Story and photos by Pat Krause

Spotlight Casino hosted the 16th Annual Theresa A. Mike Scholarship Foundation Gala on May 18th. The event was “An Evening in Monte Carlo” and Pattie Daly Caruso was the hostess and emcee for the event. Caruso has emceed the event since the first gala 15 years ago. The event included a raffle, Sale, Silent Auction and sit down dinner.

Frank Sinatra impersonator Michael B. Levin sang songs made famous Sinatra including “Luck Be A Lady”, “The Way You Look Tonight” and “My Way”. He did a fantastic job singing with dancers in the background that looked a show at Monte Carlo.
The dancers would pretend to be gambling in between songs.

Pattie Daly Caruso welcomed the guests and General Manager Tom sedlock introduced former scholarship winners. Two scholarship winners spoke to the crowd about how the Theresa A. Mike foundation helped to achieve their goals. Speakers were Terria Smith and Miranda Contreras. Manny the Movie guy and Chairman Darrell Mike announced the Raffle and silent auction winners. There was a large number of Celebrity autographed silent auction items, jewelry and trips.

Fashions included clothing for all members of the family by Old Navy, Deja Vu Vintage Finery and Caroldean’s Resale Therapy, JFC Private Collection and Francesca’s on El Paseo. Small children out-shined the adults on the runway. Moms and dads walked the runway with the really little ones.

THe THeresa A. Mike Foundation provides scholarships to students to help them further their chosen career.

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Jack Lyons Theatre & Film Critic

For the next four weeks, The Desert Rose Playhouse is presenting the world premiere of “Musical Comedy Whore”, the personal tell-all production concerning the “gay lifestyle” of writer/actor/singer and riveting entertainer David Pevsner.  “Musical Comedy Whore”, directed by Randy Brenner, is the autobiographical bucket list of all things sexual by a part-time gay hustler. The material is edgy, visually graphic in it’s telling (f-bombs abound) and in its descriptive moments.  It leaves no doubt that the subject matter is definitely for an adult audience.  It’s best to leave grandma and the kiddies (maybe even Grandpa, as well) at home for this unvarnished and unflinching peek into Pevsner’s childhood and his adult adventures of growing up gay in America.

Forewarned is Forearmed.  However, when viewed within its context, “Musical Comedy Whore”, is not as prurient, sexy, or as self-serving a show as straight audiences might imagine.  The audience, both gay and straight, is listening to the life story of a man who passionately bares his soul because he believes in honesty.  A man who is comfortable in his own skin, and non-judgmental about the skin of others.  I also believe gay people and straight society feel the same way when it comes to honesty.   It’s a matter of knowing who you are, and believing in that truth that makes the knowledge very liberating – whatever one’s sexual orientation may be.

The cast consists of Pevsner and his musical accompanist Patrick Karst (whom you may recognize from his piano performing gigs at Spencer’s Restaurant, in Palm Springs).  Together they present the road less traveled with a 90-minute show, punctuated with moments of laughter as well as moments of poignancy.     Also, it’s the music by a host of recognizable composers, sharply underscored by the clever lyrics of actor/storyteller David Pevsner that drives the edgy narrative of his performance.

Director Brenner wisely steps aside after creating his personal vision for the show and lets his talented star, monologist Pevsner, do his thing. At one point in the evening, I was reminded of the famous line from the movie “All About Eve”, delivered by Bette Davis… “Fasten your seat belts… It’s going to be a bumpy night”.  It may not be a bumpy night, but it is definitely an eye opener for some straight people, and it might even be an evening of introspection for others in the audience.  Remember, “honesty” in all its aspects of life is the leitmotif of the production.   Regardless of your personal orientation, it’s a terrific performance by David Pevsner.

Director Brenner and his creative team led by Lighting Designer Phil Murphy and Stage Manager Steve Fisher, bring a professional quality to the intimate 88-seat theatre that serves the LGBT community of the Coachella Valley.

“Musical Comedy Whore” runs at the Desert Rose Playhouse, at the Commissary, in Rancho Mirage, CA through June 16th.  Call760-202-3000 for tickets and reservations.

