Oliver Stone Launches Documentary Film Fest in Palm Springs
DHS
GATEWAYS DHStoday • America and the world are in the middle of technology changes that have altered our way of life and our culture in so many ways that its long-term effects are merely new ideas waiting to be discovered in the not-so-distant future. Article by Jack Lyons April 2, 2012 Issue
Price Desert Loca L News Š apriL 2, $5.95 2012 1
pleased to be a part of his forward thinking plans. Rothbein, a Hofstra University graduate specializing in Communications will be responsible for creating a social, vertical network that is being designed to assist business and governmental entities in the ever-changing world of websites and technology. “Facebook, for example, makes a community better. We will be building virtual communities”, said Rothbein at a recent meeting at The Miracle Springs Hotel, in Desert Hot Springs. “DHS Today.Com, is not a software company. Software can makes things better, that’s true; however, we’re not about technology. We’re a communications company that uses technology with a grassroots feeling” he said smiling. J ack l yo n s with Paul Rothb ein at the M i ra cl e S p ri ngs
New Company Launches Business and Communication Solutions Utilizing the Technology of The Internet By Ja ck Lyon s America and the world are in the middle of technology changes that have altered our way of life and our culture in so many ways that its longterm effects are merely new ideas waiting to be discovered in the not-sodistant future. Everyone is now familiar with Facebook, the social network phenomenon. What the residents of Desert Hot Springs and the Coachella Valley are not familiar with is a new, totally different, communications platform and application that is right here in their own backyard. It’s called “DHS Today. Com” DHS Today.Com is the brainchild of Paul Rothbein. a former New Jersey resident, now living in Desert Hot Springs. Rothbein, approached Max 2
Rothbein, who has both marketing and advertising sales experience says, “clients of DHS Today.Com will be the beneficiaries of enhanced opportunities for both the business community, and the public sector alike. Grassroots organizations will benefit in reaching a wider audience for information on issues that are important to them.” He continued, saying “…We will have consultants available to help our clients maximize their ads and/or information that they put on websites, like DHS Today.Com. We’re also looking to have specific websites available for each city, focusing on issues unique to their residents and businesses.”
Liebermann a long time Desert Hot Springs businessman, newspaper publisher and owner of Desert Local News.com., with the possibility of partnering up in his new venture. Together, they will implement a new communications business by presenting fresh and profitable ideas and methods for Valley businessmen, and Valley cities and local To join the website is free. governments to be more responsive There is no cost and no red tape to their clients and residents using the involved. According to Rothbein, internet. “the members of the website are like “owners”. They are in control. The “Paul is providing the creative thrust of the DHS Today.Com website ideas for this new and unique application of internet technologies”, will be directed at small business. “It’s said Liebermann, adding, “He is young, sort of like franchising, not licensing.” bright, and knows and understands For information on DHS Today. the new social networking and vertical Com and how to contact Rothbein, go integration concepts and models online to www.dhstoday.com . now required for business.” I’m very
Desert Loca L News © apriL 2, 2012
Desert Hot Springs Communit y Seder
We would like to invite you to a PASSOVER SEDER hosted by Jewish Family Service And Jewish Federation of Palm Springs and the Desert Mission Lakes Country Club
8484 Clubhouse Boulevard, Desert Hot Springs
Th u r s day, Ap ril 1 2 5 :0 0 PM
No Charge for DHS and H i-Deser t Residents $25 p er guest
Linda Zweig No walk-ins accepted that evening! Jewish Family Service Coordinator of Volunteer Services 801 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, #202 Palm Springs, CA. 92262 760-325-4088 ext.108
