By Heidi Simmons
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Salinger
By David Shields and Shane Salerno
Non Fiction
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First published in 1951, Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger continues to be a best seller. It is required reading in high schools across this country and many others. Yet, the author has remained an enigma never producing another book of similar quality, impact and...
Fantasy Springs Resort Casino Serves as Presenting Sponsor
The countdown is on for the 22nd Annual Indio International Tamale Festival coming up this weekend on Friday, December 6, 5:00pm – 10:00pm (Carnival only this day); Saturday, December 7, 10:00am – 6:00pm (Carnival open until 10:00pm); and Sunday, December 8, 10:00am – 6:00pm (Carnival open until 10:00pm). The Festival will take...
By Haddon Libby
Tired of the excess commercialism associated with Christmas this year? Fear not, many groups have made every other day in December a celebration of something else.
For example, you can celebrate the end of Prohibition on Repeal Day which occurs on December 5th. For those of you rusty on your history, at one point people thought that alcohol...
Columns
Start Your Holiday Shopping This Weekend at ShareKitchen While Supporting “Well in the Desert”
CV -
Did you know that there are many Artisan Natural Products created or distributed in the Coachella Valley?
On Sunday, December 8th from 3pm-5pm you will have the opportunity to sample local and unique artisan food and wine that will be a perfect addition to your holiday dinners and hostess gifts. These items are also great to have around when you...
By Dale Gribow
The first thing you have to remember is that jurors are normal people like you and me. In that regard, first impressions are important. Try to remember back to when you were dating. The first impression of the girl or guy you just met often controlled what would happen in your relationship….or if there would be one....
By Bruce Cathcart
Is paying off your home mortgage a good idea? I think so. But if you want to start a small riot enter a room full of investment advisors and tell them that you think the best investment is to pay off your mortgage and watch the argument break out! Gold bugs will insist that you invest in...
It’s the Holiday season and many of us will begin hanging decorations. “This week, we’ll start from the outside and work our way in says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.” One of the most common causes of holiday-time house fires results from these bulbs being too close to gutters filled with dried out leaves. Make sure that the strings of...
By Jennifer Tan AKA Mrs Fett
It’s the dream every real gamer chases. An all-access, VIP pass to an extravagant gaming release party. Not only was I able to live this dream, but it happened to be the release party of the next generation of gaming. The Xbox One, midnight launch at Milk Studios in Los Angeles CA.
As I drove...
By Denise Ortuno Neil
Lisa Houston is putting her efforts into fighting hunger with FIND Food Bank, bringing this important issue to the forefront of community interests.
Lisa Houston came to the desert from Vancouver, Canada back in 2001. Her husband Jim Houston is the son of the famous philanthropist Jackie Lee Houston. The two moved out to the desert after...
Week of December 5
© Copyright 2013 Rob Brezsny
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Sometimes I think too fast and too much. My logic gets sterile. My ideas become jagged and tangled. When this happens, I head off to Turtle Back Hill for a hike through the saltwater marsh. The trail loops around on itself, and I arrive back where I started...
By Bronwyn Ison
As we approach the end of the year 2013, you may be reflecting on this past year life events. The holidays are approaching and this is a joyous time for many yet for others it may be a trying time. This time of year may encourage you or depress you. Might I suggest you reflect on positivity....
by Sunny Simon
During this busy month sometimes referred to as the “holidaze,” I find myself wondering how to fit everything in over the next few weeks. Here I sit trying to decide where to pencil in holiday events around my already busy coaching practice and family obligations. You can relate, right? No doubt trying to juggle activities during this...
Dr. Kadile, I’ve been told I should take fish oil capsules for my heart, but I recently heard that fish oil may cause prostate cancer. What should I do? -Robert, Palm Springs.
Robert, first of all, you should have regular check ups with your physician to determine your risk for heart disease and prostate cancer, and of course maintain a...
By Haddon Libby
During the five days of over indulgence a/k/a the Super Bowl of Shopping a/k/a Thanksgiving weekend, which day are you most likely to get the best deal when shopping? Is it Thanksgiving Thursday, Black Friday, Shop Local Saturday, The yet-to-be-named Sunday or Cyber Monday?
