desertSTAR

W E E K L Y October 07, 2015 Vol. 8 No. 79

The Coachella Valley Number One Desert Local Newspaper

By Desert Star StaffLOS ANGELES, -- Back Lot

Music will release the soundtrack album for Steve Jobs, the new film from Academy Award-winning director Danny Boyle and Academy Award-winning writer Aaron Sorkin, on October 9 with the album presale available now on iTunes it was announced today. The

Steve Jobs Original Motion Picture Soundtrack features new music by Award-winning composer Daniel Pemberton, as well as two iconic tracks from Bob Dylan, and songs by The Libertines and the Maccabees.

Universal Pictures Steve Jobs, which stars Michael Fassbender as the pioneering founder of Apple, will be

released in New York and Los Angeles on October 9. The film will expand to additional North American markets on October 16 and wide on October 23.

Prior to the beginning of principal photography, Pemberton worked alongside the filmmakers to develop a

Story and Photos by Pat KrauseThe Southern California

Energy and Water Summit were held on Sept. 30th and

O c t o b e r 1 s t . O n Wednesday Sept. 30th, there were scheduled bus trips to the various energy and water facilities. Trips included

the Solar Facility, Well Site, Hydroelectric

Plant , M iss ion Creek Groundwater Replenishment

Bas in , Was tewa te r Reclamat ion Plant 10, Coachella Canal and Farm and the Ion-exchange Plant. These informative trips show what

measures are being taken in the preservation of

our water and energy. Vendors were in the lobby area to show how we can and must create clean energy and save our water.

Featured speakers included Ken Salazar, Secretary of the

Interior, Felicia Marcus, State Water Resources Control Board, Andrew McCallister, CA Energy Commission and Jonathan Weisgall, Berkshire Hathaway Energy. There were a lot of other speakers who gave warnings and solutions to our energy and water crisis.

On Wednesday the 30th, there was a press conference on the Salton Sea license plate kick off. Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia, President and CEO of the Greater Palm Springs CVB, Scott White and Assemblyman

Continues on Page 2

Steve Jobs Motion Picture Soundtrack

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Continues on Page 4

Salton Sea License Plate

PRESORTEDSTANDARD

US POSTAGE PAIDDesert Hot Springs, CA

PERMIT NO 00005Samantha Sturm (center) with the cast in Carrie Fishers vignette Lowdown Messy Shame See page 19.Photo by Carol Rosegg

Chad Mayes. Scott White and Eduardo Garcia

The Salton Sea License Plate concept is to gather funds to help solve the Salton Sea problems.

Album to Be Released on Back Lot Music on October 9

October 7, 2015 www.desertstarweekly.com

2 DesertSTAR

Story and Photos by Pat Krause The Hee Haw Honeys

Reunion was held at Sun City Palm Desert in their ballroom. Guests Guests filled the ballroom to watch Barbi Benton, Misty Rowe and Victoria Hallman, all former Hee Haw Honeys from the Iconic TV show. These 3 are all original cast members and have continued to have amazing careers after they left the show. It was a fun night of Country-Western Music.

The show was a recreation of some of the best skits from the show. They put up a small cornfield where the performers would pop up and tell jokes reminiscent of the old shows fun skits. Corny jokes were the norm on that show. The girls came on stage in their gingham dresses from that period.

They sang foot stomping, knee slapping music along with other dancers and musicians on stage. The stage was filled with singers and dancers where each performer had a part in the show where they displayed their talents.

Amber Carpenter was

a featured vocalist while Amberly Rosen dazzled the audience with her violin music and still danced while playing. Sara and Bobby Hamilton performed solo, and Bobby played a beautiful rendition on his guitar and played the piano as a backup. They brought up a few audience members to be part of the show for a fun skit... One was Dorothy Dale Kloss from The Palm Springs Follies.

Later in the show, they changed costumes and honored artists like Johnny Cash and Hank Williams by singing their signature songs. The Hee Haw women have all gone onto fabulous careers with records, TV shows, movies, Modeling and many guest appearances. Barbi Benton is a singer-songwriter and was formerly a companion to Hugh Herner. Misty Rowe was a Hee Haw Honey for 19 years and in the past played Marily Monroe in a movie and Victoria Hallman was once a Miss Alabama finalist, sang with Buck Owens and has an outstanding voice

Story and Photos by Pat KrauseThe Annenberg Theatre in

the Palm Springs Art Museum held a private showing of a Rehearsal of a brand new dance performance that will be held on Oct. 5th. The

Nickerson-Rossi Dance Company will showcase a fresh style of Dance in a program that will inspire with complex and creative movements that are designed to tell a story.

There were seven dancers

in this show that incorporate acrobatics, many lifts, ballet and artistic movements. The movements are designed to create emotions and passion by the dancers for the audience. This show was only a rehearsal to show the over 50 audience

members what dance can do to engage the community.

They were hoping for and looking for donors to make this dance program in the Annenberg possible for the future. Students who are in theatrical classes

will get a chance to see and work with this.

Guests were told what their donations to the program would be. Donations would include admissions to the show, premium seating, receptions and meet and greets, Signage and so much more along with the knowledge, they would help to continue this amazing brand new program. The Annenberg Theatre is committed to present fresh and compelling art performances and programs.

The Annenberg will host their opening-night benefit concert on Nov. 14th. Some of Broadways best will be performing in the upcoming season that includes Maureen McGovern, Marilyn Maye, Christine Andreas and Ben Vareen to name a few. This also includes a jazz festival, a cabaret series, dance productions and stage shows. A season filled with everything an art lover would want.

Chad Mayes spoke about this new project to help restore and preserve our Salton Sea. Each spoke about the potential danger and the astronomical costs to fix the program if nothing gets done. The health dangers alone are a prime concern along with the threat to our habitat and the environment in the future. These are at the moment major concerns in

our state. Many leaders in CA do not know much about this ongoing problem and through education, it is currently getting the attention of our lawmakers and environmentalists.

The new concept of a Salton Sea License Plate is a way to gather funds to help solve the Salton Sea problem. Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia spoke about how this program

might work well. They are looking for at least 7500 prepaid license applications to proceed with this program. The Clock is ticking to do something about the Salton Sea before it is too late, and if we do nothing it will cost the state billions of dollars to fix. To order license plates and for more information, go to saltonseaplate.com

Continued from Page 1

Barbi Benton does the Hula Dance. Photo by Pat Krause

Barbi Benton, Victoria Hallman and Misty Rowe . Photo by Pat Krause

Sara and Bobbi Hamilton . Photo by Pat Krause

Hee Haw- a fun-night of Country Western

Private Modern Dance performance at PS-Art Museum

Salton Sea License Plate

Misty Rowe and Dorothy Dale Kloss. Photo by Pat Krause

Chanelle Glen and Brooklyn Reeves with Anne-Marie Talmadge on the floor. Photo by Pat Krause

9740 Director Michael Nickerson-Rossi with dancers in the background. Photo by Pat Krause

Mayor Iris Smotrich, Brain Rix and Jack Farmer. Photo by Pat Krause

www.desertstarweekly.com October 7, 2015 DesertSTAR 3

By Janice GoughWith Medicare premiums

set to take a bigger bite out of more higher-income retirees in the next couple of years, take

time to consider ways to lower you modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) to keep Medicare premiums lower.

Higher incomes pay more for the Medicare B premiums, as well as pay an additional amount for the privilege of participating in Medicare Part D. The amount paid is based on a persons modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) reported in the two past years. These premiums are expected to go up in 2016. In 2018, premiums will go even higher. This is important to consider now, because Social Security considers the two previous tax returns in counting your income for determining these Medicare related premiums. So, 2018 premiums will be based on 2016 tax returns.

For example, in 2018, Part B premiums are expected to rise from $238 per month per person to $310 per month per person for Medicare beneficiaries with incomes from $133,501 to $160,000 (or $267,001 to $320,000 per couple). For beneficiaries with incomes between $160,001 to $214,000, (or $320,001 to $428,000

for a couple), monthly Part B premiums are expected to rise from $310 to $381 per person. More people will be paying the higher premiums in the next few years. Here are three strategies to help minimize the cost:

Avoid penalties due to late enrollment.

Your init ial Medicare enrollment periods are critical because you have a window of opportunity to enroll at age 65. Medicare auto enrolls you, unless you sign a decline form. The initial enrollment period is seven months around the 65th birthday. This is the time you are guaranteed issued on any plan you chose. There are also annual general enrollment (1/1 3/31) and open enrollment (10/15 12/7) periods.

If you have a Group plan, penalties are not imposed. If you leave your group, you have a Special Election period, can enroll in Part B (professional services), Part D (prescription drug), and elect a Supplemental or a Medicare Advantage plan.

Penalties are permanent and paid monthly for your lifetime. The monthly Part B premium would go up 10% for each full

12-month in which you are not enrolled. The Medicare Part D penalty is the same, but 12% per year.