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The Mystery of Life On Stage at Mark Taper Forum “ Wa iting Fo r Go do t ” By Jack Lyons Theatre and Film Critic For millennia man has been ask ing “ what is the meaning of life; why am I here; where did I come from; and where am I headed?” When I r ish play wr ight S amuel B eckett debuted Waiting For G odot in 1953, he posited similar questions into a stor y of t wo men waiting around for an appointment with a myster ious M r. G odot, who, when he ar r ives will explain ever ything they are wonder ing about. What will be explained? How long must they wait? I n the words of ConanD oyle’s Sher lock Holmes (another fic tional charac ter) “… Patience Watson, all will be revealed ”. However, in the inter vening fif t y-nine years not much as been revealed. Lots of theor ies and speculations, but not much enlightenment – until now, that is. “ Waiting For G odot ”, the revival produc tion cur rently onstage at the M ar k Taper Forum; insightfully direc ted by M ichael Arabian, is a gem of a produc tion, and the progenitor of th e school of theatre audiences have come to k now as the “ theatre of the absurd ”. I t stars t wo of the wor ld ’s ack nowledged B eckett scholars and per for mers in the t win lead roles. 84 years-young Alan M a ndell as Estrogon, also k nown as G ogo,
is one of the few living ac tors to have maintained a wor k ing relationship with B eckett until his death. The wonder ful I r ish ac tor Bar r y M cG over n, for mer ly of the famed Abbey Theatre of D ublin, has played the role of Vladimir, also k nown as Didi, more times than any living ac tor. Together, these t wo legends br ing such understanding, clar it y and believabilit y to their per for mances that, for me at least, the enigma that was “ Waiting For G odot ” over the years, is dispelled forever. B oth charac ters claim that G odot is an acquaintance but in fac t they hardly k now him, admitting that they would not recognize him were they to see him. To occupy their time they eat, they sleep, converse, argue, sing, play games, swap hats, and even contemplate suicide – anything “ to hold the ter r ible silence at bay ”. Program notes make mention of the play ’s positive reception when its been per for med before inmates in pr isons around the wor ld. The waiting par t, the central theme of the play, really resonates with those denied freedom. I n the play Didi and G ogo are only “ trapped ”, because they cling to the concept that freedom is possible. Freedom, according to
B eckett, is a state of mind and so is impr isonment. B eckett over the years has steadfastly maintained that his play is not religious in either allegor y or in its tone. However, cr itics, ac tors, and audiences alike are not so sure. Numerous books and essays have been wr itten about the play ’s subje c t matter, all in an effor t to explain what B eckett refused to discuss – the real meaning of “ Waiting For G odot ”. Nonetheless, the play has a definite appeal and new audiences of young people are rediscover ing the mys ter y and the depth of B eckett ’s master piece. Providing solid suppor t in the Taper ’s revival are James Cromwell (of movie fame) as the dic tator ial ar istocrat Pozzo, Hugo Ar mstrong as Luck y, the slave/ ser vant of Pozzo, and L J B enet as a messenger from G odot. Cromwells’ Pozzo, when viewed through the lens of 21st centur y Amer ica, appears to resonate with the audience as the embodiment of the 1% in the 1% vs. the 99% movement. Hugo Ar mstrong br ings a hidden strength to his por trayal of Luck y, (although most wouldn’t
Cont inues on Pag e 6
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Su A Mu sic al Mo ra lit y Ta le Ki ck s Of f Ol d Gl ob e Continue d from Page 5 “ Wa iting For Go dot ” by Jack Lyons think he was so luck y), as the slave/ser vant of the cruel and unfeeling Pozzo. A young fif teen year- old L J B enet por trays a youthful messenger/acolyte of G odot ’s who keeps G ogo and Didi on tenter hooks by relaying G odot ’s messages as to when he will see them. Although there are t wo star r ing roles and three solid suppor ting roles, the entire produc tion puts for th a strong ensemble effor t, which makes for a truly transcendent produc tion capped by a clar it y rarely found in “G odot ” produc tions. I n the technica l and creative team depar tment, 6
John Iacovelli ’s spare, save for a lone leaf- denuded-tree set design, not only matches but enhances the loneliness of the charac ters’s plight. Helping set and maintain the mood throughout the produc tion, are the light and projec tion designs by Br ian Cale, along with costume designs by Chr istopher Acebo that also mir ror ’s the timeliness of the stor y. “ Waiting For G odot ” runs through Apr il 22nd. For reser vations and ticket infor mation call the B ox O ffice at 213-628-27 72 or go online to w w w.center theatregroup. org.
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Th e Le g ends of Wom e n’s G olf a nd H a l l of Fa m e g olfer s at K ra f t Nabisco
Ja ne Blalo ck , Pat Bradley, Patt y She eha n a nd Na nc y S cra nton ~ photos by Pat K rause
Sto r y an d P h oto s by Pat K ra use The K raf t Nabisco C hampionship h ad a new tour nament this year. The Fresh and Easy K raf t Foods Legac y Junior C hallenge gave 18 young women a shot at playing in the KNC with the Pro G olfers. The Legends of Women’s G olf and Hall of Fame golfers played with these junior women on Tuesday. They played the Ar nold Palmer Course at M ission H ills Countr y Club. There were 4 players from the Coachella Valley tr yin g to find 8
a spot on the KNC tour nament. K immy H ill from Palm D eser t, R aychelle S antos from La Q uinta, Cha Cha Wilhoite and Allie Zech both from Palm D eser t were in the group of 18 juniors. The other players come from schools all over souther n Califor nia. Each of these teen gir ls have been competing all thru high school and have won many honors in the spor t. Alison Lee from Valencia won the tour nament with a 4 under for the day. She recently won the S orenstam I nvitational for 2012. Alison had been a team member of the Junior S olheim Cup and the Junior R yder Cup. She is a golfer that will be one to watch in future LPGA and college tour naments.
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Legends in golf included women we have followed at this tour nament for many years. Amy Alcott, Jane Blalock , Pat Bradley, D onna Caponi, JoAnn Car ner, B eth Daniel, R osie Jones, B etsy K ing, Nanc y Lopez, M eg M allon, Patr icia M eunier-Lebouc, Lisalotte Neumann, S andra Palm er, Nanc y S cranton, Patt y Sheehan, Hollis Stac y, Jan Stephenson and K athy Whit wor th each played with a junior. Fresh and Easy and K raf t Foods put this special tour nament together with the help of Amy Alcott. What a great way to br ing these legends together where they have all made their mar k in golf. S everal are still playing competitive golf on the tour.
Tim Mason from Fresh a nd Easy, Winner A lison Le e, A my A lcott a nd D avid Blake Thomas from K ra f t
JoA nn Ca rner
Winner A lison Le e
Rosie Jones a nd Hollis Stac y
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“ The R at Pa c k Sh ow ”
Sandy Hacke
Frank, Dean, S By Jack Lyons Theatre and Film Critic The Coa chella Valley is Frank Sinatra countr y. B oth he and D ean M ar tin were par t-time residents with many ties to the area. Bar bara Sinatra (Lady Blue Eyes) still remains a force in deser t char ities as Founder and Chair woman of the Bar bara Sinatra Children’s Center at Eisenhower Hospital. B oth Frank and Bar bara were deeply committed to helping and assisting abused children. Enter tainer and producer S andy Hackett, son of legendar y comedian Buddy Hackett, br ings his popular Las Vegas tr ibute show, “S andy Hackett ’s R at Pack ” to the stage of the M cCallum Theatre for three per for mances: Fr iday M arch 2, at 8 p m, and S aturday, M arch 3, at 2 pm and again at 8 pm. Hackett, a high- energy wr iter/producer/per for mer, is in the middle of prepping and expanding his highly successful Las Vegas H ilton Hotel show for audiences of the 1100 seat M cCallum where, thanks to the invention of the cell phone, I catch him. JL/DLN : Is there any trepidation on your par t in br inging the show to Frank ’s back yard, so to speak? 10 Desert Loca L News © apriL 2, 2012
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tt’s Tribute to
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a c ammy,, and Joey k SH: “Absolutely not. I can’t speak for the other per for mers, but for me, no trepidation, whatsoever. R emember, I spent many years off and on here with my dad. He was a ver y good fr iend of Frank , D ean, S ammy, and Joey. I have a personal histor y with the R at Pack . The show is an homage to the talent and showmanship of these great per for mers”. JL: How does the show at the M cCallum differ from the La Vegas H ilton produc tion? SH: “First, we’ve expanded the show into a t wo ac t theatr ical venture from the shor ter casino or iented Las Vegas for mat used for enter tainment sh ows. Then, we add a swinging t welve -piece orchestra for accompaniment, which allows for a free rein, wide open, per for mance from the sixperson cast ”. JL: Who are your cast members for this M cCallum stop on your 2012 Broadway and National Tour? SH: “Naturally, they ’re all fabulous”… JL:
Naturally…
SH: “Frank is played by David D eCosta, D ean is played by Tom Wallek , S ammy is played by D ezmond M eeks, and I play Joey Bi shop”. JL: M y notes indicate there are t wo more impor tant cast members. Who are they? SH: “I’m glad you as ked that. Yes, there are t wo more key members of the cast. They are
Lisa Dawn M iller, my talented wife, who plays a charac ter called ‘Frank ’s One Love’ who gets to sing “ Wasn’t I A G ood Time?” and our eleven-year old son Oliver R ichman, who por trays young Frank ”. JL: Your son Oliver, as I understand it, is amazing singer who has already made an impre ssion on the pop music wor ld. Tell us about him.
I think it would be fun to hear S ammy sing, “ Will I still B e M e”. JL: I n check ing video clips of past shows, I find the musical selec tions and the orchestrations to be just first rate. Who is responsible for that? SH: “ That would be Chr is Hardin. He’s a wonder fully talented music ar ranger out of Los Angeles”.
SH: “He recorded a song called “D efying Gravit y ” from the show “ Wicked ”, which then went viral on the inter net becoming an instant hit. H is grandfather D on M iller (Lisa’s father), the M otown songwr iting legend, penned a song for him called “One Little Chr istmas Tree”, resulting in an invitation by Stevie Wonder for Oliver to sing the song on Wonder ’s show in front of 7500 people”. JL: S ounds like you now have three stars in your family show business ventures. How of ten, if ever, do you change the elements of the show, in order to keep it fresh? SH: “I ad lib a lot. No, ser iously I update the show ’s songs, and elements always ask ing myself what do I need to do to make the show more contemporar y. An idea like what if we had the R at Pack per for mers come back to life in the 21st Centur y? That might be interesting. That might wor k . Af ter all, they per for med their ac ts more than six t y years ago, yet peop le still love to watch and hear their unique k ind of humor.
JL: I believe that the audiences of the M cCallum Theatre are in for a real treat on M arch 2 and 3. S andy, I want to thank you for shar ing your thoughts and time with us. SH: “ You’re most welcome and thank you. One last thought. I can tell you this. ‘ The R at Pack ’ show is a ver y funny show and the audience will leave the theatre with giant smiles on their faces”. No producer could ask for anything more than a happy smiling audience as they leave the theatre. Talent and showmanship will always trump pyrotechnics and special effec ts. The Broadway and National Tour of “S andy Hackett ’s R at Pack ” show moves on to more than 40 cities on its 2012 per for mance schedule. As a side bar note: There is a Chr istmas and Holiday version of the show in the wor ks for 2012. Stay tuned … For reser vations and ticket infor mation for the “R at Pack ” show call the M cCallum box office at 760-340-2787.
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DHS I-10 GATEWAYS Open Ph o to s by M icha el Bu r ke • Bur keM edia Produc tion
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DHS I-10 GATEWAYS Open
Ph o to s by M ic h a e l Burke - BurkeMe dia Pro duc t ion
DHS I-10 GATEWAYS DEDICATED MARCH 9TH All photos by M ichael Bur ke, Bur kemedia Net wor k Af ter more than a decade of patiently waiting, on M arch 9, 2012, finally the t wo major gateway intersec tions going into D eser t Hot Spr ings for mally became a realit y : Palm Dr ive/ G ene Autr y/I nterstate 10 and I ndian Canyon Trail/I nterstate 10. Assisting in mak ing this a realit y was a combination of Federal stimulus dollars cour tesy of ARR A (Amer ican R ecover y and R einvestment Ac t) funds and lower cost estimates for wor k made more financially viable by the economic slowdown.
Wor k on the Palm Dr ive/ G ene Autr y/I-10 intersec tion enhancement br idge began in M arch, 2010, with a $17 million budget that realigned on-and offramps and replaced the previous t wo -lane over- crossings with a six-lane version, also including bic ycle lanes along each side. This projec t also combined the widening of G ene Autr y Trail over the Union Pacific R ailroad over pass. The B ob Hope/R amon R oad/I-10 interchange was opened in S eptember, 2011, and construc tion on the Date Palm
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Dr ive/I-10 intersec tion br idge enhancement that began in M ay, 2011, is expec ted to be completed in ear ly 2013. Construc tion of the I ndian Canyon/I-10 intersec tion enhancement br idge began in August, 2010, with a $16.5 million budget that replaced the or iginal over- crossings with a six-lane version, also including bic ycle lanes on each side. Although this wor k did not include a br idge widening over the Union Pacific R ailroad tracks, it did also result in significant enhancements to adjacent por tions of 20th Avenue
impor tant br idges is expec ted to significantly accommodate traffic flows to and from the DHS vicinit y, which as visibly obvious, has exper ienced large increases as DHS’ popular it y and population have increased dur ing the past 10 plus years. Expanded traffic lanes will reduce the incidents of accidents while also conser ving fuel and decreasing waiting time to both east and west-bound traffic connec ting to I nterstate 10, as well as into Palm Spr ings destinations direc tly south on both routes.
Co lo r Gua rds
M rs. Wi l son w i th Ad a m S a n c h e z
The e ase of getting to and from DHS is also expec ted to accentuate DHS’ increasing popular it y for residential pur poses, plus mak ing DHS a more attrac tive venue for business oppor tunities. I n
C i t y Cou nci l m a n Ru s s e l l B e t t s Spec trum Custom Cabinets, are also expec ted to der ive benefits. On behalf of the “D eser t Local
addition to new businesses being attrac ted to town, such as the recently approved “D ollar G eneral ” store and Walmar t that has expressed preliminar y interest in the cit y, many existing businesses that already call DHS “ home”, that have a regional attrac tion from throughout the valley, such as K-M ar t, S chwann’s, Ha ppy Cit y Ma nager R ick D a niels News”, we would like to ex tend our personal “ Thanks” to all those public agencies and public officials over the many years who’s effor ts have finally paid off with these newly completed, and badly needed projec ts.
Ma nuel Pe rez and G ar net Avenue, including improved traffic signals, stor m drainage and freeway ver tical clearance mitigation. The expansion of these ver y
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Ro bbie K rie ger from the D o ors ~ Photos by Pa t K ra u se
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Th e D I N A H a s m a ny p e o p l e k n o w i t i s t h e K ra f t N a b i s co C h a m p i o n s h i p L P G A M a j o r a n d i s p l aye d a t M i s s i o n H i l l s Co u n t r y C l u b.
’ H A N I D ‘ By Pat Krause The DINAH as many people k now it is the K raf t Nabisco Championship LPGA M ajor and is played at M ission H ills Countr y Club. The Celebr it y Pro -am is always played on the first t wo days of the tour nament. On Tuesday and Wednesday, M arch 27th and 28th. O ver Thir t y Celebr ities par ticipated. S everal have played in this tour nament for m any times and continue to come back year af ter year. The Pro -Am was held on the Dinah Shore Course with the first tee time at 7:20 in the mor ning. Play lasted most of the day. Celebr ities could be seen at the dr iving range and the putting green before play. M any signed autographs on the first tee before they teed off and dur ing play. The celebr ities really enjoy this tour nament. The pros like to play with these high profile celebr ities too. S ome of the celebs retur ning again this year were Alice Cooper, Cheech M ar in, Kevin S or bo, Graeme Bax ter, John O ’Hur ley
and Rudy G atlin. O ther notables included Craig T. Nelson, Chr is M cD onald, D ennis Haysber t, D on Felder, Johnny B ench, Patr ick War bur ton, R obbie K r ieger, K imber lin Brown, M ar k Woodforde, Super Dave Osbor ne, Ed M ar inaro, R ich,Da Coach, Gilgallon, and Tom Dreesen. S ome new players included, CS Lee, Greg I tzin, Javier Colon, Car mine Giovinazzo, K athyr n Newton, Kevin Nealon, Lar r y David,Vinnie Jones, Chr is Jacobs, M ar k Woodforde and Alfonso R ieber io. A really diverse celebr it y field comes from enter tainment and spor ts. Celebr ities are icons in their field and some are new faces to the KNC. These t wo days give fans a close look at celebr ities and LPGA pros. I t is a more laid back time for fans when there is not so much at stake for the players. Cameras are allowed and Autographs are given. The ac tual tour nament star ts Thursday M arch 29th and ends on Sunday
A l i ce Co op e r si gns a b o b b l e H e a d A l i ce Co op e r ~Ph o to s by Pa t K ra u se
Pa tri ck Wa rb u r ton a n d fa n s Pa l me r a nd Le y ton A n g e r m e i e r
Apr il 1st when only the pros will play. Desert Loca L News © apriL 2, 2012 17
o e s a P l E n o k e e W n o Fa s h i m o r f s r a t S e h t n i t h g Brou . y a w n u R t c T Vs P r o j e
Stor y a n d Ph o to s by Pat Kra u s e
Fashion Week on El Paseo Brought in the Stars from T Vs Projec t Runway.The D esigners brought some of the st yles they created for the T V show. O thers brought some of the items they thought would be the best for the women and men of this area. Wednesday the Cast of Projec t Runway ar r ived by limo to the big white tent on Lar kspur nex t to the main Tent where all the runway ac tion takes place. The designers spoke ab out their designs for the M edia. They held a Q & A for repor ters and photographers emceed by St yle M aven, Susan Stein. They thanked our own local fashion designer and cast member, M ichael Costello for br inging them to the D eser t and Fashion Week . They all said this is an impor tant venue because they can’t become k nown if no one sees what they produce. Shows are where they can br ing what they create to the public Wednesday night brought all the designers to the runway with the fashions they made. They had little time to get the models ready, hair, makeup and outfits and gowns that fit to best showoff their creations. A cocktail reception was held pr ior to the runway show. The show lasted about an hour with standing room only in the main tent. The audience clapped af ter each time the st yles were shown and the designer was introduced. A lot of oohs and aahs were heard when
the audience saw something special they liked. O ur own Local M ichael Costello got a larger applause as he came on the runway. He touched hand with the people nex t to the runway and he was the last designer of the night. There was only one fashion designer that brought men’s clothing. The models Hair, M ake -up,plus the Jewelr y and accessor ies were chosen by the ar tist. Each fashion st ylist had different st yles to show. Amer ican Idol finalist Pia Toscano sang a couple songs from her new album for the audience.
G own by M ichael Costello
A trunk show was held on Thursday af ter noon where customers could buy the items shown on the runway on Wednesday evening. They could be able to order each item in their own size if none were available. There was a long line of women waiting for the doors to open for the trunk show. Personal contac t with the designers and talk ing to them about the items they purchased is a once in a lifetime oppor tunit y. Fashion Week just keeps getting bigger with wor ld wide atte ntion. The weekend will be the food and wine events. This event will test the taste buds of the best cr itic. One does not want to miss this special time of Fashion Week . Top designers and the best in foods and wines is a great way to finish this grand event.
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Fashion D esigner M ichael Costello
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TVs Project Runway Photo by Pat Krause
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Mother’s DayBliss A Recipe for...
ECES
A great gift for Mom is waiting
to be created in your own kitchen. The best gifts always include
memorable experiences. Mother’s Day is the ideal occasion for spending some quality family time in the kitchen. Even if cooking isn’t your forte, the act of preparing a meal for Mom says far more than the average greeting card ever could. But no matter how good your intentions, not everyone has the confidence or experience to plan and prepare a special meal. For any chef, the trick to a successful and scrumptious Mother’s Day brunch is finding proven recipes and useful preparation tips that won’t leave you scrambling for a takeout menu at the last minute. One way to simplify Mother’s Day cooking (and enjoy time spent with your family while you’re at it) is by using the America’s Test Kitchen: Let’s Get Cooking software for the Nintendo DS™ family of hand-held game systems. This user-friendly software comes loaded with 300 fool-proof recipes – from appetizers to desserts – created by the experts at America’s Test Kitchen, each with complete, easy-to-follow instructions on how to prepare them. And even if you don’t know a casserole from a quiche, you can reference the handy Cooking A-Z guide, which offers a glossary and videos that show tips and techniques. Recipes can be searched for by a keyword or browsed by photo, difficulty, cooking time or main ingredient. A voice-recognition feature also leaves the user hands-free to cook. Of course, watching a 5-year-old fumble around with cutlery and hot pans on the stove is no way for a mother to unwind on her special day. Thankfully, the software can determine a range of age-appropriate kitchen tasks so everyone in the household can get involved while giving Mom peace-of-mind. One of the best ways to enjoy America’s Test Kitchen: Let’s Get Cooking is with the new Nintendo DSi XL™ system. This latest portable hardware release from Nintendo features larger screens, a wider viewing angle and enhanced sound output that are especially well-suited to instructional activities like cooking. By gathering the family in the kitchen to create a Mother’s Day brunch with tasty foods like Ham, Asparagus and Gruyère Frittata with Lemon-Blueberry Muffins, everyday folks can not only develop a few impressive cooking skills but also create new family favorites in the process. And if Dad tries to butt in for a hand-held golf or auto racing game, just remind him that Father’s Day is still a few weeks away.
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Asparagus, Ham and Gruyère Frittata This Italian twist on a classic omelet oozes warmth and hearty indulgence.
Lemon-Blueberry Muffins Berry and citrus make an especially gorgeous couple while the perfect amount of yogurt makes these muffins moist and tender.
Desert Local News Max Liebermann Publisher
publisher@desertlocalnews.com
ADVERTISEMENT 760-301-6291 info@desertlocalnews.com CONTRIBUTORS: Jack Lyons Pat Krause
Dr. Lisa Roby Lawrence Dr. Allen Lawrence Bruce Montgomery ARA Contend PHOTOGRAPHERS Bruce Montgomery Pat Krause ARA Content
Elisab e th Lieb erma nn S e ptemb e r 6 , 1 9 1 5 - Ma rch 2 8 , 2 0 0 0 Desert Loca L News Š apriL 2, 2012 23
STONE
I n a ug u ral Am e ri can D ocum ent ar y Film Fest iva l L au n che d I n Palm Spr ings, Califo rn ia By Jack Lyons Theatre and Film Critic
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here is a definite cor relation bet ween film festivals and Palm Spr ings. Like bees to honey, high-powered stars, direc tors, wr iters, plus Holly wood I ndustr y high rollers, with the k nowledge of successful track records of other festivals held here – namely the Palm Spr ings I nter national Film Festival – make Palm Spr ings the number one festival destination to launch a film, or in the present case, a first- ever Amer ican D ocumentar y Film Festival. The festival runs from M arch 29th to Apr il 5th, with all t went y-nine screenings tak ing place at the Camelot Theatres (of course, our famous Palm Spr ings weather doesn’t hur t either). Ted Grouya, the executive direc tor of the Festival, is a multi-talented professional wr iter/direc tor/producer/
cinematographer. I n addition to his successful movie industr y career, he is a sav v y filmmaker with a vision that includes recognizing and honor ing the impor tance of the film genre k nown as “ the documentar y ”. I t should come as no sur pr ise to lear n that Grouya chose acclaimed three -time Holly wood Academy Award winner Oliver Stone (an honored documentar y filmmaker in his own r ight) to be the recipient of the inaugural “Filmmaker Who M akes a D ifference Award ” from the Amer ican D ocumentar y Film Festival. Stone is cer tainly in the forefront, if not the leader, of projec ts and films that have raised our awareness of controversial subjec ts over the years, that other wise would not be on the countr y ’s “radar screens”. At the Fr iday, M arch 29th opening night ceremonies and G ala held at the Camelot Theatres, Stone attended with his son S ean (also a filmmaker), and his ninet y- one year old mother Jacqueline. The film selec ted
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by Grouya to k ick- off of the festival is “Commandante”, the documentar y-st yled film Oliver Stone made with Fidel Castro as its sole subjec t. I t was never intended, according to Stone, to present Castro, a lighte ning rod of controversy with many CubanAmer icans living in sou th Flor ida, in any par ticular light. Stone has always maintained his film is not jour nalistically dr iven, but merely a filmed por trait of the Cuban dic tator. The movie is a fascinating look into the public and pr ivate man that is Fidel Castro. Cr itics of Stone’s documentar y have claimed that his filmed coverage of Castro in the movie, casts the dic tator in a favorable light, becoming sor t of a propaganda vehicle for Cuba. Stone, in the role of a documentar y filmmaker, takes existing histor ical footage and archived news-reel footage, and blends them together with moder n day footage he shot in Cuba over a three day per iod in 2003, producing an interesting por trait of one of histor y ’s famous
O l i ver Stone La unches D o c ume nt a r y Fi l m Fe s t i n Pa l m S pr in g s di c tators in the process. The new footage, shot by Stone and his crew, produced over thir t y hours of film that eventually was edited down by Stone to a manageable 99 minute running time. I n the Q & A s ession following the movie, Grouya and Stone took questions from the audience. M ost questioners were interested in lear ning about what sor t of person Castro was when the cameras weren’t running. Stone obliged with anecdotes about his three day shoot with Castro; infor ming the audience about Castro’s ground rules concer ning the subjec ts to be discussed
and when to stop filming. The bottom-line answer was that there weren’t any rules from Castro or anyone else. I t was a free wheeling cinematic exper ience from beginning to end. Castro, who doesn’t speak English, has to rely on his translator of thir t y years to respond to questions from Stone. Their exchanges were fr iendly, light in tone, and frank and illuminating, as far as anyone can tell. “Comandante” was Stone’s first film about Castro. He has t wo additional documentar ies in this festival; one more with Fidel Castro as a subjec t entitled “Look ing For Castro”, made in 2004, and “S outh of the B order ”
made in 2009 where he inter views seven S outh Amer ican elec ted presidents and examines what has been tak ing place in highly volatile and politically sensitive S outh Amer ica. The Amer ican D ocumentar y Film Festival is loaded with qualit y doco’s, which range from compelling social issues to Holly wood personalities like D olly Par ton to spor ting competitions for aging seniors, and much more. I f you like documentar ies, then this is the festival for you. The Festival runs through April 5th. For ticket information c all the Camelot Theatres at 760-325-6565.
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K atie
H i, my names K atie and I’m pleased to meet you! I came to the shelter with my brothers and sisters; all 4 of them! I f you’re look ing to adopt, come to the Coachella Valley Animal Campus and meet my whole family! I’m a 3 month old, female, brown/black shepherd mix. 26 Desert Loca L News © apriL 2, 2012