DESERT LOCAL NEWS ‘THANKSGIVING ISSUE’ • November 23, 2009
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FOOD NOW Desert Hot Springs City Manager Rick Daniels and Riverside County Supervisor Marion Ashley handing out turkeys along with Mayor Yvonne Parks, Councilmembers Scott Matas, Jan Pye and Karl Baker ~photo DLNews FOR 24/7 Local News • Go to DesertLocalNews.com ~ US $ 1.95
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Desert Local News • November 23, 2009
Frank Cera Founder
Carissa Nwene:
Max Liebermann
Two Years After Her Death Police Still Need Help
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Sgt. Dan Bressler
DHS Chief Pat Williams
LESLIE ANDREWS DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CATwo years after the day Desert Hot Springs changed forever, police and the community still remember the loss of the life of 13-year-old Carissa Nwene. At a press conference held on Monday, Police Chief Patrick Williams and Sgt. Dan Bressler from the police department’s detective bureau spoke of an update on where the case stands. “We want to get the community’s help and we believe that there is information out there, in an attempt to solve this case,” said Bressler. Sad to say, there has been a lot of leads but they turned out leading to nowhere. According to the original press release, on November 16, 2007 at 8:28 a.m., Nwene was discovered lying severely injured in a field adjacent to Palm Drive near Camino Campesino Drive, where the Vista Montana mobile home community is located. Officers found injuries to the young girl, which indicated she was struck by a passing vehicle and hurtled off the roadway into the field. In spite of the efforts undertaken to save her, she never regained consciousness and died as a result of her injuries at Desert Regional Medical Center. An investigation revealed that Carissa
Nwene left her home and was walking to school in the desert area adjacent to the east side of Palm around 7:30 AM that morning. It is believed she was discovered up to 45 minutes after she was struck. Police now suspect that the vehicle responsible for Carissa’s death was believed to be a White 2003 to 2005 Ford E series [Econoline] panel van [E-150, E-250 or E-350]. The vehicle would have sustained damage to its right front turn signal corner. Bressler said that the originally, the police thought the vehicle was a Ford Van from 19962000. There are few colors to such a vehicle. Chief Williams added that there has been efforts from the State of California to assist in the solving of this case. “We’re hoping that with a reward, this case may be solved. A child should be able to walk to school safely,” he said. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s office has now offered a $50,000 reward for information regarding the suspect involved in Nwene’s death. As for the family of the fallen girl, the city continues to work with them on every level, the Chief also added. If you have any information, you may remain anonymous by calling Sgt. Dan Bressler at (760) 329-2904 at extension 315.
Desert Local News • November 23, 2009
Freeway Makeovers to begin in ‘10
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LESLIE ANDREWS DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CALooks like 2010 will be a big year for the 10 freeway as all of the major overpasses in the Coachella Valley will be given major improvements. At a special presentation given during the Desert Hot Springs City Council meeting on Tuesday, Dennis Green from the Riverside County Transportation Commission came to speak of the upcoming changes. Green said that so far, the bids for all of the projects from Indian Canyon Drive all the way down to Jefferson Street in Indio are all way under engineer’s estimates. And to avoid hurting traffic during rush hours, all projects will be conducted at night between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. “Typically, you will build a new portion of the bridge and then you must let one lane of traffic in each direction be in place. This is major construction that will realign major roads. We will do this with minimal impact,” he stated. “We will have multiple contracts going on at the same time. Extend Bob Hope Drive to eight lanes. We are expecting to start construction in Early 2010 at the latest.” Despite all that will happen to these interchanges, Palm Drive in Desert Hot Springs will not be affected. If all goes successfully well, these interchanges will be completed by 2013. The main road to Desert Hot Springs, Palm Drive, will begin reconstruction in January of 2010 at the earliest.
Dennis Green, pledges he can do the job on time!
“We have been waiting a long time,” said Jan Pye, City Councilwoman.
