The Standard Magazine

DECEMBER, 2016 VOLUME 4 ISSUE 12 THESTANDARDPS.COM

- Farewell 2016 A YEAR IN REVIEW

CONTENTS VOLUME 4, ISSUE 12

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Volume 4 Issue 12 COVER TOP NEWS IN 2016 A RECAP OF THE HEADLINES FEATURE A NEW ACTIVISM / #WEWONTGOBACK FEATURE CAVA SPAIN STEPS UP THE CHAMPAGNE GAME

QUEER FOLK PAGES 38-39

FEATURE BROADWAY CARES RELEASES A VIVACIOUS HOLIDAY ALBUM MUSIC A NEW COUNTRY INDIANA QUEEN CALLS OUT NASHVILLE

INDIANA QUEEN / HTTP://INDIANAQUEEN.COM

DECEMBER 2016 3

COMMENTARY

WISHING OUR READERS A JOYOUS HOLIDAY & A VERY PROSPEROUS AND

Happy New Year!

NEW YEAR’S DAY New Year’s Day, also called simply New Year’s or New Year, is observed on January 1, the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar as well as the Julian calendar.

In pre-Christian Rome under the Julian calendar, the day was dedicated to Janus, god of gateways and beginnings, for whom January is also named. As a date in the Gregorian calendar of Christendom, New Year’s Day liturgically marked the Feast of the Naming and Circumcision of Jesus, which is still observed as such in the Anglican Church and Lutheran Church. In present day, with most countries now using the Gregorian calendar as their de facto calendar, New Year’s Day is probably the most celebrated public holiday, often observed with fireworks at the stroke of midnight as the new year starts in each time zone.

Other global New Years’ Day traditions include making New Year’s resolutions and calling one’s friends and family.

The Standard Magazine PO Box 2074, Palm Springs, CA 92263 760.831.4869 Nino Eilets Publisher Luciano McNulty Editor Maya Kalabic Art Director Photographer David A. Lee Contributors Chris Astrala, Mona Elyafi, Chris Heritage, Paul Hutnik, Jill Langham, Jimmy Newsum, Terri Schlichenmeyer, Dr. Stephen Scoggins, Adam Sinicki & Tom Tietjen www.thestandardps.com Editorial Credits : BrandPoint, Huffington Post, LGBTQ Nation & Project Publicity The Standard Magazine is published monthly. Opinions expressed are not necessarily the opinions of the Standard or its staff, advertisers or readers with exception of editorials.

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the publisher.

COVER

MAKING HEADLINES 2016 IN REVIEW JANUARY In Taiwan’s presidential elections, Democratic chairwoman and nominee Tsai Ing-wen comes in first 56.1%. Tsai is also the first unmarried president as well as the first to have never held another elected post.

FEBRUARY Einstein’s century-old theory proven true. Scientists announce that they have heard and recorded audio of two black holes colliding into each other a billion light-years from earth.

It is the first evidence of gravitational waves, completing the final piece in Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity. It proves the most unpopular part of Einstein’s theory, that within the universe, space and time are connected and changeable.

MARCH Former First Lady of the United States Nancy Reagan died on March 6 at age 94 in her Los Angeles home due to congestive heart failure. She will be buried next to her husband Ronald Reagan at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.

APRIL On April 3, the world first heard a new term, “Panama Papers,” referring to millions of confidential documents that were leaked from a Panama-based law firm, Mossack Fonseca. The Panama Papers reveal details of 6 THESTANDARDPS.COM

how some of the globe’s richest people funnel their assets into secretive shell companies set up in lightly regulated jurisdictions.

MAY The U.S. Justice Department opens an investigation of Russia’s systematic doping program. The prosecutors believe that many Russian athletes have used banned performance enhancing drugs during international sporting events. In the face of charges of fraud and conspiracy, the Russian government first denies the accusations, but some of those involved—including a doctor—speak out and tell the world that the scandal is true. Vitaly Mutko, the Russian Sports Minister, states that Russian officials, athletes, and coaches “made some serious mistakes,” but doesn’t go into more detail.

JUNE The result of the Brexit vote is in and the United Kingdom is officially set to leave the European Union, a decision that is sure to shake the world’s economy. In a 52% win, the voters of Britain decided on June 23, 2016, that it would be better to leave the union which was formed after WWII. Prime Minister David Cameron resigns, pledging to leave office in three months. Countries belonging to the U.K., such as Scotland and Northern Ireland, are upset by the results, desiring to stay in the EU. Scotland is currently in the process of creating a new independence referendum— having voted in 2014 to remain a part of the U.K.—in light of Brexit, the people of Scotland might change their minds.

The worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history occurs in the early morning hours of June 12, 2016, in Orlando, Florida.

During the attack Omar Saddiqui Mateen storms into Pulse, a gay nightclub, opens fire and kills 49 people and wounds 53. On the phone with law enforcement, he threatens further carnage, and expresses his allegiance to the Islamic State, praising the Boston Marathon bombing. After a three-hour standoff with law enforcement, the police chief decides to order an assault on Mateen, which leads to his death and the freeing of many hostages stuck in the club.

JULY Elie Wiesel, the famous author and holocaust survivor dies at the age of 87 in his home in Manhattan on July 2, 2016. Wiesel was known for his book Night, which tells of his horrifying experiences in the Nazi concentration camps of WWII. During his lifetime Wiesel was a humanitarian, an activist, and a professor at Boston University. He helped establish the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., along with many other accomplishments. In his 1986 Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, Elie Wiesel gave this call to action: “Whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation, take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”

AUGUST On August 21, 2016, Judge Reed O’Connor of the Federal District Court blocks the Obama administration from allowing transgender students to access public restrooms of their choice and suggests that this ruling should apply throughout the United States. The administration argues that the rights of the transgender people are protected under the existing sex discrimination law. Social conservatives fear that by allowing transgender citizens into bathrooms it puts the safety and privacy of the other schoolchildren at risk. This ruling will also make it difficult for the Obama administration to bring legal

action against or withhold funds from schools that do not allow transgender children to choose their bathrooms.

