February 28 to March 6, 2013 Vol. 1 No. 49

News

Music

Movies

Dining

Community Events

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com • February 28 to March 6, 2013 Vol. 1 No. 49

Terry Fator and Friends

pg 6

Indian Wells

pg 9

Bar

pg 18

February 28 to March 6, 2013

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Coachella Valley Weekly

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com info@coachellavalleyweekly.com

760.501.6228 Publisher & Editor Tracy Dietlin Art Director Oscar F Arbulu Sales Manager: Raymond Bill Sales Team Craig Michaels, Phyllis Gerstein Public Relations and Promotions Manager Lisa Morgan Classified Manager & Nightlife Editor Philip Lacombe Features Writer Lisa Morgan Writers/Contributors: Robin Simmons, Rick Riozza, Diane Marlin-Dirkx, Lola Rossi-Meza, Craig Michaels, Bronwyn Ison, Haddon Libby, Mike Livingston, Cara Pellegrino, Rachel Montoya, Angela Janus, Janet McAfee, Heidi Simmons, Dale Gribow, Raymond Bill, Jack St. Clair, Rob Brezny, Amanda Dorta, Eleni P. Austin, Phyllis Gerstein, Judi Sulkin, Noe Gutierrez, Jill Coleman Distribution Jim Fox Distribution/ William Westley, Rudy Mendez

Contents WILLIE NELSON THIS FRI - MAR 1

MATCHBOX TWENTY

STEVIE NICKS

SAT - MAR 30

THIS SAT - MAR 2

JOHN LEGEND

LIVE GOLDEN BOY BOXING

SAT - APR 6

FRI - MAR 8

TERRY FATOR SAT - MAR 9

PEPE AGUILAR

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

SAT - MAY 4

From 9:00 am to 2:30 pm

IL DIVO SAT - MAY 18

FREE ADMISSION • FREE PARKING • FREE ENTERTAINMENT

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La Quinta Art Festival..................3 The Vineyard Lounge ..................5 Comedy........................................6 Local Music Spotlight..................7 Road Trippin.................................8 Indian Wells..................................9 Hiroshima...................................10 Desert DJ’s..................................11 Consider This..............................12 Valley Rhythms..........................13 Pet Place.....................................14 The Vino Voice............................15 Club Crawler Nightlife...............16 Good Grub..................................18 Screeners....................................20 Book Review...............................21 Restaurant Guide.......................22 It’s All Local................................23 Education...................................23 Dale Gribow on the Law............24 Safety Tips..................................25 ShareKitchen..............................25 Chalk Art Festival.......................26 Classifieds..................................26 Free Will Astrology....................27 Mind, Body & Spirit...................27 Health Fitness & Beauty............28

February 28 to March 6, 2013

All Roads Lead to La Quinta Arts # Festival for the 1 Show in the Nation

by Rachel Montoya

F

or our readers out there in the greater Coachella Valley who have never attended La Quinta Arts Festival, or haven’t been in awhile, THIS event is the one not to be missed. It’s #1 and it’s in your own back yard. So what exactly makes La Quinta’s show the BEST? For starters, La Quinta Civic Center Campus is The Best Venue anywhere, as attested to by Greg Lawler of Art Fair SourceBook, the publication which evaluates thousands of arts and craft shows every year. The magnificent site transforms into an outdoor artist gallery as visitors stroll the lush green lawns and shady paths amidst quaint gazebos, cool waterfalls and lakes shared by the resident koi and ducks.

On this stunning site you will find 230 of the The Best Artists anywhere assembled at one time. The Festival Artists are selected through a highly competitive jury process where 45 art experts to evaluated 1,000 applicants who applied from 39 states,

Canada, Mexico, Israel, and Germany – all vying for one of the 230 coveted spots. This year’s artists are arriving from 29 states and Canada including 26% of new first time exhibitors, plus returning favorites.

Be sure to visit the La Quinta Arts Festival 2013 Featured Artists that include Photographer Mark Stephenson, who was chosen as the Poster Artist for his amazing “Golden Cattails” nine panel piece —signifying that La Quinta Arts Festival has set the Gold Standard for art festivals everywhere. Three others, Kathy Ross (Mixed Media); Stacy Dynan (Painting); and Scott & Naomi Schoenherr (Ceramics) will share Featured Artist roles. All are known for their whimsical styles that convey this year’s theme, “All Roads Lead to La Quinta Arts Festival.” Their wacky creations have been used in promotional collateral and are available in the form of note cards and commemorative t-shirts at the Festival Store.

In 2012 the Festival Artists sold more of the Best Art than any other show on the planet, thus paving the way to its #1 standing. Out to surpass that record, this year’s exhibiting artists will be showcasing their original artworks in a dazzling array of media: Photography - Painting – Ceramics – Mixed Media – Glass – Jewelry – Sculpture – Fiber – Wood – Drawing & Pastels.

Visitors will find unique treasures in every size and price range to decorate your home or office, or a wearable adornment created just for you!

Let’s never forget to acknowledge The continue to page 5

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February 28 to March 6, 2013

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February 28 to March 6, 2013

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The Place Where Food and Fun Meet

Tune in to Jan’s Kitchen on K-NEWS 94.3 FM 8-10am Saturdays

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Join us as we celebrate St. Patrick’s weekend the traditional way with a two day block party in the Tilted Kilt parking lot! This year’s 30th Annual “wearin of the green” will feature multiple Bands & DJ’s, Green Beer, Traditional Irish Food, Prizes & Contests, and the famous Tilted Kilt Girls.

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Sat, Feb 23 - D Phillips Band Motown & Soul

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by Rachel Montoya

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A D E S T I N AT I O N ® R E S O R T

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the Nation. Presented by La Quinta Arts Foundation in partnership with Premier Sponsor the City of La Quinta, La Quinta Arts Festival runs Thursday, March 7 through Sunday, March 10, 2013 at La Quinta Civic Center Campus, 78495 Calle Tampico. Gates will be open 10 am to 5 pm daily. Single Day Admission is $12 or return all four days for just $15 with a Multi-day Pass. Children under 12 are free. Find ticket specials and complete information at www.LQAF.com or call (760) 564-1244.

The Vineyard Lounge at Miramonte Resort & Spa gets “Sassy and Sultry”

Air Shopping n e p !

O 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday

Quinta Arts Festival patrons are guaranteed The Best Experience possible — a visual feast and unparalleled cultural experience.

Music, performance art, trendy food in Restaurant Row featuring Ruth’s Chris and Fisherman’s Market & Grill, and craft beer and fine wine from the Island Bar, all set the stage for yet another award winning La Quinta Arts Festival. Four days of fun for the price of a movie ticket.

Discover for yourself why La Quinta Arts Festival is the #1 Fine Art Festival in

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FREE: Admission • Shuttle Service • Parking • Entertainment start your day... t way to a e r A g ith family fun and entertainmen t! w

New merchandise, arts section, food court, entertainment and farmers market – all located on the beautiful College of the Desert campus.

The Best of Times can be shared with family and friends with the opportunity to meet and mingle with the artists, learn about the inspiration for their creations, and how they craft their work. This sets the Festival apart from the usual gallery experience. Being exposed to so many and varied kinds of art in one setting, La

SATURDAY & SUNDAY MARCH 16TH & 17TH

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Best Volunteers! La Quinta Art Festival’s “Red Shirt Brigade” is an army of 300 smiling, energetic, and knowledgeable volunteers decked out in bright red t-shirts ready to assist, guide, direct, and inform the artists and the patrons. The show could not go on without them.

1/16/13 9:05 AM PRINT A D E S T I N AT I O N R E S O R T

A D E S T I N AT I O N ® R E S O R T

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iramonte Resort & Spa introduces “Sassy and Sultry,” a weekly happy hour event showcasing select wines and smooth sounds with “songbird” Gina Carey, happening every Thursday from 5 to 8 pm in the resort’s Vineyard Lounge.

“Sassy and Sultry” highlights a different winery each month with flights of wine from the featured winemaker. On occasion representatives from the winery will be present offering a more personalized experience of the wines to be enjoyed. In addition to a vast selection of fine wines and champagnes, The Vineyard Lounge also offers a full menu of specialty drinks and made-to-order cocktails.

Paired with the smooth wines will be the hot sounds of recording artist Gina Carey bringing her warm, angelic, soulful voice to create the foundation of the

“Sassy and Sultry” weekly program. Gina’s versatility shows in her ability to move within genres from rock, pop, soul and R&B. Gina has written and recorded three independently released gospel CDs and five soulful albums. Gina’s 2011 CD entitled Melodic was entirely written, arranged and mixed by Gina and produced by her multitalented husband and recording artist, John Carey. John, urban soul guitarist, is also featured on this album as the lead guitarist.

On August 24, 2011, Melodic soared to the #1 Spot on the UK Top 30 Soul Charts & on December 8, 2011 Melodic was named one of the Top Albums of the year 2011. Gina’s most recent recording, Gina Carey…The Songbird, was just released at the end of January 2013.

The lushly landscaped grounds, bougainvillea-draped, Mediterranean atmosphere of Miramonte Resort & Spa

provide a perfect setting for the event.

The outdoor patio of The Vineyard Lounge is situated below the Santa Rosa Mountain backdrop and graced with hues from blue

to orange and violet at sunset.

For more information about Miramonte Resort & Spa call (800) 237-2926 or book online at www.miramonteresort.com.

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February 28 to March 6, 2013

comedy

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By Lisa Morgan

Terry Fator and Friends

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Fantasy Springs Special Events Center Saturday, March 9th 8PM

ou never know what to expect when you get the opportunity to interview someone who is at the pinnacle of success in their field of entertainment. Granted it was a phone interview, but one can feel pretty darn small during those minutes preceding a conversation to someone who seems a bit larger than life and to whom you’ve never spoken to before. “Hi, Lisa, this is Terry!”

It took me a moment to register that the object of my interview was making his own phone calls! But from that point forward, we were talking like friends about the experience of being Terry Fator, the world renowned ventriloquist who was catapulted into fortune and fame upon winning the America’s Got Talent competition in its second season. I share this with you to help you understand how deeply enjoyable and down to earth this highly sought after entertainer is. Six years after his big win, his wife still has to remind him that he is a highly recognizable individual and should probably wear sunglasses when he goes out. He just plain “forgets” that he’s famous.

When Terry was growing up in Texas, his father, a very conservative Christian, had pretty much persuaded him to become a preacher one day. Being a naturally magnetic personality, Terry only knew that he wanted to inspire people and that he loved to make them laugh. “I wanted to be a light in the darkness and bring happiness and goodness into people’s lives, but deep down I knew that preaching was not my calling.” He was in the fifth grade when he “accidentally” stumbled onto a book about ventriloquism titled, Ventriloquism for Fun and Profit, by Paul Winchell. A few weeks

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later, he purchased a Willie Talk dummy from Sears. Almost immediately he began performing for friends and family and even won a local talent competition. Terry found his calling through entertainment. “That little hole in my heart is filled when I see people laughing,” he shared.

Today, Terry Fator has over 20 puppets, only 8 of which he can use in any given show due to time restraints. The friends he’ll be bringing along with him to Fantasy Spring will include Winston the Turtle; Walter T. Airedale, the country singer; Emma Taylor and her renditions of Etta James, Adele and Aretha Franklin; Julius the “soul singer”; the loveably flamboyant Berry Fabulous, known for his renditions of Cher and Barbara Streisand songs; Maylord Thompkins with his Elvis tribute; and Monty Carlo who will entertain with renditions of Tony Bennett, Dean Martin and the like. The trademark of Terry’s show is the stunning singing abilities he displays through his characters. He can impersonate famous female and male vocalists without moving his lips. I asked him why he never pursued a career as a vocalist;

why include ventriloquism. His answer was simply, “Because I can.” His point is well made that a lot of people can sing, and many of them are really good at it. What made Terry stand out against the incredible skills of his competitors on America’s got Talent and in the entertainment business itself, is that he CAN do both and with great skill.

In his wildest dreams, Terry never imagined the success he’s seeing now.

“When I entered the contest, I simply hoped to get exposure and be able to get jobs on cruise ships and bigger stages with a paying audience. I was working at county fairs and always got stuck in the back on tiny stages near the petting zoos. I even got heat stroke a couple of times. People would stay for one part of my act with one of my puppets and leave before I had a chance to set up the next character. I thought that if I could play on a cruise ship, I’d also be able to book bigger stages with a paying audience who would stay and see all of what I had to offer.

The ventriloquist that preceded me on the show the season before didn’t win, but still

got booked on the David Letterman show.

I never expected to win, just get more exposure and hopefully better stages.”

When I asked him what his wildest dream was now, he said, “I’m amazingly happy and content right now. If anything, I’d like to maybe do a television show, not for my ego or anything like that. It’s just that family time in front of the television is pretty much gone. I’d like to bring something that’s not full of gimmicks, or that shows the worst part of human nature, but something that brings positivity to the world. Entertainment today has driven a wedge between families.

Television shows are either full of so much dribble that only children can enjoy it or so full of sexual references that only adults can watch it. I’d like to provide something happy and enlightening that the family can enjoy together. I’ve pitched it, but no one’s bought it yet. I won’t give up on it though.”

The best part of Terry’s success, he explains, is the audiences. “I used to think it was the money, but it’s not. The greatest joy, deep down inside of every entertainer, is sharing their craft and seeing people enjoy it. That’s the best part for me now.”

The toughest part of his fame is time limits. “I have less time to give to people.

It doesn’t bother me when people ask for autographs, but sometimes there just isn’t enough time.”

As the headliner at the Mirage Casino in Las Vegas for the past three years, Fator is dedicated to keeping his act fresh. So, if you saw him last year here in the desert, you’ll be in for an entirely new experience this year. And an “experience” is what this gifted entertainer aims to bring to every show. “I want it to be an almost spiritual experience that takes the audience out of themselves for a while. I don’t want the audience to walk away just saying they laughed so hard their sides hurt. I want them to say that they felt every range of emotion from utter laughter, to getting a lump in their throat. That, to me, is the perfect show.” If you’ve had the pleasure of seeing him perform, you know firsthand that Terry Fator is truly fulfilling his calling, bringing light and laughter to others one brilliant performance at a time.

Tickets are available to purchase online at http://tickets22-px.rtrk.com/buy/ TicketPurchase, or call (877) 3947668. Special room packages are available as well. For more information on Terry Fator, you can visit his website at http:// terryfator.com/#top.

