03/31/06

7th Annual April Fool's Day Survey

Posted by admin

Results of the 2006 poll which names America's Most Foolish Individual:

1. [4th year in a row] Michael Jackson - 69%
2. Dick Cheney - 59%
2. [tie] Paris Hilton - 59%
3. George Bush - 57%
4. Tom Cruise - 54%
5. Tom Delay - 41%
6. Courtney Love - 41%
7. Robert Blake - 38%
8. Paula Abdul - 35%
9. rapper L'il Kim - 33%
10. Madonna - 32%
11. lobbyist Jack Abramoff - 32%
12. comedian Dave Chapelle - 29%
13. model Kate Moss - 27%
14. author James Frey - 26%
15. Oprah - 24%

Posted at 04:14 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/31/06

Celebrity encounter: Patrick Duffy & Johanna Head

Posted by admin

Patrick Duffy was scheduled to play in the same fivesome as professional golfer Johanna Head.

When I asked if I could take his picture, Patrick laughingly pulled Johanna into the shot, too. [Click photo to enlarge.]

[

Posted at 03:25 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/31/06

Public art virtual tour: Flight

Posted by admin

Larger photo. Location: 1100 Bird Center Drive.

By Damian Priour.

Limestone and Glass, 1993.

This is the last stop in our tour, for now. If we've missed any pieces, please let us know! And don't forget to check out

Posted at 02:56 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/31/06

Solar eclipse from space

Posted by admin

The crew of the International Space Station took this photo of the moon's shadow on Earth from 230 miles above our planet. The solar eclipse area (143Kb animation) was moving (805Kb animation) across the Mediterranean at the time (2:50am PST on Wednesday, March 29). [

Posted at 10:46 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/31/06

America (including California) springs forward

Posted by admin

In most of the continental United States (you know who you are), Daylight Saving Time (not Savings) starts this Sunday morning at 2:00am local time.

On Monday, we'll discuss those italics on the word most.

Posted at 08:07 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/30/06

Rollin', rollin', rollin'

Posted by admin

I was doing some writing just before midnight awhile ago, when I slowly became aware of a persistent loud noise coming from outside the window. It sounded like a squadron of bombers in an old WWII movie, so I went out on the back patio to see if we were under attack.

A thunderstorm was moving through our desert valley and the rainy sky was alive with lightning: air-to-air strikes, well above the first layer of clouds. It was as if an enormous group of high-altitude paparazzi were trying to photograph an earthbound movie star. The individual flashes weren't clearly visible, but a quick brightening would emanate from one segment of the sky, followed by another... and another... and another, in every direction, at one- or two-second intervals.

There was never one big...

Posted at 04:21 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/30/06

Celebrity encounter: Mary Hart

Posted by admin

Entertainment Tonight's Mary Hart is very cool. [Click photo to enlarge.]

Many fans wanted to take photos, get autographs, shake hands, etc.

It was bedlam.

But Mary stayed calm in the midst of the clamor, and gave individual attention to each person.

Then she stepped up to the tee, cracked a few jokes, and hit the ball long and true.

What a class act.

[

Posted at 03:13 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/30/06

Whatchawannadothisweekend? (30Mar06)

Posted by admin

Tonight: At 7:30 and 9:30pm, catch the Concert Series at Peter's, featuring "The Duke & Billy, the works of Ellington and Strayhorn." All that jazz and din-din, too!

Friday: The Indian Wells Desert Symphony presents Hooked on Hollywood at 8pm. I'm pretty sure this does NOT refer to getting propositioned on Hollywood Boulevard...

Saturday morning: From 8am to 1pm, it's the National Trails Day Celebration at

Posted at 10:47 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/30/06

Public art virtual tour: The Naval Aviator

Posted by admin

Larger photo. Location: PS Air Museum.

By Jeff Barber.

Bronze, 1985.