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Desert Local News • November 23, 2009
e r u t u f e h t Killing
Editorial by Joe McKee • Desert Local News • November 23, 2009
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Joe Mckee
BY JOE MCKEE Every once in a while, my wife tells a story. It is at one time heartbreaking and inspiring. During World War Two the Germans surrounded Russian cities. They attempted to starve people and break their will. In one of the universities several researchers had control of several batches of seeds. They were the future of their countries agriculture. Those scientists chose to starve rather than eat those seeds. Today, in our state, we are choosing to eat our seed. Politicians in our state have found it much easier to pander to our fear than provide a vision for our state. When I was young, many decades ago the voters and politicians in our state supported education. My wife and I took advantage of that support and left college with $2,000 dollars in student loans. We were able, because of the earning power our education gave us, to pay off those loans quickly. We then were able to purchase a house, buy a car, and live the American dream; a life of financial independence.
Today our state has created a situation that either burdens our children with a long term debt at best, or denies the possibility of a higher education at worst. In the 1980s, 17% of the state budget went to higher education, and 3% went to prisons. Today 9% goes to higher education and 10% goes to prisons. Our spending on K-12 is now 47th in the nation on a per pupil basis. What happened? We became greedy and scared. We came to believe that all taxes were bad. We were told government could do nothing right and business nothing wrong. Politicians found it effective to play on our fears rather than inspire us to dream. The children in school now are the seed that will make our country great in the future. We have abandoned them to ensure we could live well now. I know people have called my parents members of the “greatest generation.” I believe that is true. But, not for the reasons often mentioned. They
didn’t just win World War Two. It was their vision that built the middle class on the bones of the depression. A depression that was caused by the belief that money could be made with no work. They knew an education and hard work were the ingredients that would make our country the strongest nation on earth. Now, we are coming to the realization that much of the wealth we thought we had was built on the same belief that caused the depression: money with no effort. We are at a crossroads. Do we spend our resources going to the plastic surgeon or putting a person through school who could find the cure to cancer? Is it more important to have designer clothes, or support a student who could solve our energy problems? Is that vacation home more important than ensuring that your family members live a better life in the future than you do today? Are you going to eat the seed?
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Desert Local News • November 23, 2009
It’s Graduation Night For The Citizens Community Police Academy
BY STAFF ~ photos by Bruce Montgomery
Chief Williams, Knabb, Deborah Hicks, Yvonne Parks, Jan Pye
DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CAThe Henry V. Lozano Community Center was host to the Citizens Community Police Academy Graduation night on Tuesday, while members of the Desert Hot Springs Police Department presented about ten people with certificates of completion for their participation in these community policing classes. Chief Patrick Williams gave a tenminute explanation, discussing how the Cathedral City Police Department will be working with the city and do a little bit of a staff exchange, as their city is facing a series of layoffs, which may hurt their department as well. Currently, the Desert Hot Springs police dispatchers work out of Cathedral City’s dispatch center, as such a contract was approved of in 2007.
Horatio Chin_Hing with Mayor Parks
Dick Casey gets his certificate
DHSPD Commander Ed Smith
Sargeant Tony Sclafani
Jim Knabb and Chief Williams
Elizabeth Parker gets her certificate
After a pot-luck dinner, Community Services Officer Jim Knabb, along with the Chief, Mayor Yvonne Parks and Councilwoman Jan Pye, presented the awards. Ray Hong was one of the happy recipients. He said, “I am very happy to receive this certificate. They’re going to need my help soon.”
DESERT LOCAL 4, 23, 20092009 Desert LocalNEWS News• FEBRUARY • November
The crime fighting family Brian Meuse and wife and his two beautiful daughters ~all photos by Bruce Montgomery
Jack and Anna May Moss get their certificate
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Desert Local News • November 23, 2009
Students’ Art Bench Immortalized At Cabot’s
Eric Pontius with his two daughters
By Leslie Andrews DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CA- An art bench, worked on by Desert Hot Springs High School students during the 2008-2009 school year, was unveiled on Wednesday evening at the Chamber of Commerce’s Monthly Mixer held at Cabot’s Museum.
DHSCC Connie Taylor
“It will be here for a long time, and it’s these children who will be recognized for the rest of their lives,” said Tim Downey, a teacher at the school. “When you sit on that bench, you will have some sort of relationship with the children who made it possible.” A total of 160 students from the school’s Ceramics class each designed a tile representing their thoughts and feelings. “It took a whole year, and it finally paid off,” said Cabot’s Director Michael O’Keefe. “They had no limits. They could tell any story they wanted to tell.” Amongst some of those tiles include a golfer, a whale, and even a painting of Popeye the Sailor.