A change of income should be reported each year to avoid surcharges.

You may file a change in circumstance with Social Security when income drops.

Every year Social Security is going to look at a persons income to determine their Medicare premium. Common reasons to file a change in circumstance are: loss or reduction of work, amending your return due to error, if someone marries, divorces or is widowed; loses income property due to disaster, an employer pension plan termination or reorganization, and an employer base settlement due to bankruptcy. If you are eligible for one of these circumstances, report it immediately to Social Security.

You must file within a 60-day timeframe to get the premiums lowered.

One strategy that could help save premiums on Medicare Part B and Part D, is a reverse mortgage. Its another tool or

instrument ... that really can be a benefit to many retirees, in their 60s. A reverse mortgage is a way for a client to monetize their home equity, however you do not pay taxes on that income. To qualify, you must be 62 years old, and the house must be their primary home and currently lived in. They are available for single-family property, HUD-approved condo or up to four-unit home.

U s e t a x d e f e r re d investments, such as annuities to decrease taxable income. Always consider ways to shelter income, because will make a great impact on your ROI (return off investment) and your premiums may be lowered considerably.

Janice Gough in a financial advisor in Palm Springs. Procrastination is our number one enemy in the financial world. Why not stop by and talk about ways to improve your financial roadmap. We can be reached at janice@goughinsurance.com or by calling (760) 251-7724 or (650) 342-7744. Visit our website: www.goughinsurance.com

Strategies to help Lower Medicare Premiums

Keeping HOA Money Where It Belongs

By Some associations suffer damage from financial abuse, which can be every bit as devastating as a fire, except that this financial damage might not be covered by insurance. Other associations struggle in a toxic atmosphere of mistrust, where unfounded accusations of financial abuse abound. However, healthy and reasonable financial practices can help managers and volunteer directors keep the association finances not simply upstanding, but obviously so. Associations poisoned by distrust or financial defalcations will find healing takes time.

As any guidelines, t h e s e t i p s should be

considered in

the context of each associations circumstances.

1. Hire professional management. If your association cannot afford full management, many companies offer financial management at a lower cost. Some accountants also manage association finances. Managers have very specific restrictions as to their handling of association funds, under Civil Code 5380. Also make sure the manager holds a credential from a recognized organization. A credential is no guarantee of honesty, but it does indicate the manager is dedicated to their profession.

2. Deposit association funds only in federally insured financial institutions. If the reserve account balance is quite large, it may be beyond Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) limits and the association may need its bank to help m o v e f u n d s t o

other banks to keep it all within FDIC insurance limits,

which in 2015 is $250,000.3. Separate check preparing

from check signing. While it is more convenient to allow a single director or manager to sign checks, it is safer to have a different person sign them. This makes it harder to scam the association, but also protects both the check preparer and the directors from accusations of financial misdeeds. Dont let the manager or bookkeeper sign checks.

4. Require all checks be signed by two directors. Two signatures must be required for any reserve account withdrawals (Civil Code 5510), and operating accounts should be handled likewise. The slight inconvenience protects the individual director, since nobody by themselves can take HOA money.

5. Dont sign a check unless the back up for that expense is attached. A common fraud technique presenting false requests for checks, or creating phony vendors. Insist the invoice

or bill is attached before you sign the check to pay that bill.

6. Use the protections built into the Davis-Stirling

A c t . Civil Code 5500 requires that boards, at least quarterly,

review current reconc i l i a t ions

and income/expense statements for accounts,

compare current reserve account activity with the budget; and

review the latest bank statements for all association accounts. If the board meets monthly, review this information monthly.

7. Ask questions. There should be no financial information which the record keeper cannot readily provide. A pattern of secrecy and exclusive control of financial information by one person is unhealthy.

8. Regularly review bank statements. Does income and expense information in the statements match what is in the boards financial report?

9. Adopt a policy that directors are only reimbursed for authorized and documented out of pocket expenditures.

10. Avoid petty cash accounts if possible.

11. Have fidelity insurance, and also insist your manager have it. Fidelity insurance is a special type of coverage which specifically insures from dishonesty loss. Insurance brokers often recommend fidelity insurance coverage equal to the reserve account balance plus three months operating income.

Exercise fiscal safety.

Kelly G. Richardson CCAL is a Fellow of the College of Community Association Lawyers and Managing Partner of Richardson Harman Ober PC, a law firm known for community association advice. Send questions to KRichardson@RHOpc.com. Past columns at www.HOAHomefront.com. All rights reserved.

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OFFICE MANAGERMindy Witsiepe

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ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORTS REPORTER

Daniel Marinelli

CONTRIBUTORS Beverly Cohn, Janice Gough,

Jack Lyons, Kelly G. Richardson,Kevin Powell, Pamela Price,

Risa DAngeles, Robert Kinsler, Theda Kleinhans Reichman

PHOTOGRAPHERS Pat Krause

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unique approach to composing the music for the three distinct periods of time depicted in Steve Jobs. What theyve created is a symphonic tour de force with three distinguishable aural points of view to complement the films narrative arc:

The first movement, set in 1984, expresses the optimism of Jobs first product launch, the Macintosh. Restricting himself to equipment of the time and embracing their limitations, Pemberton utilized what is now technology of the past synthesizers such as the Yamaha CS-80, Roland SH-1000, Roland Juno-60, and Moog Minimoog to reflect that eras visions of the future, while still creating a sound world that would sit comfortably alongside Sorkins dialogue and Boyles direction.

The second movement, set in 1988 at the San Francisco Opera House, sees the unveiling of the NeXTcube with a theatrical orchestral fantasia. With composed, large-scale operatic pieces, elaborate emotional transformations of a simple tuning-up sequence, and a dramatic symphony, the score reflects both Jobs the conductor and ringmaster as well as a man focused on revenge.

The more reflective, internal, and emotional third movement takes us to 1998 with Jobs unveiling of the iMac, and echoes the various ways in which we utilize computers as we know them today. Today, I write pretty much everything I do on an Apple machine descended, in part, from that iMac, said Pemberton. I use a piece of Apple software

called Logic. I can write music, manipulate sounds, produce recordings, and express myself as an artist without ever leaving the computer.

Pemberton is an Ivor Novello Award-winning and multi-BAFTA-nominated composer who is well known for embracing a wide range of musical mediums from electronic to orchestral throughout his work. After more than a decade establishing himself as one of the most inventive and experimental voices in British television, Pemberton moved into the world of film with the period supernatural thriller The Awakening. His hybrid choral, orchestral, and electronic score caught the ear of Ridley Scott, who hired the composer to score The Counselor. He collaborated again with Scott on the directors foray into television, The Vatican.

In 2014, Pemberton won the Discovery of the Year Award at the prestigious World Soundtrack Awards for his work on Cuban Fury and The Counselor. This year has seen the release of Pembertons acclaimed soundtrack to Guy Ritchies The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

About the Fi lm: Set backstage in the minutes before three iconic product launches spanning Jobs career beginning with the Macintosh in 1984, and ending with the unveiling of the iMac in 1998 Steve Jobs takes us behind the scenes of the digital revolution to paint an intimate portrait of the brilliant man at its epicenter.

Steve Jobs is directed by Academy Award winner Danny Boyle and written by Academy Award winner Aaron Sorkin, working from Walter Isaacsons best-selling biography of the

Apple founder. The producers are Mark Gordon, Guymon Casady of Film 360, Scott Rudin, Boyle, and Academy Award winner Christian Colson.

Michael Fassbender plays Steve Jobs, the pioneering founder of Apple, with Academy Award-winning actress Kate Winslet starring as Joanna Hoffman, former marketing chief of Macintosh. Steve Wozniak, who co-founded Apple, is played by Seth Rogen, and Jeff Daniels stars as former Apple CEO John Sculley. The film also stars Katherine Waterston as Chrisann Brennan, Jobs ex-girlfriend, and Michael Stuhlbarg as Andy Hertzfeld, one of the original members of the Apple Macintosh development team. www.stevejobsthefilm.com Source: PRNewswire

Steve Jobs Motion Picture SoundtrackContinued from Page 1

By Jack LyonsTheatre and Film Critic

Some people think golf is a silly game played mostly by aging, white seniors who are struggling with their arrested development syndromes and plunging testosterone levels. Mark Twain said it best with the pithy observation: golf is a good walk spoiled. There is a lot of truth in that lament, however, the people who keep trying to master the game make great characters for plays, movies, and novels.

Ken Ludwig, one of Americas great practitioners of the art form known as farce is keenly aware of the foibles and folly of human behavior has written a comedy/farce set against a golf background that should please his legion of fans.

Fox on the Fairway, helmed by Director Matthew Wiener, has a stellar cast who try to bring this lightweight comedy/farce to life, however, this Ludwig effort isnt up to level of his blockbuster

plays that took home two Best Play Tony Awards for Lend Me A Tenor and Moon Over Buffalo several seasons ago.