[continue touring]

Posted at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/29/06

Public art virtual tour: Nines and Elevens

Posted by admin

Larger photo. Location: Demuth Park.

Designed by James Jared Taylor, III (b.1958).

Painted Welded Steel, 1999.



[continue touring]

Posted at 05:45 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/28/06

Moblog: undercover on location

Posted by admin

Much to my surprise, the casting agency called last Wednesday to offer me a one-day gig as a background extra. Fifty-four bucks for eight hours. Excellent. This means I might be able to drive right past the Payday Loan storefront next week.

When I said that I was ready for my closeup, they told me to call an unlisted phone number at a specific time on a specific day. Very "covert ops."

So today was the day, and I made the call. A disembodied recording recited directions to tomorrow's top-secret location, where a film crew will be working on

Posted at 04:24 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/28/06

Public art virtual tour: Machine Age

Posted by admin

Larger photo. Location: eastern end of Airport Entrance Road (Kirk Douglas Way).

By Jean-Claude Farhi.

Steel, 1994-99.



[continue touring]

Posted at 03:24 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/28/06

Celebrity encounter: Tommy Smothers

Posted by admin

I just got back from the Kraft Nabisco Celebrity Pro-Am, part of a golf tournament that used to bear Dinah Shore's name. It's an annual competition that draws thousands of partying lesbians to conservative Palm Springs. If you ever have a chance to attend a screening of Where the Girls Are, an award-winning documentary that provides a lighthearted look at Dinah Shore Weekend, you'll get...

Posted at 01:59 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/28/06

Public art virtual tour: Le Compas de Vulcan

Posted by admin

Larger photo. Location: middle of Airport Entrance Road (Kirk Douglas Way).

By Jean-Claude Farhi.

Steel, 1994-99.



[continue touring]

Posted at 10:53 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/28/06

Public art virtual tour: Forget Me Not

Posted by admin

Larger photo. Location: western end of Airport Entrance Road (Kirk Douglas Way).

By Jean-Claude Farhi.

Steel, 1994-99.



[continue touring]

Posted at 08:05 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/27/06

RV motorhome: vacation lodge on wheels

Posted by admin

According to a recent study of American vehicle-owning households, one in twelve now has a recreational vehicle. That's nearly seven million RVs. And many of those vehicles come to this valley for the winter.

Some RV resorts can be quite fancy, featuring swimming pools and miniature golf courses, along with state-of-the-art fitness and computer centers. The RVs themselves are sporting more features, too: washer/dryers, satellite dishes, back-up cameras, or even hot tubs. Many now have slideouts: at the touch of button, the slideout moves a portion of the RV's exterior outward as much as three or four feet, to enlarge the living area.

But I've saved the best news for last: the world land speed record...

Posted at 03:15 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/27/06

Whitey Mitchell: words and music

Posted by admin

Palm Springs resident Gordon "Whitey" Mitchell [click thumbnail photo to enlarge] has had two amazing careers: one as a jazz musician, and another as a writer for TV/film/stage/etc. I recently caught up with this creative whirlwind and badgered him until he broke down and answered a few questions:

You grew up in a talented family - what were some of the significant events of your childhood?

Being fully potty trained: FREEDOM AT LAST! After that, I have fond memories of the extended...

Posted at 10:23 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/27/06

Public art virtual tour: Charlie Farrell

Posted by admin

Larger photo. Location: entrance to the Airport.

By George Montgomery.

Bronze, 1998.



[continue touring]

Posted at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/24/06

Public art virtual tour: Frank Bogert

Posted by admin

Larger photo. Location: in front of City Hall.

By Raymundo Kobo.

Bronze, 1989.

Frank's comment about the sculpture: "Every time I go by there, the birds have covered my face with white stuff. So I call the City Manager and raise hell. The funny thing is, there's a statue...

Posted at 03:08 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/24/06

Europe springs forward

Posted by admin

Daylight Saving Time won't arrive here until a week from Sunday. But throughout most of the continental European Union, DST begins this Sunday morning, at 1:00am UTC.

