Coachella Valley Weekly - December 12 to December 18, 2013 Vol. 2 No. 38

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www.coachellavalleyweekly.com • December 12 to December 18, 2013 Vol. 2 No. 38

FASHION DESIGNER

ASTRELLA Follows Up Design Collaboration with

JOHN VARVATOS

with her own luxury line, "THE MUSICAL T'S"

John Coleman

pg 5

Toys For Tots

pg 20

Desert Chorale

pg 12

Sangre

pg 13

December 12 to December 18, 2013

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Coachella Valley Weekly

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com info@coachellavalleyweekly.com

760.501.6228

DEC. 18 AT 7 PM & DEC. 22 AT 3 PM

Indian Wells Theater, Cal State University San Bernardino - Palm Desert Campus Reserved Seating Tickets $40/$30 ONLINE at www.CaliforniaDesertChorale.org Group discounts available by calling and ordering from ticket hotline 760-346-4933 Tim Bruneau, Artistic Director / Dr. Denis Moreen, Principal Accompanist / Charles Herrera, Guest Tenor

Publisher & Editor Tracy Dietlin Art Director Robert Chance Sales Team Brian Michaelz, Woody Reppert Classified Manager & Nightlife Editor Philip Lacombe Features Writer Marissa Willman, Judith Sulkin, Denise Ortuno Neil, Heidi Simmons 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 Photographers Laura Hunt Little, Lani Garfield, Chris Miller/ Imagine Imagery Distribution Jim Fox Distribution/ William Westley, Rudy Mendez

Contents

Astrella ............................................. 3 Community - John Coleman.........5 LMS - House of Broken Promises....5 Don’t Be Clueless in the CV...........6 Events - Southwest Arts Fest.........7 Sports Scene..................................8 Sports.............................................9 Events- Toys For Tots....................10 Tat Talk - Jame Haun....................11 LMS - Desert Chorale...................12 LMS - Skitzo Attack.....................12 LMS - Beneath The Veil...............13 LMS - Sangre................................13 Consider This - Johnathan Rice...14 Pet Place.......................................16 The Vino Voice..............................17 Club Crawler Nightlife.................18 Pampered Palate ........................... 20 Screeners......................................22 Book Review.................................23 Haddon Libby: It’s All Local.........27 ShareKitchen................................27 Dale Gribow.................................28 Real Estate....................................28 It’s Your Nickel..............................29 Safety Tips....................................29 Gaemer Girl - XBOX One .............29 Find Food Bank............................30 Free Will Astrology......................31 Mind, Body, & Spirit.....................31 Life & Career Coach......................32 Beauty w/ Dr Lombardo..............32 Comics - Weiss Cracks..................34

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Astrella inc launches luxury t-shirt line

December 12 to December 18, 2013

By Tracy Dietlin Cover and photos by chris miller Taken at the Riviera hotel in palm springs

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uring my first interview, I sat down with Astrella, her husband Jason Rothberg (producer), Tommy Flanagan (“Chibs” on Sons of Anarchy), Rob Patterson (guitarist OTEP, Korn, solo projects),and Dean Karr (photographer of Astrella’s fashion shoot that day, for her soon to be released luxury T-shirt line, Astrella Inc).

The first chat took place at The Riviera Hotel in Palm Springs where CV Weekly photographer Chris Miller, would later do a photo shoot of our own for this week’s cover.

There were several hair and make-up people present bustling about while the interview took place as they had a busy day ahead of them and after the interview they would move on to another shoot at Bighorn in Palm Desert. The feeling in the room was one of family and camaraderie. Flanagan’s wife Dina and baby daughter were also present.

We might as well get a few facts about Astrella out of the way for our readers before we talk about her fashion line. She comes from the famous Leitch family with 60’s musician and rock and roll Hall of Famer, Donavan, for her father, and Ione Skye is one of her sisters (“Say Anything” fame). She was born in Beverly Hills, but spent much time abroad as her father is Scottish and she has a lovely accent you could listen to for days.

She has also had a successful music career as Astrella Celeste, but is currently focusing on her career as a fashion designer.

Astrella and Jason are a lovely couple, both very passionate about what they are doing. They sold their home in Beverly Hills and moved to Palm Springs 13 months ago.

They still own a home in Majorca, Spain, but consider this their main residence now. They have been together for 15 years and married for 13. We will get back to the interview with Tommy and Rob in a bit but now let’s talk about fashion…..

We move ahead 4 days later to our second interview at the Purple Palms Restaurant in Palm Springs where we meet Astrella and Jason for drinks, a nibble and an in depth chat about the launch of her luxury T-shirt line.

At the end of February Astrella Inc. will launch the Jazz & Blues Collection of highend, luxury T-shirts to be sold exclusively in upscale retail stores such as Bloomingdales, Barneys, Fred Segal’s and Neiman Marcus to name a few.

She is starting with a soft launch of just

5 artists that include; Billie Holiday, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis and John Lee Hooker. There will be a men’s and women’s design for each one with the exception of Billie, with both designs being for women.

Designs for Astrella’s luxury Musical T’s are based on Iconic album artwork (classic as well as current) and pairing the audio tracks associated with each specific album title. Buy the Cyndi Lauper “She’s So Unusual” Musical T and download the full album to any network device, portable or other.

Astrella takes great pride in her brand and assures only the best and most credible suppliers. All items are hand made in Hollywood and 100% organic cotton. Astrella’s Musical T’s are guaranteed luxury as she uses only the highest quality fabrics and creates her own unique patterns. Astrella currently holds licenses from many of the major and indie record labels, as well as a growing number of internationally known artists, with new agreements being signed weekly.

Come summer she will have about 20 different artists. “It’s taken about a year and a half to get all of the licensing and clearances from the record labels,” said Astrella.

Next up will be the Elton John and Cyndi Lauper collection, with both celebrating 40 year and 30 year musical anniversaries, respectively. T-shirts will feature the album covers for Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and She’s So Unusual and will launch about 4 weeks after the Jazz & Blues series.

After that? The Classic Rock Collection that will include Queen, The Who and others yet to be announced.

“There are a lot of people involved with the older iconic artists. A lot goes into trying to get all the clearances. Even with my Dad’s

stuff, he’s involved with 3 record labels so there’s so much red tape to go through just to get the licensing,” said Astrella.

They will also do a So Cal Collection including; Slightly Stoopid, The Vandals, Fishbone and 3 others that they can’t talk about yet. When deciding on which album covers to put on the T-shirts, Astrella says it’s not always the most popular album that the artist has put out, but the most visually stimulating cover that attracts a buyer when they walk into the store and see it.

There is much involved in the process to make this all happen. Astrella wants to protect the music and make sure the artists get paid.

“We recently went back through my Dad’s archives trying to clean up his history and we had to go through all the record labels and we got him inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and did things that needed to be done. The record labels back then had a lot of dysfunctional relationships with the artists because of the way they treated the artists.

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December 12 to December 18, 2013

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Community

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Now the artists are being taken advantage of by the fans who don’t even realize it because they’ve devalued music to such an extent with all the free downloads,” said Astrella.

“People don’t think twice about sharing the artists’ music for free and the artists not being compensated.”

“What this is going to do is bring a value to music again. We pay the artists, the mechanicals, the publishing, the photographer that took the photo on the front of the album cover. Everyone is getting paid.”

This of course has to take a bite into the profits but Astrella seems more concerned about doing the right things in the right way.

She won’t be farming any of her work out to China it will all be done in a factory down in LA using 100% organic materials.

“We decided that we’re willing to not make the full mark up and do the right thing.

It’s all possible. You can do the dye process without harming the environment. It’s like that “Inconvenient Truth” everything is about what’s the most convenient and the biggest buck and I get that, but when companies are making hundreds of millions of dollars a year a little morality could go a long way. We’re hoping to teach by example,” said Astrella.

It’s an interesting story how this all got started.

“Astrella was having great success starting her own line working with Varvatos and I was working with David Lynch at his non-profit record label,” said Rothberg. “I was producing a British Invasion show in Arizona and Jessie (Dylan, Bob’s son) was directing it. We were hoping to partner with Bloomingdale’s but when the President of the company, David Fisher, found out we weren’t going to do it inside the store they pulled the plug. On the way out of the meeting Fisher pulled one of Astrella’s T-shirts off the shelf, with her Dad on the front, and said ‘if you can get me anymore of these iconic t-shirts, she can have the whole display’. I said, ‘how about if we include music with it?’ and he said ‘no…every time I try to have CDs in here I end up sending half of them back.’ Then I said ‘CDs…who listens to CDs anymore? I’m talking about downloading the music onto the customer’s phone from the price tag.’ He got excited and told me if we could do that he was interested. So I went and told Astrella.”

“I said to Jason, ‘you just told my biggest client that we can give him something we don’t know how to do,’” said Astrella, remembering the panic she had in her voice when he told her.

So they went into action and half a million dollars later figured out how to make this all happen.

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December 12 to December 18, 2013

by heidi simmons

John Coleman: A Natural Artist

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“This is going to change the way people buy music and do retail,” said Rothberg.

“The give-away part of it with the QR codes is easy, it’s the making it a one-time thing where people get paid, that’s where it gets tricky…. and data capture and plugging it into Soundscan,” said Rothberg.

I asked Astrella if she plans on designing and including other pieces in her fashion line.

“John Varvatos has been a huge influence on me. I did my first T-shirts with him and he told me ‘stick with T-shirts, if you want to go into high-end fashion stick with something that people wear every day.’ Originally I was doing a lifestyle line with my father and we were going to do a much grander thing. The fashion that I was inspired by was much more eclectic and complicated. But it was John who sat me down and said ‘you can get into suits but how many suits are people going to buy in a year?’ I had to think of it that way because it’s very competitive.”

“There’s a whole fashion line coming down the road,” says Rothberg, who is extremely supportive of his wife. “This is just the beginning.”

Back to Interview Part 1: with Astrella, Tommy, Rob and Jason CVW: How did you get involved in Fashion?

Astrella: I got involved with fashion at a young age. My father was a very visual person and quite fashionable. I remember going to Morocco for the first time when I was 3 and was surrounded by textiles and colors.

My father was probably my biggest fashion influence.

I first started working in fashion with John Varvatos, who was doing rock icon t-shirts and was doing a couple of my father’s album covers.

CVW: How does putting out a fashion line differ from putting out an album?

Astrella: I think music and fashion really go hand in hand. With this project, I am able to bring them both together and I love that idea.

CVW: So how did it come about that

Tommy and Rob got involved?

Astrella: I’ve known Tommy for about 15 years and Jason and I have known Rob and Dean for years as well. When we decided to do the shoot for the t-shirt line I thought about using models but didn’t want it to be like everything else and so cookie-cutter. I wanted it to have a more organic, comfortable feel so I asked some of my friends to come on board. I wanted it to have more of a family feel to it.

Meanwhile I feel the need to let Tommy Flanagan know that he is my favorite character on my all-time favorite TV Show just so we have that out of the way! After all, having people like Tommy and Rob, along with musicians Poe and MC Lyte and model, actress Rachel Hunter (the girls did their shoot on another day) involved, helps bring attention to Astrella’s line.

CVW: (To Tommy) How much are you like your SOA character Chibs?

Tommy Flanagan: Well probably that he has compassion. I mean I know he’s not supposed to have it but I just thought he really should have some compassion.

CVW: Do you go back to Scotland often?

TF: Yes we went back last year.

CVW: I know you and your wife Dina have a baby that’s 21 months old. Do you have older kids?

TF: No CVW: What’s it like being a father for the first time later in life?

TF: It was planned but a big change.

But now that she’s up and moving around it’s fantastic and every day is a whole new adventure with her. One minute she was all wrapped up like a little burrito and now she’s running around like a little midget on crack.

CVW: So with Kurt Sutter killing off so many main characters including himself, on SOA are you concerned that (Chibs) yours might be next?

TF: I don’t really think about it. On one hand the show has run its course and on the other, there’s still lots of stories that could be told. I’m just along for the ride. We’ll see what happens.

CVW: You have a couple other projects you’re involved with can you talk about them?

TF: I’m doing a movie called Barking at Trees. It’s about an artist in London whose wife gets murdered. He’s a broken shell of a man and he has 2 teenage sons and he’s an

alcoholic and he’s trying to keep his family together. It’s heartbreaking. It’s not a movie that you go to with popcorn…more like a razor blade and a rope.

Astrella: It’s actually a very beautifully done movie and quite different from his Sons character.

TF: I love Son’s… I do… but it’s nice to do the show and then take a break and do other projects.

CVW: Do you ride a motorcycle yourself?

TF: Ya… I ride a BMW G1600 CVW: (to Rob Patterson) You’ve played guitar with OTEP and Korn. Do you still play with Korn?

Rob Patterson: NO. CVW: What are you working on now?

RP: I’ve been making a lot of electronic devices (laughter breaks out throughout the hotel room). I know it sounds weird but I got busted for computer hacking when I was 14 so technology and computers have been ingrained in me. I met this guy awhile back who’s an entrepreneur and he’s helping me get a couple of my electronic ideas off the ground. I’ve been working on music too and I’m planning on doing a solo album which I’ve been trying to do for the last 10 years but literally every time I go to start it some band calls me up and says ‘will you come work on this project’. I’ve got a bunch of songs that I’ve written. Actually Jason used one on the David Lynch project he’s working on.

Jason Rothberg: Ya, David started a nonprofit label to help fund transcendental meditation to youth and vets returning home with PTSD and we’ve been able to connect with a lot of artists that are TMers. That’s how a lot of us know each other is through TM. Astrella is actually a second generation TMer. Astrella’s pet charity is the David Lynch Foundation so a little piece of everything she makes goes to that.

In closing I asked Astrella if she had anything else to share.

“I’m a new company, I’m branding, I’m positioning and all of my investment is going into doing something positive, clean, crisp, and with a good conscience,” she said proudly.

Website: astrellainc.com Twitter: @Astrella_inc Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/ Astrella/128155147352106 Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/astrellainc

eading north bound on Palm Drive just after Two Bunch Trail, the clear wide sky and pristine shadowed hills of Desert Hot Springs become tangible on the exterior wall of the new Save-A-Pet Animal Hospital. Here a loyal German Shepard, a playful Orange tabby cat and a lumbering tortoise greet passers-by.

“So many people honk and wave,” said artist John Coleman. “It makes them happy and feel good.” Coleman has spent seven to nine hours a day for nearly three weeks painting the 68 by 23 foot wall.

With a generous bequest from Mary Kahn, Save A Pet, a non-profit organization, was able to purchase the building at 13700 Palm Drive for a new low-cost animal hospital. The convenient location is more accessible and allows Save A Pet

(SAP) the space to expand services, treat more animals and prepare dogs and cats for adoption.

The SAP “no-kill” animal shelter is still located at 67600 18th Avenue in Desert Hot Springs.

“The people at the hospital do a wonderful job,” said Coleman. “I’m in there and they are just amazing with the animals.” Coleman says the mural is not only for the hospital, but also for the community.

Coleman is donating his time for a cause he loves. “I paint wild life murals,” said Colman. “It’s emotional. I love all kinds of creatures. I hope it will touch people.” Colman specifically chose the German Shepard in honor of the DHS police department’s K-9 unit. Coleman owns an energetic mixed Jack Russell–Black Lab named Max. Born and raised in Reno, Nevada, Coleman

has been in the CV for two and half years. He started painting murals in 1994. Inspired by artist Robert Wyland’s marine life paintings, Coleman has painted large-scale wild life murals for schools, businesses, hospitals, private homes and an observatory.

