By Patte Purcell
It's always a thrill to see a musician that takes music to a new level. Hans Zermuehlen is one of these artists. This impressive 6 ft. 4 German keys player really rocks the house with his mastery and he never ceases to amaze me.
I started his interview by asking him how he became a musician. He explained...
Fall Sinatra Series Programming and Tribute Weekend Pay Homage to Famed Rat Pack Member
Riviera Palm Springs, touted “Palm Springs’ largest and most famous resort” in the 1960s today announces their fall Sinatra Event Series along with the birthday extravaganza weekend on December 11-13, organized by Weekend At Sinatra’s, commemorating Sinatra’s 100th birthday . In celebration of the property’s most...
By Eleni P. Austin
The Bitch Goddess who writes this column rarely addresses anything from a first person perspective. Her argument is you know she wrote it, therefore it’s probably her opinion you are reading. To paraphrase George Harrison, too much “I, Me, Mine-ing.” But this time, it can’t be helped, so she begs your indulgence.
I got my first grown-up...
By Angela Valente Romeo
More than one Austrian has spoken “I’ll be back”. And every August this Austrian returns to the Coachella Valley. Hans Biwi Lechner is an artist with a mission.
In 1986 Hans embarked on an ambitious global art project, The Common Denominator. The project has linked over 10,000 people through stones. “I found a thirty pound stone at...
By Janet McAfee
Our two Coachella Valley public shelters are participating in the “Clear the Shelters” event, an adoption promotion sponsored by NBC4 Southern California and Telemundo 52. On Saturday, August 15, The Palm Springs Animal Shelter and the Coachella Valley Animal Campus join 50 other animal shelters throughout Southern California on a national day of action to empty their...
By Rick Riozza
Most of our valley’s foodie community by now has heard of, if not indeed enjoyed the fabulous wine & tapas cuisine of Tinto at the fashionable Saguaro Hotel (which recently hosted Splash House) on East Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs. A couple of years ago, I went absolutely ga-ga over the night’s culinary dining experience so...
By Robin E. Simmons
THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
Hard to believe the original NBC series aired 50 years ago! With Guy Ritchie at the helm, the much-anticipated reboot is in good hands. You can be forgiven if at first the movie reminds of the latest MISSION IMPOSSIBLE; i.e., a secret organization must be stopped if the world is to be saved....
By Heidi Simmons
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“Go Set The Watchman”
by Harper Lee
Fiction
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For many young readers, Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird is their first foray into the magic of literature. It’s a tale that casts a spell and takes you away to another time and place.
“Mockingbird” was first published in July 1960. It’s the first-person story of Scout, a little girl, who tries...
By Bruce Cathcart
My wife and I just went through the process of updating our home security system and I was amazed at the new technology and how relatively inexpensive and easy it was to get a “basic” new system installed. I selfishly recommend that everyone who can afford the monthly maintenance on a new system do this as statistics...
By Haddon Libby
The Coachella Valley has a large population of retirees and nonprofits who rely on interest from fixed income investments for their sustenance. With interest rates being at or near historic lows over the last few years, many have stretched for higher yields by buying investments that they might not have chosen otherwise.
As interest rates start moving higher,...
By Dale Gribow
Last week we learned about Wills and that with a Holographic will you can write the Will in your own handwriting on a plain piece of paper....and it is legal. However it is probably not the best advice.
I also shared last week that my favorite saying was People don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan! This...
Traffic? Rude or obnoxious people? Crime? Wouldn’t it be nice if we could vaccinate specific things or people from our lives. Unfortunately, those toxic people and situations are the association dues we must pay for being alive.
However, viruses and bacteria that cause illness and death still exist and can be passed on to those who are not properly vaccinated,...
By Flint Wheeler
Tom Brady is said to be seeking total exoneration, and it appears he’s entitled to it. The idea that Brady and the New England Patriots intentionally deflated footballs for a competitive advantage has been discredited by everyone from sidewalk chemists to Web physicists oh and someone named ‘Bellicheck’.