If you said Thanksgiving Thursday, you were correct. The next best days in order...
With a post on Cinda Baxter’s blog AlwaysUpward.com four years ago, a pro-local business movement was born. Within a week of its launch, her site had 7,600 unique visitors. Within a year, American Express was using her thoughts and ideas to start its ‘Shop Local‘ Small Business Saturday project on the Saturday after Black Friday. Baxter started this pro-local movement as...
Photos and Article By Scott Pam
The Heather James Fine Art – Palm Desert gallery will have their 2013/2014 season’s opening on Saturday, November 30, from 6:00-8:00 P.M., with a special exhibition of original paintings and prints from Andy Warhol, original drawings and unique prints from Salvador Dali, as well as other artists. Greeting visitors at the main entrance is...
By Robin E. Simmons
Bob Odenkirk, the second of seven kids, has been acting, writing, directing and producing for the last 30 years. His lengthy credits include doing a ventriloquist act for his family when he was nine, working as DJ at WIDB, Southern Illinois Carbondale’s radio station, writing for “Saturday Night Live,” “The Ben Stiller Show” (among many others)...
WILDLIGHTS CELEBRATES 21st SEASON AT THE LIVING DESERT
Almost a Million Twinkling Lights Illuminate the Park with Holiday Joy
WildLights Kicks-Off Friday, November 29th at 5:30 p.m.
WildLights at The Living Desert, one of the Coachella Valley’s most adored and sparkling holiday traditions, returns this holiday season on Friday, November 29th with opening night lighting festivities beginning at 5:30 p.m.
WildLights...
GREEN ROOM THEATRE ANNOUNCES INAUGURAL SEASON AND PRODUCES THE HOLIDAY CLASSIC, THE GIFT OF THE MAGI, WITH AN AFRICAN AMERICAN CAST
Green Room Theatre (a new division of Palm Desert Theatre Academy) is showing out in their inaugural season, with a heart-warming production of O’Henry’s classic holiday story, The Gift of the Magi. The all new Green Room Theatre seeks...
By Denise Ortuno Neil
It is one thing to be the life of the party, but quite another to bring life to the party. And that is exactly what the longtime event specialist Mariah Hanson is being honored for by the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce Athena Awards 2013.
Mariah Hanson has always loved a good party, and knows how to...
By Julie Buehler
A-Rod is an A-hole. This much I know.
Bud Selig is a spineless commissioner who’s greatest work is Oscar-worthy acting as he ignored the rampant steroid abuse in the sport. Got that one fully comprehended.
I understand that A-Rod was given a stiff 211 game suspension for his interaction with a South Florida-based Biogenesis clinic run by a guy...
By Flint Wheeler
Manny Pacquiao worked over Brandon Rios for 12 rounds this past Saturday in what was a predictable outcome to an over-hyped fight. This one sided matchup was telling in that again it exposed that boxing has fallen from the glory days 1970’s through the 1990’s. Back in the ring for the first time in almost a year,...
By Heidi Simmons
The CVW “Women’s Issue” was a lot of work and a beautiful success. However, there are two important corrections to note and an omission to include.
In attorney Valerie Powers Smith piece, I said she practiced Family Law. Powers in fact practices Estate and Trust Planning and Administration specializing in special needs, same-sex, and complex planning; as well...
By Phil Lacombe
As an avid tattoo enthusiast I felt it was time to shed some light on some local talent.
Name: Tony Francois
Where you tat: The Tattoo Gallery (TG Tattoo)
68186 Ramon Rd
Cathedral City, CA 92234
Why you started tattooing: I started tattooing 10 years ago when I lost my job. It was something that I always had wanted to try, and...
By Mario Lalli
On November 29th, "Black Friday" as it is known in the retail industry, Big box stores will be offering "crazy" discounts with people camping outside on the side walk to get the steal on the deal. TV's, video games, computers, cell phones, ipads, if we consume it, Black Friday is apparently the day to buy it. Department...