One day, driving through town with his friend Veterinarian Paula Terifaj, owner of the Dog Spa Resort and Wellness Center, Coleman saw the blank wall. “I thought it would be ideal for a mural. Paula contacted Save A Pet and got the ball rolling,” said Coleman. “I did a sketch that Save A Pet liked and it went through to the Commission and was approved by the city.”

Coleman uses latex enamel house paint in a high-volume-low-pressure sprayer or HVLP to paint the sky, clouds, mountains and desert. “It covers quickly and is great for layering clouds,” said Coleman. “The technique makes an effect you can’t get any other way. The fuzziness creates distant for the mountains so the animals appear close-up and focused.” He painted the animals with a brush. SAP and Chris Walcott of Vista Paint in Cathedral City donated the paint.

The tortoise in the mural is SAP’s mascot,

Dozer. “His shell is as big as a man’s torso,” said Colman. “He probably weighs 100lbs.” The cat is probably a female. Coleman didn’t plan it that way but said, “A lot of things that happen in a mural the artist can’t control. The universe just kind of comes through and manifests whatever it manifests.”

Coleman is hoping SAP will sponsor a contest to name the dog and cat in the mural. “Hopefully it can bring an awareness to Save A Pet and bring the community together for a good cause.”

“My mission is to bring more outdoor art to the CV with the help of other artists and local youths,” said Coleman. “I think its great that artist can paint outdoors and everybody can share in it. I’ve done a lot of youth art projects where I’ve work with teenagers and taught them to paint murals. It’s always amazing to see what they can do. It’s nice to give them a chance.”

Coleman has enjoyed his time working on the mural. “I’ve learned a lot about the people in Desert Hot Springs while painting. It has a warmer and happier spirit than it is given credit for. People stop by and say Hello. They talk about the mural, tell me what a great job I’m doing. They are very encouraging,” said Coleman. “People are noticing and they go into the animal hospital. So it’s good.”

From marine life to wild life, natural landscapes to solar systems, Coleman enjoys what he does.

“Painting animals makes me feel good. I love painting. There is nothing that gives me more pleasure,” he said.

“Judy McAbee is the community development director for Save-A-Pet and none of this would have been possible without her direction, involvement and wonderful leadership,” said Coleman. “She’s the glue behind it all.”

Local Music Spotlight by robin linn

House Of Broken Promises

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f you like your music heavy, and you insist upon master musicianship.....you don’t want to miss House of Broken Promises featuring guitarist and frontman Arthur Seay, drummer Mike Cancino and bassist/vocalist Joe Mora. The presentation is fiery and the music is in your face....not for the faint of heart. My predisposition for

heavy music has made Arthur and Mike high up on my list of world class performers who have lived and played in the desert for a long, long time. House of Broken Promises has developed a distinctive sound all their own.

They are absolute showoffs.....therefore.... you can count on one hell of a show! You really just need to check them out and see for yourself. And, when you do....you will be asking yourself if you should believe what you are seeing and hearing in a tiny pub in Palm Desert? The band has been added to the lineup of Hellfest 2014. Hellfest is a huge heavy metal festival in France and this year’s lineup includes Soundgarden, Iron Maiden, Ozzy, Aerosmith, and more.

There is a lot to say about the careers that Arthur and Mike have carved out for themselves in hard rock.....which is why I am interviewing Arthur Seay this week. I want to pay respects to a band I love that has been laying it down, heavy style...since I arrived on the scene in the early nineties.

From Magic, to Unida, to House of Broken Promises, Arthur continues to make a huge impact on the desert music scene...and me!

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December 12 to December 18, 2013

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Don’t Be

CLUELESS IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY

EVENT CALENDAR

COMEDY NIGHT AT AZUL STARRING LA’S HOTTEST COMICS DECEMBER 14, 2013 Comedy Night at Azul Starring LA’s Hottest Comics announces its Saturday, December 14, show featuring comic stars CARLEASE BURKE of Showtime’s Shameless, ABC Family’s Switched at Birth and Fox’s The Mindy Project, CINDY BURNS, recently selected by Joan Rivers as the “Next Breakout Star”, and of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Oprah Winfrey Show and MATT MARR of the Hollywood Improv, The World Famous Comedy Store and Laugh Factory.

The pre-show starts at 6:30PM and the show begins at 7:30PM. With 44 sold-out monthly shows in a row, reservations are highly encouraged. Please call 760.325.5533. Cover, with advance reservations, for this great show is only $15 and $20 at the door. Azul is located at 369 N. Palm Canyon Drive in vibrant Downtown Palm Springs.

Palm Springs Writers Guild December Meeting/Program: Publisher Diana Lindsay “Bouncing Around in a Sea of Opportunity: How a Small Publisher Stays Afloat” On December 14 -2:00pm-4:00pm- The Rancho Mirage Library.

Meetings Are Open To Non-Members.

There is no charge for this event sponsored

by Palm Springs Writers Guild The Palm Springs Writers Guild’s monthly meeting and programs continue on Saturday, December 14 from 2:00pm -4:00pm at the Rancho Mirage Library.

The afternoon’s program will educate on the realities of Small Publishers. Regional Publisher Diana Lindsay’s program, “Bouncing Around in a Sea of Opportunity: How a Small Publisher Stays Afloat” explores and explains the realities of Small Publishers.

Regional publisher Diana Lindsay, president of Sunbelt Publications, shares her strategies of 40 years since her first book was published by Copley Books, a division then of the Union-Tribune Publishing Company. Diana will share her story of how as an author she joined the staff of Copley Books, and later formed her own company. She will explain the role of a publisher and why one book is selected over another. Recent industry changes will also be discussed.

In operation for over 30 years, Sunbelt has evolved from being primarily a

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wholesaler serving the major chain stores to the regional publishing and distribution house it is today. Sunbelt Publications is an award-winning press that produces and distributes natural science and outdoor guidebooks, regional histories, and stories that celebrate the relationship of land and its people. Sunbelt books help to discover and conserve the natural, historical, and cultural heritage of unique regions.

Diana Lindsay received her master’s degree in history and geography from San Diego State University. Her thesis was subsequently published as Our Historic Desert by Copley Books in 1973. She coauthored The Anza-Borrego Desert Region, a guidebook to the area published by Wilderness Press in 1978 now in its 5th edition. Anza-Borrego A to Z: People, Places, and Things was published in 2001.

She is also co-author of Jackpot Trail: Indian Gaming in Southern California. . Other works and forewords penned include; Marshal South and the Ghost Mountain Chronicles and Anza-Borrego: A Photographic Journey in 2008.

Diana’s most recent book published in 2012 is Ricardo Breceda: Accidental Artist, won several top awards in design, biography, and travel. She also created a laminated folded guide entitled Sky Art Metal Sculptures of Borrego Valley, CA. A companion e-book will be out in 2013.

Upcoming monthly Palm Springs Writers Guild monthly meetings/programs include; Stephanie Chandler, “Writing a Reality Novel, The Grammar Game, Desert Writers Expo and the Annual Day of New Works.

HARD ROCK HOTEL PALM SPRINGS TO HOST OPEN CASTING CALL FOR THE CW’S HIT SHOW “AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL” Casting Call set for December 15th from 11am – 2pm The new Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs will host The CW Network’s “America’s Next Top Model” open casting call on Sunday, December 15th from 11:00am to 2:00pm.

Casting directors for the hit show led by supermodel Tyra Banks are looking for females and males, ages 18 to 27, of diverse backgrounds, shapes, sizes and with a minimum height requirement of 5’6” tall for women and 5’10” tall for men. Candidates are asked to visit www.kesq.com for casting information and applications.

In this latest series, male models will once again be added to the group of contestants competing for the title of AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL. Viewers will also continue to have a direct impact on

the competition by voting for their favorite models though social media, helping decide who gets eliminated and who stays in the running to becoming AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL. The contestants will vie for a prize package that will launch their modeling careers.

The Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs offers 163 luxury guest rooms, a buzzing pool scene with DJs spinning every weekend, plus excellent dining and a laid back vibe.

The resort also offers a groundbreaking, interactive amenity “The Sound Of Your Stay®,” where guests can rock out with hands-on music experiences. Other musicinspired amenities include a VIP Rock Star Suite, Rock Spa® set to open in late December, a Body Rock® workout facility, and the world-famous Rock Shop® featuring Hard Rock’s iconic, collectible merchandise.

The LGBT Community Center of the Desert (The Center) is pleased to announce the return of Ruff Nite, a social event and fundraiser designed for LGBT pet-owners plus their supporters.

The event will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 18, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., at Oscars Café & Bar, located at 125 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way in Palm Springs.

This fun-filled evening will include a walk down the “green carpet”, a photo opportunity with Santa PAWS, a pet costume contest, drink specials, and a raffle including pet products and services.

A $5 suggested donation or pet food donation is requested with proceeds going to the NestEggg Food Bank at The Center.

The Palm Springs Animal Shelter will bring several canines available for adoption, and people can learn about The Center’s Lend a Paw Program to become volunteer foster parents while dogs and cats wait for new adoptive parents.

Ruff Nite was originated by Dennis Thomas, who represents My Perfect Pet’s Dine with Your Dog program at Oscars Café & Bar - a menu of healthy natural pet foods served up with flair. My Perfect Pet offers human-grade food which is prepared by certified food handlers using the same FDA standards as restaurants and commercial kitchens. It is natural & holistic, made with

fresh, whole food”.

For additional information: Call The Center at 760-416-7790 2nd Annual SANTA PAWS 5K RUN/ WALK TO BENEFIT GUIDE DOGS OF THE DESERT Spread the cheer-Santa Claus is coming to town! Join us for the 2nd Annual SANTA PAWS 5K, Saturday, December 21st in Palm Springs-BENEFITTING GUIDE DOGS OF THE DESERT. Awesome fun event -Santa suit, event shirt, Santa photo, goodie bag and milk and cookies at the finish line. Run solo or as a team-medals 3 deep in 5 year age categories, team trophies, dog prizes and more. Pet adoption on-site by Bandit’s Pet Rescue. Runner, walker, stroller and doggie friendly event. Elf Dash for kids! Make this your family’s new holiday tradition.

Register today at www.racewire.com or www.active.com. Race capped at 1,000.

Sign up today! For more info call Molly Thorpe 760-413-6508.

Saturday December 21st, 2013 9AM at Mizell Senior Center, 480 Sunrise Way, Palms Springs (Corner of Sunrise and Ramon Rd).

Entry Fee: $35.00. $40.00 on race day, as available.

“Litters”-Teams of 6 or more run tethered for $30.00 per runner. Awards to the top three teams. Special Trophy for the Most Tethered Runners.

Elf Dash $5.00 10yrs and under. Includes Elf hat, holiday button and special treat!

Dash is after Santa Run at approx. 10:30.

Early Packet Pick-Up Friday December 20th at Running Wild 611 S. Palm Canyon 11AM-6PM Race Day Registration begins at 7:30AM. Plenty of free parking is available.

Last year over 400 Santas took off from the Mizell Center in Palm Springs for a 5K Run/Walk/Stroll. A great time was had by all including the team from Running Wild who tied themselves together with a long strand of tinsel garland. They called themselves a Santapede. This year more Santas, a Team category and an Elf Dash.

Don’t be shy, come on out, it’s great holiday fun!

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28th Annual 2014 Southwest Arts Festival® Poster Unveiled at Kick-Off Event

he Indio Chamber of Commerce recently unveiled the 28th Annual 2014 Southwest Arts Festival® Poster at the Chamber offices. Chamber members and board members, local business owners, media and the public attended. This was an exciting event for fans of the Southwest Arts Festival® who have collected the posters for years. Every year, when a new poster is unveiled, they add it to their collection. The 2014 Southwest Arts Festival® is being held January 24, 25, and 26, 2014. Celebrating its 28th Anniversary, the Festival will once again be at the beautiful Empire Polo Club in Indio.

The 2014 Posters are available for $35 at the Indio Chamber office at 82-921 Indio Boulevard, Indio. Phone number is: 760-3470676. Previous year posters are also available priced at $10.

Nancy Egan of San Clemente and La Quinta is the 2014 Festival Poster Artist.

Her oil on canvas, “MOMA Les Desmoiselles d’Avignon,” part of her Museumscape collection, is the 2014 Festival’s signature poster. “My Museumscapes are about who is looking at a piece of art. They are younger and edgier than traditional work,” says Egan, a mechanical and industrial engineer for thirty years before turning to painting fulltime. Egan’s work is shown at a number of galleries including Laguna Beach, Litchfield Connecticut, and San Juan Capistrano.

“The jury deliberated for hours to select the perfect piece that is indicative of our diverse artists and depicts the vibrancy of the Southwest Arts Festival®,” explains Joyce Donaldson, IOM, President/CEO of the

December 12 to December 18, 2013

At Indio Chamber of Commerce. 500 Artist Signed Posters On Sale Now

Indio Chamber of Commerce. “This piece is modern, illustrating that the Festival is not about Southwest Art any longer. We have progressed to a Festival whose name reflects its geographical location.”

The Artist was on hand during the unveiling at the Chamber offices, personally signing 500 posters that are available for sale.

“The Indio Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to offer this striking poster, as it will make a remarkable addition to any office, living space or personal collection. The posters have a history with collectors dating back to 1987,” explains Donaldson. Posters are $35 and available at the Indio Chamber at 82-921 Indio Blvd. in Indio.

This coming year, over 250 acclaimed artists will show traditional, contemporary and abstract fine works of art. The Festival is a major internationally recognized cultural event. The Festival’s reputation for first-class quality and professional integrity make it one of the finest throughout the country. As the Indio Chamber’s largest annual fundraiser, the chamber is exceptionally fortunate to have over 150 community leaders and volunteers contributing numerous hours to make certain that the Festival is successful.

For information visit: www.southwestartsfest.com Phone: 760-347-0676 Follow the Festival on Facebook at http:// www.facebook.com/SouthwestArtsFestival About the Indio Chamber of Commerce The Indio Chamber of Commerce was recently awarded a 4 Star-Accreditation designation from the U.S. Chamber of

Commerce. This prestigious honor puts the Indio Chamber among the top 3% of chambers nationwide. Of the nearly 7,000 chambers in the United States, the Indio Chamber is one of 222 chambers that have received this designation for its sound policies, effective organizational procedures and positive impact on the community.

The Indio Chamber of Commerce is a 501 C (6) non-profit organization. It is dedicated to the promotion, quality of life and enhancement of a growing population of 80,000 residents. Community Unity is clearly evident by the dedication of the Chambers 400+ members that partner with the Chamber to present a vibrant business community. The Chamber provides a comprehensive Business Resource Center

that assists potential new and existing businesses in addition to a large welcoming visitor center that meets and greets 50 guests each day, and fields hundreds of inquiries each month.

Indio is the largest city in the Coachella Valley with a growing population of 80,000 residents and is known internationally for its many festivals and a host of highly acclaimed events that bring culture, art, music, sports, entertainment and a variety of cuisine to thousands of visitors each year.

The Indio Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center continues to extend its efforts to assist the local business community, thereby strengthening the local economy.

