A Hawt Gay Palm Springs Summer Mon, May 17, 2021 by Randy Garner Gay Things To Do in Palm Springs By Kevin Perry Sunlight is a powerful force. It invigorates, it illuminates, and it radiates across the summer, welcoming open-air events and gregarious folks across the rainbow spectrum. There are many reasons why Pride month coincides with the middle of the year. First, it has historical significance, commemorating the Stonewall uprising that liberated so many hearts, minds and attitudes back in ‘69. But Pride is also a seasonal uprising. We yearn for warmth in its many forms: the warmth of inclusion, the warmth of connection and the literal warmth of the environment beckoning us out of the humdrum and into the sublime. Santiago Resort pool and spa Sound familiar? This is Palm Springs, circa summer. Check out our amenities by checking into one of the legendary gay Palm Springs resorts that pepper our landscape. From the architectural triumph of Triangle Inn to the frisky grounds of Canyon Club to the largest pool of any gay hotel in Palm Springs at Santiago Resort to the understated grandeur of El Mirasol, there is a clothing optional pool just waiting for you to make a splash. Triangle Inn In fact, our list of gay things to do in Palm Springs includes havens that spilleth over like one of the aforementioned pools. You can gaze at the men lounging near the waterfalls of Vista Grande, discover your homo away from home at The Hacienda, let it all hang out at All Worlds, or celebrate seclusion at Desert Paradise. Be sure to beat the heat in style with your own INNdulge cabana, equipped with comfy seats and cooling overhead fans. Now that’s some shade we don’t mind thrown our way! The Hacienda at Warm Sands Once you’re sufficiently settled and soaked, you’ll need some refreshment for your palate. March to a different drummer and arrive at Bongo Johnny’s. Their bottomless champagne is only $5 and it pairs perfectly with breakfast entrees like Polynesian French Toast or a Fried Chicken Benedict. Your Summer Hair Do Now that you’re feeling good, it’s time to look good. Destination: Daddy’s. This barbershop bills itself as the gay version of the salon in Steel Magnolias. Or explore even more stylish options at rival establishment Sunny Dunes Barber Shop. Get your beard did or coif like a kween and shed those pesky winter locks. And while we’re on the topic of shedding, have some fun next door at the Tool Shed. The back patio is optimized for summer with a rugged mountain view. Daddy’s See a Show You simply must take in a show at Oscar’s, where the talent is tucked and triumphant. This is definitely a main pick for gay things to do in Palm Springs. The drag queens of Bitchiest Brunch are clawing their way to the top of your bottomless mimosa existence. As gay turns to night, Las Chicas Calientes spice up every Monday and Friday, so they have you covered no matter which end of the week you prefer to party. It’s always vacation time in gay Palm Springs at Oscar’s. Oscar’s mimosa men Hang Out on Arenas Road The epicenter of the summer scene is located squarely on Arenas Road, where camaraderie rules. Whether you cruise the south side of the block where the people at Dick’s mingle with the hipsters of Chill Bar, or if your North Star guides you to the festive happenings at Hunters and Streetbar, you will collab! Each of the aforementioned pairs share parking lot spaces that facilitate spacious outdoor gatherings suited for our hot desert nights. Chill Bar While on Arenas, recharge with some sinful grub at Blackbook. The chicken sammy is to die for (and we never end our sentences with prepositions, so you know we’re passionate!). Wash it down with some liquid courage and join the chorus of showtune-loving summer crooners at Quadz. If you’re feeling exotic, let your rainbow flag fly at The Tropicale. Psst! The founder used to be Barbra Streisand’s personal chef. Hello, gorgeous gourmet! Next, get your cocktail on at Toucans Tiki Lounge, populated with drag queens and go-go dancers galore. Is it hot in here, or is it just you? Toucans The Beauty of Summertime The beauty of summertime in Palm Springs is the sprawl of it all. The calendar stretches out before you as if autumn may never descend. Palm Springs embodies this sense of freedom by spreading its hotspots across the map. For instance, venture out-and-proudward for LGBTQ dining options like Jake’s. Their seafood fare and white wine menu are the perfect complement to the sultry atmosphere. And no visit to our hearty hometown would be complete without a nosh at Trio. The iconic orange branding gives you solar vibes year-round so that you can carry the spirit of the season in your homo hearts and full bellies well beyond the length of your stay. Truly, summer is eternal here in Palm Springs. Trio