The NFL paid millions for a fundamentally flawed report by...
Week of August 13
© Copyright 2015 Rob Brezsny
ARIES (March 21-April 19): To ensure the full accuracy of this horoscope, I have been compelled to resurrect an old-fashioned English word that isn't used much any more: "gambol." It means to cavort and frolic in a playful manner, or to romp and skip around with mad glee, as if you are...
By Bronwyn Ison
As we near summers end, there may be a few loose ends you need to resolve. Children go back to school and many of us have returned from our vacations. Only four months remain in 2015, which may have you asking yourself a few questions. Did you fulfill your resolutions? Have you resolved and addressed certain issues...
By Sunny Simon
My husband and I share a passion for baseball. Recently we attended an afternoon game in Anaheim to cheer on the Angels. Due to the blazing hot sun, we relinquished our seats near the field in the fourth inning and went off in search of shade. This worked well to improve our body temps, but did little...
Opening Up 3 Nights A Week Starting September 25
by Tracy Dietlin
Most valley residents would agree that The Date Shed, aside from the casinos, is the premier concert venue in the desert. Boasting a large stage with top-notch sound and lighting, a comfortable green room equipped with a stripper pole, a sizable VIP room for meet and greets or band...
Coming to Fantasy Springs Resort Casino Special Events Center Saturday, August 15th, 8pm
By Lisa Morgan
Deep Purple’s world renowned keyboardist, Don Airey had aspirations of becoming a classical player. Inspired by his father, he began training in classical piano by age seven, and he continued to feed his love of music through a degree at the University of Nottingham and...
By Patte Purcell
The most iconic jazz jam in the desert is undoubtedly the Melvyn's Jam on Sunday afternoons from 3:30-7:30. Singers, musicians and happy revelers pack this hopping place to enjoy the sounds of local and national acts who sit in with the band. Some of the 'names' who've graced the jam microphone range from Kim Anderson (Dancing With...
By Richard Noble
I met music therapist Amanda Neira this weekend. She is the first music therapist in the valley and a breath of fresh air. She was born and raised in Iowa. She went to Western Illinois University where she majored in Music Therapy.
Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within...
Wow! Semi Finals night #1 at the CV Open Mic Competition Summer edition 2015 was full of talent! Groups of enthusiastic fans cheered on their favorite finalists as they competed for their spot in the Grand Finals 8/11/2015. DJ Alex Updike kept everyone rocking in between performances as excitement was in the air. 6 semi finalists performed 2 songs...
By Alex Updike
You may not have heard much about the “Epoch Momentous” movement, but if founder Abel Lujan has anything to say about it, that will not last long. As an emcee himself, Lujan has experienced first-hand the difficulties of branching out and finding recognition in the Coachella Valley, and knows that many other talented performers are struggling in...
Socially Conscious, Spiritually Uplifting
By Esther Sanchez
Reggae music is alive and well in the Coachella Valley. Some may find it surprising that our little desert metropolis would foster island music of true quality. Those of us who have experienced local favorites such as Tribe-O and Irie Junction are well aware that reggae is yet another genre that is thriving on...
By Eleni P. Austin
Anyone who came of age in Los Angeles in the late 70s/early 80s experienced a musical renaissance that was mostly underground. Of course Punk Rock was invented in the bowels of New York and exploded in Great Britain, but it thrived in L.A. Maybe all that smoggy sunshine provided an energizing boost of vitamin D.
Pioneering Punk...
By Angela Romeo
“I had an extraordinary childhood.” That is how Artist Amadea Bailey introduces herself to the world. That childhood laid her path to becoming a well-respected abstract artist. “I was born in Germany. From the ages of 5-10 I lived in Kenya. It was a sensual life where everything and anything seemed possible,” continued Amadea.
Those years of unfettered...
