of athletes, coaches or administrators who were less than kind and respectful.

I have COUNTLESS stories of athletes who were awesome, hilarious, gracious, inviting, thoughtful and welcoming. But I’ll give you one guess which kind of stories people want to hear first when they find out what I do for a living.

We all need to ask ourselves why that is.

The Lott IMPACT Trophy, in it’s 11th year, represents a shift in culture and conversation where we celebrate those who go above and beyond to pursue their vision of victory and help others do the same.

Julie Buehler hosts the Coachella Valley’s most popular sports talk radio show, “Buehler’s Day Off” every day from 3-6 on 1010 KXPS, the valley’s all sports station. She can also be seen every morning between 6-7am on KMIR sharing the coolest stories in sports. She’s an avid gym rat, slightly sarcastic and more likely to recite Steve Young’s career passing stats than American Idol winners. Tune in M-F 3-6 pst at team1010.com or watch “Buehler’s Day Off” on Ustream and KMIR.com for her sports reports.

by Flint Wheeler

Tigers New “Flavor of the Month” Swing Coach

C

hris Como became one of the most famous golf coaches on the planet on Saturday when Tiger Woods announced that he hired him as a swing “consultant.”

Only the hardest of hardcore golf nerds knew who Como was before Tiger announced the hire. He’s a 37-year-old based in Plano, Texas who’s finishing a Master’s degree in biomechanics at Texas Woman’s University. The three professional golfers he has worked with — Aaron Baddeley, Trevor Immelman, and Jamie Lovemark — are hardly household names.

Golf Digest put him on their “Best Young Teachers” list in 2014, noting that he charges $1,500 for a half-day lesson at Gleneagles Country Club near Dallas.

Como is regarded as a sports science expert. His biomechanics degree has involved co-authoring a paper called, “Assessment of planarity of the golf swing based on the functional swing plane of the clubhead and motion planes of the body points.” Whatever the heck that means is your guess.

That’s basically all that the golf world

knows about Como, and some people around the game are leery that this is the right move for Tiger.

An anonymous professional caddie who’s familiar with Como told the New York Daily News that this is going to be a disaster.

He said Como is, “way worse than [Tiger’s last coach Sean Foley], way too technical.

This guy will try to get Tiger a putting coach, a statistician, a green reading guy, etc. It’s his worse choice ever. He can turn a guy from an athlete into a golf geek.”

Jason Sobel noted on Morning Drive that Tiger’s biggest weakness right now is accuracy off the tee, yet the three PGA players Como has worked with all finished outside the top-135 in driving accuracy.

Alan Shipnuck of Sports Illustrated said Tiger is making a mistake in even hiring a coach in the first place: “I wish Tiger would have resisted the temptation. He’s maybe the most naturally gifted player ever; he doesn’t need a coach -- especially one who’s into biomechanics and neuroscience -- he needs to find it on his own. Success will be to win a couple of Tour events and contend at one or two

majors. Anything beyond that is a home run.”

There’s intense debate in the golf community about what is wrong with Tiger.

Some people think he gets too technical and tinkers with his swing too much. Others think he pushes his body so hard in the weight room that he picks up needless injuries.

Tiger has been working with Como for a month after his friend Notah Begay introduced them over the summer, according to USA Today. Based on Como’s background, some are speculating that Tiger could be headed for a few more swing tweaks in order to prevent further injury to his back. Como works under Dr. Young-Hoo Kwon, who lists “sport injury mechanism”

as one of his areas of expertise.

Como seems like an innovative character.

In one YouTube video he demonstrated the concept of “passive torque” by crawling on the ground: In another he jumped off a high dive and swung a golf club: Nope, not kidding. Go to Youtube and search “tigers new catch is a little crazy”.

Tiger is going to be 39-years old when the 2015 season begins. While his era of dominance is over, there is still time for him to turn things around from his disastrous year in 2014, and hopefully Como will help.

I doubt it.

Founder of Silex Strategies L.L.C. providing sales and consulting in Insurance, Retirement, Real Estate and Taxes through A.I.G./Valic. PGA Class A Member and T.P.I. Certified Golf Trainer. Host of “The Tilted Sports Radio Show” on Fox Sports 1270 from 3-7pm on Thursdays, Live from The Kilt.

Contact at 760-409-4612 www.flintwheeler. com

29

December 18 to December 24, 2014

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Health&Fitness

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30

pproaching a new year this 2015 has been a reflective experience. I have been thinking long and hard about what it means to make a new year’s resolution. What it means to resolve to start something, change something, or finish something. I have always been someone who makes new year’s resolution on the first day of the New Year. And this year, I plan to do the same. But, instead of setting an independent goal and stressing over accomplishing it, I have decided to take a unique approach.

I recently read a book that directed the reader to set their life up as a story.