By Eric The Red
This week, I’m taking a step away from my usual metal and rock mentality, and moving into a territory most people wouldn’t expect. Looking through upcoming events on Facebook, I stumbled upon a true gem. Just starting out in his music career, Anonymous Vox (or A.Vox for short) is preparing for his first live show as...
By Selma Grows
Support and Education for Local Music and Arts presents the headlining band at the February 7, 2014 event hosted by The Palm Desert Learning Tree Center. It’s a pleasure to present the band and their families. We all know that it takes effort from numerous dedicated sources to create success.
The Y2BD, Yet to Be Determined, history actually...
By Eleni P. Austin
Back in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, Punk music was experiencing growing pains. The genre had splintered into disparate sub-genres. New Wave, No Wave, Post Punk, Industrial, New Romantic and Goth were just a few styles permeating the scene. Perhaps the most incongruous mutation was Cow-Punk.
On paper, the idea of blending the “aw shucks” sincerity...
By Janet McAfee
Jenny Smith was thinking about getting a second cat to join her household. However, she was not so sure her 5-year-old cat Sweetie, pampered little queen of the household, would be pleased about a newcomer arriving. Jenny rescued Sweetie as a tiny kitten, and Sweetie had no experience interacting or playing with another feline. Could Sweetie learn...
By Rick Riozza
The Viceroy Palm Springs is ideally located right in the center of all downtown Palm Springs' attractions. It’s one of those retro-chic hotels that when entering the lobby, you’re whisked back to the Hollywood glamour days with those Deco-style mirrors and chandelier sconces about and the sounds of the cocktail shaker from the hotel’s bar where mixologist...
By Robin E. Simmons
THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE
I didn’t read the books, didn’t like the first movie and the sequel is a tad long at 146 minutes. However, this latest movie adaptation in the “Hunger Games” trilogy burns up the screen and it’s solely due to Jennifer Lawrence’s powerful screen presence as Katniss Everdeen. Not free as promised, Katniss...
By Heidi Simmons
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Fields of Plenty
By LD Thompson
Spirituality
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Is it possible to have it all -- love, wealth, and happiness along with peace, harmony and purpose? In LD Thompson’s, Fields of Plenty: A Guide to Your Inner Wisdom (Divine Arts, 190 pages), it absolutely is – but it may not be what you think.
Human beings are complicated. For most,...
Author/Artist Audrey Moe is set to sign copies of her book, Celebrities in Hiding at Cabot's Pueblo Museum
On Sunday, Dec. 8, at 1 p.m., Cabot's Pueblo Museum will welcome Coachella Valley water-colorist and author, Audrey Schumacher Moe, for an afternoon of tales about famous visitors to the desert.
As an author Moe is known for her books, "Beachwalk" and "Desertwalk,"...
Take in the New VUE at the Indian Wells Golf Resort Opening on December 6
You've never seen a VUE like this in the desert!
The Indian Wells Golf Resort is launching a new restaurant at this incredible property already known for its panoramic views and exquisite setting.
VUE Grille and Bar was created with a new vibe, from the trendy but...
By Haddon Libby
With the City of Desert Hot Springs declaring a financial emergency and raising the possibility of a bankruptcy, it’s second in twelve years, let’s take a look at what it means when a city declares bankruptcy.
The reason for bankruptcies is simply because the municipality does not have enough cash to meet its obligations. As it relates to...
By John Paul Valdez
Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving when people rush the stores in search of bargain deals on Xmas gifts. It’s the first big shopping day, and it frequently puts people at the big box stores looking for TV’s and mattresses and so on. Shop Small Saturday is the following day. This is the shopping part...
By Dale Gribow
With the holiday season upon us and Super Bowl Sunday around the corner, a lot of people will party and not use good judgment. They will drink too much and many will get stopped by the police checkpoints in the Coachella Valley. The most common question I get from a DUI caller is what is going to...
