Coachella Valley Weekly - March 6 to March 12, 2014 Vol. 2 No. 50

News

Music

Movies

Dining

Community Events

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com • March 6 to March 12, 2014 Vol. 2 No. 50

La Quinta

Arts Festival

March 6-9, 2014

Angel Light Academy

pg 7

Tachevah’s Top 10

pg 11

You Know Who

pg 13

Kaiser Grille

pg 20

Shabu Shabu Zen

pg 21

March 6 to March 12, 2014

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Coachella Valley Weekly

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Art for Everyone: La Quinta Arts Festival Has Something for YOU!

March 6 to March 12, 2014

by Andrea Hanson Carter

760.501.6228

Publisher & Editor Tracy Dietlin Art Director Robert Chance Sales Team Raymond Bill, Brian Michaelz Classified Manager & Nightlife Editor Phil Lacombe Features Writer Marissa Willman, Judith Sulkin, Denise Ortuno Neil, Heidi Simmons, Lisa Morgan Writers/Contributors: Robin Simmons, Rick Riozza, Lola Rossi-Meza, Craig Michaels, Bronwyn Ison, Haddon Libby, Rachel Montoya, Angela Janus, Janet McAfee, Heidi Simmons, Dale Gribow, Raymond Bill, Jack St. Clair, Rob Brezny, Amanda Dorta, Eleni P. Austin, Curtis Hendricks, Noe Gutierrez, Jill Coleman, Jennifer Tan, Sunny Simon, Richard Weiss, Dr. Peter Kadile, Dr. Maria Lombardo, Bruce Cathcart, Patte Purcell, Julie Buehler, Flint Wheeler, John Paul Valdez, Laura Hunt Little, Eric Robertson, Scott Pam, Brian Michaelz, Robin Linn, Rebecca Pikus, Beer Snob, Richard Noble, Karen Creasy, Trooper Ramsey Photographers Laura Hunt Little, Lani Garfield, Chris Miller/ Imagine Imagery Distribution Phil Lacombe, William Westley

Contents

La Quinta Arts Festival.................... 3 Events - Angel Light Academy......7 Events - Goodbye To Marilyn........7 Sports Scene..................................8 Sports.............................................9 Valley Rhythms- Hall & Oates.....10 Desert Djs- DJ Ulises....................10 LMS- Tachevah’s Top 10 ..............11 LMS- Blasting Echo.......................12 Events- Guitar Center...................12 DR- You Know Who.......................13 Consider This ...............................14 Art - Photography & Dance........15 Pet Place.......................................16 The Vino Voice..............................17 Club Crawler Nightlife.................18 Pampered Palate- Kaiser Grille.....20 Shabu Shabu Zen..........................21 Screeners......................................22 Book Review ................................23 Beer Snob.....................................25 Real Estate.....................................26 Its Your Nickel................................26 Haddon Libby: It’s All Local.........27 Dale Gribow.................................27 Safety Tips....................................28 Gaemer Girl..................................28 Don’t Be Clueless in the CV.........29 Health & Fitness...........................30 Free Will Astrology......................31 Mind, Body, & Spirit.....................31 Life & Career Coach......................32 Beauty..........................................32 Comics - Weiss Cracks..................34

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f you’ve been in the Coachella Valley for a while now, you’ve undoubtedly heard of the La Quinta Arts Festival – which is held every March, and is about to host its 32nd annual Festival March 6th9th. It’s received many accolades over the years, but perhaps its biggest honor to date is being named the #1 Fine Arts Festival in the Nation by Art Fair Sourcebook for the second straight year, with an additional distinction this year of being named the #1 Fine Craft Festival in the Nation as well.

If you think art isn’t your “thing” or are intimidated by art in any way, perhaps you may have never seriously looked at attending the Festival in years past. But

what you might not realize is – you’re missing out on an experience that is so filled with fun – you may not even notice you’re being “cultured” at the same time!

Art is definitely the star of this Festival, but there are so many other things to enjoy no matter where you’re at in your art journey. Imagine spending the day browsing incredible ceramics, drawings, pastels, glass art pieces, jewelry, painting, photography, sculptures and more, while stopping occasionally at “Restaurant Row” to savor tastes by restaurants like Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Fisherman’s Market and Grill. Shanghi Red’s Zen Oasis Lounge will be serving Asian style and lighter fare.

Of course, there’s always time to lounge at The Island Bar to relax with a craft beer or a selection of fine boutique wines hand selected for the event. Start the day off right, and make it a Mimosa Morning with a Canella Blood Orange Mimosa or Peach Bellini on the amphitheater lawn.

Along the way, you can count on great entertainment, as well. Don’t miss DiosGracias VoceDans Theater, a company of curated dancer/singers who integrate butoh-inspired movement and contemporary dance forms. You’ll also enjoy the smooth flamenco guitar stylings of Milton Merlos, the haunting Bolivian pan pipes of Oscar Reynolds and the swing and jazz standards from renowned Steve Madaio and Friends.

On Saturday, be sure you ‘play artist’ at the Festival photo booth and get your free, commemorative photo, as well. Artthemed props will allow you to have some fun in front of the camera, and give you a nice take-away to remember your day at La Quinta Arts Festival.

The La Quinta Arts Festival is so prestigious, that it draws contemporary artists from 36 states, Canada, Israel and continue to page 5

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March 6 to March 12, 2014

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www.coachellavalleyweekly.com Nicaragua – receiving a record number of more than 1,100 applications this year for the coveted 234 spots at the Festival.

Featured artists include Teresa Saia (Seattle, WA), chosen as the 2014 Poster Artist for her original pastel entitled “Spring’s Gentle Awakening;” Jason Napier (Friday Harbor, WA), whose bronze sculpture of a regal peacock named “His Majesty” is the focal image of La Quinta Arts Festival’s 2014 marketing campaign; and John Ha (Garden Grove, CA); who is best known for his signature Koi fish mixed media paintings where each fish explores various themes from pop culture to customary Asian symbolism.

Your smartphone can be your guide – making navigating the Festival easy and convenient! While at the Festival, patrons can visit Festival.LQAF.com from their mobile device to locate individual artists,

checking out all artists in a particular medium, reviewing entertainment and dining options, and looking up other event information.

And here’s an idea – take your kids! With arts exposure diminishing in school systems, it is important for you to introduce them to art and culture at a young age so they can grow with an appreciation for art that will benefit them in many aspects of their life.

There’s a special treat for kids of any age – and anyone with a sweet tooth – at The Chocolate Bar, tended by the sweet masterminds from Brandini Toffee. Here you will be able to indulge in an extra special snack of creamy vanilla ice cream bars, hand-dipped into decadent milk or dark chocolate, then rolled in their famous toffee as featured on “Oprah.”

You do not need to be an art aficionado to love the La Quinta Arts Festival. You just need to be up for a beautiful day, or weekend, in the scenic La Quinta Civic

March 6 to March 12, 2014 Center Park, with a palette of experiences just waiting for you. And who knows – you may even purchase your first piece of art!

You’ll find artwork at all different price ranges, so there’s truly something for any budget – to adorn yourself, your loved one, your home or office.

Ticket prices are: Adults $12, Multi-Day Pass $15, Children under 12 are free. Tickets may be purchased at the gate or in advance at www.LQAF.com for a value added offer.

Free parking is available in the Village of La Quinta, along with paid valet and self parking options.

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March 6 to March 12, 2014

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ANGEL LIGHT ACADEMY

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LA’s Annual Leadership Conference has made a difference in the lives of several thousand area youth.

They’ve had the benefit of being trained in leadership skills, setting boundaries, conflict resolution, critical thinking, communication and problem solving techniques. ALA Youth Leadership Conference will expand this year to include training on new important topics that are affecting our valley youth – Human Relations, Courage and Self-Bullying (The Bully Within).

WHAT: ALA 17th Annual Youth Leadership Kick-Off Conference WHEN: March 8 & 9 from 9:00am to 3:00pm WHERE: Van Buren Elementary School, 47733 Van Buren St., Indio WHO: The program curriculum is for youth ages 5 – 18 and focuses on identifying and solving school, community and personal problems as identified by local students, schools, teachers, parents and community leaders. Such as: Self-Bullying (The Bully Within) Human Relations Skills Courage Technology Dependency & Communication Problem Solving and Critical Thinking In addition, the teenage students will benefit from the expertise of local professionals who will educate them on college/trade school preparation, goal setting, budgeting/money management,

California Woman 411 with your host Dee Jae Cox

‘Talking to women who lead and inspire’ Saturday’s from 10 – 11 a.m.

KPTR 1450 AM Palm Springs, CA California

CA-WMN-411 www.CaliforniaWoman411.com

Produced by The Los Angeles Women's Theatre Project:

www.lawtp.org www.californiawoman411.com

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® YOUTH LEADERSHIP ANNUAL

CONFERENCE MARCH 8 & 9

career choices/job readiness and the military.

A special guest will be Nachattar Chandi from the Chandi Group a well-known local community leader. He’ll speak on working his way out of poverty in India and creating a successful life for himself and his family in the Coachella Valley.

ALA believes that if youth learn to solve problems and apply leadership skills, they become more self-confident and can change their lives forever.

This year’s expanded curriculum will address Self-Bullying (The Bully Within), that is being addressed nationwide. ALA is dedicated to helping our next generation put a stop to bullying! This training looks at the power of our thoughts, comparing ourselves to others, self- judgments, being afraid of others, not feeling good enough, lack of trust and other traits that cause the bully within to grow. If self-bullying continues long enough it manifests outwardly and children often become bullies to others. ALA will offer tools on building self-esteem and self-efficacy so they can counter bullies-both within and without.

Ongoing Training After the Conference Following the conference youth have the option to continue learning and growing by participating in ALA’s ongoing Junior Leadership Training Program that meets every 6 weeks. This program challenges students to apply their learning and earn pins for demonstrating leadership traits, sound problem solving, and the use of angelic partners in activities related to health, money, relationships, and school. Students apply their learning by doing community service. Many students earn the Presidential Service Award.

Pauline Hennessey, Youth Program Director, sees that students receive specially designed pins and certificates upon completion of all requirements for each pin category.

WHAT: Angel Light Academy, a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit corporation that actively reaches out to the community with their volunteer team of “angels on earth”. ( www. angellightacademy.org) Angel Light Academy is a caring resource for people of all ages who seek to change

events

their lives. It recognizes the strengths in others and builds on those strengths. The organization provides opportunities to learn new skills to enhance confidence and for individuals of all ages to grow and be the best they can be. Through training, mentoring, and nurturing ALA creates inspiring leaders who provide exceptional service to others and their communities. The reputation and success of this training organization have resulted in trusted relationships with teachers, school districts and community professionals resulting in increased requests for programming.

FOUNDERS: ALA Founders are Julia and Richard Wilmot. Julia Wilmot is truly an angel on earth devoted to the betterment of mankind. She has been a dedicated community leader and successful businesswoman for over 30 years. Formerly, she was the director of Project Prevention, which assisted 600,000 youth during her five-year tenure. The YWCA in Arizona honored Mrs. Wilmot in 2003 with a statewide award as Woman of the Year for her dedication to service throughout the state. Richard Wilmot is a retired U.S. Army Brigadier General who served at the Pentagon and has extensive international business and military experience.

Applications Still Being Accepted. For more information about ALA call 888-311-7388 or visit the web at www.angelightacademy.org

events

THE GYPSY EXPRESS AND SPECIAL GUESTS SAY GOODBYE TO MARILYN

Special Guests Calista Carradine & Snatch the Pebble host FREE CONCERT to bid farewell. Friday March 7th, Downtown Palm Springs 7:00PM verlooking Downtown Palm Alvin Taylor, who formerly performed with Springs, she stands 26 feet tall, George Harrison, Elton John, and numerous and 36,000 pounds, amazing for others. Princeton Arnold is an established one of the worlds most beautiful women, Los Angeles musician and has toured over Marilyn Monroe. The Marilyn Monroe nine different countries in support of music statue has been a fixture of the downtown for the troops. JP Cervoni plays upsidescene in Palm Springs for the last two years down, left handed guitar. Buddy Miles was and has drawn in hundreds of thousands of so impressed he hired him to tour and record visitors. The statue titled, “Forever Marilyn” with him. Buddy Miles was quoted as saying; is a creation of designer Seward Johnson and “JP is the only player after Jimi, that kicked will be traveling to Hamilton, New Jersey at my ass!!” the beginning of April for a special exhibit “Forever Marilyn has been such an honoring her designer. incredible part of Downtown Palm Springs As a special way to say goodbye, rock over the last two years. It is only appropriate band The Gypsy Express will be hosting a to give her a warm send off,” according to TJ FREE CONCERT for the public on Friday, Michaelz with Michaelz Media. With many March 7th at 7:00 PM. The Gypsy Express is events planned over the next month The a combination of Jimi Hendrix’s band, The Gypsy Express has a rocking night of music Band of Gypsy’s, and Buddy Miles’ band for all ages. In addition to The Gypsy Express, called, The Buddy Miles Express. The Gypsy Calista Carradine & Snatch the Pebble will Express is a trio featuring legendary drummer kick off the evening beginning at 7:00PM. Calista trained as an actress by Stella Adler and John Barrymore among others and as a singer by Seth Riggs and Dennis Parnelle.

A former Golden Globe Girl she was raised by her mother choreographer Donna Carradine and her father actor, director, producer, David Carradine.

The FREE CONCERT event will take place in Downtown Palm Springs at the “Forever Marilyn” statue and will begin with Calista Carradine & Snatch the Pebble. The Gypsy Express will take the stage soon after with

March 6 to March 12, 2014

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their unique blend of Jimi Hendrix/ Buddy Miles style tribute music.

A native of Palm Springs, Alvin Taylor commented on the event, “I am excited about the opportunity to come together and to honor Marilyn Monroe and to say goodbye and to share the music of The Gypsy Express with our friends and fans.”

Michaelz Media, ATM Productions, JP Management, Marty Keegan Management, and Interfusion Music Summit are sponsoring “Goodbye to Marilyn”.

For more information on this special event contact Michaelz Media at 888.363.6874 or email info@michaelzmedia.com

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March 6 to March 12, 2014

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sports scene

by Julie Buehler

W

hen you’re fighting cancer and seeking out hope to live another day, your future melts into endless voices of doctors, a new job as a human pin-cushion and painful chemicals surging through your veins, day after day after day. The future becomes a dreadful reality of uncertainty.

And if you’re a kid, you’d better grow up fast. You’re told if you go outside to play, your compromised immune system, the one being pounded mercilessly with chemotherapy, will be further challenged, dangerously so, so you can’t play.

You’re told sports become an activity for other kids, everyone else lucky enough to not draw the short stick of cancer as a kid, but not you. So you can’t play.

You’re told, as a kid with cancer, that tomorrow isn’t a reality until you survive today; the needles, the flood of doctors’ voices, the burning chemical reaction searing your veins to kill off a disease you know can end your young life.

And while most kids with cancer are told what they can’t do because their life depends on it, one organization raises money to make sure kids with cancer know what they CAN do, because their life depends on THAT: Hope.

The 17th Annual Will Powered Golf Classic hosted by Will Ferrell came to Bighorn Golf Club on March 3rd and raised more than $300,000 in it’s first day of events.

Ferrell, Hollywood’s funny man, said offering humor and a vision for a future is the key to Cancer for College, an organization started by his fraternity brother, Craig Pollard, a 2-time cancer survivor himself.

Cancer for College awards hundreds of college scholarships every year to kids that have survived the dreadful disease and want to attend college. To date, Cancer for College has offered more than $2 million in scholarships.

While at USC, Ferrell watched his fraternity brother, Pollard, drop out of the Trojan baseball program and take on cancer for a second bout, this time it was “far more serious” as the disease was in stage 4 and

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If you’d like to find out more about Cancer for College and their next events, go to CancerForCollege.org.

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’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 www.team1010.com or watch the show on Ustream.

March 6 to March 12, 2014

by Flint Wheeler

www.FlintWheeler.com Financial Advisor representing New York Life. Owner Indian Wells Insurance & Wealth Management. Host of Tilted Sports Radio on Team 1010, KXPS. Former PGA Class A Professional. U.S.P.T.A. Tennis Professional.

Titleist Performance Institute Certified Fitness Trainer

Will Ferrell Offers Humor To Send Cancer Survivors To College

Pollard required heavy rounds of treatment.

But Pollard survived, and told himself, if he makes it, he’ll “change the world.”

The first golf tournament, before Ferrell got involved, was 21 years ago, when Pollard, realizing the need to offer kids with cancer hope of a future, set out to do just that. He raised $500.

Once Ferrell graduated and found his footing in entertainment, he and Pollard teamed up, Pollard says Ferrell “put all his resources, contacts and time into this event” from the get-go and fast-forward 17 years, Pollard is changing the world one cancer survivor at a time.

Ferrell and Pollard came on my show Monday and discussed the incredible impact the growth of his career has had on the growth of this charity and what a profound difference it makes for a kid with cancer to hope for college because that helps them to think beyond the pain of tomorrow’s treatment, beyond the scars of the surgeries and into a reality they can sculpt themselves.

You can hear the entire interview at www.team1010.com, click on the podcast page.

Ferrell was as genuine and kind-hearted as he is funny. It was great to meet him and see the passion in his eyes for this charity and watch how others chose to give to a great cause because he had given so much to it as well.