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December 12 to December 18, 2013

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sports scene

by Julie Buehler

sports

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December 12 to December 18, 2013

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

The Best Place To Be Is Anywhere But First

Tiger to beat Jack? Not according to Vegas.

T

T

he 16-0 New England Patriots set the 2007 NFL season a blaze with new records, scorching previously held highs and were approaching a perfect season in Glendale, Arizona for Super Bowl XLII. Tom Brady and Wes Welker and Randy Moss and some other dudes no one remembers because they played on the other side of the ball and were taking on the 10-6 New York Giants who earned a trip to the playoffs as a 5 seed by default. The NFC was incredibly weak that year, or so pundits thought, with only 4 teams achieving 10-win status.

In contrast, the AFC, boasted the defending Super Bowl champions Indianapolis Colts at 13-3 that lead a division with 3 10+ win teams, the AFC North had 2 playoff teams with 10+ wins, a newly “Norved” San Diego team that won the West at 11-5 and the only team in NFL history to go 16-0.

The AFC had more inflated egos than the White House, except had good reason. Enter the New York Giants, who promptly stunned the nation on February 8, 2008 by beating the, then 18-0, Patriots 17-14.

The 2011 Packers were a studly team.

Led by MVP Aaron Rodgers, they were doing something most teams don’t dream of: vying for back-to-back titles. Yup, they had eeked into the 2010 playoffs as a 6-seed, only got in because they faced a slightly (by .075) tougher schedule than the Giants or Buccaneers, and they couldn’t even beat the Chicago Bears for a division title. All they did was hit the road in the playoffs to beat Philly by 5, they smoked Atlanta by 27 in the divisional round and beat the Bears, in Chicago, for the NFC Championship on their way to a Lombardi trophy in Dallas. Unlikely as that was in 2010, their season in 2011 was shaping up to be something every Cheese Head salivates over. A 15-1 season secured the Packers the 1-seed, home field advantage through the playoffs and in many pundits’ minds, a trip to Indianapolis for another Super Bowl for Titletown. Unfortunately, the New York Giants, who, at 9-7, only earned a 4-seed because their division was Kleenexthin, ended up hammering Rodgers with a running attack and pass rush and sent the Packers, well, packing.

I could tell you about the 2004 15-1 Steelers getting bounced in the AFC title game to the Patriots, the 2005 14-2 Colts

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who couldn’t get past the Steelers in the divisional game, the 2006 Chargers who went 14-2 and got beat at home in their first playoff game, the 2010 Patriots who were 14-2 but upended by the New York Jets and many more top seeded teams that had managed to navigate the murky waters of an NFL season with only 1 or 2 losses and were unable to win the final game of the season.

In fact, the last 1 seed to win a Super Bowl was the New Orleans Saints in 2009, before that, the Patriots in 2003.

Seems the best place to start the playoffs isn’t at the top, but somewhere in the middle if you want to win the Super Bowl.

Other than 2009 when the Saints, the 1-seed, and the Colts, also a 1-seed, went head-to-head, you’d have to go all they way back to Buffalo Bills relevance to find an occasion that the two 1-seeds competed for a title. That’d be 1993.

Many prognosticators predicted the Broncos and Seahawks would meet at this year’s Super Bowl in New York, and current standings have each team as their respective conference’s 1-seed.

Will they fall victim to the curse of the 1-seed or can Peyton lead another team to the world’s biggest stage against a franchise looking for it’s first title ever?

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.

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iger Woods still has Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 major wins in his sights, even though he has not been able to add to his own tally of 14 for five years.

Woods, 37, once looked like a lock to sail past Nicklaus’ mark and set new standards in the sport but after he returned from injury to win the 2008 his career hit a crossroads as his well-documented marital infidelities came to light.

He appears to have turned the corner in 2013, working his way back to the world number one ranking, but he has done so without adding to his long list of major wins.

While Woods admits he has got some of the power from his game with age, he believes his experience brings its own benefits, and points to the examples of others in insisting he can win big again.

“A lot of golfers peak in their 30s,” he said in an interview with CNN. “You start eliminating mistakes as you get older. I might not bomb it as far, but strategic awareness improves. You understand how to attack the golf course and that’s why there are so many great players - Ben Hogan for instance, won most of his majors at my age and over. For Jack Nicklaus it took him until he was 46.

“You are going to have your years when you play really well - you may clip two or three - and then you have years when you just don’t win anything. You are there, you just don’t happen to win - quite frankly, since 2008, I’ve been there with a chance to win about a half of them. I just haven’t seemed to have won one.”

His best chance of adding to the list perhaps came at the Open Championship at Muirfield this summer as he kept himself in contention all week, but then faded miserably on the final round.

His disappointment still festers, and he has singled out a key moment on the Saturday as the moment his futures changed.

“At the Open on Saturday at the 17th I just spun one up in the air and it ended up in the bunker. I blasted out, made bogey, Lee Westwood made birdie so there was a big shift there,” he said. “I’ve been there with chances to win - I just haven’t done it yet.” Stated Tiger in the closing press conference.

Vegas has all the odds on this year’s PGA tour, including a host of Tiger specials. Golf fans can bet on whether Tiger wins a major this year (no, 8/15, yes, 11/8), or on how many majors he wins this season (none, 4/11, one, 2/1, two, 12/1, three, 40/1, and four, 100/1) We can tell from these numbers above, Vegas believes Tiger will NOT win a major this year with bettors having to major $11.00 to bring back only $4.00. A closer look into the Tiger crystal ball is the odds for where Tiger Woods will complete his 15th major win (assuming he ever wins another one). The odds are as follows: 2013 US Masters, 6/1; 2013 US Open, 10/1; 2013 British Open, 12/1; 2013 US PGA, 11/1; Any 2014 Major, 7/2; Any 2015 Major 5/1; 2016 or after, 11/8.

My prediction – The fields are more competitive than ever. He’s lost the difference making mojo that once carried him. Tiger may win at Augusta, however if he does not, it will be another Major-less season for the once dominate playboy.

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December 12 to December 18, 2013

events

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

By Denise Ortuno Neil

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the business next door to thrive as well as growing their own business. The promotion worked and they’ve been having success with the event ever since, it is a winning situation for everyone involved. “It popped off crazy the first time, so why not keep doing it,” said Wood.

Wood came to the Palm Springs area from San Francisco after a brief time in Las Vegas. He has a background in the nightclub industry and managed the popular Rain nightclub in Las Vegas, before coming to the previous Rain nightclub location at Morongo Casino in Cabazon. It is Woods background in promoting and nightclub that helps make the toy drive such a success.

U.S. Marines Toys for Tots has been helping unfortunate children enjoy the

December 12 to December 18, 2013

by phil lacombe

James Haun from adornment

Toys for Tots Toy Drive at Tg Tattoo

oliday giving meets party time when Tg Tattoo in Cathedral City conducts a toy drive for Toys for Tots on Friday, December 13th, in association with The Outpost Tavern.

The Tattoo Gallery is in their 5th year of business as a premier tattoo shop in Cathedral City, providing the best in tattoo services by expert artists. “We have a crazy awesome staff, our team is super solid,” says Tg Tattoo owner Sean Wood. The shop is sponsoring their 3rd Annual Toys for Tots Drive at their neighboring bar, The Outpost Tavern.

WWood explains that the shop got involved with doing the toy drive in part to not only help in the charity itself, but also was a marketing tactic to help out

tat talk

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holiday season for over 20 years. The nonprofit charities goal is to benefit kids in local communities who otherwise may not get gifts, have the opportunity to have a toy for Christmas. The organization encourages the public to donate a new, unwrapped toy to be later distributed to children. The Foundation has collected tens of millions of toys throughout the years.

The Tg Tattoo Toys for Tots toy drive will be happening on Friday, December 13th from 10pm to midnight. To participate, just drop

by Tg Tattoo and donate a new unwrapped toy, or a $10 donation. Participants will receive entrance to The Outpost Tavern next door, where they will enjoy an open bar and music by D.J. Smoke 1, sponsored by Tg Tattoo. People, who don’t wish to partake in the nights festivities, can still deposit a toy at the shop in the Toys for Tots box for the charity. All proceeds benefit Toys for Tots.

The holiday season is in full gear, and with December 25th right around the corner , time is of the essence to give to those in need. For every child that gets an abundance of toys this year, there are many who won’t receive even one. The Tg Tattoo event at The Outpost Tavern for Toys for Tots, helps to give those children not only a physical gift for this holiday, but also gives them the belief that people in their community care and that they are not alone, perhaps the most precious gift of all.

For more information visit www.tgtattoo.com

What style of tattooing do you enjoy the most: My favorite styles of tattooing are color realism and organic/biomechanical.

Who inspires you to tattoo: There are so many people who inspire me to tattoo, but I’ll try and keep it short; Aimee Haun, my awesomely creative daughter, Guy Aitchison, Mike Devries, and a local tattoo artist Temo Aldrete. He’s also a wizard with a spray can and a good friend of mine. He’s constantly coming up with new fresh ideas that keep the creative fire under my ass.

If you could tattoo anywhere in the world where would you go: Where would I go? Hmmmm I’m thinking, ANYWHERE IN EUROPE WOULD BE IDEAL!

N

ame: James Haun Where you tat: I currently tattoo at Adornment in Palm

Springs.

Why you started tattooing: When I was 15 years old I got a tattoo by a girl who was also 15 and I remember seeing her “kitchen magician” tattoo setup and thinking to myself ‘wow I could do that.’ Turns out I was right. After a very short apprenticeship I started in a shop and that was almost ten years ago.

Tell me your favorite tattoo story about one of your clients: I once had a customer who needed money and came by the shop and let me take the shop taser to his man parts for a generous donation of $60!!

James Haun 760- 501-5540 Adornment 2825 e. Tahquitz canyon way #109 palm springs ca 92262

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

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Produced by The Los Angeles Women's Theatre Project:

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December 12 to December 18, 2013

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Local Music Spotlight

Local Music Spotlight photos & article by Scott pam

A Christmas Present from the Skitzo Attack California Desert Chorale C

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ach December, lovers of Christmas music from all corners of the Coachella Valley flock to the California Desert Chorale’s holiday concert… a Christmas present that brings joy to everyone.

This year, the Chorale presents “Handeling The Holidays,” a festival of traditional Christmas favorites, glorious selections from Handel’s “Messiah” and other special treats guaranteed to make your season bright.

The foremost mixed-voice chorus in the Coachella Valley, CDC is a 70-voice ensemble directed by music master Tim Bruneau. As

in previous years, this distinguished musical group will be supported by an orchestra, superb soloists and principal accompanist Denis Moreen.

The Chorale presented its first holiday concert on Sunday. Two dates remain to make your spirit soar: December 18th and 22nd at the Indian Wells Theater on the Cook Street Campus of Cal State San Bernardino-Palm Desert.

Don’t delay… get your tickets today, at

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californiadesertchorale.tix.com. For further details, go to californiadesertchorale.org.

Group discounts are available by calling the ticket hotline (760) 346-4933.

The California Desert Chorale exists to bring joy to singers and audiences alike by providing a wide variety of choral and other inspiring vocal musical performances designed to entertain, educate and enrich the diverse audiences of Southern California’s desert communities.

Diversity is a major key for the Chorale. Its members are male and female, straight and gay, all religions and races, highly educated and still in college. They are pastors, military veterans, doctors, lawyers, teachers and practitioners of every profession and trade imaginable. What’s more, members range in age from 20 to 85…a remarkable 65year span. Choral singing is one of the rare activities where the attributes of youth and age are valued equally.

CDC is a hearty mix of professional and amateur singers. Members are auditioned and come to the ensemble with extensive choral experience. Among the singers are interns selected from the outstanding singer-musicians at College of the Desert.

“Handel-ing the Holidays” features the most magnificent music from Handel’s “Messiah,” delightful Christmas medleys of your favorite holiday songs, plus “Gesu Bambino” (Pietro Yon), “White Christmas” (Irving Berlin), “If We Only Have Love” (Jacques Brel), “Sweet Heavenly Light” (Tim Bruneau), and Chanukah favorites “Ya Ba Bom” (Maurice Gold) and “Chanukah in Santa Monica” (Tom Lehrer) 2013 is the California Desert Chorale’s 20th year of bringing choral music excellence to our community. Be there to celebrate with them.

alling on their roots in heavy metal, grunge, hip-hop, punk and funk, Skitzo Attack has created their own niche in the realm of rock. With followers around the world and over 36 live performances under their belts at some of the larger venues in Southern California, they are getting the attention of those looking for a sound that is fresh and unique.

All three members of the band are selftaught, learning their respective instruments through experimentation and copying what they heard from their favorite musicians.

Through each of their songs, elements of their favorite artists can be heard, from Eddie Vedder, Les Claypool to Incubus and Dime Bag Darrell.

Jonathan Sweetnam, the guitar player, lead vocalist, and primary songwriter, started listening to hip-hop and then discovered the melodic roots of rock. Sweetnam started out on drums and learned to play the guitar from YouTube videos. “I pretty much taught myself how to play guitar from the Internet. I found a bunch of singing lessons there too. I just started cranking away at that and singing in the shower,” he said.

Sweetnam song writing combines these various roots into powerful lyrics. “Wake Up”, the first song they wrote together as a band, blends the elements of hardcore metal, funk, punk, and hip hop with an incredibly fast drum beat.

Jay Bird, the band’s bassist, uses techniques and effects that many guitar players use and creates an original sound for the bass lines in the songs. “Jay Bird Scratch” showcases Jay’s style and technique in building his part of the song. He also recalls many of the records that his cousin played for him that gave him his roots in rock. Jay also gives credit to the Looney Tunes for “Hungarian Rhapsody”, a tune he learned as one of his first songs on classical guitar.

Jay and Jon met at The Warehouse, a record store that was in Palm Springs, when they were 17. They started playing together in a few different bands about ten years ago, including The Drops, before Skitzo Attack was formed.

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Local Music Spotlight

Local Music Spotlight

Beneath The Veil

SANGRE

by Eric the red (eric robertson)

ardcore, Deathcore, Math Metal, Djent. There are a lot of names being thrown around the metal scene that can be used to classify bands.

Preferring to be categorized as Deathcore, Beneath The Veil is the epitome of ferocity.

With down-tempo, syncopated rhythms and vocals that would terrify a yeti, Beneath The Veil is staking their claim in the evergrowing metal landscape of Southern California.

Consisting of Sabir Alili handling the vocal duties, Jordan Russell and Mychal Wright on guitars, Jake Kelly hammering out the face smashing drum lines and Joey Arrey on the bass, Beneath The Veil began playing the Corona, CA music scene back in 2008.

Since then, they have worked relentlessly at their art and built an impressive following.

When asked what their practices were like, Jake said, “It really kind of depends on what we’re preparing for. If we’re practicing just to practice, then for the most part we’re all just buddies and we’re jamming around, but if we’re practicing to get tight for an upcoming tour or we need to get tight for a really big show we’re about to play, we take it as seriously as we can. We don’t like to fool around. We like to just get to the point and we play the same songs probably about 7 times before we say we’ve got it done, and we make sure that we play it perfectly for the majority of those 7 times.” This steadfast work ethic is what has garnered the respect and fan base that they have today.

