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EDITOR’S NOTE

HOPE & THE HOLIDAYS A SEASON TO REMEMBER

dmit it: You’re really ready for 2017. Still, if there’s anything that can boost spirits right now, it has to be the holidays. So hold your family and loved ones close and dear—and then eat, and have at those presents. I come from a very large Polish family back in Chicago—aunts, uncles, cousins, and gregarious neighbors. Most times, we would have to talk over people in a house filled with loud chatter and good cheer. That sort of thing may be the best remedy after a very media-intense 2016. So, as we reflect back on what the year has offered, what we’ve learned, and what we would like to see unfold in 2017, use this special holiday edition of Desert Entertainer as a primer. Beginning on page 4, take note of our ex-

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tensive list of holiday events— everything from the holiday outings unfolding at McCallum Theatre to the vivid presentation of The Annenberg Theatre’s “The Nutcracker.” Be sure to also consider Palm Springs wildly popular Festival of Lights event (page 9) or the new ice skating rink over at The River (page 11). Elsewhere, we offer you the hottest new shopping items for the holidays (page 14) as well as an array of dining tips throughout. No holiday is complete without an indelible crooner singing holiday classics. For that, take note of legendary performer Johnny Mathis and his December concerts at McCallum Theatre (page 12). In this issue, we chat with the

award-winning singer. Learn more about what he loves most about performing prior to hitting the stage for his 60th anniversary holiday concert. Meanwhile, humor and levity arrive in the form of The Kinsey Sicks. The popular drag a cappella group returns to Palm Springs and The Purple Room for a humorous holiday outing you are bound to remember. (Page 30.) Of course, we present some the finest new food and wine offerings of the season throughout the magazine. Enjoy. Above all, relish the next month, remember to breathe, and lean into the spirit of giving with a new kind of fervor. Here’s to the holidays—and a new year to truly appreciate. Until next time, Greg Archer Editor

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CONTENTS DEB GEISSLER PUBLISHER dgeissler@desertentertainer.com GREG ARCHER EDITOR news@desertentertainer.com ADVERTISING SALES KIMBERLY BRUCKS ADVERTISING MANAGER kbrucks@desertentertainer.com

P.10 WILD LIGHTS The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens welcomes you. 1

EDITOR’S NOTE Out: 2016 (Almost). In: 2017 (Nearly). In between, here’s to some of the finest holiday events, and shopping opportunities of the season.

SYNC YOUR CALENDARS From a brand new ice-skating rink to a variety of holiday light shows, we got it all.

BEHOLD: THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS Ambitious, bold—and bright. The popular downtown Palm Springs event returns.

DESERT HIGHLIGHT The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens lights up—big time—with its annual presentation. This year promises to surpass expectations. JOHNNY MATHIS The timeless performer reveals his true inspiration and the joy he feels while performing. Plus: Take note of his two December shows in the desert. HOT ITEMS In which we present some of the season’s best gift items.

RECIPE TIME Food is everywhere this time of year. Why not plan an inventive holiday meal at home?

NO WINE, KNOW WHINE Don’t freak out. Get Zen—or Zin—with this list of holiday wines.

THE ULTIMATE IN FOOD & WINE Our local rundown of some of the most celebrated culinary portals.

HOT TAMALE! A popular tamale festival returns—and you’ll be right there to enjoy it. LA QUINTA OLIVE OIL COMPANY La Quinta scores big with a local olive oil company. Learn more about its evolution and the hot gifts this season. THE KINSEY SICKS Can the world’s longest-running drag a cappella group save the world? At this point, yes. A holiday show to savor.

JUDY TELANDER MARKETING SPECIALIST jtelander@desertentertainer.com

LAYOUT & GRAPHICS JOSE DE LA CRUZ SENIOR GRAPHIC ARTIST ads@desertentertainer.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS ALISON ELSNER BUDDY MANNIX GREG ARCHER

Office is located at: 41-995 Boardwalk, Suite L2 Palm Desert, CA 92211 Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday Closed Major Holidays Phone: (760) 776-5181 Fax: (760) 776-5733 www.desertentertainer.com www.desertmobilehomenews.com www.canadasouthmagazine.com Titles registered and all contents copyright 2016 by the Hi-Desert Publishing Co. All rights reserved.

A PRODUCT OF

P.20 FEED YOURSELF Our round-up of local favorites.

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P.12 JOHNNY MATHIS The popular performer hits McCallum Theatre.

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undresses and Santa hats, convertibles and candy canes, palm trees and poinsettias—that’s how residents and visitors alike roll during the holidays in the Coachella Valley. A wide variety of fun and festive activities will keep the holiday momentum going for all ages and interests during the season, so put the following events into your calendar.

Dec. 1-31: The Season of Giving at Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage The Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage transforms with sparkling lights, sweet treats, and special events for everyone to enjoy in December. Share the holiday spirit by bringing along donations for two nonprofits: F.I.N.D. Food Bank of the Coachella Valley, and Toys for Tots. Free; bring a toy or food donation.

Dec. 1-31: It’s A Wonderful Life At The La Quinta Resort Wander La Quinta Resort & Club, where Frank Capra’s classic film “It’s a Wonderful Life” was written, to marvel at the sparkling tree and partake in chestnut roasting, pancakes on the patio, holiday cooking classes and more.

68900 Frank Sinatra Drive, Rancho Mirage, 760321-8282, ritzcarlton.com/RanchoMirage.

Free. 49499 Eisenhower Drive, La Quinta, 855884-9315, laquintaresort.com.