The entire Desert Smash event, the 10th Annual that happened March 3-4 was to benefit Cancer for College. So the golf tournament, the tennis exhibition and Nelly and Boyz II Men at Agua Caliente all donated proceeds to this great cause.

sports

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March Madness.. Vegas Style

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lthough the Nevada Gaming Commission does not keep specific records for March Madness betting handle, estimates indicate the three-week tournament could possibly bring in more money than the Super Bowl, which is the biggest single-day betting event in the world. Some say that March Madness betting brings in $3 billion in handle worldwide and Las Vegas’ share could be as much as $90 million. This year’s Super Bowl brought in nearly $91 million in handle statewide (beating last year’s record of $81.2 million).

March Madness betting will reach a fever pitch this weekend and the action will slowly trail off until the Final Four starts on April 2.

“The first weekend (in Las Vegas) has become such a huge event,” said Doug Beil, Race and Sportsbook manager for Terrible’s Hotel/Casino. “It has become a big thing to come to Las Vegas and watch and bet those first four days of games. After that you just see far fewer visitors or tourists. The games are still big and the handle is still big, it is just huge those first four days. People from out of town tend to come in the first weekend because of the volume of games in a short period of time.”

“It’s growing every year,” added Bob Scucci, Race & Sportsbook manager for the Stardust. “Every year there are more casinos in Las Vegas and every year there are more sportsbooks. Instead of seeing the handle drop at each casino because the money is dispersed at more different properties, what we are seeing is more properties and more handle.

“The interest (in the tournament) is crossing over into other demographics.

So it’s not just the male population from the ages of 21 through 50 with disposable income like it was years ago. Its crossing over now and you are seeing a lot more women who have their favorite teams that they want to follow and they get caught up in the excitement of the tournament. You see a lot more people of all different ages.

It has crossed over to different segments of the population.”

Much of this increase in interest in March Madness betting can no doubt be attributed to the popularity of bracket contests and office pools. Just about every office for mid-to-large sized companies has some sort of bracket that is being passed around and wagered on during mid-March. Scucci believes that many of these individuals who are filling out brackets for the first time will be the same ones that are planning their trips to Las Vegas to take part in NCAA Tournament betting in the coming years.

At the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Race

and Sportsbook Director Jamie Shea is also looking forward to a big weekend. Most of the guests at the Hard Rock are from the ‘young, hip’ set that aren’t typically known as big sports bettors. But many college students will plan their Spring Break trips around the tournament in order to take part in March Madness betting.

In order to make the Hard Rock a more attractive venue to March Madness fans, Shea has organized a viewing party in the hotel’s festival hall that will include table games, a betting station and “more TVs than you could ever imagine,” she said. “(The Hard Rock) will be one of the best places in the city to watch the games.”

No matter where Las Vegas visitors or locals decide to watch and bet on the action, the atmosphere in every Las Vegas sportsbook will be a sight to behold. This first four days of the tournament are some of the busiest of the year for sportsbook employees.

“Before the first games start, early (Thursday) morning, the (book) just gets packed,” commented Scucci. “We have every station open but there are still lines at every window. People just get excited for that opening tip off. Usually there is a round of applause when the games tip off in the morning and then from there on it is like a frenzy because you have first half wagering and you have half time wagering. One game ends and another one begins. You are making lines for the next round of games when the first round ends. It is excitement from morning to night. There’s no room for breathing.”

Flint Wheeler Financial Services Professional Visit www.FlintWheeler.Com

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March 6 to March 12, 2014

Valley Rhythms

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by Lola Rossi-Meza

Fantasy Springs Presents, Music Icons Daryl Hall and John Oates

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desert dj’s

By craig michaels

DJ Ulises Loves to Ham it up

Local Music Spotlight

Tachevah’s Top Ten

Goldenvoice Puts Talent and Perseverance to the Test for a Second Year

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erforming a very large selection of their musical hits throughout the years, the Daryl Hall and John Oats Concert is Sold Out. “That seems to be the trend all over the country during this tour,” said Dillon Barbosa of Wolfson Entertainment, Inc., their management company. Those fortunate enough to have purchased tickets will enjoy the show this Friday, March 7, at 8 p.m.

Born Daryl Franklin Hohl, Daryl Hall was born in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, to parents with musical talent. His father was a professional singer and his mother was a vocal coach. He learned the guitar and sang at a very young age. While still attending Owen J. Roberts High School, Hall started his love for recording, which he continued after graduation in 1965. That fall he attended Temple University in Philadelphia where he majored in Music, formed a vocal harmony group called The Temptones, and started working with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, as both a session musician and as an artist. During this time, he also formed creative relationships with Smokey Robinson, The Temptations and many other top soul singers of the 60s.

Born John William Oates, John Oates was born in New York City, and was raised in North Wales, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. His mother, Ann De Palma, was an Italian immigrant from Salerno and his father, Al Oates, was of British and Spanish-Moorish heritage. He started playing music at a young age and graduated from North Penn High School in 1967. He enrolled in Temple University later that year.

Hall and Oates met in 1967 while on an elevator, escaping a fight that had erupted, during a dance at the college. The two were involved in several college bands together; both had several recording projects going separately; until they decided to form the duo Hall & Oates in 1972 and signed with Atlantic Records. Together they recorded 21 albums, which have sold over 80 million units worldwide, making them the “Most successful Duo in pop-rock history”.

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In addition to their partnership in music, Hall and Oates both have their own solo careers and interests. To learn more about them, just google or search Wikipedia; their discography together and with many other talented musicians and vocalists is simply amazing. They were also involved with the original Live Aid Concert and the We Are The World charity recording.

Oates lives in Aspen, Colorado with his wife Aimee and his son, Tanner, who was born in 1996. Hall had a very long relationship with songwriter Sara Allen, who was the inspiration for “Sara Smile” and frequently collaborated with Hall & Oates until 2001. Hall is now married to Amanda Aspinall and lives with her and his two step children, March and Orson.

He also has another son, Darren. I believe their base home is in Millerton, New York, however, he also has a place in London and homes in several other locations. His very popular, award-winning television show, “Live From Daryl’s House”, is now being taped in Pawling, New York at his new Club purchased in 2013, appropriately named, “Daryl’s House”.

On Palladia, I just watched the demolition of the first location, where Hall pressed the button to start the process; personally, I think he was just a little too close to the building; and then I watched him driving a back-loader, as he introduced the first episode at the new location of his show.

Although the venue isn’t quite ready to open to the general public, his dream is to have a great venue for musicians to perform and record in, while enjoying a stellar menu prepared by his hand-picked Chef.

As if he wasn’t busy enough, Hall is currently executive producing another television show with Michael Morrissey and Jonathan Wolfson; “Daryl’s Restoration Over-Hall”. The show will focus on Hall’s colonial-era home in Sherman, Connecticut.

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t a young age, Ulises Ruiz recognized that he liked playing music for people and he knew what songs would make them dance. He began playing the role of DJ at age 15 at friends and family parties. Ulises was very outgoing and knew he liked playing music for others but had no professional DJ gear.

Eager to entertain, Ulises started out mixing songs using a dual cassette boom box, “it was poor quality but it was fun for me!” remembers Ulises.

After graduating from high school in Minnesota where he grew up, Ulises decided to join the marines. In his early 20’s, he found himself overseas, again playing music, this time to entertain his fellow officers. Once Ulises finished his duty to his country the ex-Marine decided Minnesota was just too cold for his blood and moved to the Coachella Valley where he has been for the last 13 years.

Although he had no formal training, Ulises invested in his own DJ gear and began do gigs for Prime Time Productions.

Luis and Rose, the owners of Prime Time would help Ulises get his feet wet booking him on mobile gigs. He quickly began to tap into his talents as an entertainer, “I am not afraid to be silly, dress up and get involved,” Ulises will tell you with a smile. His mobile gigs range from weddings and quinceañeras to corporate events and private parties. He demonstrates his versatility when he is able to quickly adapt to a dance floor; “I try to project the energy and everything my client is all about thru my music and out into the crowd,” explains Ulises.

Needing to brand his own image, Ulises launched his own DJ Company using the name, Main Event, which was the name of a small bar where he grew up in Minnesota.

The Main Event DJ company has expanded their services over the years to include lighting, videos and photo booths to their menu of entertainment.

Ulises expressed how eventually he

would like to pass on what he has learned to future DJs; “Even though I enjoy being an entertainer, eventually I know that I will stop, I hope by then, I’ll get to teach everything I’ve learned through the years to anybody who is interested in DJing, regardless of their age or gender.” Ulises also believes it’s never too late to start to do something you love. When he is not making musical memories, you may see him walking up and down Palm Canyon as a letter carrier for the US Post Office in Palm Springs.

If you want to contact DJ Ulises you can email him at: maineventmusic@yahoo.com Written By: Craig Michaels Musical Affair Entertainment www.musicalaffair.com

or the second year in a row, Goldenvoice and its partners extended an opportunity to local musicians to participate in what is hailed as Tacheva: A Palm Springs Block Party. Goldenvoice, an extension of AEG Live, has been responsible for importing huge numbers of various bands to the Coachella Music and Arts Festival since 1999 (excluding 2000). Last year, they threw a very coveted bone to our desert’s impressive collection of unsigned artisans by creating the event that successfully turned out huge crowds and even earned some local bands a place in the festival itself. Our musicians threw their hats in the ring for this opportunity again this year, by submitting a video to a website that could be seen and voted on by online viewers. Over 62 videos were submitted this year by bands, some local, some not, all hoping to win through a voting system that awards those with significant time on their hands and can vote repeatedly.

While the system may not be what some would call an accurate way to measure talent deserving of the honor, it does reflect the drive and desire of both the bands and their fan base to see their beloved music make its way to the top. With the addition this year of a qualifying, live audition of those top 10 bands, there should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that those two selected will have truly earned their way to the platform.

Still, as a community whose musicians support each other and often share stages with each other, the general consensus voiced by many of those top ten bands was this: that some of our best and most talented working bands were denied an opportunity that, if based on talent alone, would likely belong to them. Those same revered musicians (with a few exceptions), accept the system for what it is and don’t begrudge the bands who made it to the top ten. They merely acknowledge their frustration with the system.

Fortunately, any one of the bands who did not make the top ten by popular vote, may still be selected

by Goldenvoice as a wild card to fill a third slot at Tachevah.

All conversation and opinions aside, the top ten bands will truly have to bring their very best performance to their auditions in order to gain billing for the high profile, April 16th event in downtown Palm Springs. Some of these bands are extremely impressive and will make this a fierce competition for the limited number of slots. They will be split up into two separate showcases, March 12 and March 26 at the Hard Rock Hotel in Palm Springs. They’ll perform before a panel of judges including Grammy Award-winning singersongwriter Shelby Lynne as well as representatives of Goldenvoice and their promotion partners, Desert Sun. As of March 3rd, the bands are still awaiting instructions regarding how long they will each be allowed to play, but they are preparing for anything.

The March 12th show at the Hard Rock Hotel, Palm Springs, will showcase the following bands: • Alchemy, are said to be from the Coachella Valley. There’s no way of knowing, at least not for this writer. With many contacts and much time invested in this desert’s music offerings, I could find NOTHING on them via internet, social media (they have a FB page but again no info about the band whatsoever) or personal reference a midst all the other things that pop up when one Googles the word Alchemy. I hope my colleagues fared better. All I can tell you about them

is what they offered in their video submission, and that wasn’t much. Without showing their faces, they used interesting videography as a drop cloth behind an instrumental piece that had some cool guitar and bass sounds and tasteful percussion. Still, it honestly left me scratching my head as to how this could be a contender. In comparison to the other submissions, it was a bit bleak, repetitive and displayed no dynamic to speak of and was somewhat passionless. Alchemy, whoever you are, if you are a young group of artists making your first efforts, please don’t be discouraged, but continue to grow and reach. Look around you and learn from the bands that you will be competing against, and those I will now mention who did not make the cut by popular vote, but should by all means, be your heroes and your mentors: Parosella, Bobby Nichols, Se7en4, Ideation (John Merek), Deadend Paradox, Machin’, Gene Evaro Jr., Lost in Los Angeles, Bridger, Caxton, The Rebel Noise, The Hellions, Blare the Surface, The Butchery Boys, and well...pretty much everyone else. And if you are serious about this music thing, make yourselves easily found. This industry will not spend nearly the time trying to find you as I did.

• Blasting Echo, from Palm Desert, has been playing and producing music as one the desert’s best and most thrilling bands to watch and listen to for a while now. This band is as much a family as they are a band. Individually, each member is a master of their own gift. Their cohesiveness combined with their individual years investing in and honing their skills allows them to perform passionately and fluidly.

Blasting Echo is Josh Heinz - vocals, songwriter, guitar; Mondo Flores - drummer, good ideas, producer, vocals; Laramie Eve - bass and inspiration, and Linda LemkeHeinz - keys and vocals. With original music from hard rock to punk rock and everything in between, their songs confront personal, social and political issues with honesty, energy and intensity. Their passion translates well in their recordings, but to really know and love this band, you have to see them live. The band also has a deep personal connection with Autism. The majority of the band members have children with this developmental disorder. Blasting Echo has organized the annual Concert for Autism for five years running, raising important funding benefiting programs for desert families with Autistic children.

Find their music at www.reverbnation.com/ blastingecho and like them on FB at www.facebook. com/blastingecho so you can follow them to a live show.

• CIVX (also translated 2014) is an indie rock alternative band from Coachella that is very newly formed. CIVX is Nicolas Hernandez on vocals and bass, Sal Guti on guitar, Dillion Dominguez also on guitar and Joel Guerrero on drums. This band displays an artful use of dynamics in their music. While the chord progressions are simple the music stays interesting due to the skillful guitar stylings that change rhythm and voice dynamically. While their influences range from The Clash, Joy Division, Interpol, Deftones to Modest Mouse and 2Pac, their own music maintains its individuality due to the unique vocal crafting of Nicolas Hernandez. With the bass matching the rapid rolling drumming spot on, these players prove themselves to be technicians as much as creative artists. The band is currently working on recordings that are sure to be quite intriguing. Follow them on FB at www.facebook.

March 6 to March 12, 2014

by Lisa Morgan com/pages/CIVX where you’ll also be able to hear their new music once it’s released.

• Elektric Lucie, from Coachella, has toured venues and festivals all over California and Mexico, including the House of Blues in San Diego and Hollywood. The alt-rock band born from ex-Members of ZINEMA and other Coachella based bands is currently recording at Extrema Studios in Los Angeles and Lava Sounds Mexicali in Mexico. The foundation of their music has an energetic, driving beat delivered by insanely steady and tight drums, bass and percussion that have a definite Latin flair while still maintaining a put-your-fist-in-the-air, solid, rock and roll sound.

In addition to their rock god guitar licks atop this powerful foundation, the strong, clear vocals in both Spanish and English complete this amazing bi-cultural rock band, representing both cultures supremely. You can follow their touring schedule and new releases at these links: www.facebook.com/pages/Elektric-Lucie.

• In Viridian, from Palm Springs, finally made their way to the finals this year. I was amazed by their submission to Tachevah last year, as this bunch of high school kids produced some very good, intelligent and interestingly creative music. I was lucky enough to catch them at Schmidy’s Tavern in Palm Desert within the last few months and was impressed at their growth and continued melding. This band, as good as it is now, is constantly pushing their own limits technically and in their presentation. They will continue to be fun to watch. I’m perhaps a bit hopeful that they will win, just to see what they will do on a large venue stage, as lead singer, Arturo Ramirez, is fearless in his desire to express himself and passionately deliver a musical message. Brandon Heil on guitar, Nick Noble on drums, Dimitri Perera on bass, and Nicolas Lara also on guitar, support him solidly with some very strong original songs.

Follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ InViridian where you’ll also find links to their music.

The Bands Showcased on March 26th at the Hard Rock Hotel in Palm Springs will be: • The Mellowdie, a band formed fairly recently, dominated the vote count with well over 10,000 votes. The winning video displays simple rhythmic acoustic guitar, keys, vocals and a message regarding the hypocritical act of “throwing stones.” “Everybody’s waiving Bibles like we’re not equals...casting stones...” sings Benjamin Benitez. He is accompanied by Victor Aguirre, on vocals and guitar and Armondo Aispuro on vocals and keys. The song that captures a bit of the peace/Jesus movement of the 60s, seems to be a clear reference to a biblical account wherein Jesus says, “He that has not sinned, cast the first stone.”

In the biblical account, the mob dropped their rocks and retreated as Jesus lent his hand to the woman who he saved from the mob’s judgement. While this band may be perceived as a bit strange at first, do not throw stones. They might be just different enough. In a world where music is all over the place even within its own genre, and the market is flooded due to easy access via the internet, this band might just be unique and good enough to rise above the top and make a sound in our current era. Mellowdie has been one of the many talented bands featured at the Hood Bar and Pizza’s open mic, a local establishment known for their consistent support of the desert’s home grown music scene.

Follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ TheMellowdie • The Morning After, from Palm Springs is made up of Paul Stark- Vocals/Guitar, Michael Arcaro- Guitar, Kevin Arcaro- Bass and JD Perone- Drums. This band would win the award for best attitude if there was one to be given. The band’s mantra: “No matter what happens the night before, The Morning After always offers a new day with new beginnings.” This band already has a huge following and reminds me of two other brothers who had some success in the pop music industry: Evan and Jaron (Lowenstein) and their hit single “Crazy for this Girl”. This band definitely has industry polish, and their song “So You” is well produced and radio ready. This band could be a serious contender depending on the genre bias of the judges.