Summer Food and Cocktails Mon, May 10, 2021 by Randy Garner Refreshment Refined By Kevin Perry Experiences have flavor. Conjure up your favorite vacation moments and savor the associations simmering in your senses. Most likely, you are remembering the morsels that expanded your horizons and the beverages that washed down a life well lived. Palm Springs sunshine paired with summer food and and the clink of martini glasses. Get ready to add to your menu of memories because we are on the cusp of a delectable summer season. Palm Springs is renowned for its world-class restaurants and bars, so we are already anticipating the best ways to brave the heat with a cool selection of dining and summer cocktail destinations. Summer Food and Drinks Paired with Color If you hadn’t noticed, we like things bright and cheery, and what better place to start a colorful stay this summer than at the Saguaro Palm Springs. Head into El Jefe for fresh fruit margaritas, tacos on the lawn, daily happy hour, and in-room dining. With Palm Springs’ largest selection of tequilas and mescals, a hand-picked variety of locally-brewed beers, and hand-crafted cocktails, summer food never tasted so good. A Little Cheeky for Breakfast Let’s start the day deliciously with breakfast at a local legend: Cheeky’s. Their bacon flight will bring you to new heights of NomNomNom while their inventive egg dishes keep you grounded. Don’t forget to sneak a sip of Cheeky’s boozy lemonade because… summer! The courtyard provides pockets of shade, but be sure to arrive early – this place is popular for a reason! Summer Food to Satisfy Satisfy your sweet tooth without packing on the carbs (they’re so last season) with the light and lemony griddlecakes at Norma’s. Nestled stylishly at The Parker, the open-air surroundings are a welcome blast of color and calm. Pair your nosh with an amusing rosé and drink in the relaxation. From upscale to down home, Palm Springs is a melting pot of melt-in-your-mouth fare. Wilma & Frieda are teaming up to tackle your mid-morning hunger. Gauge your portions according to their sliding scale: eeny if you’re feeling peckish, meany for a splash of meat, miney to double the decadence, or mo for the deluxe treatment. After all, the key to staying cool is pacing your palate. If you load yourself down with heavy grub, you’ll feel the weight of summer bearing down on you. Instead, craft your diet without denying your appetite. Summer food to keep you happy. Since you’re already indulging, raise a glass to brunch or lunch Palm Springs summer cocktails at Grand Central. The “basic bee bubbly” infuses gin with organic honey and lavender liqueur before blanketing the crisp concoction with a ticklish coat of Prosecco. Hello, afternoon ahh! Lazy Lunches Sounds impossible? Don’t worry; we crunched the numbers for you – the numbers Eight4Nine, specifically. Their array of offerings tantalizes your taste buds in a breezy yet substantial manner. From the cauliflower steak to the salmon Niçoise salad, you’ll have plenty of room for a slab of sinful caramel macchiato cake (we won’t tell!). Before you drink the day away, be sure to cushion your consumption with comfort food. Nothing says summer food like burgers, so get up in our grill and try the best patties in Palm Springs. Tyler’s is a Palm Springs institution with a hearty side of open wide! Also consider a trek over to Revel Public House, where the eponymous burger is piled with avocado and a sunny side up fried egg. This is protein perfected. Tyler’s Burger If you think desert dining is spare, we simply say oh, contraire! Immerse yourself in the ambience of southern France right here in the convenience of southern California. Farm Palm Springs ushers you from the shimmering heat to a lush Provencal paradise. Stroll through an outdoor garden setting while enjoying light appetizers like watermelon gazpacho paired with a botanical berry signature cocktail. Something Chilled at Dusk As dusk caresses the mountain ridge, explore the full potential of your summer evening, gastronomically speaking. Truss & Twine launches you into a vintage vibe, serving bespoke spirits like the game changer. Chilled gin mingles with cucumber, sugar, lime, celery bitters, sea salt and onion brine. You will be swimming in succulence, anchored wisely by T&T’s small plates such as the marinated beet salad and charcuterie elevated. No trip to downtown would be complete without a visit to Lulu California Bistro. The entrees are fulfilling and fresh, including dishes like Alaskan cod and a fresh strawberry salad. Complete the seasonal slam-dunk with cocktails that range from the pear drop martini to the cucumber cooler to the key lime pie. Yes, it’s as great as it sounds! Summer Food South of the Border For the perfect synthesis of summery and spicy, check into El Mirasol at Los Arboles Hotel. In addition to some of the best traditional Mexican dishes in town, you can find playfully pleasing plates like shrimp sautéed in garlic and olive oil or chicken coated in a sauce derived from ground pumpkin seeds. And oh, the margaritas make a perfect Palm Springs summer cocktail. Chill your cravings with a choice of Patron, Don Julio or Hornitos infused concoctions. Blend in fresh mangos or strawberries; your whim is El Mirasol’s mission. Or opt for a true classic: de la casa margarita, the recipe that has accompanied 25 Palm Springs summers and counting. Our hometown epitomizes the vacation months. The landscape is balmy and beautiful, and our cuisine reflects its surroundings. Trust the locals to quench your summer thirst and satiate your burning hunger; they know the terrain and they serve accordingly.