SEPTEMBER On Sunday September 4, 2016, Pope Francis canonizes Mother Teresa, officially making her Saint Teresa. The celebration takes place in Saint Peter’s Square, Vatican City amongst a large crowd of people from all around the world. A woman from India, the home of St. Teresa, said, “We are proud of her, all of India is proud. She may no longer be there, but we still feel her spirit around us.”

OCTOBER On Oct. 27, 2016, the U.S. Justice Department announces that they are charging 61 people and entities for fraud.

According to the Justice Department these people called from India-based call centers and impersonated the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), demanding money for non-existing debts. The scam began in 2013 and reaped a total of $300 million from 15,000 victims. Five call centers and 32 people in India are charged.

Meanwhile in the United States, 24 people will be tried in U.S. District Court in Texas.

NOVEMBER Donald Trump wins the 2016 U.S. presidential election held on Nov. 8, 2016. He will be the 45th president of the United States, to be inaugurated in Jan. 20, 2017. The election results roll in far past midnight, with some swing states too close to call until around 2:30 am; in the early hours of Wednesday morning Hillary Clinton concedes. Trump is the first candidate to reach the 270 electoral vote threshold, and wins three major swing states, including Florida, Ohio, and North Carolina. The result is considered an upset, considering the polls ahead of the election had Hillary Clinton in the lead.

DECEMBER 2016 7

COVER

BEST TECH IN 2016 The Future is now. Some of the exciting new gadgets introduced in 2016 that promise to make life a bit more interesting.

NANOLEAF AURORA Technology advances by becoming invisible: The high-techest stuff usually aims to disappear into its surroundings. But these triangular programmable lights, which connect to each other on any edge, can be arranged in patterns to create funky lighting arrays -- you know, the kind you see in movies that make homes look more futuristic.

LIVESTREAM MOVI You know how broadcast setups cut between different cameras to vary the viewpoint, even if it’s just two different sides of a talking head? Livestream’s Movi, a 4K video camera and app, will allow you to create the same effect by selecting different crop areas to generate a 720p final video.

LG SIGNATURE REFRIGERATOR It opens automatically when it senses you’re standing by it and knocking on the window turns on the light to reveal the goodies within.

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PRIZM No more fighting over classical versus hip-hop. The Prizm connects to your speakers, scours devices in its proximity with playlists from major music-streaming services, and then finds (and remembers) what you like. By comparing the playlists it then identifies your taste and tries to come up with a happy medium.

SONY PSH-X500 TURNTABLE If you’re mourning the loss of vinyl, Sony’s offering a way to preserve your records without losing the tonal characteristics you love. Direct-to-digital turntables aren’t new, but this one records to DSD, Sony’s highquality digital audio format.

ACTIVEON SOLAR X Given that action cams are usually used outdoors, when you’re being, you know, active, it makes sense that they should have a charging solution that works under those conditions. The Solar X comes with the X Station, a quickcharger with solar flaps.

SAMSUNG’S CURVED 98-INCH 8K TV Billed as the biggest 8K curved SUHD TV in the world, this massive set is supposedly shipping in 2016. It will probably be another few years before there’s any content worth displaying on it, but this is exactly what CES is all about.

GARMIN’S VARIA VISION Garmin’s Varia Vision is an augmented reality display that you mount to your sunglasses. And it’s not just about displaying how well you’re doing; it can alert you about traffic and directions.

SENSORWAKE The smell of coffee. Your nose twitches.

Minutes later, the need for caffeine drives you out of bed. That’s the concept behind Sensorwake, an alarm clock that diffuses the enticing scent of your choice -- such as coffee, money or mint -- at the appointed hour.

COVER

OUT IN 2016 2016 has been a banner year for LGBT individuals in a lot of ways, and though we have much more work ahead of us, here is a short list of the celebrities who are out and proud and ready to help the cause — as of this year! Their coming out will give hope and courage to those who still live in fear and the confines of the closet. We applaud those who decided to bust that closet door wide open in 2016.

CHARLIE CARVER-ACTOR The Teen Wolf actor started 2016 with a bang, coming out in an Instagram post in January. “So now, let the record show this: I self-identify as gay,” he wrote. He admitted he worried being out would “be limiting myself to a type, to a perception with limits that I was not professionally comfortable with,” but, with some guidance, realized that didn’t have to be the case.

BRIAN ANDERSON-SKATEBOARDER The legendary skateboarder spoke about his sexuality for the first time in on an episode of Vice Sports’ Reda for the World with Giovanni Reda. He says carrying the secret of his sexuality may have pushed him to take more risks on his board. “A part of me was so irritated and angry from holding that in so it made me more of an animal on my skateboard.”

JUSTINE GREENING-POLITICIAN Greening, Education Secretary under British PM Theresa May, came out during London Pride, tweeting “Today’s a good day to say I’m in a happy same-sex relationship.

I campaigned for ’Stronger In’ but sometimes you’re better off out! #Pride2016” Greening was previously Secretary of State for International Development and became the first out cabinet minister in the UK. COLTON HAYNES-ACTOR After dancing around the issue with some coy social media messages, 27-yearold Haynes came out in a May interview with EW. “People who are so judgmental about those who are gay or different don’t realize that acting 24 hours a day is the most exhausting thing in the world.” The actor, who has grappled with anxiety and depression, revealed that he was 10 THESTANDARDPS.COM

told his father committed suicide after he heard Haynes was gay.

LILLY WACHOWSKI-FILMMAKER One half of the acclaimed filmmaking Wachowski siblings (Bound, The Matrix trilogy, Sense8), Lilly came out as a trans woman in March, four years after her sister Lana had done the same. Lilly’s acknowledgement, however, was predicated by media outlets threatening to out her against her will. “I knew at some point I would have to come out publicly,” she explained in a statement. “You know, when you’re living as an out transgender person it’s… kind of difficult to hide.

SARA RAMIREZ-ACTOR Less than a week before National Coming Out Day, the Grey’s Anatomy actress came out as bisexual during a speech at the True Colors: 40 to None Summit on LGBT youth homelessness. “Because of the intersections that exist in my own life: Woman, multi-racial woman, woman of color, queer, bisexual, Mexican-Irish American, immigrant, and raised by families heavily rooted in Catholicism on both my Mexican and Irish sides,” she said, “I am deeply invested in projects that allow our youth’s voices to be heard.”