The story is set at the fictitious Quail Valley Country Club where the annual country club challenge tournament between Quail Valley and Crouching Squirrel Country Club is being held. Its a glittering evening for the ladies and its a heavily wagered event by the two club presidents. This time the bet is $100,000 to the wining club president. Henry Bingham (Kevin Bailey) of Quail Valley and Dickie Bell (Brian Salmon) of Crouching Squirrel, Binghams obnoxious, Malapropism quoting, bloviating rival are both looking for any angle that will give them an edge in the golf tournament.

Bingham hires a new assistant Justin Hicks (Kyle Sorrell) and is counting on new Quail Valley member and ringer named Tramplemaine to play for the team. The trouble begins when Bingham learns the morning

of the tournament that Dickie has lured Tramplemaine to play for Crouching Squirell instead. Whats an outmaneuvered fellow

to do? Why, just let the silliness and the madcap and zany farce antics begin. Other players in the scenario are: Louise, clubhouse waitress and Justin Hicks new fiance, and Pamela, the Board Vice President (Jacquelyn Ritz), who is always on the lookout for a new toy to play games with, and at the moment Henry Bingham is in Pamelas cross-hairs and Muriel Bingham (Roxane Carrasco) the screeching, battle-axe wife of Henry.

Directors usually bring their personal visions to the productions they oversee; which at times, can either enhance or impede the success of a production. Were dealing with a wild and wooly farce here. Yes, the action calls for broad on-stage action: slamming doors, improbable situations, ridiculous solutions, etc. If everyone is trying to move story along, would it be too much ask that it should be at least within the zip code of believability? Its difficult to buy the various bits when the premise is flawed from the get go. All the laughs in the

world cant win the day or the $100,000 wager if there isnt a scintilla of believability in the whole ball of wax.

One should never be surprised, however, when good actors make something out of nothing. Kevin Bailey, Jacquelyn Ritz and Ashley Stults give it their best and come off as having a good time as well as giving good performances.

The set design by Marty Burnett is picture-perfect for a golf club Tap Room. The lights designed by Matt Novotny are always right on the money. The costumes by Elisa Benzoni are appropriate for the farce underpinnings, but anachronistic knickerbockers! They went out of style in the 1940s. Thats either stretching credulity or pandering for laughs. Whatever happened to controlled subtlety?

Fox on the Fairway, now on stage at North Coast Repertory Theatre, runs through October 11, 2015.

Ken Ludwig farce at North Coast Repertory Theatre

Kevin Bailey, Kyle Sorrell, Jacquelyn Ritz and Ashley Stults

Jacquelyn Ritz, Brian Salmon and Kevin Bailey

www.desertstarweekly.com October 7, 2015 DesertSTAR 5

By Desert Star StaffFormer Federal Reserve

Chairman Ben Bernanke, who led the US through the financial meltdown of 2008, said that top financial executives should have been prosecuted for their role in creating the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.

Speaking to USA Today, Bernanke blamed the US Justice Department for going

after the firms instead of focusing on the individuals who had been running huge American corporations.

It would have been my preference to have more investigation of individual action, since obviously everything that went wrong or was illegal was done by some individual, not by an abstract firm, Bernanke said in the interview.

But the decision to

prosecute individuals is not it the hands of the Federal Reserve which he chaired from 2006 to 2014, Bernanke said.

The Department of Justice and others are responsible for

that, and a lot of their efforts have been to indict or threaten to indict financial firms. Now a financial firm is of course a legal fiction; its not a person. You cant put a financial firm in jail.

At the same time, the 71-year-old praised his institution for handling the financial meltdown saying they had done everything in order to avoid the repetition of the Great Depression of the 1930s.

I think there was a reasonably good chance that, barring stabilization of the financial system, that we could have gone into a 1930s-style depression, he told USA TODAY. The panic that hit us was enormous I think the worst in US history.

The global f inancial meltdown started in July 2007 with a liquidity crisis, which resulted in the US Federal Bank injecting a large amount of capital into financial markets. By September 2008, the crisis had worsened, with stock markets around the globe crashing and

trading becoming extremely volatile. In turn, consumer confidence hit rock bottom on account of fears of what could lie ahead.

The US housing market was impacted enormously as many home-owners found that they were unable to meet their mortgage repayments. Most borrowers found themselves with negative equity, as the value of their real estate plummeted. The banks who were dealing with the liquidity crisis practically stopped giving out home loans as the fallout from the sub-prime lending bubble burst.

The collapse of Lehman Brothers on September 14, 2008 marked the beginning of the global financial crisis. The US government proposed a $700 billion rescue plan. In January 2009 US President Obama proposed federal spending of around $1 trillion to tackle the financial crisis.

Bernanke calls for prosecutions of top financial execs

Donald Trump supports Putin bombing the hell out of ISISBy Desert Star Staff

Moscow is bombing the hell out of ISIS because President Putin wants to prevent terrorism spilling into Russia, said US presidential candidate Donald Trump, criticizing failed US Middle Eastern policies that have already turned Iraq and Libya into a total mess.

It is not even a contest! Donald Trump said in response to an NBC News presenters question about whether it had been better when Saddam Hussein and Muammar Gaddafi were in power.

Iraq is a disaster Libya is not even a country, he explained. You can make the case, if you look at Libya, look at what we did there its a mess. If you look at Saddam Hussein with Iraq, look what we did there its a mess.

Trump said that Washington is destroying our country by wasting too much money on Middle Eastern policies that do not seem to work: We have spent $2

trillion in Iraq, probably a trillion in Afghanistan

[Syria] is going to be the same thing, Trump said, criticizing US support of so-called moderate Syrian rebels.

At one point the interviewer mentioned that Russian airstrikes could be hitting people weve trained, but Trump interrupted him by stating: We are talking about people we dont even know!

The rebel group we have no idea I was talking to a general two days ago, he said: We have no idea who these people are. We are training people, we dont know who they are. We are giving them billions of dollars to fight Assad, Trump said.

We are fighting Assad and fighting for people, helping people ...we even dont understand who they are. And they may be worse than Assad. They may be worse, Trump reiterated. However, he emphasized that he was not saying Assad is a good guy.

Trump stressed that he has nothing against the Russian anti-terrorist operation in Syria.

I like that Putin is bombing the hell out of ISIS, Trump said, adding that he believes that the target of the airstrikes is indeed

going to be ISIS.Ill tell you why. Putin has

to get rid of ISIS cause Putin does not want ISIS coming into Russia, Trump said. However, he explained that he hopes the operation will eventually weaken

Russia and that Russian President Putin will be begging to get out.

You watch, hell get bogged down there. Hell spend a fortune, Trump forecast. Everybody thats gone to the Middle East has had nothing but problems.

Ben Bernanke Kevin Lamarque / Reuters

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BNP Paribas Open to donate from every ticket sold in OctoberBy Desert Star Staff

INDIAN WELLS, Calif., The BNP Paribas Open, to be held March 7-20, 2016 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, will donate $1 from every ticket sold in the month of October to a local non-profit cancer organization, it was announced today by Steve Simon, tournament director.

Last year the tournament donated more than $11,000 from its October ticket sales, as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, to the Eisenhower Schnitzer/Novack Breast Center and the Desert Cancer Foundation.

The Eisenhower Lucy Curci Cancer Center is a remarkable cancer treatment facility that offers patients unrivaled medical care and comprehensive cancer

services, including treatment for prostate cancer and breast cancer, while the Desert Cancer Foundations cancer screening program provides services to residents of the Coachella Valley who are uninsured and have a financial need.

The BNP Paribas Open is proud to contribute to the fight against breast cancer, said Simon. Breast cancer has affected so many people, as well as many within the world of tennis, and this is a way that we can raise awareness and contribute to battle against this disease.

Mini, Group and Hotel ticket packages for the 2016 BNP Paribas Open are now available for purchase. To reserve a ticket today, fans can visit www.

bnpparibasopen.com, call 800-999-1585 or visit the Indian Wells Tennis Garden Box Office at 78-200 Miles Avenue, Indian Wells, CA, 92210.

About the BNP Paribas Open

The BNP Paribas Open is the largest ATP World Tour and WTA combined two-week event in the world, and is held annually at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. The site has undergone a significant expansion that includes a new permanent Stadium 2 with 8,000 seats and three restaurants, including world-renowned Nobu; four more practice courts, an additional 19,000 square foot shade structure, and more. The tournament offers more than $10 million in prize money, and is the only event to provide the

Hawkeye line challenge system on all match courts, including qualifying rounds. In 2015, more than 456,000 people attended the event. For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.bnpparibasopen.com, call 800-999-1585 or visit the Indian Wells Tennis Garden box office at 78-200 Miles Avenue, Indian Wells, CA, 92210.

