PRESENTED BY SPOTLIGHT 29 CASINO
Watch Live In Three Locations on Saturday, January 31 at 7 p.m.
Spotlight 29 Casino is proud to present the ultimate viewing party for UFC 183, the long-awaited matchup between Anderson Silva vs. Nick Diaz, shown live in three locations in the casino on Saturday, January 31 at 7 p.m. Spotlight 29 Casino offers the premier...
At College of the Desert’s College Golf Center on Friday February 6 and Saturday February 7. Test The Latest In Golf Equipment From Top Manufacturers and Participate In Instructional Clinics. Public Invited To Attend This Free Event
On Friday, February 6th and Saturday, February 7th, Pete Carlson’s Golf and Tennis will host the 11th Annual Golf Expo at College of the Desert’s...
By Dee Jae Cox
“You got Moxy kid.” Uncle Louie, portrayed by Mr. Moxy himself, Stephen Blackwell, tells his young nephew as he zealously slaps him across the chest. It’s 1942 and the war is on, in Desert Theatre Works Production of Neil Simon’s play, “Lost in Yonkers” currently running through January 25th at the Arthur Newman Theatre at the...
Academy Awards Celebration to Feature Signature Orange Carpet Arrivals
In celebration of the 87th annual Academy Awards, Trio Restaurant in Palm Springs will host the sixth annual “Hollywood’s Biggest Night” to benefit AIDS Assistance Program (AAP) at 4:30 pm on Sunday, February 22, 2015. The glittering evening will include signature ‘orange’ carpet arrivals featuring a group of paparazzo, and a...
Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons return to the Desert to perform for their adoring fans at Fantasy Springs Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway in Indio, this Saturday, January 24, at 8 p.m. For tickets call (800) 827-2946.
By Lola Rossi
Frankie Valli, a true American Pop Icon, started singing when he was 7 years old. He began his professional singing...
The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa Introduces Jazz Series That Features David Benoit, Phil Perry, Jessy J, Brian Simpson, Gregg Karukas, Michael Paulo and Hiroshima
By Chris Clemens
The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa debuts a new jazz series taking place under the stars, "Grooves at the Westin," bringing world-class musicians to the stage. In partnership with Apaulo Music...
Saturday, January 31st, 1-3pm at Indian Wells Resort Hotel
by Lisa Morgan
The name Chase Huna has been a bit of a buzz throughout the valley for a couple of years now. I had been hearing about the 15 year old, "killer saxophone player with straight A's and near perfect attendance" for a long time before I finally had the chance...
Launching into 2015 from Spotlight 29 Casino, Saturday, January 24 @ 8pm
by Lisa Morgan
Mickey Thomas, resident of the Coachella Valley and legendary rock vocalist, will be launching 2015 from the place he now calls home. Thomas gained his legendary status with the band formerly known as Jefferson Starship (originally Jefferson Airplane). Now respectfully referred to as Starship Featuring Mickey...
By Eleni P. Austin
“Americana” and “alt.country” are terms coined in the early 90s to describe music that was “a little bit Country and a little bit Rock & Roll,” (to quote Donny and Marie.) The roots of this style began way back in the ‘60s when Gram Parsons, former teen idol, Rick Nelson and reluctant Monkee, Mike Nesmith were...
By Monica Morones
I always love meeting talented women that set the standards high of what it is to be driven, artistic, and business savvy. I was able to photograph and interview artists Cait Magraw and Aisha “Life’ Ortiz and was blown away by the unity and positivity they exuded. Looking at Cait’s attention to detail and Aisha’s abstract touch,...
By Janet McAfee
Service dogs are the eyes for those who cannot see, the leaders for people unable to walk, and the healers for those suffering from emotional illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For some service dogs, it all began behind bars....
Before Puppies Behind Bars began, an inmate named Tom spent most days watching television in his cell...
By Rick Riozza
Funny—isn’t it? Your wine friends think there’s some semblance of vino sensibility going on, so when you show up at their little dinner soirée and unveil a bottle of Moscato, they readily think it’s a gag gift. Of course when they realize that’s all you’ve brought, they all start rolling their eyes knowing how little you think...