In the 19th century, the "Prime Meridian" (longitude = 0 degrees) was established at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England, and Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) became the time standard for British maritime navigation. In 1970, the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) system was devised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Based...

Posted at 02:03 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/24/06

Celebrity encounter: Steve and Candace Garvey

Posted by admin

Last night, Steve Garvey and his wife Candace were at The Gardens, to participate in a Fashion Week runway show.

Susan Stein, Fashion Editor of Palm Springs Life, was the host.

According to Steve's bio, he's been married to Candace for over 17 years, and they have 7 children.

[

Posted at 10:43 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/24/06

Public art virtual tour: Desert Reflections

Posted by admin

Larger photo. Location: behind City Hall.

By Phill Evans.

Handcrafted Steel Dog Park Fencing and Entryway Gates, 1999.



[continue touring]

Posted at 08:11 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/23/06

RIP: 255-year-old Adwaitya

Posted by admin

Zookeepers at the Alipore Zoological Garden in Kolkata (Calcutta) are in mourning today for Adwaitya ("The Only One"), a giant Aldabra tortoise. Zoo records say Adwaitya was born in 1750, but some have claimed his birthdate was actually in 1705. The zoo will use carbon-dating to determine his real age... then his shell will be preserved onsite.

The average lifespan of an Aldabra tortoise is well beyond 100 years. Most of these animals are found on Aldabra, an atoll of four large coral islands in the Indian Ocean. This area has been protected from human interference, so 152,000 giant tortoises live there.

Posted at 03:12 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/23/06

Whatchawannadothisweekend? (23Mar06)

Posted by admin

Tonight: From 5-9pm, take an Art Walk on El Paseo: the second Art Walk in March! Includes El Paseo’s finest art galleries with artist receptions, special previews and more, featuring the latest in contemporary art trends to the classic masters and antiquities. I hear there's food, too! Yummy.

Friday: Fashion Group International® of Palm Springs and Desert Communities presents Spring/Summer 2006 Trend Overview, a panel discussion and slide presentation of new fashion trends. 3-5pm, under the...

Posted at 10:55 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/23/06

Public art virtual tour: John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Posted by admin

Larger photo. Location: center median in front of City Hall.

By Alexander Rosenfeld.

Bronze, 1969.



[continue touring]

Posted at 08:12 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/22/06

Desert flora: bougainvillea bracts up my nose

Posted by admin

The bougainvillea is a thorny, woody, flowering vine native to the Amazon rain forests in South America. It's named after Louis Antoine de Bougainville, a French military officer who discovered the plant in Brazil in 1768.

Bougainvilleas are popular here in the desert's warm climate. [Click thumbnail photo to enlarge.] The actual flower of the plant is small and usually white, but each cluster of three flowers is surrounded by three or six leaflike "bracts," which take on the color associated with that...

Posted at 03:04 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/22/06

DNA nebula

Posted by admin

Using NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, astronomers have found an elongated double-helix nebula 300 light-years from the enormous black hole at the center of our galaxy. By comparison, Earth is 25,000 light-years from the galactic center. The research was published March 16 in

Posted at 10:24 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/22/06

Public art virtual tour: Help Is On The Way

Posted by admin

Larger photo. Location: in front of Police HQ.

By Jeffrey Fowler.

Bronze, 1998.



[continue touring]

Posted at 08:07 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/21/06

Santa Ana winds

Posted by admin

They're blowing.

You can feel them swirling.

As they ebb and flow, the air becomes almost still, then quickly picks up velocity. To be called Santa Anas, these warm, dry winds must have a top speed of 25mph or more... but they often gust to 50 or 60.

October to March is the normal Santa Ana season. They blow from the east or northeast, below our passes and canyons. Although different meteorological scenarios may contribute to a Santa Ana event, the usual pattern involves a high pressure area sitting over the plateau between the Sierras and the Rockies. As the wind whips over the mountains and squeezes down through the canyons, it becomes compressed and warm. Warming air loses its humidity, sometimes dropping to less than 10%. So the inside of your nose...