Find The Morning After and links to their music on Facebook at www.facebook.com/themorningafterus • One11, from Palm Desert, is a fairly young band, formed while the guys were all in junior high school.

This band has evolved significantly over their 5 years together. Along with over 200 shows throughout California, including the Van’s Warped Tour, they placed first out of 54 bands in the Next Big Thing Tour at the Key Club in Hollywood, and won the Roc It OC Tour in Orange County against 74 bands. They entered the contest last year at the last minute without reward. Lead singer and guitar player, Michael Ramirez shared, “We were way more organized this year. Last year we didn’t even vote. This year we did vote, but we’re especially glad to have the opportunity to do a live audition.” Like many of the bands, they want to be considered for what they have to offer on stage, and this band definitely has a lot to bring to their listening audience. Even with two of their members away at college, they communicate and continue to write songs and, according to their manager, are doing so “at an even deeper level”. Talking to Michael, I heard a confident, determined musician excited for this opportunity for his band to show their chops. It’s exciting to know, that as good as One11 is now, they are primed to grow and mature with every opportunity like this, producing really good music the desert can call their own.

Follow One11 and check out their music at the following links: www.facebook.com/ONE11BAND, and www.youtube.com/user/OfficialONE11Band • Tribesmen, from Coachella, “...are hands down, my favorite band in the Coachella Valley.” This was no small compliment given the fact that it came from Brandon Ray Henderson, a highly respected musician himself and one of CV Weekly’s Promoter of the Year award winners in 2013. Repeat winners from last year, this instrumental band’s unique and eclectic mix of styles is the only returning entry. They are a rare gem here in our valley, creating a veritable edgy rock symphony like nothing you have heard before. This talented band consists of Wilber Pacheco and Alec Corral on guitar, Leslie Orozco on bass and Freddy Jimenez on the drums. This band impresses a listener with their recordings, but it’s an entirely different experience to watch these musicians produce their great sound live. You can do so by catching their performance at the Hood Bar and Pizza in Palm Desert, March 28th.

Follow them on Facebook at www.facebook. com/tribesmencv and check out their music at tribesmenmusic.bandcamp.com • The Yip Yops, from Palm Desert may have the biggest “Wow” factor going for them. There is some very tight and mature music coming from these artists whose ages range between 13 and 17. They were independently pursuing their passion when circumstance brought them together as recently as August, 2013. Ison Van Winkle, age 14, is on lead vocals and guitar and is also the band’s songwriter. Jacob Gutierrez, age 15, is on bass, guitar and vocals, and Ross “the Boss” Murakami, age 17, is on drums and vocals.

Their style is fascinatingly unique and interesting to describe. For example, in their song “Oduya”, heavy rock guitar chords that turn into staccato riffs and open up to a poignant bass lead reminiscent of the B52s backup the lead vocals that are a combination of Stray Cats lead singer Brian Setzer and the late Michael Hutchence of INXS. As I listen, I find myself perplexed, thinking that this couldn’t possibly be coming from kids so young. Well, young they may be, but they are very deserving of this shot to perform for some influential people in the music industry. The band is working on releasing an EP soon this year.

Follow The Yip Yops and hear their music at the following links: www.theyipyops.com, www. reverbnation.com/theyipyops and www.facebook. com/theyipyops The best thing about all of this is that our local desert musicians are being taken notice of and given an opportunity to have their gifts heard. If you are passionate about music or just passionate about our incredible desert homeland, nothing but beautiful things can come from your support of our local troubadours, by purchasing their music, praising their accomplishments and attending their shows.

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March 6 to March 12, 2014

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

Local Music Spotlight

Blasting Echo

by Lisa Morgan

Hoping to Blast Their Way to Tachevah: A Palm Springs Block Party “

J

osh Heinz and his talented band of Blasters are the symbol of the musicians who have no choice but to produce the music that pumps his/her blood no matter what the cost.

Many have fallen from the calling, prey to the strain of the circus juggle between creating, playing with the band and the ever dreadful day job and heart tugging duties to family. It is what separates the hobbyist from the fully invested. After all these years, Josh Heinz has proved himself as a card carrying member of local rock royalty, having paid his dues in full and then some. Now to the delight of all of those following his musical endeavors, that sweat and blood wrought from his years in the craft have been poured into this album, and as the title suggests, for Josh Heinz and Blasting Echo, the end is still so very far away for this band.”

This is what I wrote about this band in our April 2013 issue. I wrote this sight unseen, based on the music that was produced on their CD, The End is Still So Far, and the well documented history of Blasting Echo’s front man. I have since had the incredible opportunity to know the members of this band personally, and I have to say, I may have short changed them. They are so much more.

Blasting Echo is one of the hardest working, talented rock bands that our desert community can truly be proud of. Along with jobs, bills and beautiful kids with special needs, this band’s passion for their music drives them to work tirelessly on their art weekly. The band, as much family to each other as they are a working body of music makers, is just plain old good people with some serious rock and roll soul and integrity. On February 26th, some great things happened for the band that are set to secure their future on both personal and musical levels: Lead guitar, vocals and and front man, Josh Heinz, married the girl of his (and his baby son, Jack’s) dreams, Linda Lemke (now Heinz), vocalist and keyboardist for the band. On that very same day, they received word that they had made the cut and would have the opportunity to audition for one of the two coveted spots to play at the high profile Goldenvoice sponsored concert known as Tachevah.

When leading the front of Blasting Echo with guitar and vocals, Josh Heinz is probably one of the most honest and fun performers I have seen on stage. As he sings and warps faces with feverish skill on guitar, Josh is never “performing”. It’s easy to see that what you are witnessing is pure joy and fearless abandon to the thing he loves to do most. Backed up by Mondo Flores’ drums and Laramie Eve’s bass, a couple united in their love for this music and each other, these two aggressively drive the energy of the music while Linda LemkeHeinz’s perfect ear ads tasty keyboard and vocal licks. This passionate band delivers song after song with precision, and with as many songs as they have produced and continue to create, you are guaranteed to never get bored, show after show.

But beyond the solid instrumental and performance aspects of Blasting Echo’s music, are the lyrics, often unnoticed by the passing

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Photo by Iris Eaton

fan. This band not only plays together well, but they write well. “I write lyrics that mean a lot to me; sometimes they’re autobiographical and sometimes they’re about observations around me,” shared Josh. “The great thing about this band is no one ever questions me. I tend to write full songs and then I bring it in to the band. Mondo and Linda have this great formal music education, so when I play something they’ll start describing what I’m doing and they make it sound like chemistry. But when I bring a song into the group I’m hoping that there’s something they’re going to dig about it. When the emotion behind the song is so powerful, even if it’s not perfect, everybody is supportive of the song. I don’t lay down the law. I will not be a f*&%! dictator. What is unique about this band is that they contribute and the song evolves and gets better every time we play it.” Mondo echoed the spirit of collaboration by saying, “I think it’s very heady to think that one person can write the ultimate song.”

“I love the fact that, even though we have our ‘go-to’ set; our best shot at appealing to an audience, we can also appeal to ourselves. If I have a day where something happened to me and I have a song that emotionally fits that moment, I can turn to the band and say, ‘Hey, I NEED to do this song.’ Energy is the key. Most of the crowd can’t really hear the lyrics but if you connect with them on an energy level, you connect with them in an honest way. Maybe that’s the one thing about us. We project an honest energy in everything we play. People at least get that we’re honest. We’re not contrived. And maybe, just maybe, that’s why we have a shot at Tachevah,” shared Heinz.

Flores added with a smirk, “We’re going to musically punch people right in the face.”

Blasting Echo will be vying for the slot at Tachevah, March 12th along with four other bands and your presence and support are priceless.

That will, however, be a very short set. The valley will have a golden opportunity to witness this musical face punch in full force when Blasting Echo performs at the Coachella Valley Brewing Company alongside their face melting brothers in arms, Mighty Jack, March 21st starting at 8pm.

You’ll sample 14 unique varieties of locally brewed beer along with some of the desert’s very best rock and roll. Coachella Valley Brewery is located at 30640 Gunther Street, Thousand Palms.

You can follow Blasting Echo and purchase their music at reverbnation.com/blastingecho and on FB at www.facebook.com/blastingecho

events

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

by Curtis Hendricks

Guitar Center’s Grand Opening

M

usicians are rejoicing! Finally, Guitar Center has come to our great valley. No more driving to San Bernardino or having to order online for Guitar Center deals. The Spectacular grand opening took place at their new location in Palm Desert, in between T.J. Max and Famous Footwear. As the event started promptly at 7pm, the Guitar Center staff ripped paper off the inside of their doors as if excitedly opening a long awaited Christmas present. The staff opened the doors and welcomed the long line of people eagerly ready to shop. A tented stage was set outside of Guitar Center in their parking lot where Fatso Jetson performed a spectacular fusion of punk, blues, jazz and rock music for the attending crowed.

The event was on, music set the mood, and I was ready to experience our new Palm Desert Guitar Center.

People from all around the valley came to support the grand opening. The line waiting to get in was approximately four people thick, and went from just outside the front doors, down the sidewalk, around the corner, and ended in front of Best Buy. Many people got in ahead of the crowd by signing up for music lessons at a discounted price. While in line, the attendees had free shirts from Schecter Guitars thrown at them as well as a free Guitar Center shirt as they crossed the threshold into the store.

I entered the store and immediately notice the size was much smaller than the average Guitar Center I was used to, but no worries, I was excited. All the sections were present, such as the guitar, bass, drum, piano, and DJ/KJ sections, but the size did feel a bit crammed in. The inventory was also lacking in options. I wanted to buy two new cymbal stands for my drum kit, but was only given two options, none of which matched my drum kit maker. I have never encountered this at a Guitar Center before.

When I inquired about this dilemma, the associate I spoke to told me that the inventory they had in stock was only for the grand opening, and that their inventory will greatly expand. He also stated that the store was an “opener,” which meant that if they needed to expand due to supply and demand, they will make the appropriate changes. Although a little bothered by the small size of the store and shortened inventory, the Guitar Center vibe was ever present. Having all those musicians under one roof, friendly people who knew what I wanted, and playability of all the equipment was fun. I felt like a kid in the candy store.

I could not decide where I wanted to go or what I wanted to play first. Regardless of my personal expectation, I was still happy.

While in the drum section, I was impressed by the helpful associate’s knowledge, so I began asking questions of various associates around the store in their different sections. All of the associates I questioned where very knowledgeable within their section. The associates were also musicians in their own right. The practice/lesson rooms where ready with top of the line equipment for anyone to try out during a lesson or while visiting the store after the grand opening.

I had a great time at Guitar Center’s grand opening. The associates where helpful by running around and taking care of everybody they could with professionalism and a great attitude. I have been waiting years for a Guitar Center to open in this valley, and now I am grateful. I do hope to see bigger and better things from our Guitar Center, which I already know will happen.

Thank you for kicking off an awesome grand opening that seemed like a block party, inviting our valley’s own Fatso Jetson to perform for us, and making this a great experience for our valley.

ROBIN LINN’S DESERT RHYTHMs

You Know WHo

Y

ou Know Who is comprised of Mike Pygmie (vocals, guitar), Dylan Brown (bass) and Greg Saenz (drums). All are accomplished musicians and Pygmie and Brown have played in many desert bands going back to the 90s. All are listed in the interview.

In 2008, Brown had been off touring with The Dwarves, a punk rock band that is notorious for stepping far beyond conventional boundaries and for their absolutely wild and crazy stage antics. I have viewed several live Dwarves videos and they are for the most part x-rated punk rock riots that are not for the faint of heart. Brown came back from The Dwarves road experience with a lot more than just crazy memories...he met a musical brother in drummer Greg Saenz. Together Saenz and Brown unite and form one hell of a rhythm section that is both fierce and focused.

Pygmie has carved a name out for himself as a guitar player that thinks outside the box capable of delivering inspired live sets of scorching guitar work in several musical situations. Touring with Brant Bjork and The Operators, and currently with Mondo Generator, has opened doors and paved the way for his own project, You Know Who. This trio has found their own voice and created a sound that is fresh and exciting.

It was at a packed house at The Hood in February that I finally was able to experience YKW. The lineup of bands was fabulous and included Brain Vat and headliners, Mondo Generator. Pygmie pulled a double that night as he played in both his own project YKW and performed lead guitar duties with MG. A special guest appearance that night by Brian Maloney (legendary guitarist from desert band, Unsound) with Mondo Generator made for an unforgettable night of live music. All three bands were inspiring and You Know Who just blew me straight away. Part of the attraction is the progressive nature and the complex structure of the songs coupled with the raw spirited punk delivery as the ideas unfold. Every song in the set was memorable and the live show was top shelf.

Saenz summons up the hard rock godz with his unrelenting force and precision. These are not 3 chord rock tunes they are ripping off. They are clearly defined and complex riff driven songs that require focused attention and discipline. They are unafraid to take a complex guitar line for an exciting ride. Brown doesn’t just lay down the bottom, he carries the same complicated riffs and delivers them with intensity. Songs like “Recycler” take the listener through various movements, time signatures, and emotions featuring raw driving rhythms while inducing a feeling of absolute freedom. It is easy to slip into a psychedelic head space while being enveloped by YKWs live set! It’s

great songwriting, plain and simple, by amazing players that have something to say. They execute idea after idea with an intense surge of energy and their sense of composition is extraordinary. To pull them off with such ease and still produce a raw hotbed of primal emotion is no easy task. Together YKW does it all off beautifully and puts a capital P in Power Trio.

Brown mailed me a demo of the songs that they are presently recording in the studio and it sizzles from start to finish! I have listened to it again and again out of sheer love for the material. Songs like “Napoleon Blownapart”, “Marshall Stacks”, “Recycler”, “Whoa Dude”, and “You Know What” are each special in their own unique way. “Save Me Jebus” explores the possibilities of being too late to seek redemption while the sleazy ripping guitar riffs wildly force you to face your own demons.

Bands who are able to reproduce that intense live energy and capture the magic on record are rare.

YKW manages the task effortlessly. They have forged ahead and encapsulated the mood altering effects of their ferocious live set in the studio.

This band is special. They reek of the desert in my opinion and to me that means they embrace the spirit of all that is wild and unruly and translate it into live performance art.

Here is my interview with You Know Who. RL: Tell me a bit about your earlier music projects?

DYLAN: I started in CRACKPOT in ‘93. Played for FAMILY BUTCHER ‘02-’05. Played and toured with THE DWARVES in ‘08.

MIKE: I started off playing in my first band MELODIOUS PYGMIES at age 13. That’s where the name Mike Pygmie came from. Brant Bjork played drums with us after he left KYUSS and used to call me that and it stuck. I played guitar with my bros in THE AGENTS after that. I also played played drums in the PEDESTRIANS. Then played guitar and drums in BRANT BJORK & THE OPERATORS. Then I toured and played guitar in BRANT & THE BROS. I left to start playing my own music and formed the band The WHIZARDS. That’s where I played guitar and sang. Soon after the Whizards broke up my drummer and I met up with some of our friends from LA and we all formed a new band called INVITRO. We took off fast selling out shows at the Roxy and other Southern California clubs.

We started touring nationally after we signed with Gridiron Records. After a good run we broke up and I concentrated on writing and recording my own music & playing drums with my favorite desert metal heads Whiznfyrebutchenkreped. Soon after that Greg and Dylan contacted me and I slipped them a copy of the CD I was working on. We started jamming those tunes and became You Know Who. I currently also tour & play lead guitar in MONDO GENERATOR. GREG: My first band was EXCEL, from Venice/ Los Angeles, back in 1986, a crossover-punk band that made records for Suicidal Records and Caroline Records. The band has loyal fans to this

March 6 to March 12, 2014

by Robin Linn day, and our records are considered classics in the underground thrash/punk genre. I left Excel in ‘92 to ride the grunge/alternative wave in a band called MY HEAD. We eventually signed with Capitol Records and made one (as in 1) great record that got lost somewhere between Everclear and Luscious Jackson, but that’s another story. It was a blast! We toured and had cash, but it didn’t last. We disbanded in ‘97. I laid low for a few years until I toured and recorded with THE DWARVES in 2000, but I left before the year was up because the band was still, uhm, “unpredictable” back then. I joined The Dwarves again in 2007 for a grand tour of Europe playing festivals. I have been a constant member ever since.

RL: How do you feel making music in the desert affects your sound and your psyches?

MIKE: I think no matter who you are or where you’re from your surroundings are gonna have an effect on whatever you do but how it affects me is hard to say. In hindsight however, it is very clear how much growing up in the desert scene has had an impact on me. Growing up being a guitar player of course, I was influenced by Hendrix and Zappa, but the biggest influences were Mario Lalli and Brian Maloney. The list goes on and on of great players and awesome bands that you could see on any given weekend. It was the excitement of the live shows that made we want to practice my instrument all night when I would get home. And especially because of Rhythm and Brews (Mario Lalli’s club in Indio back in the late nineties) I was exposed to a tremendous amount of incredible music at a very impressionable time of my life. It made me realize at a very early age that I knew exactly what I wanted to be when I grew up.

RL: How did you guys hook up with Greg Saenz?