Linda Blake
Mayor Yvonne Parks was the first person to sit on the bench.
Mayor Yvonne Parks was the first person to sit on the bench. ~photo DLNews©
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Desert Local News • November 23, 2009
y t i C e h T From o T k s e D s Manager’ Yours
DHS City Manager RickDaniels
BY STAFF
DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CAThe City Council reviewed this ordinance at their special meeting on November 9th and recommended changed and directed staff to present this ordinance at the Public Safety Commission meeting on Thursday, November 12th. It will return at the next council meeting in December. This ordinance will help increase neighborhood stability by alleviating blight, securing property values and ensuring the right to safe accommodations for tenants. I-10 Annexation and MSHSP- The city will go before the LAFCO commission on December 3rd at 9:30 a.m. in Riverside. This meeting was originally scheduled for October, but staff requested a continuance due to issues raised by the Fish and Wildlife Services. The MSWD has approved the Water Supply Assessment for the Vortex Specific Plan. The consultant has now completed the final draft EIR and staff is currently reviewing it prior to scheduling public hearing meetings to approve this project. It is expected that the vortex specific plan and final EIR will be approved in December 2009. The City Clerk has published a notice accepting applications for the Architectural and Landscape Review Committee. Applicants will be interviewed by the City Council and three people will be appointed to the committee. So far, there are only two applications on file.
The total weekly development department cash receipts were $3507.25, of which $1,575 consisted of Business License Fees, including renewals. Eleven abandoned properties were registered, totaling 90, with fees collected totaling $54,060 out of 953 listed. One new Business License was issued to So Cal Real Estate Services of Cathedral City. Public Works Staff removed an illegally dumped 55 gallon drum from an RDA property on 1st Street. They also replaced a door knob at Cabot’s Museum. They repaired a main line water break at Skyborne Fire Department station. They made repairs to the vandalized water lines at the Temple building. Trimmed Tamarisk Trees along Tedesco Park basin. Assisted with Veterans Day ceremonies. Had Mission Springs Park and Veterans Park treated for fire ants. Installed door stops at Tedesco Park buildings. Changed out parking lot lights at the park as well. Finally, hanging “Open During Construction” banners for Palm Drive and Pierson Boulevard construction. Police Department representatives met with PSUSD Security and DHSHS staff for the purpose of evaluating recent school activities and off-campus student behavior. A framework has been established to support on-going communication and collaboration to enhance school and community safety.
The department and Finance are working together on submission of the US DOJ Weed and Seed Grant application for the fiscal year of 2010 with a deadline of December 1st. Community Resources Officer Jim Knabb is now working out of the Neighborhood Police Office at Tedesco Park. Code enforcement will be relocating one officer to the office over the next two weeks. Code Enforcement staff has started a survey of the proposed annex area to compile a list of possible outstanding code cased to forward onto the county of Riverside Code Enforcement Department. Desert Valley Disposal assisted Code Enforcement and picked up a large pile of discarded furniture and a mattress at Mesquite and 8th Street. Plus, two mattresses, trees and a headboard were also dumped at Mesquite and 5th Street as well. Code Enforcement responded to a citizen complaint to investigate illegal dumping of hazardous substances at 13103 El Cajon Drive. The report was valid and a citation was issued to the property owner.
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Desert Local News • November 23, 2009
DHS and County Officials Give Out Turkeys To Those Less Fortunate By Leslie Andrews DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CARobin Aierria is a regular client at Food Now. Thanks to the generosity of Desert Hot Springs City Officials and Riverside County Supervisor Marion Ashley, she will be able to have a thanksgiving feast at home this year. “I have been here since February, and coming here, everybody has been so friendly,” she says, having come from the greater Los Angeles area. Many others like Robin and her family were given turkeys, along with fixings and pumpkin pie on Saturday outside of Food Now Headquarters in Desert Hot Springs. Ashley has purchased at least 200 of the 300 birds given out personally. However, to have received a turkey, one must be a registered client.