By Robin E. Simmons
STILL ALICE
I was reluctant to see this film. All I knew was that the subject was Alzheimer’s Disease. Having dealt with this tragic illness with not so elderly friends in real life, I assumed the film would be a major downer, no matter how it was portrayed.
In the film, Julianne Moore plays happily married Alice Howland,...
By Heidi Simmons
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Prostitutes, Virgins and Mothers
By Paula Trimble-Familetti
Non-Fiction
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It is amazing that a book written more than a thousand years ago about events that took place in a culture, time and place near the edge of recorded human history still dictates 21st century behavior.
In Paula Trimble-Familetti’s book Prostitutes, Virgins and Mothers: Questioning Teachings About Biblical Women, (Personhood Press, 218 pages)...
By Denise Ortuno Neil
High atop south Palm Desert is a place with sprawling views of the Coachella Valley. On a clear day, visitors can see the landscape of our beautiful desert that can reach the Salton Sea. It is our very own look out, Vista Point.
The spot is correctly named, defining its advantages perfectly. Vista Point has been on...
Honors Ten Community Members for Leadership & Service on January 31st
By Michelle McLaughlin
ALA's Leadership Training Institute is honoring local community members who have proven excellence in community leadership and service with their 6th Annual Above & Beyond Awards Gala. The January 31st event will be at Indian Wells Golf Resort in the Pavilion.
The nominees selected have demonstrated that they...
By Haddon Libby
Religion. Napoleon Bonaparte once said it is, “…what keeps the poor from murdering the rich” while Helen Keller said, “It is wonderful how much time good people spend fighting the devil. If they would only expend the same amount of energy loving…the devil would die.”
There are approximately 4,200 religions worldwide. Each religion can be subdivided into one...
By Dale Gribow
My wife and I were dining at Livreri’s at the Atrium last week, discussing topics for this week’s legal column. As we were talking I overheard a guy in the next booth talking about his legal experience with his accident case. The personal injury victim explained that his lawyer advised him his case would not settle for...
The Center for Disease Control has confirmed this year’s Flu vaccine is only 23 percent effective against the virus. Yes, it does sound crazy and it is… Normally at 60 percent effectiveness, everywhere you go people are coughing, sneezing and hacking. This is the most common way of spreading the virus. Droplets containing flu germs spread this way and...
Communities across the United States are fully embracing “Buy Local” as a way to contribute to their own local economic development. This “Buy Local” movement within the food industry is specifically related to the consumer’s desire for a stronger connection to the farmers who grow their food. The popularity and demand for local foods and products is continuing to...
By Julie Buehler
There are plenty of reasons to fail in life. And excuses tell us most of them begin with someone else.
There are plenty of reasons to succeed in life. And motivational speaking tells us most of them begin with your self.
But for Edgar Segura, born in Medota, California, a poverty-stricken town in a dusty region downwind from Fresno...
By Flint Wheeler
When historians remember the NFC Championship Game at CenturyLink Field, what should it be called? “The Big Choke” would be appropriate.
How else to describe a game in which the Packers, perhaps the league's healthiest team this season, were in total control for about 57 minutes against the defending champion Seattle Seahawks before they threw it all away?
Coaches,...
NOTE TO FACT-CHECKERS regarding the Taurus horoscope: Leonardo da Vinci's birthday is sometimes listed as April 15, 1452. But that date is accurate only according to the Old Style Julian calendar. By the New Style Gregorian calendar, he was born April 23, 1452. Technical astrological calculations affirm he was born in the sign of Taurus.
Week of January 22
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By Bronwyn Ison
As we commence the end of the first month of 2015 it is time to recap. Given the New Year many, of us set resolutions or goals. Are you finding it challenging to commit to what you established for your future? Do not beat yourself up. You are human and we falter. This does not mean that...
By Sunny Simon
My client entered the office with a smile so contagious I found myself grinning before I even knew why. The reason Jennifer exuded happiness was due to a job offer she received just hours before our session. As the first order of business she asked me to help her with a resume cover letter. I was stymied...