GREG: I moved to the desert in ‘99 and Mike was the first person I jammed with, above the flower shop. Arthur Seay hooked us up. We jammed a few times, but I ended up in The Dwarves a few months later. Mike called me a few years later when his band The Whizards needed a drummer, but I was unavailable at the time, or just out of practice, I don’t recall. Mike and I kept in touch periodically over many years until we finally got together as a band.

I met Dylan at The Village Lounge in Palm Desert sometime in ‘05 while he was still playing bass with the infamous Family Butcher. At the time, I was playing in a brilliant band called VEGA with Damon Garrison of Slo-Burn/Brave Black Sea, Jamie Hargate from The Hellions, and Joseph Wangler from Dali’s Llama. Dylan played bass in Vega for a few shows, and I really wanted to jam with him again, so flash forward to 2008 when I am once again in The Dwarves, and we need a bass player to go to Europe...Dylan, of course! When Dylan and I got back to the desert after that tour, we were a shit-hot rhythm section and wanted to

form a band, and I knew just the guy to call....

RL: Will you be releasing the record yourselves?

Or shopping it around a bit?

MIKE: I’ll be curious to see what happens with it. At this point in time I think we just need to make the right record and everything will fall into place.

Whether it’s in the form of a record deal or the three of us selling records at our shows we’ll find a way to get it to the people who want to hear it.

RL: Who does the songwriting?

DYLAN: Mostly Mike. I come up with riffs here and there.

MIKE: A lot of the songs in our current set are off of the CD I gave the dudes when we first got together. We have fine-tuned them as a group and really found our groove as collaborators on the newer stuff.

RL: Where do the ideas for lyrics come from?

DYLAN: My lyrics come from problems I see.

MIKE: For me it can come from anywhere. I always write the lyrics after the music so there’s time to soak in whatever the song is about. I think the music will tell you what to write about.

Whatever the sounds make you feel or think about, then that’s what it is.

RL: What is the song “Recycler” about?

MIKE: Recycler was the working title for that track long before it had lyrics because of the repeating or “recycled” pattern in the beginning and end of the song. And the lyrics follow the same theme. It’s about the feeling of living the same day over and over, living in the past and searching for something new, exciting and meaningfully. Then when you get there you realize it’s the same as before and continue searching.

RL: What are your plans for 2014/15?

DYLAN: To finish the record and tour.

MIKE: To make as much noise as we possibly can.....that would make me happy!

RL: (I also asked Dylan how skating has influenced him as a musician) DYLAN: Skating has influenced my music tremendously. Skating has always been closely connected to punk music and that is where most of my musical influences came from....the skate punk scene.

In closing I wish to say that You Know Who is a band that we get the privilege of experiencing right here at home while they work to get the next level. With the careers the three members have already embarked upon, it isn’t a stretch to imagine them off and outta here in the year to come. With imaginative music tightly prepared, coupled with their fiery live show, they shouldn’t have any problem reaching their goals in 2014. I feel honored to get to be at the edge of such amazing music in its early production. I will keep you posted as to the release of the record they are finishing up now and Phil’s Club Crawler and the CVW will let you know when you can next see YOU KNOW WHO! Find the band on Facebook at: facebook.com/ youknowwhomusic

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March 6 to March 12, 2014

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

by Eleni P. Austin

I

STEPHEN MALKMUS & THE JICKS

t’s hard to believe that people are already waxing nostalgic for the ‘90s.

Didn’t the 90s happen like yesterday?

Feels like it, anyway. Holy crap! 20 years since the advent of Grunge and Riot Grrrl movements, “Seinfeld” and “The Larry Sanders Show.” But it was also the decade that brought us “The Real World,” (signaling the end of music programming on MTV), Hootie & The Blowfish, and “Beverly Hills, 90210.” The unfortunate hybrid of Rap/ Rock, (Limp Biscuit), Ace OF Base and the “Macarena” dance craze. “Aiyyyyyyyyy.”

One great band that embodied the ‘90s was Pavement. Formed in Stockton, California in 1989, the band was immediately labeled “the next big thing.” Although they had a near-hit, “Cut My Hair,” from their second album, Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain, they never achieved mainstream success.

The band broke up after their fifth album Terror Twilight was released in 1999.

Luckily, lead guitarist and vocalist Stephen Malkmus has carried the Pavement torch into the new millennium. As Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks, he has released 5 albums that blend the cryptic-literate lyrics and angular guitar pyrotechnics that were the trademark style of Pavement.

Malkmus and the Jicks just released their sixth effort, Wig Out at Jigbags. The album opens with “Planetary Motion” already in

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

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progress. Brusque and deliberate guitar chords ebb and flow, inhabiting the grey area between Punk Rock and Prog Rock.

Despite the band’s cult-like status, three tracks here, “The Janitor Revealed,” “Lariat” and “Chartjunk” are as catchy as anything on mainstream, Top 40 radio.

Anchored by a stop-start rhythm, serpentine guitar riffs and drawling organ fills, “The Janitor Revealed” offers a restless quest for success. …. “As the glory years shuffle on by will the inevitable ever arrive?

You’re slow and steady but you won’t win the race/ Pardon me while I jump the queue, I got much better things to do.”

Consider This

“Wig Out at Jigbags” (Matador Records)

“Lariat” is a low-key charmer. Accented by skitter guitar and a propulsive backbeat, the lyrics limn the pleasures of halcyon summers gone by… “We lived on Tennyson and venison and the Grateful Dead, it was a Mudhoney summer.”

With intricate guitar chords, a punchy horn section and a 70s Conga groove, “Chartjunk” shares musical DNA with Steely Dan’s epochal “Reeling In Years.” The jaunty melody belies Malkmus’ caustic tone… “I don’t need your windbag wisdom and all the restrictions/In one ear and out the other, if you feel the urge to share/ Think again, ‘cause you’re not my mother, contractually I’m not obligated to care.”

Malkmus relives his Punk Rock salad days on both “Rumble At The Rainbow” and “Houston Hades.” The former opens with an Oi-tastic spoken snippet from obscure British punk band Erazerhead. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of AARP punk rockers, (Jello Biafra, perhaps), trying to maintain their rebellious cred as they trot out the same old songs… “Come and join us in our Punk Rock tomb, come slam dancing with some ancient dudes/ We are returning, returning to our roots, no new material just cowboy boots whoa-oh!” Toward the end, the melody wigs out with a Reggae breakdown and Punk Rock freakout. In a

art

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

March 6 to March 12, 2014

By rebecca pikus

Peter Palladino & Simeon Den

Photography & Dance -- East meets West

word, it’s perfect.

The latter opens with pummeling drums and scabrous guitar riffs. Malkmus pretends to pay homage to the rustic pleasures found in Houston, but really he’s just taking the piss.

By the end of the album, three songs, “Independence Street,” “Scattegories” and “Cinnamon And Lesbians” come together like a suite. The tracks amplify Malkmus’ disparate strengths. It’s a weird confluence of Jam-Band dexterity, pugnacious attitude and lyrical nonsequiturs.

“Independence Street” coasts on strummy guitar licks that echo Jerry Garcia’s mellifluous tones. The lyrics are a Seussian grab bag that bemoans “living in yurts” and “sucking on Certs.”

Crusty guitar chords, ominous bass lines and a loping rhythm propel “Scattegories.”

The lyrics offer a surfeit of quirky rhymes… ”Pictionary mix and carry, Condoleeza’s rice scattered on the floor/Mott The Hoople’s got no scruples with those groupie janes, mascara and rye.”

Finally, “Cinnamon And Lesbians” is tour de force. Allman-esque intertwined guitars collide with an eccentric Captain Beefheart melody. Malkmus confides, “I’ve been tripping my face off since breakfast.” Uh, no shit.

Other standout tracks include the buttery Bacharach Bossa Nova, “J Smoov,” and the zig zag wanderings of “Shibboleth.”

The album closes with the swirly intersteller overdrive of “Surreal Teenagers.”

A kinetic, off-kilter end to a wildly whimsical ride.

Although Stephen Malkmus is the band’s laconic visionary, the Jicks keep him grounded in musical reality. Drummer Jake Morris, bassist Joanna Bolme and Mike Clark on keys and guitar absolutely stretch the boundries but never overreach.

“Wig Out at Jigbags” comfortably fits into any record collection that includes Pink Floyd’s A Saucerful Of Secrets, Camper Van Beethoven’s Our Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart and Phish’s Farmhouse.

Stephen Malkmus has made a seemless transition from ‘90s cult figure to millennial cult figure, hopefully picking up a few new fans in the process. Can the same be said of Ace Of Base?

Y

ou know how I love to write about opposites attracting - or juxtapositions, Yen/Yang, or something we can call “Divine Intervention”.

Such is the case with Peter Palladino, of Italian/English descent from New York, and Simeon Den, Hawaiian descent from (of course) Hawaii. And where did they meet?

Even though both lived & studied in NYC, but never crossed paths there, but on the

streets of Los Angeles, CA of all places! Peter was looking for a roommate, & Simeon was looking for a place to live! The rest is history for this dynamic couple!

Peter Palladino is a fine art Celebrity Portrait & Fashion Photographer, master printer of B&W silver Gelatin prints, and specialist in Digital Illustration. He studied photography at UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture and has exhibited internationally with collected works in the Los Angeles Center for Photographic Arts, LACMA, and in the permanent collection of the Quentin Crisp Archives in NYC. His celebrity clients include Stevie Wonder, Cindy Crawford, Michael York, John Waters, Frenchie Davis, and Drag icons including Lypsinka, Jackie Beat, Coco Peru, and Andy Warhol superstar, Holly Woodlawn.

Peter’s most recent exhibit, “SNAP!” is a subversive socio/political visual treatise on transexuals and trans-gendered people, including iconic drag performers and the ironic characterizations of Hyper-Femininity and Hyper-Masculinity portrayed by biological men-- gay Porn Stars and transgendered women. His current and ongoing projects are an exhibition of fashion & continue to page 25

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March 6 to March 12, 2014

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PET PLACE Take a stand for the “AMERICAN MUSTANG” T

his week I had the pleasure of seeing the film AMERICAN MUSTANG which premiered here in Palm Desert at the Regal Rancho Mirage Stadium 16. This sweeping film, narrated through the voice of a young girl who becomes infatuated with a wild horse brought to her family’s ranch, tells the plight of wild horses in our American West. AMERICAN MUSTANG reveals the beauty of the wild horses as never seen before in Stereoscopic 3D. The film artfully weaves the story of the girl and the horse she names Pegasus with documentary footage about the horse roundups going on in our Western states and the role of the United States Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in “controlling” the herds. The film shows the strong and intimate bonds within the horse family, and makes it clear they have an integral place in the tapestry of the North American landscape.

The many scenes of the horses running free and wild will enthrall your heart with the soaring spirit of these magnificent

Fluffy Terrier This fluffy little terrier girl could be your new best “furfriend”. She’s only 1 yr old. This lovely dog is ID#A1086745 at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus shelter, located at 72-050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms.

Call (760) 343-3644.

magnificent german shepherd This wonderful German Shepherd boy is hoping for a home. He’s at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus shelter, 72-050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms.

Dog ID#1084701.

Call (760) 343-3644 for hours and directions.

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creatures. A wild horse can cover up to 30 miles a day. Americans have a love for horses as these creatures are considered a national treasure and an integral part of our history.

The film highlights the plight of one horse, Pegasus, who is newly captured and brought to the young girl’s family ranch. A ranch hand works with Pegasus to “gentle” him and ultimately tries to break his spirit. The girl, who speaks though the narration of actress Daryl Hannah, becomes mesmerized by Pegasus and falls in love with his magnificent wild spirit. It is dramatic moment in the film when Pegasus cannot be tamed, and he is driven away. The ranch hand tells the young girl, “Don’t worry, he’ll get a good home in Paso Robles.” However, the viewer is left feeling quite unsettled about the Mustang’s ultimate fate.

The film is a call to action. The viewer who loves animals cannot help but despair when these creatures are terrorized and captured in helicopter raids and held in crowded government holding pens for the rest of their lives. Today over 50,000 mustangs are

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

by Janet McAfee

March 6 to March 12, 2014

by Rick Riozza

Anyone for Tennis?..Wine?..More Wine?

T

kept in segregated government pens, more than the number left to roam in the wild.

They are branded, the males are castrated, families separated, and they have little room in which to move about. In the holding pens, their eyes become dull, reflecting their broken spirits. Some are sold by the truckload for $10 apiece, and many end up in the worldwide market for meat.

Herd of horses running gallop on the field - stock photoRemoved from the range in order to make room for big agriculture and big energy interests, it is argued the horses destroy the range land needed for cattle. It is hard to see the reason for this, when it is estimated there is only 1 horse for every 50 cattle in the Western states. The program to round up and contain the wild horses costs the American taxpayers $80 million per year.

Five out of every 8 horses are now stockpiled in government holding facilities. The goal of this film is to raise awareness about this issue and encourage proper management which includes humane and available birth control in order to preserve these wild herds, icons of American freedom.

I randomly interviewed a movie viewer, Erlyn Garrison, who happened to be a local animal advocate. Erlyn loved the film and commented, “I liked the way they showed the different perspectives to this issue,

ranging from the beef industry to the environmentalists. It is clear there is no issue with the cows. I loved the way they showed this issue through the eyes of a young girl who loved a horse. When a child sees injustice, a living being held against its will to break its spirit, they know it’s wrong.

I’ve been following this issue for many years, and I believe it impacts the horses’ sanity to keep them penned. It’s not the horses who are taking over our public lands it’s the ranchers and the factory farming industry.”

What can you do to help? For more information about this subject, go to www. wildhorsepreservation.org. The website contains a petition you can sign to ask Congress to safeguard the future of our wonderful American wild horses.

Directed by award-winning director, Monty Miranda and written and produced by wildlife advocate Ellie Phipps Price, this compelling blend of nature documentary and family film will captivate animal lovers and movie lovers alike. Go see it!

WHERE: Regal Rancho Mirage Stadium 16, 72777 Dinah Shore, Rancho Mirage WHEN: May be continued past March 6.

For show times visit www.regmovies.com

ennis & wine have always enjoyed each other’s company. In moderation, both are very healthy endeavors. But for these next two weeks— drop the “moderation” stuff, we want as much tennis and wine as we can get!

Having played tennis competitively most of my life on bad knees continually, my healthy heart still goes out for that great game. At Indian Wells Tennis Garden this week and next, the BNP Paribas Open, which brings to our valley the best professionals on the planet, is engaged for action. It’s the largest ATP World Tour (men) and WTA (women) combined two-week event in the world.

Previously, we certainly frequented the Wine & Beer Bar on the tennis grounds and enjoyed the thirst quenching libations, albeit, from a limited beer and wine list. This year with the $70 million expansion which includes a new 8,000 seat Stadium 2 tennis court to accompany the huge Stadium 1 court, spectator tennis has moved to a new plateau of complete culinary love: Yes—that’s how you win in tennis—with love, and put an “e” on win and you have wine!

Three top-notch restaurants situated on the concourse level overlooking the court action in the new Stadium 2 are bringing it on! The internationally acclaimed Nobu Japanese with their desert match: Nobu PopUp; Owner Piero Pierattoni (of Palm Desert’s Ristorante Mamma Gina and PizzaVino) is serving up his pizze napolitani to Piero’s PizzaVino Indian Wells; and, owner Lee Morcus/Kaiser Restaurant Group has hit a Grand Slam with the new Prime Chop House.

And where there is great food—we’ll usually find great wine: now that’s a doubles match!

On any given evening in our valley, an abundance of diners are enjoying the restaurants under the helm of my friend Lee Morcus—restaurateur par excellence. The Morcus family has been creating unique restaurants in the CV since 1992. The Kaiser Restaurant Group has built, owned, and operated multiple eatery concepts from casual to fine dining.

All you vacationers and travelers may well know, the legendary Hog’s Breath Inn up in Carmel California (made popular by prior owner Clint Eastwood) is now in the Kaiser Group stable and continues at its “Desert Hog” location here in La Quinta, where their

Saloon Bar serves as a gathering & watering hole for the south side of the valley.

Jackalope Ranch, acquired in 2008 from Don Callendar, founder of the Marie Callendar chain, is located on 6.5 acres on the La Quinta/Indio border. At a building cost of $36 million, the 21,000 square foot, multi-faceted lodge with three kitchens is surrounded by beautiful manicured grounds, gardens, water features, and art.

In Palm Springs, Kaiser goes high-tech Sports Bar with the signature grass-fed Tasmanian Beef at the Grind Brgr Bar, where milkshakes (some spiked) and Martinis entice guests to “unwind at the Grind.” Further down the boulevard sits one of the family’s original Kaiser Grille restaurants, opened in 1998.

And of course, one of the most respected steakhouses in town—known for its in house butchering—is the Prime Chop House, with locations in Palm Springs, Palm Desert, and as we’ve just alerted you readers, here at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden!!

Featuring ALL NATURAL Premium Angus Beef, USDA Prime aged steaks & chops, fresh seasonal, sustainable fish and shellfish, and California’s freshest seasonal vegetables while enjoying a fine array of fine wine and catching a tennis match is an event.

Bring an appetite and have fun playing the tennis Grand Slam wine game where you select and enjoy a wine from one or more of the Grand Slam tournament countries: Australia, France, England, and the U.S. For instance, you can order the wine cocktail, the Pink Peach Bellini, made with the French Sparkling Rosé wine—Le Grand Courtage Brut Rosé (which was one of my recent Valentine Wine picks) and Fresh Peach purée.

