GED MAGAZINE - OCT 2023

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Michael Westman

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EDITORIAL INQUIRIES

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Alexander Rodriguez

Billy Francesca

Ethylina Canne

Michael Westman

Paco Ojeda

Stan Jenson

From The Editor

The October Food & Wine Issue has some appealing culinary articles for you – from our cover feature on Gentlemen Farmer, to Agave spirits, to five unique restaurants to visit in California

In addition to great wine and food, we have our NEW column by Billy Francesca “Advice from an Idiot,” answering all your burning questions you were afraid to ask Abby. We also have what’s On Stage now in California, and an interview with Drag Queen Norma Lee High.

The GED Magazine Team is committed to bringing you the best in LGBTQ entertainment, nightlife, travel, and lifestyles, and GED continues to bring you new events and new excitement. GED has not one, but SIX EVENTS during Palm Springs Pride Weekend – from DRAG-A-LICIOUS, the Official Drag Show of Palm Springs Pride, to our signature MASSIVE PRIDE POOL PARTY, and more, the party will be non-stop. Visit GEDmag.com and click on the PALM SPRINGS PRIDE tab for all the events, information, VIP Passes, and tickets.

Visit us on the web at GEDmag.com and sign up for our monthly insider newsletter. Insiders will also be entered into future drawings for trips, event tickets, dinners and more. And for all the updates on social media, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @GEDmagazine and tag us in your photos to be featured… #GEDmag. GED MAGAZINE is here for YOUR entertainment!

Cover Models:

Jeff Durham and Joe Wolosz

Photo courtesy of Gentlemen Farmer

ADVICE FROM AN IDIOT with BILLY FRANCESCA

My Darling Ducks, Thank you so much for writing in, to our maiden voyage of “Advice from an Idiot” with GED Magazine! Keep those questions coming, and I will get to them all! Loved this month’s questions that came in, but these two really got me thinking! Let me know what YOU think as I dish out wisdom like ranch dressing on pizza crust…God I want pizza…

Dear Idiot,

Love your Instagram and love your organic videos of giving “Zero Fucks.” I wanted some advice on how to handle a situation that came up recently…

Hey Idiot,

Every time my roommate’s straight sister comes to town, she goes off the rails. I get it, she’s a mom, and doesn’t get a lot of free time, but when we go out for drinks or dinner, it’s like balls to the wall drinking and hanging on gay guys, and just getting messy. I’ve tried talking to my roommate about it, but he just shrugs it off as ’She’s blowing off steam.” Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for a good time, but it’s embarrassing and messy. What do you think?

–Hey Sis in Syracuse

Hey Sis in Syracuse,

Question… do you have any chloroform? Kidding kidding! Sidebar, UGH, that sounds exhausting! I get it, being a mom is full time job and who doesn’t like to just let loose, but honestly (and I see this a lot working in nightlife), if your roommate isn’t willing to handle his sister and explain to her that sometimes she’s a “bit much,” I would say you need to set a solid boundary for yourself, and remove yourself from the situation, when she reaches that point in the night. You don’t have to subject yourself to that kind of babysitting. No thank you! I’m guessing you want to keep the peace at home, so, go have fun with your roommate and, when Sis starts trying to make out with the gay bartender, have a nice Irish Goodbye. Hope this helps!

XO

-The Advice Idiot

Write in kids! I love hearing about the drama mama out there in the world! Send your email to theadviceidiot@gmail.com and look out for answers in the next publication of GED Magazine! Please stay safe and have fun!

XO Billy

www.billyfrancesca.com

www.facebook.com/billyfrancesca7 www.twitter.com/billyfrancesca www.instagram.com/billyfrancesca

An older friend was at my apartment and went to use my bathroom. I had left my PrEP bottle on the counter, when my friend came out of the bathroom, he said something to the effect like, “Oh someone’s been whoring it up…” I was caught off guard, like, “What did I leave in my bathroom?” He went on to say he saw my prep bottle and that it was the pill for sluts. WHAT!? He is in his early 40’s and went on to speak about the AIDS epidemic and losing friends, and that PrEP was just an excuse for noncommittal sex with strangers. I really was surprised; I hadn’t really heard anyone express this. I wasn’t sure how to handle it, and it’s put a bit of a riff in the friendship. Any advice please! Thanks so much. –PrEPing in NOHO

Hi PrEPing in NOHO!

I was also like “WTF” when I read your situation. There is a lot to unpack here! For starters, slut shaming is part of the internalized homophobia that so many people face, by others who don’t really deal with their own feelings. I don’t want to generalize and say there is a lot of it with ‘gays of a certain age,” however…there is a lot of it with gays of a certain age. I have had some friends crack jokes about PrEP, saying “hookers like me should take two pills” (obviously a joke since I am a Ladee and a soccer Mom), but yes, some gay men feel like PrEP minimizes the plight of the aids epidemic and there is this awful feeling of having lost so many people and now there is this magic pill to stop it. Not to mention the guilt for outliving so many dear friends. Maybe this is what your friend is feeling. The only real way to combat this is with facts and a calm retort, neither of which I have, but you could try it. I tend to YELL!  PrEP has helped many people and will continue to be something for anyone who is an advocate for their own health, and it’s my hope WE ALL ARE. PrEP helps saves lives, and at the end of the day, it’s your choice and if it works for you, great! Maybe also remind your friend, that judging others causes lines in the face… that’ll show ‘em! Do what works for you, free of judgment from others and listen to your own heart.  My other piece of advice is don’t bring chili to an orgy. I’ve made that mistake, twice.

XO

–The Advice Idiot

The Fantasticks Reimagined in West Coast Premiere at CV Rep

By Stan Jenson

Quick, can you name the longest running musical in the world? Phantom of the Opera? Les Misérables? Did someone say Cats??? Nope, you’re all wrong. The trophy goes to a simple love story called The Fantasticks, with music by Harvey Schmidt and book and lyrics by Tom Jones (no, not that Tom Jones). The show opened in 1960 and ran continuously until 2002, clocking in 42 years and 17,162 performances. (If you guessed Phantom, it is indeed the longest running production on Broadway with 35 years and 14,000+ performances).

The musical features eight actors on a mostly bare stage. They are Matt and Louisa, a pair of lovestruck teenagers; their fathers; a narrator called El Gallo, a man of romance and mystery who occasionally joins the action; two touring actors who become involved in the plot, and a mime who handles staging and props. The most familiar songs from the show are “Try to Remember,” and “Soon It’s Gonna’ Rain,” and the accompaniment is merely a piano and harp. Simple, yes, but somehow endearing enough to be performed thousands of times all over the world and in 67+ languages!

Fast forward to 2022. Michale Lluberes, the Artistic Director of Flint Repertory Theatre, had known the show since his youth, but he always identified with Louisa whenever he saw the show. He conceived of a production that would feature two boys instead of the traditional boy/girl lovers. He applied for permission from the rights-holder in New York, and the rights-holder contacted the author of the book and lyrics, Tom Jones. Despite being a straight man (well, at least a twice-married father of

two), Jones thought that was a wonderful idea, but felt that a simple change of pronouns would not be enough. At the ripe age of 94, he set to work crafting changes to the script and lyrics. The lovers became Matt and Lewis, and their fathers became their mothers. Virtually nothing was made of the fact that they were an all-male couple, and no one has any angst that they are gay. El Gallo says to one of the mothers, “They’re both boys?” and she responds, “Yes, and they love each other.” I know this show is produced thousands of times each year, and it excites me that high schools, colleges, and community theatres can now choose whether they will have a boy and girl, two boys, or quite probably two girls (those rights haven’t been cleared yet).