Posted at 03:43 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/21/06

Tachevah

Posted by admin

"Top-down toolin' through Tachevah Drive."

Say it 3 times fast. Go ahead. I dare ya.

The name for Tachevah Drive was actually taken from a Cahuilla phrase: "ta che vah," meaning "a plain view."

Posted at 10:48 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/21/06

Public art virtual tour: The Batter

Posted by admin

Larger photo. Location: southeast end of the Library's parking lot, off Baristo Road.

By Bill Arms.

Interlocking Cut Steel, 1993.



[continue touring]

Posted at 08:01 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/20/06

Salton Sea mud volcanoes

Posted by admin

Inspired by Janice Kleinschmidt's excellent article in this month's PSL ("Sea of Wonders," p.110), my wife and I made our own mud-volcano pilgrimage yesterday. [Click any of these photos to enlarge.]

In 1876, Lieutenant E. Bergland visited these natural wonders and wrote: "The ground within an area of 200 by 500 yards is covered with large and small craters formed from the mud which had been thrown up into conical mounds. These mounds...

03/20/06

See you later, alligator...

Posted by admin

I'm off to check out Fashion Week El Paseo®!




[Click photo to enlarge.]

Posted at 02:00 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/20/06

Recipe: Meggy-leves for the Vernal Equinox

Posted by admin

An equinox occurs when the day and night become equal in length. According to the U.S. Naval Observatory, this year's vernal (spring) equinox occurs right now, at 10:26am. [Universal Time is currently 8 hours ahead of Pacific.]

In Hungary, the onset of spring is often celebrated with a delicious sour cherry soup, called "Meggy-leves" (MED-yuh lev-esh).

This is my wife's recipe for the traditional Hungarian sour cherry soup, in a slightly-sweeter American adaptation. [Anikó recommends checking out a specialty store like Ernie's for authentic sour cherries.]

Active preparation time:...

Posted at 10:26 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/20/06

Public art virtual tour: Daimaru XII

Posted by admin

Larger photo. Location: Convention Center.

By Michael Todd.

Steel, 1995.



[continue touring]

Posted at 08:13 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/17/06

Cattle call

Posted by admin

Moo.

The IEFC fax reads: "We're hosting an Open Casting Call for a new Television Pilot filming in Palm Springs at the end of March to April. Looking for all types, 18 to 100, Men and Women, all...

03/17/06

Public art virtual tour: Desert Highland Mural Project

Posted by admin

Larger photo. Location: Desert Highland Park. Designed by Richard Wyatt. Acrylic on Stucco, 1997.

[continue touring]

Posted at 02:48 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/17/06

Recipe: Sajtos Rud is very tasty with beer

Posted by admin

If you're gonna drink fiery green liquids today, you might want to eat something that will help absorb the alcohol. It's called "laying a base."

Note: After my wife Anikó finishes documenting a dish from her native Hungary, we look for the dumbest guy around (which is usually me), and see if he (me) gets confused during the preparation process. We figure if I can make something, anyone can. So rest assured this recipe has been certified bulletproof by our patented Dumb-Guy® testing procedure:

Sajtos Rud ("SHY-toesh rood") [Baked Cheese Bars]

8 cups of flour
5 level teaspoons of salt
1 oz. baking powder
12 oz. butter
32...

Posted at 10:17 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/17/06

Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig duit!

Posted by admin

Pronunciation: Ban-ack-tee na fay-la pawd-rig ditch. [Translation.]

1737: St. Patrick's Day was first publicly celebrated in America.

This holiday commemorates the death (on March 17, 461 A.D.) of the Catholic bishop who used a three-leafed shamrock to explain the Trinity concept to his converts.

Some claim he drove the snakes from Ireland, but snakes were never native to that country. Maybe they meant politicians.