About BNP ParibasBNP Paribas has operations

in 75 countries and boasts more than 185,000 employees, including approximately 145,000 in Europe. It ranks highly in its two core activities: Retail Banking & Services (comprised of Domestic Markets and International Financial Services) and Corporate & Institutional

Banking. In Europe, the Group has four domestic markets (Belgium, France, Italy and Luxembourg) and BNP Paribas Personal Finance is the leader in consumer lending. BNP Paribas is rolling out its integrated retail banking model across Mediterranean basin countries, in Turkey, in Eastern Europe and a large network in the western part of the United States. In its Corporate & Institutional Banking and International Financial Services activities, BNP Paribas also enjoys top positions in Europe, a strong presence in the Americas and solid and fast-growing businesses in Asia-Pacific.

By Desert Star StaffSACRAMENTO, Calif. -

Mining exploration would be allowed in an area of the Mojave

Desert deemed sensitive by environmental advocates - if a bill introduced Thursday in Congress passes.

The California Minerals, Off-Road Recreation and Conservation Act, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Paul Cook, R-Calif.,

would allow 150 square miles of mining within the Mojave Trails area, a 1 million-acre section of pristine desert between Twentynine Palms and the Nevada border.

Jim Mattern, who has written several books on the Mojave Desert, opposes the bill. Cooks bill will offer the opportunity for new mining claims, which really puts the areas into jeopardy, he said. If you want to see land remain unscarred for future generations, then Cooks bill is obviously not the way to go.

Mattern prefers a rival bill by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. that would establish a national monument at Mojave Trails while allowing existing ATV and salt and gold-mining operations to continue.

The Mojave Trails area connects Joshua Tree National Park and the Mojave National Preserve. It also contains the

longest undeveloped stretch of Route 66 in the country.

Frazier Haney, conservation director for the Mojave Desert Land Trust, said Mojave Trails is a special area that must be protected.

Not only are there several species of rare and endangered plants, theres also species being discovered that are new to science, he said. The California desert is really a biological frontier for discovery.

Cooks bill specifically would prevent President Obama from using his powers under the Antiquities Act to declare a national monument at Mojave Trails. It also would lift environmental protections for a large area in Inyo County.

Cooks bill soon will be available online at cook.house.gov. Feinsteins bill is at feinstein.senate.gov.

Bill Filed to Allow More Mining, Block Monument in Mojave Desert

Four West Nile Related Deaths in Riverside County

A bill introduced Thursday in Congress would allow mining in the Mojave Desert, in an area that is part of a proposed national monument. Credit: Ryse Lawrence

By Angela MonroeRIVERSIDE COUNTY -- The

Riverside County Department of Health is reporting four West Nile Virus related deaths this year.

This is the first time since 2008 that anyone in Riverside County has died from the disease.

Mosquitoes can transmit West Nile Virus to people, and this year the cases are up in Riverside County.

Its scary, its pretty shocking, I mean I cant imagine myself getting like stung, said Indio residents, Yesenia and Jocelyn.

Four deaths are linked to West Nile, and they are the first fatal cases tied to the virus in the county in seven years.

Our last death associated with West Nile Virus was in 2008, we did however have

four deaths in that year, said Barbara Cole with the Department of Public Health for Riverside County.

While the director for disease control in the county says most people exposed to West Nile Virus dont get sick, 42 people in the county have become ill.

They expect more cases in October.

So it is up, we are seeing an increased number of cases so our message continues to be for people to focus on preventative measures, said Cole.

Those preventa t i ve measures include removing any standing water, installing screens on windows and doors, and wearing long sleeves and mosquito repellant with DEET especially at dusk and dawn.

This has been a record

breaking year for West Nile Virus activity in particular for the valley, there is no other year since West Nile got here in 2003 thats had more activity in the urban areas in particular, said Jeremy Wittie with the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District.

Just in time for the busy year, the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District beefed up their resources.

They increased their traps from 100 to 150 to better pinpoint mosquito activity, and can now get West Nile results on the same day because a of a new in-house testing lab.

When it comes to reducing the risks to the public its about the speed at which you can respond and all the measures that we took this year and increased our program has

allowed us to reduce that risk with a quicker response time, said Wittie.

Wittie says warm winters are a big reason for more mosquitoes and the virus.

The Vector Control District has been sending out alert cards to neighborhoods in the valley that are seeing more activity.

www.desertstarweekly.com October 7, 2015 DesertSTAR 7

Hearings Begin Today on Rooftop Solar Power Rates

The Evidence to Support Incarceration Reform

PALM SPRINGS

Seniors on Stage on Thursdays from 2:30-4

p.m. at 480 South Sunrise Way. For more information, call 760-323-5689 or go to

mizellseniorcenter.org.

New Exhibition: Section 14on Thursday, Now-Nov. 8 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 901 East Tahquitz Canyon

Road. For info, call 760-778-1079 or accmuseum.org.

Kal David Unplugged on Thursdays at 8 p.m. at 1900 E. Palm Canyon Drive. For info, call 760-322-4422 or

purpleroompalmsprings.com.

Comedy Night Palm Springs Purple Room more info. http://comedynight-

feb.bpt.me or 800-838-3006 or purpleroompalm springs.

com or 760-322-4422

Escena Lounge & Grill Live Entertainment Friday-Sat Nights 1100 Clubhouse View, contact Elise Arouh

760-992-0002

Karaoke with Keisha now till Nov. 3 from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. at 701 E. Palm Canyon

Drive. For info, 760-325-9900.

Modernism Week Fall Preview, Oct. 9-12, www.

modernismweek.comCommunity Drum Circleon Friday, Sept. 25 to Dec.

29 from 7-9 p.m. at For more information, call 760-

322-7799.

PALM DESERT

The Park After Dark: The Living Desert 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.Info: www.livingdesert.

org; (760) 346-5694El Paseo Cruise Night 1st and 3rd Fridays of

each month 3:15-6p.m.For info, call 760-346-8965 or elpaseocruisenight.com.

College of the Desert Street Fair Sat 7-2pm & Sundays 7-12pm More

Info. 760.636.7957Kids Summer Cooking

Camps! Open to ages 7-14! 47875 Caleo Bay Drive

#A107, call 760-777-1161Weekly Live Entertainment

Nightly Mastros Stekhouse 73405 El

Paseo 760-6777 El Paseo Cruise Night

1st and 3rd Fridays of each month from 3:15-6p.m.For info, call 760-346-8965 or elpaseocruisenight.com.

Basic Duplicate Bridge Lessons now till Dec. 11 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

at 73750 Catalina Way. For more information, call 760-

340-3220.

Open House at Digital Integration on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 5 p.m. at 39725 Garand Lane, Ste. D. For

more information, call 760-564-3199.

Continued on page 18

By Desert Star StaffSAN FRANCISCO - The big

three California utility companies are going before the Public Utilities Commission in San Francisco today to argue for changes in the way people with rooftop solar are compensated for the energy they feed back into the grid.

Right now under the net metering program, solar owners are credited at the same rate the utilities charge. Evan Gillespie, director with the Sierra Club, says the changes the utilities want would take away the savings that lead people to install rooftop solar.

If the utilities succeed in making these changes, only the very, very rich are going to be able to afford solar going forward, and thats a big problem because its also taking away one of the single greatest tools that we have to fight climate change and clean up our air, says Gillespie.

San Diego Gas and Electric, Pacific Gas and Electric, and Edison would like to cut compensation to homeowners by about half, and charge higher connection fees, arguing that

solar owners dont contribute enough to the upkeep of the grid.

The Pub l ic Ut i l i t i es Commission has until the end of the year to make a decision. Gillespie says the utilities argument doesnt hold up because solar generators reduce

the demand for power from dirtier, more expensive sources and improve grid reliability.

Its a nice story that they have yet to demonstrate data to back up, he says. We just made significant changes to how customers pay their bills. Going

forward every Californian is going to be paying about $10 a month on their bill to cover these types of infrastructure charges.

The Sierra Club will hold rallies on this subject over the next three weeks in San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

By Desert Star StaffDALLAS, -- A rare

bipartisan consensus is growing in Congress on the need for reforming U.S. incarceration policy. The ideological rationales

for supporting reform vary in predictable ways, but all factions depend on the same social science research to buttress their case. The fall edition of Issues in Science and Technology

includes four feature articles by experts that explain the failure of current policies and practices to achieve their desired goals, the unintended detrimental effects on communities of color, the implications for public health, and the need to better manage the transition of former prisoners back into their communities.

The long-term trends in U.S. incarceration are alarming:

From 1973 to 2009, U.S. state and federal prison populations rose from about 200,000 to 1.5 million. An additional 700,000 men and women are being held in local jails.

This increase occurred during a period when there was no significant increase in the level of crimes committed.

The U.S. incarceration is five to ten times higher than rates in Western Europe and other democracies.

In 2010, the incarceration rate for African Americans was six times and for Hispanics three times that of non-Hispanic whites.

More than 2 million U.S. children have fathers in prison.