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Dec. 1: The Broadway Quilt Raffle and Fundraiser Benefitting Desert Aids Project Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a real piece of Broadway while supporting the life-saving client services provided each day to Desert AIDS Project’s 3,600 clients. From

“Hamilton” to “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Wicked” and “Kinky Boots,” the Broadway Quilt project showcases many shows and will be raffled off on Dec. 1, which is World AIDS Day. Buy raffle tickets ($20) in advance, event at 5:30 p.m. $40-$150 per person for “Everyday Heroes” Desert AIDS Project, 1695 N. Sunrise Way, Palm Springs (to buy raffle tickets); Camelot Theatres, 2300 East Baristo Road (to attend awards). For more information, call 760-323-2118, or visit desertaidsproject.org/events. Dec. 2 and 3: The Nutcracker If you’ve been following Palm Springs’ awardwinning dance company K Dance, then you already know how dynamic it is and how well

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<<< CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 it leaves a memorable impression. The group returns to the Annenberg for its 20th anniversary performances of “The Nutcracker,” Tchaikovsky’s classic masterpiece. 7:30 p.m. (Dec. 2); 3 p.m. (Dec. 3). $20-$30. Annenberg Theater, Palm Springs Art Museum, 101 Museum Drive, Palm Springs. For more information, visit psmuseum.org. Dec. 5: Vienna Boys Choir Holiday favorites and a myriad other songs— from classical masterpieces to Austrian folk songs—fill the bill here. Interesting to note: The choir, in its various incarnations, has been performing for six centuries. No doubt the purity of tone, charm, and the indelible repertoire has fueled its longevity. 7 p.m. $37-$77. McCallum Theatre, 73000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert. For more information, visit mccallumtheatre.com.

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THE IRISH TENORS DEC. 6, 2016

Dec. 6: Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Tree-Lighting Ceremony Celebrity Jack Jones will officially light the 40-foot tree that sits atop the tram’s Mountain Station roof while the Palm Springs High School Choir performs. The tree is illuminated with more than 6,200 lights that are visible from across the Coachella Valley.

5:30 p.m. Free to attend ceremony (Tram ticket $16.95-$25.95 per person). One Tram Way, Palm Springs. For more information, visit pstramway.com. Dec. 6: The Irish Tenors Christmas One of the most successful Irish touring acts to ever grace the stage celebrates the season with traditional carols and classic Irish ballads

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Dec. 11: Christmas with The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain It promises to be an all-plucking ukulele endeavor. The superstars return to with their memorable, toe-tapping music and hilarious banter—but with a holiday twist. 7 p.m. $27-$87. McCallum Theatre, 73000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert. For more information, visit mccallumtheatre.com.

SANTA FLY-IN DEC. 13, 2016

audiences will savor. Accompanied by a live 30-piece orchestra. 8 p.m. $37-$87. McCallum Theatre, 73000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert. For more information, visit mccallumtheatre.com.

benefit vulnerable children in the community. The Briton Advocacy Award will be announced at the event. Olive Crest serves nearly 3,000 at-risk children and their families each day throughout California, Nevada, and the Pacific Northwest.

Dec. 9: Olive Crest Desert Communities Holiday Gala “A Safe Home for the Holidays” will feature a dinner, program and live and silent auctions to

$125 per person, $1,250 tables of 10. Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Crystal Ballroom, 44000 Indian Wells Lane, Indian Wells. For more information, visit olivecrest.org.

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Dec. 13: Santa Fly-In At The Palm Springs Air Museum Santa drops into the Palm Springs Air Museum to hand out goody bags to kids. All the good boys and girls can pose with Santa and a vintage airplane while sharing their wish lists. Parents are invited, too. 1 p.m. Free. 745 N. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs. For more information, visit palmspringsairmuseum.org.

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<<< CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 Dec. 13: Playtime With Santa At The Gardens On El Paseo Visit Santa for a photo at The Gardens on El Paseo. This event offers arts and crafts, as well as refreshments for families and children. A $10 donation supports Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Desert. $10 donation. 10 a.m. to Noon. 73545 El Paseo, Ste. 2500, Palm Desert. For more information, visit thegardensonelpaseo.com. Dec. 16 and 17: Johnny Mathis 60th Anniversary Christmas Tour The legendary, award-winning vocalist and performer brings his riveting quartet and a 31-piece orchestra along for the ride. Expect a variety of Mathis favorites, many from his best-selling holiday albums. Added plus: comedian Gary Mule Deer, a McCallum favorite, joins in on the fun. 8 p.m. McCallum Theatre, 73000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert. For more information, visit mccallumtheatre.com.

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THE VILLAGE PEOPLE DEC. 31, 2016

Dec. 31: Palm Springs New Year’s Eve Countdown The New Year’s Eve celebration will feature a multimedia countdown to the New Year and a fireworks display along with DJ Dense (L.A. Clippers host), kid-friendly attractions and plenty of food and drink options. The Village People will appear live on stage at 10:30 p.m.

8 p.m. to midnight. Free. General admission, $35 $75 for concert seating (some sections 21 and over). Spa Resort Casino Outdoor Event Area, 401 E. Amado Rd., Palm Springs. For more information, call 888999-1995 or visit sparesortcasino.com/nye2017 And don’t miss: the Renova Ice Rink (page 11), Festival of Lights (page 9), and Wild Lights at The Living Desert (page 10).

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FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

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Head to the Lights Palm Springs Festival Of Lights Parade continues to shine bright BY ALISON ELSNER

ow in its 23rd year, the annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights parade brings families, kids, adults, residents and visitors together on the festive streets of Palm Springs for a memorable two-hour parade. On Saturday, Dec. 3, parade spectators will be able to see a host of marching bands, drum squads, drill teams, performing groups, equestrian groups, Santa and Mrs. Claus, city officials, event sponsors, and the Budweiser Clydesdales. The parade’s signature floats adorned in thousands of colorful holiday lights, are the highpoint, and in the spirit of the Macy’s Day Parade in New York, giant helium balloons will be guided down the parade route by volunteers from each of Palm Springs neighborhood associations. Adding a little friendly competition to the event, the parade floats and entries are judged in several categories, including Best Float, Best Band, Best Small Rig, Best Large Rig, and more.