By Janet McAfee
The small Pomeranian mix dog was out of time at the San Bernardino County shelter at Devore. One of the most adorable dogs I’ve ever seen, she was on the 4th day of availability with no adopter or rescue. I wondered why she was not adopted until I noticed her head slightly shaking. Loving All Animals, my...
By Rick Riozza
I know I’m a little behind the wine times with this article on Dark Horse Wine. I’ve heard that maybe a year or so ago Trader Joe’s Market was an exclusive seller of the stuff—but come to think of it, I haven’t been to Trader Joe’s in over a year! And I know they’ve always had such...
By Robin E. Simmons
PICK OF THE WEEK:
A PIGEON SAT ON A BRANCH REFLECTING ON EXISTENCE
It’s hard to describe the brilliant, life-affirming films of Swedish director Roy Anderson. It’s easy to say his films are comprised of snippets of seemingly unrelated moments showing ordinary people going about their often-benign lives. But that’s not really fair because his films are so...
By Heidi Simmons
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A Hand Reached Down to Guide Me
by David Gates
Stories and Novella
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We all know it’s a bitch getting old. It takes a concerted effort and a positive attitude to deal with aging in a healthy way. After all, it can’t be stopped, so we must cope. In David Gates’ collection of 11 short stories and a novella, A...
By Haddon Libby
As we enter the ‘dog days of August’, you might find it interesting to know that the phrase finds its origins back in 750BC. It seems that the heat of the summer coincided with the rise of Orion’s dog, Sirius and the dogstar in the constellation Canis Major, high in the skies from July 24th to August...
By Dale Gribow
The following ten steps should be considered by everyone starting to plan their estate. It is also a good review for those who have already planned their estate.
Lists
Make a list of all assets and associated their values so that an attorney can determine the net value of your estate.
Special Needs
Every family has special needs. It is important...
Wildfires are burning throughout the State and things will only get worse before they get better says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. If by chance you are near a wildfire, you may be asked to evacuate. Here are some things you should know if you find yourself in that situation:
When should I leave?
It is wise to leave the area as...
By Julie Buehler
Depending on whether you move your mouth when you read or not, it may have taken you longer to read this sentence than it took Ronda Rousey to defend her bantamweight title in UFC 190.
34 seconds.
The only thing that goes faster is the process of compiling a list of athletes as dominant in their respective sport as...
Week of August 6
© Copyright 2015 Rob Brezsny
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Charles de Lint is a novelist whose stories are influenced by folklore, myths, and science fiction. In his book Yarrow, a wizardly character named Toby is skilled at conjuring. He can make small objects appear and disappear, for example. But Toby yearns for more. ❝I want to be...
By Bronwyn Ison
Losing that loving feeling for something you once possessed such a passion for can be frustrating or debilitating. Fortunately, I had the pleasure this past weekend to attend a conference hosted by a friend of mine. It was a gathering of female entrepreneurs who were on quest to keep their mojo flowing. What does mojo mean? According...
By Dr. Peter Kadile
Dr. Kadile, I frequently will have hiccups after drinking beer but not wine. The hiccups will usually last until I sleep them off and be gone by the morning. What exactly causes hiccups and is there a faster way to get rid of them? - Joan, La Quinta
Joan, hiccups are caused by involuntary spasm of the diaphragm....
by Sunny Simon
I’m a tracker. It probably started with a piggy bank I received when I was thirteen. Being composed of see-through glass made it the best money keeper ever. It enabled me to visualize my coin saving progress for purchases important to a teenage girl.
Since my youth, I’ve continued to monitor progress made on many different activities. Technology...
Hollywood Hotspot Brings New Nightlife Experience to Palm Springs
By Laura Hunt Little
The highly anticipated opening of Bardot Nightclub at the Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs offers locals and visitors a unique, upscale club experience in the heart of Downtown Palm Springs. Beginning at 9 p.m. on Friday, July 31, the club will welcome guests into a destination where music,...