On the subject of the shows, I was curious to find out how the band gauges their success, so I asked what qualifies as a good show for them. The band states, “It’s completely how energetic the crowd is. I have to say, we’ve played in front of over 7,000 people, and we’ve played the main stage at The Grove to a sold out show, and I still think my favorite show we’ve ever played was a house show that maybe 50 people showed up to, and we were all inside this tiny room and everyone was dancing. It

by Eric the red (eric robertson)

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“We started playing in the garage, and we had a drummer who didn’t want to play our first gig and his musical influence was more along the dubstep lines,” said Sweetnam. “He got stage fright and we were not on the same path musically anyway.” They had a few more drummers come through the door. “We were the Spinal Tap of drummers. Then God sent us Ethan.”

Ethan Olsen, the drummer, originally started playing guitar and remembers his first song on guitar, “Freefalling”, by Tom Petty.

Olsen joined the band recently. “I got fired from a job and had nothing to do, so they asked me if I wanted to play drums, and I said, ‘Sure, why not?’” In each of the songs, Olsen’s drumming on the bass drum is super-fast, sounding like he is playing a double bass kit.

Three days after Olsen joined, the band had their first gig at The Red Barn, in July of 2012. Soon after, the bookings started coming in. Skitzo Attack has played at many of the local venues here in the desert including Schmidy’s Tavern, Dillon’s Roadhouse, Palm Canyon Roadhouse and multiple private parties. The have also performed at The House of Blues and seven times at the Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles.

Catch Skitzo Attack, Dec. 12, 2013. 10PM at The Hood, 73850 Hwy 111, Palm Desert. soundcloud.com/skitzo-attack www.facebook.com/skitzo.attack For bookings: skitzoattack@yahoo.com (760) 464-5716

December 12 to December 18, 2013

was just a great time.” I feel that this is truly a statement that shows just how humble and hardworking this band is, that they consider what most larger bands would consider a waste of time, one of their best shows to date.

While listening to their tracks, their music reminded me of bands such as The Acacia Strain, Volumes and Impending Doom. When asked where they drew their inspiration, it was no surprise that the band stated, “There’s a handful of bands, but we all kinda draw our own inspirations. Just to name a few bands, there’s Meshuggah, we really, really enjoy Meshuggah. We really enjoy this band called Monsters that we based a lot of our writing styles off of. We base a lot of our writing styles off of our buddy band, Sworn In, and also Frontline, while they were around.” Utilizing famous bands, as well as their friends for influence, Beneath The Veil has the capability to skyrocket to the top of the Deathcore genre.

Come down to 51672 Calle Torres Orduno in Coachella on Dec 14th and catch Beneath The Veil with Skies Like Scrolls, Omerta, Facelift, Vulgar, Swine // Overthrow and Kalashnikov X Culture X. The show is $4 at the door and is all ages. Also check out Beneath The Veil on Facebook at facebook. com/BTVCC for tracks and music videos.

’ve been handed, for the second time, an interview that I am completely ecstatic about. This week, I had the great privilege to interview Henry Sanchez, the vocalist for Sangre. These guys were playing metal when I was still in grade school. From Sanchez, I got the lowdown on the band’s favorite venues, what they consider their greatest accomplishments and biggest challenges, and how they feel about social media, as they prepare to play the “Merry Metal Christmas” show on Friday, Dec 13th with Remnants of Man and Drop The World.

On the subject of social media, which many bands feel is the most important tool aside from their musical instruments, Sanchez has an interesting view. “It’s a great tool for added exposure, but you must utilize it. Work all the angles, all formats and outlets. There’s still work to be done.

You can’t depend on it to make you though, it won’t promote you on its own. You need to put in work. Don’t forget the streets and word of mouth is just as important. Too many bands rely on the internet and you just can’t. Find the right audience, build a real fan base, and don’t use generators to get fake likes or views. Look at the recent YouTube controversy, record labels paying for false video views. Keep it real!” Valuable advice from someone who has been promoting his band since before Facebook, Youtube or any other form of social media even existed. Bands must learn to promote themselves, rather than rely on the internet to do it for them.

With unending promotion, and massive tours, you’d think that the band has moved beyond most challenges that could arise.

That is not the case. When asked what he felt their biggest challenge has been, he stated, “Probably trying to one up ourselves every year by going bigger and better than the previous year’s events. For example over the years we went from small bars to bigger bars to small venues and bigger venues and then started to hit the road playing nearby states, then in 2008, we did our first multi-state tour, got an apprentice sponsorship from Jägermeister in 2009, did a couple more states touring and by the end of that year became a fully sponsored Jägermeister band. In 2010 we were asked to play the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival on the Jägermeister stage, opening for Hatebreed, Chimaira, Lamb Of God, Korn, Rob Zombie and more. Toured even more, and got picked up for a major tour with Brujeria in 2011 that hit the southwest and Mexico. In 2012, we got asked to play Rockstar Mayhem Festival again, this time opening for Slayer, Anthrax, Motorhead, and more! Did our first U.S. Tour in 2012 playing small venues, then in 2013 got asked to join Grammy award winning Mexican band MOLOTOV on the Jägermeister Music

U.S. Tour. This time we played major venues all over the nation to sellout crowds.” After hearing this, it’s understandable how the biggest challenge the band faces is outdoing itself! “And now with 2014 approaching what do we do next? South America?

Europe? We’ll see...” Sanchez concluded.

Having completed rigorous touring and MASSIVE shows, you might think that the bands greatest accomplishment would be landing a Jägermeister Tour, but Sanchez had a more profound accomplishment in mind. “I definitely think surviving and thriving for 15 years as a metal band is a pretty big accomplishment, especially with no label backing/help. We have to thank Jägermeister for believing in us, bringing us into their music family and giving us great opportunities (Mayhem Fests, U.S. Tour).” I was curious, though, to see what Sanchez’s “dream show” would be. So I asked him, if he could set up any show, with any bands, at any venue, who would he want to play and where. He said, “Wacken Open Air Festival, playing with Slavyer, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Metallica, At The Gates, Carcass, Alice In Chains, Deftones, In Flames, Gojira, Lamb Of God, Tool, Suicidal Tendencies, and a (reunited) Sepultura. That would be amazing!” Looking at Sangre’s past, and their drive and determination to continue playing music, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Sangre playing Wacken, or any other major festival, within the next couple years.

Make sure to catch Sangre when they play the Merry Metal Christmas show, thisFriday, Dec 13th, at the Date Shed in Indio, along with Remnants of Man and Drop The World.

The show is 21+ with no cover at the door.

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December 12 to December 18, 2013

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

by Eleni P. Austin

JONATHAN RICE

I

t’s hard to believe Jonathan Rice is 30 years old. This kid has the best of both worlds, his fresh-faced countenance means he will probably spend the next ten years being carded at bars, but his youthful appearance belies a lifetime of experience.

Jonathan Rice was born in Virginia to Scottish parents. His youth was split between Alexandria and Glasgow. By his teen years, Rice was obsessed with music, everything from Gram Parsons and the Pixies, to Neil Young and the Zombies.

At age 18, Rice announced that he wanted to make music his career. Luckily he had been befriended by Chris Keup, a Washington, D.C. musician who owned the tiny Grantham Dispatch record label. Keup assisted Rice in recording Heart And Mind, a self-released EP. In 2001, Rice’s Parents reluctantly allowed him to move to York City. A bargain was struck, he had a year to secure a contract with a major recording label, or he would return to Virginia and go to college.

Rice arrived two days before 9/11. By night, he was gigging around Manhattan and Brooklyn, most prominently at the Living Room, (where Norah Jones was discovered).

By day, he cycled through a series of day jobs, (dog-walker, waiter and telemarketer) trying to make ends meet.

A year had elapsed, Rice was packing up to return home when he got a call from Perry Watts-Russell. The venerable A&R man (Radiohead, Everclear, the Dandy Warhols), had heard the EP, and wanted to sign Rice to Warner Bros.

By age 21, Jonathan Rice made preparations to record his major label debut.

He hooked up with producer and multiinstrumentalist, Mike Mogis. As part of the Nebraska record label, Saddle Creek, Mogis had produced records for indie darlings like Bright Eyes, Azure Ray and Rilo Kiley.

Rice and Mogis holed up at Presto Studios in Lincoln, Nebraska. His first full-length

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

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“Good Graces” (SQE Music)

effort, Trouble Is Real, appeared in 2005.

Breathy and earnest, it was an ambitious 16 track record, equal parts Neil Young and Nick Drake.

Even before the record was released, it seemed as though Rice was the belle of the Indie-Rock ball. He portrayed Roy Orbison in the Academy Award-winning Johnny Cash bio-pic, “Walk The Line.” He was also a sought after opening act, touring with Jessie Harris, Martha Wainwright and R.E.M. By 2006, Rice had joined Jenny Lewis’ touring band. (A former child actor and ex lead singer for Rilo Kiley, Lewis was the Annette Funicello of Indie-Rock.) Lewis had just released a countrified solo record with the Watson Twins. By the end of the tour, Rice and Lewis had collaborated on several songs, seven of which appeared on Jonathan Rice’s sophomore effort Further North. The duo also began a romance.

Now Jonathan Rice was traveling in even more rarified circles. During the production of Lewis’ second solo album, Acid Tongue, the couple was joined by ”Farmer” Dave Scher (Beachwood Sparks), along with Chris Robinson (Black Crowes) and Elvis Costello with his long time drummer, Pete Thomas.

The loose-limbed sessions for Acid Tongue inspired the ever-prolific Costello write a new album, Momofuku. The same crew recorded the entire album in three days!

Settling in Laurel Canyon, in Los Angeles, Lewis and Rice soaked up the post-hippie ambience. Inspired by the infamous bohemian enclave, they began recording as the duo, Jenny & Johnny. Their debut, I’m Having Fun Now arrived in 2010.

Now Jonathan Rice has returned with his third solo effort, Good Graces. Taking a page from the Elvis Costello playbook, the album was written in a month and recorded in two

Consider This

different studios in the course of 11 days.

The album kicks off with the impossibly catchy “Acapulco Gold.” Lush harmonies, shimmery guitars and a hand-clap beat give the song a laid-back, early ‘70s feel. The lyrics conjure up tongue-in-cheek parallel worlds that Rice might have inhabited… “Could’ve been a banker like my dad, or a speed freak like my brother Sam, Coulda held a Walgreens up for pills and spent six months on the lam/ Instead I gave my love to a girl with eyes like smoke, we live free of wrath and judgment, smokin’ Acapulco Gold.”

Three tracks here serve as love letters to Jenny Lewis. “My Heart Belongs To You” blends keening guitar riffs, urgent vocals and player-piano runs. Rice’s sentiments are sweet and sincere… “I have so much to learn from you, you are the one who taught me how to live and love without regretting/ I owe you more than I could pay you, you’re the love of my life.”

“Empty Head” is anchored by a fluttery stop-start rhythm, plangent pedal steel and sunburst guitar breaks. Here Rice lets down his guard… “I always knew it would be you,

it only took me half my life to say it to you.”

Finally strumming acoustic guitars collide with sonorous, organ fills on the title track.

The lyrics offer up a sly mea culpa following a lovers’ quarrel. Rice’s relief seems palpable, but he can’t resist adding a mischievous aside…”I’m forgiven, it feels so good, but I might do wrong just to feel it again.”

Rice has upped his game since his last solo effort. Good Graces includes a couple of flat-out rockers. “Nowhere At The Speed Of Sound” weds whip crack percussion, wahwah guitar and cascading piano notes to lyrics that urge the listener to live in the moment.

“Lou Rider” is a pithy homage to Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground. Rice emulates the Godfather Of Punk’s laconic drawl. Jenny Lewis, Z Berg, Chandra and Leigh Watson provide “doot-do-doot” backing vocals that take a walk on the wild side. Meanwhile the lyrics chronicle the pan sexual days at Andy Warhol’s Factory.

Other interesting tracks include the wistful ramble of “Soldiers” and “Surfer’s Lament.”

The former is an aching meditation life’s inequities. The melody and instrumentation of the latter feels like “Ghost Riders In The Sky”-meets-“Miserlou.”

The album closes with a cover of Jonathan Richman’s “That Summer Feeling.” (Richman was the Proto-Punk who co-founded The Modern Lovers, and wrote classic smartass anthems like “Road Runner” and “Pablo Picasso.”)

Spare and subtle, accompanied by amplified acoustic guitar, hushed backing vocals and brushed drums the lyrics capture the ephemeral feeling of time slipping through our fingers…”If you’ve forgotten what I’m naming, you’re going to long to reclaim it one day/’Cause that summer feeling is going to haunt you one day in your life.”

Clocking in at just under31 minutes, there is nary a wasted motion on Good Graces. It is self-produced by Rice with some assistance from multi-instrumentalist “Farmer”Dave Scher (who plays piano, keyboards, lap steel, pedal steel vibes and guitar). They are joined

by Dawes bassist, Wiley Gelber and ex-Rilo Kiley drummer, Jason Boesel. Jessie Harris provided supple guitar licks on “That Summer Feeling.”

Luckily Jonathan Rice’s parents had enough faith in him to let him pursue his passion for music. Academia’s loss is our gain.

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

December 12 to December 18, 2013

DRIVEWAY say about You?

Is available in our showroom 75135 Sheryl Ln. Suite A Palm Desert, CA. 92211

760.773.3960

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December 12 to December 18, 2013

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PET PLACE

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by Janet McAfee

Reunion for the “Vicktory” Dogs

I

hesitate to call them the “Vick” dogs, not wanting to use the name of the man who tortured and brutally killed their kennel mates in one of the nation’s most notorious dog fighting rings. They are better described as the Victory Dogs, animals that overcame the most horrendous of conditions to heal and triumph over their past.

There were 50 live dogs rescued from NFL quarterback Michael Vick’s Virginia property, Bad Newz Kennels, when he pled guilty to federal dog fighting charges. The dogs were scarred, both physically and emotionally, and their fate was uncertain.

In 2007, when the Vick case hit the news, it was a standard policy to euthanize all animals seized in a fighting raid. Many voices, some even coming from the animal welfare community, called for these dogs to be euthanized. Some argued that the funds and effort expanded on them could be better spent on other “less damaged” shelter dogs.

Adorable Poodle

This adorable miniature 6-yrold poodle mix is spayed, microchipped and ready to go home. This charming, loving girl is a staff favorite at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus shelter, 72-050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms.

Call (760) 343-3644 and refer to dog ID#A1063998.

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Only one of the Vick dogs had to be euthanized for aggressive behavior. The massive rehabilitation of these dogs, and the amazing transformation of almost every one of them, changed the way many (though not all) public and private organizations evaluate dogs seized in fighting raids. The trend today is to evaluate each seized animal on an individual basis. The world acquired valuable knowledge about dog behavior and i’s ability to change.

The surviving Vick dogs went to various animal welfare organizations including Best Friends, BAD RAP, Richmond Animal League, and SPCA for Monterey that were screened for their ability to train and rehabilitate.

This was a nationwide experiment as a group of rescued fighting dogs had never had their resilience tested like this before. It took time, patience, training and love. The outcome was nothing short of miraculous Seven of the ten dogs that went to BAD RAP in Oakland, California, were reunited for a happy celebration on October 27,

2013. The dogs cheerfully wagged their tails, surrounded by their proud owners and 125 guests. It was a touching sight to see the sheer happiness in the dogs, as they recognized their similarity and perhaps remembered each other from their shadowy past.