For an Australian, look for a rich Shiraz, for U.S, they’ve got plenty of California whites and reds, and for England—well at Wimbledon, the Brits enjoy a lot of Champagne, so you can do the same!

Now if there is a lull or should you wish to take a break from the tennis action, about five minutes away—right down the road on Washington Street, is Lee Morcus’ upclose-and-personal venture: the beautiful and fabulous Figue Mediterranean 760.698.9040. This restaurant celebrates the foods he ate growing up in a large Lebanese family. Famed Chef François de Mélogue is on hand in preparing traditional and progressive Mediterranean fare—French, Spanish, and Italian with Moroccan and Greek influences.

Talk about a wine list—its stellar!

Sommelier Joe Mascari is one of the most personable and friendly wine guys

MIRA CVWkly Spa Pamper Me 4.87x5.62 021314.indd 1

around, if you have a question or wish a recommendation please make a point of speaking with him. Further, The Bar at Figue features wonderful robust new food and beverage offerings at ridiculously low prices all evening, every evening beginning at 4 p.m.

The fun connection between Figue and the Prime Chop House at the Tennis Garden is that they have the same combination wood and charcoal rotisserie. It’s the most expensive and best cooking equipment in town. So treat yourself!

Tennis Anyone? Cheers! & Bon Appétit!

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2/13/14 12:50 PM

March 6 to March 12, 2014

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Club Crawler Nightlife

340 N PALM CANYON DR. PALM SPRINGS, CA 92262

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

THUR MARCH 6

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29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Rojer Arnold 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 Paula Prince 7pm BAR; PS; 760-537-7337 Petty Cash 9pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 John Stanley King 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CLINIC BAR & LOUNGE; PS; 760-864-4119 Spotlight hosted by Symara Stone 9pm CORK TREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Live Entertainment 6pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm DESERT FOX; PS; 760-325-9555 Thirsty Thursdays w/ The Hive Minds 8pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm ESCENA LOUNGE & GRILL; PS; 760-992-0002 Lola Rossi, Rob Carter and Denise Motto 5-9pm FIRECLIFF; PD; 760-773-6565 Sonny Evaro 6pm HARD ROCK HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9676 Industry Night w/ Karaoke in the Lobby 7pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 GRMLN, Cobalt Cranes and Douglas and the Furs 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760-3456466 Frank Di Salvo 6pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke w/ Roberto 8pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325-2794 Hot Rox LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Bob Allen in the lounge and Tom on the patio 6pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-345-2450 Country Night w/ Gold Rush Country 8pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888-9991995 Nash with Quinto Menguante 8-1am MARGARITA’S; PS; 760-778-3500 Live Music 6pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm MIRAMONTE RESORT; IW; 760-341-7200 “Sassy & Sultry” featuring Gina Carey 5-8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 The Harmed Brothers 7:30pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760327-1161ext.230 Machin’ 7pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-327-8311 Martin Ross 6pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm SIDEWINDER GRILL; DHS; 760-329-7929 Spaghetti Western Night 5pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-341-3560 Dude Jones 6pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985

Karaoke w/ T-Bone 8-12am VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Carolyn Martinez & The Trio 6:30pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-9pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Casey 5:30pm, Slim Man Solo Show 7-10pm WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-328-5955 Michael Keeth 6-10pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Yve Evans Jazz 6pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJ PJ & DJ Remise 9pm

FRI MARCH 7 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Dana Larson 6pm 19TH HOLE; PD; 760-772-6696 Karaoke w/ T Bone 9pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Nikki Lane w/ DJ Tyler 10pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Karaoke w/ AJ The KJ 8-12am AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Nash 8pm BAR; PS; 760-537-7337 Mike Bent on Vinyl 10pm BILLY REED’S; PS; 760-325-1946 Live Music 6-10pm 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 5:30pm CLINIC BAR & LOUNGE; PS; 760-864-4119 Deep Disco w/ All Night Shoes 9pm CORK TREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Live Entertainment 6pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm DATE SHED; IND; 760-775-6699 DICKIE O’NEALS IRISH PUB; PS; 760-3252600 Lassie Jo’s Best Damn Karaoke 7pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm FIRECLIFF; PD; 760-773-6565 Sonny Evaro 6pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 Dude Jones 9pm HAMILTON’S; LQ; 760-698-8303 Comedy Night 8:30pm HARD ROCK HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9676 DJ Colourvision 9pm Lobby, DJ Shasta & MC Esjay 11pm Lobby THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 CIVX, Criminal Hygiene and Cigarette Bums 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760-3456466 Frank Di Salvo 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

LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Bob Allen 6pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-345-2450 LA Blue 9pm THE LOUNGE; AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888-9991995 Hot Pocket 9pm MARGARITA’S; PS; 760-778-3500 Live Music 6pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760325-2323 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 T.B.A. 9pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760-3450222 The D Phillips Band 6:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Solid Ray Woods 8pm PJ’S SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-228-1199 Betabums 9pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760327-1161ext.230 The Gand Band 6pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 T.B.A. 9pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-327-8311 Martin Ross Starlite Lounge 8pm, Gino Matteo & Jade Sidebar Patio 7pm, Arnie Vilches & Friends Sidebar Lounge 10pm, DJ Slim Dee Starlite Lounge 10pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 Wyldsky 9pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; LQ; 760-777-1601 Barry Baughn Blues 8-11pm SIDEWINDER GRILL; DHS; 760-329-7929 Country Night w/ Walt Young 5:30pm 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 The Caddies 9pm TILTED KILT; PD; 760-773-5458 Tilted@Night 10pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm VIBE; MORONGO CASINO; CAB; 951-755-5391 The Rick Whitfield Band 10pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Pat Rizzo & All That Jazz Band 6:30pm 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 Inca Kings 5:30pm, John McCormick & The Mac Band w/ DJ Randy Johnson 9:30pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 Comedy Night 8pm THE WINE BAR AT OLD TOWN; LQ; 760-5642201 Rob & jb 7-10pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Rose Mallet 6:30pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 Girl’s Night out w/ The Men on the Hollywood Strip 9pm

SAT MARCH 8 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 Tony Adams noon poolside, Stronghold Reggae 10pm amigo room 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 8pm BAR; PS; 760-537-7337 Shon Tomlin 10pm BILLY REED’S; PS; 760-325-1946 Live Music 6-10pm BLUE BAR; SPOTLIGHT 29; IND; 760-7755566 DJ PWee BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Steve Madaio 6-10pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT CASINO; PS; 888-999-1995 DJ Michael Wright 9-1am CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CLINIC BAR & LOUNGE; PS; 760-864-4119 House Party w/ The House Whores 9pm CORK TREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Live Entertainment 6:30-9:30pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm DATE SHED; IND; 760-775-6699 Fortunate Youth, True Press and Bewfish 8pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm DICKIE O’NEALS IRISH PUB; PS; 760-3252600 T.B.A. 8pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm FIRECLIFF; PD; 760-773-6565 Sonny Evaro 6pm FIRESIDE LOUNGE; PS; 760-327-1700 T.B.A. 9pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 The Refills 8-11pm THE GROOVE LOUNGE; SPOTLIGHT 29; INDIO; 760-775-5566 DJ 8pm HAMILTON’S; LQ; 760-698-8303 Bonethumpers 9pm HARD ROCK HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9676 DJ Colourvision w/ DJ Kid Wonder, 11am poolside, 9pm Lobby THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 The Hive Minds and All Night Shoes 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760-3456466 Frank Di Salvo 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 LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Bob Allen 6pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-345-2450 LA Blue 9pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888-9991995 Hot Pocket 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 T.B.A. 9pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760-3450222 Rancho Relaxo 6:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 The Shadow Mountain Band 5pm, Sara Petite 8pm PJ’S SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-228-1199 Scarlet Roads 9pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 O.G.R. 9pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760327-1161ext.230 The Gand Band 9pm 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 5pm,Gino Matteo & Jade Sidebar Patio 7pm, Arnie Vilches & Friends Sidebar Lounge 10pm, DJ Shasta, Starlite Lounge 10pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 Hunter Green featuring Dre Gipson of Fishbone 9pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; LQ; 760-777-1601 Barry Baughn Blues 8-11pm SIDEWINDER GRILL; DHS; 760-329-7929 Karaoke w/ Milly G 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 Stereoflux 9pm TILTED KILT; PD; 760-773-5458 Tilted@Night 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 6:30pm 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 Jeff 5:30pm, Slim Man 9:30pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm THE WINE BAR AT OLD TOWN; LQ; 760-5642201 Missoni Lanza 7-10pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Stanley Butler Band 7pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJ PJ 9pm

March 6 to March 12, 2014

Live w/ Howie Pyro 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 CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Joe Jaggi 6pm 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 FIRECLIFF; PD; 760-773-6565 Hal Sweasey 6pm HARD ROCK HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9676 DJ Colourvision w/ Kid Wonder 11am poolside INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760-3456466 Ted Herman’s Big Band w/ Frank DiSalvo 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

continue to page 24

COME JOIN US FOR THE FUN!!

• 14 flat screen televisions • NTN Trivia and poker with QB1

While you are here you can try one of our ten tap beer selections from a frosty cold glass or choose one of our 30 tequilas or vodkas to make your favorite cocktail.

PLAYOFFS I THE PLAC S E TO BE

OPEN MONDAY THRU SATURDAY 4PM - 2AM SUNDAY 6PM - 2AM

12105 PALM DRIVE DESERT HOT SPRINGS

(760) 251-2644

SUN MARCH 9 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bob & Alison 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Intoxica Radio

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The Pampered Palate

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The Pampered Palate

By David Wayne

By Raymond Bill

Kaiser Grille

SHABU SHABU ZEN

W

ow! Kaiser Grille in the heart of downtown Palm Springs is amazing. The food is incredibly tasty, the service is impeccable, and the presentation could not have been better.

My wife and I were seated on the patio, with nice warm heaters to counter the crisp clean night air. As we watched the world go by on Palm Canyon Drive, our delightful server Grindelia, waltzed up to our table. I love when a server has confidence in the menu, and she definitely knew what to recommend.

Her helper brought us the house focaccia bread, while she brought me a glass of refreshing iced tea, and my wife a split of Mionetto Prosecco DOC Treviso Sparkling wine. The bread was warm, baked with butter and herbs, while my wife said the

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sparkling wine was very nice.

We had two appetizers: one was Burrata cheese and Proscuitto, with a side of arugula, oven roasted apple, drizzled with balsamic reduction, olive oil, and served with crostini. The other was Hummus; made how I remember a friend of mine’s mother from Lebanon made it (just right), served with pita bread and cucumber slices.

I also had Creamy Broccoli Cheese Soup, and my wife had a Mediterranean Chop Salad with cucumber, olives, tomatoes, onion, feta, basil, mint, and chick peas with pita bread. Grindelia suggested their mixed drink for my wife called an Antioxidant with fresh blueberries, huckleberry vodka, St. Germain liqueur, white cranberry and fresh lime. With that description I don’t think I need to tell you my wife enjoyed it immensely, but I guess I just did.

Our main courses suggested again by “Delia” were, my wife’s Sesame and Black Pepper Crusted Ahi Tuna with stir fried vegetables and lemon grass ginger steamed rice with Sake soy sauce. And I had a Bone in Pork Chop, with Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, carrots, with apple and cherry gastrique drizzled on top of the chop. Both our palates were definitely pampered, and

extremely happy.

For dessert we shared Raspberry Crème Brulee, with a coconut chocolate chip macaroon on top, and a very unique deconstructed apple pie with Calvados caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream, called a Tarte Tatin. Both were presented beautifully, and tasted so good.

When you want to go out in downtown Palm Springs, even if you are on the other side of the valley, I would recommend you not miss out on Kaiser Grille. Located at 205 South Palm Canyon Drive, it is right in the middle of all the action of the bustling “main drag”!

Lunch: 11am to 3pm daily Happy Hour: 3pm-6pm & 9pm - close/ Bar & Side Patio Only Dining Room: 4pm – 10pm daily Reservations Advised: 760-323-1003

W

hen people ask me what my favorite restaurants are in the valley, I have a few staple responses that I am confident will suffice their inquiry. That is until now. I have discovered the best kept secret of the Coachella Valley in Rancho Mirage. Shabu Shabu Zen is literally one of a kind, as it is the only Japanese restaurant in our county offering the delicious Shabu Shabu cuisine! My girlfriend and I shared an unforgettable experience with our best friends here and the four of us have not stopped talking about Shabu Shabu Zen and Sake Bar. For those that are not familiar with this cuisine, I’ll explain as it was humbly explained to me by their extremely knowledgeable owner. The idea is that you are able to cook your food at the very table at which you are seated. Presented before us were two pots of water, seasoned with two separate broths, placed on a special heating surface and brought to a boil. We controlled the heat, there are no flames and it is completely safe and fun. We then received an assortment of Kobe beef and Angus Prime Rib-Eye Beef as well as vegetables like bok choy and cabbage with tofu. We are then instructed how to enjoy our meal. Shabu Shabu translates to, “Swish Swish.” We are encouraged to “swish” our savory meats and vegetables around in the lighter colored broth and then enjoy with housemade dipping sauces like Ponzu and sesame (which we helped prepare by grinding sesame seeds with a mortar and pestle). In the other pot is a darker, richer broth in which we are encouraged to add ingredients to as we would a soup or stew. The ingredients absorb the flavor of the broth and we all enjoyed the interaction as much as we did the quality of ingredients. Shabu Shabu is accompanied by steamed rice.

But this is just one element to this restaurant. There is so much more to share!

Sukiyaki is also available, where these same

meats are simmered in soy sauce with a Mirin based broth. There are also many small plates or tapas to enjoy. We shared many. I honestly cannot tell you my favorite as they were all just incredible. Okonomiyaki, known as a, “savory pancake,” was not like a pancake at all; rather, it was prepared with tender pork belly and topped with quail eggs. Another popular dish was actually an entrée special that we shared between us. Fresh seared Ahi tuna over risotto. I could taste the subtle saltiness of the sea in each bite; it doesn’t get fresher than that! Kakinotane Cracker Shrimp and Octopus 3 ways were also delicious and masterfully plated. The plating and ambiance were authentic without being pretentious or overstated. The prices are quite fair, with tapas between $4 and $9.

One of the biggest surprises of our evening was the impressive selection of sake. If you love sake and want to enjoy a rare selection, or if you know little of sake and want to learn, you must come here as the staff is trained and eager to walk you through the list with detailed descriptions. We shared a couple Sake Flights, each containing 3 tastings. After we compared tasting notes and learned about each selection, we were able to decide on a bottle to share.

There are many beer and wine selections available, both import and domestic.

Shabu Shabu Zen and Sake Bar is a small restaurant but the intimacy of the design allows for a very personable experience. The owner, server and chef (all of whom made an appearance at our table and others) were genuinely pleased to be serving their guests. It is a very positive and inviting atmosphere that I hope to visit many times this season. It is a one of a kind restaurant and it is most certainly my favorite restaurant in the entire valley, hands down! Please visit them in Rancho Mirage at 71680 Hwy 111 and visit them at www.shabushabu-zen.com for more information.

“THE BEST MEXICAN FOOD THE WEST HAS TO OFFER!” Our wonderful staff is committed to giving you the best dining experience. We have a nicely stocked bar and great desserts as well. Our authentic mexican food main courses are truly mouth watering.

We have an award winning sweet corn tamale that you just have to try for yourself.

Once you dine at Pueblo Viejo Grill, you'll be back for more soon!

3PM TO 6PM

$2 DRAFT BEERS $5 APPETIZERS

2 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU:

36901 COOK ST. STE.#3 PALM DESERT, CA 92211 (760)836-1133

81931 HIGHWAY 111 INDIO, CA 92201 (760)342-5900

WWW.PUEBLOVIEJOGRILL.COM

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Movie Reviews with Robin E. Simmons

Screeners No.102

OSCAR© FUN, FACTOIDS & FAILS

D

id your favorite films and actors win last Sunday? Do you actually care about any of the selfcongratulatory movie hype? Does it even matter in the real world?

Do the awards broadcast to the billionmember audience send a message about American values? Is that important?

It’s hard to ignore that a big part of the fundamentalist world hates our “decadent” cultural movie exports. Does “The Wolf of Wall Street” and “American Hustle” fit that mold? Should we even consider world opinion when we make our movies?

Perhaps not. Yet…

22

I say movies matter because they reflect who we are, our fears, desires, concerns and hopes. They not only divert our attention from the stress of living, they can thrill and inspire. “GRAVITY” does all that. Movies are our collective dreams that warn us, divert us and sometimes make us laugh at our foibles and weaknesses.

For those in the running for a major award, there is actual meaning and value in the gold-plated statuette not often recognized by the public. Did you know that Oscar© winners live about four years longer than mere nominees? Kind of amazing when you think about it. On the other hand, award “losers” take home a swag bag valued at $80,000. But that’s hardly fair compensation in exchange for a shorter life!

Looking back, Oscar© history has a lot of “snubs”. Most people assume “WIZARD OF OZ” won Best Picture in 1939. It did not. Judy Garland did not win for her gut wrenching portrayal in 1955’s “A STAR IS BORN.” The now classic western “THE SEARCHERS” did not win in 1957 and Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY” was not the big winner in 1969. And no, “RAGING BULL” did

Book Review

Of Moss and Men

O

not win in 1981. Surprised?