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This year’s celebrity grand marshal duty for the parade will be shared by four notable representatives: model and actress Beverly Johnson, community philanthropist Nelda Linsk, boxing champ Tim Bradley, Jr. and Palm Springs Police Chief Bryan Reyes. The parade route runs up Palm Canyon Drive starting at Ramon Road and continuing northbound up to Tamarisk Road. More than 100,000 people are again expected to attend, so if you want to get a good seat, you’ll need to bring your own lawn chair and arrive sometime in the afternoon to stake out your spot along Palm Canyon Drive. The street along the parade route will be closed from 3 to 8:30 p.m. You may also want to grab a parking spot on one of the surrounding streets or at the downtown parking lot before spaces fill up. There are two designated areas for disabled persons to view the parade, on the west side of the street between Arenas Road and Belardo Road in front of the Village Green fountain and

on Palm Canyon Drive on the west side of the street between Chino Drive and Via Valmonte. This seating area is available on a first-come, first served basis, and ADA accessible parking is located in the lots behind these two locations. Coolers with snacks and beverages are allowed for those viewing the parade, but alcohol is prohibited. And, it’s a good idea to bring a blanket and umbrella, just in case it’s chilly or drizzly. Sponsors this year include Donna MacMillan, Alcazar, KMIR/KPSE, Carollo, ERSC, Albert A. Webb Associates, Willdan, Southern California Gas Company and Spa Resort Casino Consistently voted one of the best local events in the Coachella Valley, the parade was also voted one of the Top Ten Holiday Parades in the country in an AOL survey. The event takes place Saturday, Dec. 3, in downtown Palm Springs. For more information, visit psfestivaloflights.com.

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Going Wild

Living Desert Zoo and Gardens’ holiday showcase surpasses expectations

dmit it: The thought of experiencing more than a million twinkling lights really thrills you. The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is counting on it. In fact, Wild Lights, a holiday favorite that returns this year for its 24th annual outing, wins points for plenty of new features this year. Consider the new herd of life-size, luminescent animal lanterns—that will most certainly stand out. Or, the popular Dr. Seuss town, Whoville, perhaps? Consider having a snowball fight there. What’s noteworthy is that there’s so much variety in what The Living Desert Zoo and Gar-

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dens offers. This year, we’re promised newly added pathways decorated in holiday lights. Popular events of yore are back, too, including the Tunnel of Lights, visits with Santa, live entertainment, arts and crafts, carousel rides, and much more. A stellar valley outpost for many years now, The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens continues to attract locals and seasonal visitors. Part of this has to do with staying true to its mission, which is desert conservation through preservation, education and appreciation. What some people may not know is that some of the objectives of this iconic destina-

tion keep the ecosystem thriving. In addition to preserving a portion of the Colorado Desert in its natural state, it also fosters awareness and appreciation for a myriad plants and animals in worldwide ecosytems. Cooperative research also fosters research and educational programs, biological studies contributing to the protection of desert species in a wild state. Worthy of a visit? You bet. Celebrate all this fanciful holiday magic, which also offers games, live music and new Holiday Express trackless train ride through Dec. 31. Learn more at thelivingdesert.org.

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ere in the desert, we already know we won’t get snow during the holidays. However, we will get some ice. Ice skating that is—at the Coachella Valley’s first outdoor ice rink at The River, located on Highway 111 in Rancho Mirage. The skating rink will transform part of The River’s prominent man-made lagoon on the west side of the shopping center into a winter wonderland for kids and adults. The Renova Rink @ The River is active through Jan. 8, 2017. Take note: An event

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dubbed the “Grand Holiday Spectacular and Tree Lighting takes place Nov. 29. The event features an ice-skating Santa, seasonal entertainment, and special surprise guests. Meanwhile, once the rink is open to the public, ice skating will be available days and evenings with entertainment, including bands and DJs providing holiday music to accompany skating sessions. Originally conceived by radio station CV 104.3’s Jimi “Fitz” Fitzgerald, who is also producing a fall music series for The River, The

Renova Rink @ The River and the Holiday Spectacular are the very first seasonal events of this grand scale planned for the mid-valley shopping center. In addition to title sponsor Renova Solar, the Renova Rink @ The River is presented by the First Alert Weather Team of CBS Local 2 News and KESQ News Channel 3. It’s sponsored by CV 104.3 FM, Desert Lexus, Hero, and Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa. So, after catching a movie at The Century Theaters at The River or enjoying dinner at one of the center’s restaurants, you and your family can lace up your skates and take to the ice for your very own Kristi Yamaguchi, Brian Boitano or Dorothy Hamill moment. The Renova Rink @ The River, Nov. 22, 2016 to Jan. 8, 2017. Open noon to 10 p.m. Monday-Wednesday. 10 a.m. to Noon, Tuesday (Senior skate only—55+). Noon- 8 p.m. Thursday. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. FridaySaturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. 71800 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, 760-341-2711 or theriveratranchomirage.com/the-rink-at-the-river. $15 per skater, which includes skate rental. Private rink rentals are available for groups, schools, instructional sessions, and leagues from Nov. 11-21 (except Nov. 13).

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JOHNNYMATHIS.COM

SPOTLIGHT

DESERT ENTERTAINER MAGAZINE

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SPOTLIGHT

hances are … when you think of the holidays, Johnny Mathis comes to mind. Let’s face it: Few performers embody the spirit of the season through song quite like the multi-Grammy nominated and Grammy Hall of Fame singer can. Mathis’ best-selling Christmas album (one of many holiday albums, actually), “Merry Christmas,” has sold more than 5 million copies since it debuted back in December of 1958. Sixty years later, Mathis, as intrepid as ever, is set to hit McCallum Theatre in December as part of his 60th anniversary tour. True, longtime fans may always appreciate the fervor in Mathis’ holiday albums—“Merry Christmas” (1958), “The Sounds of Christmas” (1963), “Give Me Your Love for Christmas” (1969), “Christmas Eve with Johnny Mathis” (1986), “The Christmas Album” (2002), “Sending You a Little Christmas” (2013)—but it’s hard not to forget the other music sensations … the ones that fueled his celebrity. Songs like “Wonderful, Wonderful,” “It’s Not For Me To Say,” “Chances Are,” “Misty,” and “Too Much, Too Little, Too Late” are now historic milestones. Not one to rest on his creative laurels, Mathis is currently working on a brand new album—a few of the tracks are being produced by Jay Landers and Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds. Here the treasured performer opens up about his life, the holidays, and the one inspiration that always remains close to his heart. Greg Archer: Sixty years in entertainment. What comes to mind when you hear that? Johnny Mathis: [Laughs] Fortunately, I have had some success in my early years and I was able to share that with my parents. And I equate some of that to listening to inspiring people when I was kid, like Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald, and all these extraordinarily different people. I was so fortunate because I got to be friends with so many of them. And I remember