These figures are particularly alarming because there was no social science evidence to justify the changes in U.S. policy that led

to the precipitous increase in the prison population nor is there any evidence that this has deterred people from criminal behavior.

The articles in this issue dig deeper to understand what is happening behind these national statistics. How do states and cities differ in their approaches to criminal behavior, and are there best practices that could be adopted elsewhere? What happens to people when they complete their prison sentences? Some poor and minority communities have a particularly high percentage of their residents enmeshed in the criminal justice system; is there a tipping point at which efforts to keep these neighborhoods safe actually become harmful to the communitys social fabric? What are the effects of incarceration on the mental and physical health of prisoners and their home communities?

ISSUES IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY is the award-winning journal of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, National Academy of Medicine, the University of Texas at Dallas and Arizona State University. www.issues.org. Source: PRNewire

The PUC is holding hearings for solar power compensation. Credit: Solarenergy.org

October 7, 2015 www.desertstarweekly.com

8 DesertSTAR

Weve all been through weeks of readjustment with the Mercury retrograde. How has it been for you in terms of relationship interactions? No one is immune from the retrograde. Have you discovered new ways of relating, or perhaps new information about those you love? In the coming weeks youll reorient again and again and loving others more.

Finally you move forward with important daily tasks. Things have been confusing with bills and finances. You make changes but somehow theyre not heard, recorded, implemented. Consider all delays as helping you. In the days ahead, you becine more organized, details are tended to, life becomes steadier, more composed. You will do what is needed. The path is clear.

So much will change, more choices available and finally a true direction is sensed. But you still must weigh the dualities and make a choice. The future may be a different than expected. What you dont choose may stay with you for a while. You will wonder if the choice was wrong. Should you retrace your steps no time is lost. Everything is an experience for greater

knowledge. Everything leads you to a new creative focus. And tender care.

Youve been quite silent these past weeks. Tending to home and family and creative endeavors, laying new foundations for the future. Silence is good, allowing us to sense directly each next step. Silence allows for no distractions. During this time of inner contemplation you are choosing the people who will remain in your life. And who will not. Remember to align always with the Will-to-Good.

Was there confusion and difficulty around communication these past weeks. Almost driving you to distraction, and perhaps a sense of despair. The winding road from one mind to another seemed blocked forever. Detours didnt work. Maps for the journey were blurred. In the coming weeks things become clear, less obstructed, uncertainties disappear. Its always good to stay in the heart especially when difficulties appear.

Financial matters will begin to resolve. It felt like your values were in question these past difficult weeks. But in reality they are stronger and now more

in control of your life. Nothing has been lost. Not time or resources. But its a good idea to redesign your financial picture, remembering to tithe first, to save second. Then tend to bills and everyday needs. Call upon Venus if help is needed.

Your daily life and its rhythms were somehow disrupted. You are attempting to reorganize so each day its easier to navigate. This change is temporary. Though it calls for a great readjustment. You will be learning many things during this time, like understanding and compassion. Especially for those you cant seem to forgive. Understanding comes at time through loss and suffering. Its how humanity learns.

Things wont feel like theyre solidified for several more weeks. You dont know what it is you need to feel more safe and secure. You just know you do. You hope something new occurs, new events to restructure your life. At times you pray. Asking for help. The veils are drawn in front of your eyes. Like Lady Justice. Its purposeful. So you can look more inward than outward. Into your heart. And study yourself a bit there.

You are pondering upon who you can trust, who your friends are (true friends), what groups you need to be part of for continued connections. There are new friends and old, new and old places. New realities quietly appear. You need people, ideas, work, home to be reliable, focused, real and secure. Your mantram again to help you. Let reality govern my every thought and truth be the master of my life. This mantram seeds everything.

Its important to be able to explain yourself, who you are, what is important to you. Its important to communicate, correcting difficult misconceptions that may have occurred during the retrograde. Communication is the basis for real love, the need for those we find valuable. Communication nurtures. And has the ability to bring truth into focus. Sometimes the truth is painful. In Libra we go back and forth about things. So we can later choose where we stand.

Theres been a lot of uncertainty the last weeks. For some great changes are occurring. Some need to move. Some will travel. Begin a new journey. Enter onto a new path. Will it be the road known or the one less traveled? Most importantly all items in

ones life must be re-assessed and re-determined as to their usefulness. Anything not useful must be given away, sold or recycled. So you can be free. So choices can be made.

Events transpire that lead to a reassessment of values and beliefs. Things forgotten reappear. People and places are remembered. You try to return to the past. But it disappears. This leaves one in grief. For Pisces, its despair. You must do what you can to provide a sense of comfort and ease, a sense of independence and know the self as valuable. Summon the template of balance. Balance harmonizes. Neutralizes karma.

Risa DAngeles is the founder and director of the Esoteric & Astrological Studies Research Institute: Risas Esoteric Astrology. She can be reached at risagoodwill@gmail.com.

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

ARIES

GEMINI

PISCES

HOROSCOPES OCTOBER 7 14, 2015ASTROLOGICAL FORECAST BY RISA DANGELES

TAURUS

By Desert Star StaffLOUISVILLE, Ky., -- Sports

Illustrated, a Time Inc. (NYSE: TIME) brand, dedicated its Sportsman of the Year Award to

Muhammad Ali, renaming it the Sports Illustrated Muhammad Ali Legacy Award. The dedication ceremony took place on October 1 at the Muhammad

Ali Center in front of a crowd of 300 VIPS including Mr. Ali, his wife Lonnie and family, former world heavyweight boxing champions George Foreman

and Larry Holmes, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, and NBA all-time great Shaquille ONeal. George Foreman, famed SI writer Bill Nack, and Lonnie Ali were among the featured speakers.

Lonnie Ali said, I am very thankful to [Sports Illustrated] for having the wherewithal to realize that this was a legacy and to name this award after him... Im really anxious to see and to applaud those who come after him that receive this award.

Foreman said, This is a great honor not only for Muhammad Ali but its a great honor for the sport of boxing. Sports Illustrated is recognizing a guy that not only loved boxing but he loved Sports Illustrated. If you would see Muhammad with anything in his pocket, his money was always gone but he had a Sports Illustrated Its good for the sport and this honor is great for us. This is the greatest man Ive ever met in my life, I get excited in my heart every time I met

himCongratulations, Sports Illustrated, congratulations, Muhammad Ali, God bless you.

In 2008, Sports Illustrated instituted the Legacy Award and only two individuals have been selected by the SI editorial team to receive the honor. Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder and driving force behind the Special Olympics, was the inaugural honoree, with her son Bobby accepting the award in her honor during the annual Sportsman of the Year ceremony. In 2014, Earvin (Magic) Johnson was honored for his two decades as an entrepreneur, philanthropist and social and political activist. He also accepted the honor at the annual Sportsman event, where he was commended by President Bill Clinton and NBA commissioner Adam Silver.

Ali appeared on this weeks cover of Sports Illustrated, marking the 39th time he was featured on the cover: http://on.si.com/1FFyhMT

Time Inc.s Sports Illustrated Pays Tribute To Muhammad Ali

www.desertstarweekly.com October 7, 2015 DesertSTAR 9

By Jackie DevereauxPALM DESERT, CA Good

news for animal lovers. The Living Desert zoo has returned to its seasonal regular hours and reopened its hiking trails Oct. 1 through May 31, 2016.

Its a really nice place to take out-of-town family and friends, now that fall has arrived with cooler temps, said Tom Devereaux, who enjoyed a stroll and lunch with his sister visiting from Charlotte, North Carolina on Monday.

Its a great place to meet people and pass a few hours

while watching the beautiful animals. I just love it. he said.

A variety of hiking trails cater to a wide range of experience levels. Hikers are required to sign in at the trail head, and asked to stay on the trails since they are in nature preserve. The trails are accessible with paid admission or an annual membership.

The Inner Loop is the shortest and easiest trail at about a quarter mile. The path is flat and sandy with spectacular desert views.

The Middle Loop trail is

about a mile long and offers more adventure with a gentle incline and decline through the loop. It also leads hikers through a rocky desert mountain slope with an opportunity to an exhibit of the San Andreas Fault, where expansive views of the infamous earthquake fault line can be seen.

The Wilderness Loop, the third trail is for experienced or advanced hikers. At three and a half miles, the trail peaks out at a covered picnic area at about 1,000 foot elevation. All the trails have signage to

inform and guide hikers. Zoo hours are now 9 a.m.

to 5 p.m. (7 a.m. for members), and last admission at 4 p.m. The zoo and trails are open every day (through May 31, 2016), except Christmas Day.

The Living Desert is a family-friendly desert oasis dedicated to conservation and

education, where visitors can explore nature in a peaceful, safe environment.

For more information, go to livingdesert.org or call 760-346-5694. The Living Desert is located at 47900 Portola Avenue, Palm Desert, CA 92240.