And can you believe that Alfred Hitchcock, Peter O’Toole, Johnny Depp, Richard Burton (he was nominated more times than he was married) or Glenn Close are not among the winners? (Honorary awards don’t count.)

This year’s awards generated a lot of conversation regarding the so-called “snubs.”

But really, was Oprah Winfrey’s performance in “THE BUTLER” worthy of special recognition? Nothing new here. We’ve seen her do her thing in “THE COLOR PURPLE,” but she is too omnipresent in popular media.

Emma Thompson got a lot of ink for her performance as P.L. Travers, the Mary Poppins author in “SAVING MR. BANKS.” Yes, Thompson was terrific, but the Disney propaganda film about the making of “MARY POPPINS” was not significant or particularly well written. By the way, Walt Disney is the most Oscar© winning filmmaker of all time with 59 nominations and 26 wins. But that fact did not help Tom Hanks interpretation of Uncle Walt.

Some people were surprised Robert Redford was not nominated for “ALL IS LOST.” Many thought the film lacked emotion and the events seemed strangely bland and staged and not desperate considering the circumstances. Redford seemed bored in

some scenes, like he welcomed death.

Creepy. And Tom Hanks’ overlong “CAPTAIN PHILLIPS” had nothing to offer beyond what we already knew. And the plot was thin: Phillips was kidnapped, underwent some stressful events and was rescued. So what?

And the hand-held, jerky camera was not an asset. Many audience members complained of headaches or nausea. Not what you want when you buy a movie ticket. Not a lucky year for actors playing men at sea.

Did you know that 55 Oscar© statuettes were stolen in March, 2000? Fifty-two were returned. And one was found three years later. Two are still missing.

A few years ago, Steven Spielberg bought from a private individual Bette Davis’ award for over $500,000.00 and returned it to the Academy. A clever move that no doubt further endeared him to his peers (and fellow Academy voters).

Jennifer Lawrence, at the age of only 23, is the youngest actor to be nominated three times. And Amy Adams is the ONLY Best Actress nominee that has NOT already won an Oscar©.

The Academy Awards probably do not really matter much in the grand scheme of things. But movies most certainly do.

Comments? robinesimmons@aol.com

ver ten million people in 30 countries read Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir Eat, Pray, Love, a personal true tale in which she discovers the three essentials for a full and meaningful life. In her latest book, The Signature of All Things, (Viking, 501 pages) Gilbert reveals that she has provocative fictional stories to tell of equal gravitas.

Gilbert begins her epic novel with the protagonist’s grandfather who is known and respected for his ability to prune the Kew Garden apple trees. His son, Henry Whittaker, seeks out a better life for himself with the limited horticultural knowledge he has acquired from his father.

Sailing the world with Captain Cook, he learns first-hand about the medicinal benefits of plants. With no education or station in London life, he takes his knowledge and plants to America where he becomes the wealthiest man in Philadelphia, developing pharmaceuticals in the late 1700s. He and his noble-born Dutch wife start a family and together build a pharmacological empire.

Alma Whittaker is their beloved child and heir apparent. She is not beautiful; rather she is big, awkward and homely. But she is

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March 6 to March 12, 2014

By Heidi Simmons

The Signature of all things

By Elizabeth Gilbert Fiction adored, respected and encouraged by her tenacious father and stern mother. Alma becomes a brilliant botanist who publishes her work and thirsts for more knowledge.

She is strong and independent. Prudence, her adopted sister, is the antithesis of Alma.

She is beautiful, obedient and quiet. The two siblings never really connect.

A modern woman, Alma learns to pleasure herself and longs for a husband so she can have sex. Enter Ambrose Pike, who seems to be a perfect man. He is a botanical artist and introduces Alma to a spiritual side of plants and life itself. Although 180 degrees from her work and thinking, his passion and commitment inspires Alma.

When they finally marry, she’s rejected sexually. Ambrose believes they are beyond the need for sex. Confused and hurt, Alma sends him to Tahiti where he later dies.

Alma gives up everything and leaves her fortune and only home to understand her strange and estranged husband. Her journey ultimately leads her to learn more about herself and gives her a new appreciation for the mystery of life.

As part of the changing world, Alma’s character grows in the age of enlightenment and blossoms in the Industrial Revolution.

She is a scholar whose work is compared to other great thinkers of the time. Alma makes mosses her specialty and she becomes a renowned expert. As a woman and scholar, Alma lives long enough to see her work accepted. She finds a family and place of peace.

Beyond the colorful generations, sibling melodrama and lost loves, Gilbert gives the reader insight to a world still developing thought and cultivating ideas. The word “science” is brand new in Alma’s time. She disagrees with the choice of word, thinking it too limited and narrow. She is a peer to Darwin and quietly competes with his notions. This is what makes The Signature of All Things so wonderfully layered and compelling. There is a philosophical and religious debate about the mystery of life, and how we humans define and contemplate life.

The title The Signature of All Things comes from a German naturalist, mystic and theologian named, Jacob Boehme, who believed God could be seen and known in all living things. Boehme’s De Signatura Rerum was written in 1621. The book was Ambrose’s favorite and he recommended it to Alma. Boehme alleged that God himself

resided in the blossoms, fruit and trees.

He believed there was a divine code and if you pay attention, you can see proof of the Creator’s hand. Ultimately, if one can perceive God in nature and creature, then one feels the highest virtue, which is Love.

Alma wants to have and understand this love more than anything, even though it seems crazy.

Gilbert has gently and masterfully allowed this theme to seep through and take root in this colorful saga. She has written a detailed story rich in history, science and theology. Alma is a bold character who learns to appreciate not only the complexity of plants but also humans, which is not an easy lesson for her.

I wasn’t sure what I would find in the pages of Gilbert’s novel, but was pleasantly surprised to discover that the author is capable of delivering a well-written and thoughtful narrative in a big and unflinching way. Gilbert is not afraid to confront the challenges and mysteries of life through her characters. Eat, Pray, Love has not only enlightened and informed Gilbert, but her storytelling as well.

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continued from page 19 LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Bob Allen 6pm 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 The John McCormick Band 7pm THE NEW YORK COMPANY RESTAURANT; PS; 760-778-7789 Lili Rose 7pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760-3274080 Longest Running Jam Session in the valley. Hosted by JB, Sign up 6pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 The Sunday Band 7pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760327-1161ext.230 RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-3274080 Martin Ross Starlite Lounge 3pm, Will Donato’s Art of Sax Sidebar Patio 5pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Eddie Gee 7pm SIDEWINDER GRILL; DHS; 760-329-7929 Acoustic Open Mic hosted by Walt Young SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Smooth Brothers TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 Rancho Relaxo 5-8pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Jazz Time Band 2-5pm, John Stanley King 6pm 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 Ben 11am, The Carmens 6:30pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 Line Dancing w/ Tina 5:30-9pm THE WINE BAR AT OLD TOWN; LQ; 760-5642201 Michael Keeth w/ Martin Barrera 6-10pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 The Smooth Brothers 6pm

MON MARCH 10 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bonny Scott 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Sissy Bingo w/ Linda Gerard 7-9pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Joe Jaggi 6pm FIRECLIFF; PD; 760-773-6565 Hal Sweasey 6pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Ron Kalina’s World Class Jazz Trio 6pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325-2794 Hot Rox LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Mark Gregg 5pm, lounge, Bob Allen 6pm outside patio NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 7pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 T.B.A. 6pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 T.B.A. 7pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-2am, Michael James & 3sum 9-2am WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-328-5955 Art of Sax 8-11pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Trish Hatley Barney McClure Jazz 8pm

TUE MARCH 11 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 T.B.A. 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 Joe Jaggi 6pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm ESCENA LOUNGE & GRILL; PS; 760-9920002 John Stanley King 5-9pm FIRECLIFF; PD; 760-773-6565 Hal Sweasey 6pm FIRESIDE LOUNGE; PS; 760-327-1700 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke INDIAN CANYONS GOLF RESORT; PS; 760833-8700 DJ Randy Johnson 6-9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Michael D’Angelo 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; 760-325-2794 Palm Springs Sound Company LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Mark Gregg 5pm, Bob Allen 6pm outside patio 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 Eclectic Tuesdays. Singer/songwriter night. All acts welcome. Hosted by JB, Sign up 7pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 Open Mic 8pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 Open Mic 8pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-341-

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www.coachellavalleyweekly.com 3560 Demetrious and Co. VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Rodeo Drive’s Happy Hour Cabaret 4pm, Michael Dees & Trio 7pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Live entertainment VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Einstein 5:30pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Trish Hatley 6pm

WED MARCH 12 ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Industry Night w/ Caxton 8pm 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 Nicky Vallee & Willy B 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CLINIC BAR & LOUNGE; PS; 760-864-4119 T.B.A. 9pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm ESCENA LOUNGE & GRILL; PS; 760-9920002 Rose Mallet 5-9pm FIRECLIFF; PD; 760-773-6565 Sonny Evaro 6pm HAMILTON’S SPORTS BAR & GRILL; LQ; 760-698-8303 Karaoke w/ T-Bone 8:3012:30am THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Open Mic 8pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Rich Bono & Poupee Boccaccio 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Live Music KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke w/ Roberto 7pm

LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325-2794 Hot Rox LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Bob Allen in the lounge and Tom on the patio 6pm 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 Singles Night !!!

THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm NYPD; PS; 760-778-6973 Live DJ 9pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 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 Michael Holmes Trio 6:30pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-327-4080 Martin Ross, Starlite Lounge 5pm, Open Mic w/ Esjay Jones, Sidebar 7pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 D Phillips Band 9pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Straight Ahead Jazz VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Pat Rizzo & All That Jazz Band 6:30pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-2am, Nite Fixx 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Ben 5:30pm WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-328-5955 Art of Sax 7-10pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 Karaoke WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Brian Nova Trio Jazz 6pm

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beauty images of Fabulous Women over 60 and a book of formal Environmental Portraits documenting residents of Cathedral City Cove where he now resides with his partner, Simeon Den. Talk about Cutting Edge -- this is why I love Peter & Simeon!

Simeon Den is an Interdisciplinary Artist, Photographer, Choreographer, Dancer, Educator, and Yoga & Meditation Guru!

He studied Fine Arts at the University of Massachusetts, photography at the School of Visual Arts in NYC, and is a 2005 Magna Cum Laude graduate of UCLA from the Dept. of World Arts and Cultures School of Arts & Architecture. He specializes Lifestyle Images Photography, Portraiture, Headshots & Event Photography. Simeon’s fine art work is represented by Skidmore Gallery in Los Angeles.

As for his love of Dance, Simeon was trained in NYC at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center and the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance. He has performed concert dance internationally, as well as on the Broadway stage with such luminaries as Shirley MacLaine, Rudolph Nureyev, Lena Horne, & Yul Brenner. Simeon has also worked with legendary Directors, including Hal Prince, Gower Champiom & Jerome Robbins, and has appeared in several Broadway shows, including Stephen Sondheim’s “Pacific Overtures”. He also was owner & Director of Danceworks Honolulu for 2 decades & has taught at CalArts, UMass, UCLA, & the American Musical & Dramatics Academy. Simeon is on the faculty

Beer Snob

Modern Times I

n a sea of beer, among the waves of new breweries, along the shore of a tide that flows higher up the beach each time it rolls in….San Diego is home to over 50 breweries plus brewpubs. It is not easy to stand out in such a diverse and complex crowd. For me one new brewery

of the Musical Theater University at Rancho Mirage High School, sponsored by the Carol Channing Foundation. He also teaches Yoga in Cathedral City & Palm Desert, as well as private Meditation sessions.

Simeon is the Artistic Director of the Cathedral City-based “DiosGracias VoceDans” Theater, which produces sitespecific, collaborative, & improvisational works. In addition, he is the Creator & Performer of “Butoh Dance”. Butoh Dance is best described as “moving sculptures” -- it is a Japanese avant-garde art form that emerged from artists response to the devastation of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima. “The slow movement of Butoh Dance challenges the viewer to simultaneously appreciate the visual beauty of the elaborate costumes, fantastic make-up, & the Zen aesthetic, as well

as reconsider one’s perception of Time & Space and the concept of non-linear narratives.” The hybrid of Butoh Dance that Den creates & performs honors the traditional, but subverts the style by utilizing the entire body as the performing instrument -- integrating classical ballet, Modern, & Contemporary dance forms with the full range of vocal production including singing, recitation, & vocalizing.

Peter Palladino & Simeon Den own and live in the historic house in Cathedral City Cove built by Agnes Pelton, the posthumously celebrated desert painter -they are the Founders of the Agnes Pelton Historical Society. They lovingly restored the home & studio, and created the beautiful Zen-inspired Agnes Pelton Sculpture Garden in 2012. Peter is the President of the Agnes Pelton Society, an Arts and Arts Education advocacy organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of Agnes Pelton, supporting local artists and providing educational opportunities for children and the Arts. In addition, Peter & Simeon are the creators of the Cathedral City Cove Tour of Artists Homes & Studios, a successful annual Event (the 3rd Annual Event just took place in Feb., 2014). Simeon is also on the Advisory Committee of the First Annual Rancho Mirage Tour of Artists Homes/Studios, to be held on Sat. April 12, 2014. In 2013, Peter & Simeon’s Sculpture Photography was published in the book “The Sculptural Art of Mario Pikus” (Blurb Books).

Peter & Simeon’s amazing photographs can

March 6 to March 12, 2014 be seen at www.PalladinoDenPhotography. com .

Peter Palladino’s Photography can be seen at UCR in Palm Desert, Ca. at the “Let’s Face It” Exhibit, curated by Karen & Tony Barone, Thursday, March 27, 2014, 5:30-7:30pm. Simeon Den’s “DiosGracias VoceDans Theater” will be featured at the La Quinta Arts Festival and a formal company debut is scheduled for May 17, 2014 For more Info, contact Simeon Den at (310) 801-6538 or Simeonden@gmail.com

By trooper Ramsey has done just that and has washed up in the Coachella valley in a big way: Modern Times Brewery.

The first time I saw the Logo and can art, yes they are all in four packs of 16oz cans, I was taken back a step at the simple yet eye popping style; simple yet it stands out among the many logos along the craft beer aisle. I would say it almost stands alone in its style.

To quote from their webpage “We focus (non-monogamously) on aroma-driven, complex, flavorful, sessionish beers. We often brew hybrid styles, combining the features we like from established categories to create new, Island-Of-Doctor-Moreaustyle mash-ups.

Fortunate Islands combines the mildly

nutty malt body of a wheat beer with the intensely bright, citrusy hoppiness of a righteous IPA. Black House has the fullbody, robust chocolaty flavor, and intense coffee aroma of its imperial counterparts, but packed into a 5.8% ABV package. Blazing World combines the subtly fruity qualities of a dry amber ale with the enormous hopprofile of an über-dank double IPA. Lomaland, our flagship saison, isn’t so much a hybrid, as a return to origin—a quenching, sessionable, farmhouse libation.

Sporting a mixed grain bill and fermented with a blend of Belgian yeast strains, Lomaland offers the complexity and nuance of the most traditional examples of the style. We like to think that it’s so traditional, it’s avant-garde.”

Well I agree with all of that. The Amber is for sure a new constant in my fridge. It has won me over with its high fruit base flavor and hoppy back note. It is for sure a Dank brew.

So take time to search them out, I find my selections at Total Wine in Palm Desert or Sprouts in La Quinta.

Modern Times Brewery is definitely a brewery to watch. I for one will keep my eye on them and future releases. I see an Episode on Beer Culture webshow for sure.

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March 6 to March 12, 2014

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Real Estate

Haddon Libby:It’s alllocal

By Bruce cathcart

February A

s a real estate broker in the Coachella Valley, I love February. It seems most buyers and sellers spend the first part of January recovering from the holidays. By the end of the month and into February all those New Year’s resolutions to sell their home or buy a new one really start to kick in. I know I was crazy busy and most agents I spoke with agreed; 2014 is off to a good start!

The big real estate question on everyone’s mind these days seems to be, “Is the Coachella Valley real estate market on the road to a full recovery?” It is a good question and one that I struggle to answer for my clients nearly every day. Well, here it is March already and the data and statistics for February are coming in with some positive indications for the future.

According to the Desert Area Multiple Listing Service, for residential properties here in the Coachella Valley (including single family homes, condos and townhouses), there were 900 homes that changed status from Active to Pending or Backup Offer. This means that these properties now have a contract on them and have either opened escrow or in the case of the backup offer status are likely waiting for a lender’s approval on a short sale.

In January there were only 784 homes that changed status. This is an increase in monthly sales activity of approximately 14% and this is a good thing for sellers. In addition, in

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February there were approximately 1,036 new listings on the market compared to only 888 in January. Overall inventory available to buyers was up with approximately 4,318 properties currently available for sale. This is a good thing for buyers. While this is just a small slice of the data out there, taken together these factors indicate that the market is moving in the right direction, but predict stability rather than the crazy increase in prices like we saw last year.

