Weekender: Restaurant Week, Happy Birthday Marilyn, Scotty McCreery

What's on your agenda? Here's our suggestions for May 30-June 2

JIM POWERS Arts & Entertainment

Thursday, May 30
8 a.m. to 4 p.m.: People are living longer and part of that has to do with more seniors staying active. May 30 is National Senior Health and Fitness Day. The Mizell Senior Center in Palm Springs will celebrate with free programming during the day and a health lecture. For information, call (760) 323-5689 or visit www.mizell.org

8 p.m.: As a tune-up for the AMFM Fest in Cathedral City in two weeks, Gram Rabbit members Jesika von Rabbit and Rodd Rutherford join Amanda Jo Williams for a free concert at Pappy & Harriet's Saloon in Pioneertown.

8 p.m.: The University Theatre at Cal State San Bernardino presents "Hairspray". Runs through June 9. Weekend shows start at 2 p.m.

Dinner suggestion: Cello's American Bistro's Chef's Table offers seven courses of layered flavors and textures as part of Restaurant Week's Uncorked kick-off event in Cathedral City. Cello's is also now open for lunch.

Brande Roderick

Friday, May 31
All day: Fantasy Springs puts two four-letter words side by side, golf and sexy, in the Links and Laces public golf tournament at the Eagles Falls Golf Course. The scramble-format tournament will be hosted by Brande Roderick of All-Star Celebrity Apprentice fame, and 40 beautiful women to help host the event. The weekend also includes an awards party and a pool bash. For information, call (973) 287-6288 or visit www.llgolftour.com

All day: Restaurant Week begins with more than 100 eateries, hotels and attractions offering discounted meals across the Coachella Valley through June 16. Read our preview.

8 a.m. to 6 p.m.:  The first graduating class from the Palm Desert Campus of Cal State San Bernardino's graphic design and marking program will display its work starting today through June 15 in the campus' Mary Stuart Rogers Gateway Building lobby. A reception to honor the students will be held from 6-8 p.m. June 12 at he same location. The free exhibition is open to the public.

7:05 p.m.: The Palm Springs Power open their 10th anniversary season with a weekend series against the Tucson Nationals at Palm Springs Stadium, 1901 E. Baristo Road. Watch some of the top college baseball players in the country compete, including some local talent, during June and July. Read our preview.

8 p.m.: Country singer Dave Gleason, known for his California-raised honky tonk, appears at Pappy & Harriet's Pioneertown Palace.

Dinner suggestion: Wang's in the Desert in Palm Springs elevates pan Asian Cuisine with an impressive roster of menu items. Read our Asian restaurant recommendations.

  San Gorgonio Ballet Co.

Saturday, June 1
All day: Nationally recognized meditation teacher Larry Yang heads a retreat on the Metta practice or Mindfulness with Loving Kindness. The goal is a more expansive heart and peaceful mind. The events are offered on a donation basis at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Desert, 72425 Via Vali, in Rancho Mirage.

All day: Restaurant Week continues with more than 100 eateries, hotels and attractions offering discounted meals across the Coachella Valley through June 16. Read our preview.

9:15 a.m.: The lives of 19th century composers Clara and Robert Schumann are explored in the movie, "Clara" presented by the Desert Film Society.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Contour Dermatology in Rancho Mirage will host a fundraising event for Shelter From the Storm. "Beauty Around the World" will include international food, entertainment and activities.

2 or 7 p.m.: The San Gorgonio Ballet celebrates its 10th anniversary with "Reflections", a mix of original, some classical and some new works combined with talented singers/entertainers from the desert and beyond at the Annenberg Theater in Palm Springs.

5 p.m.: The 13th annual Car Show and Street Fair in Twentynine Palms will open with the Armed Services YMCA Soapbox Derby rolling down Donnell Hill. There will be music food and prizes.

6 p.m.: "Battle of the Badges" is Southern California's premiere boxing event pairing public safety officers from police, fire, emergency medical services, armed forces and corrections against each other to raise funds for charities at the Show at Agua Caliente. There will be a pool party after the event with DJ/live music.

6 p.m.: Come say "Happy Birthday" to Marilyn Monroe, who would have been 87, with a gala at the Forever Marilyn park, 101 N. Palm Canyon Drive. Elton John impersonator Jeffrey Allen, Shaken Not Sirred, the folk duo of Richard and Mary and soloist Christina Moon Gaeta perform. Free admission. Read our preview.

7:15 p.m.: Michael Childers, John Furbee and Judy Gigante will be honored with an "Evening at the Pueblo" at Cabot's Pueblo Museum in Desert Hot Springs. The evening also honors Cabot Abram Yerxa, an early 20th century homesteader who built the house and surrounding structures.

8 p.m.: Two years ago, Scotty McCreery was the youngest contestant to win American Idol at age 17. Now 19 and with his second album coming out, McCreery brings his deep country voice to the Spotlight 29 Casino stage. Read our Q&A with Scotty.

Dinner suggestion: The Casino Restaurant at Two Bunch Palms Spa Resort in Desert Hot Springs includes specialty fish, poultry and beef dishes with fresh ingredients from California growers.

Author Robert Julian

Sunday, June 2
All day: Restaurant Week continues with more than 100 eateries, hotels and attractions offering discounted meals across the Coachella Valley through June 16. Read our preview.

10 a.m.: Called the 'Sage of Palm Springs' in a 1995 Palm Springs Life piece, self-published author William Edelen, now 90, will sign copies of "The Breath of Life" at the Palm Springs Tennis Club, 701 W. Baristo Road.

1-3 p.m.: Palm Springs author Robert Julian will sign copies of his three books, including the latest, "Hollywood or Lust", the sequel to "Postcards from Palm Springs" at Just Fabulous in Palm Springs.

2 p.m.: Jerome Elliott puts on a cabaret show with pianist Charlie Creasy at the Arthur Newman Theatre in Palm Desert.

2-8 p.m.: To assist the medical bills for Tony Patler, who played keyboard for Dave Mason, Kal David and General Caine, a musical benefit will be held at the Shenandoah Springs Clubhouse, 32700 Desert Moon Drive, in Thousand Palms. Some of the featured bands include Dave Mason, Kal David, The Brad Mercer Band, Alycie Bowie and more. Raffle, silent auction and a barbecue buffet.

4 p.m.: Meet the star and writer of "I Do", David W. Ross, who will participate in a Q&A with the audience following the 4 p.m. screening of his new independent film at Cinemas Palme d'Or in Palm Desert. He will be joined by producer Stephen Israel and director Glenn Gaylord.

Brunch suggestion: The Grill on Main in La Quinta offers New England-American cuisine from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Cravens Student Services Center

Summer Reading
Get a jump on your summer reading by picking up a book at the "Summer Sizzle Sale" by Friends of the College of the Desert Library, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., May 31 to June 2. The book sale will be set up at the Cravens Student Services Center using the Monterey entrance to the Palm Desert campus. There will be a large selection of fiction hardback books at $1 each and up. Paperback books are 50 cents each. Sunday is $4 bag sale. For information, call (760) 776-7299 or (760) 333-0733.

For more calendar events in the Valley, visit our comprehensive calendar.