The Fantasticks Reimagined will be the opening production next month at Coachella Valley Repertory (CVR), the building in Cathedral City that was previously an Imax theatre. That production will be the West Coast Premiere. GED spoke with Adam Karsten who has served as CVR’s Artistic Director since he moved from New York to The Valley with his family last year, asking him about the programming of plays and long-term plans. “We prepare programing with a keen awareness of our community, bringing consistently excellent performances that will build the theatre’s following,” says Karsten. CVR was started by Ron Celona in 2008 in an 86-seat venue in Rancho Mirage and has always operated as a professional Actors’ Equity company under a special contract with the union. Working with the City of Cathedral City, the 208-seat Imax theatre facility was renovated, and CVR moved into the space in 2021. Celona retired at the end of the 2021-2022 season.

Photo by Mike Naddeo

Karsten has selected a varied and fascinating five shows for the 2023-2024 season. THE FANTASTICKS REIMAGINED opens the season, playing November 1 – 12. Tickets are available online and at the box office now. With such a short run, I suspect good seats will be snatched up quickly. The director, Craig Wells, told me that this production will stay true to the clarity and simplicity of the original work, but it is neither a copy of the original nor of last year’s Flint production. He and the designers are creating a much more colorful production than ever before, certainly consistent with a gayer production, and he acknowledges that male couples don’t shy away from physical intimacy as much as straight couples did in 1960. He suggested this might make a difference in the staging!

Following is SUMMER SESSION WITH THE BONES BRIGADE, December 6 – 17, which is part of the theatres New Works Development Program. The Bones Brigade tells the story of four teenage skateboarders and their two female friends. When one of them mysteriously disappears, the gang fears the worst and directs their guilt and shame about the disappearance on each other. I asked Karsten how he was going to find teenagers that could act and ride skateboards at the same time and he reminded me that as an Equity Theatre, they could cast from anywhere in the country, so a couple of “teenagers” are coming from New York!

CABARET, January 24 – February 4. In an immersive, one-of-akind production, the audience will step off the street and into a

world you could only imagine. Viewers will be transported to a debauched nightlife; a dangerous time in an unstable country, taking a journey unlike any you’ve risked before.

POTUS, February 28 – March 10. This hilarious comedy opened on Broadway in April of last year so this will be one of the first regional productions. It is a side-splitting comedy that applauds the women who somehow manage to keep things running in -- and out -- of the Oval Office!

NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT, April 10 – 21. This jukebox musical of songs by George and Ira Gershwin is a brand-new take on the classic 1920’s musical farce. It’s a screwball comedy that features romance, high-spirited production numbers and a Tony Award winning script that pokes fun at class snobbery in the prohibition era.

It seems to me that our population is served very well. Fantasticks for the gays, Bones Brigade for the younger set (and we do have some), POTUS for the ladies, and Nice Work for our seniors. And dammit, no one needs a special reason to revisit Cabaret. It remains one of the finest musicals ever written!

More information and tickets can be found at www.CVRep.org, and they have a walk-up box office with hours listed on the website. Plenty of free parking is available across the street from the venue in a parking structure. CVR also offers season ticket packages that allow a lot of freedom in changing seats and dates. They are worth checking out.

Photo by Mike Naddeo

Gentleman Farmer The Human Side to Winemaking

By Alexander Rodriguez

Photo courtesy Gentleman Farmer

Nestled in the arms of Napa Valley lies Gentleman Farmer Wines, a boutique winery emphasizing elegance and offering a return to the old-world-inspired art of winemaking. Jeff Durham and Joe Wolosz, the founders and husbands behind the winery, exude that air of classic gentlemanly finery, complete with vintage looks with a modern flair. Making waves in the Napa Valley, their empire is only growing with the upcoming opening of the Gentleman Farmer Bungalow, in one of the oldest buildings in Napa, which will serve as an immersive wine experience with high-quality foods and 5-star hospitality.

The two seem destined to come together and create this vintage experience. Both of them hold degrees in Hotel and Restaurant Management, share an aesthetic sense, and have wine engrained in their past.

Joey: Since I was a toddler, my parents had two roadside motels on the California coast. I was a lucky kid because I had two swimming pools to host my June birthday. I had aspirations to be an architect when applying to college in my senior year of high school. However (long story), I was suspended/semi-expelled from school in late October that year. During my two-week “suspension” I went with my parents to the Sheraton 50th anniversary convention in Hawaii. The powers there persuaded me to apply for hotel/ restaurant majors at a few universities.

I tell people I came into the cellar through the back door of the kitchen. I was in a nine-month cooking program when I got my first winery job. I’ve kept the two in lockstep ever since.

Jeff: I was born and raised in Napa. I started my career at 15 years old as a busboy. My family had a small vineyard when I was in school, and I attended college for hotel & restaurant management.

Once I started that busboy job and continued to work for restaurants, I knew I loved the industry. So, when the time came to consider college, I found a school in southern CA, Cal Poly Pomona, that offered a Hotel/Restaurant Management degree and applied there.

Everything about Gentleman Farmers exudes their personalities. From the bottles and labels to the website and taste. Sleek, sexy, and evocative. Classy yet playful. How did this dynamic duo first meet? Was it love at first sight?

Jeff: It actually was. We met on a Sunday afternoon in 1999 in the Castro. It was a beautiful spring day, so of course, we were inside a bar at 2 p.m. for a drink! Joey was the only one there when I walked in with my friend (who actually knew Joey from college). Within 15 minutes, the bar had filled up with all their mutual friends, and eight hours later… then, 23 years later, the rest is history.

Joey: It was Opera In The Park that day. I was meeting friends after, and I was early to The Bar On Castro. I was alone, and in walked Jeff with a college friend, Mike Figueroa. About

eight friends showed up shortly thereafter, and I told them to, “back off, he’s mine.”

It was only a matter of time before a winery made it on the couple’s to-do list.

Joey: One day I realized I didn’t want to be 90+ years old and wonder, “What if I did it.”

In 2005, they launched their first vintage with 80 cases. Gentleman Farmer Wines was born. What did they learn from that first vintage?

Joey: Winery accounting, which was a rude awakening.

Jeff: 18 years ago! How is that possible? We’ve learned through trial and error the decisions that need to be made and it’s certainly an ongoing process.

After almost two decades in the market, they remain hands-on (literally to fruit picking), with less than 1,000 cases produced per year. Keeping it boutique has maintained the integrity of the brand and created the limited edition, luxury experience in an accessible way.

Joey: We source from farmers. We get the same rows year after year. We suggest the vineyard practices, we do our field sampling, and we determine our pick date. We are present during harvest and fruit sorting. I can say we have been present with every berry that gets into the bottle.

Photo courtesy Gentleman Farmer

Literally, these wines are these gentlemen’s essences.

Jeff: It’s all our passions being conveyed through our business We love to make wines that we genuinely like to drink that can be enjoyed with our cooking.

Joey: Wonder, curiosity, tradition, legacy.

Their wine club has 200 members, all but two Joey and Jeff have personally met. Their personal tastings are strictly served with lunch, with no more than eight guests at each lunch, which is reserved by word of mouth, about once per week. This lunch experience will carry over to the Bungalow. With being such a boutique, intimate brand, how does Gentlemen Farmer keep their voice heard in the ever-growing wine industry?