Zoo reopens hiking trails with new hours October to May

By Desert Star StaffNo matter if you live in a

suburban, urban or rural area, new farming innovations are putting food on your plate, clothes on your back and fuel in your tanks. And whether or not youre a foodie, a gardener

or a large scale grower, youre benefiting from visionary leaders across the country who are changing the way we grow our food, fuel and fiber.

In a constantly evolving economy, Americas farmers, ranchers and rural leaders face

what experts call a daunting task: growing the food an expanding urban population needs and making sure that theyre able to continue doing so.

The future success of the agricultural industry relies on innovative leadership, says Leigh

Picchetti, senior vice president of national communications for the Farm Credit Council, which represents the nationwide network of Farm Credit lenders that provide financial services and loans to rural communities and agriculture.

To recognize those in the industry who are changing the future of rural enterprise and agriculture, and to celebrate its 100th Anniversary, Farm Credit has launched Farm Credit 100 Fresh Perspectives, a nationwide initiative to honor 100 leaders and innovators from across the country whose insights and influence are ensuring thriving rural communities for years to come.

This is a national search, and weve already received nominations from 40 states representing both urban leaders like chefs and academicians and rural producers farming the land, says Picchetti. We know there are additional worthy leaders out there and were hoping to receive many more nominations.

Individuals, couples and groups are eligible for nomination in 10 categories. Ten of the 100 honorees will receive a $10,000 award to help further their leadership contributions, along with a trip for themselves and a guest to Washington, D.C., in

2016 to participate in a special recognition event.

A panel of experts will evaluate the nominations, which can be submitted by anyone and are being accepted now through December 18, 2015. Winners will be announced in March 2016 in conjunction with National Ag Day.

Farm Credit 100 Fresh Perspectives categories include: Rural and Urban Connection Mentoring and Volunteerism Agriculture Education and Community Impact Rural Policy Influence Leadership (over 21) Youth Leadership (21 and younger) Beginning Farmer or Rancher Achievement Entrepreneurship and Innovation Sustainability and Natural Resource Conservation Financial Stewardship

To learn more or make a nomination, visit www.FarmCredit100.com.

The agricultural industry, perhaps more than any other, must constantly evolve in order to keep pace with a changing world. Consumers can thank top agricultural movers and shakers who are helping the industry stay up-to-date. StatePoint

Seeking Fresh Perspectives to Shape the Future of Food

Brenton Johnson turned his garden into a Community Supported Agriculture farm in Austin, Texas.

October 7, 2015 www.desertstarweekly.com

10 DesertSTAR

Kitchen Sink drama, a British cultural movement in the late 1950s and 1960s, is a style of theatre where the story line focuses on the everyday problems of the urban working class, usually with an angry young man as the principal protagonist. Examples of that style are Frank Gilroys The Subject Was Roses, Eugene ONeills Long Days Journey Into Night, and Clifford Odets searing Awake and Sing!

Celebrat ing the 80th anniversary of the Group Theatres New York premiere, as well as the 20th anniversary of the Odyssey Theatre production, this precious chestnut has been resurrected and once again is onstage at the Odyssey Theatre.

Basically, the story revolves around a multi-generational blue-collar family living in a cramped apartment in the Bronx. Its 1934 and the family is struggling to survive financially under the harsh effects of The Great Depression. The centerpiece of the Berger family is Bessie, stridently played by Marilyn Fox, who played the same role in the original Odyssey production. Bessie, who is tough as nails, will do anything it

takes to solve a problem. She rules the family with an iron fist without the velvet glove. She is the quintessential dominant Jewish mother who says such lines as: I dont know what I did to God to be blessed with such children. This is a juicy part but under the spotty direction of Elina de Santos, who also directed the original Odyssey production, Fox failed to find subtle ways of expressing her anger, other than lashing out throughout most of the play, which becomes theatrically uninteresting.

On the other hand, director-proof Allan Miller does a brilliant job as grandpa Jacob. His characterization is fully actualized and his deeply-layered performance is quite compelling, especially in the tender scenes between he and his grandson Ralph. Jacob is a Marxist and is dissatisfied with the state of the country. Bessie ridicules her father for his beliefs and to get away from her tongue-lashings, he takes refuge in his tiny room playing Caruso records and reading books. In response to her antagonistic attacks, he says: A woman insults a mans

soul like nothing else in the world. Odets wrote Jacob as the voice of reason in this dysfunctional family. Despite the dire present conditions, he holds out hope for a better tomorrow.

Ralph, played by James Morosini, is the angry young son who works as a stock clerk. He is full of resentments and is still upset that he never even received roller skates as a child. All he wants now is a pair of black and white shoes and to have his own room. Ralph is in love with a girl and says: Shes so beautiful, you look at her and cry. Bessie does everything she can to sabotage this budding relationship. The major support Ralph gets is from grandpa, who is his grandsons confidante. He encourages him to follow his dreams. Morosinis most poignant scenes were between he and his grandfather, which is no surprise, since Miller is such a wonderfully giving actor.

Bessies daughter Hennie is a petulant 26-year-old who appears to be angry at the world. Played by Melissa Paladino, in the opening act, her characterization was very mannered, with her physical life consisting of prancing around the stage assuming various poses, more appropriate for a photo shoot than a family drama. The actress seemed at a loss in finding her character

and nothing she did was real until the last act when she finally settled down and gave a deep, heartfelt performance. Again, the director should have guided her in the opening act to give a more honest, organic portrayal of this young woman in distress.

The dad, Myron Berger, is played by Robert Lesser. His character is a henpecked lost soul who does his wifes bidding. Wearing an apron, he helps with domestic chores. When witnessing the family squabbles, he says: Its like a play on stage. Lesser gives a credible performance as the almost invisible, emasculated husband.

One of the most interesting characters is Moe Axelrod, a boarder in the Berger home, extremely well played by David Agranov. He is a veteran and returned from the war sans one leg. An ex-bootlegger, and currently a part-time bookie, he is bitter and cynical. He is also in love with Hennie with whom he had, lets say, a brief encounter. Moe is also Ralphs ally and after Bessie tells her son that his girlfriend had not called, Moe secretly tells Ralph that she had, indeed, called. Agranov has mined the layers of his character and we understand what truth lies beneath his hostile exterior. In theatre terms its called subtext.

It seems that every Jewish family has a rich uncle and in this one its Bessies brother Uncle Morty. Richard Fancy, who is also from the original cast, plays the role with just the right amount of arrogance and entitlement. He is a successful clothing manufacturer and sends a small check each month to cover his fathers expenses. Bessie worships him and literally kneels at his feet when he speaks. Uncle Morty has been invited for dinner, before which grandpa gives him a haircut, earning a five-cent tip. Mealtime at the family dining room table becomes a battleground for a host of issues.

The final principal character is

Sam Feinschreiber, well played by Gary Patent. He is an unattractive recent immigrant whose English is flawed. However, on finding out some shocking news about her daughter, Bessie hoodwinks Sam into becoming part of the family with some surprising results. The remaining character is Dennis Madden as Scholsser, the buildings superintendent and the recipient of Bessies endless list of complaints, including not having enough steam heat or a dumbwaiter. *

In his infinite brilliance as a writer, Odets sprinkled in many comical moments to break the ongoing family tension, but unfortunately de Santos either failed to find those moments and/or to help her actors mine the comedic nuggets. Despite some creditable performances, the failure of this production is the lack of cohesiveness, with too many pauses between cues and stage business, so that sometimes the dialogue became a series of non-connected moments, instead of action-reaction so that the play is driven forward.

The technical team did a splendid job beginning with Pete Hickoks set design consisting of the living and dining rooms, and two sleeping alcoves one for grandpa and the other for Ralph. Kim DeShazos costume design and Leigh Allens lighting design worked together to give the production an authentic period look.

*Dumbwaiter: A tiny freight elevator used in this context to collect garbage.

Odyssey Theatre2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd.Los Angeles, CA 90025

Run: Wed Sat: 8:00 pm Sundays 2:00 pm & 5:00 pm

Closing: Sun, Sept 27 (5:00 pm only)

Tickets: $15-$34Reservations: (310) 477.2055 Ext. 2 or

www.OdysseyTheatre.com

Awake and Sing Revival on Stage at the Odyssey TheatreC E N T E R S TA G E WITH BEVERLY COHN

James Morosini as Ralph Berger with Marilyn Fox as his meddling mother Bessie.

L-R: Robert Lesser (Myron Berger,) David Agranov (Moe Axelrod,) Allan Miller (Jacob,) Richard Fancy (Uncle Morty,) and James Morosini (Ralph) in a scene from Clifford Odets Awake and Sing.