Hiking Lower Palm Canyon Trail Mon, May 3, 2021 by Randy Garner Stroll along Palm Canyon Creek and below the massive Palm Trees. Hiking Lower Palm Canyon Trail Length: 3 – 4 miles out and back Hiking Time: 2 hours This is considered an easy hike and family-friendly. The Lower Palm Canyon Trail is located in Indian Canyons. Follow South Palm Canyon until it begins to turn and keep to the right. You will see Mr. Lyons on your left. Proceed about 2 miles to the Indian Canyons tollgate, then continue 2.5 miles to Palm Canyon and the trading post. You will pass through a rock on your way to the trading post. Walk down the trail and begin your hike of the Lower Palm Canyon Trail on the right. For the first ¾ of a mile, follow the pathway above Palm Canyon Creek. Palm Canyon is quite magnificent. It is cool and mostly shady, filled with fan palms of all sizes next to a stream that still has pools and springs in mid-summer, though at drier times, most water flows below ground. The trees rise up to 60 feet and have trunks 3 feet across, all from the same species—washingtonia filifera, the only palm native to western North America. Source: Dan Kirkpatrick A few other plants are found here, including reeds around the water and willow & cottonwood trees on the slopes, though the palms dominate. Some small groups grow higher up the hillsides or along short side canyons, where underground water is available. The most evident wildlife is the desert spiny lizards, but rattlesnakes are also encountered, while fish and frogs live in the reflective pools and streams. Always stay on the rail where it is clear of vegetation. The trail then crosses Palm Canyon Creek and eventually connects with the Victor and Palm Canyon Trail. As you continue, it becomes East Fork Trail. Hike another .5 to 1 mile before turning around and heading back to the trading post. The colossal palm tree oasis ends after about 1.4 miles of walking through Palm Canyon. Source: Eric Satterblom Take the Victor Trail back if you’d like to make the Palm Canyon hike a loop instead of an out-and-back hike. The aerial views of the palm oasis from the Victor Trail are excellent. The desert landscape on the Victor Trail contrasts with the lush Palm Canyon. You’ll gain a wonderful new perspective on the size and beauty of the beautiful Palm Springs oasis. You’ll also enjoy hiking through a dense cactus forest, with literally thousands of beautiful & interesting cacti growing all over the canyon wall. This would be better to do. in the fall/winter when temperatures are more moderate. You May Also Like: Palm Springs Hiking Guide Palm Springs Interactive Hiking Guide The Beauty of Oswit Canyon
Oscar’s Delivers the Go-Go Goods Thu, April 29, 2021 by Randy Garner Oscar’s Palm Springs By Kevin Perry Does anybody remember dancing? It’s that curious shimmy that evolves into a liberating whirlwind, and the only obstacles in your way are the walls of the club and the occasional partner moving in unison with your hypnotic maneuvers. Well, mirthful movement is alive and well at Oscar’s Palm Springs, the epicenter of effortless fun. “T-Dance is a Sunday event here that has basically cemented Oscar’s worldwide as a place to dance,” declares owner Dan Gore. “If it wasn’t for the local people that come here every Sunday, Oscar’s probably wouldn’t be here.” Dan Gore The past few months threw a tragic damper over the fierce festivities, but now an intoxicating cabaret is roaring back to life and spilling into the sunny courtyard. Oscar’s Palm Springs Bitchiest Brunch “Once the entertainment restriction was lifted, within 24 hours is when Oscar’s Palm Springs began our Bitchiest Brunch, which is now probably what we’re best known for. I think because of the pandemic, people are really anxious to get out and escape. And that’s what entertainment is really about. My theory is that entertainment is a part of escaping your normal day life and to be taken to a place that’s enjoyable and that takes you away from your everyday worries or life, to escape into something unreal. And just to enjoy a moment of fantasy, if you will, or just a moment of a joyfulness.” Dan’s tone grows effervescent as he continues, “Entertainment is part of the human life ingredient that you need to survive.” Oscar’s Palm Springs Mimosa Men While we’re concocting a recipe for happiness, may we suggest the perfect drink pairing: champagne. Bubbly is the lifeblood of Oscar’s Palm Springs latest attraction, Mimosa Men. Every Saturday at 11:30am, Palm Springs transforms into Gyration Nation as a cadre of muscle-bound specimens serve up some scandal. “I just couldn’t have imagined men stripping in daylight. And of course someone said, ‘You got to do it,’ and as soon as we opened up, they were just selling out and now it’s definitely our second most successful show here outside.” But the Mimosa Men are #1 in our hearts. During a typical show, the performers climb the walls, rip off (almost) every morsel of clothing that cling to their sculpted forms, and spin the voracious audience into a mid-morning feeding frenzy. “It’s not just go-go dancers,” Dan teases. “They can go-go dance as well, but they’re actually professionally trained dancers and we have an aerial lift as well. And they’re choreographed by a popular choreographer from Los Angeles and we bring them in from LA and they dance and they take their clothes off. They pour everyone’s champagne first and then they take their clothes off.” Essential Public Service Whew, glad we’ve got our priorities straight. Speaking of straight, Oscar’s Palm Springs