March, April and May will tell the story for the Coachella Valley this year. Hopefully sales activity will continue to increase and keep up with the increasing inventory. If it does we will have a “good season” but there are some potential spoilers out there that we have to be aware of. Interest rates are predicted to rise, but so far they have not. See this week’s interest chart below and you will notice that the 30 year fixed rates have remained the same as last month’s and the shorter term fixed rates and adjustable rate mortgages have actually declined. If they do increase that tends to have a negative effect on real estate sales and values here in the Coachella Valley.

it’s your nickel

Will our friends from the great white north (Canada) be back this season and continue to buy their winter/retirement homes here in the Coachella Valley? I hope so but one of the things that made our real estate so attractive to them was that the value of their Canadian dollar to the US dollar. It was worth considerably more over the past two years. Think of how cheap buying stuff in Mexico is for us, that is how it was for the Canadians coming here. But not this year as the values have changed back. Will the baby boomers from Orange County, Los Angeles and San Diego, those that still have jobs anyway, come over the hill and buy their weekender / retirement homes this year? We will just have to watch and see.

In the meantime, if anyone has a spare $34,000,000.00 hidden under their mattress and is looking for the ultimate desert home, that mushroom looking thing in the hills above Palm Springs just came on the market. That’s right; the Bob and Dolores Hope mansion with 10 bedrooms and 13 bathrooms can be bought for approximately $1,455.00 per square foot (a little over ½ acre of house!). No lookieloos here though, interested buyers must submit financials and sign a confidentiality agreement before making an appoint to view this landmark property.

Looking for something a little cheaper? Of the 575 homes that closed escrow last month in the Coachella Valley 12 of them sold for more than $2,000,000.00 and the winner for highest sale in February goes to a home in the

INFLATION IS UNDER CONTROL (Just Not For You) Madison Club in La Quinta for $7,100,000.00.

But don’t worry; there are still 251 homes available on the market for over $2,000,000.00 to choose from.

Real Estate Tip of the week: Sellers make sure your trusted real estate agent advertises your home on the internet! Due to polar vortexes, historic snowfall, and record low temperatures January website traffic to real estate sites was up 25% with a total of 364 million visits. If I were freezing my butt off someplace else, I’d be web shopping on the internet for a home right here in the Coachella Valley!

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

26

to be true, it is.

THE COST OF TRAFFIC during the rain needs more serious attention. Like our compatriots in New Jersey, ambulances and other life threatening emergencies are impeded when traffic becomes

This adjustment meant that the creation of things has a smaller impact on the economy (and inflation) than the financing of things.

The Clinton Administration weighed in by making three adjustments to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). For reference, CPI is a key component in calculating the inflation rate.

Their first adjustment was “Product Substitution”. This uses the theory that if you cannot afford filet mignon, you will switch to hamburger. Substitution keeps the CPI and inflation lower.

The second adjustment was “Geometric Weighting”. This is where products with fast rising prices get a lower weighting in the calculations than products with stable prices.

The theory behind this is that people will

and Obama Administration have worked at re-inflating the economy such that the real inflation rate has hovered around 10%.

By keeping the official inflation rate low, payments to Social Security beneficiaries are lower. This also mutes salary increases by wage earners. Overall, a lower headline inflation rate makes the economy look better on paper and in the news and leads the populace into a false belief that there is price stability. In truth, a simple trip to the store betrays the blatant falsehoods of the headline inflation rate.

Dale Gribow On The Law

By john Paul Valdez

770 Accounts and Traffic

WHAT IS A 770 ACCOUNT? For those who have asked recently about a “770” account that seems to have gone viral please understand that the existence of insurance products of all kinds is hardly a mystery or a secret. Insurance as “whole” or “universal” allows premiums to be paid into an account as an investment that can have various tax advantages. Two things: 1) You have to die to collect unless you are going to borrow against your policy which involves a cost. 2) Insurance products generally pay less than investment options out on the open market because of the lower risk and deemed safety variables. Finally, this particular platform has been the subject of numerous internet scams. Anytime something sounds too good

H

ave you noticed how the things that you buy at the grocery store are smaller and more expensive yet your paycheck or Social Security payments have remained about the same?

This is best explained by understanding how the inflation rate as shared with us by the U.S. Bureau of Lying (I mean, Labor) Statistics is different than reality. For January, we were told that the official inflation rate was 1.6%, a 16% drop from last year, yet 80% lower than the real inflation rate of 9%.

Why the huge discrepancy?

Real inflation is reflected in the price of what you buy due to the debasing of the currency. By debasing the currency, the value of a dollar in 1971 is worth less than 20 cents today.

Since 1971, most presidents have tinkered with the inflation rate.

In a move that many economists call ‘inflation less inflation’, the Nixon Administration chose to exclude food and fuel from inflation. The Reagan Administration continued adjustments by removing changes in home values and replacing these with “Owner Equivalent Rent” which is what you might get for renting your house.

Bush I made changes so that the “new economy” which is defined as service jobs had a heavier weighting than industrial jobs.

use fewer products with fast rising prices.

Geometric weighting runs contradictory to the basic tenets of Supply and Demand as well as the whole point of an inflation rate.

The third adjustment was the “Hedonic adjustment“. This adjustment has nothing to do with cigars or trips to tropical locations.

This adjustment adds increased quality as a way to keep inflation down yet does not adjust for lower quality which would cause inflation to rise. What makes little sense with this adjustment is that it tries to factor in the “perceived value” of an improvement in an iPad in order to keep inflation down. This was not done in the past for other advances like air conditioning, air travel or advances in healthcare.

The most recent and worst changes were made by the Obama Administration which replaced the watered down version of CPI with a “chained CPI”. The new version means that if medical costs go up, you might buy less food. The index now adjusts away the effects caused by inflation on the majority of Americans! Their theories assume that the consumer only has so much money so it is natural that the money will be reapportioned as best as they possibly can manage.

According to economist John Williams, real inflation has been above 5% for over twenty years. Real inflation peaked at nearly 14% at the end of 2008 before dropping to nearly 5% in 2009. Since then, the Federal Reserve

March 6 to March 12, 2014

Don’t Pull a Seymour Hoffman-Update Your Estate Planning

unmanageable. Commutes for workers become difficult or even cause absence from work altogether. Losses to business are enormous as the opportunity of doing business at all is put down when people are unable to get to their destination. This past weekend, even in the face of a well acknowledged winter storm looming, and various warnings thereto, absolutely no efforts were made to prepare the desert valley nor its visitors (in a tourist zone) to avoid the clearly predicted train wreck in slow motion that was the handling of the obvious. That is shameful and unacceptable.

Many postings were made to social media sites, and some articles in local periodicals wrote about the blockages and traffic as though it were some kind of surprise. Nothing could be further from the truth. The accidents on Ramon that

occurred could have been easily predicted given all the already known inability to cope with the slightest rain storm.

Our government administrations at the city, county, state and federal level all fail us when they tax us without the infrastructure we need to provide for our own health, safety and welfare not to mention support to our tourist driven economy. If one calculates the losses created by all these unnecessary negative impacts of avoidable traffic blockages, it is easy to see that what is lacking is flood planning and coordination between the various cities and the various government agencies.

If we cannot overcome our desperate need for this infrastructure, we will simply blindly and unnecessarily impose artificial limits to investors and visitors who want very much to come to our otherwise so desirable and worthy desert valley.

Since this is a subject we only seem to think about during the two days a year it rains, let’s just pray it doesn’t cost anyone their life in the short run, and hope it rains near voting time, but not on election day.

Otherwise we can’t even vote.

Questions and comments?

JohnPaulValdez@gmail.com

W

hen actor Seymour Hoffman passed away he had not yet updated his estate planning. He had a will and living trust, but signed them before two of his three children were born.

This failure to update his estate planning could cause havoc…and a loss of lots of money for the family. The legal question presented is “Who are the Beneficiaries of his $35,000,000 estate?” Had Seymour updated his estate planning he could have avoided a slew of problems that will surface and possibly prevent his two “After Born

Children” from getting anything…or at least not what Hoffman would probably have wanted for them.

I opened every one of my legal radio shows and legal columns in local paper with the saying that “People Don’t Plan to Fail, They Fail to Plan.” Hoffman is guilty of the adage—it is just as true for Estate Planning as it is for an Auto Accident or DUI. I always suggest to my friends and clients that they address these potential issues before they arise. Once you have been in an Accident or received a DUI you are stressed and people often do not make wise decisions under those circumstances. So plan now for whom you would call if you or a loved one had an Accident or DUI and keep those names handy so that they are easy to find in an emergency.

Most people are “shocked” when they learn that many of the most famous people in the world died without any estate planning. Would you believe Walt Disney, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, JP Morgan, John D. Rockefeller, US Chief Justice Warren Burger, Heath Ledger, gold medal winner Flo Jo and our own Sonny Bono died without an estate plan? All of them could easily have afforded the most talented and expensive lawyer in the country. However, they did not plan ahead!

By not updating his estate planning to cover all his children, Hoffman left their grieving mother in a pickle.

At the time he prepared his will he had one child named Cooper. After that he had two “After Born Children” who were both NOT mentioned in the will. A good lawyer could have added a sentence to Hoffman’s estate planning stating “Any reference to Cooper includes children born to me after him”.

Normally that would not be a big issue as Seymour left the money to the mother of his children. However, he had never married her! Thus she does not get any estate tax breaks available to spouses. The “marital deduction” allows one spouse to give all their money to the surviving spouse with certain limitations, but would not apply with Hoffman.

We have all read that his $35,000,000 estate would NOT qualify for a tax exemption of the first $5.34 Million dollars under federal law and would then also be taxed on the excess…in addition to what NY will tax. Thus, by “Pulling a Seymour” his estate could be reduced by about 50% in taxes. In addition, because he was not married, any money left over could be taxed again.

Seymour Hoffman’s estate plan bears an eerie resemblance to that of Heath Ledger’s.

That is not a scenario one should emulate.

Please remember….DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE, CALL A TAXI…IT IS A LOT CHEAPER THAN HIRING ME! 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

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safety tips

by Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

Now is the Time!

N

ow is the time to change your “ smoke detector battery reminds Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. Day light savings is the traditional time to do this.

A working smoke alarm can help you and your family escape a deadly home fire. A working smoke alarm never takes time off as it continuously scans the air for smoke, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It never sleeps.”

“I encourage everyone to check the smoke detectors in their home or apartment. If a fire does occur in your home, a working smoke detector can double your chances of escaping says Chief DiGiovanna.”

Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, in

Gaemer Girl

Don’t Be

CLUELESS IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY

by Jennifer Tan aka mrs. fett

Loot Crate-A Monthly Box of Win

EVENT CALENDAR the hallways leading to the bedrooms, and on each level of your home, including the basement.

Test your smoke alarm every month by simply holding down the test button. Never paint over a smoke alarms. Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years. If the alarm goes off, crawl low to the ground under the smoke and exit your home quickly. Don’t try to take anything with you; just get out. Have and practice a family plan. Once safely outside, call 911. Once you’re out, stay out!

For additional information contact your local fire department and visit: http://www. usfa.fema.gov/campaigns/smokealarms/ alarms/index.shtm Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

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“

W

e have all done it. If we haven’t, we are planning it. If we can’t do it, we all want to.

I am talking about the insatiable urge, to attend at least one Con, and horde as much loot and swag into a marketing encased vessel we call a swag bag. I do it. I love it.

My favorite part of working the amazing conventions I do, is the moment I get home, to wherever it is that I was staying, dumping my bag of loot on the bed, and digging into it looking for things to trade, share and play with.

For those of you not luckily enough to attend conventions, the great minds behind Loot Crate have a gift for you. Actually, it’s a monthly gift. Each month, over 75k subscribers, wait eagerly for their themed box of wonder. Inside is a T-shirt, sized just for you (yes even women’s sizes!), toys, gadgets, stickers, cards, and more. Each T-shirt is custom designed to match the theme for that month, and is well worth the subscription price for just that alone.

Subscriptions are monthly, quarterly, and annually, with automatic renewal. Use code GAEMSGIRL and receive 10% off your subscription when signing up! The longer your subscription, the less you pay per box, with subscriptions just under $20.00.

Subscriptions can be gifted as well, and makes a fantastic, unexpected surprise for the S/O, or halfling. This month, after you subscribe, Loot Crate is offering a $5 signup bonus, for every person you get to sign up, so after just 4 people, you have paid for your box for the month. I of course, cannot participate, but I encourage you to do so!

Use the code, refer more people, and you could come out on top here!

I received my first Loot crate a few weeks ago, and did my first unboxing video on YouTube, a trend not only growing, but encouraged by the Loot Crate team.

The theme was Warriors, and featured a shirt with 26 iconic gaming warriors, each relating to a letter in the alphabet. I also received a wonderful CatBug bow tie from Black Tie Geek, a bacon heart greeting card

T

he world is so full of a number of things, I’m sure we should all be as happy as kings,” wrote English poet Robert Louis Stevenson in a “Child’s Garden of Verses.”

Well we’re not kings, nor queens (perhaps we’ll cop to Divas), emperors, nor empresses, nor children anymore, but after all the happy and not-so-much winter goingson, from the Super Bowl which was such an unexpected rout (who’da guessed it?), to our frozen America with hourly snow-dumps, to slushy Sochi where the Russians packed snow in warehouses among the tropical palm trees (who knew?) for grumbling competitors, to The Real TV hits, including Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl, Duck Dynasty and Honey Boo Boo, well it’s too much happy reality. Let’s tap into our inner fantasy life. This week’s calendar is full of happy endings!

that I so lovingly altered and returned to them, stickers, a Dunny Figurine, and a Gas Powered Stick cinch bag.

The team over at Loot Crate is wonderful. Happy, whimsical friends, who gather together, to bring boxes of joy to the geeky masses. Matt Petralia, Community Manager at Loot Crate, was gracious enough to let me in their magic offices for a special tour and sneak peek what’s to come! So what was it like? It was Narnia.

A large metal door (camouflaged with the previous tenant’s huge sign above it) guarded the large warehouse office, filled with toys, 8-Bit decals, TONS of Nerf Guns, and sometimes cookies. Upstairs, tucked away above the assembly line, was the Loot Crate Lounge. Leather chairs and sofas, GAEMS Vanguards, Xbox consoles, and cameras. A fine setup if I do say so myself!

This month’s theme is TITAN. Although I cannot say specifically what will be in this month’s crate, I do know for sure that Titanfall will be participating in a major way.

Head over to www.LootCrate.com today, to sign up before you miss out on this month’s crate! O Yeah! Did I mention that every month winners are chosen for the Mega Crate?! Over $250.00 worth of loot, only available to win by subscribers!

Thursday, March 6, 7pm. Tonight!

Charming, inspirational and family–friendly!

“The Story of Babar,” authored by Jean de Brunhoff and published in 1931, will be performed by international pianist, composer, and doctor of musical arts Giorgi Latso with the music of Francis Poulenc as the story of the little elephant is narrated by local/national print/TV journalist Gloria Greer. Presented by Stewart Gordon and Joe Giarrusso, this unique concert will benefit The Well in the Desert and The Virginia Waring International Piano Competition (VWIPC). Latso will also perform music by Claude Debussy, Frederic Chopin and local composer Giarrusso, VWIPC board member.

The event will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 43775 Deep Canyon Rd, Palm Desert. For info, or advanced ticket sales, call 760-327-8477, or 760-323-8353. Tickets for this special concert are $25 for adults and $15 for children under 17. Tickets will be available at the door.

Saturday, March 8, 6pm. And The “Broken Glass Award” goes to only the most extraordinary women who have shattered the glass ceiling in their professions and paved the way for others in the industry.

So say the Palm Springs Women in Film and Television (PSWIFT) announcing the lineup for the event in its 6th ground-breaking celebration of the names before the title on marquees on global screens and in our community. This year’s honorees are Actor/ author/fashion designer Shari Belafonte, actor Elinor Donahue, child-singing sensation /philanthropist Peggy Cravens, and Canadian actor Deborah Kara Unger with impeccable creds. Tickets, including dinner and awards show, are $175 for nonmembers; $100 for members; and $25, for show-only seating that includes a glass of wine. For more information, contact PSWIFT, 760-238-0306, or go to Broken Glass Awards page on Facebook. Event is at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa, 32250 Bob Hope Dr., Rancho Mirage.

March 6 to March 12, 2014

by Diane Marlin-Dirkx

Sunday, March 9, 11am-1pm. Ooh, la, la! It’s time to “Party in Paris” and you’re invited to a fundraiser for the Palm Springs Art Museum’s Artists Council to an exhibit and Sale and Artists’ Demonstrations just as if you were on a Sunday stroll among the artists in the Place du Tertre in the City of Lights. (Sigh.) Enjoy hors d’oeuvre and champagne served with a French flair by Zin American Bistro. (Double sigh.) This Artists’ Council event and 50% of sales benefit the educational programs of the Palm Springs Art Museum. Limited tickets, $75. For tickets and info, call 760-322-4850, or email rwidner@psmuseum.org The event address is Villa Fontana, 1020 East Via Colusa, Palm Springs.

Sundays, March 9 and 16, Recitals 12pm and 6pm. The 2014 Steinway Piano Competition presented proudly by The Steinway Society with juniors, age 7 to 14 performing on March 9, and Seniors, age 14 to 18 performing on March 16. There’s more! Master classes may be observed on both dates for age groups, at 8am and 10am, 2pm and 4pm. What a unique opportunity to witness and enjoy some of the finest musical talent that our Coachella Valley has to offer as performed on a Steinway grand piano, acknowledged as one of the world’s finest musical instruments since 1853. For more information, go to www.SteinwayRiverside. org. Free and open to the public with open seating. The event is being held at Rancho Mirage High School, 31001 Rattler Rd, in the Helene Galen Performing Arts Center.

