BYLINE: DIANE MARLIN-DIRKX
Is it safe? The kids have shuffled off to school in new shoes (scuff-alert ahead), facing up to new horizons (scowl-alert ahead), looking for all the alien-world like robotic stiffs with hunched, bent backs supporting books, tablets, pens and pencils, a brown-bag lunch which they use for trade, and all those necessary must-have educational tools on flyers posted conspicuously in our local stores. The children are off to build a future in the brave, new world. And just when you thought it was safe to fall back into the season, to put your feet up, finish that novel you started in June, apply the goo-and-glop that would repair your face from the summer sun’s nasty glare, pour a tall, icy cold glass of tea or whatever your poison, you read this column and get out your calendar. It’s showtime! It’s our version of: All Talking, All Singing, All Dancing! Have a terrific week! (And no, Elvis is not in the building.)
Friday, September 14, 9am – noon. The Girlfriend Factor’s “Go Education, Go Girl” campaign is off and running full-fuel in partnership with the College of the Desert and others in an education fair in the Cravens Student Services Center at the college. Doris Wilson, associate dean at Cal State San Bernardino’s Palm Desert campus gives the keynote address provocatively titled “Which Education, What Career?” With this stinky economy, the timing couldn’t be better. After all, The Girlfriend Factor’s mission is to bring awareness to local women about the important role education can play in their lives. Other participants in the fair include Pathways to Success, a coalition of local institutions and organizations led by the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership, Riverside County Office of Education, International School of Beauty, real estate, cosmetic and dental field vendors, among others. No RSVP is required. For more information, The Girlfriend Factor, 77-734 Country Club Drive, Suite E, Palm Desert, Ca 92211
Or call 760-772-9594. Or go to www.thegirlfriendfactor.org
Sunday, September 16, 4-6pm. It’s a first! A Disco Tea Dance premiers a poolside party benefitting the Aids Assistance Program at the Saguaro Palm Springs Hotel known by its joie de vivre in festive colors and ever-so-savvy sharp style! The evening puts up on stage San Francisco’s favorite DJ Jerry Bonham (SF’s “Remember the Party”) with a special performance by legendary Disco Diva Martha Wash. Get ready to get down, get out by the pool to the hottest sounds around. Speaking of get-up, is there a dress code for pool-side partying? For tickets ($45 per person), and more info, call 760-321-8481, or visit www.aidsassistance.org. For discounted rooms at the Saguaro, call 760-323-1711 and use rate code AApdisco. Saguaro Palm Springs Hotel, 1800 E Palm Canyon Way (at S Sunrise Wy.).
Sunday, September 16, 9:30am. Yes, we all miss Elvis, but the “Great California ShakeOut “ event shakes, rattles and rolls out the news in another direction that could be a lifesaver. Here’s the scoop. Sunnylands Center & Gardens are providing a special day of earthquake preparedness in partnership with the Earthquake Country Alliance. The day includes demonstrations, speakers, and informational booths from the American Red Cross, San Bernardino County Museum, Southern California Center and other organizations and cities. (No word has blown in from the Big Apple, namely New York City shaken by unusual tornados this week.) Lectures include “The Science Behind the Great California ShakeOut,” and others. Bring the kids, even the littlest wigglers, who will enjoy planned activities and a display of emergency vehicles. For more info, visit www.sunnylands.org
Wednesday, September 19, 1pm. Hear the real skinny on U.S. Diplomacy from Foreign Correspondent Nicholas Kralev, author of the non-fiction book, America’s Other Army. Journalist and lecturer, Kralev will speak on his ten years of travel with four U.S. Secretaries of State as diplomatic correspondent for the Financial Times and Washington Times, traveled to 80 countries, visiting 50 U.S. embassies and interviewing 600 career diplomats. Find out what Hillary Clinton, Condoleezza Rice, Colin Powell and Madeline Albright were really thinking as they dealt out and made deals in foreign policy. A correspondent with highest level access, Kralev shares “behind the scenes secrets, how it affects our daily lives, contributes to U.S. security and prosperity,” plus the challenges ahead for the 21st century. Held at the non-profit Palm Springs Air Museum, the program is included with regular museum admission, ranging from $8 to $15. Book signing follows. Seating limited. Call 760-778-6262, or visit www.palmspringsairmuseum.org. Location: 745 N Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs.
Saturday, September 22, 8pm. “Dead-on laughs and bittersweet,” “loveable,” “Hilarious,” wrote just a few of the savvy scribes about Mike Birgiglia’s My Girlriend’s Boyfriend,” a new comedy directed by Seth Barrish, that will be at the McCallum Theatre. Originally opening Off-Broadway at the Barrow Street Theatre (NYC), the show won the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Solo Show and was named a “Critic’s Pick” by The New York Times, New York Magazine and Time Out New York. On this hysterical and honest journey in a lifetime of romantic blunders and miscues, Mike struggles to find reason in an area where that may be impossible…LOVE. What can we say? It’s complicated. All tickets, $35. Call the McCallum Theatre box office, 760-340-ARTS (2787). Or order tickets online, at www.mccallumtheatre.com
“Don’t Be Clueless” wants to remind you that press releases for inclusion should be in to the Coachella Weekly at least two weeks ahead of the scheduled event! Thanks!