Trina Turk, Peggy Cravens, Selby Dunham and Fern Rudd to Be Recognized at 3rd Annual Fundraiser
Tickets are on sale now for Women Leaders Forum (WLF) of the Coachella Valley’s 3rd Annual “Women Who Rule” Fundraiser. Trina Turk, Peggy Cravens, Selby Dunham and Fern Rudd will be honored for their extraordinary community leadership, public service, commitment to education and visionary...
By Heidi Simmons
The 26th Annual Palm Spring International Film Festival wrapped up this week proving once again that cinema matters. Filmgoers filled every screening at five Palm Spring venues where 196 movies played over ten days.
From a dark seat in Palm Springs, attendees traveled the planet, dropping into exotic locations and colorful cultures like Bali, Kyrgyzstan, Mauritania and Serbia....
By Robin E. SImmons
THE SEARCH
In this searing Chechyan war drama, Academy Award®-winning director Michel Hazanavicius (THE ARTIST) tackles a loose remake of Fred Zinnemann’s 1948 classic, but tracking the contemporary and parallel stories of a nine-year-old Muslim orphan and a 19-year-old Russian soldier. Hazanavicius boldly examines the brutal impact of war on both victims and aggressors.
TANGERINES
Set in the foothills...
PSIFF: Grand Street
By Heidi Simmons
Part of the Palm Spring International Film Festival’s mission is discovering, showing and aiding new talent. The New Voices/New Visions program debuted 10 films from first-time feature length filmmakers whose movie are without U.S. distributors.
One of the films was from writer/ director Lex Sidón whose Grand Street is the story of an unlikely couple, Amory...
PSIFF: The Sound of Redemption: The Frank Morgan Story
By Heidi Simmons
James Egan has lived in Palm Springs for over a decade. His documentary film The Sound of Redemption: The Frank Morgan Story premiered at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.
The documentary centers around a tribute concert at California’s San Quentin State Prison where alto saxophone player, Frank Morgan, was...
BY DIANE MARLIN-DIRKX
No, not the jolly season led by the guy in red and his belly that shakes like a bowl full of jelly---read below for a solution, Santa. We’re referring to the approaching onslaught in our sights of The Season of “Doings,” from luncheons to evening galas which require a whole new change of costume after a morning work-out,...
By Judith Salkin
Even with the final screenings of the Palm Springs International Film Festival taking place on the same day, there was still an audience that wanted to watch one more film and hear what the filmmaker had to say about his passion to bring all the elements of great storytelling together on the screen.
That’s what happened on Monday...
Theatre 29 kicks off its 16th Year by presenting "An Ideal Husband" by Oscar Wilde through February 7th, 2015 for a five week run on Fridays and Saturdays at 7pm with Sunday matinees at 2:30 pm on January 18 and February 1, 2015.
The Drawing Room Comedy is co-directed by Butch Pelfrey and Tom Highfill and opened Friday, January 9th,...
By Lisa Morgan
Make-A-Wish grants the wish of a child diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition in the United States and its territories, on average, every 38 minutes. They believe that a wish experience can be a game-changer. A new office for this institution has been opened in Palm Springs, and the public is invited for a free reception to...
Three West Valley Walgreens locations will be added as community test sites for Get Tested Coachella Valley this month.
Beginning this month, free HIV tests will be available at seven Walgreens locations across the Coachella Valley as Get Tested Coachella Valley extends and expands its testing agreement with the leading national drugstore chain.
On a local level, Walgreens is one of...
By Lisa Morgan
Gene Evaro Jr. was born into music. The Evaro family has been blazing a musical trail from the desert for a few generations now. At only 25, Gene Jr. is the founder of Roaming Sounds Recording Studio, has had songs placed in television and movies, and fronts and writes songs for Gene Jr. & The Family, a...
References: Jimi Hendrix, Harry Nilsson, Ringo Starr, Clint Eastwood, The Turtles and More
by Lisa Morgan
This valley is full of human gems disguised as ordinary people. When I sat at my table at the Hogs Breath restaurant in Old Town, La Quinta, I looked at the man with his back to me as he skillfully played a beautiful old upright...