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how passionate they were about what they did, and it consumed their whole lives. It created an aura that they lived with all of their lives. It was something I often looked at and wondered: ‘How did they all handle all this?’ And then finding out about it later on, first hand, that It [fame] was really a learning process. Inspiration is vital. What, or who, else inspired you throughout the years? The thing that was unique at the time was my relationship with my dad. He was a singer. He and my mom had seven children and unfortunately, no one ever heard him sing expect the family. So I always based my enjoyment level and what I was doing in conjunction with the help that I received from my dad. He could sing. He could play the piano. He really took me under his wing at an early age. He was my best pal in the world. He asked me: ‘Well, would you like to learn to sing?’ And I said, ‘I could sing?’ And he told me that he would make sure that I sang correctly so that I could sing for all of my life. So at the age of 8 or 9, I was already thinking of having a voice teacher. By the age of 13, I found a really wonderful teacher—she was an opera singer herself—and she taught me the foundation that made singing very joyful for me. So I have always been an admirer of my father. He had all these people in the house that everyone looked up to. They went to him with their pleasures and their problems. And that has always stayed in my mind. It gave me a sense of understanding that along with success comes challenging situations sometimes, too. Even today, I still draw inspiration from him. My daily life is a reflection of what I learned from my dad. What do you love most about singing and performing? The camaraderie I have. I’ve been most fortunate with the musicians I work with. My con-

ductor has been with me 15 years; my drummer maybe 30 years. But the joy that I get is always in conjunction with the support I have with these wonderful musicians. I don’t have a problem singing. It’s a very joyful experience for me. Is there any particular holiday song you sing that resonates with you? The one that I enjoy singing is “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” which was written by George Wyle, whom I’d often see when I’d go on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.” He was a composer and a producer and wrote the song, and every time I sing it, I think about how wonderful he was to me in making sure I did “The Tonight Show.” I wish he were alive today so he would understand my close feeling to that song. Well, ’tis the season. How about we chat a bit about Christmastime? From the time I was a little kid, I had a wonderful time of celebration at Christmas. My mom and dad made Christmas very special for us seven kids, and in a way with very limited funds. Mom and dad were professional cooks, and that was the thing that really stood out because at Christmastime we got all this special food that we never got before because my mom and dad spent their time cooking for very wealthy people. They pulled out all the stops. And then they would come home and duplicate it for the family. And at school, I was always involved with choirs, and later on an all-male choir. That was special about Christmas. Even today, as I was going over the program with the conductor about what I am going to sing, it’s always a joy to share it. I wish I could sing it more than just during this time of year. Learn more about Johnny Mathis at johnnymathis. com. The singer performs Dec. 16 and 17 at McCallum Theatre, 73000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, mccallumtheatre.com.

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SHOPPING

DESERT ENTERTAINER MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER 2016

SHOPPING

WEST ELM

ome people are incredibly easy to shop for. You can go into any store and find something they would like. For others, you can spend months looking and still not discover the right gift. So what do you get the person who has everything? Furthermore, how can you get a unique gift at an affordable price? Forget candy, ties and slippers. The following gifts for under $200 are sure to be special, memorable and brighten your loved one’s day. Vintage Toys Nostalgia is alive and well during times of celebration. Show you care and prove how well you know the giftee by finding a toy from their youth—or even vintage or new comics. For example, call antique stores and scope out eBay for a vintage Lincoln Log set. Not only will this conjure happy memories, but now the recipient can share a beloved childhood toy with his or her family members. Consider Mr. G’s For Kids in Palm Springs (visitpalmsprings.com) or Interstellar Comics and Collectibles in Palm Springs (facebook.com/interstellarcomics). Custom Rxperiences Rather than giving something, have you thought of gifting an experience instead? Whether it’s reservations and a gift certificate to the city’s hottest restaurant, tickets for the theater or an annual pass to a local amusement park, an experience will stand out. Print out the information, wrap in a box and watch your loved one’s eyes

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light up upon opening it. Consider the Annenberg Theatre (psmuseum.org) or Palm Springs Symphony Orchestra (palmspringsperformingarts.org), or the always-wonderful Palm Springs Aerial Tramway (pstramway.com). Need some clothes to go with that outing? Consider The Wardrobe in Palm Springs (thewardrobepalmsprings.com).

would enjoy a membership to the local museum or garden that would offer year-round visits. Consider the Palm Springs Art Museum (psartmuseum.org) or the Palm Springs Air Museum (psairmuseum.org), or even McCallum Theatre (mccallumtheatre.com) and other performing arts venues in the Valley.

Go For Color In Palm Springs, there is no shortage of modern gift possibilities—or colorful ones for that matter. For chic clothing gifts, consider: Trina Turk in Palm Springs (trinaturk.com) or Blonde Clothing Boutique in Palm Desert (blondeclothingboutique. com). For fun gift books and stationary items, consider Just Fabulous in Palm Springs (justfab.com).

Cultural Gifts Does your loved one have an interest in a particular culture? Create a gift basket and use that culture as the theme. Gather special spices and ingredients to make an authentic recipe or find a book about the history of the culture. Traditional clothing, cultural-specific art and imported candy can all help you create a wonderfully unique gift. Five place in the Valley to consider: Jensen’s Foods (jensensfoods.com), Teavana in Palm Desert (teavana.com/palmdesert), Crystal Fantasy in Palm Springs (crystalfanstasy.com), West Elm in Palm Springs (westelm.com/stores), Destination Palm Springs (destinationpsp.com).