Hernandez,Daniels, Matas, Ashley, Perez and Pye
Karl Baker, Mayor Pro Tem, was also handing out turkeys along with Mayor Yvonne Parks, Councilmembers Scott Matas and Jan Pye plus City Manager Rick Daniels. He was happy to have helped out this year. “I think this one of the greatest from the ground up services we could offer in this community,” he says. “A lot of the money was donated for these turkeys and it’s just a great program.” The city is also hosting a free Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, November 26th at the Senior Center, which will begin at 11:00 a.m. The public is invited to attend, as there will also be turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and pumpkin pie to eat as well as football on television.
Parks, Perez and Baker
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Desert Local News • November 23, 2009
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Desert Local News • November 23, 2009
www.delrosahotshots.com
www.wffoundation.org
Golf Tournament Hosted by the
What: When: Where:
Who: Why:
Del Rosa Hotshots
2nd Annual Del Rosa Hotshot Alumni Golf Tournament (18 Hole scramble tournament format)
January 23rd, 2010 10:30 AM Check‐in 11:30 AM Putting Contest 12:30 Shotgun Start
San Bernardino Golf Club 1494 S. Waterman Ave San Bernardino, CA, 92408
Del Rosa Hotshot Alumni, Family, Friends, and fellow Firefighters
We only have 144 spots open! So call to reserve your spot ASAP! The Deadline to register is January 10th, 2010. To raise money for the Wildland Firefighter Foundation. The WFF is a non‐profit organization which helps out the families of fallen wildland firefighters.
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Extra’s:
$100 per person ‐ Includes: 18 holes of golf w/ cart Practice range balls Texas B.B.Q. Buffet (Checks payable to Del Rosa Hotshot Alumni) st
nd
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For additional information contact: David Borero work phone: (909) 383‐5567 or cell phone: (909) 915‐5803 E‐mail: dborero@fs.fed.us Neil Gamboa work phone: (909) 382‐2980 or cell phone: (951) 318‐1327 E‐mail: ngamboa@fs.fed.us
Desert Local News • November 23, 2009
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Houstons Host Party for Designer Lourdes Chavez Frances Allen, Loudes Chavez, Jackie Lee Houston and Shellie Reade ~photo By Pat Krause
STORY AND PHOTOS BY PAT KRAUSE Jackie Lee and Jim Houston Tuesday, Nov. 27, hosted a cocktail party in their beautiful Palm Springs-area home for Lourdes Chavez, who is being honored by Fashion Group International (FGI). Chavez has been honored with the Crystal Style Award, which has been given to some of the top names in designer fashions. The private party saw about 100 people attending. Valet parking was ready as guests drove up to the front of the fabulous Houston Estate. Complementary
refreshments and hors d’oeuvres started as soon as the guests arrived. Diane Marlin-Dirkx, regional director of the Palm Springs and Desert Communities of FGI, announced the luncheon to be held the following day, Wednesday, Nov. 18, at the Miramonte Resort and Spa. She hoped all the guests would be attending the luncheon. She also introduced the co-chairs for the luncheon, Lana Stadler and Rosemarie Troy. The guests had time to mingle with all their friends. Hostess
Jackie Lee Houston is known for her great parties as nothing is left undone to make it a special event. Many of the sponsors of the luncheon were in attendance. Tiffany, El Paseo, J. Russell Salon, Democracy, Zense, Troy, Pompeii Men’s Fashions and many others. Many of these sponsors also donated special items for the luncheons raffle. For more about this event, go to www. PalmSpringsGuides.com
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Desert Local News • November 23, 2009
Editorial by Matt Weyuker •Desert Local News • November 23, 2009
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Happy Thanksgiving
O S Y L T H AND RIG Former DHS Mayor Matt Weyuker
BY MATT WEYUKER
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise; be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good. . .” Psalm 100: 4, 5a. Early in our nation’s history, President George Washington proclaimed Thursday November 26, 1789 “to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that will be; that we may all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country.” From that time until the present day 220 years later, Thanksgiving Day has been a day set aside to be thankful to the Creator for his many blessings bestowed upon our nation. In November 1863, President Abraham Lincoln offered this proclamation, “It has seemed to me fit and proper that (God’s gifts) should be solemnly, reverently, gratefully
acknowledged with one heart and one voice by the whole American people. I do, therefore, invite my fellow citizens to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.” As for me – I am extremely grateful to have been born an American. To live, be educated, serve my country in a time of war, meet and marry Marlene, the love of my life, and with her raise 5 children, work in my chosen field, be elected to 2 school boards, and as Mayor of my city, worship God in the church of my choice, and to have been able retire after a long and fruitful life in this great and wonderfully free United States of America. There is no other country on earth that offers a boy from the wrong side of the tracks these kinds of opportunities. We Americans live in the freest nation in the world, one that is protected by the God-given rights that our Founders penned for us in the compelling Declaration of Independence and the
liberty guaranties of the Bill of Rights to the US Constitution. It is time once again for “We The People” to stand up and restore the fundamental God-given principles upon which these United States of America were founded. This Thanksgiving, why don’t all of us set aside a time when we gratefully acknowledge the Almighty with a humble prayer of thanks for living in this citadel of individual liberty? As Americans, we have been blessed with an incredible freedom document – the Declaration of Independence, which says in part, “We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among them are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…” – And Rightly So – Happy Thanksgiving!