Local Music Spotlight

February 28 to March 6, 2013

By Lisa Morgan

UN/Plugged at The Red Barn Friday, March 1st @ 8:30pm

I

t is my hope as the feature writer for CV Weekly, a paper that truly admires, supports and promotes our local musicians that the people of the Coachella Valley and surrounding areas are beginning to realize and appreciate just how much raw, creative talent our valley holds within its mountainscapes. Once again, I have the honor of announcing yet another musical event that brings together a number of our most talented, local musicians. This Friday, March 1st, beginning at 8:30 pm, The Red Barn will be presenting live and loud sets by The Rebel Noise and Blared the Surface, as well as acoustic sets

by Eric Taylor of Campaigning for Zeros and Rob Lawrence (formerly with Sol Jah Rock), and introducing Noah Tate.

The Rebel Noise: The Rebel Noise consists of female drummer, Ashley Kay Pintor, her brother and lead guitarist, Collin James Pintor, and Leopoldo (Leo) Rodriguez on guitar and vocals. As a three piece, this band did an excellent job reflecting the influences of White Stripes and The Black Keys among others. The recent addition of bass player, Brian Kiepler, fattens up their sound quite nicely. Leo’s powerful, haunting, emotional vocals give them an alt/rock contemporary edge while the other three players bring forth an “in your face” straight on classic rock backdrop that reflects their wide range of contemporary and roots rock influences from Led Zeppelin to Foo Fighters. Originally from the Central Coast of California, the band recently relocated to the Coachella Valley and has been working endlessly on new material.

This is a band that is excited to share their passion and love for music with all who will listen.

Within the month, the band will be embracing an opportunity to record in Arizona at The Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences. It will be interesting to see what student-engineer Brad Bacon will be able to do for The Rebel Noise in the studio.

I have great expectations as the project will record the band live on analog, the way bands used to be recorded prior the digital/ Pro tools invasion. This is something a lot of the big time bands are reverting to in order to recapture the raw sound you hear on the earlier, classic rock recordings. For now you can find their music on Reverb Nation and Facebook. Just be sure to search by typing in the full name “The Rebel Noise”.

Blare the Surface: This band, also known as BtS, will be making their debut this show

Friday night. They are three seasoned musicians who formed just recently in the last six months. Based on the mp3s I was given to listen to, they are going to be delivering some powerful, hard rocking, sound experiences. The band consists of front man “Brando” on vocals and guitar, and Brad Fleener on drums. The two formerly played together in the band Two Drink Minimum. Bass player, Greg Cabral, who also plays with the local band Ornament, had some down time and was looking to do something bolder and brasher. Upon running into Brando and finding Brando’s original songs to be lyrically and melodically strong, the three formed and have been working it out and recording since. They now have 9 original tunes with a developed sound that Greg describes as “heavy 70’s, psychedelic, indie rock.” They have a lowfi sound infused with, lush melodic lines that they deliver quite fiercely. This band is so new as a group, that the fan pages and website are still under construction. The only way you’re going to get to experience this band is to be there Friday night. If you love rock and roll, don’t miss it.

Eric Taylor: I personally adore this artist.

His band, Campaigning for Zeros is still fully intact and will be performing locally soon.

In the meantime, Eric has been laying down some amazing acoustic performances across the valley. His guitar skills are those of a man with extra digits on his hand, but more than that, his melodies and songs are relatable, soulful and absolute ear candy. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing him perform and was incredibly impressed not only by his musical prowess, but by his humble tolerance of people in the audience that apparently can’t appreciate much else outside of the sound of their own voices. It reminded me of an old recording I have of Sublime doing an acoustic set in Long Beach where Bradley Nowell was pouring himself into his music, while obviously being underappreciated by the jabbering crowd. It is my hope that you will be able to hear and fully appreciate Eric

Taylor in this acoustic setting as I’m sure those recorded in the presence of Nowell now wish they had. This is an artist with a whole lot to offer musically but who isn’t in it for himself. His passion for music extends to other musicians in providing them opportunities and support. You can check out Eric Taylor’s music on his Facebook fan page or Reverb Nation by entering Eric M Taylor.

Rob Lawrence: Formerly of the band Sol Jah Rock, Rob has played in bands across the country, from New Jersey, to Seattle and here in So Cal. He’s played many genres from classic rock to punk and reggae. Right now he is focusing on his solo, reggae/ rock sound. With more music still in the process of being recorded, you can check out video at Reverb Nation and follow him on Facebook.

So here you are with another opportunity to indulge in some really great live original music. There is always the hope that one day one of our own will find success that comes with big stages and venues. But know that these dedicated musicians do this for the love of music and the joy it brings an artist to share their craft, to be heard and appreciated. Do not take for granted the virtual buffet of musical experiences we are so fortunate to have here locally. If you do, one day it may be gone. So come out and support your local music scene and the venues that give them their platform. You won’t be sorry.

The Red Barn is located at 73290 Highway 111, Palm Desert (760) 346-0191

Thr3 Strykes

By Lisa Morgan

I

f you think about it, there really hasn’t been a group to emulate the energy, cross-genre appeal and success that has been owned by the Beastie Boys since their debut of Licensed to Ill in 1986. Thr3 Strykes, I believe, has the absolute capacity to fill that vacancy in today’s music scene with their personalized, contemporary flare.

From the millisecond their feet touched the stage at the Hood Bar, the energy just about blew the doors off the building leading me to finally understand fully the phrase “Raising the Roof”. It was obvious that these artists live, breathe and bleed their art. There are three distinct, magnetic personalities pouring out their thug poetry with passion and precision, honoring some of their predecessors in the genre with great skill. My guess is MCA was looking down proudly on this younger collaboration. Thr3 Strykes has

that “it” factor that ultimately put the Beastie Boys into the Rock and Roll hall of fame, only the third group in the genre to be honored. That “It” factor is a genuine like-ability of the individuals combined with a no holds barred pouring out of passion, skill and heart. They left it all on the floor. They owned the crowd. If they continue to do what they did that night at the Hood and stay healthy in mind, body and soul, in an industry that will bleed you out if you let it, the sky is the limit for Thr3 Strykes.

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February 28 to March 6, 2013

Road trippin

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Story and pictures by Mike Bennett

Galleta Meadows Estates W

Ricardo Breceda sculptures

hen I found out there was a giant dragon swimming through the sand in Borrego Springs, I had to see it for myself. So I hopped in my clown car and hit Hwy 86.

Hwy 86 is particularly interesting when thriving farmlands end and Salton Sea begins. Borrego/Salton Sea is the exit you want to turn right on. When you get into the canyons of Ocotillo Wells, some of the views will literally take your breath away, and once you see the vast expanse that is AnzaBorrego Springs state park you may have to pull over to take in the beautiful pink rock formations and windblown canyons.

Borrego Springs is a tiny little thowback to the 1970’s kind of town. You will go through a roundabout and go straight into town. Stop at the little market and grab

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a cold pop for the full small town effect.

Go back to the roundabout and go left down Borrego Springs road and in about 2 minutes you’ll think you’re seeing things. It’s the main attraction and the reason we just drove 80 miles. Galleta Meadows estates.

This is a private estate owned by the Avery family, of the Avery label company. They sponsored these 129 metal sculptures by Ricardo Breceda, and they are an incredible sight to see against the mountain backdrop.

Scattered all through the area these welded sculptures seem to pop out of the desert everywhere you look. You can drive right up to the giant dragon that looks like its burrowing under the road. Most of the others are easily accessible by automobile as well. Make sure to drive though the open gate at the Golden Indian Head Ranch.

More dinosaurs and imaginary prehistoric

creations are down this road.

Search for more information online, punch up Borrego Springs dragon and

you’ll find information on the artist Ricardo Breceda and the Galleta Meadows estates.

Drive safe and enjoy the scenery.

Indian Wells

February 28 to March 6, 2013

By H. Simmons

Cities of the CV

There are nine incorporated cities that make up the Coachella Valley. Over the last two months, the CVW looked at each city and its unique qualities and contributions to the CV. To read about the cities, go to www.coachellavalleyweekly.com and click on archive.

T

he smallest incorporated community in the CV is Indian Wells. It is just over 14 square miles and has 5,000 households.

Approximately 2,000 of the residents reside in the town year-round and the population swells to 9,000 in season. Located between Palm Desert and La Quinta, on both side of highway 111, Indian Wells is a beautifully landscaped and well-manicured city that provides a resort lifestyle.

The community is mostly made up of country clubs. There is The Vintage, The Reserve, El Dorado, Toscana, Desert Horizons and Indian Wells Country Clubs.

The median age is 65 and the average annual income is $145,000. A few of the older established communities remain ungated. There are two affordable housing developments, the Mountain View Villas and the Indian Wells’ Villas.

It is a town small enough to have property owner identification cards. The optional ID card allows residents exclusive access to discounts on green fees plus 20 percent off on food and merchandise at the Indian Wells Golf Resort. The discounts apply at the local hotels and some businesses as well.

Mary Roche is the current acting Mayor.

She was first elected to City Council in 2000 and served until 2008. She was elected again in 2010 and has served as Mayor in 2004, 2008. “The citizens of Indian Wells have worked hard and achieved success,” said Roche. “ They choose to live here and they are contributing, caring and productive people.”

Mayor Roche points to the generous contributions of Indian Wells residents who have donated millions to valley organizations.

Citizens donated $5 million to California State University, San Bernardino and the Eisenhower Medical Center. According to Roche, the residents have contributed to the building of many of the important and essential valley projects.

More than half the city limits is rugged land in the Santa Rosa Mountains. The city has no intention of development in the mountains. The Living Desert Zoo and Botanical Gardens property is 75 percent Indian Wells’ land. Though some of the country clubs still have development space, the city is essentially built to capacity.

There is a small commercial business district in the community. But Indian Wells biggest industry is their four major hotels: The Hyatt Regency, the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort and Spa, Indian Wells Resort Hotel and the Miramonte Resort and Spa. Together there are 1,460 rooms.

These hotels provide the majority of the city’s tax revenue.

Chamber of Commerce Account Executive, Michael Avila, was unavailable for an interview. Avila was busy with the second annual Health and Wellness Event, Feeding the Dream, benefiting the Healthy Family Foundation, a division of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Foundation. The twoday event was held last weekend. Financial institutions and attorneys dominate the Chamber’s membership directory.

A great valley experience in Indian Wells is the Desert Town Hall Speaker Series.

This nonprofit educational corporation hosts world-renowned speakers at the Renaissance Esmeralda.

In its 21st season, Desert Town Hall is a preeminent speaker event attracting the world’s most influential and prominent names to the city. Brian Harnik is the President of the Board. “We look for speakers with relevance, significance and importance,” said Harnik. “We want the evening to be riveting for the audience.”

Past speakers have been President George W. Bush, the Cheneys, Pervez Musharraf, Margaret Thatcher, Dr. Andrew Weil, Malcolm Gladwell, to name only a few.

Part of the focus for Desert Town Hall is the Youth Ambassador Program. Sixteen area high schools participate, giving a total of 600 valley students the opportunity to partake in the event. There are 150 plus kids at each session who enjoy a private reception with the speaker w h e r e they can ask questions and contribute in discussions with their peers.

Becky Kurtz is the Desert Town Hall Interim Executive Director.

“The speakers often say that Youth Town Hall is the best part of the evening for them. They love interacting with the kids. The students’ questions are always interesting and challenging,” The Desert Town Hall makes an evening of the event. It begins at 5:00 and ends after nine. There is a reception with students, cocktails, a dinner, and time for questions and

answers. This makes the Indian Wells event unique to other speaker events whose guest typically only lecture.

So far this year Sanjay Gupta, neurosurgeon, author and Chief Medical Correspondent for CNN spoke, as did Tina Brown, the renowned editor, author and founder of TheDailyBeast.com. Next week, March 7, Jeb Bush, Florida’s former governor and youngest son of George H. Bush will speak. Four-Star General Stanley McChrystal will take the podium March 28.

McChrystal is former Commander of the U.S. and International Forces in Afghanistan and former leader of the Joints Special Operations Command.

The nonprofit foundation operates with a small staff of four and everyone else, including the Board of Directors, are all volunteers. The foundation is supported by corporate, private and city sponsorships.

The Speaker Series certainly adds to the Indian Wells brand and is a fantastic signature event.

The Indian Wells Tennis Garden is home to the BNP Paribas Open, which begins this week, March 4, and runs through March 17. The BNP is the fifth largest tennis tournament in the world! Over 370,000 attended last year. Privately owned by Larry Ellison, the co-founder and CEO of Oracle

Corporation, the stadium is in the city limits. Indian Wells purchased the naming rights at $2.5 million for the next ten years.

Built in 2000 at a cost of $77 million, the main court seats 16,100 making it the second largest in the world. There are 11 match courts, six practice courts and two clay courts on 88 acres. The stadium has also served as a concert venue. So far, The Eagles, The Who, Tom Petty and Andrea Bocelli have been featured in the beautiful outdoor stadium. The NBA has played three pre-season exhibition games there as well.

Last week, the city council approved the Indian Wells Tennis Garden Expansion. The $70 million project will start the day after the tournament ends, and is expected to be completed in ten months. The grounds will include a new 8,000-seat stadium, parking and dining. It is a world class facility certain to provide the CV with great entertainment.

The city of Indian Wells has been a part of the valley since the 1800s. A Cahullia hand-dug well provided respite and water for stagecoach travelers. Today the city is a sanctuary for those who have worked hard to enjoy a resort-style retirement. Mayor Roche has a favorite Latin phrase: multum in parvo. The saying translates: “Much in Little.” It is an accurate description for this small town, which plays such a big part in our desert culture.

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February 28 to March 6, 2013

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HIROSHIMA TO HEADLINE GROOVES ON THE GREEN

by Laura Little

H

iroshima will headline Grooves on the Green, an evening of world class music in a beautiful setting under the stars at Indian Wells Golf Resort and is sponsored by Miramonte Resort & Spa. The concert is set for Saturday, March 2, 2013 at 7:30 pm. Guest vocalist Terry Steele (former Hiroshima lead vocalist) joins the 2010 Grammy nominated band.

Hiroshima is the only Asian band to receive a Grammy-nomination - and they have two.