Donation Want a gift that has meaning and makes a positive impact? Make a charitable donation to a special cause in your loved one’s name. Does she adore animals? Donate to a certain exhibit at the zoo or a nearby animal shelter. Does he have a soft spot for childhood education? Donate to the local library or organizations that help lowincome children succeed at school.Consider: The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens (livingdesert.org). Memberships A membership can be a useful gift that’s much appreciated. For example, an automotive membership provides assistance for auto accidents and other traveling concerns. Maybe he or she

Restored Pictures Before digital photos and endless smartphone images, printed photographs were cherished keepsakes. For a meaningful gift, find an old photo and have it restored. Finish by putting it in a beautiful frame and you’re sure to tug at the heartstrings when it’s time to open presents. Consider Art Works in Palm Springs (artworksgallery.com).

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HOLIDAY RECIPES

CHICKEN CHILI LIME SOUP

Chicken Chili Lime Soup From Liza Garza, La Quinta Olive Oil Company Ingredients: • 2 Skinless bonelss chicken breasts • 2 qts. chicken stock • 1 can diced fire roasted tomatoes (14.5 oz) • 1/2 diced yellow onion • 2 medium carrots small diced • 2 potatoes small diced • 1 can garbanzo beans (15 oz.) • 1 tsp. tomato paste • 1 Tbsp. La Quinta Olive Oil Co. Roasted Chile and Garlic Olive Oil • 1 Tbsp La Quinta Olive Oil Co. Chili Lime Rub • 2 Cloves garlic finely chopped • 1 tsp salt • 1/2 tsp pepper • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro plus extra for garnish • 1 lime • 1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco • Tortilla chips Directions: Rub chicken with chile lime rub, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Heat olive oil in a saute pan, add chicken and cook until done. Cool and shred. In a 6 qt. pot add stock and next 9 ingredients. Add remaining salt and pepper plus cilantro. Cook 20 minutes, add shredded chicken and cook 10 Minutes until potatoes and carrots are

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tender. Squeeze 1/2 of the lime into soup. Slice the other half of lime in wedges, pour soup in bowls and top with a few tortilla chips, a wedge of lime and a sprinkle of cheese.

Feast of the Seven Fishes Stew From Deb Degen, La Quinta Olive Oil Company Heat: • 3 Tbsp. La Quinta Olive Oil Co. Lemon Pepper Olive Oil • 3 Cups diced onion • 2 Cups diced red bell peppers • 1 Cup diced green bell pepper Add: • 3 dried bay leaves • 2 Tbsp tomato paste • 1/2 tsp nutmeg and oregano • 4 cloves garlic minced • 4 cups diced yukon gold potatoes Stir in: • 1 can crushed San Marzano tomatoes in juice (28 oz.) • 3 bottles clam juice (8 oz) • 1 cup dry white wine Add: • 1 lb fresh clams • 1 lb mussels • 1/2 lb shrimp

• 1/2 lb scallops • 2 lb of three different white fish cut into 2 “ cubes • 1 Tbsp minced lemon zest • 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice • 4 Tsp chopped fresh parsley • Salt and pepper to taste Serve with: • 1 French baguette, sliced • 1/2 cup La Quinta Olive Oil Roasted Garlic Olive Oil Heat oil in large soup pot over medium-high. Add onion and bell pepper, cook uncovered until softened, about 15 minutes. Add garlic, cook 1 minute. Stir in tomato paste, pepper flakes, nutmeg, bay leaves, and oregano, cook 1 minute. Add potatoes and saute until beginning to golden, about 10 minutes Stir in tomates, wine and clam juice. Cover and simmer to slightly thicken, about 15 minutes Add fish, cover, and reduce heat to medium, cook 5 minutes. Add clams and cover, cook until they open (about 10 minutes) After cooking discard any unopened clams. Add other seafood. Cook 5 minutes. Gently stir in zest, lemon juice and 2 Tbsp. parsley, season with salt and pepper. Fry slices of french baquette in Roasted Garlic Oil until golden. Serve by placing a slice of the fried garlic bread in bowl and ladle stew around bread. Garnish with remaining 2 Tbsp. parsley.

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FOOD AND WINE

Toast This Trifecta

Wonderful wines to share at holiday celebrations

s the weather cools and the fireplace whets your appetite for comfort and relaxation, thoughts naturally turn to friends, family, good food and drinks ... enjoyable moments this season so notably brings. Consider these suggestions for delicious combinations that will impress even your most experienced wine-loving and foodie friends. Choose a bottle of Leese-Fitch Cabernet Sauvignon. The enjoyable finish of this full-bodied wine features hints of toasted coconut and rich vanilla to balance out the dark fruit overtones. The meat lovers in your group will enjoy this wine with easy-to-prepare braised beef short ribs or turkey meatballs. A pinot noir can be an excellent introduction to red wine for the white wine drinker. Whip up a batch of salmon tartare on toasted wontons and try the Moobuzz Pinot Noir, named after “the land of milk and honey” (the California Central Coast), which features an abundance of red currant, dark cherry, rich mocha and wild strawberry. Those celebrating a special occasion, or any day that ends in “Y,” may enjoy the festive White Knight Prosecco D.O.C. with crisp aromas of acacia flower, apple, white peach and citrus fruit, this bubbly is a nice change from the typical white wine. It is great by itself as an aperitif or as

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a base for a festive French 75 cocktail. Visit 3badge.com for information.

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ut: 2016 (almost!) In: A delicious and creative 2017. Best to begin your new culinary adventures early with some memorable outings right here in the desert. Your mission: to discover one of the nation’s top producing agricultural centers by following the local flavors of Greater Palm Springs. With roughly 70,000 acres of bountiful crops like citrus, leafy greens and more than 90 percent of the nation’s date crop, it’s no wonder local chefs are drawing inspiration from the fields and creating a local farm-to-table movement that puts Greater Palm Springs on the foodie map.