Richard Fancy as the rich Uncle Morty with his niece Hennie Berger, played by Melissa Paladino. Photo: Ron Sossi

www.desertstarweekly.com October 7, 2015 DesertSTAR 11

Three-time Tony Award-winning director Jack O Brien is in his 70s, but under his direction The Sound of Music at the Ahmanson Theatre through October 31, is even more vibrant and alive than when it first appeared on stage in 1959. In the current revival, much of the freshness is achieved by his casting of Maria. According to OBrien, The Maria in our production, Kirstin Anderson, is just turning 21-years old. The real-life Maria Rainer was also only 21-years old when she left the abbey to serve as a temporary governess for the Von Trapp family. In the original Broadway production, Mary Martin, who played Maria, was 46. O Brian also lowered the ages of most of the characters by at least 15 or 20 years.

The Mother Abbess, Marias mentor, is being played by Ashley Brown, who is in her 30s. When she sings Climb Every Mountain to Maria, shes singing about her

own journey, about herself. Thats how she chose God. She, like Maria, was attractive, young and vulnerable too.

I dont know how to say this, he continued, but Im looking at this show with emotion and love and sex in mind. A story that has existed for 50 years needs beautiful music, but it also needs a heart beating inside it.

Ben Davis (Captain Georg Von Trapp) also adds warmth to this latest incarnation. Usually, the Captain is seen as overly stiff and strict, but in Daviss nuanced portrayal Georg can soften his stance with his children shortly after Maria enters their lives. And unlike the film, the seven Von Trapp children warm to Maria quickly. They see in her someone who is, like themselves, playful, vibrant and open to music and joy.

The youngsters, Paige Silvester (Liesl), Mackenzie Currie (Maria), Quinn Erickson (Kurt), Svea Johnson (Brigitta),

Maria Knasel (Luisa), Erich Schuett (Friedrich) and Audrey Bennett making her professional debut as the baby of the family (Gretl) are all superbly cast and sing in perfect harmony. Merwin Foard plays Max Detweiler, with Teri Hansen in the role of Elsa Schraeder, who has her eye on the Captain, more for practical reasons than for love.

The hills, and the Ahmanson, are alive with the sound of music throughout as Maria and Mother Abbess sing My Favorite Things in Act I. Their playful interaction adds charm to their relationship. Other iconic songs in Act I include The Sound of Music, Do-Re-Mi, The Lonely Goatherd, So Long Farewell and Climb Every Mountain, sung by Mother Abbess (Ashley Brown). Her presentation of the song was so stirring she evoked prolonged cheers from the opening-night audience.

Act II turns darker as the

Captain is faced with a moral dilemma. A loyal Austrian, he cannot support the takeover of his beloved country by the Third Reich, but shortly after he and Maria are married. Nazis arrive at his estate with orders for him to report to active duty immediately. Fortunately, the family is scheduled to sing in a highly publicized local festival and he, and his family is reluctantly allowed to perform together as a courtesy before he must go to war. The full menace of what is to come, not only to Austria but to the world at large, is made graphically apparent when four floors to ceiling length red and black Nazi banners are unfurled behind the Von Trapp family as they sing Edelweiss, a song that asks God to Bless my homeland forever.

Even though this Rodgers and Hammerstein masterpiece is a half-century old, it is still relevant to modern audiences because,

according to OBrien, our word will always be in peril. And we take courage from the success of others, and learn how to behave in difficult circumstances (when) we see people stand up for their rights and make a moral decision.

Its too bad Pope Francis didnt get the chance to see this eloquent revival of The Sound of Music on his recent visit. The religious purity, moral conviction, courage and sheer beauty of this production would surely have made him happy. It will also delight everyone who loves this inspiring true story set to music by the incomparable team of Rodgers and Hammerstein.

The Sound of Music, at the Ahmanson Theatre, 135 North Grand Ave., L.A. ends Oct. 31. Tickets from $25 to $150. For information go to: www.centertheatregroup.org or call (213) 628-2772 Running time 2 hours, 40 minutes.

By Desert Star StaffCooler weather and seasonal

fall colors means its almost time for trick-or-treaters! Getting ready for all the fun the season has to offer can add up fast. Dont let this Halloween give your budget a scare.

With some helpful money saving tips, you will be ready to have a spooktacular Halloween.

Decorations: Bring the colors of fall into your home with seasonal decorations. From pumpkin kitchen towels to owl dcor and festive candle holders, you can accent your home in style.

Adorn your front door with an autumn wreath. Warm your home with pumpkin scented candles and fall themed tablecloths and runners.

For a scary theme guaranteed to thrill your trick-or-treaters, stock up on Halloween dcor like skeletons, jack-o-lanterns, bats and cobwebs!

Candy and Treats: Whether

youre planning for a crowd or just a few, dont forget to stock up on the candy and treats that make Halloween so sweet. Try your hand at homemade goodies like scrumptious monster cupcakes or homemade popcorn balls. Make a Halloween trail mix with chocolate candies, pretzels, candy corn, rice cereal and pumpkin seeds. Visit www.dollargeneral.com/easymeals for quick, festive snack ideas to feed your hungry monsters.

Use a fun decorated candy bowl and fill it with Halloween favorites to hand out to costumed visitors. Make sure to stock up on Halloween themed napkins and paper plates to add festive flair to your table spread.

Costumes: Above all, Halloween planning includes having a great costume. Check out your closet and use clothing items you already have to create a fun DIY look. Use bold make-up and fun hair styles to create your own unique costume.

For the trick-or-treater who likes to accessorize, check out Halloween selections at your local discount retailer, like Dollar General. A variety of costume

essentials and accessories are available starting at $1.

Halloween comes once a year, but it doesnt mean that you have to break the bank to

have a great time. With quick tips and money saving ideas, you can have fun affordably. StatePoint

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Kerstin Anderson plays Maria Rainer in the national tour of Rodgers & Hammersteins The Sound of Music, directed by Jack OBrien. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

Kerstin Anderson plays Maria Rainer in the national tour of Rodgers & Hammersteins The Sound of Music, directed by Jack OBrien. Anderson is joined by the von Trapp children: (L-R) Svea Johnson who plays Brigitta, Audrey Bennett (Gretl), Quinn Erickson (Kurt), Mackenzie Currie (Marta), Maria Knasel (Louisa), Erich Schuett (Friedrich) and Paige Silvester (Liesl). Photo by Matthew Murphy.

October 7, 2015 www.desertstarweekly.com

12 DesertSTAR

By Anthony Grant Its quite hot out there,

Simon Le Bon said to a rapt audience at the Agua Caliente Casino Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage on Saturday night. Does anybody actually live here? extractor fans of Duran Duran, the British New Romantic pop band that helped define the sound of the 1980s, known to take lead singer Simons cheeky humor in stride. I quite like this heat actually, he added, having just sailed through a performance of Paper Gods, the title track off Duran Durans 14th studio album, and their 1982 classic Hungry Like The Wolf.

Simon and other members of the band, including legendary keyboardist Nick Rhodes took the packed house on a high-decibel journey through hits ranging from

Planet Earth and Bonds song A View To a Kill to Notorious and a moving rendition of 1993s electro power ballad Ordinary World. These were interspersed with material from the new album. Some of these songs feature surprising collaborations (on the album), like Last Night in the City with Kiesza and the energetic Danceophobia featuring, of all people, Lindsay Lohan.

Its hard to overstate the impact this band had on pop culture their exotic and sometimes racy videos, from Rio to Union of the Snake and Wild Boys, were in heavy rotation on MTV as that channel became a household word in the early and mid-80s and nightmare of parents everywhere. But the lads of Duran Duran always kept it classy, as their Cool Britannia

underpinnings would dictate, and that high level of pop artistry and sophistication is part of the groups enduring appeal. Simons characteristic vocals have barely dimmed with age hes now 56 and if he was tired at all during the show at Agua Caliente, it hardly showed. The youthful glow might not be exactly what it used to, but the verve and style still come right through, and the audience responded in kind. Paper Gods may be the title of the new record (can I say record in 2015?) even so, Simon and friends are true pop gods: a concert of this caliber doesnt happen in the desert every day.

Follow Anthony on Twitter at TGi24 or visit https://www.you tube . com/use r /AnthonyGrant2014/videos

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By Pam PriceWhen Rabbi Sally Olins

arrived at Temple Isaiah in 2006, she brought with her a love and respect for pets that inspired her to establish Pets at Rest. Not to be confused with a retirement home for elderly dogs or cats, this is much more: a service providing grief counseling and memorials for those who have lost their pets, and deals with this in a most sensitive way. By providing grief counseling and non-denominational memorial services for those seeking closure and healing, Rabbi Sally has turned a page in her own life.

The continuation of her career as a Rabbi reflects her exemplary relationship with Barney, a

Bischon Frise, the rescue dog she adopted on October 29, 2007 from a remote shelter for small dogs tucked away in a field in Coachella, Californa. I arrived at the shelter for little dogs three hours after Barney had been left on their doorstep having survived living outdoors with the owners pet pit-bull, she says. He was confused and bruised but there was magic when our eyes met. I knew in that moment. We would be ideal companions, and that began our relationship. Later, this was a lightning rod for starting counseling for those who are bereft after losing their pet. With rabbinical wisdom, the companionship she envisioned with Barney blossomed.

I spoke with Rabbi Sally at her home with Barney religiously monitoring the entire session! It was obvious Rabbi Sally respects the depth of loss one experiences when losing their cherished human companions. During her tenure as Rabbi, many in the congregation sought advice from her. Myself included, when my Maltese, Little One passed away

on this 12th birthday this year. Desert Pet Companion, a

locally published magazine which is free and distributed at local pet stores as well as the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, featured Rabbi Sally in their Fall 2015 edition with comments on final tributes for ones pet companion. Rabbi Sally said, There is a process in coping with the loss of a pet,

and it can take several sessions to make ones heart ready to accept another animal in their lives. The operative word, she says, is love.

For more information visit www.rabbisally.com or call 1-818-388-8867.

Pam Price contributes to www.forbes.com/sites/pamprice/

Rabbi Sally Olins and Pets At Rest

www.desertstarweekly.com October 7, 2015 DesertSTAR 13

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Outdoor Recreation Advocates Call for Mojave Trails NationalBy Desert Star Staff

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Outdoor recreation advocates are in Washington this week to ask President Obama to create four new national monuments - including one that would protect close to 1 million acres of the Mojave Desert.

Theyre part of the Live Monumenta l campa ign sponsored by KEEN Footwear, the culmination of a two-month-long RV road trip across the United States, rallying support and gathering signatures for petitions to be delivered to the nations capital.

David Lamfrom, director of California Desert and National Wildlife programs for the National Parks Conservation Association, said the proposed Mojave Trails National Monument is about 80 miles east of Los Angeles, between Twentynine Palms and the Nevada border.

The Mojave Trails is an

incredibly pristine range of mountains and lowlands that connects Joshua Tree National Park to Mojave National Preserve, he said. Its also home to one of the longest uninterrupted stretches of Route 66. National monument status would protect the landscape while allowing for ATV trails, hiking and existing mining operations.

Keith Cozzens, spokesman for KEEN Footwear, said his company chose to feature Mojave Trails in this campaign in part because it has great archeological value and provides habitat for several endangered species. Its home to 550 million-year-old fossils, he said. Its also a habitat for bighorn sheep, desert tortoises, among a bunch of other species.

KEEN and local advocates are asking the president to use his powers under the Antiquities Act to declare Mojave Trails a

national monument. Earlier this year, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., introduced legislation

to create several national monuments in the area but has been unable to move the

bill forward. The petition is online at keenfootwear.com/livemonumental.

Environmental advocates with the Live Monumental campaign are in Washington this week to push for a national monument in the Mojave Desert. Credit: Bryn Jones

October 7, 2015 www.desertstarweekly.com

14 DesertSTAR

The Purple Room Celebrates Frank Sinatras 100th with Special Guest!By Desert Star Staff

Palm Springs, CA 10/1/2015 Celebrating the 100th birthday of the late Frank Sinatra, The Purple Room has major events planned for December, including a rare appearance by Franks granddaughter, AJ Lambert, daughter of Nancy Sinatra.

Lambert appears at The Purple Room on Thursday, December 10 at 7 pm to kick off a weekend celebration in honor of Franks 100th birthday on December 12th. Frank Sinatra and his Rat Pack cronies used to hold court at The Purple Room, which was built in 1960; in fact, according to Purple Room co-owner Tony Marchese, Frank got engaged at the club to his wife Barbara.

Raised in Los Angeles, AJ (Angela Jennifer) Lambert never doubted that she would join the family business. As a teen,

she taught herself to play bass and drums and performed with local bands while studying for a degree in screenwriting from the University of Southern California. AJ started her musical career as a founding member of the Los Angeles-based band Sleepington and later went on play in such bands as rock trio Rocket (with drummer Murph, of bands The Lemonheads and Dinosaur Jr); a new lineup of the seminal punk band The Homosexuals; Looker; and Here We Go Magic.

After appearing with Rocket, AJ took a few years to embrace her familial roots and lived life as a jazz singer in Hoboken, New Jersey, her grandfathers hometown. She produced her mother Nancy Sinatras self-titled 2004 record, co-writing the song, Bossman. Nancy and AJ performed it together as part

of a guest stint on the popular HBO series, The Sopranos, during the shows final season.

Like many artists before her, AJ was influenced by the jazz vocals of her grandfather and the 60s pop of her mother. In 2009, she released her solo debut recording, simply entitled, EP. She is also well known for her work as a music supervisor, as well as producing or contributing to film soundtracks, and has been associated with such projects as Interstate 60: Episodes of the Road (2002) and Lee Daniels Shadowboxer (2005).

AJ is a music consultant and host of the radio show Third Generation on Siriusly Sinatra Radio. She currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and daughter. Tickets for AJ Lambert are $25 and available online at t http://ajlambert.bpt.me.

Following AJ Lamberts appearance will be Palm Springs favorite Bobbie Eakes, doing a Frank Sinatra tribute show on Saturday, December 12th at 7 pm.

Singer and actress Eakes got her first big break when she was signed to Epic Records with her all girl band Big Trouble. Produced by Grammy and Oscar winner Giorgio Moroder, Big Trouble was featured on MTV, American Bandstand and music festivals like the renowned Montreux Pop Festival. Shortly thereafter, Bobbies acting career took off she was cast in the role of Macy Alexander on The Bold and The Beautiful. She played Macy over a period of 14 years while continuing her singing career and, enjoying two double platinum CDs in Europe.

Back in the US, Bobbie recorded a duet called Loving

This Way with Sony Nashvilles top country artist Collin Raye. Bobbie toured the country with Collin and performed in venues like The Greek in Los Angeles, and The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, which were special highlights of her career. While in Nashville, Bobbie also worked for GAC as host of the networks Top 20 Country Countdown. In 2003, she moved to New York to portray Krystal on All My Children, garnering two Emmy nominations for Lead Actress. While in NY, Bobbie recorded a smooth jazz CD entitled Something Beautiful, which debuted at number 21 on the Smooth Jazz charts. Bobbie resides in Palm Springs, California, with her husband of 20 years, actor and writer David Steen.

This year has seen a burgeoning number of wonderful reissues and deluxe collections celebrating bona fide musical riches. Among the most highly-recommended titles are those celebrating the groundbreaking debut album from Garbage, a trio of singer-songwriter-guitarist Peter Framptons releases, a reissue of The Sneakers late 70s EP, and an outstanding collection of 60s and 70s soul rarities.

Artist: GarbageTitle: Garbage - 20th Anniversary Edition (Almo Sounds)You might like if you enjoy: Garbage, The Pretenders

Tell me more: Among the best and most influential albums from the 1990s, the 1995 self-titled debut from Garbage has been remastered and reissued as the expanded Garbage - 20th Anniversary Edition that will appeal to both hardcore and casual fans of the quartet. The 2-disc audio CD version reviewed here includes iconic hits (including Only Happy When It Rains and Stupid Girl), underrated rockers

(Supervixen, the electronica-tinged As Heaven Is Wide, the edgy Vow) and wonderful rarities (the confessional rocker Girl Dont Come, the electronica rocker Driving Lesson and haunting piano-anchored Sleep are terrific). Garbage - 20th Anniversary Edition is available in a number of formats including on vinyl and digital. Garbage is currently on tour in celebration of the bands debut and is performing the 1995 release in its entirety for the first time at all dates. Information: garbage.com.

Artist: Peter FramptonTitles: Premonition, When All the Pieces Fit, Now (Omnivore Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: Peter Frampton, Humble Pie

Tell me more: Listening to classic rock radio in 2015 it might seem that rocker Peter Frampton had only issued a single album (1976s Frampton Comes Alive!). In truth, the British-born artist has enjoyed a rich career stretching back to the 1960s when he was a member of the Herd and later Humble Pie. Framptons three

studio recordings stretching from 1986s Premonition to 2003s Now (sandwiched around 1989s When All The Pieces Fit) have been reissued complete with extensive liner notes that shed additional light on these overlooked discs. The material ranges from melodic pop-rock (including the mainstream hit Lying and synth rocker Stop from Premonition) to dance rock (Holding On To You from When All the Pieces Fit) and a spirited anthem (People All Over the World with Framptons top-tier vocals showcased). Framptons guitar playing is always a joy, as evidenced by his remarkable cover of George Harrisons While My Guitar Gently Weeps and the instrumental original Greens (both featured on Now). Information: omnivorerecordings.com.

Artist: SneakersTitle: Sneakers (Omnivore Recordings)You might like if you enjoy: The dBs, R.E.M., Wilco, Marshall Crenshaw

Tell me more: One of indie

rocks earliest American heroes gets a well-deserved second look thanks to Omnivore Recordings newly-issued Sneakers. The North Carolina-spawned Snea