Joey: I think the high touch experience we provide that feels unlike anything else in the valley, is what spreads to new customers of our brand. Jeff and I want to build meaningful relationships more than anything. I write a monthly newsletter, Field Notes, which shares a recipe, an interview, and my musings on our life in Yountville and the Valley. This helps to maintain those relationships.

Jeff: It’s our story. We get to tell the story and share it with others. You’re not hearing about it from a third party. 90% of our wine club members have been with us, listened to our story directly from us, and shared Gentleman Farmer wines with us. Everything we do is about relationships. All our businesses, experiences, and past jobs have been about relationships. This is what we know and strive to have with all of the people we come into contact with for Gentleman

Farmer Wines. That connection is essential for everyone, especially after our experiences during the pandemic. We have all discovered different aspects of our lives, and how do we connect to that? What can we share and learn from each other? It’s a two-way street; we learn much from our wine club members and guests.

The two have made a splash in the wine world, being featured in a number of media outlets that reach beyond the LGBTQ market. While still being able to spread the message of equality from our community, they note that the wine is for everyone, and their wine manifesto is to serve all.

Joey: We make wine, not gay wine, although we don’t shy from being gay. The wine stands on its own. The wine industry is agriculture, known for being very conservative. There is a very small LGBTQ voice in wine production, and I am happy and honored to be a part of that voice.

Jeff: Gentleman Farmer is who we are, and it is our story. Being gay is an aspect of that story. We are a couple running a business and sharing our wine and stories with you; being gay is a component. We do not shy away from it; it is always part of the conversation. There are many layers to who we are.

Having been together for more than two decades, and now running a full-time empire, how do they maintain a healthy marriage?

Photos courtesy Gentleman Farmer

Joey: Like Mariah says, “Shake it off.”

Jeff: We live together, we work together. It has been this way for over 20 years. It’s truly what we know.

How do they keep the spark going?

Joey: Hmmm…loaded question. NSFW.

Jeff: Always sleep naked.

And what have they learned from each other the most?

Joey: Patience.

Jeff: That it takes a lot of gin and tequila to make wine.

Napa has seen a lot of growth and change over the years. For Jeff, who grew up there, Napa changed in many ways.

Jeff: It is amazing how time changes things. All for the best? I don’t know. In its current iteration, downtown Napa will be perfect for The Bungalow. We are across the street from the fire department, where my dad was a fireman for 28 years. Next door was the gym (Exertec- now torn down), where my dad and I would work out when I came home from college. We are blocks from my grammar school and where I caught the bus to get home—no more Mervyns for back-to-school clothes shopping or Merrills for supplies. I could not wait to leave when I was 18 years old, and now I am so fortunate to be back here!

With the opening of the Bungalow and future plans to open a Gentleman Farmer Guesthouse (yes, please!), Gentleman Farmer Wines melds the past with the present as a breath of fresh air in this smartphone and fast-food world. As they continue to share the story of the winery, so too do they share the story of our community.

Joey: Visibility is important. I grew up as a teen in the ‘80s and I remember in 1988, the first National Coming Out Day. I didn’t get my head around it at the time, but now I realize visibility is a driving force for acceptance and the fight for our rights.

Jeff: I never thought I would be able to get married in my lifetime. Now, we have been married for seven-plus years. I never thought I would see the backlash against the gay community that I now see daily, nationally, and in my backyard. People have said we live in a bubble in CA, but that has quickly diminished. As business owners who are gay, we can share our story as husbands and partners. Show everyone what it means to be together for 23 years and have a business we believe in and want to share with others. The younger generation must know what the possibilities and opportunities are. So many people are identifying as gay, queer, and what is right for them at an early age, and I don’t what that to be squashed. Own it and be it… and, by the way, here is a 56-year-old gay man who didn’t come out until he was 25 who will support you and show you how important it is to be who you are!

For more information, head to GentlemanFarmerWines.com

Photos courtesy Gentleman Farmer

Happy Halloween!!!!

By Ethylina Canne

October is finally here and that means the goblins, ghosts, and ghouls are out and about. I am simply over the moon with frightful delight, and I must let you know that I actually started a little early this year with my celebration of the season. I need to be honest and admit that I have become “one of THOSE people” who pays no mind to the summer and lights her pumpkin spice candle near the end of July. I know…I know…some people get really irate when you don’t let summer run its full course, BUT, honey, I live in the desert where it reaches 120 degrees or higher and it’s not the best time for a female illusionist like myself to be out in the elements.  I literally will do anything to call upon the fall weather goddess to get those lower temps here STAT.

That being said, I am grateful that there is evidence on social media showing thousands, possibly millions of others like me, who get an early jumpstart on Halloween. Some are so obsessed with the holiday that they celebrate it all year long, and you know what I say: DO IT! If it brings you joy and it isn’t hurting anybody…let your spooky flag fly.

I’m happy to report that I was at Starbucks on August 24th, the day they released the coveted Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino. My Halloween tree and outside decor went up on September 5th. (I was trying to get it all up by September 1st so I could be in line with Disneyland, but that didn’t happen. There’s always next year though.) I have purchased the limited-edition pumpkin spice Frosted Flakes, which are “GRRREAT” by the way, and I am currently LIVING my BEST LIFE for the next 31 days!

What should you do for this spooky season you ask? Well, I’ve got some recommendations for you, BOO!!

spirit world featuring an immersive experience in three gorgeous, themed realms:

Plaza Fantazma: A haven for family-friendly fun, this pumpkin patch boasts seasonal delicacies and a picture-perfect town square alive with a festival of friendly ghosts.

Cantina Calacas: Sip on festive brews where skeletons celebrate Oktoberfest in a haunting desert oasis like no other, where every toast echoes with spirited laughter.

Carnival Carnivore: Step right up and see “The Beast…Who FEASTS!” This heart-pounding haunted house for thrill-seekers aged 16 and up promises unforgettable surprises!

I mean, this sounds like an absolutely BOO-tiful night that should not be missed! The ghosts come alive every weekend in October and tickets are available at www.datefest.org.

For my fellow desert friends, it’s time to head down to the Riverside County Fairgrounds for the first EVER “Riverside County SCARE & Pumpkin Festival.” This new event will merge the playful mystic of Halloween with the rich traditions of the Day of the Dead. Here you will be able to visit a magical town in the

Now, if you are wanting something a bit more intense, where you just might make a mess in your pants from being so scared, then another desert attraction awaits you at Parkwil Manor Productions “Fear Haunt.” This haunted house resides at The Shops at Palm Desert, formerly known as the Westfield Mall. I am a seasoned haunted maze girl, and I must tell you, this blood curdling experience is just as good as what the big boys put out at Halloween Horror Nights and Knott’s Scary Farm. And the best part, the haunted maze occupies the space of an old Ruby’s Dinner that went belly up! Talk about repurposing for the greater ghoul! This attraction is open nightly Thursday-Sunday, and of course on Halloween! Get your general admission ticket or VIP Fast Pass at www.parkwilmanorproductions.com. (I highly recommend the VIP, because you won’t have to wait in line. Waiting in line just sucks the joy right out…literally!)

Now speaking of Knott’s, it’s their Big 50th Never-Ending Nightmare celebration of Knott’s Scary Farm and I can assure

you all that it’s going to be SPOOKY NUTS!!! Mr. and Mrs. Knott have built a haunted museum showcasing highlights of memorabilia from the past year’s frights, 10 frightening mazes, 5 sinister scare zones, 4 hair-raising shows, and more than 1,000 horrifying creatures lurking in the fog. The only thing missing is the Queen of Scream, Elvira!!!!!! Sadly, she said goodbye and “unpleasant dreams” to the farm a couple years back, but you just never know, she might return from the dead. (PSA: Elvira is not dead!) I really can’t believe that this Southern California haunted attraction has been running for as long as I’ve been alive!. Yes, you read that correctly. Both of us turned 50 this year, and! I’ll be flashing my AARP card at the park all night to see if I can get a discount!