♣♣♣ To heck with the snakes. Let's get drunk.

Posted at 08:04 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/16/06

Inbox: thanks for the links!

Posted by admin

It's high time we thanked the generous folks who have recently blogrolled The Desert Quidnunc and/or linked to us: Elena Dementieva (Russia), La Lecturess (eastern US),

Posted at 03:09 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/16/06

SCUBA breathing

Posted by admin

My brother is an experienced SCUBA diver. And he's obsessed with getting "max bottom time." In other words, he wants to spend as much of his dive as possible exploring the reef, wreck, or whatever else might be on the ocean floor. That's why he once taught me an old diving technique for breathing very shallowly, to keep from wasting precious air.

For the past three days, I've been suffering from the mother of all colds. It's not bird flu, but it might as well be. I just want to crawl into a hole and die. Every time I suck in a lungful of air, my chest feels like it's being skewered with machetes.

So I've been SCUBA breathing for three days: inhaling just enough air to keep from blacking out. If...

Posted at 02:22 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/16/06

Whatchawannadothisweekend? (16Mar06)

Posted by admin

Tonight: From 4-8pm, take advantage of PS Museum's free admission to check out the Juried Exhibition. I've made some calls, and have been assured this is not at all like Jury Duty.

Friday: Suzanne Somers performs at the McCallum, 8pm. Chrissy rides again!

Saturday morning: The Sky Valley Emergency Services Open House kicks...

Posted at 10:26 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/16/06

Public art virtual tour: Circle of Life

Posted by admin

Larger photo. Location: Desert Regional Medical Center.

By Myra Nelson.

Bronze, 1995.

[continue touring]

Posted at 08:02 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/15/06

Beware the Ides of March

Posted by admin

On this date in 44 B.C., Julius Caesar was assassinated. Other months have ides (days which were sacred to Jupiter, in the Roman calendar), but they usually fall on the 13th—except in March, May, July and October.

Posted at 02:50 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/15/06

PS Walk of Stars: Ray Patencio

Posted by admin

Ray Leonard Patencio, Agua Caliente Tribal Leader/Elder, was honored with the 267th star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars this morning, at 400 E. Tahquitz.

Ray was born and raised on the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation in Palm Springs and is a member of the tribe,...

Posted at 12:40 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/15/06

Fashion Week El Paseo

Posted by admin

Watch the best of El Paseo come alive during Fashion Week El Paseo®! Merchants will host in-store events from March 20-26 along Palm Desert's world-class shopping avenue. The calendar (street-wide events, and special events under the tent) has been updated and is available online at FashionWeekElPaseo.com. Designer Kevan Hall will make a special appearance to present his Spring 2006 Runway Collection.

I recent chatted with Mr. Hall: click here to read (and hear) the interview.

Posted at 10:33 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/15/06

Public art virtual tour: Crouching Cougar

Posted by admin

Larger photo. Location: 1103 North Palm Canyon.

By Steve Tyree.

Welded bronze, 1996.

[continue touring]

Posted at 08:14 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/14/06

Google Mars

Posted by admin

Google Mars has just been released, to join Google Moon (click the + zoom button 4 times for a surprise) and Google Earth (which can show you our office building - on the left side of the street).

Posted at 03:40 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/14/06

PS honored by National Trust

Posted by admin

The National Trust for Historic Preservation recently announced the selection of its 2006 Dozen Distinctive Destinations, an annual list of "unique and lovingly preserved communities" in the United States. Our village is cited as a "desert hideaway that holds countless treasures of modern architectural design." [Details.]

Posted at 02:21 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/14/06

2006 Weblog Awards

Posted by admin

The Bloggies were announced yesterday.

We didn't win one. Maybe next year, when TDQ becomes eligible.

We have our sights set on bigger game at the moment, anyway...

Posted at 02:04 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/14/06

Public art virtual tour: Rainmaker

Posted by admin

Larger photo. Location: Frances Stevens Park.