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Photo by Pat Krause
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Desert Local News • November 23, 2009
Desert Local News • November 23, 2009
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Fashion Group International Luncheo n STORY AND PHOTOS BY PAT KRAUSE
Fashion Group International (FGI) of Palm Springs and Desert Communities held a luncheon at the Miramonte Resort and Spa in Indian Wells near Palm Springs, Calif., on Wednesday. Nov. 18. Jackie Lee Houston joined the Fashion Group International for the Una Festa Italiana 2009, a celebration in fashion. Designer Lourdes Chaves was honored with the Crystal Style Award. Chavez has been known as a shy risk-taker, a beautiful, young woman who uses style, color and textures in everything she sees.
Jackie Lee Houston, Lourdes Chavez and Billy Busse ~Photo Pat Krause
Models wore her designs during the luncheon that went from casual to gorgeous evening gowns. Refreshments, hors d’oeurves and today’s designer fashions were the highlight of the day. Vendors in every facet of designer fashion were on the patio for delighted shoppers. Ladies could look at and try on the latest in trends in fashion. Furs, sunglasses, jackets and jewelry, to name just a few, were among the items for sale. Ladies love to shop and they found many things they could not find in just one place anywhere else. The program of the day started with the award presentation and personal words from Diane Marlin-Dirkx, regional director of local FGI, and Designer Rosemarie Troy. Models walked through the crowd while the guests were served lunch. That way, everyone could look at the designer outfits close up as the models would be at each table. The models would start on the main stage, walk through the guests seated at their tables and then come to a platform on the other side of the room so all could see. The director of the show was Nancy Whitlock. Co-Chairs for the program were Lana Stadler and Rosemarie Troy. Other directors were Sharon Carney and Carol LaFourcade-Hightower.
Claudia Lua Alvarado speaks with Margo Kuhn and Diane Marlin-Dirkx in the background ~Photo Pat Krause
FGI President Margaret Hayes presented Indio High School graduate Claudia Lua Alvarado as a new and upcoming designer. Alvarado was a recipient of a scholarship awarded by the FGI Foundation. Fashion Group International is more than 80 years old and is a nonprofit organization with more than 5,500 members who are professionals in all areas of fashion worldwide. The FGI Foundation supports college scholarships to Coachella Valley students and had given more than $167,000 to those who dream of a career in fashion. Fashion vignettes were provided by Ambiente, Aniko, B.G’s Eclectic, Chico’s, City Lights, Democracy, In Sanity, Lady Golf, Mister Marcus, Palm Dreams, Pompeii’s Men’s fine apparel, Troy and Zense
Model walks through the crowd ~Photo Pat Krause
For more about the Fashion Group International’s Luncheon, go to www.PalmSpringsGuides.com
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Desert Local News • November 23, 2009
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Desert Local News • November 23, 2009
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Desert Local News • November 23, 2009
Oodles of Poodles Get Together for Animal Samaritans STORY AND PHOTOS BY JANET WALKER Da Vinci was there. Zeus was there with his girlfriend Jolie. Elvira, Merlin and Punky showed up too, just to add some variety. No, we’re not talking about the Mistress of the Dark or the artist who painted the Mona Lisa or even the King of the Gods. What we’re talking about are the canine members of the Standard Poodle Club of the Desert near Palm Springs, Calif.
dogs. Sherry Halstead, close friend of Elvira and Mervin, explained that the dogs are invaluable as providers of affection and joy to those who live in eldercare facilities and special-needs children.