ELENA DELLE DONNE-ATHLETE As if playing in the Olympics this summer wasn’t exciting enough, 26-yearold WNBA champ Elena Delle Donne came out to Vogue magazine, announcing her engagement to girlfriend Amanda Clifton.“They came into my home, spent a couple days with me—and [my fiancee] Amanda is a huge part of my life,” said Delle Donne, an MVP with the Chicago Sky. “To leave her out wouldn’t have made any sense. It’s not a coming out article or anything. I’ve been with her for a very long time now, and people who are close to me know that, and that’s that.”

DECEMBER 2016 11

DECEMBER 2016

FEATURE

LGBT ACTIVIST, JARED MILRAD #WEWONTGOBACK

BY MONA ELYFAI Jared Milrad, launches National Movement following Hillary Clinton’s devastating Presidential Election loss. An award-winning actor, writer, filmmaker, lawyer, and activist, has launched We Won’t Go Back, a people’s movement for Americans of all backgrounds fighting to protect the country’s highest ideals of inclusivity, equality, justice, and opportunity.

The movement’s website, wewontgoback.us, provides unique resources for supporters to increase democratic engagement, including more than a dozen prominent non-profit organizations in need of donations, ways to contact Members of Congress, and a survey that prioritizes the top social issues of participants for future engagement.

“November 8, 2016 was a turning point for our nation,” said Mr. Milrad. “Millions of Americans are deeply troubled and even frightened by the results, and many wonder if America still has a place for them. We Won’t Go Back proves definitely that it does, while providing a crucial space for people of all backgrounds to actively build a more inclusive, hopeful future.”

Causes featured on the site include women’s rights, immigration reform, LGBTQ rights, climate change, civil liberties, gun safety, animal protection, and many others.

A social activist at heart, Jared, never resting on his laurels, just released “So, You Want to Get (Gay) Married”, co-written with his husband Nathan Johnson. The pair made history being the first samesex couple featured in Hillary Clinton’s viral presidential campaign commercials (“Getting Started,” “Equal”).

Released on October 25, the book is NOW available at howtogetmarried.com, on Amazon, Kindle and in bookstores on demand. In this humorous and witty guidebook for the unhitched, the couple shares practical tips on how to tie the same-sex knot, while barely remaining sane and relationship savvy along the way.

In addition, he is also getting ready to release of his brand new short film “Office Party” telling the story of Tom (Josh Trant ) and Jack (Jared Milrad ), two co-workers who, tired of the same old corporate routine, plan a forgettable surprise.

The short is intended to raise awareness about the urgent public health epidemic of gun violence and mental illness in the United

States. It is an urgent reminder of the danger that lurks just beneath the surface, with more than 33,000 people killed every year by gun violence in the United States.

Again, at a time when many members of the LGBTQ community are fearful about what’s next for our community, Jared wrote this book not only to share his story as a same-sex couple, but to inspire LGBTQ youth and allies to be open, proud, and vocal advocates for our civil equality.

Now more than ever, it has become increasingly important to discuss what Hillary Clinton was fighting for - particularly as it relates to equality and discrimination - and why stories like Jared and Nate should be used as leverage for future progress.

In 2015, Jared and Nate not only tied the knot but also became the first openly gay couple to appear in a major party presidential campaign announcement. They’re proud of that historic achievement - and the responsibility that comes with it.

Nate and Jared are increasingly well-known advocates and personalities with more than 10 million views worldwide and thousands of followers on social media. The pair has been profiled in numerous media outlets around the world, including The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Guardian, The Times of London, TIME, MSNBC, CBS, NBC, and ABC News.

Now based in Long Beach, California, Jared, a NYC native, is an actor, lawyer, and social entrepreneur who previously founded a nationally recognized non-profit organization and worked in The White House.

Ultimately, Jared Milrad’s goal is to build a world that is more engaged in public service, more committed to our shared humanity, and more conscious of the opportunities and challenges that await in a more inclusive, equal, and just future.

For more info check out www.wewontgoback.us

DECEMBER 2016 13

FEATURE

CORDONUI WINERIES

OFFERING A DIFFERENT WAY TO CELEBRATE

BY CHRIS ASTRALA

The holidays are here and with that there will be many opportunities to merry it up. What better way to celebrate than with a glass of something tasty, sparkling and bubbly? Champagne is your normal go to but this year why not try something new: Cava I recently visited Barcelona and had the opportunity to tour one of the most renowned Cava producing wineries in the world, Cordonui Wineries. It was a mind opening experience to the world of sparkling wines as well as a thirst quenching one.

What is Cava? Cava in Spain was modeled after Champagne in France. Cava uses mainly traditional, indigenous Spanish grapes; however there are some examples with French grape varieties, such as Chardonnay. Let’s mostly assume though that Cava is a blend of native Spanish grape varieties. The other important point about Cava is that it is made in the Champagne Method. However only producers in the Champagne region may use the term “Méthode Champenoise,” so in Spain it is known as the “Método Tradicional” or Traditional Method.

Cava is probably the most Champagne-like sparkling wine outside of

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France that uses different grape varieties than the Champagne ones.

There are non-Champagne wines in France that use the same grapes as Champagne, so yes; they can be even closer to Champagne.

However, Cava is truly Spanish, and is usually a good value for the price – especially given the Método Tradicional used to produce it.

Cava can also be appreciated for its own distinctiveness.

Cordonui was the first winery to create Cava using Macabeo, Xarel·lo and Pallerada grapes. Codorniu owns the oldest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyards, used for the production of Cava with vines aged 30 years or more. This makes us experts in wine-growing and wine-making using these varieties. We were the first winery to use international varieties, with the first Chardonnay cava in 1984, the first rose Cava using Pinot Noir in 2001 and in 2008, the very first Blanc de Noirs, using Pinot Noir. We have created our own style for the Cavas we produce, combining local and international grapes, to make stylish, very expressive, refreshing aromatic Cavas, with utmost respect for grapes used and the land they come from. A complete range of Cavas, of differing styles, to satisfy everybody’s needs.