Hiroshima is an American jazz fusion/ smooth jazz band formed in 1974 by Sansei Japanese American Dan Kuramoto (wind instruments and band leader), Peter Hata (guitar), June Kuramoto (koto), Johnny Mori (percussion and taiko), Dave Iwataki (keyboards) and Danny Yamamoto (drums).

The band is best known for the fusing of Japanese music and other forms of world music into its playing. Hiroshima’s musical roots have a jazz-pop R&B sound. They are regarded as musical pioneers among the Asian American and Japanese American community Hiroshima’s Grammy nominated album, Legacy (Heads Up, 2009) celebrated the band’s 30 years in the recording industry.

Three years later, their latest album, Departure (self produced, 2012) is more than the sum of its parts. Departure showcases not only the incredible skill of each individual player, but the magic that

SATURDAY, MARCH 2, WITH SPECIAL VOCALIST TERRY STEELE

takes place when a group of performers are as tightly knit as Hiroshima.

One of the most unique bands in the world, Hiroshima combines traditional Japanese instruments, including koto, taiko and shakuhachi with western instruments and harmony, embracing rhythms ranging from Jazz to Latin and R&B. June Kuramoto on the koto is an American treasure and music icon. No one

else in the world possesses her ability to bridge the gap between traditional Asian music and western jazz. Hiroshima’s music has been heard in film, television, concert stages and festivals throughout the world.

After three years of successful concerts in La Quinta, Apaulo Music Productions is back with Grooves on the Green at a new venue, the beautiful Indian Wells Golf Resort.

Gold Seating $45 presale, $50 at the door (doors open at 7pm for open seating); $85 VIP reserved table seating presale, $90 at the door (VIP table seating includes a VIP meet and greet with the artists, wine and cheese reception beginning at 6:30pm and quality forward venue seating location.

Indian Wells Golf Resort is located at 45000 Indian Wells Lane, Indian Wells, CA 92210. Call (760) 834-3812 for information or visit http://www.indianwellsgolfresort. com/groovesonthegreen.html

Desert DJ’s

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February 28 to March 6, 2013

with Craig Michaels

United Way “Rockin’ VIP Challenge” Will be Fun & Games!

“S

urvey says”...the United Way of the Desert knows how to put the f-u-n in fundraising! I am honored to be a part of the 23rd annual “Rockin’ VIP Challenge” event at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort and Spa in Indian Wells. The public is also invited to experience this fun and exciting evening firsthand.

This year’s overall event theme is “The Golden Age of Television featuring Game Show Mania.” Which lends itself to a wide variety of theme and costume options including game shows like “Let’s Make a Deal,” “The Price is Right” or “Survivor.” In addition there are memorable television shows like “Batman,” “I Love Lucy,” or “Laugh In.” The list could go on and on, with the goal of being as creative as possible. This event’s

previous incarnation was the “VIP Waiter’s Challenge,” where a different business or non-profit organization would not only elaborately decorate their table but also dress in costume to match their theme and elect a local “celebrity” waiter for each table.

This year, the concept remains the same but it’s been modernized a bit. Attendees will decorate their table and dress in costume relevant to their theme which will be subject to audience votes throughout the evening.

Instead of having their designated table host take on the role of waiter, this year each table will be able to select one representative who will get a chance to “come on down” and be a contestant for an on-stage game show with lots of prizes up for grabs.

The United Way of The Desert is thrilled to welcome special guest, Peter Marshall

of “Hollywood Squares,” fame, along with Rancho Mirage City Councilman, Richard W. Kite (this year’s event Chairperson) who will be assisting me on stage as I host the game show portion of the evening. After the final rounds of competition, I will put on my DJ hat and get the party started on the dance floor.

But wait…there’s more! The event will feature a “Rockin’ Raffle” where the grand prize winner will receive cash, cash, cash and a trip for two to Mexico. Raffle tickets are being sold in advance with weekly prizes including BNP Paribas tennis tickets, a luxury wine basket and some fun surprises. Call the United Way office and “Let’s make a deal,” raffle tickets can be purchased by calling 760-323-2731. The invitation and RSVP form may be viewed and printed by visiting www. unitedwayofthedesert.org home page and

clicking on “Events” / Rockin’ VIP Challenge 2013. You can also contact the United Way of the Desert by e-mail: rockinchallenge2013@ gmail.com.

This annual event impacts thousands of people in the Valley who need help with health issues, youth care and income sustainability. What a great way to make a difference!

What: United Way of the Desert “Rockin’ VIP Challenge” Where: Renaissance Esmeralda Resort and Spa in Indian Wells - Emerald Ballroom When: Friday, March 22 Time: 6:00pm – 10:00pm Written by: Craig Michaels Musical Affair Entertainment (760) 619-3276

The Incredible Hulkster

I may not be the incredible Hulk, but I am a handsome fellow who needs a home!

I’m Hulkster, a Corgi mix, a short little fellow who loves belly rubs and playing with my toys. Come meet me at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, 4575 E. Mesquite, Palm Springs, (760) 416-5718.

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by Eleni P. Austin

T

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

(Lamp Records)

Four years elapsed between Glow and Birds Of My Neighborhood, released in 1999. In that interim Steve Brown left the band to become a chef. Innocence Mission continued as a trio and Don and Karen Peris started a family.

Albums trickled down sporadically.

Small Plane in 2001 catalogued outtakes leftover from the Birds Of My Neighborhood sessions. Befriended arrived in 2003, followed by We Walked In Song in 2007 and My Room In The Tree in 2010.

Innocence Mission music is something truly special. It is at once spiritual and ephemeral. It’s serious but rarely brooding.

Delicate but never precious. Karen Peris is the band’s primary songwriter. Her lyrics celebrate the quiet, nearly forgotten moments in life. It’s childhood bike rides and rainy Sunday afternoons spent rereading “Little Women.”

It’s easy to imagine the characters in Wes Anderson (“Moonrise Kingdom”), or Whit Stillman (“Metropolitan”) films listening to the Innocence Mission. If Charlie Brown has an MP3 player, you can bet he’s consoling himself with the Innocence Mission after Lucy tricked him with that football!

The melodies of Innocence Mission songs are tender and evocative. Equally influenced by 80s dream pop practitioners Talk Talk and quiescent British Folk singer Nick Drake. Most tracks are piloted by Don Peris’ reverb-drenched guitar. His sui generis riffs make him the world’s most diffident guitar hero.

For anyone familiar with the band, yearning for new music, the good news is the Innocence Mission is working on a new record. The better news is Karen Peris has released her first solo effort, Violet.

The album opens with buoyant optimism of “Song For A New Day.” Church-y piano chords ebb and flow as Peris counts her blessings… “Speechless and full of odd flaws, wonderous to be here at all/Seeing the world has a sheen, stepping into the pristine beautiful day.” Don Peris’ plangent guitar parts lend ballast to the feather- light melody.

It is slightly disappointing that six of Violet’s ten tracks are instrumentals. But even the most casual fan of the Innocence Mission will find the instrumentals winsome and appealing.

Both “Pascal’s Evening Song” and “Rowing Across” veer into classical territory.

The former is anchored by intricate violin fills from the Peris’ young son Drew. The melody has a wistful vibe that recalls the earnest scores from ‘70s Afterschool Specials. The latter feels like a sideways homage to “Clair

de Lune” by Debussey.

On the title track Peris’ hushed vocals are echoed by whisper- soft brushed drums.

The lyrics are a simple reverie… “Today I would have liked best to walk with a dog through the city, beside the doors looking up together/ Raising the line, raising the line of the horizon up a little.”

The instrumentals on Violet conjure up a variety of moods and emotions. “The Blue Rooftops” is bittersweet and melancholy, suffused with rippling clusters of piano chords.

“Julie And The Universe” threads sunny guitar riffs through a rich tapestry of piano,

pump organ and melodica. Despite it’s ambitious title, “Wales Because The Sun Would Shine” is spare and enigmatic. Finally , “Procession” is steeped in the ritual of devotion.

The lyrics on “Sweet William” paint an enduring paean to the resilient and spicy flower… “Sweet William is the strongest and the best in and out the garden, also the smallest/ The quietly quietly strong can be invisible in some ways.” Here electric guitar and acoustic piano intertwine, cushioned by twinkling percussion.

The album closes with “The Landscape Of Birds.” Both Peris children shine here, Drew on Violin and Anna on Viola. The instrumentation unspools with serene confidence, the lyrics rich and vivid, a reluctant farewell.

Although this is labeled a solo effort, Violet is very much a family affair. It’s nice to see the Peris’ extending their musical legacy.

In this over-stimulated, multi-tasking, caffeinated world sometimes we all need to unplug and decompress. Take some time to appreciate our surroundings, even if it’s just lounging on the grass looking at the sky. The Innocence Mission has crafted the perfect soundtrack for these (non) activities.

by Lola Rossi-Meza

L

ast Sunday was such a beautiful day. After performing in the morning for a private event, I was invited to join the family for a luncheon at Sammy G’s in downtown Palm Springs.

Sitting on the patio and enjoying delicious food was quite a treat. Later, I decided to walk down to Las Casuelas to hear the PS Sound Company. Band members include lead guitarist and vocalist Tony Dean; Alan Diaz on drums and vocals; bassist and vocalist Paul Villalobos; and Joel Orona on keyboard and vocals.

When I arrived mid-afternoon, the band was playing “The Lazy Song” to a crowded patio with guests dancing in the shaded area. This favorite family restaurant features all types of Traditional Mexican food and features a full bar with an array of margaritas, my personal favorite the Cadillac Martini. The restaurant is now serving breakfast at 8:30 a.m. every Saturday and Sunday.

While I was standing near the stairway across from the band, I watched three adorable little girls dancing with their mothers. They were loving the music and singing “Brown Eyed Girl” in front of the stage with the band. It was a priceless Kodak moment, for sure.

Enjoying the music and observing the sea of smiling faces all around this outdoor venue, reminded me of the Wildwood, New Jersey days, when I was a child, but without the beach. As always, professional musicians, like this dynamic group, know how to read the crowd and flow from one song to another.

The dance floor was packed when Orona started singing the Latin favorite “Oye Mi Amor” by Mana. The dancers went from dancing to the Spanish rock song, right into a jitterbug grove with “Hound Dog” as Orona tickled the ivories with another chorus sung

n

February 28 to March 6, 2013

Valley Rhythms

Rockin’ with the PS Sound Company

r t a in me n te t

WESTFIELD MALL

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Consider This

KAREN PERIS “Violet”

o be a devotee of the Innocence Mission, one must practice the virtue of patience. The band has been around for 24 years, but they have released only 10 albums.

Bassist Mike Bitts, Drummer Steve Brown, Guitarist Don Peris and Karen Peris (ne’ McCulloch) on keyboards and vocals, met as teenagers. All four performed in a high school production of “Godspell” in their hometown of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

By 1989 the band had signed with A & M Records and arrived in Los Angeles to record their self-titled debut with producer Larry Klein. In addition to producing artists as disparate as David Baerwald, Shawn Colvin, Herbie Hancock and Madeleine Peyroux, Klein is perhaps best known as Joni Mitchell’s husband from 1982 to 1994.

The Innocence Mission was immediately thrust into some pretty heady company.

Not only was the band recording their debut in Joni Mitchell’s house, but they crisscrossed the country as an opening act for Don Henley.

Their sophomore release, Umbrella came out in 1991. Also produced by Klein, the effort hewed pretty closely to the winning formula of their debut. Innocence Mission had achieved a measure of success, but they were lumped in with other femalecentric alternative acts like 10,000 Maniacs, Mazzy Star and The Sundays.

Perhaps these facile comparisons spurred the band to recalibrate and change courses.

Their third effort, Glow, was produced by Dennis Herring and recorded in New Orleans. Released in 1995, it was an artistic and commercial breakthrough.

Songs from Glow popped up in movies like “Empire Records” and television series like “Party Of Five.” Glow also marked the last time the Innocence Mission toured behind an album.

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February 28 to March 6, 2013

Palm Springs

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by Diaz followed by an outstanding guitar solo by Dean. Next up was surf music. They

performed to a packed dance floor, but also a packed house that day, I was glad to be

there. You never know what song they will call out next, but you can count on it being a winner!

They perform every Friday, Saturday and Sunday around Noon and again on Tuesday from 6 until 10:30 p.m.

According to a personal e-mail sent to me by Michael Schwibs, the lovely and multi-talented star, Carol Channing, the First Lady of the American Musical Theatre, celebrated her Ninety Second birthday at the Thunder Bird Country Club in Rancho Mirage. Actress Ruta Lee, Legendary Oscar Award winner Margaret O’Brien and zany comedic performer Carole Cook, were only a few her friends in attendance to wish her the happiest birthday ever.

Randal Malone, actor and President of the Southern California Motion Picture Council, presented his long-time friend with a very special birthday bling ring. Carol responded, “Oh, yes! Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend.”

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February 28 to March 6, 2013

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PET PLACE

A

nimal lovers and sports fans were shocked when NFL quarterback Michael Vick was arrested in 2007 for operating a brutal dog fighting operation on his Virginia property, “The Bad Newz Kennels”. Most people know the story that played out in the media of Vick’s conviction and his later return to football. An informant who took care of the property assisted federal agents to exhume the bodies of dead dogs, and an animal forensic specialist confirmed the extent of the horrific abuse they had suffered. The deceased animals were hung, drowned, and electrocuted when they displeased their handlers. The dogs that died helped the public view the survivors as victims, not monsters. Fifty-one live pit bulls were seized from his property at the time of Vick’s arrest. What happened

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FOR DETAILS

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THE LOST DOGS to these animals?

The story of the “Vick Dogs” is amazing.

The book The Lost Dogs, Michael Vick’s Dogs and their Tale of Rescue and Redemption by Jim Gorant chronicles the disturbing details of Vick’s operation and the legal case against him. The second half of the book is about the dogs, and their journey to redemption and a better life.

Usually, dogs rescued from dog fighting rings are quickly euthanized. In this case, there was a public outcry to save these infamous animals, coupled by the fact that the court ordered Vick to pay almost a million dollars in restitution to help them.

An ASPCA-led team evaluated each of the dogs. The team determined that only a couple of them were hardened fighters, and most were friendly, lovable creatures who sought out human companionship.

Some of them were afraid of people, and a few showed signs of aggression, but it was thought they might overcome this with love and proper training.

