Editors Letter

For the Holidays, the Best of Everything

Steven Biller

As we send this issue to press, actor Michael Douglas — the subject of our cover story — finished the last of eight weeks of radiation and chemotherapy for his Stage 4 throat cancer, which he says was likely the result of years of smoking and alcohol abuse. When he and I spoke a few weeks earlier, he sounded not only on the course to successful recovery, but also ready to begin awards-season campaigns for his two most recent films: Solitary Man and Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.

He has given very few interviews  lately — The Washington Post, Men’s Journal, and (to prove he retained his sense of humor) David Letterman. Otherwise, his publicist, Allen Burry, has spoken for the actor.

Douglas has a long history with Palm Springs, visiting his father, Kirk, since childhood. His brother, Joel, lives near the legendary estate of Liberace, whom Michael will portray in his next feature film.

In “I Consider Myself a Survivor,” the actor talks about his battle with cancer, spending recovery time with his kids, his two latest movies, and his future.

Also in this month’s edition, you will find a look into architect Tom Jakway’s custom house, artfully prepared cuisine, the results of the 2010 top dentists study, and two supplements:

Desert Guide and Palm Springs Life ART+CULTURE. The guide includes the 2010 Best of the Best survey of readers’ favorite Coachella Valley restaurants, shops, attractions, spas, golf courses, art and culture institutions, festivals, bars and lounges, and much more. ART+CULTURE offers a preview of exhibitions and performances at the valley’s galleries, museums, and performing arts venues, as well as interviews with local artists and features about collectors who live with space-invading installation art, the rich heritage of Impressionist painting by early desert plein air artists, and a preview of the John Baldessari print exhibition opening in February at Palm Springs Art Museum.

Take it in, then go out and enjoy it!