Harvest begins in late summer. Each plot and variety is harvested at the optimum time. The earliest ripening varieties, such as Chardonnay, are harvested in August and the traditional varieties in September. We transport the grapes to our winery with the utmost care to avoid losing any flavors. On arrival, they are gently pressed to extract delicate aromas and flavors in the free-run juice.

At Codorníu grapes from different varieties and plots are fermented separately. During the fermentation process, the free-run juice becomes base wine, a young and very aromatic wine.

A mixture of selected yeasts and sugar is added to the blend to start a second fermentation in the bottle. During this process – known as the traditional method - bubbles form naturally. The bottles are stored in our centuries-old cellars, which have consistent light, temperature and humidity, for at least nine months. Over this period Cavas acquire their characteristic complexity and flavor. The ageing period can last for 36 months or more. After careful ageing, the bottles are rotated to make the yeast lees settle into the neck of the bottle, so that it can be expelled at a later stage.

To give the final touch to our sparkling wine, we add our own

mix of Cava and sugar. The French term for this, used in English, is liqueur d’expédition. This transforms each Cava into a Brut Nature Cava, Brut Cava or Semi-Dry Cava.

We stopper each bottle with its final cork and label it. The Cava is now ready to be enjoyed. The secret of Cava is finding a perfect blend of base wines. With the work of the best tasters and oenologists, we blend different wines to achieve the best combination for each cava. The resulting blend is then bottled.

Introduced In Spain Over 25 Years Ago By Codorníu Winery, Anna de Codorníu celebrates the life of Codorníu’s heiress and the dynasty she guided. “Anna” embodies Codorníu’s traditions: enological quality, careful viticulture and innovation—it was the first Cava to use Chardonnay in its cuvée. On account of its history and its exquisite taste, Anna de Codorníu has become Codorníu’s most emblematic sparkling wine both in Spain and around the world.

For more info, visit annadecodorniu.com

DECEMBER 2016 17

BOOK REVIEW

ALWAYS OVERBOOKED…

BY TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER

The gift list was easy this year.

For once, you knew what to get everybody. Every. Single.

Giftee. Easy-peasy… except, oops, that one person who vexes you each year.

What to get? Well, books are always good gifts, and they’re super-easy to wrap, too. How about one of these great selections for that One Person…

LGBT In “Saving Delaney” by Andrea and Keston Ott-Dahl, your giftee will read the story of one little girl, her life before birth, her lesbian moms and her wealthy parents, and what happened when she entered the world with Down syndrome. Wrap it up with tissues and “Journey to Same-Sex Parenthood” by Eric Rosswood, a book filled with tips and tales of gay and lesbian folks who finally became parents.

If there’s an art lover on your gift list, they’ll love unwrapping “One Man Show: The Life and Art of Bernard Perlin” by Michael Schreiber. Part gay history, part art, this book showcases the life of a man who painted portraits of gay clubs and street life, and whose works were collected by mid-century high-society collectors, some of which still hangs in museums today.

For the mom or dad who’s just learned that their child is genderquestioning, “The Gender Creative Child” by Diane Ehrensaft, PhD might be a loving gift. It’s a book that will guide them through many early questions and thoughts they may have now, and later. Wrap it up with “When Your Child is Gay” by Wesley C. Davidson and

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Jonathal L. Tobkes, MD, for the answers to even more questions.

What does it mean to be a man or a woman? In “The Fate of Gender” by Frank Browning, your giftee will learn what science says about gender, brains, chromosomes, social pressures, and how other countries see gender and the spectrum. Wrap it up with “Queer Identities and Politics in Germany: A History 1880-1945” by Clayton J. Whisnant, a fascinating history book that looks at German LGBT organizations, people, publications, and the culture, especially during World War II.

African American Authors For the person on your list who’s still unsure of who they are or why, “Black Lotus” by Sil Lai Abrams may be a great gift. It’s the story of a woman who learns, at age fourteen, that nearly everything she ever knew about herself and her family was wrong. Finding the truth is at the core of this book, and your giftee will love it.

The historian on your list will be amazed at what he reads in “Blood at the Root” by Patrick Phillips. It’s the story of racial cleansing, starting with the Cherokees in the early 1800s and spanning history up through modern times. Sobering stuff, this book, and a great gift. Wrap it up with “The Black Prince of Florence” by Catherine Fletcher. It’s the story of Alessandro de Medici, the Holy Roman Emperor, and palace intrigue.

Pets & Animals The animal lover on your list will howl with glee when she opens “Wildlife Spectacles” by Vladimir Dinets. This book is all about

wildlife and its behavior: migration, mating, parenting, and more.

Bonus: PICTURES! Bigger bonus: wrap it up with “Coyote America”

by Dan Flores, a look at a much-maligned animal and its history.

On your gift list, there’s a person whose pet is a part of the family. In “Dog Gone” by Pauls Toutonghi, a family loses its dog and goes to (of course) great lengths to find him and get him home. True story. Truly a great gift. Even better when you also give “Dogs Rough & Smooth” by Lucy Dawson, a large coffee-table-type book filled with pencil drawings of dogs, pups, and pooches.

You can’t go wrong, then, when you wrap “Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are?” by Frans de Waal with it. That’s a book about animals, their abilities, and the relative intelligence they possess.

No dog lover worth his or her salt will turn down “Free Days with George” by Colin Campbell. It’s the story of a man and a dog, both very bruised by their pasts. One’s a big guy, at 140 pounds; the other’s a human, and how they heal is the story here. Wrap it up with another dog-bonding book “Love is All You Need” by Jennifer Arnold, a new approach to teaching your pup and yourself.

You know who loves dogs? Someone on your gift list, that’s who, and “Sit Stay Heal” by Mel C. Miskimen is the exact book he (or she!) wants this holiday. It’s the story of a rascally black lab and the family he shepherds through grief. I also liked “Let Me Tell You About Jasper…”

by Fox New’s Dana Perino, about her most famous best friend.

General Nonfiction For the true crime buff, “Trials of the Century” by Mark J. Phillips & Aryn Z. Phillips is a great go-to gift. What made Sam Sheppard’s case, the Lindbergh baby, and Charles Manson leap onto the headlines? This book looks at those famous cases, and more…Wrap it up with “I Will Find You” by Joanna Connors, a story of a reporter who finally reveals a crime she had to hide, and the man who committed it.