Andreas Somogyi's passion for cars began at a very young age. His very first sketch was the outline of a car, and so began a lifetime of love and admiration for a car's bold design, curvaceous lines, and streamlined looks. He has worked in the automotive industry since he was 16 years old, gaining experience in various tuning facilities...
On Monday night, July 20, at around 9:30pm Musicians Outlet caught on fire. The store was located on San Pablo in Palm Desert and had been there for 24 years. Prior to that, owner Randy Hewitson had a smaller store a few doors down for 5 years. It was devastating to watch almost 30 years of blood, sweat and...
By Heidi Simmons
“Grow your dreams” is the slogan for the newly formed Desert Lightning, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, that helps valley residence start or rehabilitate a business.
“What Desert Lightning has done is combine elements of an incubator, a mix-use campus, financial programs, inspiration, mentorship, training and lots of different things to start, grow and repair business,” said Steven Slomkowski...
HOSTED BY DEANTWANN JOHNSON
The Coachella Valley Art Center will hold Open Mic Poetry Event, Part One, on Friday, August 7, 2015 starting at 7:00pm.
The event will be hosted by DeAntwann Johnson and is part of the W.O.W. (Works of Wonder) series that takes place monthly at the CVAC, located at 45140 Towne Street, Indio CA 92201. The event is...
By Patte Purcell
Wow, I'm still overwhelmed at the response from Summer Jazzfest. I've been getting calls, texts, and emails raving about the party, the bands and begging me to do more events and I'm happy to say I am! Stay tuned for an announcement shortly. Not only am I going to do parties on a regular basis but I'm...
The twelfth and final qualifying week of the CV Open Mic Competition Summer edition 2015 entertained the large audience it brought! Schmidy's Tavern in Palm Desert was packed with musicians trying to win the last qualifying spot in the upcoming Semi Finals. Fans cheered for the steep competition and DJ Alex Updike kept us groovin' in between performances! After...
By Lisa Morgan
"Four weeks ago, these kids were pretty reserved on stage," shared Greg Vincent, one of the panel members that weighed in on auditions for these perspective applicants. "The transformation has been absolutely amazing! Some of these kids will blow your mind." He was right. My mind was sufficiently blown as I saw kids giving all they had,...
Rockers with Heart and Soul
By Esther Sanchez
If you have visited The River in Rancho Mirage, the Palm Springs Village Fest, The Purple Room or any of a dozen or so venues and events throughout the Coachella Valley over the past year or so, you may have had the privilege of checking out the winners of 93.7 KCLB’s 2015 Battle...
By Eleni P. Austin
Bet you didn’t know that Brandi Carlile is a band. Well, it’s true. Not in a Jethro Tull kind of way, where no one in the band was named Jethro, nothing that confusing. The band is comprised of twins Phil and Tim Hanseroth, and centered around the astonishing vocal prowess of Brandi Carlile.
Brandi Carlile was born...
By Angela Valente Romeo
The bricks and mortar location of Gallery 446 was lost to make room for a hotel complex. But today the world moves in virtual time and Gallery 446 continues its mission to showcase art that matters. The current on line exhibition, Surreal Visions Online Painting & Photography Exhibition runs through September 8, 2015.
Artist in Residence, Shaktima...
By Janet McAfee
Our pets are part of our family, and we want to do everything possible to help them live long and healthy lives. My special cat Isis lived for 24 years with good vet care that included homeopathy and healthy diet. Small dogs can easily live for 17 years or longer. Large breed dogs have a life span...
By Rick Riozza
C’mon guys and girls—Did you really think we’d get through the month of July without commenting on the most famous extreme bicycle race—La course cyclist—around the country of coq-au-vin and wine? Of course not, thank you—Vous-êtes tres doux!
Hopefully, you wine & cyclist enthusiasts caught a few if not many of the 21 stages of races of the...
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