is providing an essential public service through the art of erotic wait staffing. “We’re all familiar with all the bachelorettes bombarding the gay bar,” admits Dan. “Locally, amongst the local community, the bachelorettes were definitely causing a ruckus in a lot of our men’s gay bars. So I wanted to accomplish something by bringing them outside of the gay bar, bringing them to Oscar’s. So they wouldn’t bother the gay culture.” Indeed, the lure of wake-up booze and greased-up gentlemen has attracted a bevy of caterwauling attendees, but the ladies who brunch are generally on their best (worst) behavior. It’s just the latest gem in Dan’s crown of inclusion. “This is what diversification is all about,” he opines. “A lot of the entertainment venues that focused on inside entertainment cannot open. So I’ve incorporated hiring dancers from other venues so they can work and so we can have a diverse artistic cycle here.” Case in point: rock ‘n’ roll meets drag royalty. Live Music “We have a 60s band from the Roadhouse, which is a colleague, a neighbor business here on Palm Canyon, so they have a lot of bands over there. And so I hired one of their house bands, they played here last night and we had a lot of the Roadhouse regulars here. And then it transitioned from the Roadhouse into a Latin culture drag show… We had about a dozen people that watched the Roadhouse band actually watch the drag queens. So that doesn’t happen everyday where you’re going to have diverse entertainment where you have a crossover of very hetero, if there is such a thing, hetero clientele that enjoys rock music to stay over and watch drag queens.” Dan is proud to announce that Las Chicas Calientes has garnered enough acclaim to catapult it into a double feature event bookending the perfect weekend in Palm Springs. “It’s so popular that we just started up two nights. So it’s now Mondays and Fridays and both nights were just packed. So there’s a popular, homegrown Latina culture here that they’re very tight and very loving and they love their Spanish drag queens and we’re very happy to have them here.” Love is more than just a buzzword for Dan Gore; it’s a societal bond. “I’m continuing to give back to the community, to The Center. I’m a donor to the Gay and Lesbian Center here in Palm Springs, the Palm Springs Police Association to the Boys & Girls Club. And I’m constantly giving back as much as I can ‘cause that’s how businesses survive, is through the locals. And if I can help the locals with their local charities, then I’m all for it. Just the big circle of life, a big circle of finances. So I’m glad to support local charities.” Generosity of spirit yields at atmosphere of creativity, acceptance and, yes, scantily clad Romeos. Mimosa Men is just the latest menu item in Oscar’s roster of raucousness, and it all adds up to a must-experience attraction. “What we aspire to be is the entertainment destination for Palm Springs,” announces Dan. “So when people think of coming to Palm Springs, they think about going to Oscar’s because of the wide variety and diversity of the entertainment that we have here.” We would make a well-rounded double entendre here, but we’re classier than cheeky butt jokes. The end.
Meet Local Artist Everette Solomon Sun, April 25, 2021 by Randy Garner The Beauty of Being To Everette Solomon, art is simultaneously indefinable yet undeniable. You can’t pinpoint the moment an action becomes an aesthetic, it just does… and then it just is. That is art. You are art. Nobody embodies this everyday/extraordinary dichotomy more fully than Everette Solomon, who often goes by the handle @Jevpic or his latest art piece @TheFaultLineMeditation, which is on display between The Palm Springs Art Museum & The Rowan Hotel. Connection with Coachella Music Festival Everette Solomon is a thrillingly accomplished visual stylist that credits his first taste of desert inspiration to a popular music festival of which you may be familiar. “Coachella taught me about the next level of public art, where the experience is the art. I realized people weren’t just coming for the music, they were coming to be apart of the vibe. So I took that philosophy and practiced it with the parties I throw, the photography I produce and the art direction I give.” “I’ve gone to almost, I know it’s goofy, but 30 Coachellas. I count both weekends because each is it’s own experience. Coachella has been a instrumental education, just like the ones I got at FIDM & Art Center College of Design.” When describing Everette, the word involved is an understatement. From the moment he rode into the desert in 2007, he has engaged with local culture intensely and meaningfully. Modernism Week “I’ve been photographing Modernism Week for nine years and I’ve gone to every Desert X… I’ve donated my paintings to charities like The Steve Chase Awards for 7 years and I skateboard around downtown everyday having meaningful conversations with complete strangers. I want to connect to a large audience and I will use every means possible. I’m not a photographer, I’m not a sculptor, I’m not a land artist, I’m not a painter, I’m not a poet, I’m not a writer, I’m a performance. I’ve survived and thrived through so many things that now I know I have purpose and once you have purpose, it can’t be taken away.” Fault Line Meditation “I’ve been working on finding a home for the Fault Line Meditation close to five years and with the help of the Palm Springs Public Arts Commission, the city said yes,” recounts Everette Solomon. “I got the go ahead on March 10th and a few days later, the shut down of America happened, the lockdown.” But the show had to go on, and Everette Solomon appealed to city representatives to continue with his vision. “I don’t need the bulldozers, I don’t need the crew, I’ll build it with my own two hands,” he beseeched them. “I went down there and I started playing in the dirt until if finally appeared.” The Fault Line Meditation is a contemplation of renewal, connoted by gravesites and signs reading not mine and not yours. The land glows from within, angry at the human indiscretions that have divided it more than any tectonic activity ever could. It is truly one of the only bright spots to emerge from the devastation of the pandemic. Downtown Bench Project Despite his litany of humility, Jevpic has left his mark on all of the aforementioned disciplines. He is one of the brilliant collaborators responsible for the downtown bench project and his latest endeavor brings installation art to provocative new levels. While the earth stood still, Jevpic’s personal life was rocked by grief. He harnesses tears as he whispers, “I’ve just learned to cry. My mom died of COVID as soon as the piece was finished.” Fresh tragedy washes through Jevpic’s voice as he speaks, but he soon pivots to the core reason why he creates. “We have this responsibility because of what our ancestors went through to get us here. I get to live in this great, big, beautiful town and everywhere I look it’s perfect. It’s perfect, there’s the mountains, there’s the architecture, there’s the history, there’s the Cahuilla nation, there’s the Cultural Center, there’s the Art Museum, world-class restaurants, an entire gay street, a little town of 60,000 people with its own gay street where the population is 58% gay.” The power of positivity brings renewed purpose to Jevpic’s tone. “I’m blessed, I’m healthy, I’m happy and I’m healing. When you fall a lot and keep getting up, not only do you get resilient, you get wiser.” Gratitude shimmers through the artist as he summons his concluding remarks. “My light gets to shine even more through this article, through your writing, so thank you, and thank you to Downtown Palm Springs, Grit Development, PS Public Arts Commission, Coachella, Desert X, and Modernism Week. The city nurtured me and helped create the artist I am today.” Palm Springs thanks you right back.All photos courtesy JEVPIC
Palm Springs Art Museum Redefines Community Mon, April 19, 2021 by Randy Garner The Art of Appreciation By Kevin Perry Culture is comforting. During the height of lockdown, we collected societal artifacts of everyday life to help us maintain a sense of normalcy. It may have been as simple as a morning walk or a call with loved ones, but for some of us, it was a newsletter from the Palm Springs Art Museum. “We have this every-other-week newsletter, it has about 14,000 subscribers,” narrates Scott Slaven, Director of Marketing, Communications and Graphic Design. “We just wanted to keep people engaged. We didn’t want people to forget about the museum.” With empathy coursing through his tone, Slaven adds, “Artistic stimulation is really important.” In order to deliver said stimulation remotely, the museum got creative. “Every week, we would profile pieces from our permanent collection, usually two at a time. And then every other week, we had art activities that were inspired by a piece that is in our permanent collection… And then the activities, we have an education department at the museum and they worked with Palm Springs Unified School District to share those activities too with school kids. Cause we couldn’t have school tours, which are a big part of what we do during the school year.” But children can’t have all the fun. For us big kids with big imaginations, Slaven serves up premium content galore. “We also decided to do what we call was insider’s view, it was videos about 10 minutes long and we’d go to an artist’s studio and interview them about their work, their process. We have a couple coming up that are going to go to prominent art collectors who live in Palm Springs and look at their personal art collection in their homes. And then, we have another one called collectors’ favorites and we invite guests into the museum to talk about four or five of their favorite pieces in our collection.” The organization is founded on a legacy of innovation and evolution. “The museum was originally started in late 30s,” explains Slaven, “as a Natural Sciences Museum. Lot of it was about desert flora and fauna and all that kind of stuff. Then it kind of morphed into more of like Western art and things like that. It only became a fine art museum about 22 years ago, I think officially. We have a vast array of things in our permanent collection; it goes the gamut of styles.” Diversity of thought is a mainstay of the museum. Their featured artists convey a kaleidoscope of perspectives on architecture, landscape and the human condition, all told through a decidedly desert lens. “The focus is now really on a 20th century, sort of mid-century and going forward, contemporary art.” Forward is the operative word in Slaven’s sentiment. “We have five new exhibitions that were put up during our closure that no one has seen or, well, they’re only starting to see now that they come in.” That’s right: the museum is reopen for resplendence, and visitors’ peace of mind is the main attraction. “We try to direct traffic, our volunteers try to, so people aren’t grouping together too much. We developed an app that people can use as the QR code that’s on the wall. So if they don’t want to get close to the panels that talk about the art or talk about, give some background to the exhibition, people can just stand there and look at it on their phone in their own space.” As transcendent as the museum’s exhibits are, Slaven shows his appreciation for the attendees. “It’s been great to have people back in and we’ve got a really interesting new installation that we just put in across the street… It’s hard to describe, but it’s actually a car standing perpendicular above a pool of liquid that looks like motor oil. It’s really interesting. And we had a live stream of the construction of it from our website. Just kind of get people excited about it.” Enthusiasm swirls around the Palm Springs Art Museum, careening gently through the space and gliding ever upwards, reaching new levels of inspiration. “There’s an important architect, he was an icon named Albert Frey. He has a home called the Frey House II, that’s up in the hills, right behind the museum. Frey House II It’s a really, really phenomenal, unique sort of a one bedroom house with a pool. And it’s got the most amazing views of the city. Anyway, Albert Frey, he designed that in the early sixties, but in 1931, along with a partner of his… They designed the first, what we would call prefab home ever made in America. It’s made of aluminum. It fell into disrepair and a foundation was built called the Aluminaire House Foundation. They have brought it to Palm Springs Art Museum, and we’re going to reconstruct it in our parking lot. It’s going to be a permanent part of our collection. And that will probably be built, the exterior anyway, by the fall.” The consummate showman, Slaven is already enticing us for what’s to come, even as we reel from the organization’s current display of attractions. “The art museum is a really important place for people interested in culture and the arts to become members, become volunteers, get involved,” concludes Slaven. And once you behold the all the wonders of the Palm Springs Art Museum, you can’t resist engaging in its splendor. 101 Museum Drive, Palm Springs Reserve Your Tickets Free Thursday Nights, 5 – 7 pm You May Also Like: The Art of Palm Springs
Cool New Popsicles Art Wed, March 31, 2021 by Randy Garner New Palm Springs Popsicles Art brightens Sunny Dunes Salinas artist John Cerney’s installation at 605 Sunny Dunes Road, across from Townie Bagels, features five hands holding up different flavors of popsicles. The five colorful popsicles art pieces are a part of Palm Springs art commissioned through a Neighborhood Grant Program. The Palm Springs Public Arts Commission uses its grant programs to help out local artists struggling from the pandemic. Artist John Cerney John Cerney is a Monterey County based artist behind this Palm Springs popsicles art that has been creating larger than life, painted plywood figures since 1995. He has painted hundreds of murals on display all around the country. A California native, his artwork can best be described as giant cut-out art ordinarily viewed from the comfort of your automobile. Source: John Cerney Wanting to reach a larger audience, John Cerney convinced a farmer to allow him to paint a mural on his barn, just for practice. This ultimately led to commissions from local business owners to paint their walls. Finally realizing that he could earn a living painting murals and gain a wider audience, he moved to Salinas in 1991 to concentrate on his wall paintings. Source: John Cerney The Artist Evolution The evolution of the cut-out paintings was slow, with a hand sticking out above a fence line as a start. He then painted a complete automobile in front of a wall. From there he decided the feeling that the wall was unnecessary and that lead to the cut-outs that stand on their own. The landscape behind the figures become the background. With all of his work now maintaining a “giant” status, the artist’s installations are almost exclusively found alongside the highways of California and the Midwest. His work is featured in numerous magazines, books, and newspapers over the years, including National Geographic, Sunset Magazine, Reader’s Digest, and the New York Times. This Palm Springs popsicles art instillation will stay up until December 2021. Source: John Cerney By Randy Garner
Deepwell Ranch Estates Bike Tour Tue, March 30, 2021 by Randy Garner Central Palm Springs Bike Tour Deepwell Ranch Neighborhood History George Fitch, Editor of the San Francisco Chronicle, purchased the land in 1895 and had planted an orchard of apricot trees. A 10-year drought followed and in 1911, Oliver McKinney and his wife Rose arrived in Palm Springs looking for a home site and took the lease on the Fitch property. The McKinney’s planted castor bean trees to supply the U.S. armed forces with castor oil. However, the men who controlled the water supply (Whitewater ditch), were interested in developing the northern part of town and closed the water supply. The McKinney’s were forced into abandoning their hopes and the property. Henry Parsons, eminent scientist and writer, came to the property in 1926 and the first thing he did was drill a well. Although he found water at 100 feet, he drilled further until he hit 613 feet where he stopped because 13 was his lucky number. Having the deepest water well in the Coachella Valley, he called the place Deep Well, and the name stuck. Parsons sold it in 1928 to Charles Doyle who converted it to Deep Well Guest Ranch. It changed hands a few times, but remained a ranch. In 1951 it was purchased by local developer, William Grant, and subdivided it into a