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Desert Hot Springs, CA PERMIT NO 00005
August 22, 2018 Vol. 12 No. 67
Desert Theatre League By Desert Star Staff INDIO, CA, Desert Theatreworks has received 39 different nominations for its 2017-2018 season by The Desert Theatre League for its annual Desert Star Awards. The Desert Theatre League adjudicates well over
100 productions annually throughout the Coachella Valley and High Desert. This year we received 39 nominations across 24 categories. DTW received 6 nominations including Outstanding Production - Comedy for On Golden
By Desert Star Staff Palm Desert, Calif., – People of varying ages are getting a second chance at a career, thanks to a grant from the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation. A Coachella Valley Spotlight grant for $25,000 was presented to Smooth Transition, Inc. to provide tuition assistance and help pay for programming costs. The nonprofit organization, based in Desert Hot Springs offers life skills development, educational training, vocational training, and mentorship to underprivileged and at-risk populations. “This generous grant will have a direct and lasting impact,” said Elsa
Fitzgerald, Executive Director of Smooth Transition, Inc. “Most of our learners do not have three or four years to work through a traditional educational environment. Through Smooth Transition they get the focused training they need, and then they are launched into a career that can satisfy their needs to sustainably take care of themselves and their families.” Smooth Transition offers courses and certifications in GED, culinary and hospitality, plus an array of workshops. Dr. Robin Goins founded the nonprofit organization in 2009 in response to the serious economic challenges
Pond. Our final production of the season, The 39 Steps, received 7 nominations in the comedy category for Outstanding Production, Outstanding Director, Lead Actor, Lead Actress, Supporting Actor (2), and Outstanding Sound Design.
The staged reading of Death of a Salesman also received 6 nominations, including Outstanding Director, Lead Actor, Lead Actress, and Supporting Actor. The full list of nominations can be found at www. DTWORKS.org.
The awards ceremony will be held October 14th at Sun City Palm Desert. “Desert TheatreWorks is pleased to accept the 39 nominations form the Desert Theatre League, reflecting Continues on Page 12
Grant supports tuition assistance for at-risk populations
Christopher McGuire and Catharine Reed, Board Members of the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation, along with CBS Local 2 Reporter Kelley Moody, present a $25,000 Coachella Valley Spotlight grant to Continues on Page 2 representatives of Smooth Transition, Inc. Photo Courtesy of the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation