Desert Star Weekly Dec. 4, 2019 issue!

Your adjudicated newspaper for Riverside County

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PRESORTED STANDARD

Palm Canyon Theatre Stages a Crowd-Pleasing Musical Revival for the Holidays with “The King and I” see page 19. Photo by Paul Hayashi.

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December 4, 2019 Vol. 14 No. 94

“On the Trail of Big Cats”

By Desert Star Staff Palm Desert, CA – The McCallum Theatre and National Geographic Live, National Geographic’s touring speaker series, are proud to announce “On the Trail of Big Cats” with Steve Winter, a National Geographic wildlife photographer with a specific focus on big cats. The event will take place on Monday, January 6, at 7:00pm.

Winter specializes in wildlife photography,

particularly big cat photography, and has been a National Geographic photographer since 1991.

Winter has been named BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year and BBC Wildlife Photojournalist of the Year. He was a two-time winner of Picture of the Year International’s Global Vision Award and won first prize in the nature story category from World Press Photo in 2008 and 2014.

By Desert Star Staff NBC PS News Staff Antonio Banderas will receive the International Star Award at the 31st annual Palm Springs International Film Festival for his role as a declining film director in the Spanish drama “Pain and Glory,” organizers announced Tuesday.

“Throughout his career Antonio Banderas has garnered international acclaim and world recognition from his memorable performances,” said festival Chairman Harold Matzner. “In his latest film `Pain and Glory,’ Antonio Banderas

gives another deeply moving performance as aging film director Salvador Mallo going through a creative crisis as he reflects on the choices he’s made throughout his life.”

Banderas, along with previously announced honorees Jennifer Lopez, Martin Scorsese, Joaquin Phoenix, Renee Zellweger and Charlize Theron, will be recognized at the festival’s Jan. 2 awards gala at the Palm Springs Convention Center.

The festival runs from Jan. 2 to Jan. 13.

Source: NBC Palm Springs

Winter shares his stories about traveling the world to photograph big cats and educates audiences on the importance of conservation. He has been interviewed on CBS Nightly News, NPR, BBC, CNN, and other media outlets.

His film with Bertie Gregory, Mission Critical: Leopards at the Door, continues to run on Nat Geo WILD. National Geographic Live is the live events division of

National Geographic. With a roster of talent including renowned photographers, scientists, authors, filmmakers and adventurers, National Geographic Live’s critically acclaimed programs have connected with audiences worldwide for over a century.

Currently, National Geographic Live events are held in a variety of cities around the world, including, Seattle, Tampa, Los Angeles, and Calgary. In each of these

cities, speakers share behindthe-scenes stories from the front lines of exploration onstage alongside stunning imagery and gripping footage. natgeolive.com Tickets for this show are priced at $45, $35 and $15.

Tickets are available at www. mccallumtheatre.com or by calling the McCallum Theatre Box Office at (760) 3402787. The McCallum Theatre, located at 73000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert CA 92260

Antonio Banderas To Be Honored At Palm Springs Film Festival

Art Highlights Magazine Debuts In Palm Springs

Ludo Leideritz, Barbara Gothard, Judy Sklar, Daniella Walsh, Pam Price, Charles Michael Murray. Photo by Pat Krause

By Pamela Price The first issue of Art Highlights Magazine, covering a spectrum of painting, sculptures and a mélange of visual art forms, debuts this month. The content will be enhanced by the performing arts, as well. A launch party was held on Saturday, November 23, at Barba Contemporary Art in Palm Springs, with the

magazine’s staff on hand to greet guests. Charles Michael Murray, Creative and Marketing Director, was joined by Eric Marchese, Daniella B. Walsh, and Laura Bleiberg, veteran print journalists along with artist Frances Bade. Attending the evening receptions were Carole and David Hatcher of the Artists Council along with Bernard Stanley Hoyes, Desert Hot Springs artist (his exhibit

Timmy Woods, Ludo Leideritz, Chris Clemens. Photo by Pat Krause

Spirit of the Land Through Climate Change opened on November 17 at the San Bernardino County Museum, closing on March 8, 2020.)

The eclectic guest list included Timmy Woods, Beverly Hills handbag designer, local author, Grace Robbins, and Rocky Randall, known for her heroic dog rescues, and as she commented, “a collector of canine art and photography.”

Publisher Ludo Leideritz said the magazine was originally slated for an 84page first issue but increased to 100 pages by the time the first edition was printed by Southwest Offset Printing, “one of the finest print houses in Southern California,” he added. He said that each issue will have an online counterpart on the magazines’ website, www.Art-Highlights.com.

“The second issue is due out in mid-February, 2020,” said Leideritz in addition to two annual bonus issues focused on major Southern California art festivals, for a total of six issues of Art Highlights per year. Several desert writers, including Judy Sklar and Chris Martello, will be contributing columns joined by Pat Krause, the photographer.

Kamala Harris drops out of 2020 presidential election race

By Desert Star Staff California Senator Kamala Harris is dropping out of the crowded field of Democrats angling to become their party’s presidential candidate.

Harris tweeted a message to supporters on Tuesday saying “it is with deep regret— but also with deep gratitude— that I am suspending my campaign today.”

The move came after she had earlier canceled a fundraising event in New York

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over a “personal matter”.

Many on social media took the opportunity to make fun of Harris’ low polling figures by saying they’d never even heard of her.

“Again, for the third time this week: Who?” one commenter tweeted, while another joked: “Kamala, we hardly knew ya.”

Others suggested Tulsi Gabbard would be delighted with the turn of events.

December 4, 2019

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Lower your Tax Bite when taking IRA Required Distributions

By Janice Gough At age 70½, the bill comes due on all those tax-deferred savings accounts you have been building. If you are a retiree, you are required to start pulling money from your IRAs and 401(k)s. Following an Internal Revenue Service formula, these annual withdrawals can push you into a higher tax bracket, thus as a financial planner, we put a lot of energy into building strategies to minimize the tax bite. To be most effective, you need to plan far in advance of the magic age. So anyone with sizable savings may want to get familiar with how required

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Max Liebermann __________________________ OFFICE MANAGER Mindy Salas ART DIRECTOR Dina Rivera CONTRIBUTORS Beverly Cohn, Janice Gough, Jack Lyons, Kelly G. Richardson, Pamela Price, Pat Krause, Risa D’Angeles, Robert Kinsler, Theda Kleinhans Reichman PHOTOGRAPHERS Pat Krause ADVERTISING ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVES Please Call 760-671-6604 ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Arlette Capel

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minimum distributions (RMD) work — and the options for handling them — well before they have to crack open the nest egg. To get a jump-start on what’s involved, here are some quick rules of the road: While you have the option of tapping tax-deferred retirement savings accounts without penalty starting at age 59½, you are required by law to start taking distributions from your IRA, 401(k), and other kinds of tax-deferred accounts

by April 1 of the year after you turn 70½. From then on, you have to take money out before December 31 every year. If you are still working at that age and participating in your employer’s 401(k) plan, you may be able to defer RMDs from that account.

The amount you must withdraw is tied to an IRS formula based on life expectancy. Say you just turned 70½ and have one $600,000 IRA. An IRS table (PDF) sets your distribution period at 27.4 years. Your $600,000 divided by 27.4 equals about $22,000. Whether you want it now or not, that’s what you have to take out. The penalties for noncompliance are steep. If you forget to take an RMD or don’t withdraw the full amount, the IRS wants 50% of the amount you didn’t withdraw. You can avoid this by having your IRA custodian calculate your RMD for you and automatically transfer the money to an account.

As you’d imagine, things become trickier once you get into tax strategies. For those

much you convert depends on a lot of things, including how much you have in taxable accounts both to live on and to cover the tax and how close your income is to the next tax bracket. And of course, there are significant benefits to having money compound taxfree in an IRA. Planners have to weigh these considerations against the chance of a higher tax bracket when you start taking distributions, and other income streams kick in.

Many clients typically delay taking Social Security until age 70. That gets them a much higher monthly benefit than if they’d taken it earlier.

It also means Social Security benefits — which are taxed to a degree — don’t add to income while clients are trying to fill their 15% “tax bucket.”

Here’s an example of how the strategy could work. I recently worked with a couple ages 67 and 59 years old, who are retiring later this year.

The older client is deferring Social Security until 70, and the couple will have $17,000 in income coming from a pension starting in 2017. The couple’s spending needs in 2017 and 2018 will come from taxable accounts. Since they have low income for two years, they’ll convert $75,000 of a traditional IRA to a Roth in both years. A small part of that conversion falls in the 10% bracket and the rest in the 15% bracket.

By lessening future RMDs, the client won’t be bumped into the 25% tax bracket in

2019 or the 28% bracket they might have hit in later years/ A helpful way to look at the savings is to compare the tax bill generated by a conversion today with what it would likely cost down the line.

For instance, a $75,000 move from an IRA to a Roth now at a 15% rate requires $11,250 in tax. The same transfer later, while in a 25 percent tax bracket, would cost $18,750.

The conversion’s tax benefit in later years may be diminished if new income streams start, say from another pension or more RMD income, but it’s still a way to take advantage of a few years at a lower rate.

And finally, if you’ve done so well that the RMDs aren’t needed, you can make “qualified charitable distributions” of up to $100,000 a year. That way, RMDs won’t be included in gross income.

You have to be careful, though — the company holding your tax-deferred account must send the money directly to a qualified charity.

Janice Gough is a Financial Advisor in Palm Springs. You may contact our Office via email at Janice@ GoughFinancialSvcs..com or call us at our Office: (760)251-7724 or Cell (650) 200-8291 Contact Janice for a Complimentary RMD analysis! Janice specializes in Safe, Sound, Solutions.

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CC&Rs or Rules, and a Forgotten Bylaw Amendment

By Kelly G. Richardson, Esq. CCAL Hi Kelly, I’m confused between “rules” and “CC&R’s.”

Our board, over the years, has implemented new rules. What I don’t understand is: How is this different than making changes to the CC&R’s, which would require homeowner approval? For example, the board passed a rule that prohibited playing sports in the street. When I bought my house, there was no such prohibition. Now, after my kids started playing sports in the streets, they prohibit it. I didn’t get to vote on this, and had it been in the CC&R’s when I was contemplating my purchase, I would not have bought in this neighborhood because they obviously were not “children friendly.” Do I have any recourse? Can the board just implement new rules whenever they want?

Thanks for your insight. R.D., Vista Dear R.D.: Rules are called various

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to work, you must have sizable amounts saved in both taxdeferred and taxable accounts.

If you already have a Roth IRA in place, then, all the better.

By shifting money between these accounts, and paying tax on some at lower-income periods, you can lessen the ultimate tax damage and add years of retirement income.

A few caveats: Everyone’s situation is different, and no one can predict future tax policy.

One bit of advice that applies to all: Any financial advisor you use is considered to be a fiduciary, this is required to act in your best interests.

One of the main ways planners help clients facing big RMDs is strategically converting money from a traditional IRA into a Roth IRA, which is funded with after-tax money. That’s because those required distributions can push you into a higher tax bracket.

At some point after 59½, when you can tap tax-deferred accounts without penalty, but before 70½, when it must be taken, I recommend converting chunks of a regular IRA into a Roth before retirement. The point is to take advantage of a period when they’re in a low tax bracket. Without income yet from RMDs, a pension, or Social Security, there may be a gap between current income and the limit for remaining in the 15% tax bracket. The point is to fill that gap with money withdrawn from your traditional IRA, pay tax on it, and put it in a Roth. How

things by HOAs, including “house rules” or “regulations,” but the Davis-Stirling Act calls them “operating rules.” Per Civil Code 4340, an “operating rule” is “a regulation adopted by the board that applies generally to the management and operation of the common interest development or the conduct of the business and affairs of the association.”

If homeowners voted to approve it, it would not be an operating rule. Rules are meant to be somewhat fluid, allowing boards to adapt them to the community’s changing needs and desires.

CC&R’s are more permanent since a membership vote is normally required to amend them, and are recorded as equitable servitudes binding all property owners subject to the CC&R’s. If the homeowners largely object to a rule change, Civil Code 4365 authorizes a petition for a membership vote to overturn the rule change, which must be brought within 30 day of the HOA’s announcement of the adoption of the rule change.

Safety rules in associations can be essential to protect December 4, 2019

residents from dangerous situations, so long as they apply to all residents and not only children. If the rules reference children, they may violate state and federal Fair Housing laws.

Best regards, Kelly

governs itself, and do not cover how the property is used or enjoyed. Bylaws are not required to be recorded (filed with the County RegistrarRecorder) to be effective.

Bylaw amendments must comply with the Corporations Code and not conflict with the Hello Mr. Richardson: CC&R’s. This old amendment, I have come across apparently ignored for over paperwork from over 30 30 years, may arguably still years ago indicating that an be binding, but it also may amendment to our association be argued to have been bylaws was presented to our abandoned. If the membership homeowners and passed, prefers a smaller board, reducing the number of board you may wish to submit the members, from five to three. amendment to the members One of our board for a vote to ratify or reject the members recently went to amendment, to eliminate any the County Recorder’s office possible argument about it. to verify that this had been Thanks, Kelly recorded as an amendment but nothing was found to Kelly G. Richardson show it had been recorded.

Esq., CCAL, is a Fellow of the College of Community Are amendments to the Association Lawyers and bylaws considered valid if they a Partner of Richardson have not been recorded with | Ober | DeNichilo LLP, a the County Recorder’s office? California law firm known for Sincerely, S.R., community association advice.

Anaheim Hills Send questions to Kelly@ rodllp.com. Past columns Dear S.R.: at www.HOAHomefront.

Normally, bylaws address com. All rights reserved®. only how an association

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Feds Downplaying Climate Change Threat To Endangered Species

The California condor is one of the Golden State’s best-known endangered species. (USWFS)

By Desert Star Staff SACRAMENTO, Calif.

— Federal agencies are downplaying the effects of climate change on

endangered species, according to a report out today. The study, published in the journal Nature Climate Change, looked at 459

animals and found that although climate change affects all but one of the species, it was only cited in 64% of planning documents

- and the agencies required action in just 18% of cases.

Study author Aimee Delach, senior policy analyst for climate adaptation with Defenders of Wildlife, said 82 California species were included in the study.

“Of those, 61 at least discussed climate change threats - 21 did not,” Delach said. “Fourteen had actions and seven had additional study.”

Some of the Golden State species studied include the California condor and the California tiger salamander.

The Trump administration has worked to lift environmental regulations it claims are unnecessarily impeding commercial ventures such as logging, ranching, residential development and oil and gas drilling.

Delach said new federal regulations issued in 2018 will

make it easier for agencies to ignore climate change in endangered-species listing and recovery plans.

“Our data show that even prior to those new regulations, the agencies weren’t doing enough,”she said. “And so those new regulations make matters very, very concerning.”

The study includes a web tool that makes the indings searchable by species and state. It shows that in California, climate change affects species by isolating certain populations, changing the availability of water, and introducing new disturbances into the environment.

Disclosure: Defenders of Wildlife contributes to our fund for reporting on Climate Change/Air Quality, Endangered Species & Wildlife, Energy Policy, Public Lands/Wilderness.

6 Chef-Approved Suggestions for a Merry Holiday Season

By Desert Star Staff Heading into the holidays can be both exciting and terrifying. Part of the stress factor comes from food and drink -- specifically, what to serve guests, bring to parties and how to stay healthy and centered through the thick of it.

To help take the worry out of the season and amp up the fun, Mark Estee, a nationally recognized chef, is offering helpful suggestions.

1. Heat. Chips and salsa, a staple at many gatherings, don’t have to be boring.

Swap out run-of-the-mill salsa with something fresher and more delicious. Estee’s brand of choice is Killer Salsa, a delicious, small-batch salsa made in Nevada for over 20 years. Flavors include Original, Salsa Verde, Hot and Garlic, all of which are made with simple, clean ingredients that will add some kick in your crunch. To add wintertime flair, pour the salsa over goat cheese or cream cheese and warm it in the oven.

2. Simple Bites. Whether you’re party-hopping and need something to contribute

or you just want to rock the appetizer spread, keep things simple. Grab a local baguette and pick up Liberty Artisan Meats’ new ‘Nduja salami, a particularly spicy, Calabrian chili salami that goes great on crusty, fresh bread or as a pizza topping. Unlike typical salami, it’s high-fat content and finer grind make it spreadable.

3. Drink. The best way to roll into a party is with a premade cocktail in tow.

This is because barrel-aged cocktails can taste better than many of those that are freshlymade, due to the texture added throughout the aging process. Bring a premium, barrel-aged​ ​Doc Pepe’s Lab​ cocktail to that holiday party.

The classic, yet craftily curated cocktails are made in small batches with ingredients from scratch. The only ingredient you’ll need to add is ice -- no bartender required.

4. Toasts. When life gives you lemons -- or the end of the party -- say cheers with PèpeCello. For those end-ofnight toasts, enjoy this crisp, tart all-natural limoncello liqueur

by itself or add a splash to your favorite prosecco to make an irresistible spritz. Handcrafted in small batches in Sorrento, Italy, the family recipe is made with only certified, organic Sorrento lemons.

5. The Next Day. Thinking of how to get up and do it again?

Thinking of getting up and heading to the gym or work?

Be sure you’re prepped for the party’s aftermath. While a cup of coffee will get your eyes open, after a particularly festive holiday gathering, you might want an extra boost. A new line of beverages called Drink Nutrient work with our body’s natural structure for increased absorption and efficacy of nutrients, and are a good way to rehydrate, enhance health and defend against winter bugs.

6. Warm Up. You can also recuperate, or help others to, with tea. Just in time for cooler weather, Davidson’s Organic Teas has released its new E ​ arl Grey Cream​and E ​ arl Grey Rose​ blends, great to have on hand healthful holiday gifts. Choose all winter long. The brand’s from Cleanse​, ​Focus​, ​Immunity​ new subscription style Mood and M ​ otivate​Mood Boxes.

Boxes also make for thoughtful, While this list may be

small, it has you covered for all you’ll need this “holidaze” season! StatePoint

Palm Springs International Film Festival

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By Desert Star Staff The Palm Springs International Film Festival’s (PSIFF) 30th Season takes place January 2nd to 13th. The Palm Springs International Film Festival is one of the largest film festivals in North America, welcoming over 135,000 attendees each year for its lineup of new and celebrated international features and documentaries. The Festival is also known for its annual

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December 27, 2019

Film Awards Gala, honoring the best achievements of the filmic year by a celebrated list of talents. Produced by the Palm Springs International Film Society, the Festival offers 12 days of events and film screenings featuring over 200 films from 60+ countries. We welcome you to join us at our venues in Palm Springs and Cathedral City. See you at the movies! Passes for the 2020 Film Festival will be available

to purchase August 1, 2019.

Individual film and event tickets, including Opening & Closing Night, will be available for purchase in December 2019.

Date: 01/02/2020 8:00 AM - 01/13/2020 11:00 PM Location: Palm Springs Film Festival 1700 East Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, California 92262 www.desertstarweekly.com

AHA: Avoiding the Deadly Holiday Heart Attack

By Desert Star Staff DALLAS-- This holiday season the Dallas Division of the American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, and Medical City Healthcare are encouraging people to think about their health.

It can be tough to stay on track when it comes to health during the holiday season, whether it’s sticking to a diet or maintaining an exercise regimen.

Such holiday-fueled pressures may also contribute to the fact that the holidays are also the most dangerous time of year for heart attacks.

Research shows deaths from heart attacks peak during December and January, possibly due to changes in diet and alcohol consumption, stress from family interactions, strained finances, along with travel and entertaining which puts added

stress on weakened hearts.

“Overindulging in alcoholic beverages, rich food and foods high in salt increase blood pressure and water retention and can put a strain on the heart,” says John Tan, MD, PhD, Cardiologist at Medical City Heart Hospital. “Eating right, limiting alcohol and selecting food choices with less sodium can help reduce risks.”

For patients who have already had a heart attack, the heightened risk during the holidays is particularly dangerous. About one in five heart attack survivors age 45 and older will have another heart attack within five years.

Being with family during the holidays is a good time for patients to talk about their health history — not just heart attacks, but also high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Preventing heart disease, and all cardiovascular diseases, means making smart choices now that will pay off the rest of

your life. The American Heart Association has defined ideal cardiovascular health based on seven risk factors (Life’s Simple 7) that people can improve through lifestyle changes: stop

smoking, eat better, get active, lose weight, manage blood pressure, control cholesterol and reduce blood sugar.

Find small ways this holiday season to be healthy for good.

For more information visit: heart.org/dallas. SOURCE: PRNewswire/American Heart Association Related Links https://www.heart.org

a royal influence to baby names this year,” says Jennifer Moss, Founder and CEO of BabyNames.com. “Both Liam

and Charlotte are linked directly to the British Royal Family.

Liam is a shorter version of the name William, like the Duke of Cambridge, and Charlotte is the name of his daughter.”

BabyNames.com “For 2020 and beyond we see some traditional Biblical names like David, Michael, and Luke - dropping off the top 100. This is almost unprecedented,” explains Moss. “Those are being replaced with more unique Biblical names like Josiah, Gabriel, and Elijah.”

As for the girls, Moss says flower and nature names are still climbing the charts.

Violet, Iris, Juniper, Rose, Daisy, and Dahlia are all in the top 100. The BabyNames.

com popularity charts are derived from the millions of members’ favorite name lists.

To view the full list of 100 most popular names of 2019, visit BabyNames.com.

SIDEBAR: TOP 10 BABY NAMES FOR 2019 RANK BOYS GIRLS 1 Liam Charlotte 2 Oliver Amelia 3 Theodore Violet 4 Declan Aria/Arya 5 Henry Aurora 6 Owen Ava 7 Finn Olivia 8 Caleb Vivienne 9 Emmett Hazel 10 Benjamin Nora

BabyNames.com Announces the Top Names of 2019

By Desert Star Staff LAS VEGAS, BabyNames.com has tallied up the topmost popular

names of the year and the winners are Liam for boys and Charlotte for girls.

“It seems there is definitely

As calculated

by BabyNames.com Source: Prnewswire

Agua Caliente Casinos Welcome in the Year 2020

By Desert Star Staff Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage, Calif.– For those looking to ring in the New Year with a ton of excitement and a bit of nostalgia, the New Year’s Eve parties at Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs and Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage are the places to be!

Tuesday, December 31st from 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

Dance Through the Decades at the biggest outdoor party in Palm Springs with DJ Dense featuring music from the 50’s through present along with music videos, dance performances, celebrity look-alikes and more!

Tickets are on-sale now and can be purchased at www.

AguaCalienteCasinos.com for www.desertstarweekly.com

$20.00 in advance or $25.00 the day of the event. VIP Access is available for $85.00 in advance or $100 the day of the event. VIP Access will include access to the outdoor lounge area, commemorative 2020 NYE pin, two beverage drink tickets, and light hors d’oeuvres. A limited supply of VIP Access tickets are available and the VIP section will sell out.

Food trucks, food booths, and outdoor bar gardens will provide ample food and beverage options and the social media and photo opps will add fun for the entire family. Watch the ball drop on Times Square at 9:00 p.m. and then countdown to a west coast midnight celebration complete with fireworks show at midnight!

There will also be plenty of happenings on the casino floor including a separate ticketed event taking place in Cascade Lounge for $40.00 per person.

This event will take place from 10:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. and will include DJ performance, party favors, photo booth and a midnight celebration including Champagne split for a midnight toast. Dining specials throughout the casino will also be available throughout the day and into the late night.

The Steakhouse will feature an exclusive New Year’s Eve menu from 5:00 p.m. until midnight for $145 per person. The Oasis Buffet will be open from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. for a New Year’s Eve Champagne Dinner for $45 per person or $60 with lobster tail. Casino December 4, 2019

promotions will also be taking place throughout the day and guests will have the chance to win Free Play up to $2,020!

Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage will simultaneously host its own Dance Through the Decades party also consisting of the best music from your favorite parts of recent history! Start the celebration early with New Year’s at Noon, exclusively for Active ACES members 50+, which includes scratch and win prize opportunities and bonus free play drawings. Active ACES members will also enjoy dining specials in both Waters Café and 360 Sports beginning at 11:30am. The party continues into the evening with a casino floor DJ spinning hits from 9:00 p.m. until 2:30 a.m.

Don’t forget to grab your 2020 New Year’s Eve party favors!

Equally as exciting as the Palm Springs outdoor festivities is the New Year’s Eve party indoors at The Show. If you’re looking to bring in the new year by dancing away 2019, then the Dance through the Decades party in The Show is where you will want to be when midnight hits. This event will include party favors, a live countdown with the DJ, confetti canons at midnight, and the state-of-the-art sound and light show is the perfect way to party into 2020. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are only $40.00 and can be purchased at www.etiAx.com or by calling 1-800-514-3849.

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Lawmakers Urged to Ban Vaping, Menthol Cigarettes

Children and young people are being bombarded with tobacco industry marketing for flavored e-cigarettes. (Adobe stock)

By Desert Star Staff As the number of vaping related illnesses continues to rise, Maryland is looking to join five other states in banning the sale and marketing of e-cigarettes.

The legislation is sponsored

in the House of Delegates

by Prince George’s County Democrat Dereck Davis and is planned for the next General Assembly session starting next month.

It calls for a partial or all-out ban on the tobacco products

By Desert Star Staff The Marijuana AntiProhibition Project (MAPP), the Inland Empire’s first and most active medical marijuana patient support group and law reform organization, will be celebrating its 20th Anniversary in December. Founder and Director, Lanny Swerdlow looks back and says “If someone had told me when I first began MAPP twenty years ago in December 1999 that people would be able to grow their own without fear of arrest and that it would be sold legally in stores, I would have wondered what they had been drinking.”

To celebrate 20 years of successful cannabis activism in the IE, MAPP will be holding a 20th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, December 7, at 5 p.m. in the consumption lounge at the Vault Dispensary in Cathedral City at 35871 Date Palm Drive in Cathedral City CA. The event will feature speakers, entertainment, and a buffet dinner.

Showcasing just how much the times they-

task force was pretty much developing it from scratch.

MAPP Director Lanny Swerdlow was a member of the task force and notes that the City took developing this ordinance very seriously.

“Two city council members, Ginny Foat and Steve Pounet, served on it along with City Attorney Doug Holland, Chief of Police Gary Jeandron and citizens representing different segments of the community. It took one and one-half years to get it written and passed, but city officials were determined to make it happen from the beginning.”

Since its founding, MAPP have-a-changed, cannabis has been active in promoting consumption is allowed on the and protecting the rights of premises of The Vault in the medical marijuana patients same way alcohol consumption to have access to marijuana. is permitted at a restaurant/bar. They have made repeated MAPP has always appearances before the been a local Inland Empire Riverside and San Bernardino organization engaging local County Board of Supervisors citizens with local elected as well as many cities in the IE. officials to allow for safe, One of MAPP’s significant reliable, and local access to accomplishments came about cannabis. It was members of in 2015 when Riverside County MAPP that approached the was considering banning all Palm Springs City Council in medical marijuana patient 2008, asking them to enact cultivation. A concerted push an ordinance that would by patients at a Board of allow for medical marijuana Supervisor’s meeting resulted dispensaries to open and in the ordinance not being provide marijuana to medical implemented. Instead, a law marijuana patients with valid was enacted that specifically doctor’s recommendations. allowed patients the right to The Palm Springs City cultivate their own medicine in Council agreed to do that. quantities that could provide They formed the Palm Springs them with sufficient medicine Medical Marijuana Task to treat their ailments.

Force to draft an ordinance Today the Coachella that would allow for the Valley is a hotbed of cannabis operation of medical marijuana activity with Palm Springs, dispensaries. Back in 2008, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral there were only a few cities City, Palm Desert, and that had written laws to allow Coachella, allowing commercial for the operation of medical cultivation, manufacture, marijuana dispensaries, so the and distribution of cannabis.

and also targets menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars, according to Laura Hale, government relations director of the Maryland chapter of the American Heart Association.

Hale says that in addition to tackling a public health

crisis, the potential ban is a fight for social justice.

“Communities of color have been targeted, especially around menthol cigarettes and flavored little cigars, for decades,” she states.

“And so if we don’t include those products, we’re leaving those communities behind that have been so targeted by the industry.”

As of Nov. 20, more than 2,000 people in the nation had been sickened from e-cigarettes and 47 deaths were reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including 23 illnesses in Maryland.

Davis’ proposal comes just after the state raised the age for purchasing tobacco products from 18 to 21.

The move also coincides with the American Heart Association’s new campaign, called Quit Lying, aimed at addressing youth e-cigarette use and targeting

misleading advertising by vaping companies.

E-cigarette use among young people has exploded, with research showing that about one in four high school students in the nation uses e-cigarettes.

Towson High School junior Elliot Morton is witnessing this firsthand.

“I just see it as such a problem in our schools, and it all started as a trend, and most trends you see they go away pretty quickly, but vaping never went away because people are addicted,” he states.

After his uncle died from lung cancer, Morton says he joined the fight to raise the state’s smoking age to 21, hoping to prevent more deaths from tobacco products.

Disclosure: American Heart Association Mid Atlantic Affiliate contributes to our fund for reporting on Health Issues, Hunger/Food/Nutrition, Poverty Issues, Smoking Prevention.

The only other IE cities to allow commercial cannabis businesses are Adelanto in San Bernardino County and Perris in Riverside County.

With the passage of Prop.

64, which legalized the use of cannabis for all adults 21 and over and the development of legal, commercial businesses, MAPP has been working to make cannabis accessible throughout the IE. Although no licenses have been issued, MAPP is currently working with Riverside County in the development of its

ordinance to allow cannabis businesses to operate in the unincorporated areas of the County, which is expected to take place in 2020.

The passage last week by the House Judiciary Committee of the MORE Act will remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act and thereby end federal marijuana prohibition. A vote on the House floor is expected sooner rather than later and will make MAPP’s 20th Anniversary a genuinely momentous event.

Marijuana Organization to celebrate Anniversary of CV and IE Activism

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December 27, 2019

www.desertstarweekly.com

Let Trends Guide Your 2020 Travel

By Desert Star Staff While there’s plenty to be said for taking the proverbial road less traveled, fellow tourists can provide a wealth of knowledge to help shape a vacation filled with lifelong memories.

Whether you expect your travel plans for 2020 to take you near or far, having a pulse on how and where others enjoy spending their travel time may help narrow down your options. Start planning your next getaway armed with the findings of a trend report compiled by vacation rental app and website Vrbo, especially when it comes to selecting a destination and your accommodations.

Unique Accommodations: Traditional vacation home favorites like beach houses, cabins and condos still reign supreme, but adventurous American travelers are staying in some unusual options.

In fact, 71% of millennial travelers said they would consider staying at a nontraditional vacation rental.

In addition to barns, castles and treehouses, properties on wheels and properties that float join the ranks of unusual accommodations travelers are booking. Travel demand for houseboats, yachts,

RVs and travel trailers is up 30% year-over-year.

Surf’s Up: Portugal’s reputation for affordability, primo surfing and sunshinefilled climate make the country a desirable place to explore.

That may explain why seaside locales in Portugal took three of the top five spots on the list of hottest international beach destinations for American travelers. Chania, Greece, took the top spot, followed by three Portuguese destinations: Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto and Lisbon. Catania, Italy, rounded out the top five.

For those seeking to stay stateside, four of Vrbo’s top five United States destinations this year are beaches, including: Gulf Shores, Alabama; Miramar and Rosemary Beach, Florida; Panama City Beach, Florida; and Maui, Hawaii.

Same-City Stays: Rental demand data in Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, Atlanta and a number of other urban destinations showed the single largest traveler origin market for each city was that same city. “‘Cele-cations,’ when people seek accommodations to host and spend time with groups of family and friends for milestone events like weddings, birthdays and anniversaries, may be

Photo courtesy of Getty Images fueling the trend of people booking vacation homes in the same cities where they live,” said Melanie Fish, Vrbo travel expert.

Also high on the trend list: short-stay, drivable destinations located within 300 miles of home.

Up-and-Coming Destinations: Their names may not be familiar to the masses, but each of the top emerging domestic vacation destinations shares one thing in common: outdoor appeal. Places that appeal to families and other groups

of travelers looking to explore the great outdoors are seeing a major surge over the past three years.

If an outdoor getaway is your ideal trip, consider destinations like Terlingua, Texas, located just a short distance from Big Bend National Park; Bella Vista, Arkansas, situated in the Ozarks near majestic lakes; Westport, Washington, surrounded by a bay to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west; Cherry Log, Georgia, which sits in the heart of Chattahoochee

National Forest; and Edisto Island, South Carolina, a charming beachside retreat 1 hour from Charleston.

“This is the third year in a row travelers’ desire to be outdoors has filled the up-and-coming destinations list,” Fish said. “Clearly, people want the comforts of a home away from home while soaking in scenery.”

Find the trends and accommodations that match your 2020 travel dreams at vrbo.com. Family Features

Nonprofit’s Hopes New Campaign Efforts to Curb HIV Cases

steady in recent years. The state health department said there were 286 new cases in 2018. That’s consistent with the transmission rate

over the past decade.

Paul Skrbec, marketing manager for Just-Us Health, an outreach and advocacy organization for the LGBTQ community, said they’re still confident they can reach their goal of zero new transmissions.

He said they need to keep getting their message out.

“We have all the tools that we need at this point,” Skrbec said. “We just need people to be aware that they’re there and how to access them.”

Skrbec pointed to the work being done in New York City, where new cases have fallen below 2,000 a year for the first time since the city started keeping records in 2001. He said the decline there and in other cities can be attributed to at-risk individuals taking daily medication that experts say helps reduce transmission risk more than use of condoms alone.

There is also the

Santa is a great way to bring holiday cheer to your holiday season. For more information contact the Recreation center at (760) 323-8272 Date: 12/21/2019

8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Location: Palm Springs Pavilion 401 S. Pavilion Way Palm Springs, California 92262

Minnesota and a number of other states have a goal of seeing zero new HIV cases, and advocates believe that can be reached within the next few years. (healthynewbornnetwork.org)

By Desert Star Staff December is AIDS Awareness Month, and a Minnesota nonprofit hopes more people at risk of

contracting the disease will become educated about prevention.

In Minnesota, instances of HIV have remained

Breakfast with Santa

By Desert Star Staff Join the Palm Springs Recreation Department and the Palm Springs Rotary Club in your favorite pajamas as we have pancakes with Santa www.desertstarweekly.com

Claus. Create a gingerbread house, decorate holiday cookies, enjoy the holiday reading corner and photos with Santa Claus (bring your own camera). Breakfast with

December 4, 2019

“U-equals-U” campaign, where those living with HIV are encouraged to maintain a prescribed treatment that suppresses the disease to the point that the viral load is undetectable and it can’t be spread to sexual partners.

Despite the optimism, there are still concerns that some demographic groups are more likely to be exposed to the virus. Skrbec said that’s certainly the case in Minnesota.

“When you look at it through the lens of communities of color and impacts that they experience compared to other communities, there’s definitely a disproportionate impact,” he said.

Health officials say in 2018, people of color accounted for nearly 60% of new HIV cases. And women of color represented nearly 70% of new cases among females.

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HOROSCOPES ARIES

Have any of your professional endeavors experienced too much expansion, setbacks or transformations? Has a chill, coldness or distance come over relationships?

It’s good to introduce the practical in all interactions, plans and agendas. Is there a level of commitment being called for? Try not to let impulsiveness prevail. Travels, journeys, study, justice are part of all decisions to be made. Know, where lines cross, new realities emerge.

TAURUS It’s important to have physical closeness at this time with someone, even if it’s a special pet. Your love nature needs a bit of care so Venus doesn’t feel left out. Venus watches over you, providing a sense of intelligent and loving wellbeing. Without love you can wilt, droop and fade away, feeling out of contact. Tend with care all resources held with another. Tend with care your loved ones.

GEMINI None of your friends or partners considers life with you boring. You’re the Twins (two in one) of the zodiac, one face then another encountering the world. The purpose of your dual nature is to provide two realities to humanity, a sense of duality, a polarity, of this and that, so humanity can observe two sides of all issues. So few realize your function and gift. Do you? It’s foundational

DECEMBER 4 – 10, 2019 ASTROLOGICAL FORECAST BY RISA D’ANGELES

to having intelligence.

CANCER Tending and caring for the well-being of everyone is your task due to your extreme sensitivity toward humanity and the life process.

Sometimes you overlook yourself believing others are equally nurturing (or should be, you think). That isn’t an astrological reality. Each sign has a different task to cultivate.

Begin to nurture yourself. It’s most important for it creates a sense of self-empowerment.

LEO You are either a knight or a Joan of Arc, a king or a queen, a savior and a server.

Lion or lioness, you’re able to captivate the hearts and minds of everyone, shower others with intense love while needing complete attention in return.

In between these dramatic interludes, tend carefully to daily life, health and well-being, and to any small animals that come your way. Chiron entered your house of self-identity.

That will change over time.

VIRGO On the surface you seem quiet, poised, calm, collected and rather cool and distant.

Inside you’re a vessel of desires and passion, love runs deep, and like Taurus you’re very loyal to those you love, even after death. Here is a rule for Virgos. Never criticize, never compare, never judge.

Always praise instead. We become what we praise.

That’s a mantram of reality.

LIBRA You love being at home. You also love being with others, especially a crowd working together. You love beauty, recognizing it (or its lack) everywhere. As we journey through relationships, we learn to discern outer beauty from inner, true intelligence from glamour, true love from false. Libra experiences many relationships in order to learn about and how to be in them. What are you presently learning?

SCORPIO You have Saturn in your communication house.

Saturn is the Dweller on the Threshold, the purveyor of tests to determine how strong you’ve become in the last seven years. Saturn makes us feel separate at times.

Saturn lessens the intensity of emotions. You’ll be less consumed by passions and more directed toward developing the mind. With Saturn in your mental sphere, you increase in discernment, discrimination, balance and poise. Attractive qualities!

SAGITTARIUS Your extreme idealizations can sometimes create havoc with life’s realities. So often you are filled with paradoxes and emotional vicissitudes. You see the potential for goodness in everyone. In relationships you believe all needs will be met.

You gaze at the stars; you

have faith and practice positive thinking. For greater and real happiness, here’s a newer mantram (which I told Virgo).

“We become what we praise.”

Practice this new position.

CAPRICORN You display deep constancy and dependability and when loving someone, you’re there forever. Within all this reliability, steadiness and fidelity there’s a spontaneous creature (you) seeking creative self-expression. Your true nature is artistic, imaginative and inventive. Often, being quiet and subdued as you traditionally are, others don’t recognize your true light.

Over time this will change as the spotlight swings toward your accomplishments.

Sometimes you take lovers (or friends) who are “potentials.”

After a time, you the potential is not the reality. You learn.

Neptune and Chiron are hovering in Pisces. Anything held out to you dissolves. You stand alone. Here you grow.

Risa D’Angeles is the founder and director of the Esoteric & Astrological Studies Research Institute: Risa’s Esoteric Astrology.

She can be reached at risagoodwill@gmail.com.

AQUARIUS You will look at your work in the world and wonder at its connectivity with others. This connection with humanity is your life’s purpose. You know that “contact releases Love.”

Often we find you alone in an endeavor you have created.

Always you must have freedom of movement and of choice. Always you need friends around. Be very vigilant and alert with finances. Be responsible with them. All that you need is always given.

PISCES You have empathy and compassion. Often you see the potential in others and feel it’s your responsibility to bring that potential forward.

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Take Off With Mizell at Annual ‘Stars Among Us’ Gala

Annual Event Celebrates Philanthropists and Raises Funds for Community Programs.

By Desert Star Staff PALM SPRINGS –Mizell Senior Center announced that it will present its 15th annual ‘Stars Among Us’ Gala on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at the Palm Springs Air Museum.

The aeronautical theme of the 2020 Gala invites guests to “Take Off with Mizell” to celebrate the organization’s past and elevate its future. A first- class experience awaits every guest, beginning with cocktails at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner service. “In-flight” entertainment will be provided

by LA’s hottest showband, The Zippers, whose music will pull the audience out of their seats to dance the night away. Gala tickets are $350 and event sponsorships are available. Call 760-323-5689 x108 for more information.

Co-chaired by Carol Fragen and Dennis Flaig, Mizell’s 2020 ‘Stars Among Us’

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Gala will honor two recipients with its Community Impact award. BIGHORN Cares will be recognized for funding specific projects for local non-profits that demonstrate a need and make a real difference in the quality of life for people in the Coachella Valley. Dr.Timothy Jochen and Mr. Lee Erwin will be recognized for their continuous and generous support of a wide variety of Coachella Valley nonprofit organizations.

They are major contributors to more than 40 charities in the Coachella Valley and are great examples of giving back to the community they love.

“We’re excited about the 15th anniversary of what is now regarded as one of the ‘can’t miss’ events of the season,” said Wes Winter, Mizell’s Executive Director. “We are thankful for the support shown to us and look forward

to recognizing our honorees for their contributions to and for Coachella Valley residents.”

“Take Off with Mizell” is presented by Eisenhower Health, Patti and Jack Grundhofer and Carol and

Dr. Ron Fragen. In addition to the Presenting Sponsors, the Gala is proudly sponsored

by Palm Springs Disposal Services, Wintec Energy LLC, Contour Dermatology, Desert Care Network, Steve

Tobin & the Grace Helen Spearman Foundation, Saks Fifth Avenue, Wells Fargo, Desert Oasis Healthcare and The Desert Sun, among many others. Source: Bob Bogard

NEED A LEGAL NOTICE? The Desert Star Weekly is one of the few adjudicated publications in the Coachella Valley, which means we are officially authorized to run legal notices. Each week dozens of courts, law offices, and individuals save money by running their legal notices in The The Desert Star Weekly.

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Email: legals@desertstarweekly.com December 27, 2019

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E N T E RTA I N M E N T

BY THEDA KLEINHANS REICHMAN

“The Irishman” --A Scorsese Drama

Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman” is a mob drama that deals with the life and eventual death of union activist Jimmy Hoffa. And judging from the critical buzz surrounding the film “The Irishman” will be an Oscar contender.

Scorsese, now 76, still has the power to spin compelling

on screen dramas like “Taxi Driver,”“The Departed,” “The Wolf of Wall Street” and “Shelter Island.” And his directorial legacy continues in his latest film “The Irishman.”

The cast includes such high profile actors as Al Pacino as Jimmy Hoffa, International Brotherhood

of Teamsters president, Joe Pesci as Mafia don Russell Bufalino and Robert De Niro portraying Frank Sheeran, the “Irishman.” Other key players in the cast are Harvey Keital, Ray Romano, Bobby Cannavale and Anna Paquin as one of Sheeran’s daughters who keeps her distance from

her dad once she realizes what he does for a living.

Oscar-winning screenwriter Steven Zaillian based his screenplay on Charles Brandt’s book “I Heard You Paint Houses” which is Mafia slang for being a hitman.

It’s a job that often leads to an untimely death like being shot in an alley or killed by a nail bomb detonated under your porch. In the case of Sheeran, he manages to survive well into his eighties, but in the end he lives alone in a nursing home, not with his family.

Thanks to a computer generated process, the main characters start out as younger men who slowly age throughout the film.

In the beginning Sheeran is a trucker who delivers meat to various locations.

After he meets Mafia don Bufalino he is encouraged to quit his old job and join the mob as an enforcer.

In later years Sheeran is introduced to Hoffa thanks

to Bufalino. The two get along well together and their eventual working relationship in the Teamsters turns into a genuine personal friendship that endures until Hoffa’s untimely disappearance and death on July 30,1982.

In the film Hoffa comes across as a far more likable guy than Sheeran. In fact during a Teamster’s gala Sheeran’s daughter enjoys dancing with Hoffa on several occasions, but never shares the dance floor with her dad.

While many Mafia dons bite the dust during the course of the film, their demise is not handled in a grizzly manner that is uncomfortable for viewers to watch. Often we just see the man’s portrait on screen with the cause of death printed below.

“The Irishman” has a running time of 3 hours, 30 minutes and is rated R for pervasive language and strong violence.

Tips for Hosting Houseguests Over the Holidays

By Desert Star Staff Hosting houseguests over the holidays? For happier guests and hosts alike, you’ll want to be sure you’re equipped to accommodate all your overnighters. Here are a few pointers: Special Considerations: You’ll likely know of any special considerations you will need to make for individual guests, but if you aren’t sure, ask in advance. For older guests, be sure the floor is free of tripping hazards and that walkways are well-lit. For families, offer a room away from noise so small children can sleep undisturbed at their regular bedtimes. Anticipating and accommodating allergies, dietary restrictions and mobility issues can help keep guests healthy, happy and safe during their stay with you.

Better Bedding: Whether you are hosting one guest or many, it’s important to ensure that everyone under your roof has a comfortable place to sleep. Thanks to the latest updates in air mattress technology, that’s easier than ever these days. Before the holidays, get equipped with compact, high-quality air mattresses -- which are a must-have for travelers who need to pack a car compactly, as well as hosts who want to store guest bedding between uses. One such option is the Intex PremAire ThermaLux airbed with Fiber-Tech interior construction, which www.desertstarweekly.com

inflates in 4-5 minutes. Made from a Microcell contour top designed to insulate in cold weather and absorb moisture on warm nights, it even contains a USB port for charging and built-in storage for cords and small personal items. Other models from Intex -- which come in various sizes and supports -- offer such luxuries as headboards, raised bed heights and plush air pillowtop systems.

A Stocked Bathroom: Not only will a well-stocked bathroom help avoid lastminute trips to the store, it will make guests feel comfortable and welcome upon arrival.

You’ll always want to provide a set of linens for each guest, as well as shampoo, conditioner and soap in the shower.

Having a few additional items on hand -- disposable razors, cotton swabs, combs, toothbrushes and toothpaste -- is a nice touch. For many reasons, guests often arrive without certain essentials.

Maybe they forgot an item at home. Maybe TSA made them toss something in the trash. Whatever the reason, you’ll want to prepare for this common occurrence.

A full holiday house does not need to be overwhelming.

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AT T H E M O V I E S

WITH LADY BEVERLY COHN

Up Close and Personal With Estonian Director Tanel Toom

everything, but I’m very blessed to have such great parents.

Although my parents were not in the creative arts, but thanks to them, I was brave enough to study something that I really felt that I could love and I really love this work. My mom is a cook and she really loves cooking and is a very good cook. My dad really loves the sea and he’s a very good captain. Eighteen What are some of the or 19 are a very fragile ages films and/or directors you where, after graduating high admired growing up? school, you are choosing what Tanel: Because I was so you are going to do next. Very young, I don’t remember the often you are not listening to names of the directors. I do your heart, but thinking too remember the “Tarzan” television much with your head like what series and “King Kong.” The would be useful, what will reception was really bad, so my bring money, or satisfaction.

Director Tanel Toom shooting a scene from “Truth And Justice.” Photo Courtesy Allfilm sister and I had to take turns Researchers say that 80% holding the antenna. When it of people work at something Part 1 Recap: Tanel method is called the Chubbuck workshops in London so that was her turn, I would describe they don’t love or enjoy. I’m Toom directed the brilliant Technique and is loosely I could really understand what what was happening on the really happy and thankful “Truth And Justice,” Estonia’s based on the Stanislavsky I’m asking from an actor. screen. I also loved everything that I found something that I entry for Best International method. I learned a lot from her, where there were sharks like genuinely love. Some people Feature Film Oscar. Shot for ranging from casting in film, to Why is it so important “Jaws.” Just give me a movie are evening paying money for under three million dollars, auditioning and how to prep to understand how to where there’s a shark, and I will me to do this job. (Laughs) Rein Kotov’s cinematography for that. Her book, “The Power work with actors? love it. (Laughter) I also liked gave a mega-million dollar look of the Actor,” goes deeply into Tanel: Being a director, you watching horror films like “Friday Are you working on to the film. The story, which acting. Some directors say have to be interested in human The 13th.” I loved watching a project now? sprawls over decades, is about that taking acting classes helps beings. For me, I want to fall movies because in my childhood Tanel: It’s a sci-fi thriller, one man’s obsessive ambition you understand how to play a in love with my actors. I need there wasn’t the Internet. It which is now in pre-production. and the impact on the people character objective and makes to trust them and they need to was like some magic elves from It’s completely different from caught in that orbit and slightly you a better director with actors. trust me as well. So, it’s very America are doing those things “Truth and Justice.” It has reminiscent of the Hatfields important to spend as much that we see on the screen, but I four characters and takes and McCoys famous feud.

The sub-text, especially time with them before the shoot couldn’t imagine that some day I place in a post apocalyptic According to Tanel, his film is the in the characterization of so that we bond with each would be doing the same thing. world in the middle of an most one in Estonia. The highly Andres, is subtly apparent other. My job is to make them ocean in a rusty tower. professional ensemble consists which gives us a glimpse shine and if they are not good Was anyone in your family of Priit Loog, in the lead role of into his motivations. Did on the screen, then it is my in the creative arts?

I look forward to what I know Andres, Ester Kuntu as his wife you study psychology? fault. Being an actor is a very Tanel: The answer is will be another excellent Mari, and Priit Võigemast as Tanel: I’ve always said fragile occupation and I really no. My dad is a captain on a piece of work. his hostile neighbor, Pearu. The that I think the work of a appreciate what they are doing cargo ship and my mom is a Tanel: Thank supporting cast is excellent with psychologist is very close to the cook - nothing to do with you. I really enjoyed especially notable performances work of a director because the The actors in “Truth and film or culture. When I was this interview.

by Simeoni Sundja as Juss and director has to understand the Justice” each have a younger, I liked to draw and Maiken Schmidt as Krõõt. Tanel psychology of the character. strong sub-text, which I drew comic strips. I loved TRUTH AND JUSTICE sat down with your reporter Then, you have to help the you don’t always see in telling stories, so I was already An ALLFILM Production for an exclusive interview and actor get to certain points of other characterizations. telling stories with images. In Director/Writer: Tanel Toom the following has been edited the character’s emotional state.

What are your thoughts? class, we had to perform a Producer: Ivo Felt for content and continuity.

I haven’t studied psychology, Tanel: The text is the play and I was always the one Cinematographer: but I’ve studied acting and least important – it’s what’s who wrote the play because I Rein Kotov Part 2: have directed a lot of actors. behind it that tells you what is knew how it had to be done.

Editor: Tambet Tsuja The first time I came here was actually going on in a scene.

I didn’t know that it was Production Designer: How did you prepare to in 2007 for a workshop with What’s underneath or what something like directing.

Jaagup Roomet shoot Truth and Justice?

Judith Weston who wrote the the character is doing while Sound Designer: Matis Rei Tanel: Before shooting book “Directing Actors.” The delivering the text – that’s Would you say you had Composer: Mihkel Zilmer the film, I came to America workshop concentrated on where the real meaning comes a happy childhood – Genre: Drama for three months to take directing actors and acting out. If the actors are not enough money?

Language: Estonian workshops as a teacher trainee for directors. To experience good or the acting doesn’t Tanel: In the Soviet Union with sub-titles at Ivana Chubbuck Studio. Her acting for myself, I also took work, then nothing works. there’s never enough money for Running Time: 149 minutes Did making short films early in your career inform the long-form?

Tanel: I used short films to prepare me for fulllength films. The reason it’s taken a while for me to make my first narrative film, is because I was very careful in choosing my first project.

Wildlife Conservation Funding at Stake in New Bill

By Desert Star Staff AUSTIN, Texas — A bipartisan bill aimed at keeping wildlife populations healthy and off the endangered species list is set for markup by the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee this week.

The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act would allocate $1.3 billion to state wildlife agencies. And Janice Bezanson, executive director with the Texas Conservation Alliance, said the measure would bring

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$50 million to Texas every year to protect some of the state’s most iconic species.

“From cute little ‘horny toads’ – which is what we called them when I was a child, they’re the Texas horned lizard – to pronghorn antelope, sea turtles, a host of kinds of birds, particularly a lot of shore and ocean birds,” Bezanson said.

State fish and wildlife agencies estimate nearly 12,000 species are currently at risk across the country, primarily

due to loss of habitat from development. The legislation would help finance state plans created by a host of stakeholders including conservationists, scientists, ranchers and industry.

Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, said recent studies, including one that showed a loss of 3 billion North American birds since 1970, have sparked new urgency to invest in preventing costly and disruptive endangered-species listings.

December 4, 2019

If passed, O’Mara said, the measure would be the most significant piece of wildlife legislation in more than a half century, and would protect the full diversity of the nation’s wildlife for future generations.

“So, at a time when most folks are pretty frustrated with Washington, this is one of those areas where Republicans and Democrats can still agree,” O’Mara said, “because there really is no Republican whitetail deer or Democratic smallmouth

bass. We all have a stake in having healthy wildlife.”

The legislation also would dedicate more than $97 million to tribal wildlife conservation efforts.

The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act is co-sponsored by nine Texas representatives, including Republicans Lance Gooden and Pete Olson.

Rep. Louie Gohmert, also a Republican, sits on the committee expected to vote on the measure this week.

Disclosure: National Wildlife Federation contributes to our fund for reporting on Climate Change/ Air Quality, Endangered Species & Wildlife, Energy Policy, Water. www.desertstarweekly.com

AAP – Food Samaritans Announces Increased Client Benefits

By Desert Star Staff PALM SPRINGS –AAP – Food Samaritans (AAP) announced that in conjunction with Giving Tuesday, long-time supporters Thomas Andrika and Joseph Johnson will match all gifts received on December 3, doubling the impact of all donations. Also, the organization announced that it will increase to the value of its clients’ food vouchers from $100 to $150 per month. #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday kick off the charitable season when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving.

Giving Tuesday harnesses the generosity of millions of people around the world to support the causes they believe in and the communities in which they live.

AAP – Food Samaritans Executive Director Mark Anton said about Giving Tuesday, “We hope that you believe that AAP – Food Samaritans, with our grassroots philosophy, low overhead, and strong volunteer base, is a very worthy charity. We’ve been feeding low-income people living with chronic illnesses in the Coachella Valley

since 1991. With your help, we can do even more.”

Anton continued: “Donations will be matched by long-time supporters Thomas Andrika and Joseph Johnson, so the impact of each gift will be doubled! These gentlemen are passionate about our mission, and it warms my heart to know that they care so much.”

AAP was founded 28 years ago to help people who are low-income and compromised by health issues – some of the most at-risk members of our community. Since then, AAP has distributed more than $10 million in direct client services to more than 2,600 clients.

Each AAP client currently receives a $100 food voucher per month. AAP’s clients exist on an average annual income of less than $18,210 and depend on this food voucher to survive each month. With that in mind, beginning in January 2020, the value of the coupons will increase to $150 per month.

Any low-income resident of the greater Palm Springs area who has lived in the community for a year or more and is diagnosed with HIV/AIDS or another life-threatening illness may qualify to receive monthly food vouchers, redeemable at local Stater Brothers Supermarkets. Dependent children are also eligible for dollar amounts equal to those

obtained by their parents.

Each client is carefully assessed to confirm income and residency status. Vouchers are redeemable for food and basic household needs (such as toiletries, hygienic products, and other personal items). However, alcohol, tobacco, and pet products are excluded. To curtail any abuse of the program, every client is re-certified annually to ensure continuing eligibility.

AAP works with other local charities to help ensure the best possible service

for the community. One example is a partnership with the Palm Springs Animal Shelter to provide pet food for eligible clients.

Living with a chronic illness is not easy. HIV/AIDS continues to be a significant health challenge in the Coachella Valley and across the world. While some people who have a diagnosis of HIV or AIDS can work and maintain a relatively healthy lifestyle, AAP serves those who unable to do so. Cancer, MS, heart or liver disease,

and other chronic illnesses present similar challenges to those who are living with these debilitating conditions. While there have been developments in treating these chronic illnesses, AAP’s clients are faced with daily challenges.

AAP improves the quality of life of those who need it the most, and it helps its clients live healthier lives with dignity and self-respect. AAP – Food Samaritans is currently accepting new clients. For more information, call 760-325-8481 or visit aapfoodsamaritans.org.

Get Inspired to Give Back All Year Long F

FAMILY FEATURES

or many, embracing the spirit of giving – not only among family and friends, but to those living in need and the organizations working to help them – means extending support all year long. If you’re committed to helping improve the lives of others in your community, it may mean thinking long­term.

The programs and services provided by most non­ profits and cause­based organizations continue to run year­round, meaning their ability to help those they serve relies on ongoing commitments from donors who provide the financial stability they need to plan and grow. These five tips can help your gifts provide long­term benefits for the causes you support: Make a personal connection. Hand­deliver your donation to a local chapter and introduce yourself as a supporter. Even consider bringing your kids to inspire generations of giving. Inquire about how you can make the greatest impact and learn about ongoing events and opportunities to get involved.

Spread your contribution over time. If a strict monthly budget has you concerned about breaking the bank, consider signing up for a recurring donation to benefit those served by an organization like The Salvation Army throughout the year. A $25 monthly gift can feed 126 people over the course of one year or provide 11 nights of shelter for those in need in your community.

Introduce co-workers to the cause. Many businesses support employees’ volunteer efforts and match contributions, which makes it easy for you to become a champion for cause­related work in your community. Gathering colleagues who share your passion for a cause is a team­building activity that allows you to build personal connections with people you might not have a chance to interact with regularly otherwise. Sharing the load also means you can take turns volunteering, attending events or making contributions for a larger overall impact than you could make on your own.

Give the gift of giving. Rather than giving material goods, consider a meaningful contribution in your gift recipient’s honor. Or share an experience to benefit the cause: spend date night volunteering or gift someone tickets to a nonprofit organization’s performance or gala event.

Pay it forward with younger generations. Intro­ ducing kids to the joy of giving can pay dividends for decades to come. Teach the little ones in your life about the big impact they can make by letting them get hands­on. Kids delight in getting to donate loose change and you can take advantage of their interest by explaining the impact of their donation. An average of 82 cents of every $1 donated to The Salvation Army goes directly to help neighbors who need it most.

Donations to nonprofit organizations are tax­ exempt no matter when they are contributed during the year. Learn more about giving opportunities all year long by joining the Fight for Good at SalvationArmyUSA.org.

www.desertstarweekly.com

A Gift That Keeps Giving A monthly sustaining gift is one way you can make an impact for a cause you support while spreading your contributions out over time. A relatively small recurring gift can go a surprisingly long way, and the organization benefits by being able to anticipate those funds to plan for future initiatives.

For example, over the course of a year, a single $25 monthly sustaining gift to The Salvation Army can: n n n n

Provide school supplies for two children for an entire school year Keep one family off the streets, reducing the chances of using government assistance Help Americans fight addiction at 141 rehab­ ilitation centers across the country Contribute funding to 28 anti­human­ trafficking programs nationwide

December 4, 2019

DesertSTAR

11

Church of Sweden unveils altarpiece of paradise featuring gay couples

By Desert Star Staff A church in Malmo has a new altarpiece meant to celebrate inclusivity by replacing Adam and Eve in paradise with gay couples in suggestive poses, while depicting the serpent tempting them as a transgender woman.

The controversial work of art is not new. Photographer and artist Elisabeth Ohlson Wallin painted it in 2012 and tried to donate it to the Skara Cathedral just before the church was preparing to conduct the first same-sex wedding in its 1,000-year history.

The openly lesbian artist, who has a history of blending religious imagery with prominority activism, said at the time that she wanted to test if the Church of Sweden was as gay-friendly as it claimed to be when it embraced same-sex marriage in 2009. The Skara Cathedral politely declined the gift, saying it was about political activism and not faith.

But over seven years have passed, and now Wallin has got her way, even if it isn’t in her home city. St. Paul’s Church in Malmo accepted the painting called “Paradise” as its new altarpiece and unveiled it on Sunday, the first day of Advent. Helena Myrstener, the pastor, said that “history was written” in the hanging of the “LGBT altarpiece” as she tweeted a photo of the painting.

Wallin’s reimagining of paradise was inspired by one of the works by Renaissance master Lucas Cranach the Elder. The artist/activist said she wanted to show that, since the beginning of time, the place for gay people was in paradise rather than hell.

The modern interpretation interestingly seems more prudish in terms of nudity than the 16th century originals as both “lesbian Eves” have their breasts covered by leaves rather than concealing only their genitals, as is traditional.

But it’s probably not because the artist has problems with nudity. After all, her most famous photo exhibition – the 2012 Bibleinspired “Ecce Homo” – featured an image portraying

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the baptism of Jesus with the model standing for Christ having his penis fully exposed.

The Church of Sweden, the state Church of the Scandinavian country until 2000 and still by far its largest

denomination, prides itself on embracing a laundry list of woke agendas. Despite this, Swedes have been leaving the Church in record numbers lately, according to surveys.

Judging by some

comments on social media, the new altarpiece won’t help much with stopping the exodus. “The politization has gone too far,” one member commented on the news as she announced leaving the

Church. Another one said that while there were plenty of enlightened priests in the Church of Sweden, radicals from a “PC-pack” have turned it into their own arena.

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MUSIC

BY ROBERT KINSLER

Gift Ideas For Rock Music Lovers

Rock music lovers are in luck. A slew of highlyrecommended releases serve as perfect gift ideas sure to please your favorite audiophile or to add to your own collection!

ultimately deeply moving film.

There are a number of mustsee bonus features on the newly-issued Blu-ray as well.

Information: ShoutFactory.com.

Artist: Toto Title: 40 Tours Around the Sun (Eagle Rock Artist: Chuck Berry Entertainment) Title: Hail! Hail! Rock ‘n’ Tell me more: Captured Roll: Collector’s Edition in Amsterdam on March 17, (Shout! Factory) 2018, Toto’s outstanding “40 Tell me more: One of the Tours Around the Sun” has most important and historic been released on a variety of music documentaries of all formats including 2-CD, 3-LP time, “Hail! Hail! Rock ‘n’ Roll” vinyl, DVD and Blu-ray. The Bluis a look at the life and legacy ray reviewed here looks and of singer-songwriter/guitar sounds fantastic, and director great Chuck Berry that was Nigel Dick is to be credited for directed by Taylor Hackford avoiding modern-day concert and originally released in 1987. film cliches and frequently Newly-issued on Blu-ray by letting the viewer get a glimpse Shout! Factory, the film has of master musicians in action. never looked – or sounded – There is one sequence during better. Keith Richards organized “I Will Remember” where two concerts in October 1986 guitarist Steve Lukather plays to celebrate Berry’s 60th an extended solo and a variety birthday and the performances of camera angles capture the featured a fantastic wellheat of his fretwork without rehearsed band (something the viewer being jarred by cuts that was sadly not a fixture that are too quick or detract across Berry’s lengthy career) from the arc of the solo. The including sax great Bobby opener “Alone” showcases the Keys, NRBQ bassist Joey band’s virtuoso chops, knack Spampinato, drummer Steve for melodic song craft and Jordan, and musical director great vocals. Toto’s diverse Richards. Powerful versions influences are showcased of “Roll Over Beethoven,” via straight-forward rockers “Almost Grown,” “Sweet Little (“Lovers in the Night,” “Stranger Sixteen,” “Nadine” and “School in Town,” the Top 5 hits “Hold Days” shine. There are some the Line” and “Rosanna”), new fantastic once-in-a-lifetime tracks (the lovely “Spanish duets on the film too. Linda Sea”), prog rock (“English Ronstadt joins the party for a Eyes,” the instrumental powerful “Back in the U.S.A.” centerpiece “Jake to the (where Richards and Berry Bone”), world music-mining briefly duel on lead guitar). material (the luxurious “I Will Julian Lennon and Berry have Remember” featuring Lukather a blast on the fiery “Johnny B. and Joseph Williams sharing Goode”; Robert Cray shares lead vocals) and jazz (“Lea,” the spotlight on the buoyant “Miss Sun,” “George Porgy”) “Brown Eyed Handsome and even authentic country Man”; Eric Clapton joins the (“No Love”). A reworked affair for a blues-drenched version of George Harrison’s take of Berry’s 1955 nugget “While My Guitar Gently “Wee Wee Hours” bolstered Weeps” and an extended cut

by Johnnie Johnson’s piano on the band’s own classic work. Etta James joins Berry “Africa” are among the other and company for a faithful take highlights on the concert film. on “Rock and Roll Music.” A The expansive track listing slew of revealing interviews with allows Toto (the ensemble his wife, brothers and sisters, also includes singer-pianist as well as those he influenced David Paich and keyboardistand his contemporaries (Little singer Steve Porcaro) the Richard, Bo Diddley, Jerry Lee room to showcase many of Lewis, The Everly Brothers) are the band’s rarely-performed interspersed and make this deep cuts – notably “Lion,” an essential, entertaining and the aforementioned “Lea” and www.desertstarweekly.com

“Dune (Desert Theme) from the classic 1984 sci-fi film’s soundtrack – all performed with power and precision in front of more than 18,000 enthusiastic European fans.

Information: eagle-rock.com.

Artist: Humble Pie Title: The Life and Times of Steve Marriott + 1973 Complete Winterland Show (Cleopatra Records) Tell me more: Groundbreaking British rocker Steve Marriott’s influential and sadly often-overlooked role on the rock ‘n’ roll landscape is showcased via the wonderful “The Life and Times of Steve Marriott,” a multi-format threedisc title that includes a Bluray, DVD and audio CD. Both as a member of Small Faces and Humble Pie, Marriott blazed a trail via his signature rock vocals, impressive guitar playing and energetic stage presence that is celebrated on an insightful documentary.

Notable artists interviewed include Spencer Davis, Ricky Byrd, John Waite, Kevin DuBrow and his famed Humble Pie band mates Peter Frampton and Clem Clempson; rare

December 4, 2019

and early footage of Humble Pie and Small Faces is also included on the documentary.

There is also a complete 1973 featuring Humble Pie featured on the audio CD that is a thrilling listen; that concert recording features a stirring take on the band’s enduring blues rock classic “Thirty Days in the Hole,” a hard-charging version of “Up Your Sleeves,” an amped-up rendition of The Rolling Stones’ “Honky Tonk Woman” and a number of other high octane British bluesflavored rockers. Sadly, Marriott died in a home fire in April 1991; he was only 44. “The Life and Times of Steve Marriott” provides an excellent chance to catch up on this overlooked rock hero. Information: CleopatraRecords.com.

Artist: Ronnie Wood & His Wild Five Title: Mad Lad: A Live Tribute to Chuck Berry (BMG) Tell me more: Few artists have had as profound an influence on rock as the late Chuck Berry. The Beatles, ELO, Linda Ronstadt, Elvis Presley, The Kinks and AC/

DC are among the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers who have recorded notable covers of Berry classics. Now Rolling Stones guitar great Ronnie Wood & His Wild Five have issued a full-length tribute to Berry (who died at the age of 90 in March 2017).

What’s so special about this 11-track album is the rollicking and genuinely loose quality of the group’s versions of some of rock music’s earliest masterworks. There is no attempt to add unnecessary polish and overdubs to the tracks. The sound across the Wood-produced disc is that of a band of singers and musicians truly conjuring up Berry’s late spirit to celebrate – both musically and via Berry’s literate storytelling – the youthful exuberance of early rock ‘n’ roll anew.

Wood and company dig deep into Berry’s hefty songbook; “Talking About You” is an early success here and benefits from some of Wood’s most colorful lead guitar play on the LP. Acclaimed Irish singer Imelda May delves into the blues on “Wee Wee Hours,” her dynamic soprano keeping pace with the burgeoning approach taken by the band on their arrangement of Berry’s 1955 hit. A freewheeling “Little Queenie” and Chicago blues-flavored “Blue Feeling” (the latter which benefits from keyboardist Ben Waters and Wood dueling on their instruments), and zestful “Johnny B. Goode” are among this writer’s other favorite cuts on the must-hear tribute.

Information: RonnieWood.com.

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13

Refresh Your Child’s Diet with Low-Sugar Options

By Desert Star Staff Many families look to the new year as a time to reset their eating habits and focus on making healthier choices.

However, adults aren’t the only ones who could use a menu refresh as children may also need to focus on healthier food choices.

A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed children consume an unhealthy amount of added sugar every day. Researchers found nearly all of the toddlers in their study ate an average of 7 teaspoons of added sugar daily – the equivalent of a candy bar.

Additionally, according to

the American Academy of Pediatrics, excess sugar consumption can lead to an increased risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

“Small children have small stomachs,” said Courtney Hines, a nutritionist for KinderCare Learning Centers, which care for more than 165,000 children around the country every day.

“You want them to fill up on nutrient-dense foods, not empty calories in the form of added sugar. When children consume lots of sugar, their palates get used to overly sweet flavors. They may not accept other, less sugary flavors or learn to appreciate

the natural sweetness of a piece of fresh fruit.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against the consumption of added sugar for children under the age of 2. Children ages 2-18 should aim for less than 25 grams, or 6 teaspoons, of added sugar per day.

For families that want to cut down on the amount of added sugar in their diets, Hines recommends cooking more at home, relying less on processed, packaged foods and serving only water or milk for beverages.

Consider these low-sugar ideas for meal and snack

times to help control the amount of added sugar you and your family consume.

Dip Smart: Herbs, spices, citrus and fresh fruit add flavor without relying on the added sugars found in many popular sauces and dips. Consider making your own low-sugar alternatives at home so your family can still enjoy favorite flavors like these: • Ranch Dressing – In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, buttermilk, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper for a kid-tested, nutritionist-approved take on a favorite dip. Serve over salad or as vegetable dip.

• Honey Mustard – Popular on a variety of sandwiches and as a dip or salad dressing, combining plain yogurt with milk, honey and regular or Dijon mustard can create a more family-friendly version.

• Teriyaki Sauce – Perfect for serving with healthier options like lo mein, chicken wraps or fried rice, a homemade version can be created using water, soy sauce, honey, ginger, garlic powder and cornstarch slurry.

Swap Out Syrup: Pancakes are a popular breakfast option at KinderCare centers and in many homes, but even the healthiest whole-grain pancake

becomes a plateful of sugar if it’s doused in syrup. Hines recommends these toppings that are sweet and savory without the added sugar: • Nut butter or seed butter (such as peanut, almond or sun) and banana slices • Warm fruit compote (mix of warmed berries) • Applesauce (no-sugaradded variety) and cinnamon • Nut butter swirled into plain yogurt; mix in 1-2 teaspoons vanilla extract to add a sweet flavor Snack Sweet: Opting for less added sugar doesn’t mean avoiding sweet snacks altogether. These alternatives can still help satisfy those cravings: • Applesauce with baked cinnamon pita triangles for dipping • Toast topped with nut or seed butter, smashed banana and sprinkle of cinnamon • Frozen fruit smoothies • Plain yogurt topped with granola, nuts, seeds or fruit • Apple slices with nut or seed butter For more ideas to introduce your children to healthy habits from a young age, visit kindercare. com. Family Features

••••••••••••••

What’s On Your Plate? OpenTable Reveals Dining Trends for 2019

By Desert Star Staff SAN FRANCISCO, Before closing the menu on 2019, OpenTable, the world’s leading provider of online restaurant reservations and part of Booking Holdings, Inc., today released a retrospective look back at this year’s most popular dining trends. From trending reviews to dining behavior across the country, this year’s diners are looking to have their cake and eat it too.

“We hit a major milestone this year - 10 billion diners seated, using our software.

To put that in perspective, that’s more than the world’s population,” said Andrea Johnston, COO at OpenTable.

“This year alone, we sat over 283 million diners who gave more than 13 million reviews.

This uncovered a treasure trove of food trends and shifts in behavior to provide insightful context as to how people are eating in 2019.”

On OpenTable’s plate in 2019, diners moved towards more health-conscious dining preferences. Alternative diets are also on the rise compared to 2017 with ‘keto’ mentioned a whopping 683 percent more in reviews and ‘plant based’ mentions increasing

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by 136 percent. Diners also vegged out on low-calorie alternatives with ‘cauliflower crust’ mentions skyrocketing in reviews by 487 percent and ‘jackfruit,’ another vegan and vegetarian alternative, increasing in reviews by 148 percent since 2017.

Additionally, OpenTable found diners are still choosing to indulge when it comes to global cuisines. This past year, Mexican-inspired dishes continued to grow in popularity, with ‘queso’ mentions increasing by nearly 31 percent and ‘nachos’ mentions by 19 percent over the past three years. Review mentions of ‘potstickers,’ a staple in Asian cuisine, has increased by 61 percent.

Finally, review mentions of the classic Italian delicacy, ‘cacio e pepe,’ has increased by 96 percent since 2017.

Key takeaways from this year’s report include: Farmer-Owned: According to OpenTable data, this year’s most booked restaurant of 2019 was Founding Farmers, the popular majority farmerowned restaurant serving scratch made, responsibly sourced American cuisine, located in Washington, D.C.*

In With The New: OpenTable found that diners looked to try something new in 2019, with 70 percent of reservations coming from new diners booking that restaurant for the first time through OpenTable.

Intimate Celebrations: This year, most people preferred intimate birthday celebrations over group dining with the majority of birthday reservations made for a table for two.

Last Minute vs. In Advance: 42 percent of diners made reservations at the last minute on the day of their reservation. This is followed closely by those who made their reservations within 1-7 days ahead of dining (41 percent).

The City That Never Sleeps (and Always Eats): New York was the most popular region in the U.S. for late night/early morning reservation bookings made from 12AM to 7:59AM. Alternatively, South Dakotaproves to be the opposite with nearly 100 percent of their reservations taking place during the day (8AM - 9PM).

American vs. Italian: American cuisine was the December 27, 2019

most popular for breakfast and lunch, while Italian cuisine

took the top spot for dinner. www.desertstarweekly.com

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PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

Desert Star Weekly Legals PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

DATE PALM DR UNIT D8, CATHEDRAL CITY, CA 92234. Riverside County; PO BOX 2561, BORREGO SPRINGS, CA 92004. Full name of registrant: INDIA OVEN RESTAURANT, 35875 DATE PALM DR UNIT D8, CATHEDRAL CITY, CA 92234/CA. Business is conducted by: CORPORATION. Registrant has not yet begun to transact under the fictitious business name(s) listed above. I declare that all the information in this statement is true and correct.

(A registrant, who declares as true, information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime) HARMESH KUMAR KAUSHAL, PRESIDENT. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Riverside County on NOVEMBER 25, 2019. Peter Aldana, Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder File No. R-201915493. NOTICE — THIS FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT EXPIRES FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THAT TIME. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE OR COMMON LAW NOTICE OF SALE In accordance with the provisions (SEE SECTION 14411, ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND of the California Uniform Commercial Code, there PROFESSIONAL CODE). Publish December 4, 11, being due and unpaid storage for which VHS HOLD- 18, 25, 2019 DSW19-1322 ING, LLC doing business as WESTERN VILLAGE, is entitled to a lien as Warehouse person on the goods FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT THE hereinafter described, and due notice having been FOLLOWING PERSON(S) IS (ARE) DOING BUSIgiven to parties known to claim an interest therein, NESS AS: ELEMENT LANDSCAPE SOLUTIONS, and the time specified in such notice for payment of 15017 VIA QUEDO, DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CA such charges having expired, notice is hereby given 92240. Riverside County; PO BOX 2561, BORthat these goods will be sold at public auction in Riv- REGO SPRINGS, CA 92004. Full name of registrant: erside County on December 16, 2019 AT 10:00AM DANIEL- -VEGA, 15017 VIA QUEDO, DESERT at 132 Pioneer Trail, Palm Springs, California 92262. HOT SPRINGS, CA 92240. Business is conducted The property to be sold consists of a certain 1969 by: INDIVIDUAL. Registrant has not yet begun Fleetwood mobilehome, Decal No. LBA4231, Serial to transact under the fictitious business name(s) Nos. S10571 and including any ‘’household goods’’ listed above. I declare that all the information in this contained within, owned by Hazel Pasillas and/or statement is true and correct. (A registrant, who Parviz Oshideri. The storage due is $3,256.23 plus declares as true, information which he or she knows additional daily storage charges of $18.33 actual to be false, is guilty of a crime) DANIEL- -VEGA. utilities consumed, and other incidental processing This statement was filed with the County Clerk of or transportation charges incurred after October Riverside County on NOVEMBER 26, 2019. Peter 23, 2019, including, without limitation, attorneys’ Aldana, Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder File No. fees and costs of publication. Dated this 25th day R-201915560. NOTICE — THIS FICTITIOUS BUSIof November 2019 at Mission Viejo, California. By NESS NAME STATEMENT EXPIRES FIVE YEARS /s/ VIVIENNE J. ALSTON Alston, Alston & Diebold FROM THE DATE IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE Authorized Agents for VHS HOLDING, LLC 12/4, OF THE COUNTY CLERK. A NEW FICTITIOUS 12/11/19 CNS-3319103# DESERT STAR WEEKLY. BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED DSW19-1326 BEFORE THAT TIME. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME NAME, CASE NO. PSC1908456, SUPERIOR IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER COURT OF CALIFORNIA 3255 E. Tahquitz Can- UNDER FEDERAL, STATE OR COMMON LAW yon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262, COUNTY OF (SEE SECTION 14411, ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND RIVERSIDE TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. PROFESSIONAL CODE). Publish December 4, 11, REBECCA ROSE DEHRING filed a petition with this 18, 25, 2019 DSW19-1321 court for a decree changing names as follows: 1a.

Present Name: REBECCA ROSE DEHRING to Pro- FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT THE posed Name: REBECCA ROSE WAKEFIELD. THE FOLLOWING PERSON(S) IS (ARE) DOING BUSICOURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this NESS AS: EVIG, 72862 PARKVIEW DR, PALM matter shall appear before this court at the hearing DESERT, CA 92260. Riverside County; PO BOX indicated below to show cause, if any, why the peti- 2561, BORREGO SPRINGS, CA 92004. Full name tion for change of name should not be granted. Any of registrant: JESSICA BURRELL APPELO, 72862 person objecting to the name changes described PARKVIEW DR, PALM DESERT, CA 92260. Busiabove must file a written objection that includes the ness is conducted by: INDIVIDUAL. Registrant reasons for the objection at least two court days has not yet begun to transact under the fictitious before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must business name(s) listed above. I declare that all the appear at the hearing to show cause why the peti- information in this statement is true and correct. (A tion should not be granted. If no written objection is registrant, who declares as true, information which timely filed, the court may grant the petition without he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime) JESa hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING a. Date: JANUARY SICA BURRELL APPELO. This statement was filed 17, 2020 Time: 8:30 a.m., Dept.: PS4. The address with the County Clerk of Riverside County on NOof the court is: 505 S. BUENA VISTA RM. 201, CO- VEMBER 22, 2019. Peter Aldana, Assessor-County RONA, CA 92882 County of Riverside 3.a. A copy Clerk-Recorder File No. R-201915467. NOTICE — of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at THIS FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT least once each week for four successive weeks EXPIRES FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE IT WAS prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK. following newspaper of general circulation, printed A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEin this county (specify newspaper): DESERT STAR MENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THAT TIME. THE WEEKLY 13279 Palm Drive Suite 5, Desert Hot FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT ITSELF Springs, CA 92240 Dated: November 19, 2019, AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTIJudge of the Superior Court, Publish December 4, TIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE 11, 18, 25, 2019. DSW19-1324 RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411, ET. ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL CODE).

NAME, CASE NO. COC 1912406, SUPERIOR Publish November 27, December 4, 11, 18, 2019 COURT OF CALIFORNIA 505 S BUENA VISTA DSW19-1320 RM. 201, CORONA, CA 92882, COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT DANIEL LEE GALLEGO filed a petition with this court THE FOLLOWING PERSON(S) IS (ARE) DOING for a decree changing names as follows: 1a. Present BUSINESS AS: MILLERS DRIVING ACADEMY, Name: DANIEL LEE GALLEGO to Proposed Name: 6696 RAMON ROAD, CATHEDRAL CITY, CA DANIEL LEE VALDEZ. THE COURT ORDERS that 92234. Riverside County Full name of registrant: all persons interested in this matter shall appear ERNESTO- -VASQUEZ, 41279 KELLER COURT, before this court at the hearing indicated below to INDIO, CA 92203. Business is conducted by: INDIshow cause, if any, why the petition for change of VIDUAL. Registrant has not yet begun to transact name should not be granted. Any person objecting under the fictitious business name(s) listed above. to the name changes described above must file a I declare that all the information in this statement written objection that includes the reasons for the is true and correct. (A registrant, who declares objection at least two court days before the matter as true, information which he or she knows to be is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the false, is guilty of a crime) ERNESTO- -VASQUEZ. hearing to show cause why the petition should not This statement was filed with the County Clerk of be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, Riverside County on NOVEMBER 22, 2019. Peter the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Aldana, Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder File No. NOTICE OF HEARING a. Date: JANUARY 15, 2020 R-201915470. NOTICE — THIS FICTITIOUS BUSITime: 8:30 a.m., Dept.: C2. The address of the court NESS NAME STATEMENT EXPIRES FIVE YEARS is: 505 S. BUENA VISTA RM. 201, CORONA, CA FROM THE DATE IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE 92882 County of Riverside 3.a. A copy of this Order OF THE COUNTY CLERK. A NEW FICTITIOUS to Show Cause shall be published at least once each BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED week for four successive weeks prior to the date set BEFORE THAT TIME. THE FILING OF THIS STATEfor hearing on the petition in the following newspaper MENT DOES NOT ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN of general circulation, printed in this county (specify THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME newspaper): DESERT STAR WEEKLY 13279 Palm IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER Drive Suite 5, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240 Dated: UNDER FEDERAL, STATE OR COMMON LAW November 19, 2019, Judge of the Superior Court, (SEE SECTION 14411, ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND Publish November 27, December 4, 11, 18, 2019. PROFESSIONAL CODE). Publish November 27, DSW19-1318 December 4, 11, 18, 2019 DSW19-1319 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT THE FOLLOWING PERSON(S) IS (ARE) DOING BUSINESS AS: ELUXUS ESTATES, 69930 CALIFORNIA 111 SUITE 201H, RANCHO MIRAGE, CA 92270.

Riverside County. Full name of registrant: ELUXUS ESTATES LLC, 69930 CALIFORNIA 111 SUITE 201H, RANCHO MIRAGE, CA 92270/CA. Business is conducted by: LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. Registrant has not yet begun to transact under the fictitious business name(s) listed above. I declare that all the information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant, who declares as true, information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime) SERGIO- -NAJERA, MANAGING MEMBER. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Riverside County on NOVEMBER 06, 2019. Peter Aldana, Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder File No. R-201914807. NOTICE — THIS FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT EXPIRES FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THAT TIME. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411, ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL CODE). Publish December 4, 11, 18, 25, 2019 DSW19-1327 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT THE FOLLOWING PERSON(S) IS (ARE) DOING BUSINESS AS: SHAWARMA HOUSE, 555 S. PALM CANYON DR., PALM SPRINGS, CA 92264. Riverside County. Full name of registrant: MAHMOUD JAMEEL ALZAYAT, 3601 N. SUNRISE WAY #1331, PALM SPRINGS, CA 92262. Business is conducted by: INDIVIDUAL. Registrant has not yet begun to transact under the fictitious business name(s) listed above. I declare that all the information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant, who declares as true, information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime) MAHMOUD JAMEEL ALZAYAT. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Riverside County on NOVEMBER 26, 2019.

Peter Aldana, Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder File No. R-201915582. NOTICE — THIS FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT EXPIRES FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THAT TIME. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411, ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL CODE). Publish December 4, 11, 18, 25, 2019 DSW19-1325

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT THE FOLLOWING PERSON(S) IS (ARE) DOING BUSINESS AS: R.C.P.M GROUP, 120 WEST ARENAS ROAD, SUITE SF2, PALM SPRINGS, CA 92262.

Riverside County Full name of registrant: JOANNE LEAH PERAULT, 790 WEST PANORAMA ROAD, PALM SPRINGS, CA 92262. Business is conducted by: INDIVIDUAL. Registrant commenced to transact under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 11/06/0218/. I declare that all the information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant, who declares as true, information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime) Signed JOANNE LEAH PERAULT. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Riverside County on NOVEMBER 08, 2019.

Peter Aldana, Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder File No. R-201914920. NOTICE — THIS FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT EXPIRES FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THAT TIME. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411, ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL CODE). Publish November 27, December 4, 11, 18, 2019 DSW19-1317 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT THE FOLLOWING PERSON(S) IS (ARE) DOING BUSINESS AS: SHINING WHITE DOVE FOUNDATION, 73-726 ALESSANDRA DR., STE., 203, PALM DESERT, CA 92260. Riverside County Full name of registrant: NORA DARLENE MAGNUSON MAZZONI, 74058 CATALINA WAY, PALM DESERT, CA 92260. Business is conducted by: INDIVIDUAL. Registrant has not yet begun to transact under the fictitious business name(s) listed above. I declare that all the information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant, who declares as true, information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime) Signed NORA DARLENE MAGNUSON MAZZONI. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Riverside County on NOVEMBER 18, 2019.

Peter Aldana, Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder File No. R-201915253. NOTICE — THIS FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT EXPIRES FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THAT TIME. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411, ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL CODE). Publish November 27, December 4, 11, 18, 2019 DSW19-1315

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT THE STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FOLLOWING PERSON(S) IS (ARE) DOING BUSI- FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME; The following fictiNESS AS: INDIA OVEN RESTAURANT, 35875 tious business name(s) MASTERSHIELD, 78-015

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WILDCAT DR., SUITE 102, PALM DESERT, CA 92211, RIVERSIDE COUNTY. Riverside County has been abandoned by the following person(s): MASTERSHIELD, LLC, 78015 WILDCAT DRIVE, SUITE 102, PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA 92211/CA. This business is conducted by: LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. The fictitious business name(s) referred to above was filed in Riverside County on: 03/03/2016.

I declare that all the information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true, information which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) Signed: COBY LYNN LUNDY, MANAGING MEMBER. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Riverside County, signed by, Peter Aldana Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder on NOVEMBER 14, 2019 File No. R-201602737.

Publish November 20, 27, December 4, 11, 2019 DSW19-1314

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December 4, 2019 PUBLIC NOTICE

by: INDIVIDUAL. Registrant has not yet begun to transact under the fictitious business name(s) listed above. I declare that all the information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant, who declares as true, information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime) Signed ERMA KATHALEEN TRENT. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Riverside County on NOVEMBER 14, 2019.

Peter Aldana, Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder File No. R-201915123. NOTICE — THIS FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT EXPIRES FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THAT TIME. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE OR COMMON STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF LAW (SEE SECTION 14411, ET. SEQ., BUSINESS FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME; The following AND PROFESSIONAL CODE). Publish November fictitious business name(s) MASTER WINDOW 20, 27, December 4, 11, 2019 DSW19-1312 SOLUTIONS, 78-015 WILDCAT DRIVE SUITE 102, PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA 92211, RIVERSIDE STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF COUNTY. Riverside County has been abandoned FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME; The following by the following person(s): MASTERSHIELD, fictitious business name(s) EL TORO FRESH LLC, 78-015 WILDCAT DRIVE, STE 102, PALM MARKET, 10775 HOLE AVE., RIVERSIDE, CA DESERT, CALIFORNIA 92211/CA. This business is 92505, RIVERSIDE COUNTY. Riverside County has conducted by: LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. The been abandoned by the following person(s): A2Z fictitious business name(s) referred to above was MARKET, INC., 14200 CULVER DR., SUITE 285, filed in Riverside County on: 05/22/2015. I declare IRVINE, CA 92604/CA. This business is conducted that all the information in this statement is true and by: CORPORATION. The fictitious business name(s) correct. (A registrant who declares as true, informa- referred to above was filed in Riverside County tion which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a on: 10/11/2016. I declare that all the information crime.) Signed: COBY LYNN LUNDY, MANAGING in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant MEMBER. This statement was filed with the County who declares as true, information which he or Clerk of Riverside County, signed by, Peter Aldana she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.) Signed: Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder on NOVEMBER ASHKAN- - ZAHABI, CFO This statement was filed 14, 2019 File No. R-201505190. Publish November with the County Clerk of Riverside County, signed 20, 27, December 4, 11, 2019 DSW19-1313 by, Peter Aldana Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder on NOVEMBER 13, 2019 File No. R-201612722.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT THE Publish November 20, 27, December 4, 11, 2019 FOLLOWING PERSON(S) IS (ARE) DOING BUSI- DSW19-1311 NESS AS: SILLERS INSTITUTE, 74-710 HIGHWAY 111, SUITE 102, PALM DESERT, CA 92260. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT THE Riverside County Full name of registrant: ERMA FOLLOWING PERSON(S) IS (ARE) DOING BUSIKATHALEEN TRENT, 79320 CAMINO AMARILLO, NESS AS: AQ GLASS & DOOR, 13648 PINNACLE LA QUINTA, CA 92253. Business is conducted CIR, DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CA 92240. Riverside

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County Full name of registrant: ANDRES -- QUINTERO JR, 13648 PINNACLE CIR, DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CA 92240. Business is conducted by: INDIVIDUAL. Registrant has not yet begun to transact under the fictitious business name(s) listed above.

I declare that all the information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant, who declares as true, information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime) Signed ANDRES – QUINTERO JR. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Riverside County on NOVEMBER 7, 2019. Peter Aldana, Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder File No. R-201914899. NOTICE — THIS FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT EXPIRES FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THAT TIME. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411, ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL CODE). Publish November 20, 27, December 4, 11, 2019 DSW19-1310 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT THE FOLLOWING PERSON(S) IS (ARE) DOING BUSINESS AS: COREA’S AUTO ELECTRIC #1, 31514 SAN LUIS REY, CATHEDRAL CITY, CA 92234.

Riverside County. Full name of registrant: JUAN ANTONIO COREAS, 31514 SAN LUIS REY, CATHEDRAL CITY, CA 92234. Business is conducted by: INDIVIDUAL. Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name(s) listed above on 01/04/2010. I declare that all the information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant, who declares as true, information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime).

Signed JUAN ANTONIO COREAS. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Riverside County on 11/14/2019. Peter Aldana, Assessor-County Clerk Recorder File No. R-201915112. NOTICE — THIS FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT EXPIRES FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THAT TIME. THE

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Desert Star Weekly Legals PUBLIC NOTICE

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PUBLIC NOTICE

FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411, ET. SEQ., BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL CODE).

Publish November 20, 27, December 4, 11 2019 DSW19-1309

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December 4, 2019 PUBLIC NOTICE

FROM THE DATE IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THAT TIME. THE FILING OF THIS STATEMENT DOES NOT ITSELF AUTHORIZE THE USE IN THIS STATE OF A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IN VIOLATION OF THE RIGHTS OF ANOTHER UNDER FEDERAL, STATE OR COMMON LAW (SEE SECTION 14411, ET. SEQ., BUSINESSAND FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT THE PROFESSIONS CODE)., November 13, 20, 27, FOLLOWING PERSON(S) IS (ARE) DOING BUSI- December 4, 2019. DSW19-1304 NESS AS: R.IZZO STRATEGIC SOLUTIONS, 19501 DIAMOND AVE, SKY VALLEY, CA 92241. T.S. No. 081579-CA APN: 694-100-003-3 NORiverside County; P O BOX 363, RANCHO MI- TICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE IMPORTANT NOTICE RAGE, CA 92270. Full name of registrant: ELLIET TO PROPERTY OWNER: YOU ARE IN DEFAULT DAVIS RIZZO, 13325 QUITA WAY, DESERT HOT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST, DATED 4/19/2007.

SPRINGS, CA 92241; REBECCA SHAY RIZZO, UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR 19501 DIAMOND AVE, SKY VALLEY, CA 92241. PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. Business is conducted by CO-PARTNERS. Regis- IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE trant has not begun to transact business under the OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU fictitious business name(s) listed above. I declare SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER On 1/7/2020 at that all the information in this statement is true 3:00 PM, CLEAR RECON CORP, as duly appointed and correct. (A registrant, who declares as true, trustee under and pursuant to Deed of Trust recordinformation which he or she knows to be false, ed 4/26/2007, as Instrument No. 2007-0282081, is guilty of a crime) Signed ELLIET DAVIS RIZZO. in Book , Page , , of Official Records in the office of This statement was filed with the County Clerk of the County Recorder of Riverside County, State of Riverside County on NOVEMBER 6, 2019. Peter CALIFORNIA executed by: JEAN GUY PELLETIER, Aldana, Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder File No. AND LIZETTE G. PELLETIER, AS TRUSTEES OF R-201914810. NOTICE — THIS FICTITIOUS BUSI- THE JEAN GUY PELLETIER AND LIZETTE G. PELNESS NAME STATEMENT EXPIRES FIVE YEARS LETIER REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST WILL SELL

AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH, CASHIER’S CHECK DRAWN ON A STATE OR NATIONAL BANK, A CHECK DRAWN BY A STATE OR FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, OR A CHECK DRAWN BY A STATE OR FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION, SAVINGS ASSOCIATION, OR SAVINGS BANK SPECIFIED IN SECTION 5102 OF THE FINANCIAL CODE AND AUTHORIZED TO DO BUSINESS IN THIS STATE: AT THE FRONT STEPS TO THE ENTRANCE OF THE FORMER CORONA POLICE DEPARTMENT, 849 W. SIXTH STREET, CORONA, CA 92882 all right, title and interest conveyed to and now held by it under said Deed of Trust in the property situated in said County and State described as: LOT 26 OF TRACT NO. 16293 AS SHOWN BY MAP ON FILE IN BOOK 116 PAGES 51 THROUGH 56 OF MAPS, RECORDS OF RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 74691 SWEETWELL RD THOUSAND PALMS, CA 92276 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be held, but without covenant or warranty, express or implied, regarding title, possession, condition, or encumbrances, including fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust, to pay the remaining principal sums of the note(s) secured by

By Desert Star Staff The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is pushing to impose mandatory facial recognition scans on all Americans entering or leaving the United States, moving to close a loophole that allows citizens to opt out.

Proposed in a recent filing, the DHS requested a change to the current rules in order to “provide that all travelers, including US citizens, may be required to be photographed upon entry and/or departure” from the US, citing the need to identify criminals or “suspected terrorists.” While not yet implemented, the rule change is in the “final stages of clearance,” a DHS official told CNN Business.

Under the existing guidelines, US citizens and other lawful permanent residents have the ability to avoid airport biometric scans

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said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligation secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale is: $279,361.81 If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder’s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee, and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse.

The beneficiary under said Deed of Trust heretofore executed and delivered to the undersigned a written Declaration of Default and Demand for Sale, and a written Notice of Default and Election to Sell. The undersigned or its predecessor caused said Notice of Default and Election to Sell to be recorded in the county where the real property is located. NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property. You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this

property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property. NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call (844) 477-7869 or visit this Internet Web site WWW.STOXPOSTING.COM, using the file number assigned to this case 081579-CA. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale. FOR SALES INFORMATION: (844) 477-7869 CLEAR RECON CORP 4375 Jutland Drive San Diego, California 92117. Publish December 4, 11, 18, 2019. DSW19-1323

“profound privacy concerns.”

Travelers, including US citizens, should not have to submit to invasive biometric scans simply as a condition of exercising their constitutional right to travel.

The DHS is currently set to outfit 20 of America’s largest airports with biometric scanners by 2021, despite a flurry of privacy issues and

ongoing technical problems.

Last year, an internal watchdog report found that the department’s facial recognition tech was not performing up to snuff and “may be unable to meet expectations” by its deadline. The DHS also piqued security concerns last year when it announced it would partner with Amazon for its allseeing HART system, which will

pass highly detailed information on 250 million people to the tech giant for storage.

Recalling a data breach in June which saw 100,000 license plate and traveler images stolen from a private contractor hired to store information for the DHS, Stanley said the government simply “cannot be trusted” with the invasive technology.

credential representatives of Bloomberg News for rallies or other campaign events.”@ TeamTrumpstatement below ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/69ePodhTwQ — Kayleigh McEnany (@kayleighmcenany) December 2, 2019 Last week, Reuters published excerpts from an internal memorandum Bloomberg News editor-inchief John Micklethwait sent out, saying the outlet will

“continue our tradition of not investigating Mike (and his family and foundation) and we will extend the same policy to his rivals in the Democratic primaries,” while continuing to investigate Trump “as the government of the day.”

Accusations of bias “couldn’t be further from the truth,” Micklethwait said, responding to Parscale’s announcement. He did not deny the memo’s existence or content, but noted that Bloomberg News has “covered Donald Trump fairly and in an unbiased way since he became a candidate… and will continue to do so despite the restrictions imposed by the Trump campaign.”

Bloomberg launched his presidential bid last month, jumping into a crowded field of contenders for the Democratic presidential nomination. This put the media empire owned by the former New York City mayor in an awkward position from the standpoint of journalist ethics.

Even some outspoken Democrat activists in the media sphere, such as ThinkProgress founder Judd Legum, sided

with Trump on this one.

“There is no journalistic justification for this. The purpose of this policy is that your billionaire owner doesn’t want you writing negative stories about him,” Legum tweeted at Micklethwait.

This actually strikes me as reasonable. It’s not defensible for a journalistic outlet to investigate one candidate but not any of the others. Separately, it’s an insult to all the Bloomberg reporters covering Democratic campaigns to forbid them to do investigative work https://t.co/P5WLla40gb — Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) December 2, 2019 Trump has had a contentious relationship with the press since he announced his candidacy in 2015, to put it mildly. He has embraced the term ‘fake news’ – initially used by the Clinton campaign to attack pro-Trump coverage – to describe the mainstream media and has cited studies showing that over 90 percent of press coverage of his administration has been negative.

MANDATORY facial recognition checks for US citizens at airports and identify themselves by other means. While some travelers have found it difficult to opt out given opaque or inconsistent guidelines from airport to airport, the DHS would apparently like to cut down on the confusion by doing away with the exemption altogether.

The new rule was rejected by civil liberties groups and privacy advocates, who said it would only further erode Americans’ privacy and subject them to yet another layer of intrusive government surveillance.

“Time and again, the government told the public and members of Congress that US citizens would not be required to submit to this intrusive surveillance technology as a condition of traveling,” said Jay Stanley, a senior policy at the American Civil Liberties Union, adding that the rule raises

Trump blacklists Bloomberg News from covering campaign

By Desert Star Staff President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign has barred Bloomberg News from covering rallies and events, citing the outlet’s overt bias for their boss, a billionaire seeking the Democrat presidential nomination.

“We are accustomed to unfair reporting practices, but most news organizations don’t announce their biases so publicly,” Trump 2020

manager Brad Parscale said Monday, describing as “troubling and wrong” the outlet’s decision to “formalize preferential reporting policies.”

The campaign will decide whether to deal with individual reporters and will answer inquiries on a case-by-case basis, Parscale added. .@parscale: “Since [Bloomberg has] declared their bias openly, the Trump campaign will no longer

Water Gap Found at Navajo Nation, Other U.S. Regions

By Desert Star Staff APACHE COUNTY, Ariz.

– A report finds that several regions across the United States, including the Navajo Nation, lack access to clean water in many of their homes.

The study finds six areas that face a water crisis where running water or basic indoor plumbing is not available.

The study, Closing the Water Access Gap in the United States, says while the Navajo tribe owns water rights, a lack of funding keeps many of their citizens without basic services, where about 30% of the more than 330,000 residents on the reservation must drive for up to four hours to haul barrels of water to their homes.

Sarah Porter, director of the Kyl Center for Water Policy at the Morrison Institute of Arizona State University, says a lack of resources along with inaction by the federal government keeps many Navajo from access to clean water.

“Typically, a tribe wants,

in addition to a water right, funding for infrastructure so that they can actually benefit from that water,” Porter explains. “It doesn’t do any good to have a giant water right if you don’t have the things you need to take advantage of the water.”

The study was produced

by DigDeep, a water access advocacy group, and the U.S. Water Alliance, a policy research organization.

In addition to the Navajo Nation, the report also profiles other areas lacking access to water, including parts of Appalachia, central California, rural Alabama, Puerto Rico and the colonias along the Texas-Mexico border.

The Indian Health Service estimates that it would cost $200 million to provide basic water and sanitation access to all Navajo homes.

Porter adds that local politics often come into play, when residents are afraid of what they might lose if their leaders try to trade

around the state. It becomes a lot harder to reach a settlement when you have greater and greater reliance on the same supplies of water.”

The report points out that access to clean water and reliable sanitation currently is out

of reach for 2 million Americans.

It shows that race is the strongest predictor of water access, that poverty is a key obstacle to water access and that the government does not keep accurate data on gaps in the U.S.

By Desert Star Staff President Donald Trump has said that the United States is “substantially” reducing its presence in Afghanistan, and claimed that a peace deal with

however, been underway for some time, according to the Pentagon. In October, Gen. Scott Miller, head of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, told reporters that 2,000 of the roughly 14,000 troops there had already been pulled out.

In August, Trump said that he wished to reduce troop numbers in the country to 8,600, with those remaining to focus on counterterrorism operations.

The Pentagon’s top brass sees a US contingent, however small, remaining in Afghanistan for “several more years,” as Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley told the Taliban is close at hand. said that his long-promised ABC News earlier this month.

Speaking while on an withdrawal from the country is The US’ “mission is not yet unannounced Thanksgiving and underway. The president did not complete,” he added, noting his first visit to US troops in the provide any specific numbers or that Afghan forces are “going to country, where they have been a timeframe for the drawdown. have to be able to sustain their fighting for 18 years, Trump The withdrawal has, own internal security” before the

US would uproot itself entirely.

Afghanistan’s security depends mainly on the outcome of peace talks between its USbacked government and the Taliban, which controls more territory now than at any point since the US invasion in 2001.

Speaking to troops at Bagram Airfield on Thursday, Trump said that the militants “want to make a deal” with the US and Afghan governments.

Talks between the US and the Taliban collapsed in September when Trump called off a planned meeting with the jihadists on US soil.

Although Taliban leaders released a pair of American and Australian hostages earlier this month, the group’s official line remains that it will not engage with the “illegitimate” USbacked government in Kabul.

A recent report finds that 2 millions Americans do not have access to running water and basic indoor plumbing. (ChepkoDanit/AdobeStock) part of their water rights in exchange for infrastructure.

“People, as time passes, become dependent on the water supplies,” she points out. “This is not only the case with the Navajo Nation. It’s the case with water supplies all

The US is ‘substantially’ reducing troop numbers in Afghanistan – Trump

Giving Tuesday: Be Generous Yet Wise

By Desert Star Staff COLUMBUS, Ohio — Be generous with your pocketbook, but also be wise - that’s the advice of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office on Giving Tuesday.

Spokesman David O’Neil said while charities use the annual observance to seek support from donors, scammers may also be trying to compete for contributions.

“We want people to be generous, we want people to be charitable, but we also want people to be cautious,” O’Neil said. “So, perform your due diligence and make sure that the organization you are giving to is what it represents itself to be.”

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According to the Better Business Bureau, about 65% of Americans don’t investigate where their money is going prior to donating to charity. O’Neil recommends researching a charity to ensure it is legitimate and to determine how much of the donation will go specifically to the cause.

Charities can be verified online through the Ohio Attorney General’s website, as well as the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, CharityNavigator.org and IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search.

O’Neil said technological advancements are providing increasingly convenient ways to donate to a good cause with just the touch of a button. However,

on their websites and in their appeals, there’s a good chance that they may be able BBB’s Wise Giving Alliance, said to generate increased trust hopefully organizations will take from the donating public.” note, and use the information to According to the survey, strengthen their trustworthiness optimism that a charity could with the giving public. be trusted rose 14% in 2018.

“People respond very well This story was produced to organizations that focus in association with Media in the on their accomplishments,” Public Interest and funded in part Weiner said. “And if charities by the George Gund Foundation. included that type of information

he explained scammers also can use the same socialmedia platforms, crowdfunding sites and giving portals.

“Don’t assume that charitable recommendations on social media have already been vetted. Donors should research the charity,” he said. “And they should also be cautious of lookalike websites and charities with names that sound similar to well-known organizations; sometimes, they are simply to your community newspaper serving desert cities and beyond. intended to confuse donors.”

Only 19% of people in a new For as low as For one year subscription survey by the BBB’s Give.org mailed to your home said they highly trust charities desert Please Call something 70% said is essential STAR before giving. Bennett Weiner, chief operating officer with the

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Palm Canyon Theatre Stages a Crowd-Pleasing Musical Revival for the Holidays

By Jack Lyons Theatre and Film Critic Member American Theatre Critics Association With the Holidays fast approaching Christmasthemed theatre productions abound practically everywhere. Out here in Southern California’s desert paradise of Palm Springs even this world class tourist destination gets into the spirit of things.

The Palm Canyon Theatre (PCT) now in its twentysecond year of producing quality theatre is staging a revival of one of their signature musicals last seen by PCT audiences 11 years ago.

“The King and I” may not be a typical Christmas musical but it’s hard to resist any Rodgers and Hammerstein production. With the music of Rodgers and the lyrics and libretto by Hammerstein… well it doesn’t get much better than this. The locals, and even the out-of-towners who visit Palm Springs, from time to time, may recall earlier musical productions directed, choreographed, and costumed by Derik Shopinski; that also have been delights, such as this current production of “The King and I”.

The PCT stage once again is awash in a colorful and vivid visual feast for the eyes and ears. Shopinski’s costumes are all designed and sewn by his hand and the hands of his three female assistants: Kathryn Ferguson, Virginia Sulick, and Colleen Walker. What’s the big deal you might wonder? Well, the

big deal is this production boasts 33 cast members which these days, is a lot of actors, singers, and dancers to dress for a production that is not on Broadway or in a national Touring Company.

Based on Margaret Landon’s 1944 novel, ‘Anna and the King of Siam’, the audience is transported to Siam (now Thailand) of the 1860’s whose enlightened King Mongkut (William Stetz) has employed Anna, a widowed English school teacher to tutor his many Royal children to speak English and the ways of the Western world. Anna soon learns after arriving at the palace that Siam’s King has absolute power in everything in Siamese life; especially their troublesome traditions that are foreign and very strange and so different from the English way of life.

The Role of Anna (winningly performed and sung by Se Layne) is a character she was born to play. Her classically trained voice, lends authenticity and her near flawless British accent, enriches the total onstage experience. Also the chemistry between actors Layne as Anna and Stetz as the King, is what energizes this production into becoming a charming, poignant story of “East meeting West”, which indeed does occur on the PCT stage and it’s been a learning experience for western Imperialism elsewhere over the last 157 years to the present.

The production also features strong supporting performances from Jovi Olivas as Lady Thiang; Paul Grant

By Desert Star Staff LOS ANGELES – Clean cars are a hot topic at the Los Angeles Auto Show this week, even though consumer

watchdogs claim some car makers are playing a double game. The car companies are touting their “green” vehicles at the same time they

Photo by Paul Hayashi as Sir Edward, the British Ambassador and a one-time suitor of Anna; Allegra Angelo as Tuptim, a slave girl from the court of the King of Burma; Ben Van Dijk as Louis, Anna’s son; AJ Fernandez as Prince Chulalongkorn, the King’s son, and Brandy Valentine as Eliza, in the cleverly staged specialty ballet number “The Small House of Uncle Tom”.

With seventeen wonderful musical numbers from Rodgers and Hammerstein, the audience gets to pick their favorites to hum on their way home. The now Iconic numbers such as “Hello Young Lovers”; “A Puzzlement”; “Getting to Know You”; “We Kiss in the Shadows” to “Something Wonderful”, and “Shall We Dance?” are old friends to revisit for those of a certain age. Nostalgia can make the world a better place at times.

One of the beauties of this

impressive production lies in the execution and dedication of the ensemble cast, most of whom are children who range from six years up to teenagers. They’re always in their on-stage moments, just like their adult fellow actors.

Space, however, doesn’t allow for everyone to be listed. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy them as an audience.

And their names and ’Bio’s are listed in the program too.

The orchestra, under Musical Director and performance pianist Jaci Davis, features David Bronson on Drums, and Larry Holloway on Base (as a result of pianist Davis’ aggressively loud accompaniment, at times, I did have the occasional moment when I couldn’t hear the dialogue of the actors). But I digress.

In the creative technical department led by director Shopinski, PCT’s Co-Atistic

support President Donald Trump’s decision to loosen federal emissions standards.

Shannon Baker-Branstetter, manager of cars and energy

policy at Consumer Reports, said she doesn’t believe automakers’ claim that they want one clear national emissions standard.

“They had one national standard, and they asked the Trump administration to roll back those standards,” she said, “and now, we have chaos.”

Not all carmakers are on board with the president’s policy. In July, the state of California announcedthat BMW, Ford, Honda and Volkswagen all have agreed to voluntarily install clean-car technology and bring more clean cars and electric vehicles to market. The Trump administration wants to rescind a waiver that lets states pass stricter emission standards, which is the position taken by Fiat-Chrysler, General Motors and Toyota.

Baker-Branstetter complained that there is a big disconnect between some of the manufacturers’ public

Director and resident scenic and lighting wizard J.W. Layne turns the stage into a Siamese Royal palace, filled with vibrant colors and clever lighting touches. Props by Tobi Griffin and Marsha Berry, Sound by Sean Seymour, and Spotlight Operations by Danny Hargreaves complete the technical and creative team.

This sparkling production is getting an extra week - beyond PCT’s regular musical production length runs – that allows both young and older patrons to enjoy; as the Christmas Holiday season gets closer will now perform thru Sunday, December 22, 2019.

For tickets and reservation information call the Box Office at 760-3235123 or go online to www. palmcanyontheatre.org.

Tickets make an excellent holiday gift. You won’t be disappointed you did.

Clean Cars’ at LA Auto Show, Even as Some Fight Emissions Standards

Ford has signed an agreement with the state of California to voluntarily lower emissions and produce more electric vehicles, such as the Mach-E. (Consumer Reports) www.desertstarweekly.com

December 4, 2019

stands and their actions.

“While automakers are trying to sell greener vehicles and have a green image,” she said, “some of them are undermining that by what they’re doing with their lobbying money, and by siding with the Trump administration to roll back emission standards.”

The Justice Department is investigating B-M-W, Ford, Honda and Volkswagen, alleging anti-competitive behavior. Consumer groups charge that it’s retaliation for signing the agreement with California. More than a dozen states have signed onto the framework to become “clean-car states.”

The auto show runs through Sunday at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Details of the California agreement are online at arb. ca.gov, and information on the auto show is at laautoshow.com.

DesertSTAR

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