custom home development. The long, low, one-story houses were and still are a mixture of Spanish Colonial Revival, Ranch, and midcentury modern. Begin Palm Springs Bike Tour A good place to begin your Palm Springs Bike Tour is the corner of Indian Trail and East Palm Canyon Drive. Indian Trail will angle right onto Camino Real. At the split you will see Villa Royale. Villa Royal is an amazing Spanish style boutique hotel. It was used for the TV series Mad Men (season 2). Follow Camino Real to Calle Palo Fierro turning right. Continue to Mesquite Avenue and turn right. Ginny Simms – 1139 Mesquite Ave. – Big Band singer and MGM contract actress. Seen here at the 1957 Palm Springs Police Show. Credit: Palm Springs Historical Society. Loretta Young – 1075 S Manzanita Av. (corner of Mesquite). Actress and Oscar winner for The Farmers Daughter (1947) and Emmy for The Loretta Young Show (1953). Studio Image, 1943 Turn right on Calle Rolph. Carmen Maranda Home – 1044 Calle Rolph Marjorie Main Home – 1290 Calle Rolph – Vaudeville, Broadway and film actress. Known best as Ma Kettle in the Ma and Pa Kettle movies. Robert Livingston – 1321 S Calle Rolph – Sci-fi and cowboy Actor. Oscar Mayer – 1353 Calle Rolph – Grandson of the original Oscar Mayer of Chicago who made it famous as a leader in hot dogs and sandwich meats. Continue your Palm Springs Bike Tour South to Sonora Road and turn right. Go one block and turn right again at Sagebrush Road. Jerry Lewis Home – 1349 Sagebrush Road Turn Left at Ocotillo Ave. and again at Driftwood Drive. William Holden Home – 1323 Driftwood Drive Turn right at Deepwell Road and continue west. It will run into South Deepwell road which will bring you back to East Palm Canyon Drive where you began. There are many more streets to explore in this neighborhood with architectural examples that has helped define the iconic Palm Springs midcentury style. While this tour just introduces you to the neighborhood, now that you know your way around, do some exploring! By Randy Garner
Palm Springs Hiking Trail: Mt. San Jacinto Peak Thu, March 25, 2021 by Randy Garner If The Thin Air Doesn’t Take Your Breath Away, The Views Will. When you enter Mount San Jacinto State Park, you come into the heart of the wilderness, high in the San Jacinto Mountains. The Palm Springs hiking trail at San Jacinto Peak is giant, and often snowcapped, rising 10,834 feet above sea level. It is the highest peak in the San Jacinto Range and in the California State Park System. Getting There Begin your journey by taking the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to the top of the San Jacinto Mountain. This Tramway is the world’s largest rotating tram car and travels over 2.5 miles along the cliffs of Chino Canyon, transporting you to the pristine wilderness of the Mt. San Jacinto State Park. During your approximately 10-minute journey, tram cars rotate slowly, offering spectacular valley views. Once you reach the Mountain Station at elevation at 8,516 feet, there are over 50 miles of hiking trails to explore. As you climb you’ll experience a series of biotic communities ranging from desert scrub at the Valley Station to a mixed conifer forest dotted with wildflowers at the Mountain Station. The Palm Springs Hike After enjoying the magnificent vista views from the Mountain Station, head out back where your trail begins. Walk down the concrete switchbacks to Long Valley and follow the signs for Round Valley and stop at the seasonal Long Valley ranger station and get your self-issued permit. As you continue on the trail you’ll pass a couple of junctions. Stick to the signs towards Round Valley (or the summit). Soon you will get your first glimpse of the meadow in Round Valley. At 2.3 miles, you’ll reach the far end of the Round Valley meadow at 9,100 feet. The Round Valley Meadow is an exceedingly uncommon and fragile wetland habitat, made all the more rare by its isolation high above the Southern California desert. Continue your Palm Springs hike by taking the trail up the valley towards Wellman’s Divide. This trail climbs steadily on a well-engineered trail for a mile, finally reaching the stunning southern vistas of the divide. There is a junction at the divide marked by a trail sign. Be sure you head north towards San Jacinto Peak. The trail runs diagonally across the east flank of Jean Peak, pausing briefly at a flat cleft at 10,000 feet before continuing north on the east side of San Jacinto. Distance from the Tram to the summit is 5.5 miles. Source: Jeff Hester Note: Snow normally covers the wilderness from November through April. For current weather and trail conditions, call (760) 327-0222. Please Remember All natural and cultural features are protected by law and may not be disturbed or removed. You must have a permit to enter the wilderness. If you are under the age of 18 you must be with a parent or guardian or have a signed consent to obtain the permit. Pack out all trash. In the state wilderness, use the pit toilets in the campgrounds. In USFS areas, bury human waste at least eight inches deep and at least 200 feet from the nearest drainage, trail, or camp. Please stay on trails. Help preserve plants and prevent erosion by not making or using shortcuts. Smoking is permitted only in designated areas at the tram’s Mountain Station. The wilderness is a state game refuge; possession of firearms, bows and arrows, slingshots, or other weapons is prohibited. Except for trained service animals, all dogs are prohibited in the wilderness areas. All fires are prohibited in the wilderness areas.
