Editor's Letter June 2010

We Love Summer in the Desert!

Flee if you must, but I’m staying! Sure, a few weekends in L.A., San Francisco, and Santa Fe will give me a break from the heat. Otherwise, I prefer to take advantage of so many great deals available to those of us who enjoy dining out, taking in spa treatments, and visiting cool attractions, such as Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and Knott’s Soak City. In “Big Deals of Summer!” (page 10 in Desert Guide), Maryann Ridini Spencer and Janice Kleinschmidt present a sampling of perks available to those of us who love summer in the desert.

One of the best bets is a day at Palm Springs Art Museum. Two excellent exhibitions open this month: Photographing the American West: Selections from the Permanent Collection and Modern Masters Celebrate Line and Form. Another exhibition, Colors of the West: The Paintings of Birger Sandzén, which opened in April, continues through September, as well. The museum also presents Global Lens 2010, a series emphasizing films from developing countries not typically known for their film industry, including Vietnam, Peru, Algeria, Uruguay, Iran, and Serbia.

This issue also celebrates Rancho Mirage-based singer/songwriter Shelby Lynne, who released a new CD in April. In “Tough All Over,” writer Robert Julian interviews the musician with no formal vocal training who landed a Nashville recording contract at the age of 18 and won a Grammy for Best New Artist in 2001. “It isn’t too difficult to recognize Lynne’s forced bravado as the armor that protects a private, contemplative soul who needs the cover of a good offense,” Julian writes in his revealing interview, which begins on page 28. For Lynne, it’s been a long ride from her native Alabama.

Rounding out the issue, we take you to where the foodie magic happens: at chefs’ tables in the some of the finest restaurants.  “Welcome to My Kitchen” (page 36) by Barbara Beckley passes by the exquisitely appointed dining rooms and heads straight for the busy kitchens of Ristorante Tuscany in Palm Desert, Circa 59 in Palm Springs, and Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Palm Desert to experience the behind-the-scenes action and the special treats they serve up for their privileged guests.

Stay up to date with the best events in the desert by pointing your Web browser to palmspringslife.com, where you can also find information about the new Palm Springs Life iPhone app. Enjoy!