If you attend, you really need to purchase the “Fright & Fast Lane” ticket on top of the regular admission ticket. This addon allows you to have priority access to all mazes and priority boarding on select rides. YOU ARE AN IDIOT (Yes, I said it!) if you don’t. Without the FF Lane ticket you will stand in line most of the night and go on a whopping 2 mazes out of the 10 available. Wait times for a maze usually reach 2 and 1/2 hours on October nights. And if it’s the money issue that keeps you from getting that front of the line access ticket, then I’ve got some ideas to make that extra cash in a snap: Go and see if Susie down the street needs her lawn mowed. Put up a pumpkin spice beverage bar on the corner like they used to do with lemonade. Head to the local gas station and ask strangers if they want their windshields cleaned. Put up an ad on Rent Masseur if you’ve got soft hands. And if none of that works, put up a god damn Go Fund Me page… everyone else is doing it! All Scary Farm ticket options are available for purchase at  www.knotts. com.

Well, your favorite ghost host needs to get on her broom and fly the friendly skies as only a good witch Canne. I hope this Halloween season is just perfect for you and yours and remember: ‘Trick or Treat! Smell my feet! Give me something GOOD to eat!”

Frightfully yours, Ethyl

www.ethylina.com

California Cravings

Five Restaurants to Visit in California

By Michael Westman

Lo & Behold Bar and Kitchen

214 Healdsburg Avenue

Healdsburg, CA 95448

707-756-5021

www.loandbeholdca.com

Lo & Behold in beautiful Healdsburg is “just what you’ve been looking for!” A warm and inviting space to gather any time of day to enjoy the simple pleasures of comfort food, tasty cocktails, and welcoming hospitality.

With many dining and drinking options to choose from in this neck of Sonoma County, Lo & Behold is one of the standouts. Situated only one block from Healdsburg Square, this is a welcoming oasis from a day of wine tasting. The backyard patio is our favorite seating option – best described as vintage chic with lots of greenery, market umbrellas, and strings of lights. Inside is the fabulous bar (a great spot to chat and watch your bartender make a craft cocktail) and dining room, with a cozy lounge.

And speaking of cocktails, they include such inventive drinks as the Birds & The Beez (Charbay vodka, elderberry, hibiscus, lavender, yuzu, Carpano Bianco); and the Afternoon Delight (mardarin tea infused bourbon, Bianco vermouth, fino sherry, Suze, saffron bitters). Of course, a full wine list is in play as well,

but these drinks really fit the bill on a warm afternoon. They even have shareable cocktail pitchers (Aperol Sprtiz, Sangria, Punch, Eff Me Pumps) that serve a group of six.

At Lo & Behold you can choose your own adventure – we especially love the large variety of small plates, including the Crispy Mushroom Eggrolls (truffle hot mustard, duck sauce); Fried Chickpeas (chipotle and lime); and Poutine Dream (curry gravy, white cheese, shiso, tater tots). Larger plates include the Almost Famous Chicken Tendies – these ARE famous in our book – (hot or not, Lo & Behold-made ranch, mason’s pickles); the Confit Beef Brisket Tacos (chile negra, refried white beans, asada onions, consommé); and the Mezze Salad (griddled eggplant, marinated vegetables, spinach, smoky yogurt sauce, sumac vinaigrette).

If you still have a little room, the Chocolate Coconut Crème Pie with a salt cracker crust, is a decadent way to end the meal.

The staff is as friendly as the food is delicious. A stop at Lo & Behold is a must while in Healdsburg. Open Thursday through Monday, 11:30am to midnight.

Photo courtesy of Lo & Behold

Photo courtesy of Lo & Behold

1642 University Avenue

San Diego, CA 92103

619-888-8623

www.insideoutsd.com

This is the restaurant jewel of Hillcrest. Situated in the eye-catching Eitol Towers, and adjoined by the new Harvey Hillcrest apartments, insideOUT is a casual elegant restaurant where you walk inside to be out. The venue includes a main dining room that leads to an outdoor open-air atrium with walkways, seating nooks, and a striking water feature. Throughout the year, insideOUT is known for its elevated pop-up installations for guests to experience.

Currently, through November 5th, they are presenting the Enchanted Oasis Experience. The ambiance is unlike anything you have experienced before – a colorful fantasy of giant butterflies, flowers, vines, and whimsical mushrooms, all served up with specialty crafted cocktails (like the Saucy Little Tart - Deep Eddy Lemon Vodka, Chinola Passionfruit Liqueur, Grapefruit Juice, Lemon Juice, Sprite) and an exciting seasonal menu.

The menu, curated by Executive Chef Johnny Duran, reflects his creative approach to California-Mediterranean inspired fare, using the freshest ingredients provided by local purveyors. Starters include a Strawberry, Argula, and Tajin Salad (fresh pickled local strawberries, Sicilian lemon balsamic, Persian cucumbers, mint, tarragon, buttermilk creme fraiche – add chicken or prawns to make it even tastier); and the BBQ Garlic Prawns (jumbo prawns, patatas brava, basil, confit cherry tomatoes, chili oil). Entrees are thoughtfully created fresh fare, including my personal favorite - the Grilled Double Cut Pork Chop (caramelized local peaches, brown butter, caramelized onion, green bean almondine); and the Braised Beef Birria (corn & black-eyed pea succotash, smoked chili crema, queso fresco).

Brunch is also an experience with their signature Australian Hot Stone 8 oz. aged angus filet mignon, served rare and cooked

to your liking at your table, and eggs with chimmichurri butter, smoked salt, and either crispy baby reds or grits. And you cannot go wrong with a Monte Cristo sandwich (country ham, swiss cheese, smoked turkey on artisan levain bread, dipped in french toast batter, dusted with powdered sugar, served

with strawberry preserves). Add a bottle of house bubbles or the Peach Blossom Pitcher (Ketel One Botanicals peach orange blossom, St. Germain, peach nectar, prosecco) and you’ve got a party!

With attentive and friendly service, insideOUT in Hillcrest, is San Diego’s premier LGBTQ-owned and operated restaurant – sexy and chic, for fine dining, craft cocktails, and a unique dining experience in the heart of Hillcrest. Open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday, and weekend brunch Saturday and Sunday. Reservations are recommended.

Boozehounds

2080 N. Palm Canyon Drive

Palm Springs, CA 92262

760-656-0067

www.boozehoundsps.com

Boozehounds – “Where Dogs Bring Their Humans” - was started by three friends for one simple reason… they loved dogs and dreamed of owning a place where people could take their pups, enjoy a cocktail or a meal, and socialize in style. Both the Atrium and Patio are dog-friendly zones and offer water bowls and a special pup-friendly menu. (Indoor spaces are human only.)

This stylish venue, a tropical Miami Beach meets Palm Springs motive, is located on the corner of Palm Canyon Drive as you enter the City of Palm Springs. Once there, you can choose from the sexy and stylish dining room and lounge facing the gorgeous San Jacinto mountains, dine in the open-air atrium, or enjoy the picturesque vacation vibes at the cabana bar and patio.