Music / Movies / TV For the midnight-movie fan who can’t get enough of toast or Janet, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show FAQ” by Dave Thompson is exactly what you want to give. This book is absolutely jammed with facts, stories, fun-to-know details, everything you ever wanted to know about Frank-N-Furter and more.

Want to see the biggest smile ever? “Madonnaland and Other Detours Into Fame and Fandom” by Alina Simone. It’s a look at The Material Girl, music, and being a rock star.

Is there a musician on your list who longs to do something totally different? Then wrap up “Angelic Music” by Corey Mead. It’s the story of Benjamin Franklin’s invention, a take on a little trick you already know, and the rise and fall of its popularity. Imagine – give this gift and launch a new career.

Fiction History The reader on your gift list who prefers books set in other time periods will love “Cruel Beautiful World” by Caroline Leavitt. It’s a 1960s-era story of a woman who chooses a man over the sister who basically raised her, and the dynamics of family. Put it together with “Jazz Moon” by Joe Okonkwo, a book set in Harlem, 1925, where Paris is where it’s at, baby.

Definitely wrap it up with another great drama-mystery, “Manitou Canyon” by William Kent Krueger. Cork O’Connor is back and sleuthing. Fans, rejoice.

Dog lovers will howl over “Jonathan Unleashed” by Meg Rosoff.

It’s the story of a man who’s at the end of his leash, and his brother’s dogs, who begin to show him that dogs are smarter than they seem.

Wrap it up with another perfect book for your dog lover: “Lily and the Octopus” by Steven Rowley, the story of a man, his aging, best friend, and love.

And won’t the pet lover on your list love getting “A Guinea Pig Oliver Twist” in that package, too? Yes, it’s Dickens as you’ve never seen him before…

American History fans will want to read “All the Real Indians Died Off and 20 Other Myths about Native Americans” by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz and Dina Gilio-Whitaker. It’s a widespread (but not by any means final word) look at things we may believe about Native Americans, but that are wrong.

If there’s a social studies fan on your list, make “White Trash”

by Nancy Isenberg the gift you give. It’s a look at poverty, class, American caste, and how it’s been perceived for the last 240 years.

Wrap it up with “Evicted” by Matthew Desmond, for a full-circle look at the poorest among us.

The Downton Abbey fan on your gift list will love “Mind Your Manors” by Lucy Lethbridge, a book about keeping house (or would that be mansion?) in Great Britain in times gone by.

Check with your wonderful librarian or fabulous bookstore worker for more information or even more excellent ideas for that One Person.

Season’s Readings!

DECEMBER 2016 19

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BEAT BOX

END THE YEAR ON A HIGH NOTE

BY JIMMY NEWSUM

Is it December already? As you prepare for sweater weather, endless carols, and peppermint bark everything, update your playlists with some of the new December jams.

exactly what makes DEVMO’s music so refreshing. Most importantly, the music is good. Profoundly good. The catchy riffs and heavy bass on “Wah Wah Wah” are in a class all their own.

Here are some of the best songs to usher in winter and end the year on a high note.

“BOYS AND SOMETIMES GIRLS” / Ricky Rebel Glam rocker Ricky Rebel is ready for his second act. The latest solo single from the former frontman of boyband No Authority aims to tear apart the dance floor and with it, all rules of social convention. “Boys and Sometimes Girls” is an explosive anthem on sexual liberation. It could be called this generation’s “I Kissed a Girl”, yet being about the androgynous artist’s interest in both sexes, it takes Katy Perry’s bold proclamation a step further. Once again, Rebel recruits remixing giant Hector Fonseca for the dance version.

“LUX LIFE” / Company Freak Every band hopes their album whisks listeners on a journey and while most fail, this phenomenal ep shoots clubbers into the stratosphere with an eclectic and exuberant mix of planetary dance floor rhythms. The album leads with “Look What Your Love Has Done For Me”, an Ethiopian-synth-funk meets 80s-dance-pop confection.

It then goes into the title track, a funkier than funk jam featuring the original lead singers of the iconic seventies band, Chic. “Get Myself Together” is a self-motivational track while the dark and moody “Drones” is new wave disco at its best. But the album’s standout is “Equal Rights”. Underground house legend Dawn Tallman brings church to the dance floor with a triumphant call for freedom. A stellar piece of work is what “Lux Life” is, from beginning to end.

“THINGS CAN ONLY GET BETTER” / MOJO The first release from wonder-down-under producer Nick Jay (as his alter ego MOPO) is an uplifting and inspiring reinterpretation of the 1993 D:REAM classic. The cover finds inspiration from all of the insanity going on in the world right now from Trump to Brexit to Australia failing to legalize gay marriage to Isis and North Korea… the list goes on and on. MOPO intends to get club fans back to the floor, dancing like they have no cares in the world. If this magical song doesn’t sweep you away from reality, nothing will.

“WAH WAH WAH” / DEVMO The latest track from our favorite bisexual female rapper is her greatest yet. First off, the song doesn’t follow the typical versechorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus structure of other songs. And its alternative grunge sound mixed with rated-R rap during the verses doesn’t sound like songs that play on mainstream radio. But that’s

“EXCUSE ME BITCH” / Drew G Every so often, a song comes along that is such a perfect sign of the times, it not only gets clubbers to shake their asses, it changes the shape of the musical landscape. That would describe Drew G’s latest, the ultimate bitch track. Drew created it as response to a nasty Facebook comment that was made against his “Hands Off” track, a song that sampled Junior Vasquez’s “Get Ur Hands Off My Man”. Instead of getting in the mud with his internet bully, Drew banged out a fresh new track that we can all be thankful for. So go ahead: shake what you got, raise your hand, palm facing out, point it in the face of anyone you know that voted for Trump and relish every deliciously bitchy bone you have in your body.

“SAY YES” / Jason Walker / Mr. TanMan Music Two-time Grammy nominated dance producer Tony Moran and Out Music Award winner Jason Walker are on a mission to achieve back-to-back #1s with their latest track, “Say Yes”. They landed their first chart topper this summer with “So Happy”. They’re now primed to do it again with yet another explosive club track that artfully blends pop music with exciting dance elements. Written

by Tony Moran and Mike Greenly, the most inhibited listener will lose their mind with the super-charged and awe-inspiring vocal performance Walker delivers.

DECEMBER 2016 23

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MUSIC BROADWAY CARES/EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS RELEASES VIVACIOUS 2016 HOLIDAY ALBUM The holiday season is not complete without the perfect music to accompany it. “Broadway’s Carols for a Cure” is the latest compilation album that embodies the spirit of the season like nothing else can. A project born completely out of love, “Broadway’s Carols for a Cure” pairs the casts from famous Broadway musicals with songs that are both classic and new. The result is pure gold that will make you reach for the “repeat” button over and over again.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is “Broadway’s incredible, dedicated nonprofit organization that helps individual people with serious illnesses such as AIDS and women’s health issues receive the health care and support they need. In addition, they provide financial support in the form of grants to AIDS and family service organizations throughout the country,” according to “Broadway’s Carols for a Cure” producer Lynn Pinto.

With a jaw-dropping list of all the most popular musicals, each production company is allowed the creative freedom to choose their contribution. Instead of the typical live singing the artists are used to, they’re provided with intimate studios that allow for vocal and instrumental isolations. This makes the album unique from the majority of cast albums on the market, and showcases some of the best voices and instrumentalists in the world.

Some of the most notable songs on the album include: CHICAGO – The first track opening this year’s album is a standout original titled “Holiday Melody” written by cast member Brian O’Brien and orchestrated by Richard Rockage. Roxie Hart herself, performer Angel Reda provides the knockout vocals which kicks the album off with a joyful, holiday feel.

HAMILTON – With a song titled “I Can See the Light” written by performer Anthony Ramos and Associate Music Director Kurt Crowley.

Ramos sings the solo, backed up by the smooth group vocals from the rest of the company, creating an infectious instant yule-time hit.

WAITRESS – With Jessie Mueller and the incredibly fun and

talented cast, they perform Sara Bareilles’ “Love is Christmas,” that feels, in the words of music director Nadia Digiallonardo, “like a big, warm hug!”

MATILDA – For their farewell song on the album, composer Deborah Abramson creates a wistful and gorgeous new “Auld Lang Syne.”

With voices featuring all ages from the show, it’s a nostalgic look back on the wonderful friendships that have been made during the run of the show. As a bonus, the masterpiece contains the voices of every single one of the 19 girls who played Matilda since opening night.

ON YOUR FEET – The cast performs Gloria Estefan’s “Christmas Through Your Eyes” with energetic verve and a special nod to a Cuban Christmas in Miami.

THE LION KING – Cast member Mduduzi M. Madela wrote original melodies and added beautiful African chants for a very special “What Wondrous Love,” orchestrated and conducted by Cherie Rosen. The company is featured, as well as three child soloists from the cast to create stunning results.

Those are just 6 of the 22 highly detailed tracks that you will hear, along with: Alix Korey with the cast of Fiddler on the Roof Rob McClure with the cast of Something Rotten!

Leona Lewis with the cast of CATS Drew Seeley with the cast of Jersey Boys National Tour Robert Creighton for Cagney Chilina Kennedy & Jessica Keenan Wynn with the cast of Beautiful 11-year-old Raghav Mehrotra on drums with the cast of School of Rock The entire, stellar orchestra and cast of The Phantom of the Opera, led by Maestro Richard Carsey You can purchase “Broadway’s Carols for a Cure” at www. broadwaycares.org. Previous volumes are also available for purchase there and at www.itunes.com.

DECEMBER 2016 25

PSP FOCUS NEW YEAR’S EVE IN PALM SPRINGS HERE ARE A FEW PICKS FOR NEW YEAR 2017 REVELERS TRIO TRIO is open New Year’s Eve for Brunch, 3 Dinner Seatings at 5:30, 7:30 & 9:30 and a Party at The Bar! Brunch-a-Go-Go, with bottomless mimosas or specialty bloodies-10am-3pm, $19 3-course Prix Fixe-10am-3pm. Midnight balloon drop and party favors.

Starting at 10pm party at the bar.

Reserve early www.triopalmsprings.com THE ACE HOTEL PS Ace Hotel & Swim Club sends 2016 packing with some of our favorite modern gnostics — a two-day New Year’s takeover they’re calling Pie Town’s Supertemporal Southwestern Sock Hop. It’s gonna get weird. Featuring DJ sets from Devendra Banhart, Max Hershenow (MSMR), Mel Shimkovitz (Moon Uterus), Amy von Harrington (Moon Uterus), Timothy Nordwind (X.X.T, Ok Go) and Owen Pallett, plus a special NYE party with live performance by YACHT and X.X.T. Tickets go on sale December 1. www.acehotel.com THE HARD ROCK HOTEL The New Year’s Eve Masquerade Party is back for the 33rd year and we’re pulling out all the stops. Join us at the Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs & prepare to be dazzled as we ring in 2017 in spectacular style at one of the premier New Year’s Eve Events in California. Purchase your ticket early, this event sold out last year with over 3,000 in attendance. www.hrhpalmsprings.com HUNTERS PALM SPRINGS The best dance club in the desert is throwing a spectacular New Year’s Eve bash, no cover, Champagne bottle specials, free champagne toast and of course a balloon drop at midnight. www.huntersnightclubs.com PURPLE ROOM SUPPER CLUB Three great seatings! 5:00 seating - three course dinner with the Mark Kahny Jazz Trio. 7:30 seating - three course dinner with the Mark Kahny Jazz Trio. 10:00 seating - Three course dinner with complimentary wine, Midnight champagne toast, party favors & the Amazing Sharon Sills and her band!

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1900 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. 760-322-4422; www.purpleroompalmsprings.com TOUCAN’S TIKI LOUNGE Bring in the New Year with a tropical flare. Toucan’s is the place to be. Reserve your spot now! . Champagne toast at midnight. Get your tickets at www.toucanstikilounge.com/upcoming TROPICALE It’s New Year’s Eve 2017 and we’re having a party at THE TROPICALE! We’re going all out this year with an awesome dinner menu, spectacular decorations and right next door, our sister The Copa will be featuring DJ’s and dancing all night long. Prix fixed menu at $110 per person for dinner only.