The dogs were kept kenneled for a long seven months while the legal case dragged on. Finally under a court order of high secrecy, the dogs went to selected private animal welfare organizations that had the skills and resources to provide training and rehabilitation. It was the largest experiment of its kind to see if dogs trained for fighting could indeed become socialized with both humans and other dogs. The odds were against them.

Ultimately, forty-seven of the dogs were saved and are now cherished pets and adored members of their communities. A

Olexa Seeks Home!

Are you looking for a “love bug” who gives lots of kisses and will be your best buddy? Olexa may be the dog for you! She loves to travel, and is a big hit when she travels to work with a shelter volunteer. This sweet and gentle female American Staffordshire Terrier is about 3 years old, and loves to play with other dogs. Palm Springs Animal Shelter, 4575 E. Mesquite, Palm Springs, (760) 416-5718.

by Rick Riozza

by Janet McAfee

couple of them are working as therapy dogs.

One handsome canine, Johnny Justice, helps out at “Paws for Tales”, a literacy program at the San Mateo public library where children improve their reading by reading aloud to a nonjudgmental, patient dog.

Another dog named Leo is now a therapy dog, spending time comforting both cancer patients and troubled teenagers. Their story of redemption is almost magical, given their own transformation and how they now provide comfort and healing for the humans in their lives.

One dog named Georgia was put through extensive training at Best Friends in Utah.

She appeared on the Larry King and Ellen DeGeneres shows, representing the plight of her breed to millions of Americans.

Ultimately, Georgia earned her Canine Good Citizen award which meant she was ready for adoption. Because she still showed some discomfort around other animals, she went to a home where she is an only dog. The animals made incredible progress, but not every trait caused by abuse can be totally erased in every animal.

The Lost Dogs helps us take a second look

February 28 to March 6, 2013

THE VINO VOICE

The Naked Truth about Naked Wines O

at this much maligned and much abused breed of dogs. Pit bulls are associated with many negative connotations and are often maligned in the media. In some communities they are banned under specific breed legislation. The stereotypes overlook the fact that people are almost always the cause when dogs have problems with people or other animals. The Staffordshire bull terriers, from which the American pit bull terrier descends, were known to be so gentle in the 1800’s they were called nanny dogs and cared lovingly for children. The breed is known for being people pleasers, eager to bond with humans.

This gem of a book belongs on every dog lover’s book shelf. Not only does it shed light on the true nature of the American Pit Bull Terrier, but it showcases the best of human nature when we come together to help animals. Best Friends Animal Society rehabilitated many of the dogs and renamed them the “Victory dogs” to acknowledge their triumph over adversity. The Victory dogs helped us shape a new understanding for their breed, so plagued by abuse and misunderstanding. Even after experiencing heartbreaking abuse, a dog still wants to be man’s best friend.

ne of my wine-related vocations as “the desert’s sommelier-abouttown” is that I am contracted by individuals, groups or companies to facilitate and entertain at various wine tastings and events. Because of wines festive nature, “tasting parties” are really fun and people really enjoy learning about the wines they’re tasting.

I get involved early to ensure the party is properly prepared so that the wines the group have purchased will received the optimum ambiance to be tasted, compared, and talked about and that the participants are comfortably positioned to best be able appreciate them.

While basking in the warm weather last week, I received a call from a lady—a tourist vacationing here—who wanted to enjoy a wine tasting party with a few other couples and she wanted to know if I could organize it at the hotel they’re staying at—especially around the outside patio area.

“Cool—have wine, will travel.” So I zeroed in on the type of wines that would be best for the group. “What are your favorite types of wines?—and do you wish to try different ones?”

In a peppy voice, she exclaimed, “Oh! we like all types of wine—I think?”

Well--that response spoke volumes: they want a festive outside tasting—nothing serious, no heavy duty wine comparisons.

So we talk up some ideas & plans and set a time.

“Oh—by the way! she interjected, “Do you mind if we do this in the nude?”

Now this isn’t a question I usually handle; even during the Dinah Shore Weekend festivities, all the girls wore at least a bikini at the tastings.

She explains further, “We’re all staying at the Terra Cotta Inn in Palm Springs and with this great weather no one’s wearing anything.” As I came to find out, this place was rather famous for their clothing-optional policy. Palm Spring Life voted this Day Spa as the “Best of the Best” and L.A. Magazine said that this was “One of our Top Four Places to Stay in Palm Springs for couples.”

With a serious voice I warn, “You know— the Alcohol Beverage Control board puts a lot of restrictions on serving wine naked.”

“Oh”, she sounded concerned.

“No problem!” I lighten up, “It’s a private party and you’ll have purchased your own wines—so let’s have fun!

Now—as one would expect, I always

strive to put on the best wine event for the particular crowd. Another wine vocation of mine is that of a wine reviewer: I receive sample bottles of wine to comment on. And having just reviewed wines from the Naked Winery—how fortuitous was that!—it became evident of the line-up of wines to enjoy.

There couldn’t have been a prettier day here at the Terra Cotta Inn that was originally designed by architect Albert Frey and includes wonderful room interior artpainting by artist Max West. After a quick set-up, I adjusted my apron and welcomed four lovely couples attired in their birthday suits.

The Naked Winery is located within the Columbia River Gorge. Their motto is “We aim to Tease!” “We are on a mission to produce premium class Washington and Oregon wines, with exotic brands and provocative back labels that are just a bit risqué. We strive to change the conversation, encourage you to set the mood of fun and romance.” Their tasting room is located in downtown Hood River, Oregon about 60 miles east of Portland.

We first began with a Tease. This is a Riesling from Oregon. Our group found the wine tantalizing to the eye and playfully seductive: notes of sweet perfumes of candied melons and Brazilian spices. The winery writes, “An innocent sip of the glass, with a skilled tongue, sparks a burning desire for the long sweet finish.” The group fell in love with the Tease saying it was a sure thing.

The next wine selected was the 2011 Chardonnay with the suggestive name of Foreplay: I knew to chill up this up big time and it paid off with great minerality and a bouquet of luscious ripe fruit. “Who doesn’t like Foreplay, ladies?” the winery asks and goes on to state, “This toasty little number leaves a finish of juicy green apple in your mouth. Light and easy, just like all good foreplay is.”

We then moved on to some reds. Naked

Winery’s 2009 Merlot—simply termed Naked, is produced in the Columbia Valley and is their best-selling wine. “Seems everybody likes to drink Naked.”

Bordeauxesque with gripping aromas of tobacco, grass and graphite. This really delicious full bodied red has firm tannins and gripping flavors of earth, plum, black currant and licorice. The group persisted in drinking this one—they kept getting Naked.

When the Vixen from Rogue Valley came out, the gathering couldn’t resist. This 2010 Syrah is characterized by her very dark beautiful color with smoky, rich blackberry and hints of ripe black cherry on the nose.

The winery writes, “this Vixen is coy at first then comes on strong with elements of blackberry and some cherry—with a finish of roasted espresso. This is a wine with attitude

and aromas that ignite the senses with silky tannins that bite and hold on.”

The final act was the 2008 Penetration Cabernet Sauvignon. “Intense concentration of cherries, plums, and dark fruit. The winemaker says this is a” big, forward, full throttle wine.” The group agreed it was very satisfying.

A fun and lively tasting was had by all. And it really puts a different slant on the advice I give my clients when I tell them “there’s no need to dress up for these tastings.”

Terra Cotta Inn, Resort & Spa 2388 E. Racquet Club Road, Palm Springs, Ca 92262 (800) SUNNY-FUN Naked Winery, Tasting Room, 102 2nd Street Hood River, OR 97031 (541) 386-3700 Contact winespectrum@aol.com

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February 28 to March 6, 2013

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COME JOIN US FOR THE FUN!!

FRIDAY 9 PM THE GRIND LOCKER HIP/HOP SHOWCASE SATURDAY 9PM FULL CIRCLE COUNTRY

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

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

PLAYOFFS I THE PLAC S E TO BE

www.myplanBbar.com 32025 MONTEREY, THOUSAND PALMS

Corner of Monterey & Ramon

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February 28 to March 6, 2013

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)

THU FEBRUARY 28 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 AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Rudy de la Mor 7pm (PB) BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 John Stanley King Band 6pm CAFÉ PALETTE; PS; 760-322-9264 Jersey Shore & Friends 7pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 6pm (PB) CHARLI MARRONE’S; IND; 760-625-1500 Karaoke CLIFFHOUSE; LQ; 760-360-5991 Eddie Gee 7:30-10:30pm CORK TREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Live Entertainment 6pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Johnny Morris 6pm (PB) DESERT FOX; PS; 760-325-9555 Blue Rangers 7:30pm DESERT SAGE; LQ; 760-564-8744 Danny Sands 5-9pm Johnny Meza 10pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm DICKIE O’NEALS IRISH PUB; PS; 760325-2600 Bingo DILLON ROADHOUSE; DHS; 760-2511991 Karaoke ESCENA LOUNGE & GRILL; PS; 760-9920002 Lola Rossi-Meza & Johnny Meza 5-9pm (JZ) FIRECLIFF; PD; 760-773-6565 Sonny Evaro 6-10pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 Mark Gregg 7:30pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 NASA Space Universe, Deadwaste, Greasetrap and Facelift 10pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Frank Di Salvo 6-9:30pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Rox LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 T.B.A. 5:30pm LE PAON; PD; 760-610-5320 Dennis Michaels 6pm (PB) LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-3452450 Country Night w/ Country Nation 8pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888-999-1995 Nash with Quinto Menguante 8-1am (LR) MARGARITA’S; PS; 760-778-3500 T.B.A. 6-10pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm (PB)(VD) NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm (PB) O’LEARY’S; PS; 760-325-4913 Karaoke 9pm

THE OUTPOST TAVERN; C.C.; 760-3289004 Karaoke w/ DJ Stuart 8pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Rizorkestra 7pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161 8pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-3278311 Rebecca Connelly, Sidebar 6:3010pm ROC’S FIREHOUSE; PD; 760-340-3222 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 Karaoke 9pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 The Smooth Brothers (BL)(RG) TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 Karaoke w/ T-Bone 8-12am THREESIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Mike Costley 7:30pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Carolyn Martinez & The Trio 6:30-10pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Nite Fixx 9pm DJ upstairs 9:30pm WALLY’S DESERT TURTLE; RM; 760-5689321 Bob Yetter 6-10pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Bill Saitta Jazz 7-11pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJ’s 9pm

FRI MARCH 1 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 T.B.A. AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Karaoke w/ AJ The KJ 8-12am ARNOLD PALMER’S; LQ; 760-771-4653 Mark Gregg 7pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Jeff Stewart 8pm BAR; PS; 760-537-7337 JF//Discord & Pedro Le Bass 10pm BILLY REED’S; PS; 760-325-1946 T.B.A. 6:30pm BLUE BAR, SPOTLIGHT 29; INDIO; 760775-5566 DJ PWee 8pm (VD) BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 The Stanley Butler Trio 6pm CAFÉ PALETTE; PS; 760-322-9264 John Gallagher 7pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT CASINO; PS; 888-999-1995 DJ Dynamic Daze 9-1am CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 6pm (PB) CHARLI MARRONE’S; IND; 760-625-1500 Club Night w/ DJ 9pm 18+ CLIFFHOUSE; LQ; 760-360-5991 Eddie Gee 7:30-10:30pm CORK TREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Live Entertainment 6pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Paul Patterson 6pm (PB)

DATE SHED; IND; 760-775-6699 DESERT SAGE; LQ; 760-564-8744 Danny Sands 5-9pm Johnny Meza 10pm DICKIE O’NEALS IRISH PUB; PS; 760325-2600 Lassie Jo’s Best Damn Karaoke 7pm DILLON ROADHOUSE; DHS; 760-2511991 EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm FIRECLIFF; PD; 760-773-6565 Sonny Evaro 6-10pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 Alternating groups 8-11pm (RR) THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 You Know Who, Lakota and Deadend Paradox 10pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Frank Di Salvo 6-9:30pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-3662250 Live DJ 8:30pm (VD) LA BRASSERIE BISTRO; LQ; 760-7714400 Mark Carter 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 Johnny Meza 6pm LE PAON; PD; 760-610-5320 Dennis Michaels 6pm (PB) LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-3452450 Reel Band 9pm THE LOUNGE; AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888-999-1995 Bumptown 9pm (VD) MARGARITA’S; PS; 760-778-3500 Mark Guerrero & Dennis Alvarez 6:30pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm (PB)(VD) NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm (PB) O’LEARY’S; PS; 760-325-4913 9pm THE OUTPOST TAVERN; C.C.; 760-3289004 Karaoke w/ DJ Stuart 8pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760345-0222 Marty Lloyd Lisa Lynn Morgan Acoustic 6-10pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Gram Rabbit w/ Well Hung Heart 9pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 The Grind Locker Hip/Hop & Rap Showcase 9pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161 The Gand Band 8pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 Rebel Noise, Blared the Surface w/ acoustic sets

by Eric Taylor, Rob Lawrence, and Noah Tate 8:30pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-3278311 Wyatt Lowe & The Youngbloods Chiki Bar 5:30-9:30,Rebecca Connelly Sidebar 6:30-10pm, Lindsey Harper, Sidebar 10pm, The Clueless Remix Starlite Lounge 10pm ROCK GARDEN BAR & EATERY; PS; 760327-8840 Smash Fridays 10pm ROC’S FIREHOUSE; PD; 760-340-3222

Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 DJ Music 9pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; LQ; 760-777-1601 The P.S. Blues w/ Gil Hansen and Tony Dean 8pm (BL) 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 T.B.A. 9pm THREESIXTY NOR­­TH; PS; 760-327-1773 John McCormick 8pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760-328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm VIBE; MORONGO CASINO; CAB; 951-7555391 Funky Fridays 10pm (VD) VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Pat Rizzo & All That Jazz Band 6:30-10pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Nite Fixx 9pm DJ upstairs 9:30pm WALLY’S DESERT TURTLE; RM; 760-5689321 Bob Yetter 6-10pm WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-3285955 Michael Keeth 7pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 Live entertainment 9pm THE WINE BAR AT OLD TOWN; LQ; 760564-2201 Rob & JB 7-10pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 T.B.A. 7-11pm (CR) ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJ’s 9pm