The premise was that if you live life as a narrative, life will be more fulfilling. While I’m unsure that premise holds completely true, I found it useful as I approached my 2015 resolutions. Here is what I have decided to do. I share this with you so that you might join me in this “new” way to resolve.

Instead of looking into the New Year as a time to accomplish something that, in the past, has been unattainable, decide to set some goals for the fun of it, for the story of

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

By Denise Ortuno Neil

it, with the achievement results being the byproduct of the goal rather than the focus.

For example, instead of setting a resolution to lose 20 lbs., only to hopelessly fall short; or to work out for an hour a day, every day, all year long, only to quit after fatigue sets in on the third day; or to stop eating sugar all together only to revert to sneaking it when others are not looking; try this.

Sign up for a local fitness event (a triathlon, a 5K walk/run or a sports tournament) taking place later in the year.

Invite a couple of friends to do it with you and plan a party to celebrate completing the event. The focus becomes the story, the experience and the party. Weight loss, eating right, and exercise are the byproduct of getting prepared to participate in the event. The story becomes bigger than the goal. The story becomes the motivator.

I’m trying it in my life and I invite you to attempt it with me. Let’s do it together. Let’s resolve to bigger things in life; things that are fun and fulfilling, things that make good stories and encourage lasting results like friendships, memories and wellness.

For more ideas call Karen at the Palm Desert Aquatic Center 760-565-7467 or go online www.pdpool.com.

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY Week of December 18

ARIES (March 21-April 19): “Too much happiness can make you unhappy,” reported journalist Marta Zaraska in the Washington Post. Citing research by psychologists, she concluded that being super-extra cheerful can make you selfish, gullible, and more prone to stereotyped thinking. On the other hand, she said, maintaining merely moderate levels of happiness is pretty damn good for your mental and physical health. So here’s the takeaway, Aries: The astrological omens suggest you’re due for a surge of joy and pleasure. Just be careful it doesn’t spill over into rash, delirious excess. Here’s your watchword: well-grounded delight.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): In the 19th century, the Grimm brothers gathered over 200 old fairy tales from a variety of sources and published them in an unprecedented collection. Many of their stories are still popular, including “Cinderella,” “Snow White,” “Hansel and Gretel,” and “Rapunzel.” Around the same time they did their work, a storyteller named Franz Xaver von Schönwerth assembled his own compendium of fantastic myths, fables, and folklore.

Unlike the Grimm brothers’ book, his work faded into obscurity. But it was rediscovered in 2011, and 500 lost fairy tales are now finding their way into newly published books. I foresee a comparable phenomenon happening for you in 2015, Taurus.

Forgotten stories will return. Raw material from the depths will resurface. Interesting news from the past will come flowing into the present.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Your first task is to ascertain the half-truth, the whole half-truth, and nothing but the whole half-truth. Only then will you be able to find the other half of the truth. I realize it may be frustrating to use this approach.

You’d probably prefer to avoid wrangling with the deceptions and misdirections. But I think it’s the only way to jostle loose the hidden or missing information. For best results, be a cunning and unsentimental detective who’s eager to solve the mystery. Don’t focus on finding fault or assigning blame.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): One of the ingredients that makes yoga mats so soft and springy is the chemical azodicarbonamide. The same stuff is added to the soles of shoes. There’s a third place where it’s used, too: in the burger buns sold by McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, and other fast food joints.

I’m not suggesting that you order a big supply of azodicarbonamide and ingest it. But I do hope you will consider the metaphorical equivalent: doing whatever’s necessary to make yourself bouncy and fluffy and pliable and supple and resilient.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): “There are two kinds of light,” said author James Thurber, “the glow that illuminates, and the glare that obscures.” Lately you have been an abundant source of that first kind of light, Leo. The fire in your heart and the gleam in your eyes have not only brightened the mood wherever you’ve gone. They have also clarified confusing situations, warmed chilly attitudes, and healed dispirited allies. Thank you! In the coming weeks, I’d love to see you continue on your hot streak. To help ensure that you do, keep your ego under control. Don’t let it pretend that it owns the light you’re emitting. With a little introspection, you will continue to generate illumination, not glare.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Studies suggest that 57 percent of all people with access to the Internet have engaged in the practice known as egosurfing. This modern art form consists of searching Google for mentions of one’s own name. This is a suspiciously low figure unless we factor in the data uncovered by my own research -- which is that a disproportionately small amount of Virgos go egosurfing: only 21 percent. If you are one of the 79 percent of your tribe who does not indulge, I invite you to remedy the situation. It’s an excellent time to risk exploring the potential benefits of increased self-interest and self-regard.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): When I started writing horoscopes many years ago, I was a good astrologer

© Copyright 2012 Rob Brezsny

but an unexceptional writer. Eventually, the practice of composing 12 packets of pithy prose every week allowed me to improve my authorial skills. The stuff I composed in the early years wasn’t bad, but I wouldn’t want to present it as my work any more.