By Bruce Cathcart
Moving generally sucks and the last thing you need at this time is the additional hassle of dealing with an uncooperative landlord or property manager when it comes to getting your security deposit back. This article will conclude my series on renting and will provide renters with my best advice on how to get all (or as...
Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving when holiday gift buying begins. Sales offering big discounts lure customers in to stores, often beginning in the early hours of the morning. “Unfortunately, Black Friday (and most major shopping days) is a day when shoppers may become the victim of crimes and injuries says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.” People should be...
By Jennifer Tan AKA Mrs Fett
It has been over 72 hours, since my Sony PS4 has been unboxed and placed in its new GAEMS Vanguard home. I was able to experience everything the new console had to offer.
After turning on the PS4, and signing into PSN, I was expecting some type of tutorial, or at least some nifty little...
Coachella Valley High Tech Community Holds Successful 2nd Desert Tech Meet Up With Over Seventy Attendees
(Palm Springs, CA, November 22, 2013) The beginnings of a vibrant high technology community in the Coachella Valley was once again evident at the second Desert Tech Meet Up, held at the Jackalope Ranch in Indio, California. More than 70 people attended this event,...
DOS SALON 3880 EL PASEO, SUITE 1 IN PALM DESERT, SUNDAY DEC 1, 10AM-5PM, $20.00 HAIRCUT
BY BRIAN MICHAELZ
Bringing awareness to a painful topic is not an easy task but one local Coachella Valley businessman is doing just that. Dennis Ogas, owner of Dos Salon is tackling the subject of suicide and suicide prevention.
Mr. Ogas is joining forces with the...
By Bronwyn Ison
Millions of people will gather together to share laughter, reminisce, and make new memories all in celebration of Thanksgiving Day. The famous Macy’s Day parade will broadcast in the early hours followed by football games. Naturally, we must not forgo pleasing our palates. Tantalizing treats and the aroma of Turkey roasting all morning is what so many...
Week of November 28
© Copyright 2013 Rob Brezsny
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Thinking inside the box will be a crime against your nature in the coming weeks. The last place you want to be is in a pigeonhole. I advise you to stay far away from tight squeezes, claustrophobic "sanctuaries," and "convenient" confinements. If you're in a one-size-fits-all situation, you...
By Sunny Simon
Recently, I spoke to Susan, a client of mine who is going through a rough patch. Her father’s declining health has caused significant stress. Adding to an already overweight worry load, she was informed due to a corporate restructuring her job has been eliminated. It sometimes happens just when we think we cannot cope with another issue,...
By Julie Buehler
I’ve been hosting my own sports talk radio show for years now, even carved out some California broadcasting history in the process. I’m still asked, “How do you know so much about sports?”
I’ve been the only woman in press row, running up and down stadium stairs to get the best quotes before deadline. Watching me work, a...
By Flint Wheeler
America is getting a rare unfiltered taste of NFL locker room culture in the wake of the Miami Dolphins harassment scandal. In a sport that takes often immature individuals, pays them like kings and sends them into violent battle each week, it can be a fine line that separates brotherhood from bullying.
"There are some realities inside that...
By Eleni P. Austin
If you only know Katey Sagal as slatternly matriarch Peg Bundy on “Married With Children” or as Machiavellian matriarch Gemma Teller Morrow on “Sons Of Anarchy”, you don’t know the whole story. Katey Sagal is also a world class singer.
Katey Sagal grew up in a Hollywood household, the eldest of five siblings born to Jean and...
By Ramond Bill
After living in the desert for nearly 25 years, I have seen restaurants come and go. I’ve learned that there is truth in the age old axiom of, “location, location, location” meaning that when a business or property has the benefit of a great location, little else matters. There is one area of our valley where I...
By Robin E. Simmons
NEBRASKA
Director Alexander Payne (SIDEWAYS, THE DESCENDENTS) has done it again – given us an understated, elegant, sometimes poetic look at the human condition in a specific time and place. Beautiful black and white cinematography follows tetchy and woefully naive Woody (Bruce Dern) on a road trip from Missouri to Nebraska to claim his million-dollar sweepstake prize...