SAT MARCH 2 19TH HOLE; PD; 760-772-6696 The Caddies 10pm 29 PALMS INN; 29P; 760-367-3505 Beverly & Bill 6-9pm (JZ) ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 T.B.A. AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Karaokie Jo 7pm ARNOLD PALMER’S; LQ; 760-771-4653 Mark Gregg 7pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Salt & Pepper w/ Gerome Elliott & Keisha D 7:30pm BACKSTREET BISTRO; PD; 760-346-6393 Jazz on the Patio w/ Linda Peterson 12:303:30pm (JZ) BAR; PS; 760-537-7337 Harsh Toke, Religious Girls and Pssstols 10pm BLUE BAR; SPOTLIGHT 29; IND; 760775-5566 DJ PWee (VD) BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Steve Madeo 6pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT CASINO; PS; 888-999-1995 DJ Dynamic Daze 9-1am CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 6pm (PB) CHARLI MARRONE’S; IND; 760-625-1500 Live Bands 8pm CORK TREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Live

Entertainment 6:30-9:30pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Paul Patterson 6pm (PB) DATE SHED; IND; 760-775-6699 Rock The Funk 9pm DESERT FOX; PS; 760-325-9555 DESERT SAGE; LQ; 760-564-8744 Danny Sands 5-9pm Johnny Meza 10pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm DICKIE O’NEALS IRISH PUB; PS; 760325-2600 Long Duk Dong 8pm DILLON ROADHOUSE; DHS; 760-2511991 Battle of the Bands EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm FIRECLIFF; PD; 760-773-6565 Sonny Evaro 6-10pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 Rob Martinez and JB 8-11pm (LR) THE GROOVE LOUNGE; SPOTLIGHT 29; INDIO; 760-775-5566 DJ 7pm HAMILTON’S; LQ; 760-698-8303 Julian’s Lunchbox 8:30pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Rockabilly Night w/ The Deadbeat Daddies 10pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Frank Di Salvo 6-9:30pm LA BRASSERIE BISTRO; LQ; 760-7714400 Michael Bolivar 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 Johnny Meza 6pm LE PAON; PD; 760-610-5320 Dennis Michaels 6pm (PB) LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-3452450 Reel Band 9pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888-999-1995 Bumptown 9pm (VD) MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm (PB)(VD) MARGARITA’S; PS; 760-778-3500 Mark Guerrero & Dennis Alvarez 6:30pm MYSTIQUE LOUNGE, MORONGO CASINO; CAB; 888-MORONGO; T.B.A. 9pm (VD) NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm (PB) NYPD; PS; 760-778-6973 Live DJ O’LEARY’S; PS; 760-325-4913 Blackwater 8pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 Machin’ 9pm (RR) PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760345-0222 D Phillips Band 6-10pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Redd Kross 9pm PEABODY’S; PS; 760-322-1877 Karaoke 7:30pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Full Circle Country 9pm

PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161 Live Music 8pm REILLY’S IRISH PUB; CC; 760-324-9600 George Momb 1pm 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 LAC/DC 9pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760327-8311 Lindsey Harper duo, Sidebar 6:30-10pm, Michael Keeth Duo, Sidebar 10:30pm The Clueless Remix Starlite Lounge 10-cl ROCK GARDEN BAR & EATERY; PS; 760327-8840 Organic Sol 6-9pm ROC’S FIREHOUSE; PD; 760-340-3222 DJ Ray 9pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; LQ; 760-777-1601 The P.S. Blues w/ Gil Hansen and Tony Dean 8pm (BL) SOUL OF MEXICO; IND; 760-200-8787 Latin Music 10pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Smooth Brothers (BL)(RG) TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 T.B.A. 9pm THREESIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Darci Daniels 7:30pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760-328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm VIBE, MORONGO CASINO; CAB; 951755-5391 DJ Hektik 10pm (VD) VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Pat Rizzo & All That Jazz Band 6:30-10pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Nite Fixx 9pm DJ upstairs 9:30pm WALLY’S DESERT TURTLE; RM; 760-5689321 Bob Yetter 6-10pm WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-3285955 Michael Keeth 7pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 Karaoke Show 9-2am THE WINE BAR AT OLD TOWN; LQ; 760564-2201 Mark Linford 7-10pm (AC) WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Damon Von Baun Jazz 7-11pm (JZ) ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJ PJ& DJ Bigster (VD)

SUN MARCH 3

29 PALMS INN; 29P; 760-367-3505 Bob & Allison Garcia 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Intoxica Radio Live w/ Howie Pyro 10pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 The Judy Show 7:30pm BILLY REED’S; PS; 760-325-1946 T.B.A. 6:30pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT;

continue to page 22

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT Fri JF/Dicord & Pedro Le Bass............. 10pm Sat Harsh Toke, Religious Girls & Pssstols .............................................. 10pm Dinner until 11pm

760-537-7337

340 N Palm Canyon, Palm Springs Food & Drinks Specials bar wastaken.com Open for Lunch

K AR A OK 8 PM E E V E RY NIGH T DESERT’S LONGEST HAPPY HOUR 10AM - 8PM EVERYDAY

Western Grill

Now Serving 13 new menu items Including • Chicken Parmesan Sandwich • Chicken Caesar Salad • Meatball Sandwich Breakfast Served Every Day from 10am to Noon Wednesday Steak Night $18.50 Porterhouse $17.50 Ribeye & New York $13.75 Ribeye with Trimmings

$5 menu open to close (all day) Hours 10 - 2 am Everyday

80956 Hwy 111, Indio

(760) 347-1522 17

February 28 to March 6, 2013

Good Grub

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

Chapelli’s

by Tracy Dietlin

50949 Washington St, La Quinta CA 92253

BAR

T

his past Sunday morning I was in Palm Springs around brunch time and decided to stop in Bar to have a Bloody Mary and perhaps a nibble.

Jessica, our waitress/bartender said that Owner, Donavan Funkey, had made a special mix and suggested we try it. She did right by us because they were delicious with just the perfect amount of spicy kick.

There are several unique items on the menu and I just couldn’t make a decision so we decided to enjoy our beverage and start with Bar’s fabulous Devils on Horseback.

This was the third time we have ordered them and they just seem to get better every time. If you’ve never tried these culinary delights, they are dates stuffed with blue cheese and wrapped in bacon with slices of Granny Smith apples as an accompaniment.

From there I decided to partake in a cucumber Martini made with Crater Lake vodka. I was pleasantly surprised to find

that a restaurant could make one as good as the ones I make at home. It was perfect and should be included on the drink menu. We also shared a Caesar salad for only $6 which was delicious and enough to satisfy us both before we went on to our final selections.

For my main event, I chose the ahi tacos, which for me was a real leap, since I’m not usually an ahi person. What a great decision it was as they were light, moist and flavorful.

My fiancé had the BLT, which comes with a fried egg on the sandwich and is served with tasty french fries. He hasn’t stopped raving about it since.

Both their food and drink menus have several interesting selections to choose from such as the lobster sliders, which I’ve had before and they are amazing. Other unique offerings include: shrimp Singapore in a spicy, sweet cocktail sauce; picnic eggs with spicy sirachi wasabi; the Tijuana dog with bacon, pork salsa & avocado; and

February 28 to March 6, 2013

BackStreet Bistro Where Friends Meet Friends

BREAKFAST • LUNCH • DINNER

• New and exciting contemporary cuisine • Exceptional ingredients including the best available local and organic products • Not just dinner, it is an experience

Fresh Fish, Soups & Pasta Daily Happy Hour • Martini Bar • Superb Wine Jazz Night Tuesday 7:30-10pm Saturday Jazz on The Patio with Linda Peterson 12:30 - 3:30pm

Ask Us About O New Get ur Fit Menu

73-820 El Paseo, Palm Desert • 760.346.6393

the spicy Vietnamese chicken club. They also offer the basics like the cheeseburger, grilled cheese, pizza, onion rings and salads that include garden, Caesar and Greek. All of these items are delicious and range in price from $4.00-$10.00.

Even the basic menu items are done with a unique and flavorful twist, which come from 21 year old chef extraordinaire, Andrew Chernikoff, who attended the

Oregon Culinary Institute, and has been cooking and creating interesting dishes from a very young age.

I highly recommend going to Bar any day of the week, but if you are looking for a new place in Palm Springs to spend your Sunday morning, look no further. Located at 340 N. Palm Canyon. They also have live music in the evenings so check out their listings and menu at barwastaken.com.

Open for dinner Tues.-Sat. 5:00 - 9:30 pm

68525 Ramon Ed., Ste. A-101 Cathedral City, CA 92234 Reservation are strongly suggested

760.832.6526 www.dishcreativecuisine.com

Thank you to our wonderful customers who voted for BEST OF T us as the HE B FRENC EST RESTAURAH NT

“The local’s favorite!”

Specials Sunday - Wednesday 5:00-6:00 pm Please visit our website for the specials

“The Cheer’s of La Quinta”

For Reservation

760-771-4400

Chapellisrestaurant.com

760-564-9835

www.labrasserielaquinta.com 78-477 Highway 111, La Quinta, CA 92253

SUBSTANCE. STYLE. ESCENA.

(chef) Andrew Chernikoff

Jack Duignan, Joe Funkey, (bartender)Jessica Gorwin, (chef) Andrew Chernikoff, (owners)Molly Funkey & Donavan Funkey

TEQUILA BAR

330 N Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262 (760) 778-1473

• Seafood & Steaks • Private Room • Fresh Made Margaritas • Cocktails • Happy Hour

760.341.0980

NEW menus featuring eclectic California fusion dishes, undiscovered wines and craft ales.

TUES WED THURS

JOHN STANLEY KING ROSE MALLET LOLA ROSSI & REGGIE VISION

HAPPY HOUR

SUNSETS, DRINK SPECIALS & SHARE-PLATES The perfect way to end your day and start your night.

Mexican Cuisine

www.guillermosrestaurante.com • 72-850 El Paseo, Palm Desert, CA

18

WED Mikole Karr on Sax THURS Karaokie Jo FRI Karaoke with AJ the KJ SAT Jazz Piano/vocal with Mr. C

LIVE MUSIC

with more than 300 tequilas!!

Lunch: Monday - Saturday 11:30-2:30 Dinner: Monday to Sunday 4:30 - 9:30

DAY & NIGHT

BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER & SUNDAY BRUNCH

ENTERTAINMENT

BUY ONE SUSHI ROLL AT REGULAR PRICE AND GET THE SECOND ROLL AT HALF PRICE

OPEN DAILY

SUN-THURS

FRI - SAT

6:30am - 9:00pm 6:30am - 10:00pm Make reservations online at escenagrill.com

760.992.0002 | ESCENAGRILL.COM 1100 CLUBHOUSE VIEW DRIVE | PALM SPRINGS

Kitchen open until 9pm Monday - Saturday • Sunday until 2pm 5$ appetizers throughout the lounge Happy Hour 4pm-close Monday - Friday with $3.50 cocktails and wine on the boarder of Rancho Mirage and Cathedral City

Date Palm Country Club 36-200 Date Palm Drive Cathedral City, 92234 ajsonthegreen@gmail.com

760-202-1111

A R T I S A N L AT I NO C U I S I N E

Join us at Casa de Frida for ¡La Merienda! We now offer guests the option of early evening dining from our new ¡La Merienda! menu.

Created by Chef Victor, the menu changes seasonally - featuring artisan ingredients, fresh produce and seasonally inspired flavors.

Choose from seven entrées, each served with soup du jour & salad.

¡La Merienda! ...................................................

Dining at Casa de Frida $16. Early S E R V E D D A I LY 3:00 ~ 5:30PM* ....................

menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Grilled Pollo Ranchero (chicken) • Bistec Con Papas (flat iron steak) Milanesa de Pollo (chicken) • Chile Verde Enchiladas (pork) Chile Colorado Enchiladas (beef) • Enchiladas Suizas (chicken) Especiales Para Vegetarianos (vegetarian) ORDERS MUST BE PLACED BY 5:30 pm

...................................................

OPEN : TUES - SUN 3-10PM

.

HAPPY HOUR : TUES - FRI 3-10PM

450 S. PALM CANYON DRIVE

. PALM SPRINGS . 760.459.1681

.........................................................................................

Open to Public

.........................................................................................

...............................................................................

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CasadeFrida.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

19

February 28 to March 6, 2013

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

Movie Reviews with Robin E. Simmons

Screeners No. 49

KIDS IN PERIL, FIGHTING EVIL, FINDING LOVE explodes around a disturbing moral and political issue. Now playing

Burma. Nguyen filmed WAR WITCH in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He worked on the film for 10 years and the result is a minor masterpiece on every level, including the music. Don’t miss this exquisitely crafted film that was included in the Best Foreign Film Oscar© nominees.

Now playing.

NEW FOR THE HOME THEATER:

SNITCH

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

Adapted from a 1999 “Frontline” episode broadcast on PBS, this better than expected action thriller stars Dwayne Johnson as a father whose teenage son is wrongly accused of drug distribution and is facing a mandatory 10 years in the slammer. In desperate to save his son, he makes a deal with the U.S. attorney to go undercover and infiltrate a drug cartel. But it’s a deal with the devil, and even though the dangerous mission risks his family and his life, the tables are turned when it all comes down.

Now playing.

Nice extras include: Audio commentary featuring Japanese-literature scholar Jeffrey Angles; Interviews with critic Tadao Sato, assistant director Tokuzo Tanaka, and actress Kyoko Kagawa on the making of the film and its lasting importance. Plus: a booklet featuring an essay by scholar Mark Le Fanu and two versions of the story on which the film is based: Ogai Mori’s 1915 “Sansho the Steward” and an earlier transcription of oral variation. Criterion. Blu-ray.

by Heidi Simmons

A

Beautiful Moments

romantic novel, Jess Walter’s Beautiful Ruins (Harper, 352 pages) spans five decades, incorporates exotic locations and has multiple characters that tell a story about love and ambition.

Beautiful Ruins begins in 1962 on the little (fictional) Italian island called Porto Vergogna, translated Port of Shame, that once served as a brothel. It’s where young Pasquale tries to make his family’s hotel into a classy resort and meets beautiful American actress Dee Moray. She escapes to the remote hotel after playing her role in the Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton film Cleopatra that is still in production on the mainland.

Even with the language and cultural challenges, Pasquale and Moray become friends. When Pasquale intervenes to help his sweet actress with an “illness,” he gets embroiled in a Hollywood drama of his own in which Richard Burton plays a pivotal part.

