November 2012

Sissy Bingo Diva

BY ERIK SANDOVAL

Peering through sunglasses that resemble two pineapples (they’re prescription), Linda Gerard greets and later surprises guests during Sissy Bingo at Ace Hotel & Swim Club’s King’s Highway restaurant in Palm Springs.

INTELLIGENCER - November 2012

Liberace’s Piano Bar, The $4,120,000 Difference, Inn the Groove, and Word Association...

Tapping the Talent

BY JANICE KLEINSCHMIDT

When Suzanne Vitale met with two probation officers from Riverside, she revealed a few secrets. Nothing nefarious, mind you — unless you consider the “enhancement” of tap dancing in The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies a criminal act.

PSST - His & Hers

BY J. EVERETTE PERRY

Bay Area conceptual artist Peter Gronquist spends many holidays and vacations visiting Grandma in Palm Springs. He draws energy from the desert’s meditative scenery and finds inspiration throughout Joshua Tree National Park and the Indian Canyons.

Celebrity Q&A: Baby Daddy Tahj Mowry

BY J. EVERETTE PERRY

Tahj Mowry’s role on Baby Daddy has catapulted the series into one of ABC Family’s all-time best comedies. The 26-year-old who started acting at age 4, adorably stole scenes from...

PSST - High Roller Checklist

BY J. EVERETTE PERRY

Hot Property - A $18.5 million mountaintop house in Rancho Mirage features 17-foot walls of glass and breathtaking views of more than 272,000 acres of pristine wilderness.

Editor's Letter - Why You Should Invest in a Charity

BY STEVEN BILLER

Americans give more to philanthropic causes — about 2 percent of the nation’s GDP — than citizens of any other nation.

Driven by Compassion

Members of Bighorn Golf Club create a nonprofit organization to aid local cancer patients

Philanthropy: The Next Generation

BY MATTHEW LINK

The future of nonprofit organizations hinges on their ability to continually build a fresh base of support

Living With Liberace

BY CAROLINE RYDER

A couple pays homage to their home’s flamboyant previous owner, while creating a space of their own

Market Watch - Bouncing Back

BY VIC COOPER AND MIKE MCDONALD

It’s always good to look at the long-term picture after any housing or financial crisis. The charts below show the median price of homes throughout Riverside County from 1982 to the present and the Riverside County affordability index.

J. Lohr Aims Higher

Until about 1999, wine drinkers primarily knew J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines for its chardonnay. Today, J. Lohr Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon edges out J. Lohr Estates Riverstone Chardonnay as the winery’s best seller.

PSST - Your Kitchen Cabinet Passport

BY J. EVERETTE PERRY

Savory Spice Shop seems to specialize in turning amateur cooks into gourmet chefs. The charming “spicery” delivers the world’s most exotic herbs to El Paseo in Palm Desert.

50 Grades of Silk

BY J. EVERETTE PERRY

Fedor Rogovets went from sales clerk at Saks Fifth Avenue in Palm Desert to custom designer for high-profile women like Jennifer Aniston and Cindy Crawford.

Resort on the Edge

Vintage green romper gown with gold embellishments, Dejà Vu Vintage Finery, Palm Springs. Vintage gold cuff bracelet by Martha Sturdy, Route 66 West Vintage Jewelry, Palm Springs. Gold shoes by Escada, Palm Desert.