By David Morris.

Cement and Steel Fountain, 2001.



[continue touring]

Posted at 10:38 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/14/06

Native American Film Festival

Posted by admin

Tonight at 7pm, Camelot Theatres will host a reception and screening of the opening-night film ("Homeland") of the Native American Film Festival, which continues through the weekend. [Schedule]

Posted at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/13/06

Uranus

Posted by admin

On this date in 1781, Sir William Herschel (1738-1822) discovered Uranus.

There's a joke buried in there somewhere.

Ol' Bill worked obsessively, and was immeasurably helped by his sister Caroline. She often took notes for him, and once, while he was grinding and polishing a telescope mirror for 16 hours straight, she placed bits of food into his mouth so he could continue uninterrupted.

Posted at 03:10 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/13/06

Woman Gets Beer From Her Kitchen Faucet

Posted by admin

Man-oh-man. I've dreamed about something like this several times. A clumsy plumber working at a bar in Kristiansand, Norway, accidentally hooked their beer hoses to the water pipes for Haldis Gundersen's apartment.

If it had happened to me, the switch would have remained unreported for a very loooooooooooong time.

Posted at 02:02 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/13/06

The thumb generation

Posted by admin

1) The BBC claims that kids' thumbs are "getting bigger and stronger because they spend so much time texting and playing computer games."

2) WebMD says "BlackBerry thumb" might be the latest version of a 1980's malady called "Nintendonitis."

3) On June...

Posted at 10:30 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/13/06

Public art virtual tour: Buffalo Narrows

Posted by admin

Larger photo. Location: Desert Fashion Plaza sculpture garden.

By Woods Davy.

Natural Stones and Steel, 1986.

[continue touring]

Posted at 08:09 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/10/06

Celebrity encounter: Elke Sommer

Posted by admin

When Elke posed for Playboy, many years ago, it was a magical day in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. I'm sure it was a magical day in other parts of the world, too, but I experienced it—along with several other teenage boys—in the schoolyard of Chelmsford Junior High.

However, you can't say that kind of thing out loud, when you approach a world-famous actress/artist. In fact, I couldn't say anything. I just stood there holding my camera, dumbstruck,...

Posted at 03:18 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/10/06

Pacific Life Open: ball boy

Posted by admin

Name: Zachary Councell (click photo to enlarge).
Age: 13.
Residence: Palm Desert.
Education: Home schooled.

Do you play a lot of tennis?
A little.

But you know the game pretty well?
Yeah.

Why did you decide to get involved with the ball kids program?
Just for the exercise. And I thought it would be fun.

Is this your first...

03/10/06

Public art virtual tour: Agua Caliente Women

Posted by admin

Larger photo. Location: Tahquitz, E of Indian Canyon.

By Doug Hyde (American, b.1946).

Bronze, 1994.

[continue touring]

Posted at 08:11 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/09/06

Celebrity encounter: Richard Karn

Posted by admin

Everything you'd want in a celebrity, and more: friendly, patient and good-natured. Richard was kind enough to take off his hat... then he flashed that infectious grin (click image for full-length photo).











[more encounters]

Posted at 03:18 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/09/06

Whatchawannadothisweekend? (9Mar06)

Posted by admin

Tonight: At 8pm, Emmy Award-winning comedian Dana Carvey will appear at the McCallum. Dana is best known for his hilarious impersonations and characterizations (like "The Church Lady"). Well, isn't that special.

Friday: Katherine Siva Saubel will speak on "Ancient Cahuilla Culture" at 7pm in an Old Schoolhouse Lecture. The dog ate my homework - hope I won't get a detention.

Saturday morning:

Posted at 10:42 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/09/06

Public art virtual tour: The Cahuilla Maiden

Posted by admin

Larger photo. Location: Indian Canyon, NE corner of Tahquitz.

By Doug Hyde (American, b.1946).