So should I feel guilty that I got paid and appreciated for those old efforts even though I was less than perfect? Did I get away with something I shouldn’t have gotten away with? I don’t think so. I was doing the best I could at the time. And even my unpolished astrological musings were helpful to many people.

Now, Libra, I invite you to apply these meditations to you own unfolding destiny.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You may already know what I’m about to tell you. It’s a core principle at the root of your Scorpio heritage. But I want to focus your attention on it. In the coming months, you’ll be wise to keep it at the forefront of your conscious awareness. Here it is, courtesy of philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche: “You have it in your power to invest everything you have lived through -- your experiments, false starts, errors, delusions, passions, your love and your hope -- into your goal, with nothing left over.”

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “A savage desire for strong emotions and sensations burns inside me: a rage against this soft-tinted, shallow, standardized and sterilized life.” So says Harry Haller, the protagonist of Herman Hesse’s novel Steppenwolf. His declaration could serve as an interesting point of reference for you in the coming months, Sagittarius -- not as a mood for everyday use, but as a poetic inspiration that you periodically call on to invigorate your lust for life. My invitation has a caveat, however. I advise you not to adopt the rest of Harry Haller’s rant, in which he says that he also has “a mad craving to smash something up, a department store, or a cathedral, or myself.”

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): I have lived near an open space preserve for five years. Up until the last two months, it has been a peaceful, quite place.

But then the coyotes moved in. Just after dusk every evening, a pack of them start yipping and yowling in the distance. At first I found the racket to be eerie and unsettling. It activated some primal unease in me. And yet the coyotes have never actually been a problem. They don’t roam into my neighborhood and try to bite people or prey on pets. So now I’ve come to relish the situation: The wild things are close and exciting, but not dangerous. I’m guessing this has a metaphorical resemblance to what your life will be like in the next six months, Capricorn.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Stanstead, Quebec and Derby Line, Vermont are really a single town that straddles the border between the U.S. and Canada. Many of the people who live there have dual citizenship, but they’re still supposed to carry their passports with them at all times. I suspect you may experience a metaphorical version of this split in the coming months, Aquarius. You will be in a situation that has a split down the middle or a seemingly unnatural division. Whether it turns out to be a problem or an opportunity will depend on your adaptability and flexibility.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): When a dead tree topples over in the woods, its withered branches may get entangled with the branches of a living tree that’s standing nearby. As years go by, the living tree must grow the best it can with the decaying wood trapped in its midst. Has something like that ever happened to you? Are you still carrying the rot that other people have burdened you with? If so, the coming months will be an excellent time to get disentangled. A tree isn’t capable of freeing itself from the dead weight of the past, but you are -- especially in the first half of 2015.

Homework: What’s the one feeling you want to feel more than any other in 2015? Tell all: Truthrooster@gmail.com.

Rob Brezsny Free Will Astrology freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com

December 18 to December 24, 2014

Mind, body & Spirit

by Bronwyn Ison

NEW BEGINNINGS

W

ith less than two weeks in the year you may be reflecting upon 2014.

This is your opportune moment to be thankful, revel in your accomplishments, contemplate change and envision 2015. Many people consider New Year’s resolutions. Is this you? What are your goals in 2015? Are you establishing new goals? Will you enact changes in your life? What excites you?

What do you envision for your future?

So often we dwell in our past or we think too much about our future. Nothing is wrong with either way of living. Existing in the past can debilitate you from advancing toward your future. Why? Often we think of the negative while reminiscing. These thoughts can cripple you. You will not move forward if unfavorable thoughts infiltrate your mind.

A New Year means NEW BEGININGS for you! Commencing a New Year has always provoked enthusiasm within me. It is the ideal time to elevate your standards.

Considering your future may be exciting.

Perhaps you need to get real with yourself.

What do you want? What suits your needs best? Are you setting boundaries in your life? How can you best achieve your goals?

Do you need to clear your slate of old habits, remove toxic relationships, change your diet or improve your exercise routine?

Consider this: out with the old, in with the NEW! It is time to anticipate what you want to accomplish. It may be that you establish New Year’s resolutions. If this style works for you, set your resolutions. Honestly, though this does not motivate me.

However, each of us is different. I’ve seen to often New Year’s resolutions abandoned.

They are too simple to breach. Why? The difference is… A resolution is “a decision or determination to do something.” A goal is “the result toward which effort is directed.”

Don’t make an unrealistic resolution that you know you won’t be able to keep; set a

goal that you can work towards.

If you are serious about diversifying your future and not repeating unfortunate mishaps in the New Year, goals will help facilitate an improved you. You owe it to yourself to cease wasting time and energy on dead end projects. Focus your goals on what you should and need to be doing versus on what you should not be doing.

