BY DIANE MARLIN-DIRKX
Sustainability. That’s the word of the new millennium. In the 80’s the word was “paradigm”. In the 90s, it was “re-purposing”—turning an old sock into a dust-rag, perhaps. And now, ladies and gentlemen, as we get ready to dance thru another torrid summer in the desert, a time when our governor has declared that we’re running out of water and will suffer a drought of Biblical proportions, a horror worthy of a Cinemascope-pic (Hollywood, conveniently being right around the corner), (alas Charlton Heston, not so much), where a shower of more than ten minutes may get you a fine, let us introduce water, Hail toH20! It is the panacea for all things “dry.” We’re not all wet, but 60% of our bodies are of the precious stuff. We can survive a month or more without food, but must constantly replenish our bodies with water to live. Yikes! In the summer to quench thirst and drench the fevered body we slip into backyard pools, lift our faces to patio misters in smart bistros and upscale eateries while ordering designer waters from listings as long as for fine wines. Smiling sales personnel tuck bottled water in your bag with the register slip. And summer’s Great Get-Aways call for reservations as long as there is water in sight sun-up to sun-down and beyond. New source for liquid precious as platinum from savvy marketers to the thirsty citizenry? “Boxed Water.” We kid you not. (Never hoot again at the guest who brings boxed wine to the party—if you can stifle it.)With the tag-line, “Boxed Water is Better for the Earth,” it is described as “Part sustainable, part art project, part philanthropic project, and completely curious.”
Packaged like orange juice in white with bold, black sans serif type with a screw-off cap, one of its 4 sides says “Hello” in cursive. On the official website is written, “Boxed water is carbon-filtered, purified water from Minnesota. I hear they have a lot of lakes there.” Yup. But how does it taste? We haven’t seen it in local stores, but we hear that it’s pretty darn good. We’ll let you know. Read on for more local refreshing enticement. Pack water with you.
Saturday, April 25, 8 PM, and Sunday, April 26, 3 PM Matinee and 8 PM. ExtrABBAGanza Live! The music of ABBA presented by The Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus staged at the Jewish Community Center by Artistic Director Douglas C, Wilson, Accompanied by Joel Baker, and including all ABBA smash hits through the years of acclaimed record-breaking performances and recordings. Get ready to dance in your seats with “Super Trouper”, “One of Us, Fernando”, “Take a Chance on Me”, “Lay All Your Love On Me”, “Waterloo”, “Voulez Vous”, “The Winner Takes It All”, “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme”, “Thank You for the Music” and of course, “Mamma Mia” and “Dancing Queen.” For Reserved Seating tickets $25, $35, or $50 per person (add $5 at the door), go to www.psgmc.com. The 2014-2015 season concerts will be at the Temple Isaiah 332 West Alejo Road in Palm Springs.
Sunday, April 26, 2 – 4 PM. Flocking together! Birds of a Feather Opera Arts and Loving All Animals collaborate in a fun, festive fundraiser at the exotic BG Bird Gardens in Palm Desert. Fluff your feathers and call 760-323-8353 as attendance is limited. (Address is provided with reservation.) A beautiful afternoon in a spectacular setting, reminiscent of an exquisitely staged performance featuring Opera Art- selected professional singing artists Cedric Berry and Shana Blake Hill with pianist Vicki Kirsch accompanying them and wine and delicious appetizers to follow. Visit lovingallanimals.org for information or call us at 760-834-7000. Non-profit Opera Arts brings the artistic experience to the residents of the Coachella Valley by creating programs of opera, operetta, musical theater, dance, art and other expressive arts for the enjoyment, enlightenment and betterment of all. Loving All Animals, Inc. is a non-profit, 501c3 corporation. Tickets are $125 per person. Visit lovingallanimals.org for information or call us at 760-834-7000. Dress? Sunday casual!
Thursday, April 30, Festival 6 – 10 PM; Ride, 7:15 PM. Bi-annual CYCLEDELIC festival & ride promotes bike safety for this Free nighttime event to encourage more bike riding as part of the non-motorized transportation initiative. It’s all about the big “S,” Sustainability. Cycledelic is a FREE, fun and easy downtown loop bike ride suitable for all ages. All bike riders are required to wear helmets and obey all traffic laws, signage and routes for Cycledelic. Bike riders will gather at the festival area located at the Northwest corner of Tahquitz Canyon Way situated between Palm Canyon Drive and Belardo Road starting at 6:00p.m. The Palm Springs Bike Coalition will be on hand to provide safety demonstrations and to fit participants with glow in the dark gear. Hot Purple Energy will provide solar generated power for the event and Pilates Plus will host stretching and free spinning classes onsite to get warmed up for the ride. Big Wheel Tours will offer bike rentals and PS Cyclery will offer bike valet service. While supplies last, bike lights and glow in the dark decorations will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. A short instruction seminar will be given at approx., 7:15p.m, focusing on bike safety, tips to navigate vehicle traffic, locking your bike and what gear should be worn for nighttime riding. Bike Route: Cyclists will meet on Tahquitz Canyon Way between Palm Canyon Drive and Belardo Road in downtown Palm Springs between 6:00-7:00p.m. At approx. 7:30p.m, riders will leave from Tahquitz Canyon Way and travel southbound on South Belardo Road. Riders will continue all the way down and over the Richard M. Milanovich Memorial Bridge and continue on Belardo until they reach the curve just before it intersects with South Palm Canyon Drive doing 2 loops to complete the 7-mile fun ride. For cyclists looking for a little more challenge, there will be an extension portion of the ride at Mesquite Road. Riders will be able to turn right at Mesquite and travel westbound to the top of
Mesquite to the entrance of Tahquitz Canyon, turn around at the top of the grade, travel back down eastbound on Mesquite and re-join the other riders at Belardo, who are traveling southbound. PS Cyclery will provide bike valet if cyclists would like to stay and enjoy Villagefest until 10:00p.m. For updates, visit HealthyPlanetHealthyYouPS.com. The City of Palm Springs Office of Sustainability is committed to making this Your Sustainable City by contributing to a clean and healthy environment. You are invited to visit the website YourSustainableCity.com to help shape the future of your community.
“Don’t Be Clueless” wants to remind you that press releases for inclusion should be in to the Coachella Valley Weekly at least two weeks ahead of the scheduled event! Thanks!