This is the heart of the novel.

Walter’s narrative jumps fifty years to a

ULTIMA

Rudolfo Anaya’s iconic 1972 comingof-age novel is often compared to such beloved classics as “The Grapes of Wrath” and “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Thankfully, the movie adaptation directed by Carl Franklin remains true to the spirit of the book and takes its time to find the right balance to the forces that tug on Antonio, our young hero.

Set in New Mexico near the close of WW II, Antonio must cope with the teachings of Catholicism and the contradictory wisdom of traditional Indian culture when his family invites elderly relative Ultima to live with them. Ultima is a bruja, a witch. Magic potions, demonic possession, prejudice, fear, faith and the notion that Rome does not have all the answers are things that Antonio must integrate as he embraces a wider mystery of life. Good, solid action

20

BECOME ONE OF OUR SALES TEAM SANSHO THE BAILIFF

Certainly among the small group of world cinema masterpieces, SANSHO THE BAILIFF is the compelling, richly layered story of an idealistic governor who disobeys the reigning feudal lord and is cast into exile. His wife and children, left to fend for themselves, are wrenched apart by vicious slave traders. Kenji Mizoguchi’s dazzling film of a classic Japanese story became one of cinema’s greatest masterpieces.

Mizoguchi’s artfully composed, simple images maximize a feeling of natural order that hovers over and around the moral chaos.

This breathtaking black and white 1954 film is widely regarded as a “monumental, empathetic expression of human resilience in the face of evil.” It remains a relevant and deep reflection of the human condition that is as much a part of our world as it was that of 11th Century feudal Japan.

info@coachellavalleyweekly.com

THAT OBSCURE OBJECT OF DESIRE

Luis Buñuel’s life-long cinematic exploration of the absurdist complications of love and desire resulted in perhaps his best film. Adapted from Pierre Louys’ 1898 novel La Femme et le Pantin, Buñuel’s 30th and final film tells in flashback the story of Mathieu, a wealthy, middle-aged French sophisticate who falls madly in love with his former chambermaid, 19 year-old Conchita. The affair seesaws as Conchita manipulates Mathieu’s lust while trying to gain absolute power over him – and he over her. There’s no missing the satiric intent and subversive wit of the tale that’s set in a decadent, decaying society infected by political discontent and moral bankruptcy.

In some ways, the world of the story strikes a familiar nerve. Lionsgate. Blu-ray.

Comments? RobinESimmons@aol.com

Book Review Beautiful Ruins Jess Walters Fiction

Hollywood studio lot where Pasquale, as an old man, is in search of Moray. But first he must find Michael Deane, who in 1962 also impacted their young lives. Many characters are added to the narrative but they all gently come together as their lives intersect, entwine and overlap.

The many small stories develop into the greater narrative. This creative approach requires some patience if your preference is to follow a single linear narrative. It may take a little investment, but before long you are hooked. Walter beautifully captures place and people. He is brilliant at the small details that reveal the subtle nature of his characters’ dilemmas.

Beautiful Ruin is Walter’s sixth novel. He is a National Book Award finalist and Edgar Award winning author. His background is in journalism. He wrote a comprehensive nonfiction account of the Idaho incident at Ruby Ridge.

As a writer he is both intensely serious and pointedly humorous.

WAR WITCH

Somewhere in sub-Saharan Africa, in a small isolated village, Komona, a twelve year-old girl, lived peacefully with her parents until the day the rebels came. They pillaged the village, captured Komoma and forced her to slay her parents. In the rebel’s camp, the training is merciless: Komona is hungry, scared, and the revel leader, who has no pity for her tears, repeatedly beats her if she cries. She quickly learns to endure, to fight and survive. During a battle against the Government’s army, only Kimona is spared. The rebel chief sees this as a sign and declares she is the new sorcerer. Kimona is brought to Great Tiger, the leader of the rebels. He makes her his war witch. Kimona befriends the only person willing to listen and help her, a 15 year-old albino soldier named Magician.

Kimona and Magician fall in love and escape to a place of peace, but a brutal incident ends their brief moment of happiness.

Time passes. Kimona, now 14 and pregnant a rebel commander’s child, wishes to forget the past but the ghosts of her parents haunt her. She realizes that if she doesn’t want the ghost to haunt her baby, she must make the long journey to her birthplace.

Montreal-based filmmaker Kim Nguyen’s poignant and harrowing film was inspired by a real story that took place in

February 28 to March 6, 2013

760.501.6228

A recent guest at the UCR Palm Desert Arts and Letters Series, Walter had a lot to say about Beautiful Ruins and writing. For 15 years, he had been working on the idea and writing various drafts of the book.

During his research, Walter read a New Yorker article in which Richard Burton was described after appearing on the Dick Caveat Show as a beautiful ruin. It was if the clouds opened up for the author. “My whole focus about these people and the place they arrive at in their lives, is they haven’t become the successes they wanted. They haven’t fulfilled their promise and yet they have a kind of rare beauty that they’ve all achieved through life and loss,” explained Walter.

In his fiction, Walter incorporates historical events into the narrative. He talked about the pivotal cultural touchstones he uses in his books. “Those moments attract me. I look for the defining moments of a character. It is the moment before something is going to change that interests me,” Walter said.

“As a writer, I always felt outside the culture. It’s taken me a lot of years to realize that’s an incredibly valuable place for a writer to be. Culture is a fast moving river and if you’re in it, you can’t describe it. As a writer, you have to be off to the side watching it go by. You have to have depth of focus as a writer,” shared Walter.

Beautiful Ruins is currently in development to be made into a movie. Walter is writing the screenplay. Todd Fields is attached to direct. But Walter does not have a lot of faith in the Hollywood system. This is his fourth novel to be optioned by Hollywood.

Walter’s challenge is to protect the integrity of his story if and when it becomes a movie.

There are beautiful and poetic moments in Walter’s prose. It is a story about story telling. And Walter shows us how each and every life contributes to a grander narrative.

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February 28 to March 6, 2013 continue from page 17

PS; 888-999-1995 Nash with Quinto Menguante 9pm (LR) CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Joe Jaggi 6pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Paul Patterson 6pm (PB) DATE SHED; IND; 760-775-6699 No Cover Sundays w/ DJ Rawkwell 8:30pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke 9pm DILLON ROADHOUSE; DHS; 760-2511991 EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm FIRECLIFF; PD; 760-773-6565 Hal Sweasey 6-10pm FIRESIDE LOUNGE; PS; 760-327-1700 INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760-345-6466 The Ted Herman 18 Pc. Big Band 6-8pm 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 LE PAON; PD; 760-610-5320 Robin Miller 6pm (PB) MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Sunday Jam 4-8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8-1am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 7pm (PB) 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; 760-327-1161 Kal David 7-11pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-3274080 Art of Sax Trio 5-9pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-

Farmer Boys 81951 California 111 Indio, CA 92201

341-3560 Smooth Brothers (RR)(LR) THREESIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Reggie Vision 6:30pm TWIN PALMS BISTRO; PS; 760-322-0700 Jazz Sundays w/ Tibor Lesko & Friends 112pm and 5-7pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Linda Peterson 6:30-10pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Sunday Skool 9pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 Line Dancing w/ Tina 5:30-9pm THE WINE BAR AT OLD TOWN; LQ; 760564-2201 Michael Keeth 6-9pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Barry Baughn Blues Band 7-11pm

MON MARCH 4 19TH HOLE; PD; 760-772-6696 Karaoke 9pm 29 PALMS INN; 29P; 760-367-3505 Bonnie Scott 6pm (AC) ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Sissy Bingo w/ Linda Gerard 7-9pm DJ Alf Alpha 8pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Joe Jaggi 6pm DESERT FOX; PS; 760-325-9555 FIRECLIFF; PD; 760-773-6565 Hal Sweasey 6-10pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Rox LE PAON; PD; 760-610-5320 Dennis Michaels 6pm (PB) NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 7pm (PB) NYPD; PS; 760-778-6973 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161 Monte Oliver 7pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Randy Seymon 6pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 3sum 9pm

American

(760) 863-5050 www.farmerboys.com

Wine Bar

78015 Main Street #109 La Quinta, CA

Roc’s Firehouse 36891 Cook St # 10 Palm Desert, CA 92211

American

American

(760) 340-3222 www.rocsfirehouse.com

Tack Room 81800 Avenue 51 Indio, CA 92201

American

(760) 347-9985

www.tackroomtavern.com

Casey’s

42455 Washington Street Palm Desert, CA 92211

(760) 345-6503

www.caseysrestaurant.com

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Sullivan’s 73505 El Paseo Palm Desert, CA

WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-3285955 Art of Sax 8-11pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Karaokie Jo 6-10pm

TUE MARCH 5 29 PALMS INN; 29P; 760-367-3505 Rojer & Bobby 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) BACKSTREET BISTRO; PD; 760-346-6393 Jazz night 7:30-10pm BILLY REED’S; PS; 760-325-1946 DJ Party 6:30pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Joe Jaggi 6pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Johnny Morris 6pm (PB) DESERT SAGE; LQ; 760-564-8744 Steve Denny 5-9pm ESCENA LOUNGE & GRILL; PS; 760-9920002 John Stanley King 5-9pm (JZ)(BL) FIRECLIFF; PD; 760-773-6565 Hal Sweasey 6-10pm FIRESIDE LOUNGE; PS; 760-327-1700 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-3662250 Ted Quinn’s Open Mic Reality Show Jam 8pm (VD) LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Mark Gregg 5:30pm LE PAON; PD; 760-610-5320 Dennis Michaels 6pm (PB) NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8-1:15am 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

American

(760) 341-3560

(760) 564-2201

www.thewinebaratoldtown.com

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

American

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

by JB, Sign up 7pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161 Monte Oliver 7pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 Open Mic 8pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-3278311 Will Champlin 5-9pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Dr. Paul 6pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Demetrious and Co. (RR)(JZ) TAQUERIA GUERRERO’S; TP; 760-3435971 DJ Keith 9pm THREESIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Reggie Vision 6:30pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Linda Tate’s CD Release Party 7pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 The King’s Town Trio 9pm WALLY’S DESERT TURTLE; RM; 760-5689321 Bob Yetter 6-10pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Michael Boliver 6:30-9pm

WED MARCH 6 29 PALMS INN; 29P; 760-367-3505 Bobby And Randy (BL) ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 DJ Howie Pyro 10pm (VD) AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Rudy de la Mor 7pm (PB) BILLY REED’S; PS; 760-325-1946 DJ Party 6:30pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 6pm (PB) CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Johnny Morris 6pm (PB) DESERT SAGE; LQ; 760-564-8744 Steve Denny 5-9pm Industry Night w/ DJ Johnnie 10pm ESCENA LOUNGE & GRILL; PS; 760-9920002 Rose Mallet 5-9pm (JZ)(BL) FIRECLIFF; PD; 760-773-6565 Sonny Evaro 6-10pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773

Babes Bar-B-Que American & Brewhouse

Charli Marrones

(760) 346-8738

(760) 625-1500

71800 Hwy 111, Rancho Mirage

42250 Jackson Street #101 Indio, CA

www.babesbbque.com

www.charlimarrones.com

AJ’s on the Green American

Dickie O’Neals

(760) 202-1111

(760) 325-2600

ajsonthegreen@gmail.com

Western Grill

Western (760) 347-1522 Grill Restaurant & Lounge 80956 Hwy 111 Indio, CA 92201

Lavender Bistro Continental 78073 Calle Barcelona La Quinta, CA 92253

(760) 564-5353 www.lavenderbistro.com

2155 North Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262

Italian

El Mexicali II 43-430 Monroe St. Indio, CA

Irish

78772 California 111 La Quinta, CA 92253 www.lamppostpizza.com

Crab Pot

70030 California 111 Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

Seafood

(760) 321-7635

www.crabpotranchomirage.com

Mexican

(760) 342-2333

Pacifica

73505 El Paseo # 2500 Palm Desert

Seafood

(760) 674-8666

www.elmexicalicafe2.com

San Miguel

Pizza

Lamppost

(760) 564-4568

www.dickieoneal.com

American

Haddon Libby: It’s all local

T

www.pacificaseafoodrestaurant.com

Mexican

35 320 Date Palm Dr, Cathedral City (760) 328-9402 TAQUERIA SAN MIGUEL 72 450 Ramon Rd Mexican Restaurant Mariscos & Cantina 1000 Palms (760) 343-7340

35 320 Date Palm Dr, Cathedral City

(760) 328-9402

72 450 Ramon Rd, Thousand Palms

(760) 343-7340

List your Restaurant AD here. Call Philip at 760-501-6228 For Details.

BEST AND WORST REPUTATIONS IN BUSINESS

he Harris Poll recently completed their annual ‘Reputation Quotient’ Survey. In this survey, Harris interviewed 14,000 people who rated America’s most visible companies based on six key characteristics that make up the company’s reputation: Social Responsibility, Vision, Products & Services, Trust, Workplace Environment and Financial Performance.

The survey found that people believe that ‘great’ companies behave ethically while providing a product or service at a good value. People admire and trust companies that are socially responsible and provide a good place to work.

Only Whole Foods Market and The Walt Disney Company rated as ‘excellent’ on social responsibility. The best workplaces were Google, Disney, Apple, Johnson & Johnson and Amazon. On vision and leadership, Apple, Amazon, Disney, Google and Berkshire Hathaway all rated highly while the best products were viewed as coming from Amazon, Apple, Johnson &

Johnson, Google and Samsung.

When all six factors were combined, Amazon topped the list with the strongest reputation among Americans. Apple, which had been #1 in 2012 was second while Disney ranked third.

Google was fourth and considered the best place to work due in part to the seven acre sports complex they have for their employees. Fifth was Johnson & Johnson which is the only company to receive an ‘excellent’ ranking for the last seven years. Sixth was Coca-Cola with the most recognizable brand in America. Satisfied customers and employees along with strong social responsibility marks helped Whole Foods to secure the #7 position.

While Sony products are less desirable than in the past, the company ranked eighth due to strong customer service. Proctor & Gamble was ninth while Costco rounded out the top ten as 75% of their customers had a good or excellent view of this company with 93% of employees approving of their CEO’s

stewardship of the company.

For the fifth year in a row, AIG topped the list of companies with the worst reputations.

The distrust in AIG is due to its role in the financial crisis where they took a massive bailout from the government in order to survive. The recently floated idea by AIG of suing the U.S. Government for charging too high an interest rate didn’t help either.