Photo by GED Magazine

Photo by GED Magazine

Executive Chef Aric Ianni has incorporated his global influences with seasonally inspired Southern California cuisine through lots of shared plates, including the Crisy Brussel Sprouts (sweet chili, pickled mustard seeds, edamame, crispy onion) are so tasty, you may not want to share them; and the Charcuterie Board (offering a daily selection of cured meats from around the globe with accoutrement, focaccia crostini). Other menu highlights include the Bluefin Tuna Crudo (passionfruit, chive oil, puffed quinoa, white shoyu, green onion); Adobo Chicken (simmered chicken thighs, steamed rice, chile threads, topped with adobo broth, side of spiced coconut vinegar); Miso Chilean Fish and Chips (48 hour miso marinated Chilean sea bass beer batter fried, served with fries); and a Double Burger with Cheese (brioche bun, gochujang vegenaise, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, cheddar – you can make it “doggy style” by adding a fried onion ring, fried egg, and beer cheddar sauce).

Weekend Brunch in the desert is a given – and Boozehounds has you covered with an extensive brunch menu. Try two of my favorites - Biscuits and Longanisa Gravy (house made buttermilk biscuit, chicken longanisa sausage gravy – ask to add an egg), or the Sope Benedict (birria, pickled agave onions, poached egg, cilantro hollandaise).

It wouldn’t be Boozehounds if there wasn’t great booze. Their cocktail program is curated by mixologist, Justin Gordon, and includes such fun canine inspired concoctions as the Brown Dog (Appleton Jamaican rum, Woodford Rebel Kentucky straight rye, Carpano Antica, Nonino amaro, Palo Santo bitters), Old Yeller (Sipsmith lemon drizzle gin, dry vermouth, Nonino aperitivo, citrus lavender mist), and the Midnight Zoomies (Hjerte vodka, Hjerte coffee liquor, cold brew, fee foam). A full selection of beer, wine, and sake is also offered.

Open for dinner Thursday through Monday, and weekend brunch Saturday and Sunday.

Starbelly

3583 16th Street

San Francisco, CA 94114

415-252-7500

www.starbellysf.com

A neighborhood gem in the heart of The Castro Starbelly prides

itself on cooking with locally sourced ingredients and having “something for everyone.” Starbelly’s menu is forward-thinking California comfort food, supplemented by seasonal craft cocktails.

A local happy hour favorite, where you can enjoy a specialty cocktail such as the Doctor’s Orders (vodka, turmeric, ginger, lemon and cayenne), along with the house-made chicken liver pate (with buttered bread, marmalade, and grain mustard), or a burger and fries AND any happy hour cocktail for only $20.

Starbelly offers small bites and snacks to share with your group, as well are larger plates, including pizzas, salad, and sandwiches. Sweet tooth? Try the Salted Carmel Pot de Crème with cornmeal-rosemary cookies.

Photo courtesy of Starbelly

Upon entering this upscale Northern Italian restaurant, you are immediately taken by the alluring scent wafting from the kitchen and the intriguing artwork adorning the walls. While they offer outdoor seating, the sights and smells going on inside are really the ticket. The drinks from the bar are colorful and adorned with fruit and herbs in craft glasses. Try the Amalfi Cooler (Lustau Manzanilla Sherry, Lillet Blanc, Giffard Crème de Pêche De Vigne, Oleo Saccharum, lemon, soda water) or the Coppa d’Oro (400 Conejos Mezcal, Green Chartreuse, roasted bell pepper purée, lemon, black salt rim), to start your meal.

With an extensive menu of antipasti, pizza, pasta, meat and seafood dishes, you won’t know where to begin. Your server is keen to provide recommendations. The Faroe Island Salmon is topped with red onion, pink peppercorn, mint, cucumber and a perfectly sweet, sour and salty ponzu sauce. The Filetto al Pepe Verde – a fancy Italian way of saying prime filet mignon – is topped with the most mouth-watering green peppercorn sauce you may ever taste.

Starbelly offers a great location, good vibes, and a lively San Francisco crowd with friendly and professional service. The shaded outdoor patio is a great option for an enjoyable afternoon or evening. Open for brunch and lunch Monday through Friday, dinner daily, weekend brunch Saturday and Sunday. Weekend brunch is very popular, so you may want to reserve ahead of time.

Nerano

9960 S Santa Monica Blvd

Beverly Hills, CA 90212

310-405-0155

www.neranobh.com

Many sweet options adorn the dessert menu. One Italian favorite is the Panna Cotta. Theirs is made with Tahitian vanilla and topped with a wild berry coulis. It is the perfect last bite to round out your meal.

Executive chef, Michele Lisi, uses the freshest and finest ingredients to create his authentic coastal Italian cuisine. In addition to Southern California, the chef has also crafted incredible dishes in such culinary hotspots as Rome, Tuscany, and Paris.

The menu changes seasonally. Some of the autumn menu offerings available in October include: Crudo Trio and Barbabietole (roasted yellow beets, Sonoma goat cheese, toasted hazelnuts, Tuscan mint); Pizza Fume (smoked provola, Italian sausage, porcini mushroom, fresh rosemary); and Pappardelle alla Genovese with an onion-beef sauce.

The upscale and inviting atmosphere matches the cuisine, and the service is highly attentive. Open for lunch Monday through Friday, and dinner Monday through Saturday. Reservations are recommended.

Photo courtesy of Starbelly

Photo courtesy of Nerano

Photo courtesy of Nerano

High On Life Norma Lee High

By Alexander Rodriguez

Watch out Southern California! There’s a new Queen on the scene and she is coming in hot with a crown! Norma Lee High, the recent winner of Vanity Halston’s Drag Star Challenge at One Eleven in Cathedral City, has come to slay. This East Coast transplant, as alter ego Josh Ferri, has a long history in journalism and social media marketing for Broadway, covering some of Broadway’s most iconic shows and rubbing elbows with everyone from Carol Channing to Darren Criss to Christine Ebersole with a list that goes on and on. She has mixed her flair for theatrics, her love of terrible reality TV, and her talent for putting together pop culture mashups to create Norma. She is certainly a unique force and though fresh to the scene, has a lot to offer. She is definitely one to watch.

From the moment she hit the stage at the beginning of the tenweek-long Drag Star Challenge, she instantly set herself apart with her quirky mashup that paired pop songs with TV quotes and a bit of Broadway. Thinking outside the box, she presented characters such as Sylvia Fine from The Nanny, Velma from Scooby Doo, the Black Dahlia from Hollywood lore, and The Fairy Godmother from Cinderella. Trust me, it all made sense on stage. Each act was a one-person show where comedy and every imaginable entertainment genre came into play. No wonder she took home the crown.

We caught up with Norma hot off her recent win over a cocktail (or many) at One Eleven.

What was your first exposure to drag?

My first memory of drag is seeing RuPaul in the “Love Shack” video. I was absolutely mesmerized by this fabulous creature dancing with the B-52’s. Then I remember sneaking The RuPaul Show on VH1 and becoming low-key obsessed. Growing up in the ‘90s, I came of age with big drag films like To Wong Foo, Priscilla, and The Birdcage—which opened my eyes to this glamorous new world of becoming your own special creation.

What made you decide to enter One Eleven’s competition?

Two of my friends previously did the competition here at One Eleven Bar and I loved going each week to support them and see the local Palm Springs talent. But watching other girls perform week after week really gave me the itch to do it myself. I grew up a theater kid, so performing is a large part of me, and, in many ways, it felt like coming home. Also unlike other drag competitions, Vanity Halston doesn’t eliminate queens. It’s a growing experience, so as a baby queen, I felt safe learning to walk and later run in this arena.

What did it mean most to win?