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Reuters / Rebecca Cook

Native Americans are entitled to free and subsidized medical care at some federally-funded health clinics, but ‘Obamacare’ will soon force many of them to buy insurance or else face hefty fines if they are not “Indian enough”.

“A lot of folks are going to get stuck with the bill,” Jay Stiener of the National Council of Urban Indian Health told the Associated Press.

Members of federally-recognized American Indian tribes have received government-funded health services since 1787. Throughout the US, there are 33 hospitals and 59 health centers that provide services including prenatal care, baby well-checks, dentistry and eye glasses to Native Americans.

The US government has treaty obligations to care for the well-being of Native Americans, but may soon abandon many of its legal responsibilities. President Obama’s health care reform will force thousands of Native Americans to purchase their own health insurance or pay a minimum fine of $695 to the Internal Revenue Service. Indian health advocacy groups estimate up to 480,000 people will be affected, AP reports.

Only those who can prove that they are “Indian enough” will be exempt from the mandate. Native Americans will have to show documentation that they belong to one out of 560 tribes that are federally recognized by the US Bureau of Indian Affairs.

There are more than 100 US tribes that are recognized by states, but not the federal government. Members of these tribes would no longer receive the free or subsidized healthcare that they are guaranteed by the Indian Health Service (IHS), which is a division within the US Department of Health and Human Services.

“This could lead to some tribal citizens being required to purchase insurance or face penalties even though they are covered by the HIS,” Rep. Tom Cole, a Republican congressman and member of the Chickasaw Nation tribe, told AP.

Additionally, Native Americans who do not have documentation of their tribe membership will be forced to purchase insurance or pay a fine. This becomes particularly troublesome for Native Americans under the age of 18, since many tribes only provide official membership to adults. Even if both parents of the minors are members, their healthcare coverage may not apply to their children unless they also have the proper documentation.

The health care reform would also complicate the situation for Native Americans who live in metropolitan areas or suburbs. Some tribal governments require members to live on the reservation to gain documentation, which few people do. Nearly two-thirds of American Indians and Alaska Natives currently live in cities, which hinders their ability to receive membership cards from their tribes.

News of the restrictions that Obamacare will impose upon American Indians has sparked outrage, particularly among those who will face financial consequences due to something that is out of their control.

“I’m no less Indian than I was yesterday, and just because the definition of who is Indian got changed in the law doesn’t mean that it’s fair for people to be penalized,” Liz DeRouen, a Native American who usually receives healthcare at a government-funded clinic in North Carolina, told AP. “If I suddenly have to pay for my own health insurance to avoid the fine, I won’t be able to afford it.”

DeRouen is a former tribal administrator for the Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians, but she lost her membership due to an argument with other members. But even though she lost documentation as a tribe member, she is still genetically considered a Native American.

The Obama administration currently has no solution to the hardships the Affordable Care Act will inflict upon the Native American population, but the IRS and the US Treasury have jointly scheduled a public hearing forMay 29to discuss establishment of who qualifies for the exemption from the insurance coverage requirement.

Nearly 30 percent of all Native Americans live below the poverty line, and forcing them to pay fines or purchase insurance would likely just increase this number.

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AFP Photo / David Mcnew

More Americans now die of suicide than from car accidents, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a disturbing statistic that some experts say points to the true depths of the US economic crisis.

From 1999 to 2010, the suicide rate among US citizens between the ages of 35 to 64 soared by about 30 per cent, to 17.6 deaths per 100,000 people, a jump from 13.7.

In 2010, there were 33,687 deaths from motor vehicle crashes and 38,364 suicides.

Although suicide has been traditionally viewed as a problem among the youth and elderly, the recent study, published in Friday’s issue of its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, shows a marked rise in the number of suicides among middle-aged men and women.

The suicide rate for men aged 35–64 years jumped 27.3 per cent, from 21.5 to 27.3 per 100,000, while the rate for women increased 31.5 per cent, from 6.2 to 8.1.