The humans who started this organization, Meg Doolittle and Donna Jiaras, are a couple of energetic gogetters, bringing together more than 200 owners of standard poodles who use their association to socialize and share ideas about spreading the love of poodles and supporting the humane treatment of all animals.
Unaware of all this, Elvira, a gorgeous coquette with a black coat, could not help showing off her new “do” that had to be the envy of all the other poodles at the bash. None of the other dogs even came close to her serious use of hairspray. Katie, a lovely slip of a thing, tried hard, very hard, to mind her manners for her owner, but the excitement of seeing all of the other dogs was obviously testing her resolve. She looked longingly at the refreshment table, loaded with the goodies so generously prepared by Saks and Ritzi Rover, especially at the transparent packages of festively wrapped dog biscuits. All the female dogs there most definitely saw Zeus as the Brad Pitt of Poodledom.
The Saturday, Nov. 21 gathering was sponsored by Saks Fifth Avenue and held at The Garden’s Green in front of the store as a benefit for Animal Samaritans of Thousand Palms. The goal was to raise $5,000 to underwrite a “poodle club” kennel at the new Animal Samaritans Vet Clinic, set to open in the spring of 2010. Animal Samaritans is a nonprofit organization founded in 1978 and is committed to improving the lives of animals and people. They are the Coachella Valley’s most comprehensive animal welfare organization, and their goal is to one day eliminate the needless suffering and abuse of homeless and unwanted animals. Many of the poodles at the event wore a blue jacket, marking them as therapy
“Their eyes light up when they see our dogs, there’s just a connection,” she remarked.
There were a couple of characters named Oscar and Felix who deemed themselves to be above the raucous mingling, and chose to lie in elegant repose at the feet of their master. I could tell that they thought Zeus was a big show-off. Or was that jealousy? Hmm, I can only wonder. For more about this event, go to www. PalmSpringsGuides.com
Desert Local News • November 23, 2009
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DHS will spend $120,000.00 to educate the public about parcel tax DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CA- On Tuesday, the City Council of Desert Hot Springs voted 4 to 1 to allow for an agreement amendment for the implementation of a Strategic Plan and Public Education/Outreach Plan for a future Public Safety Parcel Tax. This program would implement more of a teaching tactic to citizens of the city as to why such a tax is needed, to support more police and fire protection. Mayor Pro Tem Karl Baker pointed some facts out. “I think the situation here has nothing to do with implementing a parcel tax. Maybe the wording be changed a little bit so that we eliminate all confusion. I suggest the item be called an agreement amendment,” he said. “I would say a public safety tax if feasible. City staff cannot spend its time nor spend its funds to print any material. They cannot publicly advocate for a tax. I resent the allegation that the city promotes taxes.” Councilman Russell Betts, who voted nay on the item, which was pulled from the consent calendar, stated, “It does not include the public opinion needed. These are huge numbers and it’s a little prematurely done. I want to see what those numbers would be. It’s too much money.” The amount in question is $120,000 to be given to the Lew Edwards Group to do research on this tax, which voters will be voting on soon. Councilman Scott Matas adds, “We need to get out and do a public outreach. It’s a very important tax and it has to be debated. This company has been proven to have a good tract record.” Rick Daniels, city manager, stated that there is a difference between an educational session and a campaign. “We want to make sure that this is not a campaign. The information that will be generated to make the council take
appropriate action,” he said. Hank Hohenstein, former City Councilman, voiced his opinion against the measure. “Desert Hot Springs has a history of citywide involvement with electoral process,” he said, citing how the item violates the state and federal constitutions. “I urge you to reject this request to meddle in our electoral process.” Florence Martin, wife of Public Safety Commissioner Russ Martin, spoke of the tax with opposition. She said, “There are
10 or 11 categories of taxation. Someone suggested a heavier tax burden on homeowners. If we continue hammering the homeowner, they will not support the parcel tax. In conclusion, $120,000 is a lot of money. It could pay for one police officer to patrol the streets for a year.” In May of 2009, voters approved Measure A, which would pay for four new police officers and raise utility taxes by two percent. This tax will sunset in 2020. The current taxes fund the police department with $2.1 million a year.