My gosh, what a shock. My first time ever performing in drag was week one of this competition, and so I went in there not to win but to have fun and to learn. I competed against queens and kings with years and years (some decades!) of experience. I was by far the underdog of this thing, but my comedy and creativity won over the crowd and judges each week and I started winning challenges, and somehow it all came together for me.

What did you learn most about yourself from doing the competition?

The most powerful thing you can do is to follow your dreams. Tune out everyone else’s opinion of you and just live for yourself. It was so freeing and it really helped bring out a side of me I haven’t connected with in 15 years or so since I stopped doing theatre. I learned I am most at home on stage in front of a live audience.

You have lived on both coasts. What do you love most about living in Palm Springs?

Palm Springs is paradise! A beautiful little gay oasis frozen in time. I love the small-town feel, not having the traffic of the big California cities, but still having tons of great restaurants, bars, and events to keep you busy year-round.

Photos courtesy of Norma Lee High

What is your hometown?

Bloomfield, NJ. (Home of the final scene of The Sopranos!)

How did you come up with your drag name?

My best friend came up with it! I liked Norma after my grandmother and also icons like Norma Jean and Norma Desmond...and I’m a stoner, so she put it all together.

Favorite part about doing drag?

I get to be the leading lady of my dreams using the voices of talents far greater than mine.

Least favorite part about doing drag?

The pain of turning my boy body into hers. Also, I’m helpless in nails.

Craziest drag story?

I wouldn’t be here if Mo Heart hadn’t used her gifts to help me get in drag the first few times and give me advice, brushes, pads, etc. Always grateful to her!

What sets your drag apart from other queens in the business?

I like to think it’s my references. I live for Old Hollywood, and Broadway is my love language, so my drag pulls from areas a lot of my contemporaries are less familiar with. You’re not going to see me dip and split to a pop anthem, but you are going to laugh your ass off at a creative mix with lots of cutaways to everything from Bette Davis to Real Housewives.

What have you learned the most from the drag community in Palm Springs?

I’ve learned that all drag is valid and that there is no expiration date on living your dream. There are queens out here bumpin’ it in their 60s alongside girls in their 20s. The variety of what everyone can do here is really magical, especially when you consider what a small town we are. Also, I learned helping others, doesn’t diminish your star. The amount of love and help I received from the established queens here is unbelievable. Drag here is not a shark tank. It’s about paying it forward.

Your strangest hobby or talent?

I can memorize very quickly. I once took over the lead in a play in three days’ time.

What celebrity most needs a drag makeover?

Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

Favorite hotspot?

One Eleven Bar in Cat City. And locals know the strongest drinks in Palm Springs are at Streetbar.

Favorite non-profit?

The LGBTQ Center of the Desert. They do amazing work for our community here. Find them & donate!

You also love Drag Race…what do you love most about the show?

I love that Drag Race brings subversive drag to the entire mainstream world. I am so inspired by watching these queens showcase their art and themselves as gay and trans people thriving in the world. I love the international franchises so much too because you get a sense of their unique culture through their art, which I always love.

If you were to audition for the show, what do you think you could add to the lineup that we haven’t seen before?

I think having a queen in their late 30s is fun just because it’s a different set of cultural references. I think I’d always be referencing. Also, I’m such a Housewives fanatic that when you get me in the confessional chair, there’s no way I wouldn’t believe I was Bethenny Frankel or NeNe Leakes narrating the season...and throwing top-tier shade, bringing Housewives-level drama to Untucked.

What would the name of your biography be?

I Was a High School Hussy: A Memoir of Pure Debachury

Favorite song to perform?

I do a whole Sylvia Fine number from The Nanny that is everything.

What is your after-drag ritual?

A joint and some YouTube.

What’s your favorite pickup line?

Just say hi with your name and your credit score.

What is the best way we can support the drag community?

Support your local queens! These girls are working hard living the fantasy, throw them some extra cash so they can buy the hair, clothes, and shoes on their wishlist and give you a better show. If you want your local queens to look like RuGirls, start tipping them like RuGirls.

What is your message to the drag community?

Stick together! We have so much hate coming at us politically this election cycle, there is no reason we should be tearing each other down. Fun shade is fun, but remember we’re a community and a sisterhood at the end of the day.

Where can we find and follow you?

@NormaLeeHigh on Instagram and TikTok.

Agave Spirits

The Powerful Trinity of Tequila, Raicilla, and Mezcal

By Paco Ojeda

Unless you’re planning an extended trip, the number of fine eateries available during your upcoming visit to Puerto Vallarta will likely exceed your days in town. Moreover, many of these establishments are situated in three neighborhoods: Emiliano Zapata (referred to as South Side and Romantic Zone by tourists), Versalles, and Marina Vallarta. But what about your cocktails? Here’s a crash course on three emblematic Mexican spirits crafted from the agave plant: tequila, raicilla, and mezcal.

Agave Basics

The agave plant is a succulent native to arid regions of the Americas, particularly in Mexico and the southwestern United States. It is known for its distinctive rosette of thick, fleshy leaves, often adorned with sharp spines at their tips. The core of the agave plant, referred to as the “piña” or ‘pineapple,’ is harvested and processed to extract the sweet juice, which is then fermented to produce the aforementioned liqueurs. Additionally, agave plants hold cultural significance in Mexican and Native American traditions and have served various purposes, including food, medicine, and fiber production, for centuries.

Tequila

Can you imagine a world without Margarita cocktails? Neither can I! The star of this beloved cocktail is, of course, tequila, Mexico’s most emblematic liqueur. It can only be produced in specific areas of the country, primarily in our state, Jalisco, but it enjoys popularity worldwide. In fact, the United States leads in tequila imports, followed by Germany and the United Kingdom. There are four distinct types, depending on aging: Blanco (white), or unaged; Reposado (rested), aged at least two months but less than a year; Añejo (vintage), aged a minimum of one year but less than three; and Extra Añejo (ultra-aged), aged a minimum of three years.

Mezcal

As old as tequila and gaining increasing popularity is mezcal. Although both spirits derive from the same plant, there are fundamental differences. Tequila, for example, can only be made from blue agave (Agave tequiliana), while mezcal can be produced from nearly any type of agave. While tequila tends to

have a more uniform flavor profile, mezcal is known for its complexity, featuring smoky and earthy notes from the roasting process. A sip of mezcal is typically enjoyed slowly, accompanied by sliced oranges sprinkled with chili powder to complement its flavor. That being said, there are creative mezcal-based cocktails available in various establishments throughout town.

Raicilla

While raicilla has been around for over three centuries, it is the most recent of the three spirits to undergo ‘standardization.’ Nonetheless, you can still venture through small towns in the municipalities of Mascota and Cabo Corrientes (near Puerto Vallarta) and purchase it from independent producers who might offer it in various containers, ranging from plastic to repurposed wine bottles. Is it scary or exciting? You be the judge, but I’ll admit that some of the finest raicilla I’ve sampled was acquired in this manner, although you might also come across some that leaves much to be desired. Thanks to the recently established Mexican Council for Raicilla Promotion, raicilla can now be purchased in properly labeled bottles from established producers while preserving its artisanal roots.

Don’t Waste Them in a Single Gulp!

Okay, we’ve all seen it done in countless TV shows and movies: people downing shots of tequila in one go. If you feel compelled to follow suit because you think it’s the local custom (it isn’t), please refrain from ordering top-shelf tequila, raicilla, or mezcal if you plan to gulp it down in one shot. You’d be squandering the opportunity to savor the unique flavors of these spirits. Sip them instead. All three liquors possess robust flavors, and your taste buds need a moment to acclimate. Begin with small sips as your palate adjusts to the flavors. Soon enough, you’ll find yourself discerning the subtle distinctions between tequila, raicilla, and mezcal, perhaps even developing a preference for one over the others!