GO VIRTUAL Take a virtual tour of the Greater Palm Springs Agriculture bounty with “An Oasis of Flavor: Local, Fresh, Crafted” at The Convention and Visitors Bureau’s chillpas.com. This is an ideal spot to visit, whether you want to find more information on casual bites or an elegant evening of haute cuisine.

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DO LUNCH For an informal lunch, Luscious Lorraine’s (lusciouslorraines.com) in Palm Desert is a must. Owner Lorraine Ornelas not only shops at the farmers markets, she also has her own quarteracre farm. So the veggies in her famous Green Drink may be minutes out of the ground. Every Wednesday, Cheeky’s (cheekysps.com) debuts a new menu at this chic brunch spot. From heirloom tomatoes to arugula, produce is locally sourced, while eggs are organic and the beef grass-fed.

JUST INDULGE No vacation is complete without indulging in at least one gourmet feast. Local seasonal ingredients and a breathtaking hacienda-style setting make dinner in La Quinta at Morgan’s in the Desert (morgansinthedesert.com) is unforgettable. Morgan’s is credited with pioneering the local farm-to-table scene in the Coachella valley and their dishes pair perfectly with the restaurant’s decidedly West Coast wine list.

In the heart of Rancho Mirage, Catalan Mediterranean Restaurant (catalanrestaurant.com), brings forth tastes from Spain, Italy and California. Chef Drew Davis is proud to support local farmers and offers natural Kobe Beef from Snake River Farm, Berkshire Pork from Salmon Creek Farm and Organic Free-Range Jidori Chicken. At Essence Restaurant (essencerestaurants.com), located in Desert Hot Springs at the Two Palms Resort & Spa, diners are encouraged to nourish the body and replenish the soul with their farmto-table cuisine and hand crafted healing drinks. In the Palm Springs Uptown Design District, Workshop Kitchen + Bar (workshoppalmsprings.com) pairs locally sourced food with a modern interior, industrial feel. With an everchanging menu at this new James Beard Awardwinning restaurant, Chef Michael Beckman plays with local offerings like honey, mustard greens and dates. Early next year, Beckman plans to open Truss and Twine, where he will

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TIME FOR DATES

<<< CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20 focus on product only from the desert, including a cactus ragu and a goat cheese dish incorporating crushed bougainvillea leaves and Temecula Valley honey.

HEAD TO THE MARKET From October through May in Palm Springs, Palm Desert and La Quinta, visitors can find everything from produce, meats and cheeses to fresh flowers, locally made salsa and freshly squeezed juice at the Coachella Valley Certified Farmers Markets (certifiedfarmersmarket.com). If you’re looking for the absolute freshest produce, Madison Street Produce, a roadside stand in Indio, offers its freshly picked fruits and veggies at the corner of Highway 111 and Madison Street.

JAVA, PLEASE Beyond the fields, there are plenty of other ways to savor the local flavors of the oasis. Perk up with a latte made with Joshua Tree Roasting Company’s (jtcoffeeco.com) freshly roasted coffee beans at Customs Coffee (customscoffee.com) or grab a new cold brew infused with Nitrogen at IW Coffee (facebook. com/iwcoffee) in Indian Wells. Indulge your sweet tooth with locally made Bradnini Toffee or raise a glass of craft beer as you dig further into this foodie oasis.

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ANOTHER KIND OF BREW Speaking of craft beer, the best beer tastings are the ones where someone else does the driving. Desert Adventures (red-jeep.com) offers the only Craft Beer Tour in Greater Palm Springs. At Coachella Valley Brewing Company’s (cvbco.com) Thousand Palms brewery, local ingredients shine in beers like the Desert Swarm, made with local coriander, kumquats and honey. La Quinta Brewing Company’s (laquintabrewing.com) award-winning favorites include the Poolside Blonde and Indian Canyon IPA, but don’t miss the Koffi Porter, brewed with locally roasted coffee beans from Koffi (kofficoffee.com). Babe’s Bar-B-Que Brewhouse (babesbbqandbrewhouse.com) is Greater Palm Springs’ oldest micro-brewery located in Rancho Mirage. The award-winning brews include a Honey Blonde Ale flavored with orange-blossom honey. Their brew with the longest list of awards is the Blackfin Lager. And don’t miss out on the upcoming 4th annual Props & Hops Craft Beer Festival (palmspringspropsandhopsfestival.com) will feature West Coast craft breweries, food vendors, and live music among awesome vintage planes at the Palm Springs Air Museum.

ADDED COMFORTS Opening later this year, the Draughtsman (facebook.com/draughtsmanpalmsprings), a new

gastropub part of Arrive Hotel (arrivehotels.com) complex, will serve modern American comfort food and a large selection of craft beer on draught. Whiskey One Eleven (facebook.com/ WhiskeyOneEleven) in Palm Desert features locally sourced farm-to-table food offerings, craft whiskey, and craft brews in what will be the largest indoor music venue in the Coachella Valley. Next year, food lovers will have the opportunity to fully experience the region’s evolving culinary style during the Rhythm, Wine & Brews Experience (rwbexp.com) and the seventh annual Palm Desert Food & Wine event (palmdesertfoodandwine.com) hosted by Gail Simmons, Food Expert, Food and Wine’s Special Projects Director and judge on BRAVO’s “Top Chef.” The events will feature some of the world’s best chefs, vintners, and craft brewers from across the country. Showcasing the Coachella Valley as an ultimate culinary destination, the Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week will be held next June 2–11, 2017. The nine-day celebration provides dining experiences for a fraction of the normal cost at over 100 participating restaurants. At any time of the year, Desert Tasty Tours (deserttastytours.com) offers visitors the unique opportunity to experience food tastings with historical, architectural and cultural insights from passionate local guides. What a way to sink your teeth into the flavors of Greater Palm Springs.