Explore the Sunny Dunes Gayborhood Mon, March 15, 2021 by Randy Garner A Gay in the Life By Kevin Perry Proximity is underrated. For many LGBTQ+ individuals, finding hotspots and cool hangouts often requires travel, research and effort, none of which contribute to a relaxing getaway. The wonderful benefit of Palm Springs is how it brings inclusion to your front door, no matter where you hang your super-fashionable hat. The Sunny Dunes neighborhood, for example, provides ample attractions for a laid back gaycation. Let’s take a deep dive into the establishments that factor into 24 hours in your life of leisure. Start the gay off right with a hearty nosh at Townie Bagels. Their couture carbs are crafted with love and lots of hard work. The signature bagels, for example, are formed fresh each night, then boiled the following morning to create a delectable texture before they sizzle to perfection. Also, be sure to inquire about Townie’s sourdough selection: olive if you’re feeling Mediterranean and country if you’re in a rustic mood. Now that you’re satiated and caffeinated, put that fierce fuel to great use: shopping! Antique Galleries of Palm Springs is just around the corner, so step back in time for some midcentury finds. From home décor to vintage keepsakes, AGPS sprawls across 12,000 square feet of browsing grandeur. You won’t feel cramped, but you will be cradled in collectibles. Speaking of cradling, you’ll definitely want a hug from the store’s head greeter: Barley the chocolate lab. He wears a rainbow bandana around his collar, so you can’t miss him! Before you experience the bar scene, you’ll want to look your sharpest, so stroll (confidently) over to nearby Sunny Dunes Barber Shop. They are friendly without being frilly, offering services that range from buzzcuts to beard trims to facial waxing and traditional ‘dos. Strike up a conversation with your stylist to find out which of them shares a birthplace with queer icon Judy Garland. Even if you guess wrong, you’re in the right place. The barber shop in its present location has been a part of the Palm Springs community for over 50 years and was formerly Joe’s Barber Shop. As the sun nestles in for a late afternoon nap behind the San Jacinto Mountains, a sense of naughtiness pervades the gayborhood. Don’t fight it; ignite it! Explore your wild side at Gear Leather & Fetish. Just next door you can celebrate the love in your life with a gift from Q Trading Company. They have books, cards for every occasion, and tastes of every persuasion, so put the Q in your LGBTQ+ excursion. OK, you’ve held out long enough. It’s time for the main event. The jewel in Sunny Dunes’ queer crown just got glitzier, because Tool Shed is expanding with a vengeance. Their recent $20,000 renovation opened the back door (pause for innuendo) and created a playground of cocktail prowess. The entire parking lot is now dominated by clientele lounging in an outdoor enclave as welcoming as it is spacious. Truly, this is the future of gay gatherings, circa the here and now. Tool Shed is synonymous with decadence, so don’t hold back. Drink in the hedonism, not to mention a healthy selection of adult beverages, before strutting back to your amazingly convenient gay resort. The Sunny Dunes area features three clothing optional choices within walking distance. Santiago is stylish without being snobby and flirtatious without being aggressive. Strike the perfect balance between exclusive and inclusive with amenities like an in-suite fireplace and bicycles for guests. The saline pool is framed by day beds, cool misters and hot Misters (if you catch our drift). Show off in the outdoor shower or feast on privacy in one of the wonderfully designed rooms. If architecture is your thing, check out (and check into) Triangle Inn. Built by Hugh Kaptur back in 1958, this resort has maintained its throwback esteem while updating its vibe to fit the gays of today. The bold glass structures overlook placid greenery encircling the grounds, where the men are scantily clad, if clad at all. Indeed, clothing is optional at Triangle Inn, but a good time is virtually guaranteed. The bad news: it seems like your first 24 hours in Sunny Dunes has almost expired. The great news: you can rest up royally and begin another day in this inviting, invigorating, incredible locale. After all, the ultimate draw of Palm Springs is more, more, more – more relaxation, more culinary sensations, and more gay-friendly than any other destination. Sunny Dunes will come out tomorrow… will you?
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