Second was Goldman Sachs which 76% of all survey respondents did not trust due to their role in the U.S. financial crisis, Greece and numerous other ethical questions.

Halliburton ranked third with most of their bad news related to the company’s ethics during the Bush Administration although their leading role in the fracking of America for oil and gas keeps them as one of the least trusted companies in America.

Between a bankruptcy, poor employee satisfaction and poor customer service, American ranked as the fourth worst company for 2013. Bank of America continues to suffer from their role in the

Y

financial crisis as well as poor customer service levels. Citibank was hot on their heels in sixth due to poor customer service and heavy layoffs which hurt employee morale.

Seventh was British Petroleum which continues to suffer from the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Eighth was Chase Bank which had escaped the financial crisis with a relatively good reputation. They were hurt by news that they pushed their lower performing and more expensive mutual funds customers as well as a $5.8 billion loss related to their London trading operations which contradicted many statements by their CEO in recent years. Ninth was another bank, Wells Fargo, with their reputation tarnished by their role in the mortgage crisis as well as poor customer service. Tenth was cable television provider Comcast which rated lowly due to some of the worst customer service ratings in the survey.

Education

by Curtis Hendricks

Restaurant guide

sullivanssteakhouse.com

36-200 Date Palm Dr Cathedral City

Demetrius Houser 7-10pm HAMILTON’S SPORTS BAR & GRILL; LQ; 760-698-8303 Karaoke w/ T-Bone 8:3012:30am JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-3662250 Live Music (RR) LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Rox LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Mark Gregg 5:30pm LE PAON; PD; 760-610-5320 Dennis Michaels 6pm (PB) MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 “Sing Jam” w/ Michael Healy 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm (PB) PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161 Karaokie Jo 7pm REILLY’S IRISH PUB; CC; 760-324-9600 George Momb 6pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-3278311 Will Champlin 5-9pm ROC’S FIREHOUSE; PD; 760-340-3222 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Dr. Paul 6pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Straight Ahead Jazz (JZ) THREESIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Shaken Not Stirred 7pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Pat Rizzo & All That Jazz Band 6:30-10pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Nite Sixx 9pm WALLY’S DESERT TURTLE; RM; 760-5689321 Johnny Meza & Company 6-10pm 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 Mara Getz Jazz 6-10pm

February 28 to March 6, 2013

Welcome to High School, 2013-2014

our eighth grade child may be attending, or have already attended some type of high school transition meeting. Please don’t panic, the schools are very good with making the transition a smooth and easy movement into the ninth grade. If you are in a bit of a panic because you have just realized that your baby is now only four years away from college, I am there with you. I too have an eighth grader, my oldest daughter, soon to move on to high school, but I am prepared. The time to act is now if you have a preference of high school for your child. High school placements will be filling up quick.

Like all public schools, high schools work off of a zoning chart that dictates those students eligible to attend. If you are among the lucky who like the high school they are zoned for, congratulations.

Unfortunately, like many, I am not among those few. My family lives near a high school that my daughter is zoned for, but

does not have the programs that would best suit my daughters talents, possible career choices, and academic needs.

Nothing against the school that shall remain unnamed, but she has her eyes set on another school. My daughter, wife, and I have researched and found a high school that offers everything my daughter needs, unfortunately we have a minor setback.

Not only are we out of zoning for the desired high school, we don’t even live in the same district. Lucky for us, the districts not only worked well together, but were also very helpful and accommodating.

Here is some information on intra-district transfers and inter-district transfers for those needing a change.

Intra-district transfers are for those who wish to change from their zoned school to another school within another school district. The trick for the intradistrict transfer is to get a transfer form filled, approved, and stamped from the district you currently reside in. Next, take

the form to the new desired district and school. If the desired school is full, you will be denied. If your wish is to transfer within the same district that you reside in, your best bet is to join a lottery system based on three choices you pick that do not include the school you are zoned for. The down to this strategy is that you may still need to attend the very school you were trying to avoid. High schools such as La Quinta High School (LQHS) and Palm Desert High School (PDHS) are highly desired high

schools and nearly impossible to attend unless zoned to attend.

DSUSD has a transfer deadline the day this paper will be distributed, 02-28-13, so the time to act is now. Do not be afraid to go after the school that best suits your child, or that your child may be happiest attending. Remember, educating our children is the number one priority. Let’s educate our children and give them what they want, which is the best education possible.

23

February 28 to March 6, 2013

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

Dale Gribow On The Law

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

Pros and Cons of a Trust

W

hen you sign a Trust Agreement, you are turning over legal title, or ownership, of the funds, stocks or other property to another. You, as the person who sets up the Trust, are “the Trustor” or “the Settlor”. The person or institution that holds title to your Trust is “the Trustee”. You may be your own “Trustee”, but you must make arrangements for a Successor when you can no longer act as Trustee. You, as Trustor, instruct the Trustee what he or she may or may not do with those funds or property.

You should also know the negatives of creating a Trust. It is a bit cumbersome. You should hire an attorney to do it properly.

Don’t use one of the Paralegal Services or the programs advertised on TV and Radio that suggests that one Trust is good for everyone and that you do NOT need an attorney. The transfer of the assets to the Trust must carefully be attended to; and the Trust may be its own tax-paying entity, so there are some minor accounting procedures that have to take place. A major advantage; however, is the Probate avoidance benefits and that may be worth considering a Trust in and of itself.

Should you have a Trust, and if so, what kind of Trust?

The answer to that depends on what you want Estate Planning to do for you. There are many kinds of Trusts, but they are either “Living Trusts” or “Testamentary” Trusts. A “Living Trust”, also known as an “Intervivos Trust” operates during your lifetime. One of the reasons for this may be because you want to travel and you want a professional to manage your investments if you don’t have the time or expertise to do so. It could be because you may become senile or disabled and you need some help in that direction. A “Living Trust” also lets you make your own decisions about the kind of “old age care” that you want. If you don’t make such arrangements, then a court may have to decide what kind of care you will have and who will manage your assets.

Needless to say, once you have transferred your assets to a Trust and instructed the Trustee how to disburse them after your death, there is no longer a need for a Probate. A good professional; however, will suggest that you also have what we call a “Pour Over Will”. That is utilized because people often forget to transfer assets into the Trust.

A “Living Trust” can also be part of your overall Estate Plan and, of course, it is confidential. Only you, your Trustees, your Lawyer and the Beneficiaries know the

24

amount your Trust is worth and how the income is to be used and the names of the Beneficiaries. The important thing is that it allows you to avoid a Probate, which is a public proceeding.

By Creating a Trust: A. You save the cost of Probate fees to the attorney and the Executor.

B. You maintain privacy. Keep in mind that Probate files are public record that anyonecan look up.

C. You save the delay in probating an Estate, which takes a minimum of fourmonths and often times a year or more if there are any unanticipated problems … and sometimes it takes even longer.

In conclusion, should you even have a Small Estate and wish everything to go to your surviving spouse or significant other, avoiding Probate by use of a Revocable Living Trust may be a wise choice. In light of changes to the Federal Estate Tax laws in the next several years, if your Estate is valued at $5,000,000.00 or over, you would be advised to combine a standard revocable living trust with other estate tax saving devices such as an irrevocable life insurance trust, a charitable trust or a family limited partnership to reduce estate taxes.

LIVING TRUST vs. WILLS Both a Will and a Living Trust allow you to set the terms for the distribution of property after death. The differences between the two, however, can be quite significant and you should consider the following advantages and disadvantages: Living Trust Advantages: * A living trust is a long term cost-saving device: it allows one to avoid the expense and delay of probate proceedings, which can take up to three years to complete and can consume up to 49% of the value of your estate. * If you own property in another state, a living trust eliminates the need to probate that property in that state. * A living trust can immediately transfer management of your property if you become incapacitated, either physically or mentally. There is no need to go to court in order to appoint a guardian or conservator. * A living trust protects your privacy; it remains confidential and does not become a matter of public record. * You can name a trusted person to manage trust property for all beneficiaries. * When the time comes to distribute your assets, there will often be no need for the family to hire a legal professional to distribute the assets held in the trust.

by Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

by Dale Gribow Attorney at Law

PART 3

February 28 to March 6, 2013

Safety Tips

How do you keep firefighters and paramedics out of your home?

N

o joke here… You can start by taking care of yourself and eating right! That’s right says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna, your local firefighters and paramedics respond to thousands of medical related calls each year (approx 75% are medical related calls). This Friday is March 1st and March is National Nutrition Month!

When you see a fire truck, paramedic unit, ambulance and police officers at an incident, it’s ‘more than likely’ their assisting on a medical emergency! The month of March is National Nutritional Month and now is a good time to take of yourself by eating right!

Here are a few things we like to eat at the Fire Station to help keep us healthy says Chief DiGiovanna – some that may help in preventing anything from heart disease to cancers.

Apples: Apples have so many antioxidants in them. They are also high in vitamin C which means higher iron absorption and less chance of cancer and

heart disease!

Broccoli: It contains important antioxidants that reduce your chances of getting many conditions, including cataracts, heart disease, and many different types of cancers.

Salmon: Salmon is one of the top nutritious foods for improving bone health and preventing osteoporosis. It also helps with the functioning of the immune system and the body’s ability to fight against infection. Omega 3 also helps with cardiovascular health as well as the prevention of blood clots.

Beans: “Beans, beans are good for the heart... The more you eat the more you fart” Who can’t remember singing that song as a kid! Well, yes, beans are good for both those things, but there’s more. Beans are great for removing cholesterol as they pass through your digestive tract. Eating 3/4 of a cup of beans daily can lower your chance of heart attack by a staggering 40%.

Eating beans is also beneficial in preventing diabetes and some forms of cancer.

Mushrooms: Mushrooms are an excellent source of potassium, which helps lower high blood pressure and reduces the risk of getting a stroke. The wonderful mushroom is also high in Copper which has cardio-protective properties.

Walnuts: They are helpful in cardiovascular protection and cognitive function. Walnuts are one of the top nutritious foods that have helpful antiinflammatory benefits. This is helpful for people who suffer from asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and skin problems such as eczema.

Walnuts also may be helpful if you suffer from hypertension.

Almonds: Yes, almonds are high in fats, but they are monounsaturated fats, which are good for you. These types of fats have been associated with reduced risk of heart disease. Almonds are also high in Vitamin E and magnesium. When there is enough magnesium in the body, the flow of blood, oxygen and nutrients through your veins and arteries becomes a lot easier.

Spinach: Spinach may also help protect

you against osteoporosis, colon cancer, arthritis and heart disease. Spinach is also high in antioxidants which are so important in cancer prevention.

Fish: Eating fish could help you in a variety of ways including reducing the tendency of blood clots, helping to repair arteries that have been damaged, lowering the blood pressure and lowering the risk of getting oral and digestive track cancer.

Ice Cream? Well a debatable food for health, but it sure tastes good Says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. It’s important to check with your physician or nutritionist to make sure these and other healthy food choices are right for you!

How good of shape is your plate? Check out: http://www.foods4health.info/ for additional healthy safe eating.

Stay healthy and chances are, we’ll stay out of your house!

Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

ShareKitchen

Disadvantages: * Setting up a trust requires quite a bit of initial paperwork and can be more expensive than a will. * Setting up a trust also requires you to transfer ownership of all the property intended to be placed in the trust. In the case of real estate, this will require trust transfer deeds. * You cannot designate a guardian for any minor children in a living trust (but this may be done easily in a pour over will that supplements the trust) by a separate nomination.

A Will Advantages: * Establishing a will is simpler and less expensive than setting up a living trust. * Creditors face a final cut-off date for bringing claims against your estate. * You may name a guardian for minor children in a will. * You need not transfer your property to another entity in order to create a valid will.

Disadvantages: * Upon probate, a will becomes a matter

of public record. * While you may appoint whomever you wish to act as executor of your will, it is usually the probate lawyers who control the administration of the estate. * Probate, which is necessary for the implementation of your will, can be both costly and time-consuming. * A will does not provide for the transfer of management of your assets or property if you should become physically or mentally incapacitated.

As you can see from the last 3 Articles on Estate Planning it is not a simple matter and one plan does not fit everyone. You and your CPA need to work with your estate planning lawyer to create something that is unique for your circumstances.

If you have any questions please call me, Dale Gribow, at 760 341 4411 and continue to read the Coachella Valley Weekly for what I have been told are “most informative legal articles”.

Law Office of Dale S. Gribow, P.C. “A full Service Firm” dale@gribowlaw.com 760-341-4411

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hareKitchen is pleased to invite you to an exclusive evening of delectable delights, drinks and dessert on Saturday, March 2nd with Patrick Evans, Senior Meteorologist of KPSP Channel 2, Host of ‘Eye on the Desert’ and Culinary Maestro.

The evening celebrating Patrick’s Italian heritage begins at 6:30pm with passed hors d’oeuvres and bubbles followed by a seated four course dinner prepared by Patrick himself.

For $75 per person, you will be among the first to taste Patrick’s family recipes of Fulvio’s Homemade Italian Sausage in ‘Sweet’ and ‘Hot’ varieties prepared four delicious ways.

Featured Menu:

• Hand Crafted Golden Arancini & Oven Roasted Cremini Mushrooms with Fulvio’s Sausage • Insalata Caprese with Fresh Mozzarella & Seasonal Heirloom Tomatoes on a bed of Arugula • Fulvio’s Homemade Italian Sausage & Peppers on Fresh Artisan Bread – Atlantic

City Style • Rigatoni with Broccoli & Fulvio’s Homemade Italian Sausage in a light Tomato Sauce • Slow Poached Pears in Port with Mascarpone Cream This special evening with Patrick Evans is a fundraiser for ShareKitchen and will help to fund business development and support services for Coachella Valley small food businesses. ShareKitchen’s fully licensed and insured Commercial Kitchen and Culinary Business Incubator Program is available to Caterers, Street Fair and Market Participants, Aspiring Restaurateurs and Local People who are turning family recipes into local products for local and national distribution.

ShareKitchen was built on the simple philosophy of sharing.

Come show support for local business and share this exciting evening with Patrick Evans and his family recipe of Fulvio’s Homemade Italian Sausage at ShareKitchen on March 2nd at 6:30pm. Get to know Patrick Evans, take a tour and have an intimate look at

ShareKitchen with exclusive insight into our future plans for local people and local businesses.