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ave you ever tried a vegetarian black bean and smoked jack tamale or a chocolate, banana, and peanut butter tamale? Well, this is your chance. The 25th annual Indio International Tamale Festival, presented by the City of Indio and Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, unfolds in a fiery splendor Saturday and Sunday Dec. 3 and 4 in Old Town Indio. The big news this year may be that the popular annual festival, which hits the quarter-century mark, has grown considerably. This year, more than 75 tamale booths from across the country will be featured. Coachella Valley participants have included Adobe Grill, Jackalope Ranch, Las Carretas Taco Shop, Rita’s of La Quinta, and Salsa Momma. Favorites from past years include Grandma Lupe’s Authentic Tamales. Another returning favorite is Texifornia Tamale Co. out of San Diego, a winner of Best Overall Tamale in previous years—these are the folks who

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crafted the aforementioned chocolate, banana, and peanut butter tamale creation. The festival begins with the annual City of Indio and Tamale Festival Parade—yes, that’s right, a tamale parade with Santa at the helm riding in an antique fire truck. At least 125,000 people are again expected to attend the weekend-long celebration. Live entertainment is featured on five stages. Best bets may be the food itself. Tamale booths, a tamale-eating contest (the winning record is 12 tamales, followed by a Pepcid), the opening parade, the 4th annual Car Show, an art and wine garden, a beer garden, Kiddieland, more than 200 vendors, sponsor displays, family-friendly activities, and arts and crafts exhibits are designed for all ages and interests. Each day, there will also be a Farmer’s Market, S.C.R.A.P. Gallery Kids’ Zone and interactive art in the Art and Wine Garden. There’s even a Soul Train contest for singles and couples to compete for best costumes,

dance moves and “soul.” Entertainment highlights include the IEHP Rad Rider Bike Show, the Evaros, Cathedral City High School Ballet Folklorico, Higher Heights, Luis Sequeda and Gilbert the Juggler. The Festival is produced by KevaWorks, Inc., in partnership with the City of Indio. Fantasy Springs Resort Casino serves as the official presenting sponsor, as they have since 1999. Other sponsors include O’Reilly Auto Parts, IEHP, Forest Lawn, Volkswagen and KMIR. Free parking is available on streets surrounding Old Town Indio, and free shuttle services are provided to all festival visitors from the Larson Justice Center at Highway 111 and Oasis Street. Indio International Tamale Festival, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 3 and 4, 100 Civic Center Mall, Indio.Complete Festival details and schedules may be found online at tamalefestival.net.

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or centuries, olive trees have been revered for the nutritional and medicinal benefits they produceâ€”olives, which in turn can be processed into olive oil. The ancient Greeks and Italians surely knew to how to benefit from the gifts their olive trees produced. Flashforward into the here and now, and we can see a new olive evolution taking place as custom-made olive oils and special olive oil products find their way into boutique portals like La Quinta Olive Oil Company. The store, which has been thriving since 2011, offers more than just olives, course, as co-owner Deborah Degan so wonderfully points out here. Desert Entertainer: Tell us about the evolution of La Quinta Olive Oil Company? My husband and I both love to cook. While attending culinary school in Italy we discovered the wonderful world of olive oils and then the aged balsamics of Modena, Italy. My husband is Italian so most of the summer travels are back to Italy where we now seek out more treasures for our shop such as Italian ceramics, olive wood products, spices and beauty products. After we retired from our careers in Los Angeles, we moved to our desert home fulltime and wee soon discovered our plan to play golf every day became a little boring. Looking for a way to use our knowledge of olive oils and balsamic vinegars, we came up with the idea of bringing great olive oils and balsamic vinegars to the Coachella Valley. What were your first steps? We began our research and found our sources to import oils and vinegars. A month later, we found a great retail space in Old Town La Quinta, designed it to look like a Tuscan olive oil shop and opened up our shop in November 2011. What is it about olive oil, and its many products, that makes it so unique? Would you say itâ€™s become more popular over the last few years? Growing up in the Minnesota, olive oil was not a staple in many homes. It has become more popular as people discover the health benefits and the wonderful flavors available for use in marinades, vinaigrettes and bread dipping. Another unique use for olive oil is skin care. We carry a very popular line of chemical-free beauty products made with extra virgin olive oils.

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What’s new and interesting in terms of some olive oils out there?

healing wonders. This liquid gold works to keep hearts healthy, may reduce inflammation and the risk of certain cancers, and might even play a role in controlling diabetes and weight. Did you know that balsamic vinegar has many of the same healing properties as olive oil? It has long been used in Italy as a digestive aid and is commonly sprinkled on

whelmed with the vast selection of flavors we carry. Once they taste the quality of our oils, they don’t return to supermarket varieties.

What do you find people are most surprised about when experiencing the store and the oils?

Learn more about La Quinta Olive Oil Company by visiting 78075 Main St #102, La Quinta. Call 760-777-9992 or visit laquintaoliveoilcompany.com.

We continue to add more flavors to our selection of olive oils. Currently we have over What do you love most about what 25 flavors. In addition we have 35 flavors of you do? balsamic vinegars from Modena, Italy, that are all 18 years old. Our traditional balsamic We love meeting new people everyday as is 25 years old. We carry only the thick, wellwell as seeing our returning customers who aged balsamics that have been love to share recipes and uses aged the old fashioned way- in Not only does olive oil add to the wonderful flavor of your food, it is also for our oils and vinegars. It is wooden kegs. The newest line one of nature’s healing wonders. This liquid gold works to keep hearts such fun to help our customis our white balsamic vinegars. ers make great pairings of oils healthy, may reduce inflammation and the risk of certain cancers. We also have 10 flavors of and vinegars for their salads or fruit prior to a meal. Balsamic vinegar can white balsamics. marinades, it’s always a puzzle to figure out suppress your appetite—this helps prevent We have also expanded our inventory to their palates. overeating and ensures the body will digest include great gift for foodies, such as barbecue My newest hobby, though, is … we have sauces, hot sauces, mustards, jams, salsas, flafood properly. Balsamics can also help proso many tourists in this area, I put up a large vored salts and pastas. Our olive oils and baltect against heart disease and cancer thanks world map on our wall showing where our samic vinegars are very popular hostess gifts. to the antioxidants found in them. customers have visited. It is filling up rapidly. Olive oil has great health benefits? Can you share a few? Not only does olive oil add to the wonderful flavor of your food, it is also one of nature’s