Catch up with Paco Ojeda live Monday - Saturday at 10:30 am local time on his talk show, “Coffee & Headlines,” where he shares headlines and stories for Puerto Vallarta’s local English-speaking community. facebook.com/pacoojedalive

LOS ANGELES DIRECTORY

BARS & CLUBS

AKBAR

4356 W. Sunset Blvd Silverlake, CA 90029

323.665.6810

akbarsilverlake.com

BEACHES WEHO

8928 Santa Monica Blvd

West Hollywood, CA 90069

310.360.0395

beachesweho.com

FIESTA CANTINA

88565 Santa Monica Blvd

West Hollywood, CA 90069

310.652.8865

fiestacantina.net

FUBAR

7994 Santa Monica Blvd

West Hollywood, CA 90046

323.654.0396

fubarla.com

GYM Sportsbar

8919 Santa Monica Blvd

West Hollywood, CA 90069 424.313.8202

gymsportsbar.com

HAMBURGER MARY’S

8288 Santa Monica Blvd

West Hollywood, CA 90069

323.654.3800

hamburgermarys.com

Heart Weho

8911 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069

heartweho.com

HI TOPS

8933 Santa Monica Blvd

West Hollywood, CA 90069

hitopsbar.com

MICKYS

8857 Santa Monica Blvd

West Hollywood, CA 90069

310.657.1176

mickys.com

ROCCO’S

8900 Santa Monica Blvd

West Hollywood, CA 90069 424.343.0123

roccosweho.com

SAINT FELIX

8945 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 310.275.4428

saintfelix.net

THE ABBEY

692 N Robertson Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 310.289.8410

theabbeyweho.com

THE CHAPEL 692 N Robertson Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 310.289.8410

theabbeyweho.com

THE EAGLE

4219 Santa Monica Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90029 323.669.9472

eaglela.com

REVOLVER VIDEO BAR

8851 SANTA MONICA BLVD. WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA 90069 424.382.1108

REVOLVERWEHO.COM

STACHE 8941 SANTA MONICA BLVD

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA 90069

310.402.0770

STACHEWEHO.COM

THE BAYOU

8939 SANTA MONICA BLVD

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA 90069

310.273.3303

THEBAYOUWEHO.COM

TRUNKS

8809 Santa Monica Blvd

West Hollywood, CA 90069

310.652.1015

west.hollywood.trunksbar.com

CLOTHING & LEATHER

665 Leather & Fetish 20810 Lassen St

Chatsworth, CA 91311

818.678.9193

665leather.com

BRICK & MORTAR

8713 Santa Monica Blvd

West Hollywood, CA 90069

310.652.6605

shopatbrick.com

CHI CHI LARUE’S

8861 Santa Monica Blvd and 8230 Santa Monica Blvd

West Hollywood, CA 90069 323.337.9555

circusofbooks.com

ROUNDERBUM

802 N San Vicente Blvd

West Hollywood, CA 90069

844.284.2968

rounderbum.com

ROUGH TRADE LEATHER 3915 Sunset Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90029

323.660.7956

roughtradegear.com

THE PLEASURE CHEST

7733 Santa Monica Blvd

West Hollywood, CA 90046 323.650.1022

thepleasurechest.com

HAIR SALONS BLADES

801 N. Larrabee St, Ste #1

West Hollywood

310 659-6693

LOS ANGELES DIRECTORY

SHORTY’S BARBER SHOP

755 N Fairfax Ave

West Hollywood

323 297-0554

shortysbarbershop.com

COMMUNITY RESOURCES HEALTH/COUNSELING

AID FOR AIDS AFA

8235 Santa Monica Blvd #200 West Hollywood, CA 90046

323 656-1107 aidforaids.net

AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION/MENS

WELLNESS CENTER

• 6255 W Sunset Blvd, 21st Fl Los Angeles, CA 90028

888 AIDS CARE

• 1300 N Vermont Ave, Ste 407 Los Angeles, CA 90027

866 339-2525

800 367-2437 inspotla.org

AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION PHARMACY

8212 Santa Monica Blvd

The David Geffen Center West Hollywood, CA 90046

323 654-0907 ahfpharmacy.org

APLA HEALTH

CLIENT & COMMUNITY SERVICES

The David Geffen Center

• 611 South Kingsley Drive

Los Angeles, CA 90005

213.201.1600

213 201-WALK (9255)

• 3743 S. La Brea Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90016

323.329.9900

• 5901 W. Olympic Blcd. #310

Los Angeles, CA 90036

• 1043 Elm Avenue #302

Long Beach, CA 90813

562.247.7740 apla.org aidswalk.net

AIDS RESEARCH ALLIANCE

1400 S Grand Ave Ste 701 Los Angeles, CA 90015 310 358-2429

www.hopetakesaction.org aidsresearch.org

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

3333 Wilshire Blvd #900 Los Angeles, CA 90010 800 227-2345 cancer.org

BEING ALIVE PEOPLE WITH HIV/AIDS ACTION COALITION

621 N San Vincente Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069 310 289-2551 beingalivela.org

GAY & LESBIAN CENTER

Orange County

1605 N Spurgeon St Santa Ana, CA 92701 714 953-5428 thecenteroc.org

HOLY FAMILY SERVICES, ADOPTION & FOSTER CARE

840 Echo Park Ave Los Angeles, CA 90026 213 202-3900 hfs.org

LA FREE CLINIC

• 5205 Melrose Ave Los Angeles, CA 90038 323 653-1990 – appts 323 653-8622 – admin lafreeclinic.org

• 6043 Hollywood Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90028

• 8405 Beverly Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90048 LA Public Health reallycheckyourself.org

OUT OF THE CLOSET

THRIFT SHOPS

• 8224 Santa Monica Blvd

West Hollywood, CA 90046

323 848-9760

• 3500 East Pacific Coast Hwy

Long Beach, CA 90804

562 494-0340

• 1726 East Colorado Blvd

Pasadena, CA 91106

626 440-1719

• 360 North Fairfax Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90036

323 934-1956

PROJECT ANGEL FOOD

922 Vine St

Los Angeles, CA 90038

323 845-1800

angelfood.org

THE TREVOR PROJECT

9056 Santa Monica Blvd #100

West Hollywood, CA 90069

310 271-8845

thetrevorproject.org

VALLEY COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE

6801 Coldwater Canyon Ave

North Hollywood, CA 91605

818 301-6314 - HIV testing

818 301-6390 - Medical Services

smarthealthla.com

LEGAL

LAMBDA LEGAL DEFENSE & EDUCATION FUND INC.