Among the male population, the greatest increases were among those aged 50–54 years and 55–59 years, (49.4 per cent, from 20.6 to 30.7, and 47.8 per cent, from 20.3 to 30.0 respectively). Among females, suicide rates tended to increase with age. The largest percentage increase in suicide rate was observed among women aged 60–64 years (59.7 per cent, from 4.4 to 7.0).

AFP Photo / David Mcnew

Men were more likely to take their own lives than women. The suicide rate for middle-aged men was 27.3 deaths per 100,000, while for women it was 8.1 deaths per 100,000.

Suicide rates from 1999 to 2010 “increased significantly” across all four geographic areas and in 39 states. The state of Wyoming recorded the highest increase in suicides with a 78.8 per cent jump (31.1 per 100,000), while even the sunny state of Hawaii witnessed a 61.2 per cent increase (21.9 per 100,000).

As shocking as the newly released data on US suicide rates are, many believe the numbers are too low since many deaths are not treated as actual suicides.

“It’s vastly under-reported,” Julie Phillips, an associate professor of sociology at Rutgers University, told The New York Times. “We know we’re not counting all suicides.”

Baby Boomer crisis

CDC officials emphasized that the Baby Boomer generation is witnessing the highest increase in suicides (A Baby Boomer is a person who was born post-World War II, between the years 1946 and 1964, when the annual birthrate increased dramatically in the US).

“It is the Baby Boomer group where we see the highest rates of suicide,” CDC deputy director, Dr. Ileana Arias, told the New York Times. “There may be something about that group, and how they think about life issues and their life choices that may make a difference.”

The rise in suicides among this group may be connected with the recent downturn in the global economy and the challenges the Baby Boomer generation must now confront.

“The increase does coincide with a decrease in financial standing for a lot of families over the same time period,” Arias said.

In 2010, the first year of economic comeback following the 2009-2010 recession, 93 per cent of all pre-tax income gains went to the top 1 per cent of the American population, which in that year meant any household earning more than $358,000.

Is financial crisis spurring suicide?

Is the rash of suicides across a broad spectrum of the American population a direct result of the wealth hoarding by the top income earners in the United States?

In a letter to The Lancet medical journal, scientists from Britain, Hong Kong and United States said an analysis of data from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicated that while suicide rates increased slowly between 1999 and 2007, the rate of increase more than quadrupled from 2008 to 2010, Reuters reported.

“There is a clear need to implement policies to promote mental health resilience during the ongoing recession,” said Aaron Reeves of Britain’s University of Cambridge, who headed the research and submitted it in a letter to The Lancet.

AFP Photo / Getty Images / Spencer Platt

Reeves even suggested the Democrats and Republicans are partially to blame for not throwing a spotlight on the issue during the latest presidential campaign.

“In the run-up to the US presidential election, President Obama and Mitt Romney are debating how best to spur economic recovery, [but] missing from this discussion is consideration of how to protect Americans’ health during these hard times,” Reeves warned.

Meanwhile, preliminary research suggests that the risk for suicide will unlikely subside for future generations.

“The boomers had great expectations for what their life might look like, but I think perhaps it hasn’t panned out that way,” Phillips said.

“All these conditions the boomers are facing, future cohorts are going to be facing many of these conditions as well.” The study pointed to the increased usage of prescription painkillers, like oxycodone, which can be particularly deadly in large doses.

There was a significant jump in poisoning deaths, which include intentional overdoses of prescription medication. During the 10-year period, poisoning deaths were up 24 per cent over all, while death by suffocation, (including hangings) was up 81 per cent.

Robert Bridge is the author of the book, Midnight in the American Empire, which discusses the dangerous consequences of excessive corporate power in the United States.

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Story and photos by Pat Krause

The Tolerance Education Center in Rancho Mirage hosted the awards ceremony for Holocaust Survivor Frances Nassau. The California Assembly awards a Holocaust Survivor each year during Holocaust Memorial Week.

Assemblyman Brian Nestande presented Frances Nassau with this years award. Normally the event is held in northern California but this year they decided to hold the event in the Desert. Nestande said he hopes the ceremony will continue to be held here at the Tolerance Center.

Children from the Jewish Community School of the Desert and students from Cathedral City High School came to witness the award. The Tolerance Center is an education center where children learn about the horrors of War, the Holocaust, Bigotry and Bullying of all races and faiths.

Frances Nassau spoke to the guests about her years of occupation during World War II. She lost her parents and her brother in the Auschwitz camp. She spoke of the hardships and terror of the people in the camps. She was rescued at the end of the war and weighed only 65 pounds and was very ill. She is thankful to be alive. She donated the prison clothing her husband had kept all these years to the Center.

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Story and photos by Pat Krause

Palm Springs celebrated its 75th anniversary in the biggest way possible. A party to top all parties was held at the O’Donnell Golf Course in Palm Springs on Saturday, April 20th. The event was free to the whole family from 3 to 8 pm with fireworks ending the evening at 8:30. Thousands of people came to celebrate with the City.

There were free carnival games for the children. A petting zoo for the little ones and a “Kids Zone” with huge inflatables for bouncing , jumping, climbing, sliding and just doing what kids love to do. There were so many activities for children I am sure there were some very tired parents at the end of the day.

Adults were enjoying the vintage cars, fire trucks and the many carnival booths. It seemed that everywhere you walked there was something new to see. Food booths were all along Belardo Rd and there was also a Beer garden on the lawn.I watched several people try to ring the bell and toss a ball to hit the target to get a guy wet. There were two huge blow up people dressed as gay and lesbian brides and grooms. Large blow up balloons in the shape of 75 tied to tables.It was just a really fun atmosphere everywhere.

Entertainment included the Palm Springs High School Band, The American Glee Club and singers including Joey English, Mara Getz, Vicki Knight, Francesca Amari, Keisha D, Ben Reese, Jeff Stewart, John Ferrare, Steve Connolly, Nicole Parker and so many others. There was an Elvis and Marilyn impersonators. The singers and dancers told the history of Palm Springs with songs from every decade. The dancers made a lot of costume changes for each era. Brian Wanzek, aka Bella da Ball, was the Emcee. The encore had all the performers, Sponsors, Councilmen on stage with Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet singing Happy Birthday with the crowd. John Benoit gave a proclamation to the City of Palm Springs.

The finale was the largest display of fireworks in a long time that could be seen all over the valley. It was like July 4th all over again only better.

Sponsors included the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians that also provided free bottles of water because it was a hot day. Sponsors like Harold Matzner and Jim Houston and Palm Springs Resorts paid for a majority of the events of the day. Abel and McCallister designs donated their time to put on this extravagant affair. It took a lot of local sponsors to pay for all this. Major sponsors included Jackie Autry, Helene Galen, Donna MacMillan, TV stations, 3,6,5 and 2, The Desert Sun, Palm Springs Life, the City of Palm Springs to name just a few. Sorry if I missed naming some as there were just too many to name them all.

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City attorney Steve Quintanilla was the guest speaker, presenting a very informative illustrated talk called “Capturing our Desert Varmints in Art.” More  photos of the event by Bruce Montgomery; just click!

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On hand were council members, the city manager and other officials. Speakers included Mayor Yvonne Parks and Greg Rodriguez, representing congressman Dr Raul Ruiz. Lot’s more photos of the event by Bruce Montgomery; just click!

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Jack Lyons Theatre & Film Critic

Every now and then an audience is treated to “theatrical” lightning caught in a bottle.  It’s a time when all of the planets and stars align in perfect order producing special moments. That is definitely the case with the Coyote StageWorks enthralling production of “Tru” at the Annenberg Theatre in Palm Springs, starring Chuck Yates as Truman Capote.

Chuck Yates as Truman Capote ~photo David A. Lee

Capote was an irascible, prickly, quirky, lonely individual, who claimed very few close friends, but enjoyed hundreds of acquaintances – mainly celebrities like himself.   “Tru”, deftly directed by Larry Raben, from a wonderfully insightful script by Jay Presson Allen (who really knows her subject), is culled from Capote’s own work and words and is brilliantly brought to life by Coyote StageWorks’ artistic director Chuck Yates.  I know, I know, we’ve all heard that overused and sometime undeserved, adjective in describing an actor’s performance.  But in this case, the shoe definitely fits.  Or perhaps, I should say the body performing on stage is indeed Truman Capote, or as close as anyone is ever going to get in portraying him.