Donna Reynolds, director of BAD RAP, describes the dogs, “They’re very forgiving and they all really enjoy other dogs which, is probably the big surprise that came out of the case. In fact, the other dogs were a comfort to them.” Reynolds added, “Dogs live in the moment, they don’t dwell on the past. Once they have enough positive experiences to draw on, they just run right into the present.” These animals have much to teach us humans.

During the 2007 legal case, BAD RAP worked with prosecutors to help evaluate the dogs. Eventually the group secreted 10 of them out in the back of any RV due to the ongoing investigation. All of these 10 eventually went to good homes and are doing well. Three of them did not attend the reunion, one because of distance, and another due to a last minute emergency of his owner. Ernie stayed home enjoying just being a regular dog as his mom didn’t want him identified anymore as a “Vick” dog.

The seven attending dogs all have Canine Good Citizen Certificates. Three work as therapy dogs in hospitals. One dog, Jonny Justice, worked in a children’s reading program in Northern California.

This

handsome black and white dog was recently named “the most beautiful dog in the country” in a contest sponsored by GUND, and there is now a plush doggie toy made in Jonny’s likeness.

Hector, a large brown dog, came to BAD RAP with scars on his chest and legs. He turned out to have a sterling demeanor, and if not for his age would have been considered for a career in law enforcement. Hector was adopted by Roo Yori of Minnesota. Yori is known in the pit bull world as the keeper of Wallace, national flying disc champion. Hector bonded with Wallace as well as with Yori’s menagerie of five dogs of various breeds. Like many of the Bad Newz refugees, the dog is a bit of a klutz with a mischievous streak and loves to play hide and seek. His mission today is to comfort patients in nursing homes and educate people about pit bulls.

Traci who adopted one of the dogs from Best Friends reports, “Through positive reinforcement and an awesome trainer, I watched Halle learn to trust again and overcome a lot of fears. When she first came home, she would pancake to the ground and shake whenever I took her to a new place or introduced her to a new person. Now she will sit on the couch next to a stranger and paw at them so they will pet her...She has taught me great lessons about resiliency, forgiveness, and unconditional love.”

You can read more about the fortyseven dogs who survived this dog fighting operation in the marvelous book by Jim Gorant, THE LOST DOGS. The book makes a great Christmas present for dog lovers.

THE LOST DOGS chronicles the fighting operation, the evolution of the legal case, and the stories of some of the dogs. It exposes the terrible practice of dog fighting, and shows us that even after being exposed to heart breaking abuse, above all, a dog still wants to be man’s best friend.

December 12 to December 18, 2013

by Rick Riozza

More Holiday Picks from Total Wine & More

J

ust when we thought we had the wine list covered for Christmas and New Year’s, it hits us that we may need a bit more. And when we think more—what comes to mind? Well—it’s that behemoth of a wine store that’s taller than City Hall; wider than the Indian Wells Tennis Garden; longer than a locomotive train, heavier than…well, we’re getting the idea.

The store of course is Total Wine & More on Hwy 111 in Palm Desert. In fact, the Hwy is starting to dip right around the store’s location due to the building’s heft. There is so much wine, beer, and spirits in that place that if the big earthquake hits, we’re in for torrents of libations flowing through our neighborhood streets. I’d better stock up on some very long straws.

But before this happens, let’s get over there to gather and try out wine supervisor Candace’s wine picks for the season. A really fun gal who flies in from Cucamonga and lands her Piper Aircraft at the private airport in the store.

Service at Total Wine is always topnotch with a savvy staff. How these people know where everything is located is beyond human understanding. I even tried to catch them off-guard by showing up unannounced, but there was the line-up of chilled wines ready for Candace and me to taste and evaluate.

They already knew the CV Weekly readers have very discernible palates and I was a little scared that we were putting too much pressure on them. But they weren’t even fazed. With a sales team—like with the consummate wine guy, Tom Leavitt, who can advise you on any wine request at the best price in seconds flat!, they are very friendly and generous with their time.

Sparkling bubbly is always great to start a “tasting”, a party, or whatever. For many of us, it’s a once-a-year treat to pick up a real French Champagne, and the deal of the

season is here: Mailly Brut Reserve Grand Cru—yeah! A reserve grand cru!! For only $39.95. This is the Champagne “bomb” for a great price. Dry, medium bodied, toasty/ yeasty, we found it fresh, light bubbles on the tongue, bright, and citrusy with Key lime pie flavors, blossoms and minerality. It can pair with anything on the holiday table.

Another of Candace’s sparkling pick at $17.99 is the Louis Bouillot Perle d’Aurore Rosé. From Burgundy, the crémant (a name given to French sparklers not produced in the Champagne region) is 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Gamay. Another dry sparkler that’s tasty with strawberry and cherry flavors with a very creamy feel—rich & elegant. A beautiful pale rose color for the holiday wine glass of cheers.

We then went on to a Gewurztraminer [guh-VERTZ-trah-mee-ner] from Jean Albrecht, the 2012 Tradition produced in Alsace. You guhvertz fans no doubt enjoy this highly aromatic fruity wine with major flavors of lychees and roses. Often with a nice vein of acidity, this 2012 Tradition vintage is on the sweeter side with tropical notes, harvest fruits, and what Candace calls “Guhvertz Spice”. Perfect for the holiday table and can be used as a dessert wine with fresh baked pies. Not that many bottles left at the store at around $19.

Some of us forget how good a hearty Sauvignon Blanc can be for the holiday season. We often cooled down our summertime with the bracing and steely Sauv Blanc from New Zealand and the like— but wintertime? Candace picked a winner here: 2012 Bevan Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Ritchie Vineyard Russia River $39. She’s met with winemaker Russell Bevan and says this wine is as bold as he is! This is a fabulous wine that can take down many a Chardonnay.

Quite honestly, I usually don’t go around buying thirty-nine dollar Sauvignon Blanc.

But in the same way we treat ourselves once in a while—or maybe just once or twice a year to that really expensive wonderfully delicious wine, we follow our vino hearts because wine has taken us to sensibilities we might have missed otherwise. Now I usually save this spiel for a $125+ wine, but at $39 around the holidays—this wine is doable.

The Bevan is from 40 year old vines and unfiltered so it has a touch cloudy look in an attractively fashioned bottle. Gorgeous nose of grapefruit, citrus blossoms and wet stone. The wine is full of depth and intensity with Meyer lemon and blood orange notes. I’m reminded of the flavor nuances we’d get from those old-time jelly

candies at the movies. Plus, it owns a midpalate richness of a great Chardonnay. I tell you this wine is substantial and seductive while still embracing the grape’s hallmark vivacity and acidity. Merry Christmas Baby!

If you are looking for an aged California Pinot Noir for a romantic evening, the store still has a few 2006 Amici. A Mendocino Pinot by winemaker Joel Aiken. The winery itself has already run out of their 2009 Pinot—so who can imagine finding a 2006!

Velvety, spicy cranberry with forest floor aromatics. Concentrated and complex $34.00 And when was the last time you enjoyed a true red Burgundy. The 2010 Chateau de Chamirey Pinot Noir from the French commune of Mercurey is one the best deals in town to experience the famous terroir de Bourgogne at only $29.99. We got tasty Bing cherries, strawberries and soft earthy notes. As you’d expect, it’s an elegant medium-bodied wine with a wonderful lingering finish. Thanks Candace!

Total Wine and More, 72339 California 111, Palm Desert, CA 92260 (760) 346-2029

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December 12 to December 18, 2013

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www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

Club Clu luubb Crawler CCr Craw raaw wle wl w ler Nightlife Nig NNi iigggh ght httltlilliiifffee ht COUNTRY WESTERN(CW) VARIETY / DANCE(VD) ROCK N ROLL(RR) PIANO BAR(PB) JAZZ(JZ) POP ROCK(PR) BLUES(BL) CLASSIC ROCK(CR) CABARET(CB) LATIN ROCK(LR) REGGAE(RG) ACOUSTIC (AC) METAL(M)

THUR DECEMBER 12

29 PALMS INN; 29 PALMS; 760-367-3505 Bev and Bill 6pm (JZ) ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Reunion w/ DJ Day in the Amigo Room 10pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Lilli Rose 7-10pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Paula Prince 7pm (PB) BAR; PS; 760-537-7337 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 Open Mic 8pm CORK TREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Live Entertainment 6pm DESERT FOX; PS; 760-325-9555 Thirsty Thursdays 8pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm DILLON ROADHOUSE; DHS; 760-2511991 Karaoke ESCENA LOUNGE & GRILL; PS; 760-9920002 Lola Rossi, Rob Carter and Denise Motto 5-9pm (JZ) EUREKA; IW; 760-834-7700 The Hive Minds 8pm FIRECLIFF; PD; 760-773-6565 Sonny Evaro 6pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Skitzo Attack 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Frank Di Salvo 6-9:30pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke w/ Roberto 8pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Rox LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Bob Allen in the lounge and Tom on the patio 6pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-3452450 Country Night w/ Gold Rush Country 8pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888999-1995 Nash with Quinto Menguante 8-1am (LR) MARGARITA’S; PS; 760-778-3500 Live Music 6pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm (PB)(VD)

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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 (PB) O’LEARY’S; PS; 760-325-4913 Karaoke 9pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 The Weirdos w/ Shawn Mafia & The Ten Cent Thrills 7:30pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161ext.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; 760-3413560 Dude Jones 6pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 Karaoke w/ T-Bone 8-12am VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-9pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-3285955 Michael Keeth 6-10pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Bill Saitta Jazz 6pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 Singles Night 9pm

FRI DECEMBER 13

19TH HOLE; PD; 760-772-6696 Karaoke w/ T Bone 9pm 29 PALMS INN; 29P; 760-367-3505 Dana Larson 6pm (AC) ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 The Full House Band featuring Nena Anderson 8pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Karaoke w/ AJ The KJ 8-12am AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Jerry Halliday 8pm BAR; PS; 760-537-7337 Guest DJ 10pm BILLY REED’S; PS; 760-325-1946 Live Music 6-10pm BLUE BAR, SPOTLIGHT 29; INDIO; 760-7755566 DJ PWee 8pm (VD) 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 CORK TREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Live Entertainment 6pm DATE SHED; IND; 760-775-6699 Merry Metal Xmas w/ Remnants of Man, Sangre and Drop the World 8pm DICKIE O’NEALS IRISH PUB; PS; 760-3252600 Lassie Jo’s Best Damn Karaoke 7pm DILLON ROADHOUSE; DHS; 760-251-1991 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 T.B.A. 8pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Brave Black Sea & House of Broken Promises 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Frank Di Salvo 6-9:30pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Live DJ 8:30pm (VD) 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; 760-3452450 Hot Sauce 9pm THE LOUNGE; AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888999-1995 L.A. Blue 9pm (VD) MARGARITA’S; PS; 760-778-3500 Live Music 6pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm (PB)(VD) NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm (PB) O’LEARY’S; PS; 760-325-4913 T.B.A. 9pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 The Hive Minds 9pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760345-0222 The Maxfield Trio 6:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Dave Gleason Trio 7:30pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161ext.230 The Gand Band 9pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 T.B.A. 9pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-327-8311 Martin Ross Starlite Lounge 8pm, T.B.A. Sidebar Lounge 10pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 Sky Valley Ranch Record’s CD Release Party 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. (JZ)(RR) TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 The Arrangements 9pm TILTED KILT; PD; 760-773-5458 Tilted @ Night 10pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760-328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm VIBE; MORONGO CASINO; CAB; 951-7555391 The Rick Whitfield Band 10pm (VD) VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Scott Carter 1:30-4:30pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am, DJ Anwaar Hines 9-2am WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 Friday the 13th Party w/ DJ B EZ 9pm THE WINE BAR AT OLD TOWN; LQ; 760564-2201 Rob & jb 7-10pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Rose Mallet 6:30pm (JZ) ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 Girl’s Night out w/ The Men on the Hollywood Strip 9pm

SAT DECEMBER 14

19TH HOLE; PD; 760-772-6696 Karaoke w/ T-Bone 9pm 29 PALMS INN; 29P; 760-367-3505 Beverly & Bill 6-9pm (JZ) ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Jimi Hey poolside noon, Stronghold Reggae presents DJ Journee and Dash Eye 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 Comedy Night 8pm BAR; PS; 760-537-7337 Guest DJ 10pm BILLY REED’S; PS; 760-325-1946 Live Music 6-10pm BLUE BAR; SPOTLIGHT 29; IND; 760-7755566 DJ PWee (VD) BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Steve Madeo 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 All Night Shoes 9pm CORK TREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Live Entertainment 6:30-9:30pm DATE SHED; IND; 760-775-6699 DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm DICKIE O’NEALS IRISH PUB; PS; 760-3252600 California Celts and Warsaw 8pm DILLON ROADHOUSE; DHS; 760-251-1991 EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm EUREKA; IW; 760-834-7700 The Vibe 3-7pm

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 T.B.A. 8-11pm THE GROOVE LOUNGE; SPOTLIGHT 29; INDIO; 760-775-5566 DJ 8pm HAMILTON’S; LQ; 760-698-8303 Timepiece 8pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Calabrese and The Butchery Boys 8pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Frank Di Salvo 6-9:30pm 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; 760-3452450 Hot Sauce 9pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888999-1995 L.A. Blue 9pm (VD) MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm (PB)(VD) MARGARITA’S; PS; 760-778-3500 Live Music 6pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8-1:15am Oktoberfest all day THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm (PB) O’LEARY’S; PS; 760-325-4913 T.B.A. 8pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 The Hive Minds 9pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760345-0222 6:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Shadow Mountain Band 5pm, The Dave Gleason Trio 8pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Klonus Christmas Party 9pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161ext.230 The Gand Band 9pm RENAISSANCE PALM; PS; 760-322-6100 Art of Sax featuring Sax Man Will Donato & Eddie Reddick 7-10pm (JZ) RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 T.B.A. 9pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-327-8311 Martin Ross, Starlite Lounge 8pm, T.B.A., Sidebar Lounge 10pm, DJ Shasta, Starlite Lounge 10pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 Sky Valley Ranch Record’s CD Release Party 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 Reaction 9pm TILTED KILT; PD; 760-773-5458 Tilted@ Night 9pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760-328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm VIBE, MORONGO CASINO; CAB; 951-7555391 DJ Hektik 10pm (VD) VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Rob & JB 1:30-4:30pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am, DJ Anwaar Hines 9-2am WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm THE WINE BAR AT OLD TOWN; LQ; 760564-2201 Dave & Olivia: An American Duo 7-10pm (LR)(PR) WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Stanley Butler 6:30pm (JZ) ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJs 9pm (VD)

SUN DECEMBER 15

29 PALMS INN; 29P; 760-367-3505 Bob & Allison Garcia 6pm

December 12 to December 18, 2013

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.

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continue to page 22

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December 12 to December 18, 2013

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The Pampered Palate

Miramonte Resort & Spa’s “Le Serate di Vino” One-of-a-kind Franciscan “Blending” Reception and Dinner on December 13th

M

iramonte Resort & Spa continues “Le Serate di Vino” wine dinner series with custom blended wines from Napa Valley’s Franciscan Estates on December 13. Known for Bordeaux varietals with refreshing character and bold expression, the world-class Franciscan wine will be paired with the culinary specialties of Executive Chef Adam Votaw.