Monday, March 10, 8:00pm. The McCallum Theatre presents the Canadian Brass, who in legend (and Hollywood) has been on earth heralding every triumphant occasion since joyous, chest-beating triumphs began, putting resounding brass music on the map, echoing off

the scenery in robust, loud celebration.

Today’s version, pulled together by friends Chuck Dellenbach and Gene Watts revived the quintet orchestration in 1970 with their unbeatable, contagious blend of virtuosity, spontaneity and humor and now they brighten the rosters of concert halls, international festivals and orchestra series throughout the world. Is that glass shattering enough noise for you? It’s loud and it’s proud from the best of composers Gabrielli to Gershwin, you’re going to love this group, just as their global audience packs the halls from America to Australia to Russia, China to Canada. Tickets are $25 to $75, available at www.mccallumtheatre. com, 73000 Fred Waring Dr., Palm Desert, or call 760-340-ARTS.

Tuesday, March 11, 7pm. Gail Sheehy Speaks! Do we need a “spoiler alert?” So many women tried to re-set their biological clocks after reading “Passages” by Gail Sheehy, published in 1984, it’s no wonder the book was called revolutionary and groundbreaking for them, as well as for the men in their lives. And it was all predictable decade to decade in age demarcation from The Trying 20s to The Refreshed (or Resigned) 50s. The Wellness Matters Speaker Series will feature the bestselling author of 15 books who will reveal her dynamic insights based on observations of men and women within different phases of life and advise on how to enjoy them to the fullest. The series will be held in the Helene Galen Auditorium at the Annenberg Center on the Eisenhower Medical Center campus, 39000 Bob Hope Dr., Rancho Mirage.

Tickets, per person, $85. For more info, visit emc.org/wellness.

“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!

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March 6 to March 12, 2014

Health&Fitness

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

THE WELL® Spa at Miramonte Resort & Spa Presents “Pamper Me”

For Total Relaxation and Glamorously Glowing Skin through April treatments so we decided to combine them in a special package so that spa-goers may pamper themselves with both in one visit,” said Michelle Stewart, Spa Director at THE WELL. THE WELL Spa at Miramonte offers a full range of spa and wellness services. The unique treatments at THE WELL incorporate

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HE WELL® Spa, an award-winning luxury spa at Miramonte Resort & Spa by Destination Hotels & Resorts, marries two popular spa treatments for extra pampering in one visit. The “Pamper Me” special includes a customized 60-minute Maestro Massage and a 30-minute facial for $129 through April 2014.

techniques inspired by Tuscan living including therapeutic muds, wine extracts, pure essential oils, and refreshing waters.

For a complete list of treatments available at THE WELL, visit: www.miramonteresort.com/luxuryspa-resort/luxury-spa-services.php.

The relaxing Maestro Massage takes into consideration the various desires of each client for a catered massage. The therapist applies different pressure to focused areas of the body as requested. The refreshing 30-minute hydrating facial is ideal for all skin types and results in an improved complexion with brighter, healthier skin.

“These are the most requested spa

Health&Fitness

by Personal Trainer Karen Creasey

Water Aerobics is Great Exercise for Everyone

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here is a general misconception that water aerobics is suitable for only pregnant women and the elderly. But in all reality water aerobics, done right, can prove to be a very intense workout for all ages and fitness levels – even the professional athlete who needs to cross train. In fact, according to a March 2011 article in the International Journal of Sports Medicine, Water Aerobics has been shown

to provide many of the same benefits in terms of physical fitness as in land-based training programs.

There are a number of unique benefits to this form of exercise. It provides significant cardiovascular and strength training benefits due to the water’s built-in natural resistance to movement and hydrostatic pressure, while simultaneously providing added flexibility and ease on the joints.

In water aerobics water surrounds the exerciser during the entire exercise routine making resistance three-dimensional.

Depending on the force exerted, the speed of movement, and the surface area presented, the range of resistance obtained will adjust and add to the challenge of the workout.

Water exercise increases lung capacity as well, by forcing the lungs to work harder as a result of the waters hydrostatic pressure.

The pressure of the water on the chest wall during aquatic exercise opposes the muscles that expand the chest for breathing. With regular water exercise, this resistance can strengthen these muscles and subsequently enable intake of a greater volume of air when involved in land activities.

It is also well understood that being

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underwater provides a wider range of motion to the joints, which can in turn increase flexibility. Aquatic exercise provides a mode for performing difficult stretches that may not be as possible otherwise.

Water buoyancy reduces the “weight” of a person up to 90 percent.* This subsequently reduces the burden on stress-bearing joints and muscles. For this reason, water aerobics will less likely cause injury and muscle soreness. If you are having difficulty performing certain body movements on land, you may find relief when performing them underwater.

The Palm Desert Aquatic Center currently offers eleven water aerobic classes throughout the week. They range from shallow to deep, challenging to less strenuous, and early in the day to later in the evening. Try water aerobics to augment your current exercise regime or sign up for a beginning class. You will be pleasantly surprised by its effectiveness. www.pdpool. com Karen Creasey, Aquatics Manager and Personal Trainer. 760-565-7467 *According to the American Council on Exercise

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY Week of March 6

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Are you between jobs? Between romantic partners? Between secure foundations and clear mandates and reasons to get up each morning? Probably at least one of the above. Foggy whirlwinds may be your intimate companions. Being up-in-the-air could be your customary vantage point. During your stay in this weird vacationland, please abstain from making conclusions about its implications for your value as a human being. Remember these words from author Terry Braverman: “It is important to detach our sense of self-worth from transitional circumstances, and maintain perspective on who we are by enhancing our sense of ‘self-mirth.’”

Whimsy and levity can be your salvation, Aries.

Lucky flux should be your mantra.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): The renowned cellist Yo Yo Ma once came to the home of computer pioneer Steve Jobs and performed a private concert. Jobs was deeply touched, and told Ma, “Your playing is the best argument I’ve ever heard for the existence of God, because I don’t really believe a human alone can do this.” Judging from the current astrological omens, Taurus, I’m guessing you will soon experience an equivalent phenomenon: a transcendent expression of love or beauty that moves you to suspect that magic is afoot. Even if you are an atheist, you are likely to feel the primal shiver that comes from having a close brush with enchantment.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In my dream, I was leading a pep rally for a stadium full of Geminis.

“Your intensity brings you great pleasure,” I told them over the public address system. “You seek the company of people who love you to be inspired. You must be appreciated for your enthusiasm, never shamed. Your drive for excellence doesn’t stress you out, it relaxes you. I hereby give you license to laugh even louder and sing even stronger and think even smarter.” By now the crowd was cheering and I was bellowing. “It’s not cool to be cool,” I exulted.

“It’s cool to be burning with a white-hot lust for life.

You are rising to the next octave. You are playing harder than you have ever played.”

CANCER (June 21-July 22): “My old paintings no longer interest me,” said the prolific artist Pablo Picasso when he was 79 years old. “I’m much more curious about those I haven’t done yet.” I realize it might be controversial for me to suggest that you adopt a similar perspective, Cancerian. After all, you are renowned for being a connoisseur of old stories and past glories. One of your specialties is to keep memories alive and vibrant by feeding them with your generous love. To be clear, I don’t mean that you should apologize for or repress those aptitudes. But for now -- say, the next three weeks -- I invite you to turn your attention toward the exciting things you haven’t done yet.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): I recommend that you sleep with a special someone whose dreams you’d like to blend with yours. And when I say “sleep with,” I mean it literally; it’s not a euphemism for “having sex with.” To be clear: Making love with this person is fine if that’s what you both want. But my main point is that you will draw unexpected benefits from lying next to this companion as you both wander through the dreamtime. Being in your altered states together will give you inspiration you can’t get any other way. You won’t be sharing information on a conscious level, but that’s exactly the purpose: to be transformed together by what’s flowing back and forth between your deeper minds.

For extra credit, collaborate on incubating a dream.

Read this: http://tinyurl.com/dreamincubation.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): “One chord is fine,” said rock musician Lou Reed about his no-frills approach to writing songs. “Two chords are pushing it. Three chords and you’re into jazz.” I recommend his perspective to you in the coming weeks, Virgo.

Your detail-oriented appreciation of life’s complexity is one of your finest qualities, but every once in a while -- like now -- you can thrive by stripping down to the basics. This will be especially true about your

© Copyright 2012 Rob Brezsny

approach to intimate relationships. For the time being, just assume that cultivating simplicity will generate the blessings you need most.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You Librans haven’t received enough gifts, goodies, and compliments lately. For reasons I can’t discern, you have been deprived of your rightful share. It’s not fair! What can you do to rectify this imbalance in the cosmic ledger? How can you enhance your ability to attract the treats you deserve? It’s important that we solve this riddle, since you are entering a phase when your wants and needs will expand and deepen.

Here’s what I can offer: I hereby authorize you to do whatever it takes to entice everyone into showering you with bounties, boons, and bonuses.

To jumpstart this process, shower yourself with bounties, boons, and bonuses.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing,” wrote the Roman philosopher Marcus Aurelius more than 1,800 years ago. Is that true for you, Scorpio? Do you experience more strenuous struggle and grunting exertion than frisky exuberance? Even if that’s usually the case, I’m guessing that in the coming weeks your default mode should be more akin to dancing than wrestling. The cosmos has decided to grant you a grace period -- on one condition, that is: You must agree to experiment more freely and have more fun that you normally allow yourself.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): For the itch you are experiencing, neither chamomile nor aloe vera will bring you relief. Nor would over-the-counter medications like calamine lotion. No, Sagittarius.

Your itch isn’t caused by something as tangible as a rash or hives, and can’t be soothed by any obvious healing agent. It is, shall we say, more in the realm of a soul itch -- a prickly tickle that is hard to diagnose, let alone treat. I’m guessing that there may be just one effective cure: Become as still and quiet and empty as you possibly can, and then invite your Future Self to scratch it for you.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The world is awash in bright, shiny nonsense. Every day we wade through a glare of misinformation and lazy delusions and irrelevant data. It can be hard to locate the few specific insights and ideas that are actually useful and stimulating. That’s the bad news, Capricorn.

Here’s the good news: You now have an enhanced ability to ferret out nuggets of data that can actually empower you. You are a magnet for the invigorating truths you really need most.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): If you come up with an original invention, apply for a patent immediately. If you think of a bright idea, put it to work as soon as possible. If you figure out crucial clues that everyone else seems blind to, dispel the general ignorance as quickly as you can. This is a perfect moment for radical pragmatism carried out with expeditious savvy. It’s not a time when you should naively hope for the best with dreamy nonchalance. For the sake of your mental health and for the good of your extended family, be crisp, direct, and forceful.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In the 1997 film Austin Powers, International Man of Mystery, the lead character announces that “’Danger’ is my middle name.” Ever since, real people in the UK have been legally making “Danger” their middle name with surprising regularity. I think it would be smart fun for you Pisceans to add an innovative element to your identity in the coming days, maybe even a new middle name. But I recommend that you go in a different direction than “Danger.” A more suitable name might be “Changer,” to indicate you’re ready to eagerly embrace change. Or how about “Ranger,” to express a heightened desire to rove and gallivant?

Homework: What were the circumstances in which you were most dangerously alive?

FreeWillAstrology.com.

Rob Brezsny Free Will Astrology freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com

March 6 to March 12, 2014

Mind, body & Spirit

by Bronwyn Ison

PAY IT FORWARD T he phrase “Pay it Forward,” was coined and popularized in 2000.

The movie, Pay It Forward starring Helen Hunt and Kevin Spacey is inspirational.

A young boy is given a school assignment.

The assignment is as follows, how can he change the world? The boy initiates a chain of events when he develops a pay it forward concept. How would you pay it forward?

Offering to do something kind for someone else should come naturally. It should be consummated with a selfless spirit. The act of altruism should not be done with an attitude of “Look at me and what I have done for you.” Or, “Check me out!” Clearly this defeats the intent and the act of paying it forward loses its luster.

This concept has a deep and firm foundation in history. Ben Franklin loaned a friend, Benjamin Webb in 1784, some money with the intention of helping him out of a situation. Ben Franklin did not seek repayment but rather hoped Mr. Webb would help someone in need at a later date.

Paying it forward simply means: helping another person without ever seeking repayment or good deeds in return. Consider how many charitable organizations receive gifts or money by anonymous donors. This

is truly a selfless act. The organization or person does not expect any recognition.

They are giving from their hearts.

Do not misconstrue that you must give in the form of money. It could be as simple as opening the door for someone or allowing someone to go ahead of you in line because they are in a hurry. Therefore even if you do not have deep pockets it does not negate a simple act of kindness. How surprising would it be if you secretly treated the person behind you in line to their morning coffee? This simple act of kindness would be the beginning of a great day for someone.

The next time you recognize someone displaying kindness, reciprocate or wait for another opportunity. Fortunately you may have several chances throughout your day to give to another person. You will also notice how great you made the other person feel. Remember it is not about YOU! Act selflessly and your smile will be brighter and your heart will soar. How will you pay it forward today?

Bronwyn Ison is the Owner of Evolve Yoga. www.e-volveyoga.com (760)564-YOGA (9642) “WE are EVOLVING, EVOLVE with US!”

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March 6 to March 12, 2014

Life & career Coach

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

by Sunny Simon

Want to Change That Habit? Cue it Up.

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emember that old Lay’s potato chip commercial wagering you could not eat a single chip and walk away?

The slogan was, “Bet you can’t eat just one.”

Actually I could win that bet because I’m not a huge potato chip fan; however, a bag of buttered popcorn was once my undoing.

Whether it’s wasting too much time on social media, overindulging in your favorite Ben & Jerry’s treat or spending your downtime watching mindless TV, we all have soft spots requiring change. The key is learning how to break through the barriers preventing us from achieving our objectives. Obviously, if weight loss is one of your major goals you need to deal with how to approach that bag of crispy chips in your pantry. If the folks at Lay’s would win the bet, the answer appears simple. Remove the temptation completely and during future shopping excursions avoid the snack aisle. Yes, I know, it’s really not that easy but keep the faith. There may be a formula for learning to understand your cravings.

In his book, “The Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg, explains the key to eliminating your potato chip habit begins with recognizing the cue. Start by identifying what happens that drives you to rip open and dive into the

chip bag. Perhaps you find yourself in couch potato position at night and boredom sets in?

To break the monotony, you go to the snack cabinet and out march those tasty thin slices of fried spuds. The “cue” in this case was boredom, and the reward or answer to the cue is eating. Once you understand the cue, experiment with a different activity. Get off the couch, go for a walk, play with the dog or start on that project topping your “to do” list.

Changing your habits, especially those offering temporary contentment is not an easy feat. Perhaps the best answer for some is moderation. I fall into that group. There was a time when I could not fathom going to the movies without a hefty portion of buttered popcorn. Once I realized the cue was not hunger but the delicious aroma, I quickly bypassed the snack counter and headed for the theater. Now when I am truly hungry I buy a child-sized portion. At other times I forego the treat altogether. Admittedly, it had better be an engaging flick or boredom may drive me back to the concession stand. But if I’ve learned one thing from Duhigg’s principles, it’s how to recognize the cue.

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

beauty

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

by dr maria lombardo

Receive The Celebrity Secret Of Permanent Cosmetic Make-Up

Dr. Maria Lombardo, Lombardo Cosmetic Surgery is located in Rancho Mirage.

She specializes in both surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures including (but not limited to) facial, body and breast surgery, Botox, Latisse, and hCG diet program.

For a consultation or more information, visit www.lombardocosmeticsurgery.com or call 760-610-8990. Dr. Lombardo will be writing a bi-weekly column for CV Weekly.

Do You Know the Multiple Uses for Botox?

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y now almost everyone has heard of Botox. And most people know that it can be used to treat the “frown lines” between the eyebrows, or the “elevens” as it is sometimes referred to… but what other places on the face can Botox help?

Very often when we treat the frown lines we also treat the horizontal, forehead lines caused by raising your eyebrows up.

Treating both areas together gives a smooth appearance to the whole forehead as a unit.

Another commonly treated site is the crow’s feet at the sides of the eyes. These lines are formed by squinting. By using Botox in this area, we can smooth the appearance of the crow’s feet but we can also create a little brow “lift” which can open up the eyes and reduce that tired, heavy brow look. Some people even need a little Botox on the side of the nose to soften the “Bunny Lines” that happen when we crinkle up the nose while smiling or sometimes, frowning.

Surprisingly, Botox is not just for the upper face… the lower portion of the face can be treated too! The chin is a great place for Botox if you tense up and have a dimpled effect in that area. It’s referred to as a “golf ball chin” because it resembles the divots in a golf ball! Even the neck can be treated…

The platysma is a very thin muscle that runs from the jawline down to the chest and can be the cause of visible, vertical “bands” as

March 6 to March 12, 2014

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we age… This pulling from the platysmal bands can even accentuate the “jowls” of the face. Botox in this area can soften the pull and change the prominence of the jowls.

You can even use Botox around the mouth. In very small amounts, Botox can help with the vertical lines around the mouth. These are typically called “smoker’s lines” but non-smokers get them too.

Drinking from a straw or whistling can cause you to purse your lips and this can cause these lines to form. The corners of the mouth can be treated to reduce the frowning appearance that some have.

Call and make an appointment today to see if Botox is right for you: 760-610-8990

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