You are in complete control of your personal and professional goals. Write down your goals and look at them every day. Remember your goals are a process and will not be realized overnight. There is so much to acquire as you progress and know that you can enjoy the journey. I am not declaring it will be easy. Be prepared for the speed bumps along the way. Each will be a lesson. Simply don’t allow them to through you off course.

Nothing can distract you from your goals but you. Stay inspired. Defeat is not an option.

Bronwyn Ison is the Owner of Evolve Yoga. e-volveyoa.com or (760)564-YOGA 50991 Washington St, La Quinta 92253

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December 18 to December 24, 2014

Life & career Coach

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

by Sunny Simon

A Virus Proof Plan

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ying on my back with a throbbing headache I wondered why I spent weeks ignoring the signs. Obvious notices were posted all over town. Every supermarket with a pharmacy offered flu shots. The process probably took all of ten minutes but I chose to bypass this preventative measure. As a result, I spent some time paying the price. My week consisted of demolishing two boxes of ultra soft, strong Kleenex, a bag of cherry cough drops, a tube of Airborne tablets, and aspirins in abundance. I consumed countless cups of green tea and sipped on multiple bowls of chicken soup.

My only action of the week was to clear my calendar. Sadly that meant canceling three holiday parties I was looking forward to and rescheduling coaching sessions. Trying to look on the bright side, I thought I would spend my sick time catching up on my reading.

That lasted about ten minutes as an aching head and rheumy eyes are not conducive to absorbing the written word. The only thing left was mindless TV programming. Indeed, I plugged into silly sitcoms as I could not wrap my mind around anything with substance.

It finally dawned on me in my bedroom with no outside contact other than the company of my loyal dog Zoli and my darling husband delivering TLC and sick room supplies

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while carefully keeping his distance, I could indulge in some desperately needed planning time.

As a life coach, I should know this. I am always urging others to block out quiet time in December to review the past year focusing on achievements, measuring progress and identifying gaps. Aha! I had the perfect setting for this – peace, quiet and no distractions.

When I felt well enough I grabbed my tablet and started making notes. Next I put on soft music and started brainstorming conjuring up ideas on meaningful milestones I wanted to achieve in the coming year. I visualized the end result, then notebook in hand again I broke it down into bite sized pieces and distributed my action items along a timeline.

When the process was completed I experienced a peace and comfort in spite of my red, raw Ruldolph-like nose and aching limbs. Giggling I thought of the silly old expression my grandfather always preached: “You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.” Sorry, Grandpa, you can. Even an A/ California/7/2009(H1N1)pdm09-like virus, this year’s flu du jour, can be used to create a master plan for an exciting new year.

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

Ask The Doctor

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December 18 to December 24, 2014

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. www.deserthousecalldoc.com.

Christmas Nutrition

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very year, my patients use the holiday season as an excuse or “free pass” not to watch their diet so they can enjoy the Christmas parties, cookies, candy and sweets that are a mainstay of December. When January comes, it’s not unusual for patients to see me to “get back in shape” because they overdid it during the holidays. I just wanted to give some dietary information about a few holiday treats so you know what you may be getting into at the next holiday party.

Fruit Cake This holiday classic may contain a lot of fruit, but it also has plenty of sugar, butter, corn syrup and sometimes alcohol such as rum. A slice of fruitcake may contain up to 410 calories and 13 grams of fat.

Yule Log The Yule log associated with dessert is mainly composed of chocolate, heavy cream, butter and sponge cake. Some recipes may also include pecans and coconut. A grocery bought cake mix may contain up to 420 calories and 47 grams of sugar!

Eggnog Traditional eggnog recipes consist of milk, sugar, raw eggs, and spices, usually nutmeg.

Cream or gelatin may be added along with alcohol such as bourbon. One cup of eggnog can have up to 343 calories and 21 grams of sugar. The store bought eggnog in a carton will usually contain artificial sweeteners and preservatives.

Hot Toddy

This party favorite is a mixed drink made of liquor and water with sugar and spices, served hot. The liquor can be bourbon, brandy, rum or whiskey.

Depending on the type of alcohol used and spices, an eight ounce serving may be 150180 calories.

Gingerbread Cookies The gingerbread man always makes an appearance at Christmas parties. The amount of calories in a cookie is dependent on its size, but the gingerbread cookie is very calorie dense with about 114 calories per ounce. The gingerbread man may contain up to 22 grams of sugar!

I certainly don’t want to put a damper on your holiday season by discussing the nutritional value of some Christmas treats.

Just remember, everything in moderation. A little bit of dietary discipline this month may mean less weight that needs to come off in January. Enjoy! I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

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December 18 to December 24, 2014

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December 18 to December 24, 2014

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December 18 to December 24, 2014

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