Guests will enjoy a welcome reception followed by an exquisite dinner of specialty cuisine amidst a captivating environment of this luxurious yet quaint Mediterraneaninspired resort. Notably, Franciscan Estates wines have been featured on the cover of Wine Spectator Magazine and recognized with an editor’s choice award by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

Following on January 24, 2014, select exceptional wines rated 90+ by the New York-based Wine Spectator Magazine – the gold standard for excellence in winemaking and rating – will be paired with an incredible, uncompromising five-course dinner.

Featuring Overture by Opus One, Antica and Prunotto Barbaresco.

Concluding the series on March 21, 2014, an unforgettable Tuscan Family-Style Italian Reception and Dinner takes place in Miramonte’s enchanting Olive Grove. Enjoy the fine selection of wines from Tuscany paired with superb Italian-inspired cuisine, served over five courses, under the stars.

The cost of each event varies, with dinner prices beginning at $75. Seating is limited. To make a reservation call (760) 341-7200.

December 12 to December 18, 2013

By Raymond Bill

Ribbon cutting at Piero’s Pizza Vino

Last Tuesday, Piero’s Pizzavino had a ribbon cutting for the Grand Opening of their new “Wine Room”. The new room is located at the back of the restaurant and can seat up to 60 people to host private parties or to seat additional diners on busy nights.

Take in the new VUE Grille and Bar in Indian Wells

I

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t’s official. There is now a new VUE in Indian Wells.

VUE Grille and Bar debuted Dec. 5 at the Indian Wells Golf Resort and now offers an updated seasonal farm-to-table menu designed by Executive Chef Cale Falk, and new craft cocktails and beers in the bar, along with spectacular views of the surrounding desert and Santa Rosa Mountains.

More than 600 guests braved a cold desert evening to attend the Grand Opening party that introduced the restaurant and the Pavilion to the who’s-who of the Coachella Valley.

Included in the guest list were Indian Wells Mayor Ted J. Mertens and Mayor Pro-Tem Ty Peabody along with members of the Indian Wells City Council. Many well-known desert personalities such as Dan and Regina McGrath,Jeff Michaels, Don and Diane Adolph, Manny dela Rosa, Tracy Dietlin, Marshall Gilbert, Mary Jo Ginther, Kristen Kelly, Casey Dolan, Craig Marrs, Glenn and Stephanie Miller, Dick and Stacy Shahloub and more who all came out to sample the food and drinks at the new restaurant.

VUE Grille and Bar occupies the space that was previously known as the IW Club and has undergone a multi-million dollar makeover that includes privacy glass etched with the restaurant logo, a space for live nightly entertainment in the bar area and a sushi bar with its own private patio.

Still to come are retractable sunshades for the patios that will offer comfortable outside seating for most year and a privacy screen for the sushi patio.

Also previewed at the party was the Indian Well’s Golf Resort Pavilion, a 5,700 square feet one-of-akind structure with a capacity to seat 400. Across the bridge and between the first tees of the Celebrity and Players Courses, the Pavilion offers unparalleled views of the nearby mountains and the golf courses.

“There is nothing like it in the desert,” said Michael Tebbetts director of sales and marketing for the Indian Wells Golf Resort. “It’s like being in the middle of a desert oasis.”

According to Tebbetts, the new name was chosen because of what the restaurant represents.

“Everywhere you look you see a different view of the desert,” he said. “It also reflects the way we see the food and drinks we offer to our guests.”

Fresh stocks, soups, sauces, jams, preserves, desserts, things pickled and preserved and pastas are now all made in house in VUE’s kitchen by Chef Cale Falk, who has created a menu that changes with the seasons.

Since the fall menu was previewed last month, “We’ve had to change a few things based on what we were finding available at the local farmers markets and what our purveyors had for us,” Falk said. “As a chef, I love that challenge of having to adapt to what comes into my kitchen.”

Vue also features a new sushi bar that offers Chef Akio Naito’s take on rolls, sushi and sashimi, again using the fresh fish from purveyors who believe in sustainable fishing methods.

In the bar, classic cocktails have been reinvented, craft beers and a wine cellar that is stocked with a wide array of red, white and sparkling wines to appeal to any palate.

VUE Grille and Bar at the Indian Wells Golf Resort is open daily for lunch and dinner, with happy hour daily in the bar from 3 to 6 p.m. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. and Sunday Brunch from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The bar is open until 10 p.m. nightly. The Indian Wells Golf Resort is at 44500 Indian Wells Lane, Indian Wells.

For more information, please contact(760) 8343800 or www.vuegrilleandbar.com. On Facebook, follow VUE Grille and Bar.

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December 12 to December 18, 2013

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Movie Reviews with Robin E. Simmons

DESPERATE HEROES

Screeners No. 90

Book Review

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

December 12 to December 18, 2013

By Heidi Simmons

A Reading Life: Q & A with LA Times Book Citic David Ulin

LONE SURVIVOR

A

Brutal and intense, writer-director Peter Berg’s superb combat film, based on the vivid New York Times bestselling tale of heroism, takes a look at the 19 American deaths – and lone survivor – of an illfated incident in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan.

Bloody and poetic, the incredible true story follows four Navy SEALS on a secret mission to kill a Taliban leader when they are ambushed by the enemy after the SEALS decide to release, and not kill, a trio of goat herders they stumble across in the rugged mountains. That act of mercy is rewarded by a relentless firestorm from at least forty Taliban fighters who quickly surround the four.

Marcus Luttrell (Mark Wahlberg), Danny Dietz (Emile Hirsch) and Michael Murphy (Taylor Kitsch) are the brave SEALS. Ben Foster and Eric Bana also star. And they

do justice to the real men they play – and honor. Berg’s smooth direction captures every horrific moment whether it’s a bullet’s impact or a treacherous fall. We always have a sense of where we are and the camera movement is not frantic but wide-eyed – it’s shot in the same way we remember frightening real-life moments.

The editing is tight and the performances never seem anything but real. But in the end, it’s the big moral questions that linger.

This moral ambiguity gives heft to this fine film and raises it to a level of meaningful contemporary art, especially with the ironic and satisfying ending that bookends the act of mercy the men showed to the goat herders. Over the end credits, there are photos of the real soldiers who sacrificed their lives for what they believed to be a worthy cause. I wept.

INTO THE FURNACE

n

r t a in me n te t

E

Scott Cooper’s moody, sophomore effort is a dark foray into the burned out soul of a Pennsylvania steel town and the Appalachian madness that surrounds it. A mostly fine cast wallows in the unpleasant material that is so studied in it’s execution for the screen that it calls way too much

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attention to craft at the expense of story and pacing. Especially pacing. The effect is often heavy-handed and pretentious.

It’s hard for me to believe Casey Affleck as Rodney, a rootless, disturbed, ex-GI street fighter -- maybe it his physicality. Christian Bale is Russell, Rodney’s more responsible brother. He’s properly determined and intense in his quest to seek answers, justice and perhaps revenge. There’s never a false note in Bale’s increasingly focused concerns.

The feeling of place in this film is specific and detailed. We are in an American region that is dying and decaying. Times are hard for those who remain. People who have jobs cling to them. The isolation of this sad world is in every scene. Woody Harrelson is terrific as an evil back woods crime lord.

Harrelson said when he was offered the film, his wife read the screenplay and said she felt like she needed to take a shower.

Harrelson’s character is a sadist who sells drugs, manages fixed underground fights and runs his empire with fear. He’s the very bad guy that Bale must confront. And does.

But it sure takes a long time to get to the showdown and aftermath. There’s no real sustained suspense, just the waiting and the artful cinematography. Yawn. This film is a perfect companion piece to the similarly pretentious, lengthy, arty, pointless and depressing THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES. BETTIE PAGE REVEALS ALL! Mark Mori’s fast moving and fascinating documentary is a surprisingly intimate portrait of a mysterious, iconic and nearly ubiquitous sex symbol. Bettie Page passed away in 2008, but she is resurrected via recorded interviews from the 70s and a vast array of vintage film clips and photos.

What makes this film so fascinating is Bettie’s unfiltered honesty as she reflects with warmth and wit on her unusual life in an unexpectedly mellow, laconic southern drawl. In the 50s, Bettie was a familiar face inside and on the covers of pulpy “men’s magazines” like Titter. She was available to pose for “private camera clubs” and her pin-up pics, bondage films could also be had by mail order. She became a factor in a government investigation crackdown on pornography and “mail order smut.” She got married and divorced several times. Did

a stretch in jail. Was confined to a mental institution and more. Bettie speaks of all this as well as admitting she was molested as a child by her drunken father. (Bettie’s dad would give her a dime if she let him feel her through her clothes.) But here’s the most astonishing thing of all, while Bettie’s image became a potent image in pop culture, she herself was oblivious to this while working with the Billy Graham organization. In 20012, Forbes ranked Bettie as one of the top ten posthumous celebrity earners.

What mesmerized me most about Bettie Page’s story was the power of innocence that prevailed in her troubled life. You can see it in her photos and hear it in her voice.

NEW FOR THE HOME THEATER: DRINKING BUDDIES A totally improvised look at two couples and their working and personal relationships as part of a small brewery.

It’s not a raunchy romantic comedy as the title kind of suggests, but a terrific slice of contemporary life that rings true on many levels. Olivia Wilde, Jake Johnson, Anna Kendrick and Ron Livingston are terrific.

MAN OF TAI CHI Keanu Reeves’ directorial debut. Reeves also costars in the engaging story about a student of a peaceful spiritual discipline who turns lethal in an underground fight club.

The brilliantly staged and photographed martial arts confrontations (designed by MATRIX choreographer Yuen Wo Ping) make this worth finding.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: As part of Cinemas Palme d’Or’s 10th anniversary celebration, Bryan Cranston will moderate a live, in-person conversation with NEBRASKA director Alexander Payne and actor Will Forte after the Friday, December 20, 6:30 screening.

Comments? RobinESimmons@aol.com

thousand books a week are submitted to the Los Angeles Times for possible review. The editorial staff of four looks at every book submitted from mainstream and independent publishers. For now, selfpublished books are not covered.

David Ulin is currently lead Book Critic for the LA Times and served as editor of the Sunday Book Review section for five years prior to the supplement’s contractions and manifestation as Arts & Books. Ulin reads three books a week and writes three to four pieces – reviews, profiles or commentaries each week for the paper and the LA Times’ Blog.

Besides being a full-time critic, Ulin teaches for UCR’s Palm Desert Low Residency creative writing graduate program. He is also the author of six books and is working on his seventh. He’s published non-fiction, fiction and poetry.

HS: Do you remember the first book you read?

DU: I don’t. But I remember the first

book that struck me. I was in the second grade. I don’t remember the title, but it was

by Robert Heinlein. He wrote for children and it was about a mission to Mars.

HS: Do you have a favorite book of all time?

DU: There’s a lot of books I really love.

I couldn’t narrow it down to one. There’s too many.

HS: Is there one book that impacted your life more than any other?

DU: There are authors. Joan Didion is a huge influence on me. She taught me

that nonfiction could be literature. Jack Kerouac’s novel On the Road was big for me because of the writing about personal experience. The myth of it was very appealing to me when I was young. Now I’m interested in it for the sadness -- I think it’s a really sad book. Faulkner might be my favorite writer just because of the lushness of the language. Henry Miller’s Tropic of Cancer for its uncensoredness and its ambition. And Flannery O’Conner. Those are just some. I love those writers.

HS: Is there a book you keep returning to?

DU: The book I read over and over and that I assign and make people read is Stop Time by Frank Conroy. It’s about the first 18 years of his life. It ends with him going to college as a freshman. It is a fascinating book. I read it in the tenth grade. It was the first book I ever read where I recognized my life, my neighborhood, and the movie theater I hung out in during high school.

The way he saw the world and the way his mind worked were similar to my life. The connection was really close. It’s a beautiful book. I’ve read it a half dozen times.

HS: Is there a genre you read for pleasure?

DU: Crime fiction. My favorite crime writer is David Goodis. He was a pulp writer from the 50s. I think his stuff is just gorgeous. He’s not very well known.

His work was published cheap and dirty. I also love Raymond Chandler. I love Walter Mosley and James M. Cain. He’s the best.

HS: What are you looking for when you read critically?

DU: Enlightenment. The writer has to be engaged and I want to be engaged as a reader. If they’re not interested, then I’m not interested. I read all kinds of things, forms and genres because I’m really interested in what made the writer sit down and write that book. Engagement. It’s what I’m always looking for. I’m giving you time so you better seize me. If it’s not “living” and they’re not into it -- I don’t want to waste my time.

HS: What makes a great read?

DU: I want a book to challenge me. I want a book to provoke me. I want a book to stir me up. I want to argue with it maybe.

I want to feel its life. That can come out in a variety of ways and forms. I want that not just from books but magazine articles and reviews. Everything I read.

HS: How do you choose what you read for the LA Times?

DU: It’s a version of walking into a bookstore. You go to the tables in the front and you look. Some books interest me and some books don’t. I’ve been doing that my whole life. It’s the same basic process. I get a sense of what is interesting and then look at them more closely. I’m curious about cities. I’m interested in walking. There’s spirituality. I’m interested in books that make drama out of everyday life.

HS: Do you have a preference between e-readers or paper?

DU: I love paper. If I read electronically, I only read on the IPad. Ninety-nine percent of my reading is on paper. Books will never be obsolete. What I love best about e-publishing is the tons of material available that’s not in print. I’m in favor of everything that makes the free flow of ideas and information accessible to the largest number of people.

HS: If you could do anything, what would it be?

DU: This. I’m lucky. I get to read and write for a living. I’ve been able to make a living and support my family and engage my brain, soul and heart. It’s a huge privilege.

It’s hard to complain.

Meet David Ulin at the Rancho Mirage Writer’s Festival, which will be held January 15 through 18. He is a scheduled guest.