Western Regional Office

3325 Wilshire Blvd #1300

Los Angeles, CA 90010

213 382-7600

lambdalegal.org

NATIONAL G & L TASK FORCE

5455 Wilshire Blvd #1505

Los Angeles, CA 90036

323 954-9597

thetaskforce.org

PALM SPRINGS DIRECTORY

ATTRACTIONS

THE LIVING DESERT ZOO AND GARDENS

47900 Portola Ave

Palm Desert, CA 92260

760 346-5694 livingdesert.org

PALM SPRINGS AIR MUSEUM

745 N Gene Autry Trail Palm Springs, CA 92262

760 778-6262 palmspringsairmuseum.org

PALM SPRINGS ART MUSEUM

101 Museum Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 760 322-4800 psmuseum.org

PALM SPRINGS AERIAL TRAMWAY

1 Tram Way Palm Springs, CA 92262

888 515-8726 pstramway.com

BARS & CLUBS BLACKBOOK

315 E. Arenas Rd Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.832.8497 blackbookbar.com

CHILL BAR

217 E. Arenas Rd Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.327.1079 chillbarpalmsprings.com

DICK’S ON ARENAS

301 E. Arenas Rd Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.327.0753 eagle501bar.com

HUNTERS

302 E. Arenas Rd Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.323.0700 hunterspalmsprings.com

ONE ELEVEN BAR

67555 E Palm Canyon Dr Cathedral City, CA 92234 760.537.3111 oneelevenbar.com

OSCAR’S

125 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Suite 108 Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.325.1188 oscarspalmsprings.com

QUADZ

200 S. Indian Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.778.4326 Spurline.com

STREET BAR

224 E. Arenas Rd Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.320.1266 psstreetbar.com

THE BARRACKS

67-625 E. Palm Canyon Dr Cathedral City, CA 92234 760.321.9688

REFORMA

333 S Palm Canyon Dr Unit 2, Palm Springs, CA 92262 760-902-6630 reformaps.com

THE ROOST LOUNGE

68718 E Palm Canyon Dr Cathedral City, CA 92234 760.507.8495 theroostcc.com

TOOL SHED

600 E. Sunny Dunes Rd. Palm Springs, CA 92264 760.320.3299 pstoolshed.com

TOUCANS TIKI LOUNGE

2100 N. Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.416.7584 toucanstikilounge.com

CLOTHING OPTIONAL RESORTS

BEARFOOT INN

888 N. Indian Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA. 92262 760.699.7641 bearfootinn.com

DESCANSO

288 E. Camino Monte Vista Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.320.1928 descansoresort.com

DESERT PARADISE

615 S. Warm Sands Dr Palm Springs, CA 92264 760.320.5650 desertparadise.com

EL MIRASOL VILLAS

525 Warm Sands Dr Palm Springs, CA 92264 760.327.5913 elmirasol.com

INNDULGE PALM SPRINGS

601 Grenfall Rd Palm Springs, CA 92264

760.327.1408 inndulge.com

SANTIAGO RESORT

650 San Lorenzo Road

Palm Springs, CA 92264

760.322.1300

santiagoresort.com

THE HACIENDA

586 S. Warm Sands Dr Palm Springs, CA 92264

760.327.8111 thehacienda.com

TRIANGLE INN PALM SPRINGS

555 San Lorenzo Rd. Palm Springs, CA 92264

760.322.7993 triangle-inn.com

TWIN PALMS

1930 S. Camino Real Palm Springs, CA

760-841-1455 twinpalmsresort.com

VISTA GRANDE RESORT

574 S. Warm Sands Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92264

760.322.2404

vistagranderesort.com

CLOTHING & LEATHER

EL TUGGLE

388 N Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262

760-880-4338 eltuggle.com

GAYMART

305 E. Arenas Rd Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.416.6436

GEAR LEATHER & FETISH

650 E Sunny Dunes Rd #1 Palm Springs, CA 92264

760.322.3363

gearleather.com

ROUGH TRADE LEATHER

321 E. Arenas Rd

Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.699.7524

roughtradegear.com

GIFTS

DESTINATION PSP

170 North Palm Canyon

Palm Springs, CA 92262

760 354-9154 destinationpsp.com

GREETINGS PALM SPRINGS

301 N Palm Canyon Dr # 102

Palm Springs, CA 92262

760 322-5049

greetingspalmsprings.com

PALM SPRINGS DIRECTORY

JUST FABULOUS

515 N Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262

760 864-1300 bjustfabulous.com

MISCHIEF CARDS & GIFTS

226 N Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262 760 322-8555 mischiefcardsandgifts.com

PEEPA’S

120 N Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262 760 318-3553 peepasps.com

PS HOMEBOYS

108 S. Indian Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.318.7388 pshomeboys.com

Q TRADING COMPANY

606 E Sunny Dunes Rd Palm Springs, CA 92264 760-416-7150

HAIR SALONS

CUT BARBER

1109 N Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262 760 322-2999 cutbarber.com

DADDY’S BARBERSHOP

192 S Indian Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92264 760 537-1311 daddysbarbershop.com

MEN’S GROOMING SPOT

68487 E Palm Canyon Dr Suite 43 Cathedral City, CA 92234 760 992-0028 mensgroomingspot.com

PALM SPRINGS FINE MEN’S SALON

750 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, Suite 3 Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.904.0434 psfinemenssalon.com

REALTORS

3 BEARS REALTY

2905 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262

760-699-6175 3bearsrealty.com

PALM SPRINGS HOME TEAM

Conrad Miller (DRE #01973983)

760.464.9559

Brandon Holland (DRE # 01986968)

760.413.1220

Palmspringshometeam.com

RESTAURANTS

1501 UPTOWN GASTROPUB

1501 N Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, 92262 760-507-1644 1501uptown.com

BLACKBOOK

315 E. Arenas Rd Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.832.8497 blackbookbar.com

BOOZEHOUNDS PALM SPRINGS

2080 North Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.656-0067 boozehoundsps.com

EIGHT4NINE RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE

849 N Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.325.8490 eight4nine.com

FARM

6 La Plaza Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.322.2724 farmspalmsprings.com

JOHANNES

196 S. Indian Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.778.0017

johannespalmsprings.com

NICOLINO’S CATHEDRAL CITY

35325 Date Palm Drive, Unit 111, Cathedral City, CA 92234

760-324-041 nicolinos.com

RICK’S DESERT GRILL

1596 North Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.325.2127 ricksdesertgrill.com

SAMMY’S PLACE

69034 E Palm Canyon Drive Cathedral City, CA 92234

760.770.4030 originalsammysplace.com

SHAME ON THE MOON

69950 Frank Sinatra Dr Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

760.324.5515 shameonthemoon.com

SHERMAN’S DELI

401 E Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.325.1199 shermansdeli.com

TRILUSSA

68-718 E Palm Canyon Dr Cathedral City, CA 92234

760.328.2300

trilussarestaurant.com

TRIO RESTAURANT

707 N. Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA. 92262

760.854.8746 triopalmsprings.com

WILMA & FRIEDA’S

155 S Palm Canyon Dr Palm Springs, CA 92262

760.992.5080

wilmafrieda.com

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

DAP HEALTH

1695 N. Sunrise Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262

760 323-2118

daphealth.org

DESERT CARE NETWORK 760 561-7373 desertcarenetwork.com

DESERT OASIS HEALTHCARE

275 North El Cielo Road Palm Springs, CA 92262 760 325-DOHC (3642) mydohc.com

EISENHOWER HEALTH

39000 Bob Hope Drive Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 760 340-3911 eisenhowerhealth.org

MICHAEL’S HOUSE

1910 S Camino Real Palm Springs, CA 92262 844 768-0633 michaelshouse.com

PALM SPRINGS ANIMAL SHELTER

4575 E. Mesquite Ave, Palm Springs, CA 92264

760 416-5718 psanimalshelter.org

PALM SPRINGS FRONT RUNNERS & WALKERS frontrunners.clubexpress.com

STONEWALL GARDENS

2150 N. Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262

760 548-0970

stonewallgardens.com

LGBTQ COMMUNITY CENTER OF THE DESERT 1301 North Palm Canyon Dr, 3rd Floor Palm Springs, CA 92262

760 416-7790

thecentercv.org

Sonoma & beyond...

"Bringing together wine lovers and LGBTQ+ friendly wineries, restaurants, hotels and others for a community experience."