Capote was a created public persona, by the man himself.  He had a knack for the bizarre, both in his fashion and in his writing style, and most definitely his lifestyle.  He was an openly gay writer when society demanded discretion from their beloved public figures and celebrities. He was a man who knew himself better than anyone, and he knew how to market himself.

Chuck Yates as Truman Capote ~photo David A. Lee

In Yates’ one-man tribute performance, it’s his channeling of Capote and the resulting performance that rings so true and authentic.   Capote was an interesting individual, there’s no doubt about that, but one has to get past his “bitchy” side, and peel back the protective armor guarding this lonely, creative soul.  It’s in these inner and personal emotional onstage moments that Yates just shines.  The pacing and timing, plus the vision of director Raben, is what wins the day in this poignant and fascinating production.

Raben has assembled a first-rate creative team to support this splendid production beginning with a breathtakingly realized Scenic Design by Josh Clabaugh, of Capote’s New York apartment overlooking the East River and Manhattan.  The apartment is richly decorated with photos, books, and memorabilia worthy of a world-class personality, including the gleaming Steinway piano. The Lighting design by Phil Murphy nicely paints shadows and moods that complement Clabaugh’s eye-popping performing space.  The many props supplied by Steve Carter, also lend a verite to the entire proceedings.  Capote was a heavy drinker of alcohol so plenty of liquor bottles are omnipresent, as are the many knick-knacks collected in a lifetime of traveling the world.

Chuck Yates as Truman Capote ~photo David A. Lee

The collaboration between Yates, Raben, and Ms. Allen’s script is key in not only understanding the enigma that was Capote, but it’s essential to have a personal vision of how best to tell the story of this character of celebrity.  The private Capote, the man with a giant intellect, biting wit, and a devilishly charming personality has been brilliantly brought back into the public spotlight again by actor Chuck Yates.  It’s an evening in the theatre one doesn’t soon forget.

“Tru” performs at the Annenberg Theatre this week.  Performance will be given on Wednesday, April 24th at 2 pm and 7:30 pm; Thursday, April 15th at 2 pm; Friday, April 26th at 7:30 pm; Saturday April 27th at 2 pm and 7:30 pm and Sunday, April 28th at 2 pm.  Call the Box Office at760-325-4490.  Don’t Miss It !

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Gary Costa has been named the LGBT Community Center’s executive director.

PALM SPRINGS, CA – The LGBT Community Center of the Desert (The Center) is pleased to announce that it has named Gary Costa as their new Executive Director. Costa has served as The Center’s Interim Executive Director since November, 2012.

A nationwide search for the position was conducted by McCormack & Associates, a national executive search provider specializing in diversity recruiting. Included in the search committee was The Center’s Board Chair, Randy Lowe: ”Gary has worked at the Center as an executive assistant and has done an outstanding job on the operations of the organization.  I look forward to working with him as our new Executive Director. Gary fully understands our long term vision at The Center and is totally dedicated to the organization’s success.”

Costa has a wealth of experience in working with not-for-profit and LGBT organizations,including Program Director at The Center OC and as Executive Director of Being Alive, Los Angeles. “I am honored to have been selected to be the next Executive Director of the LGBT Community Center of the Desert.  This is an exciting time for our community, on both the local and national level; with same-sex marriage, and the overturning of DOMA both within reach”, states Costa.

Prior to coming to The LGBT Community Center of the Desert he was the Resource Coordinator for the Coachella Valley Autism Society. Additional credits include a 10-year stint as Associate Director at Dartmouth College, where he worked on their $1.5 billion capital campaign and coordinated major gifts and pledges for the entire Western Region. Over the years, Costa has served on over a dozen non-profit boards, County and State Commissions. “I envision a stronger vibrant community center that will continue to be welcoming to the Senior population while offering additional programs and events on our path to be more inclusive of women, transgendered individuals, youth and gay men of all ages.  We have an incredible cadre of volunteers, a talented staff and an active, growing membership base. I anticipate that my transition into this new role will be seamless.”

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