23

December 12 to December 18, 2013 continued from page 17

ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Intoxica Radio Live w/ Howie Pyro 10pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 The Judy Show 7:30pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Steve Madeo 6-10pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT; PS; 888-999-1995 Nash with Quinto Menguante 9pm (LR) CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Joe Jaggi 6pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke 9pm DILLON ROADHOUSE; DHS; 760-2511991 Sunday Jam 4-8pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm FIRECLIFF; PD; 760-773-6565 Hal Sweasey 6pm FIRESIDE LOUNGE; PS; 760-327-1700 JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-3662250 Open Jam 6pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company,in the afternoon,Hot Rox,in the night LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 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 8pm1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 The John McCormick Band 7pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 Longest Running Jam Session in the valley. Hosted by JB, Sign up 6pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 The Sunday Band 7pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161ext.230 Sharon McNight-

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Twisted Xmas 6pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-3274080 Martin Ross Starlite Lounge 3pm, T.B.A. 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 (RR)(LR) VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Scott Carter 1:30-4:30pm, Rob & JB 4:30-9pm, DJ Idol Eyez 9-2am WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 Line Dancing w/ Tina 5:30-9pm THE WINE BAR AT OLD TOWN; LQ; 760564-2201 Michael Keeth 6-10pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Theo Coakley 6:30pm

MON DECEMBER 16

29 PALMS INN; 29P; 760-367-3505 Bonnie Scott 6pm (AC) 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 LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 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 (PB) RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 Pictures From Eden w/ Acoustic Guest Rob Lawrence

SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760341-3560 T.B.A. 6pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-2am, Michael James & 3sum 9-2am WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-3285955 Art of Sax 8-11pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Urban Soul Project Band 8pm

TUE DECEMBER 17

29 PALMS INN; 29P; 760-367-3505 T.B.A. 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Ace Karaoke with Kiesha 9pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Bella da Ball Dinner Revue w/ guest performers 7:30pm (CB) BAR; PS; 760-537-7337 Forbidden Lounge 8pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Joe Jaggi 6pm ESCENA LOUNGE & GRILL; PS; 760-9920002 John Stanley King 5-9pm (JZ)(BL) FIRECLIFF; PD; 760-773-6565 Hal Sweasey 6pm FIRESIDE LOUNGE; PS; 760-327-1700 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke INDIAN CANYONS GOLF RESORT; PS; 760-833-8700 DJ Randy Johnson 6-9pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-3662250 Ted Quinn’s Open Mic Reality Show Jam 8pm (VD) KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Dana Larson 6:30pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Mark Gregg 5pm, Bob Allen 6pm outside patio

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Tim Burleson 7:45 (PB) PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760-327-4080 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 Night 9pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Demetrious and Co. (RR)(JZ) TILTED KILT; PD; 760-773-5458 Karaoke w/ T-Bone 8pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-2am, Scott Carter & The New Breed 9-2am WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Trish Hatley Jazz 6pm (JZ)

WED DECEMBER 18

29 PALMS INN; 29P; 760-367-3505 Bobby And Randy (BL) AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Mikole Carr AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Paula Prince 7pm (PB) BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 John Stanley King 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CLINIC BAR & LOUNGE; PS; 760-8644119 Derek Jordan Gregg and Sean Poe 9pm ESCENA LOUNGE & GRILL; PS; 760-9920002 Rose Mallet 5-9pm (JZ) FIRECLIFF; PD; 760-773-6565 Sonny Evaro 6pm

December 12 to December 18, 2013

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 JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-3662250 Live Music (RR) KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke w/ Roberto 7pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 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 (PB) NYPD; PS; 760-778-6973 Live DJ 9pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 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 SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 D Phillips Band 9pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Straight Ahead Jazz (JZ) VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-2am, Nite Fixx 9-2am WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-3285955 Art of Sax 7-10pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 Karaoke WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Stan Watson Trio 6pm

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December 12 to December 18, 2013

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NO FEAR

W

hat differentiates a successful entrepreneur from the rest?

Amy Morin, a noted psychotherapist who is published widely on mental health issues says that the key differentiating factor is mental toughness.

Mental toughness is more than tenacity and hard work. It definitely does not include acting rude, treating others with disrespect or behaving like a bully. As much as it is about what a successful entrepreneur does, Morin found that it was also due in large part to what they DO NOT do.

First, they do not feel that the world owes them anything. They do not feel entitled to anything. What a successful entrepreneur does is identify a business opportunity and then works at benefitting from it. This part of a common theme that you hear from most successful serial entrepreneurs they do not fear change but they embrace it. Being flexible and embracing change as opportunity opens up more options than the businessperson who behaves in a defensive manner. One example might be a businessman who tries to use legislation to limit competition.

Successful entrepreneurs do not focus

December 12 to December 18, 2013

Haddon Libby:It’s all local

on things that they cannot control. They also do not dwell on the past. While we all wish that something we have done in our past would have turned out differently, the key to success is to learn from the past in order to make better decisions in the future. This also means that they do not live in the past retelling stories of former glories or fantasizing about the ‘what could have beens’. Instead, they use these past experiences to prepare for the future.

Something that many people have trouble with is accepting responsibility for their own past mistakes and errors in judgement. Many prefer to blame others for their failures. The successful entrepreneur learns from those experiences and goes into future situations better prepared with alternate approaches.

Another habit of those who succeed is something lacking among many in business: they do not resent the success of others.

How many people do you know that seem to relish or gossip about another person’s failure or discount the accomplishments of someone having success? That type of behavior is not that of the truly successful.

The successful typically work harder than most and as such appreciate the hard work and sacrifices that others make in the pursuit of success. Along this line, successful entrepreneurs do not give up after their

first failure…or second…or third. The retired Vice Chairman of Bank of America, Mike Rossi, once said to me that he views success as being correct slightly more than being wrong. He had no place in his management team for people who were afraid of failure.

He recognized that successful people fail but try and try again until they get it right.

This means that they know that immediate results are not always forthcoming and that it takes time to achieve greatness.

Successful entrepreneurs do not try and please everyone. Saying ‘no’ and speaking up when necessary is critical to success. As an example, Neville Chamberlain who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

when Adolf Hitler began his aggressions that led to World War II, thought appeasement of Hitler could please all.

Those who create success do not fear taking calculated risks. A calculated risk is different than reckless decision-making in that it is the result of a thoughtful assessment of a situation, potential downsides and challenges and things that will mitigate those concerns wherever possible.

Whether you are an entrepreneur or not, these behaviors can be used in whatever you do in life as these traits will help you to be happier, more content and ultimately more successful at whatever you do.

ShareKitchen

ShareKitchen is proud to announce its newest client: HotLips Soda.

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ounded in 1984, this family-owned business started as one pizzeria in Portland, Oregon. Over the last twenty-nine years, HotLips has grown to 135 employees across five pizzerias, a number of food trucks, a shared commissary kitchen and a bottling operation for its award-winning micro-brewed sodas.

HotLips has united with ShareKitchen in expanding their products into the Southern California market. ShareKitchen will serve as the exclusive distributor from Santa Barbara to the Mexican border and across Riverside County to Arizona.

As recognized by numerous world judges with awards including the distinction of “Best New Soda” in 2010 by BevNet, HotLips is unlike any other carbonated beverages on store shelves and in restaurants in that each batch is minimally processed. For example, the black raspberry soda is made from locally sourced produce where only the seeds are removed. Each pasteurized and lightly carbonated batch is made of only fruit juice, fruit pulp, a little pure cane sugar and organic lemon juice.

Other flavors include a Pear Soda enhanced by a high-quality vanilla bean.

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This is a favorite of ours over ice or when mixed with vodka. The Hawaiian Ginger Ale is made from the rare yellow ginger root found at Kauai Organic Farms. When you taste this craft soda, you will notice the full flavor of ginger without the cloying sugar mask of other ginger ales. Other award-winning flavors include Raspberry, Marionberry and an assortment of seasonal flavors like Cranberry.

If you are interested in learning more about this unique product, email us at share@ShareKitchen.org or call 760-4594259.

As a reminder, ShareKitchen can help you in the production, sale and distribution of your product. Our team of experts, commercial kitchen for rent and other resources are here to help you when you are ready.

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December 12 to December 18, 2013

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Dale Gribow On The Law

You MEAN I COULD GO TO JAIL FOR A FIRST TIME DUI??

Y

es you can and will receive Jail as part of your sentence!!!

During the holidays many of our neighbors will attend the office or neighbor’s party without thinking about the consequences. They, as well as tourists, will drink and not use good judgment. These drivers will drink more than they should or more than they realize and many will be stopped for speeding, unsafe lane change or not up to date tag on their license plate.

Many will also get in a fatal car accident and injure or kill an innocent party. This tragedy happened to my 25 year old client Celena Nava who worked at Eisenhower.

She was jogging six weeks ago in Coachella

with a friend and was hit and killed by a drunk driver. The pain the family is experiencing is beyond words. It will last a life time and there is nothing anyone can do to take the pain away. The money I recover for the family for her wrongful death cannot begin to ease the pain they will experience as they celebrate Christmas and New Year’s both this year and every year thereafter.

I have sued drunk drivers for injuries they have caused to my clients for over 30 years AND I have successfully defended drunk drivers when I change hats. Most drivers did not realize they could be charged with a drunk driving with the little alcohol they consumed. They incorrectly looked at

by Dale Gribow Attorney at Law the number of drinks they consumed rather than the amount of alcohol in the drinks.

For DUI purposes a drink equals 1 ounces of alcohol; 12 ounces of beer or 4 ounces of wine.

Thus when the bartender pours a 6-8 ounce glass of wine and you have two drinks you have consumed the equivalent of 3 or 4 drinks. Likewise my clients tell me they were not drunk. The law does not require one to be drunk but rather under the influence. Being under the influence occurs with everyone when their ability to drive is impaired and that occurs when you reach a .08 blood alcohol level but the Indio DA will file .07’s… and YES the DA and the court ask for a minimum of 10 days in jail on a first offense DUI. It is also necessary to look at what medications the driver has consumed be they prescriptive, over the counter or illegal.

Many pills have a warning not to mix with alcohol and not to operate heavy machinery after taking the medication… this means a car. The combination of alcohol and these pills will create a Potentiation so they are a lot more under the influence at .07 or .08 than the average person. It is possible they are as much under the influence as someone .09 or more than .10.

The bottom line is DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE, CALL A TAXI… IT IS A LOT CHEAPER THAN HIRING ME!

By Bruce cathcart

Termites in the Desert?

A

friend of mine called me the other day and said he thought his wife might be going crazy. I quickly put on my amateur psychiatrist hat and asked, “What seems to be the problem?” He told me that his wife kept waking him up in the middle of the night and telling him that she could hear termites in their attic eating away their wooden rafters! He said, “That’s crazy, right? We don’t have termites here in the desert, do we?” It is a common misconception that just because we never see a whole house “tented” to fumigate for termites (like on “Breaking Bad”) that we do not have termites here in the Coachella Valley… because we do!

Without getting too scientific here, there are basically two types of termites. They are Drywood termites and Subterranean termites.

We have both here in the Coachella Valley however the Drywood termites are rather rare whereas the Subterranean termites are quite common. Drywood termites live in the wood structure within your home and in order to eradicate them it requires the very expensive and time consuming process of “tenting” and filling the home with a gas that is poison to termites. This gas permeates through the walls and into the wooden structure of the home to kill the termites. Subterranean termites, as their name implies, live in the ground and make daily

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visits up into your home to dine on your wooden structure. Fortunately the eradication process is easier than tenting and much less costly. It usually involves drilling through the concrete slab and injecting poison into the ground both through the slab and around the perimeter of the house. A full treatment seldom exceeds $1,000.00 and is money well spent.

When a home is purchased today it is common practice for the buyer to ask the seller to furnish them with a “clear” termite/pest report.

We are fortunate here in the Coachella Valley to have several qualified, professional termite inspection companies who for about $125.00 (or less) will perform a complete inspection of your home and provide a report that will outline their findings. These findings are broken down into two classifications, Section I and Section II. Section I findings are “Active Infestation”; in other words, termites currently engaged in eating your house! Section II findings are “conditions that could lead to active infestation”.

Since we are dealing with termites that live in the ground underneath your home the idea here is to eliminate easy access for them to enter your home. The most common Section II items are faulty grade and earth to wood contact.

Faulty grade is where the dirt in your yard is higher than your concrete slab. This situation obviously provides direct access for the termites right into your wooden studs. An example of earth to wood contact would be a wooden fence post that is attached to your home and

provides a direct freeway for the termites from the ground into your home. While obtaining a termite report is negotiable in your purchase contract it is common practice for the seller to pay for Section I items and eliminate any active infestation (which is required by lenders when a loan is used to purchase a home); and it is the buyer’s responsibility to pay for Section II items, at their option (since it is generally not required by the lender when using a loan to purchase a home).

In order for Subterranean termites to get from the ground into your home they usually have to build little mud tubes about the size of a piece of string from the ground up along the side of your concrete slab and into the wooden sill plate of your home. You can do your own inspection by looking for these little mud tubes and checking around the outside of your home at the slab line. You should also check inside your garage between your garage slab and the concrete stem wall. Ignore the fine piles of dirt

it’s your nickel

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

by john PAUL VALDEZ

Dale Gribow has been “Rated” TOP LAWYER by Palm Springs Life Magazine from 2011-2014 and has a Superb Avvo Peer Reviewed Legal Rating. Dale Gribow has been Man of the Year 7 times including the City of Palm Desert and the City of Hope and Dale Gribow Day has been declared 4 times. He is the only attorney appointed in December 2013 to the Coachella Valley Association of Government’s Public Safety Ad Hoc Blue Ribbon Committee. This group consists of the police chiefs from every city and the mayor of each city as well as the Sheriff of Riverside County and the head of the CHP and Border Patrol.

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 Dale S. Gribow Attorney at Law 74-923 Highway 111, #206 Indian Wells, California 92210 760-837-7500 Dale@DaleGribowLaw.com www.DaleGribowLaw.com

Real estate

or sand, as these are usually the work of ants not termites. If you see any mud tubes do not hesitate to contact a local termite company.

As for my friend who called, the good news is that while his wife may be a little crazy for actually thinking that she could hear termites eating away her rafters, the bad news is that more than likely what she was actually hearing in the attic were Norwegian Fruit Rats which are also quite common here in the desert and can also do considerable damage if not removed.

Real Estate Tip of the week: When purchasing a home always insist upon getting a termite/pest report. If it has been several years since you purchased your home or since your last inspection it may be a good idea to get a termite/pest report done just to be sure that you do not have termites. It should be considered part of your regular home maintenance.

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.

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Right now, more than three times the number of persons are unemployed than has previously been the case, and therefore there are generally many applicants for a single job, making lower wages more common, and creating an atmosphere called “deflation.”

That is one reason why the federal government has been flooding the market with money, because the only danger in doing so is creating inflation, which is clearly not the case right now.

Also, persons on unemployment need to be remembered as having paid for unemployment insurance, and as supporting our economy by buying things with that money that would be otherwise missing and therefore devastating without the support, devastating to the family and to the local economy. California currently has 54 weeks of unemployment with a possibility of 99 weeks that is about to disappear if this congress doesn’t act in the next four days. Let’s hope they remember this state represents the single largest economy in the US, and that anyone would rather work for a higher wage than the wage that is represented by their crumby unemployment insurance coverage.

Americans are hard workers, and they have created the world’s largest middle class via their work. Giving up that middle class is not an accomplishment I’d want on my shoulders.

safety tips

by Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

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Indoor Holiday Safety Tips!

ow that the outdoor decorations are “ in place, let’s look at a few indoor safety tips says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.” When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label “Fire Resistant.” When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness.

When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces and radiators. “Heated rooms dry live trees out rapidly, be sure to keep the stand filled with water reminds Chief DiGiovanna.” Do not block doorways. Use only lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory. Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose

connections, and throw out damaged sets.

Always replace burned-out bulbs promptly with the same wattage bulbs. Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord. Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted. Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire. Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. In homes with small children, take special care to avoid sharp, weighted, or breakable decorations. Keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children who could swallow or inhale small pieces, and avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a child to eat them. Do not burn wrapping papers in the fireplace.

For additional Holiday safety information contact your local fire department and visit: http://ohsonline.com/articles/2010/12/06/ nfpa-offers-holiday-fire-safety-tips.aspx Happy Holidays and be Safe!

Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

Gaemer Girl

by Jennifer Tan aka mrs. fett

What does unemployment mean?

ou would think the answer is obvious, but it is more subtle than you’d imagine at first glance. When you hear about seven percent unemployment right now, they are referring to the percent of the population that would normally be working right now.

The elderly, retired persons, disabled people, persons that are not documented, and the long term unemployed (anyone not having a job within 26 weeks of their last employment) are NOT included in this figure.

Most economists put “full employment” at about a four percent unemployment figure to account for natural transitional workers moving from one job to another in a normally more prosperous economy.