COPA It’s party time at Copa! Welcome 2017 in Classic Palm Springs

PSP FOCUS style. Music, balloons, party favors and champagne toast at midnight. Dance to the sounds of DJ Inya and San Francisco’s DJ 6PAC. Doors open at 8pm . Tickets $30 advance. Purchase tickets www.copapalmsprings.com CHILL BAR AND SCORPION ROOM Kick off the New Year weekend by stopping by Chill and help them celebrate their 2nd anniversary starting on December 29th in addition ring in 2017 with a great Masquerade Party that you don’t want to miss. For info www.chillbarpalmsprings.com SPA RESORT CASINO Ring in 2017 with Spa Resort Casino in downtown Palm Springs.

The Spa Resort Casino will feature a free outdoor Block Party featuring DJ Dense, Kids Zone, Midnight Fireworks, Bar Garden, Local Restaurants and Merchandixe Booths plus a performance the “VILLAGE PEOPLE”. www.sparesortcasino.com

DECEMBER 2016 27

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PSP FOCUS WHAT’S HAPPENING AT CVREP

Famous for her roles in the Alfred Hitchcock films The Birds and Marnie, Tippi Hedren will soon grace the stage as Guest Artist at the Coachella Valley Repertory’s (CVRep) upcoming Luminary Luncheon, scheduled for Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at noon at the Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa. Tippi Hedren began her career in her twenties as a fashion model appearing on the front covers of several major magazines.

She became an actress after legendary director Alfred Hitchcock who noticed her in a 1961 television commercial discovered her.

Hitchcock put her under personal contract in 1963 and cast her in his classic thriller, The Birds, for which she earned a Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer. In her second film, Hitchcock’s Marnie, she played a challenging and difficult role of a frigid, compulsive thief opposite Sean Connery. She started her own non-profit organization in 1983, the Roar Foundation, to support The Shambala Preserve, an 80-acre wildlife habitat that enables her to continue her work in the care and preservation of lions and tigers.

Tippi Hedren’s contributions to world cinema have been honored with the Jules Verne Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Ms. Hedren published her autobiography, Tippi: A Memoir, cowritten with Lindsay Harrison, in 2016, as she felt it was “about time I stop letting everyone else tell my story and finally tell it myself.”

Tippi: A Memoir will be for sale at the Luncheon and she will be doing a book signing after the interview. This special event, which is open to the public, is part of CVRep’s series of Luminary Luncheons.

Tickets are $45 and reservations are required as seating is limited.

DECEMBER 2016 29

TICKETS ON SALE DECEMBER 20 DON’T MISS OUR GAY!LA SCREENINGS AND PARTY ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 12TH

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PSP FOCUS

Coming to CVRep in January, BABY, The Musical. Is there anything more thrilling, terrifying and downright transformational than impending parenthood? BABY, the musical will reveal the answer to that question through music, laughter, and loads of entertainment. Directed by CVRep Artistic Director, Ron Celona and with music by David Shire, Lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and a book by Sybille Pearson (based on a story developed with Susan Yankowitz), BABY, the musical concerns the reactions of three couples on a university campus each dealing with the painful, rewarding and agonizingly funny consequences of the universal experience of pregnancy and upcoming parenthood. There are the college students, barely at the beginning of their adult lives; the thirty-something couple having trouble conceiving but determined to try; and the middle aged parents, looking forward to seeing their last child graduate from college when a night of unexpected passion lands them back where they started.

BABY, the musical will enjoy a four week run from Wednesday, January 18th through Sunday, February 12th at The Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre located in the Atrium 69-930 Highway 111 in Rancho Mirage. Individual tickets are $48 / Previews $43 / Opening Night $58 (includes post show reception) The Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre is a non-profit, professional regional theatre. It is the only theatre in the Coachella Valley that has Small Professional Theatre (SPT) status with Actor’s Equity.

The Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre is an educational and dramatic theater organization that presents innovative productions and children’s outreach programs designed to enrich the quality of life for Coachella Valley residents and visitors.

For more information, call 760-296-2966 or visit www.cvrep.org

DECEMBER 2016 31

LEGALLY SPEAKING

LGBTQ LIFE IN A TRUMP AMERICA

BY CHRISTOPHER HERITAGE

Many of my LGBTQ clients have reached out to me in a panic wondering how the election of Donald Trump will impact their families, benefits, marriages, and other legal issues. My advice…. breathe, try to relax and let’s take a look at what the election MAY mean in the future.

In my opinion, the biggest issue is the future of the Supreme Court. There is one vacancy that will now be filled by Presidentelect Trump. It’s very likely that the nominee will be pro-life, likely anti-LGBTQ rights, and more in the mold of Justice Scalia. That would basically keep the court maintaining the same balance as it did before Justice Scalia’s death. However, the troubling impact of this election is that it is likely that President-elect Trump will appoint another 2 - 3 justices, which would dramatically shift the court to the right for a generation. The impact to the LGBTQ community could be grave if marriage equality comes before the Supreme Court again, but I will address that a little later. Some other negative impacts would be the so-called “Religious Freedom Restoration Acts”, similar to the law that Vice President-elect Pence signed in Indiana, and North Carolina’s HB2 (Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act). When these cases reach the Supreme Court in the coming years, it’s more likely that the laws will be upheld, and possibly spur similar laws in other states, or Congress. This would have grave consequences for the LGBTQ community.

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Additionally, President Obama’s executive orders to force government contractors, and hospitals that accept federal funds to not discriminate against LGBT people would likely be rescinded.

Legislation in Congress to protect LGBTQ citizens will not move forward. And, to look at the GOP’s incredibly anti-LGBTQ platform is particularly disturbing.

Another grave concern is women’s reproductive rights, and the overturning of Roe v. Wade. It is quite possible that a far-right leaning court would overturn Roe v. Wade, or at a minimum uphold many of the laws passed to make women’s access to reproductive healthcare more difficult, or non-existent. It’s likely that this issue will revert back to a state-by-state implementation, resulting in women having to travel to other states to seek treatment, or even worse, reverting back to before Roe v. Wade where women were forced to make dangerous choices.