Bronze, 1997.

Plaque: Dedicated January 19, 1998. Three Cahuilla sisters, fearful of the hot bubbling spring, saw a baby in the water. This Cahuilla maiden tried to save the baby, but they perished in a whirlwind down with the water of the spring. Her two frightened sisters ran to their...

03/08/06

Pacific Life Open: feeding frenzy

Posted by admin

We journalists are a hungry bunch. The Pacific Life Open organizers put together a press conference today, with the express intention of sacrificing the top-seeded women players to our ravenous cameras and tape recorders. Here's Justine Henin-Hardenne (Belgian resident of Monaco, under the red line), doing her best to stay afloat:


Things seemed a bit easier for Muscovite Elena Dementieva:

Posted at 03:23 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/08/06

Pacific Life Open: Dlouhy v. Vahaly

Posted by admin

I was hoping Lukas Dlouhy would prevail during his qualifying match this morning at the Pacific Life Open. He enjoyed swearing in his native language when his serves went awry:


The spectators enjoyed it, too. Lukas came all the way from the Czech Republic to take his chances against players from the rest of the world. He must have been very tired after that long journey:


Even though Lukas...

Posted at 02:38 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/08/06

Public art virtual tour: First Impressions

Posted by admin

Larger photo. Location: Indian Canyon, NW corner of Tahquitz.

By DuRand Jones.

Mural, 1998.

[continue touring]

Posted at 10:28 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/08/06

Human signposts: Bobby

Posted by admin

Name: Bobby Anderson.
Location: SW corner of Ramon and Date Palm, Cathedral City.
Advertising: Liberty Tax Service (franchise owner).
Time: Weekdays, 7-8am.

Do you have any special moves?
[Bobby demonstrates, while speaking.] Hopping, waving, running side-straddle, backpedaling, dancing carioca steps, jumping jacks, doing peekaboo around the light...

Posted at 08:01 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/07/06

Celebrity encounter: Harmon Killebrew

Posted by admin

Baseball Hall-of-Famer Harmon Killebrew was in a hurry to get to the next hole, and seemed very uncomfortable around his many fans (click image for larger photo).











[more encounters]

Posted at 03:39 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/07/06

Public art virtual tour: Lucy Ricardo from 'I Love Lucy'

Posted by admin

Larger photo. Location: Tahquitz, NE corner of Palm Canyon.

By Emmanuil J. and Janet Snitkovsky (Russian-American; b.1933, 1934).

Bronze, 1995.

[continue touring]

Posted at 10:41 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/07/06

Human signposts: Marcus

Posted by admin

Name: Marcus Hall.
Location: NE corner of Jefferson and 49th, Indio.
Advertising: Lennar Homes.
Time: Weekends, 10am-4pm.

How long have you been doing this?
A year and... three months.

Do you have another job?
During the week, I work at a casino.

How long do you plan to do this?
About one more year, just until I finish my Pre-Law Associate's Degree from San Bernardino Valley College.

Posted at 08:01 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/06/06

Celebrity encounter: Alan Thicke

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Alan's a very private guy, but courteous enough to pose for a photo. Although I might have been overly influenced by his first name, Thicke of the Night convinced me he was a genius...

(click image for larger photo)







[more encounters]

Posted at 03:24 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/06/06

Public art virtual tour: Chairman of the Links

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Larger photo. Location: Palm Canyon, SE corner of Tahquitz.

By Jeffrey Alden Fowler. Bronze.

[continue touring]

Posted at 10:34 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/06/06

Human signposts: Emmanuel

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If you take a weekend drive on surface streets in certain areas of the Coachella Valley, it's very likely you'll see several people holding painted arrow boards. Most motorists cruise right past these bearers of commercial tidings... but I decided to stop.

Name: Emmanuel. Just Emmanuel.
Location: NE corner of Washington and 41st, Bermuda Dunes.
Advertising: Royal Palms Condos.
Time: Weekends, 10am-4pm.