Unfortunately, the exemptions from being counted in the unemployment figures here in California, and here in the Coachella Valley in particular make these numbers far from informative in any real proportional sense.

Also, please remember that the selfemployed may go for many weeks without income, and that any persons not declaring some portion of their income are also NOT included in this figure.

So why use the number at all? Well, in order to bring up the subject at all, some standards had to be set, and they vary from place to place. Most people are simply unaware of the standard.

December 12 to December 18, 2013

The Delta Six

F

orged of steel and silicone, this 4½ lb gun is the most realistic First Person Shooter peripheral on the market.

And it hasn’t even been released yet! Set to release early 2014, the gun boasts some pretty epic “firing power.”

David Kotkin, creator of peripherals such as the Bionic Edge, and the Avenger Controller. During an interview with David, he explained the origin of the Delta Six, and what he wanted to achieve by designing such a realistic TOY gun. “At my son’s birthday party, I noticed all of the children were not downstairs with the newer arcade games, but upstairs, playing these old, saloon style shooter games. You know, with the plastic guns and the light up targets. It was that moment that I decided to design a gun that people can use in their home with their favorite shooter titles for a truly interactive, immersive experience!”

And that is exactly what he has done.

The gun assembles into multiple variations, from an assault rifle, to a fully scoped, silenced sniper rifle, reaching more than 3ft long. The Delta Six also uses an IR sensor, to react to gestures a real gun would use. Lean your head into the scope and the game will zoom in, as if you were setting up a head shot. Melee attacks are a reaction of kicking out the butt of the gun, or “Stock Swinging” as if you are hitting someone with it. And reloading? Simply tap the ammo clip.

The actuator is David’s most accomplished detail in the gun. “While plugged in, the actuator will provide the same kick, as a fully automatic assault rifle, the feeling is intense! You can’t help but get fully into the game!” The gun can also be used without an outlet plug, using 4 AA batteries located inside the ammo clip.

Of course, there has been scrutiny by those who think such a realistic gun just plays into the “Gaming Creates Violence” trend plaguing the video game industry.

My opinion? After trying the only Delta Six gun in existence right now, I see that it is extremely realistic and I do get the feeling that the gun might be mistaken as

a real weapon if taken outside the home.

So, DON’T take it outside! Explain to your children this is a toy, to be used inside the home, under supervision, and is not an outside toy.

The gun has been guaranteed to work on XB1, Xbox 360, PS3, PS4, and PC systems. Not only that, but you can hook up to four guns on one console, controlling a complete squad in your living room! I personally cannot wait to get my own Delta six controller. For more information, www. thedeltasix.com is the place to go!

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December 12 to December 18, 2013

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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

Week of December 12

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected President of the United States four times, more often than any other president. We can conclude that he was one of the most popular American leaders ever. And yet he never won a majority of the votes cast by the citizens of his home county in New York. I foresee the possibility of a comparable development in your life. You may be more successful working on the big picture than you are in your immediate situation. It could be easier for you to maneuver when you’re not dealing with familiar, up-close matters. What’s outside your circle might be more attracted to your influence than what’s nearer to home.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): In 2009, actress Sandra Bullock starred in three films, two of which earned her major recognition. For her performance in All About Steve, she was given a Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress. Her work in The Blind Side, on the other hand, won her an Oscar for Best Actress. I’m thinking that you may experience a similar paradox in the coming days, Taurus. Some of your efforts might be denigrated, while others are praised. It may even be the case that you’re criticized and applauded for the same damn thing.

How to respond? Learn from Bullock’s example. She gave gracious acceptance speeches at the award ceremonies for both the Golden Raspberry and the Oscar.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Almost 2,000 years ago, a Roman doctor named Scribonius Largus developed recipes for three different kinds of toothpaste. One contained the ashes of burnedup deer antler, aromatic resin from an evergreen shrub known as mastic, and a rare mineral called sal ammoniac. His second toothpaste was a mix of barley flour, vinegar, honey, and rock salt. Then there was the third: sun-dried radish blended with finely ground glass. Let’s get a bit rowdy here and propose that these three toothpastes have metaphorical resemblances to the life choices in front of you right now. I’m going to suggest you go with the second option. At the very least, avoid the third.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Are you feeling a bit pinched, parched, and prickly? Given the limitations you’ve had to wrestle with lately, I wouldn’t be surprised if you were. Even though you have passed some of the sneaky tests and solved some of the itchy riddles you’ve been compelled to deal with, they have no doubt contributed to the pinched, parched prickliness. Now what can be done to help you recover your verve? I’m thinking that all you will have to do is respond smartly to the succulent temptations that life will bring your way in the coming weeks.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Have you ever situated yourself between two big bonfires on a beach and basked in the primal power? Was there a special moment in your past when you found yourself sitting between two charismatic people you loved and admired, soaking up the life-giving radiance they exuded? Did you ever read a book that filled you with exaltation as you listened to music that thrilled your soul? These are the kinds of experiences I hope you seek out in the coming week. I’d love to see you get nourished stereophonically by rich sources of excitement.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Mythically speaking, this would be a propitious time for you to make an offering to the sea goddess. In dreams or meditations or fantasies, I suggest you dive down into the depths, find the supreme feminine power in her natural habitat, and give her a special gift. Show her how smart you are in the way you express love, or tell her exactly how you will honor her wisdom in the future. If she is receptive, you may even ask her for a favor. Maybe she’ll be willing to assist you in accessing the deep feelings that haven’t been fully available to you. Or perhaps she will teach you how to make conscious the secrets you have been keeping from yourself.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Don’t linger in a doorway, Libra. Don’t camp out in a threshold or get

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© Copyright 2012 Rob Brezsny

stuck in the middle of anything. I understand your caution, considering the fact that life is presenting you with such paradoxical clues. But if you remain ambivalent too much longer, you may obstruct the influx of more definitive information. The best way to generate the clarity and attract the help you need will be to make a decisive move -- either in or out, either forward or backward, either up or down.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “It’s a rare person who wants to hear what he doesn’t want to hear,” said TV talk show host Dick Cavett. I will love it if you make yourself one of those rare types in the coming week, Scorpio. Can you bring yourself to be receptive to truths that might be disruptive? Are you willing to send out an invitation to the world, asking to be shown revelations that contradict your fixed theories and foregone conclusions? If you do this hard work, I promise that you will be granted a brainstorm and a breakthrough. You might also be given a new reason to brag.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): There are pregnant truths I could reveal to you right now that I’ve decided not to disclose. I don’t think you’re prepared to hear them yet. If I told you what they are, you wouldn’t be receptive or able to register their full meaning; you might even misinterpret them. It is possible, however, that you could evolve rather quickly in the next two weeks.

So let’s see if I can nudge you in the direction of getting the experiences necessary to become ready.

Meditate on what parts of you are immature or underdeveloped -- aspects that may one day be skilled and gracious, but are not yet. I bet that once you identify what needs ripening, you will expedite the ripening. And then you will become ready to welcome the pregnant truths.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): “Finifugal” is a rarely used English adjective that I need to invoke in order to provide you with the proper horoscope.

It refers to someone who avoids or dislikes endings -- like a child who doesn’t want a bedtime story to conclude, or an adult who’s in denial about how it’s finally time to wrap up long-unfinished business. You can’t afford to be finifugal in the coming days, Capricorn. This is the tail end of your cycle. It won’t be healthy for you to shun climaxes and denouements. Neither will it be wise to merely tolerate them. Somehow, you’ve got to find a way to love and embrace them. (P.S. That’s the best strategy for ensuring the slow-motion eruption of vibrant beginnings after your birthday.)

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): According to 20th-century British author John Cowper Powys, “A bookshop is a dynamite-shed, a drugstore of poisons, a bar of intoxicants, a den of opiates, an island of sirens.” He didn’t mean that literally, of course. He was referring to the fact that the words contained in books can inflame and enthrall the imagination. I think you will be wise to seek out that level of arousal in the coming weeks, Aquarius.

Your thoughts need to be aired out and rearranged.

Your feelings are crying out for strenuous exercise, including some pure, primal catharses. Do whatever it takes to make sure that happens.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): “I am not fearless,” says Mexican journalist and women’s right advocate Lydia Cacho, “but I’m not overtaken by fear. Fear is quite an interesting animal. It’s like a pet. If you mistreat it, it will bite, but if you understand it and accept it in your house, it might protect you.” This is an excellent time to work on transforming your fright reflexes, Pisces. You have just the right kind of power over them: strong and crafty and dynamic, but not grandiose or cocky or delusional. You’re ready to make your fears serve you, not drain you.

Homework: What holiday gifts do you want?

Express your outrageous demands and humble requests. Freewillastrology.com.

Rob Brezsny Free Will Astrology freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com

December 12 to December 18, 2013

Mind, body & Spirit

by Bronwyn Ison

Palate Pleasers for the Holidays

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elicious edibles inundate us at this time of the year and the temptation is fierce.

Each little treat you indulge yourself in can overwhelm you. With three weeks left in 2012 you may consider scaling down on what you are eating. A little here a little there may be insurmountable to burn off in 2013.

Eating healthy and being consciousness about how we fuel our bodies is a choice. Whatever we eat and drink is a true reflection of who we are and how we envision our bodies. As mentioned in previous articles, I enjoy a treat every so often.

However, balance and awareness of what you are eating and how much is important. Being cognizant of what we digest serves a greater purpose. The purpose draws awareness to how we feel and function in our daily lives when we eat properly. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and protein provide energy in people. Food that is highly processed, high in sugar, high in carbohydrates often depletes one’s energy level.

You may notice with all the holiday cheer you are not eating as well as you usually do. This is normal for this time of year due to the multitude of engagements you are attending. Take control these last few weeks of the year. Forgo extra chips and desserts. Mitigate temptation.

Enjoy the following appetizing and satisfying dishes. Your palate will be placated. Plus, the recipes lend a festive ambience.

Red and White Salad ~ 8 servings, about 1 3/4 cups each. Active Time: 25 min. Total Time: 25 min. This recipe calls for Champagne Vinaigrette.

Ingredients • 4 cups thinly sliced hearts of romaine • 2 heads Belgian endive, cored and thinly sliced • 1 bulb fennel, trimmed, cored, quartered and thinly sliced • 1 15-ounce can hearts of palm, drained, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced • 1/2 head radicchio, cored, quartered and thinly sliced • 1 red apple, cored and cut into matchsticks • 1 cup thinly sliced radishes • Champagne Vinaigrette, (recipe follows) • Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Preparation Toss romaine, endive, fennel, hearts of palm, radicchio, apple and radishes together in a large salad bowl. Add vinaigrette and toss to coat.

Season with pepper.

Make Ahead Tip: Prepare salad without dressing, cover and refrigerate for up to 4 hours.

Toss with vinaigrette just before serving.

Nutrition- Per serving: 111 calories; 7 g fat ( 1 g sat , 5 g mono ); 0 mg cholesterol; 11 g carbohydrates; 2 g protein; 3 g fiber; 424 mg sodium; 324 mg potassium. Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin C (30% daily value). Carbohydrate Servings: 1 Exchanges: 1 1/2 vegetable, 1 1/2 fat Broiled Mango ~ 2 servings. Active Time: 10 minutes. Total Time: 20 minutes Ingredients • 2 ripe mangos • Lime wedges Preparation 1. Position rack in upper third of oven and preheat broiler. Line a broiler pan with foil.

2. Arrange mango slices in a single layer in the prepared pan. Broil until browned in spots, 8 to 10 minutes. Squeeze lime wedges over the broiled mango and serve.

Tips & Notes • Tip: Cutting a Mango: • 1. Slice both ends off the mango, revealing the long, slender seed inside. Set the fruit upright on a work surface and remove the skin with a sharp knife.

• 2. With the seed perpendicular to you, slice the fruit from both sides of the seed, yielding two large pieces.

• 3. Turn the seed parallel to you and slice the two smaller pieces of fruit from each side.

• 4. Cut the fruit into the desired shape.

Nutrition- Per serving: 69 calories; 0 g fat ( 0 g sat , 0 g mono ); 0 mg cholesterol; 18 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 1 g protein; 2 g fiber; 2 mg sodium; 167 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin C (50% daily value), Vitamin A (15% dv).

Carbohydrate Servings: 1 Exchanges: 1 fruit Enjoy and remember you can indulge is special treats that are healthy. Cheers!

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December 12 to December 18, 2013

Life & career Coach

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

by Sunny Simon

Land a Job Before The Ball Drops

I

f you are currently in a job search and think the holidays will stall the process, I have some cheery news to bolster your spirit. Often managers need to spend their headcount budgets before the end of the year or they may lose the funding.

Use it or lose it scenarios create a sense of urgency for the employer that can send a job offer your way before you can proclaim, “Happy New Year.” Additionally, many companies initiate the recruiting process in December to fill openings slotted in their new hiring budgets which begin in January.

Rather than humbugging the month of December as job search downtime, start implementing some proactive strategies to ensure your pockets will jingle in 2014.

Begin by attending holiday parties with employment in mind. Count on the bright holiday season to work it’s magic by making people receptive to your needs. Network while you party. When making new friends, be sure to put your best foot forward and make a good impression. Limit your alcohol

intake and the lure of camping out at the holiday buffet. Seasonal gatherings give you the opportunity to make some new contact referrals. Mention your job search and you may pick up job leads and offers to network on your behalf. With a sprinkling of luck, you may even discover your cousin’s date works for an organization on your target list.

Remember when you are networking you are not asking for a job. You are simply inquiring for additional networking contacts to help extend your reach. Don’t attend the party empty handed. Go prepared. In addition to bringing a hostess gift, be sure to arm yourself with personal business cards detailing your contact information.

Take advantage of the fact that your fellow job seekers are spending time at the mall. Less rivalry over coveted job openings means your resume gets more attention from hiring managers. Invest some effort in polishing your LinkedIn profile. Recruiters are on the prowl to fill the candidate pipeline for the new budget year.

A final thought, if you have time on your hands due to a recent lay-off, take advantage of the many opportunities to volunteer and help others in need. Using your time for goodwill and giving back offers its own rewards. Also, it never hurts to rack up points on the good girl or boy list. You may be rewarded in return.

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

PSYCHIC READER

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.

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December 12 to December 18, 2013

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There are a lot of great treatments available: Noticing some extra creases around the eyes or frown lines on your forehead?

Botox is a great choice to soften your lines!

How about those “smile lines” that look deeper every year? Of course you don’t want to stop smiling but a little filler (Juvederm, Restylane and Sculptra) can do a world of good!

Is your skin looking a bit dull or are you hiding “age spots” under a lot of makeup? A chemical peel is great refresher for the skin – but remember that you will be flaky for 7

full days after a peel so plan ahead to finish peeling before that holiday party night!

Is your skincare routine falling prey to the hectic season? Try some new products to really feel great about your skin!

Tired of needing more and more mascara to highlight your eyes? It’s time to try Latisse to grow your own lashes longer, darker and fuller!

Or what about all that holiday weight gain? Does everyone at work bring a tray of homemade cookies and by the end of the season you have put on several pounds?

Consider the hCG diet to help with keeping the weight off or losing it in the new year!

And don’t forget… it’s also the season of giving! All these treatments make great gifts…. Call to give gift certificate to someone you think is beautiful!

Call Lombardo Cosmetic Surgery today and see what Dr. Maria Lombardo can do to make feel great this holiday season!

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