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People are surprised and sometimes over-

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TIP TIME

Holiday entertaining tips help hosts impress guests

he holiday season is packed with social events big and small. What makes some more memorable than others? The extra thought and special touches from the host or hostess. Cookbook author and entertaining expert Gaby Dalkin recently teamed up with the Paper & Packaging - How Life Unfolds campaign to share how you can make a big statement this season: Conquer Holiday Stress With To-do Lists To reduce stress, stay organized and ensure you maintain a merry attitude, use printed templates to create handwritten holiday party to-do lists. “I start my to-do lists weeks before the celebration and break them down by day,” Dalkin says. “A few days before the big event, I stock up on beverages. Two days before I buy all the shelf-stable ingredients. The day before, all the produce goes into the fridge, and I make any

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sauces or appetizers that can rest in the fridge overnight without being affected. Elevate Gifting With Personalized Presentation “I grab a few rolls of brown kraft paper and make it special,” Dalkin says. “If I’m sending a present to someone who loves food, I’ll grab some stamps with fun food on them and stamp the paper so it’s customized for that individual.” Use a Creative Approach to Assigned Seating “If I’m entertaining for more than 10, I’ll make little fold-over name tags out of cute cardstock,” says Dalkin. “I’ll punch a hole in the paper name tag and weave in a bit of rosemary, paper ribbon or a fresh flower to give it an extra pop.”

Add Pizazz With a Champagne Bar Add an easy yet elegant touch to any holiday gathering by setting up a Champagne bar. Simply chill a few bottles, place on a bar cart and add bowls of fresh berries and carafes of fresh squeezed juices. Include handwritten cardstock labels near each ingredient so your guests can mix and match to their hearts’ content. Send Guests Home With a Little Something Homemade Frozen cookie dough is one of the trendiest homemade gifts of the year. Just whip up your favorite batch of dough, tightly wrap it in parchment paper and freeze. Then add some holiday ribbons, a personalized paper label and handwritten baking instructions.

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COURTESY THE KINSEY SICKS

PARTING THOUGHTS

Oy Vey—What A Year! Fear not. The Kinsey Sicks, America’s longest-running drag a cappella group hits Palm Springs with an unforgettable holiday show. BY GREG ARCHER

et’s face it, 2016 will go down as the most contentious and politically bizarre year in decades. Now that we can see the holiday lights at the end of the David Lynch-like tunnel we’ve been crawling through all year, who better to save the political day than a posse of drag queens? But The Kinsey Sicks do not come from your typical drag queen litter. (Well, what drag queen does?) The hilarious quartet originated in the San Francisco Bay Area more than 20 years ago and is now the longest-running drag a cappella quartet in the world. The humorous gals—so tongue-in-cheek; so cirque du estrogen—hit The Purple Room in Palm Springs Dec. 9 and 10

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for a hilarious musical holiday offering dubbed “Oy Vey In A Manger: An A Capella Musical Comedy.” Here, the ladies (Winnie, Rachel, Trixie and Trampolina) open up to Desert Entertainer on the finer nuances of performing and so much more. Oy. What a year. How have you all managed to survive? Rachel: I have worked vigorously to maintain a strict regimen of chocolate and kvetching. So far it’s worked like a charm. Winnie: They say if you can’t beat ’em, run

for president. So, we did. Who is more qualified than a drag a cappella troupe with limited boundaries and a sick sense of humor? Trixie: We survive through our commitment to our art, the devotion of our fans, and weeks of intensive group therapy. What delicious things can we expect from your holiday show? Rachel: There’s nothing quite so delicious as bringing your friends who haven’t seen us and watching the horrified looks on their faces.

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COURTESY THE KINSEY SICKS

PARTING THOUGHTS

THE KINSEY SICKS ARE: (CLOCKWISE) TRAMPOLINA, WINNIE, RACHEL, AND TRIXIE.

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What do you all love most about performing in Palm Springs?

Trixie: Offshore bank accounts, and tax breaks for future billionaire ex-husbands.

Trampolina: I recommend that you actually come in expecting nothing. That way you have a fighting chance of having a good time.

Rachel: It’s the one place in the USA where people think I’m young and pretty.

Looking ahead, how can drag queens save the world in 2017?

Trampolina: It’s the one place in the world where Rachel can think she’s young and pretty.

Rachel: By telling Ann Coulter we want our Adams apples back.

Winnie: The dry heat really does wonders for the skin.

Winnie: By continuing to push boundaries while bolstering each other up like a good supportive bra.

Trixie: “Oy Vey in a Manger” is a deliciously twisted way to experience classic holiday tunes with parodies such as “God Bless Ye Femmy Lesbians,” “I’m Dreaming of a Vanna White Christmas,” our silly tribute to cannibalism “Soylent Night,” and the “Feliz Navidad” meets zombie parody, “Fellating the Dead.” There’s something to offend everyone. What’s your preferred modus operandi? Naughty? Or Nice? Rachel: “Naughty” is merely a good start. Nice does not exist in my Universe. Trampolina: Modus Operandi? I’ve never heard of him. But Trixie does a marvelous rendition of Giacomo Puccini in the show. Winnie: Nice. In a pleather G-string … and Fair Trade silk camisole with camouflage print.

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Trixie: Every time we come here, I am reminded that the audiences have always been so good to their performers. That warm welcome is further increased when they spend their oodles of idle time and disposable income on us. If you were working for the Big Claus, what sort of presents would you be doling out? Trampolina: I always like seeing faces exploding with joy when they open their presents. So probably a Samsung Galaxy Note 7.

Trixie: The world always needs more color, more audience-pleasing music, more awardwinning wit, and more bellyaching laughter. As always, the best drag queens continue and will continue to provide these in spades. But in 2017, try us instead. Embrace The Kinsey Sicks. Catch the fun Dec. 9 and 10 at The Purple Room, 1900 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. For showtimes and more information, visit purpleroompalmsprings.com or kinseysicks.com.

Winnie: Cruelty-free Tofurkeys.

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