Seating is limited so please call

ShareKitchen at 760.459.4259 for reservations. (A credit card is required to hold your reservation) www.ShareKitchen. org

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February 28 to March 6, 2013

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Third Annual Chalk Art Festival at Forever Marilyn in Downtown Palm Springs

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he Third Annual Chalk Art Festival is scheduled to take place March 16, 2013 in Downtown Palm Springs near the Forever Marilyn statue. Professional artists will compete for cash prizes including $500 grand prize. The student competition is for K-12th graders with a $250 grand prize. The Annual Chalk Art Festival was created by the Palm Springs Sun Up Rotary and is sponsored by the City of Palm Springs Public Arts Commission.

“Two years ago we heard about budget cuts hitting arts programs at PSUSD,” says Diane Sampson, Sun Up Rotary President, “Arts programs help students learn and excel and that is what drove us to do the festival.” Funds raised for the Palm Springs Sun Up Rotary Foundation through the event will again benefit Palm Springs Unified School District arts programs and Polio Plus, a program of Rotary International focused on ending Polio in our lifetime.

The two categories for entering the competition are “Professional,” which is

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for artists and adults, and “Students,” which is for K-12th graders. Registration forms and fees are found online at PalmSpringsSunUpRotary.org and must be submitted by March 9, 2013. There will be no on-site applications for the competition.

Event entry is free to the public. The overall event is for the whole family and includes a Kids Zone with activities and a free chalk art area for kids who do not want to be in the competition.

The main stage will feature music and live entertainment. For the adults there will be a beer garden provided by Palm Springs restaurant BAR (BarWasTaken. com). Judging will take place at 3:30pm and winners will be announced at 4:00pm at the main stage. It all takes place in Saturday, March 16, 2013 from 9am to 5pm in Downtown Palm Springs next to “Forever Marilyn” on the corner of Palm Canyon Drive and Tahquitz Canyon Way. Proceeds from application fees and a portion of the beer garden will go to support Palm Springs SunUp Rotary Foundation’s contribution to Palm Springs Unified School District art education Programs and Polio Plus. The Chalk Art Festival is presented by Palm Springs Sunup Rotary Club and City of Palm Springs Public Arts Commission.

Palm Springs Sun Up Rotary is part of Rotary International an international service club whose stated purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders in order to provide humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. To learn more about Rotary you can visit their web site http://www.PalmSpringsSunUpRotary. org or their Facebook Page.

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Mind, body & Spirit

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY Week of February 28

ARIES (March 21-April 19): In 1993, Frenchman Emile Leray was on a solo trip through the Sahara Desert. In the middle of nowhere, his car suffered a major breakdown. It was unfixable. But he didn’t panic. Instead, he used a few basic tools he had on hand to dismantle the vehicle and convert its parts into a makeshift motorcycle. He was able to ride it back to civilization. I foresee the possibility of a metaphorically similar development in your future, Aries. You will get the opportunity to be very resourceful as you turn an apparent setback into a successful twist of fate.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Your power animal is not the soaring eagle or the shrewd wolf or the brave bear. No, Taurus, it’s the rubber chicken. I’m serious. With the rubber chicken as your guardian spirit, you might be inspired to commit random acts of goofiness and surrealism. And that would reduce tension in the people around you. It could motivate you to play jokes and pull harmless pranks that influence everyone to take themselves less seriously.

Are you willing to risk losing your dignity if it helps make the general mood looser and more generous?

Nothing could be better for group solidarity, which is crucial these days. (Thanks, Gina Williams.)

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In the language of the Huron Indians, “orenda” is a word that refers to the spiritual power that resides in all creatures and things. If you’ve got enough of it, you may be able to declare at least partial independence from your own past. You can better shape the life you want for yourself rather than being so thoroughly subject to the limitations of your karma and conditioning. I happen to believe that your current supply of orenda is unusually abundant, Gemini. What’s the best use you can make of it?

CANCER (June 21-July 22): When I lived in Santa Cruz years ago, some of my published writings were illustrated by a local cartoonist named Karl Vidstrand. His work was funny, outrageous, and often offensive in the most entertaining ways. Eventually he wandered away from our colorful, creative community and moved to a small town at the edge of California’s Mojave Desert, near where the Space Shuttles landed. He liked living at the fringes of space, he told journalist R. D. Pickle. It gave him the sense of “being out of bounds at all times.” I suggest you adopt some of the Vidstrand spirit in the next three weeks, Cancerian. Being on the fringes and out of bounds are exactly where you belong.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): The history of your pain is entering a new phase. Gradually, almost imperceptibly at first, an emotional ache that has been sapping your vitality will begin to diminish. You will free yourself of its power to define you. You will learn to live without its oddly seductive glamour. More and more, as the weeks go by, you will find yourself less interested in it, less attracted to the maddening mystery it has foisted on you. No later than mid-April, I’m guessing that you will be ready to conduct a ritual of completion; you’ll be able to give it a formal send-off as you squeeze one last lesson out of it.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): “When looking for a book, you may discover that you were in fact looking for the book next to it.” Italian writer Roberto Calasso told that to The Paris Review, and now I’m passing it on to you. But I’d like you to expand upon its meaning, and regard it as a metaphor that applies to your whole life right now. Every time you go searching for a specific something -- a learning experience, an invigorating pleasure, a helpful influence -- consider the possibility that what you really want and need is a different one that’s nearby.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): At least once a day, a cell in your body mutates in a way that makes it potentially cancerous. Just as often, your immune system hunts down that dangerous cell and kills it, preserving your health. Do you understand how amazing this is? You have a vigilant protector that’s

by Bronwyn Ison

© Copyright 2012 Rob Brezsny

always on duty, operating below the level of your awareness. What if I told you that this physical aspect of your organism has an equivalent psychic component? What if, in other words, you have within you a higher intelligence whose function it is to steer you away from useless trouble and dumb risks? I say there is such a thing. I say this other protector works best if you maintain a conscious relationship with it, asking it to guide you and instruct you. The coming weeks will be an excellent time to deepen your connection.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Some rules in the game of life don’t apply to you and can therefore be safely ignored. Do you know which ones they are? On the other hand, do you understand which of the rules in the game of life are crucial to observe if you want to translate your fondest dreams into real experiences?

To recognize the difference is a high art. I’m thinking that now would be an excellent time to solidify your mastery of this distinction. I suggest that you formally renounce your investment in the irrelevant rules and polish your skills at playing by the applicable rules.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “Don’t think the garden loses its ecstasy in winter,” wrote the Persian mystic poet Rumi. “It’s quiet, but the roots are down there riotous.” I think you’re like that winter garden right now, Sagittarius. Outwardly, there’s not much heat and flash. Bright ideas and strong opinions are not pouring out of you at their usual rates. You’re not even prone to talking too loud or accidentally knocking things over. This may in fact be as close as you can get to being a wallflower. And yet deep beneath the surface, out of sight from casual observers, you are charging up your psychic battery.

The action down there is vibrant and vigorous.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): “When you come right down to it,” says religion writer Rabbi Marc Gellman, “there are only four basic prayers. Gimme!

Thanks! Oops! and Wow!” Personally, I would add a fifth type of prayer to Gellman’s list: “Do you need any assistance?” The Creator always needs collaborators to help implement the gritty details of the latest divine schemes. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, you would be an excellent choice to volunteer for that role right now -- especially in tasks that involve blending beautiful fragments, healing sad schisms, furthering peace negotiations, and overcoming seemingly irreconcilable differences.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In the movie Fight Club, there is an animated scene at the very end that required an inordinate amount of time to produce.

Each frame in this scene took the editors eight hours to process. Since there are 24 frames in each second, their work went on for three weeks. That’s the kind of attention to detail I recommend you summon as you devote yourself to your labor of love in the coming days, Aquarius. I think you know which specific parts of your creation need such intense focus.

February 28 to March 6, 2013

YOUR BODY IS YOUR VESSLE T

he human body is miraculous.

Of that we can all agree. We are comprised of bone, muscle, tendon, ligaments, joints, and organs. We sleep, wake, eat, drink, become lethargic, succumb to society and grow lackadaisical.

Humans are also emotional beings who desire and need mental maintenance. When we are healthy in mind, body, and spirit we are well rounded as humans. Maintaining good health is essential for overall personal prosperity.

Studies tell us by maintaining a healthy diet along with exercise will increase your longevity. Keep in mind what we eat and how often we exercise can be mood altering.

Also recognize our bodies change and may respond differently over time. What you consumed in your 20’s and 30’s may not suite your 40-year-old plus body any longer.

Be amenable to making changes and understand that you must evolve mentally as your physical body transforms.

As metamorphosis engages here are some helpful tips to apply in Mind, Body and Soul.

Diet ~ Eat to live, not live to eat. Alter your diet. Eating less and changing poor habits can be essential in achieving healthy eating goals. Do away with pastries, fried, and high caloric foods. Implement more fruits and vegetables into your daily diet.

Consider nuts and dried fruit as a healthy pick me up snack.

Exercise ~ Is the word “exercise” a part of your vocabulary? If so, you are in luck.

Increase your workout regime. Add ten or more minutes to your routine. You may consider getting up earlier or arriving home later. Diversify your exercise routine. If there is a sport or activity you have wanted to explore, go for it! If exercise is taboo… develop a new way of thinking. It could transform and save your life.

Lose the Booze ~ A diet heavy in alcohol lends to a poor mind, body and soul. Do everything in moderation.

Journal ~ A diary of your daily habits can be helpful. Logging your food intake and tracking your exercise schedule will lead to positive habits. Or, you may decide to journal your thoughts.

Journaling your thoughts and feelings can also be therapeutic, plus transformative.

In conjunction with the above you may find relief in implementing breathing techniques. So often we hold our breath resulting in feeling stressed and exhausted.

Yoga is an excellent way to help gain control of your breathing. Yoga will also help you physically and mentally. You have one mind one body. Take care of your temple.

To learn more about Yoga visit, www.evolveyoga.com or (760) 564-YOGA.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): “I have decided to rename the constellations that have domineered our skies too long,” writes an Internet denizen named Hasheeshee St. Frank. He gives only one example.

The Big Dipper, he says, shall forevermore be known as The Star-Spangled Gas Can. I invite you to come up with additional substitutes, Pisces. It’s an excellent time for you to reshape and redefine the high and mighty things to which you have given away too much of your power. It’s a perfect moment to reconfigure your relationship with impersonal, overarching forces that have wielded a disproportionately large influence over your thoughts and feelings. How about if you call the constellation Orion by the new title of Three-Eyed Orangutan? Or instead of Pegasus, use the name Sexy Dolphin? Other ideas?

Rob Brezsny Free Will Astrology freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com

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February 28 to March 6, 2013

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Health Fitness & beauty

T

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

By Jill Coleman RN

Cholesterol

cholesterol number to be high, so a better test would be a LDL to HDL ratio. The ratio is derived by dividing the LDL number by the HDL number.

Factors found to increase bad cholesterol include emotional stress, trauma, injuries, toxins, chemicals in our food, sugars, and refined oils. This is because they all cause inflammation. The body produces LDLs (the little pellets) to ‘put out the fire,’ heal

wounds, and reduce inflammation. (3) So they have a very important purpose.

From the early 1900’s, America’s butter intake went down 75%, refined fats and oils, like hydrogenated oils, went up 400%, and sugar intake went up more than 90%. If a high fat diet really caused high cholesterol, one would think we’d have the lowest levels in the world. Japan and Sweden both have diets that are very high in saturated fat, yet

both country’s cholesterol is good.

Saturated fats make up 50% of the cell’s membranes and give them the integrity to protect the cell from toxins and foreign invaders. Even the fat around the heart is saturated because the heart draws from it in times of stress! The best saturated fats are organic raw dairy, and grass fed meats and organs.

One of the best ways to help lower the bad cholesterol naturally (and help the good cholesterol do its job!) is to start with a liver detox. Then, cut back on packaged foods and the chemicals they all contain. Avoid all hydrogenated oils and eat real butter, more coconut oil, and omega 3 oils from flax seeds, walnuts, and fish. Add more raw organic produce with every meal, and stop smoking. (4) Reduce stress through exercise, meditation and embracing a healthier lifestyle with real, whole foods and a positive attitude.

Cholesterol is not necessarily the problem, but more often, it is a symptom of an underlying issue that the body is trying to resolve. If we bypass the body’s amazing healing mechanisms suppressing symptoms, we are only sacrificing health for a quick fix, and not giving the body what it really needs -- whole nutrition and less stress so our body can rebuild and repair.

Jill Coleman has been a registered nurse for over 21 years working at over 15 of Southern California hospitals including UCLA’s Heart Transplant Step-down Unit and LAUSC County Hospital’s Trauma Unit.

She has studied holistic natural medicine since the late 1990’s. In her practice, she tests the body for underlying problems and helps the body resolve them with medicinal grade, whole food, organic remedies.

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oday many are concerned about cholesterol. However, cholesterol is necessary for brain function, hormone production, mineral assimilation, bone function, metabolism, energy production and a healthy immune system.

It is the building block of fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. Every cell membrane is made up of cholesterol, (and saturated fats), which helps protect the cell. 20% of the myelin sheathing, which protects our nerve endings, is made up of cholesterol.

It is important to understand the real purpose of cholesterol and how we can help our bodies so it naturally has good cholesterol levels.

HDL (high density lipids) are ‘good’ cholesterol and are like big fluffy beach balls floating through our system. Think of LDL (low density lipids) as little pellets. LDL’s can journey into the lining of vessels or into cells to heal wounds, inactivate toxins, or deliver needed supplies. However, once they do their job, they are like dead soldiers and become oxidized. Anything that is oxidized can start a chain reaction of oxidation in our bodies (like metal when it rusts).

HDL’s off- set the used up LDL’s and deliver them back to the liver for disposal.

The trouble is many of us don’t eat enough healthy fats (like Omega 3 oils), to have high HDL levels, and our liver is overwhelmed from the chemicals and toxins we are exposed to today. So the oxidized LDL’s keep circulating in the blood causing damage.

Considered the “cleanup crew,” HDLs greatly lower risk factors, even if the LDL levels are high. A good cholesterol test measures not only the total, HDL and LDL, but the ratio between HDL and LDL. If your HDL (good) is high, it can cause your total

February 28 to March 6, 2013

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