By Eleni P. Austin
Not many bands form and wait more than 20 years to release their debut record, but that’s exactly what The Psycho Sisters did.
Both Susan Cowsill and Vicki Peterson had experienced the astonishing highs and devastating lows associated with the music industry by the time they began making music together in the early 90s.
Susan was the youngest...
By Rebecca Pikus
The incredible teamwork of artists Peter Palladino & Simeon Den has once again enabled them to top themselves! The line-up for this year's Art Tour embodies more art, history, & excitement than can be found in any one event almost anywhere else in this country! Peter & Simeon are the founders of The Agnes Pelton Society, which...
By Janet McAfee
After more than 25 years of practice, Dr. Lillian Roberts DVM, still loves what she does for living - - keeping our Coachella Valley pets healthy and happy. She operates Country Club Animal Clinic in Palm Desert. Dr. Roberts explains why she loves being a veterinarian, “Whether it’s a wellness visit or a challenging medical or surgical...
By Rick Riozza
It surely is the longest day. But it’s best to make a game of it: trying to commandeer as many top rated world class wine and then take each bottle down to Chinatown—to eat, drink, take notes, and think (and of course, the thinking part also includes drinking again).
The good news is that we “winebusters” don’t really...
By Tracy Dietlin
You don’t always have to go to a fine dining restaurant to pamper your palate. Sometimes a family diner with quality service and delicious food at affordable prices will tickle your taste buds just as well.
That’s what happened recently when my husband and I stopped in to JT’s Diner for breakfast. I personally am not a big...
By Robin E. Simmons
TAK3N
As I write this, TAK3N is opening to a predicted $40 million weekend. That’s amazing for such a lame, lackluster, talky, clichéd and hackneyed film. That said, Liam Neeson somehow retains the audience’s good will throughout the often-incoherent direction by Olivier Megaton -- that’s some name -- who returns from the disappointing but profitable TAKEN 2.
The...
The Power of Words: Books to Screen
By Heidi Simmons-----
Susan Rosser and Barbara Keller had an idea over a dinner conversation: “How interesting would it be to have a dialogue between authors of books and filmmakers to learn more about the artistic process of adaptations of books to screen?”
As Keller says, “One enthusiasm led to another.” The dynamic duo approached...
La Quinta Arts Foundation Presents Another Great Day of Art Under the Umbrellas at Old Town La Quinta on Saturday, January 17th
As seen on the pages of Coachella Valley Weekly, there is no shortage of things to do in the Valley this week. So consider your options wisely, and then head over to Old Town La Quinta for Art...
The Valley's First And Only Distillery
By Kira Golden
Desert Distilling, located in Palm Desert, is an up and coming micro-distillery, producing small batch, hand-crafted spirits and liqueurs. Their logo, the hummingbird, symbolizes enjoyment of life and lightness of being—and what better way to celebrate joyful living than with fine spirits? Brothers Neil and John Lotz have been distilling as a hobby...
By Haddon Libby
Martin Luther King Jr. best summarized the challenges faced in ending racism when he said, “Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”
As the terrorist attacks against Jews in Paris proved yet again, racism remains strong throughout the world.
Racism is as old as humankind. Aristotle acknowledges this in his book “Politics”...
By Dale Gribow
I received many requests to write this month’s article on SCAMS. There is good chance if you got through the 2014 holidays that you or a friend were exposed to a scam…and did not know it.
Crooks have smartened up and now use clever schemes to defraud millions of people every year. The bad guys often combine sophisticated...
Cool weather is upon us and that means more home heating use says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. This time of year, firefighters respond to an increase call load of “odor of gas in a structure” says Chief DiGiovanna. You likely haven’t used your heating unit in several months. It’s a good idea to have them checked before firing them...
Last year ShareKitchen began to explore the idea of an expanded facility that would offer our local small businesses a larger, more extensive operating space with room to grow from micro-enterprises into SME’s (Small to Medium Enterprises). We worked for a year on a feasibility study in conjunction with Food Spectrum and the founder of the Rutgers Food Innovation...
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