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Desert Local News • November 23, 2009
STORY AND PHOTOS BY PAT KRAUSE The Dennis Lambert Tribute was held on Saturday, Nov, 14, at The Show at the Agua Caliente Resort & Casino in Rancho Mirage, near Palm Springs, Calif. The event was presented by Betty King Productions and featured “The Man behind the Music” Dennis Lambert. This show was for the Desert ARC charity on its 50th Anniversary. Many of the people donated their time to put on this extravaganza because of Dennis Lambert and also for their belief in this wonderful organization. The day started with a great luncheon. The Agua Caliente Resort and Casino hosted this event. Thanks to their generosity for letting Desert Arc use their facilities, this event went off without a hitch. The luncheon started with cocktails and a delicious serving. The guests were entertained by a show extravaganza put on by Devorah, a vocal stylist and cabaret star. Devorah brought her entourage of dancers with her to back up her various song selections. What a voice and a superb performer. One of the highlights of the performance was when she came on stage in a white gown and fur and sang “Happy Birthday” to Richard Balocco from Desert Arc. There was a picture and book signing after the luncheon with guests Ernest Borgnine and Cloris Leachman and other performers in the show. There were
Dennis Lambert ~photo Pat Krause
even psychic readings and exclusive items for sale in the Grand Salon. Then came the fabulous evening with many top-name artists performing. This event had more stars in one place than the Desert has seen in a long time. Where else could you see Natalie Cole, Elaine Paige, Starship lead singer Mickey Thomas and The Commodores, along with actress Connie Stevens and her daughters, Joel Fisher and Tricia Leigh Fisher, who are also actresses and singers. Dennis Lambert brought in a lot of the performers as they have sung his songs and have a long history with him. There is a documentary of the life of Dennis Lambert and may soon be a movie. Other performers were Players, Peter Wolf, Siedah Garrett, Tavares and special guest Dave Koz, plus others. Betty King with her husband Frank and all the other friends spent months putting this all together. Her devotion to Desert ARC made it a work of love. Desert ARC enhances the lives of people with developmental disabilities. Many people have been helped by this worthwhile organization and its determination to help people find their potential for independent living.
I interviewed Connie Stevens after the performance. There is so much I could tell you about this great lady. On top of being a super actress and singer, she is also a humanitarian. She has started many charities, such as Windfeather that helps Native Americans with scholarships, and has started a beauty line that is in many spas and beauty stores. She is now writing and directing movies. Her latest movie, “Saving Grace B,” opens in St Louis next weekend. She had a spa in Los Angeles that she gave to her daughter Tricia, and Tricia turned it into a spa for mothers where children can play while mom gets a spa treatment. Connie is still involved with the Screen Actors Guild. She also makes time for her eight grandchildren and finds joy in watching them hear music for the first time. She and her daughters are big time supporters of the Make A Wish foundation. This dynamo of energy with a great big heart feels that everyone must Give Back to others. For more about the Dennis Lambert Tribute for Desert ARC, go to www. PalmSpringsGuides.com
Desert Local News • November 23, 2009
The Dennis Lambert Tribute Connie Stevens ~photo by Pat Krause
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Desert Local News • November 23, 2009
Delta Dan Airport Atlanta • Desert Local News • November 23, 2009
Just in, U-REPORT via IPhone:
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My buddy “Delta DAN” at the airport in Atlanta today with ROCK SUPER STAR, ROCK GOD LEGEND - ROBERT PLANT of LED ZEPPELIN.