How long have you been doing this?
For like... a...

Posted at 08:12 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/03/06

Celebrity encounter: Arte Johnson

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Arte has enjoyed a long and successful career, but my strongest memories of him are from those "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" appearances as a German soldier ("Veddy interesting...") and Tyrone F. Horneigh, the dirty old man who always hit on (and was subsequently hit by) Ruth Buzzi. Arte has never failed to make me chuckle.

I walked downhill toward the green, preparing to ask: "Mr. Johnson, may I take your picture?"

Posted at 03:02 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/03/06

Up, up and away

Posted by admin

Is it balloon season again?

So soon?!

This gasbag recently hovered about thirty feet above my car, just skimming the rooftops (click thumbnail photo to enlarge).

So far, I've found six companies that do this sort of thing around here: Balloon Above The Desert, SoCal, Panorama,

Posted at 10:49 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/03/06

Public art virtual tour: Standing Woman

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Larger photo. Location: 221 South Palm Canyon.

By Felipe Castaneda (Mexican, b.1933).

Bronze, 1983.

[continue touring]

Posted at 08:00 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/02/06

Celebrity encounter: Robert Costanzo

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You could hear him coming a mile away. Laughing, cracking jokes, entertaining everyone within earshot.

Robert is definitely larger than life, and tons of fun to be around (click image for full-length photo).







[more encounters]

Posted at 03:49 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/02/06

Slurping blogs into books

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According to The New York Times (From Blogger to Published Author, for $30 and Up), Blurb.com will soon offer a free "Slurper" tool that automatically downloads and reformats the contents of a blog into a book.

In unrelated news, Slurpee.com is now featuring a Numb In Public teeshirt.

Posted at 02:40 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/02/06

Whatchawannadothisweekend? (2Mar06)

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Tonight: Try the El Paseo Art Walk between 5pm and 9pm. If I don't do the Art Walk tonight, I've gotta take the Nature Walk on Saturday (see below). I'm getting a little chubby.

Friday: Stomp is at the McCallum, 8pm. Stomp often. Stomp hard.

Saturday morning: At 10:30am, you can enjoy a Spring Blossom Nature Walk in Andreas Canyon. From what I hear, you might even catch...

03/02/06

Public art virtual tour: Mosaic Bench

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Larger photo. Location: 155 South Palm Canyon. By Harvey Silverman. Mosaic Tile and Cement, 2000.

[continue touring]

Posted at 08:16 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/01/06

Desert wildflower watch

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The lack of rain this year might mean a reduced wildflower show, but if you want to find out what's blooming where, keep an eye on these three sites:

Southern California Desert Areas

Joshua Tree National Park

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Posted at 04:07 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/01/06

RIV-044: Desert Inn

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Here's the last of two bonuses in our plaque series - photo of Riverside historical marker #044, located at 123 North Palm Canyon:

On this site, in 1908, Nellie N. Coffman (1867-1950), her husband, Harry, and two sons, George Roberson and Earl Coffman, established a small health resort hotel, the Desert Inn. Her ability, determination, and charm extended the resort's reputation and people came from all over the world. In 1927, a modern hotel replaced the earlier structures. Nellie's love and charitable works for the community earned her the title of Mother Coffman. The hotel...

03/01/06

Celebrity encounter: Fred 'The Hammer' Williamson

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Fred seemed to be quite impressed with hisownbadself (click image for larger photo):







[more encounters]

Posted at 10:40 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

03/01/06

Public art virtual tour: Sonny Bono Memorial Fountain

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Larger photo. Location: Mercado Plaza, 155 South Palm Canyon.

Plaque: "In memory of Sonny Bono, as a mayor of Palm Springs 1988-1992 and Congressman of USA 1996-1998.
By sculptor Emmanuil J. Snitkovsky and architect Raul Sosa."

Bronze, 2001.

[

Posted at 08:09 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0