Dan told me that he was very nice, a very cool guy. Dan said "He's tall with a firm hand shake and great sounding voice". Dan talked to him about Palm Springs (Since I had told Dan before Plant's flight from London arrived that I know for a fact that Robert Plant loves the Palm Springs area). He of course confirmed (And so did his female companion) that they indeed love Palm Springs. Plant was on his way to Memphis to accept some sort of music award. Story by Mathias Granic
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CRIME REPORT by Vicki Lawson •Desert Local News • November 23, 2009
Six Arrested For Stealing Property In Palm Springs and Cathedral City BY VICKI LAWSON PALM SPRINGS, CASix arrests were made this past week in Palm Springs in connection to several burglaries that occurred within the past few months in the western part of the Coachella Valley. On Saturday, November 14th, Palm Springs Police officers arrested a local transient for possessing a stolen vehicle and evading police. After his arrest, the subject asked to speak to detectives and they interviewed him. The subject admitted to being involved in over 50 burglaries in Palm Springs and Cathedral City. During the interviews, the subject admitted to selling most of the items stolen during these burglaries to Chuck Ailabouni, the owner of Julian’s Market in Palm Springs. Detectives drove the subject to several locations throughout the city while he provided further details. Based on the information provided, investigators located five properties either owned or used by Ailabouni and his son, Chuck Ailabouni, Jr. that were allegedly used to store stolen property. Armed with that information, investigators wrote search warrants for the five locations. The operation began at 10:00 AM on Monday and ended at 10:30 PM. Search warrants were served at the following locations: 3395 N. Indian Canyon, Palm Springs
(Julian’s Market and Chuck’s Automotive) 2000 block of Jason Court, Palm Springs 300 block of West Sepulveda Rd, Palm Springs 2100 block of N. Roberto Dr, Palm Springs 400 block of Pico Road, Palm Springs During the search warrants, several stolen motorcycles, stolen televisions, computer equipment, a washing machine and jewelry were recovered, with an estimated value of approximately $200,000.00. The recovered property filled two U-Haul trucks. Six Palm Springs residents were arrested for Possession of Stolen Property: Kihalil (Chuck Sr) Aliabouni, age 54 Shoukry (Chuck Jr) Aliabouni, age 31 Rawan Matar, age 21 Ihab Shabi, age 24 Anek Najib, age 21 Rasim Taha, age 40 So far, at least nine victims have been identified. A majority of the recovered property has yet to be linked to any victims. This is an ongoing investigation and efforts are being made to identify the lawful owners of the recovered property. Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to contact Detective Rae Fernandez at (760) 323-8143 or Crimestoppers at (760) 341- STOP.
CRIME REPORT by Vicki Lawson • Desert Local News • November 23, 2009
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Sex Offender Arrested At Desert Hot Springs Park BY VICKI LAWSON DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CAA registered Sex Offender was arrested after being spotted at a Desert Hot Springs park late Thursday night. Harvey Nile Eustis, 27, a white male about 5’9”, 150 pounds and a transient, was being released from prison last week and into Desert Hot Springs. He was convicted and served time for PC 261.5, Unlawful Sexual Intercourse with a Minor More than 3 Years Younger; a felony. That evening at around 11:41 p.m.,
Officer J.D. Steepleton was on foot patrol checking Hot Springs Park. He came across Mr. Eustis. Eustis had a special condition of parole that he not be within 100 yards of a city park. Steepleton arrested him and took him to the city jail. From there Eustis went into the custody of State Parole who will determine how long they will be holding him in custody. Information relating to incident can be directed to Sgt. Dan Bressler: (760) 3296411 ext 315.
Police Arrest Murder Suspect, Victim Identified
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BY VICKI LAWSON PALM SPRINGS, CAA Victor Valley man was killed over the weekend in Palm Springs. The motive is not yet known at this time.
possible suspect, who is a resident of that complex. Sunday morning at about 2:45 a.m., Dale Christopher Farquhar, 47, was arrested without incident at his residence.
On Saturday at about 2:00 p.m., Palm Springs Police officers responded to the 600 block of Ashurst Court (inside the Palm Springs Villas condominium complex) and located the body of a white male lying outside a second floor apartment.
Farquhar was transferred to the Riverside County Jail in Indio, where he is being held in lieu of $500,000 bail and is also charged with one count of firstdegree murder.
Detectives determined that the victim suffered at least one fatal gunshot wound. Further investigation led to the arrest of a
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Desert Local News • November 23, 2009
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CLASSIFIEDS & NOTICES • Desert Local News • November 23, 2009 NOTICE OF APPLICATION
NOTICE OF APPLICATION ALCOHOL Notice of Application to Sell Alcoholic Beverages Date of Filing 10-13-09 To Whom it May Concern: The name(s) of the applicant(s) are: Piecura, Henry Pheffer, Edumnd Schaffer, Kimberly The applicants listed above are applying to the Department of Alcohol Beverage Control to sell alcoholic beverages at: 46156 Dillon Rd Coachella, CA 92236-2028 Type of license applied for: ON-SALE GENERAL PUBLIC PREMISES
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