But what about marriage equality many of you have asked? For now, it is still the law of the land. All same-sex marriages that were valid before the election are still valid now. Nothing has changed.

There’s nothing for you to do, or worry about in the immediate future. But, what about after that? The Supreme Court has ruled that marriage equality is a fundamental right under both the Due Process Clause and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the US Constitution. There are only two avenues for

this fundamental right to be taken away. First, another case could come before a far-right Supreme Court and they could reverse their position. I find this unlikely, since the Supreme Court usually does not overturn prior rulings, especially ones that are recent. Additionally, off the top of my head I can think of no prior Supreme Court decision that took away a fundamental right from a minority group. The closest case I can think of is Korematsu v. United States, which upheld President Roosevelt’s executive order authorizing the internment of Japanese-Americans. The US Government and Supreme Court have acknowledged that the decision was abhorrent.

Second, the only way outside of a Supreme Court opinion overturning same-sex marriage is a constitutional amendment. We currently have 27 amendments to the US Constitution. Amending the Constitution is a difficult process. While there are two processes to amend the Constitution, historically only one process has ever been used. An amendment would be introduced in Congress and would

require 2/3 majorities of both houses. Thereafter, it is sent to the states, which requires ¾ of the states to ratify it. If you do the math of the members of Congress, and red states versus blue states, you can see that this would never pass. So for now, I believe marriage equality is safe and sound.

My advice to my LGBTQ clients is to stay aware, be involved, support LGBTQ friendly candidates and causes, and continue to fight for your rights to be full citizens.

This article is part of an ongoing series of articles pertaining to legal issues relevant to the LGBT community, and is intended for general information purposes only – not legal advice. Christopher Heritage is an attorney in Palm Springs and San Diego, who focuses on LGBT estate planning, domestic partnerships, same-sex marriage, probate, trust administration, and bankruptcy. He welcomes questions and comments and can be contacted at 760-325-2020 or at chris@heritagelegal.com

DECEMBER 2016 33

FITNESS

TIME TO PARTY… IN MODERATION OF COURSE

BY JILL LANGHAM

The holidays are upon us; the parties have already begun and so begin the Battle of the Bulge. We will be drinking and eating more over the next 6 weeks then any other time of the year. And even here in Palm Springs the weather will get colder and we will most likely put on a few extra pounds like our fellow Bears (the animals, not Gay men). So what can we do to avoid putting on those extra pounds? For starters, I’ve found that if I eat a meal before I go to a holiday party that I’m less apt to eat my way through it. About 30 minutes before I head out to a party, I make sure I eat a meal that consists of a good source of protein, like salmon or chicken as well as a good quantity of vegetables. That way once I get to the party I’m not tempted by my own hunger to jump in an eat a huge quantity of fattening food that I know won’t serve me well later on. I’ll also have a few nuts before my first drink to slow down the absorption of the alcohol and to send a message to my gallbladder to slow down my digestion making me feel full, not hungry.

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For those of you who know, you know that I love my champagne.

This makes it very easy for me to say no to all other drinks if they are not serving champagne or Proseco. If they are, I try to limit myself to one or two glasses and one dessert. Now, most of the time I do pretty well with this formula, but there is a party the night before Thanksgiving, which I have attended the last 4 years, whose owner makes a chocolate chip cookie that is beyond heavenly.

I must confess that I eat about 5 cookies, so even I can fall off the wagon! Thankfully I go to the gym Thanksgiving morning to do a double cardio session as my penance otherwise I’m doomed on Thanksgiving Day! Yes, I am very human!

I do try to up my cardio sessions during the entire holiday season to compensate for the additional calories I take in over the month of December. It’s my “just in case”, plan and it seems to work well.

A new twist to my life came recently with the results from a blood test that I had done to determine what food allergies I might have.

The laboratory tests 150 foods. The results were eye opening. Turns out that I am highly allergic to not only milk, cheese, yogurt, and casein but also to whey! I say this because as a body builder who has lived on whey protein in many forms over the last 20 years, I was shocked. But, that was just the tip of the iceberg. I’m also allergic to egg whites and egg yolks and have been living on 18 egg whites a day over the last 16 years. Additionally, I found out that I am indeed both wheat and gluten intolerant and although I’m not a baker I know that most baked goods have egg whites in them so I think my cookie obsession may have just come crashing down around me.

These are just hints from me that have worked well over the years but trust me there have been a number of years that I have lost control and eaten a large number of calories from sugar. It’s interesting that those are the same years that I also got the flu. My understanding of this is that my resistance goes down as my sugar intake goes up. That is really why I have become more diligent about not over indulging. It turns out that the pH of our bodies, or the level

of alkalinity versus acidity lessens from increase sugar bringing the pH down into the acidity level. This is problematic because it’s in an acidic environment that illness occurs. The only foods that tend to be alkaline are vegetables and many fruits, so it is key to up at least the vegetable group during the holidays to keep your pH in the alkaline range.

I hope that some of these thoughts will help you make some wiser choices while still enjoying yourselves over the holidays!

My very best to you for a safe and happy Holiday season and an incredible, New Year!

Got questions or need help? Feel free to contact me. Jill is a Certified Personal Trainer with over 40 years experience, an NPC bodybuilding & Figure competitor, and winner of 21 Trophies, 9 of which are First Place, a motivational speaker, author, a graduate of E.S.T and Theta Training and was a Registered Nurse with a Bachelors Degree in Nursing from Emory University for 20 years and has experience in Chemical Dependence, Hormones, Individual & Group Therapy. Email address is jill@jilllangham.com, Facebook account is under Jill Langham. Phone 760-218-1527

DECEMBER 2016 35

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WELLNESS

5 WAYS YOU CAN ENHANCE YOUR LIFE

Guys, it’s nearly that time of year again! The holidays are quickly approaching, and while it’s a time to celebrate and get together with friends and family, the next few months can be hectic, too. Travel, job pressures, having everyone over, can all take their toll. With all this stress, you can feel uninspired and run down. But don’t settle for that. There are things you can do to rev up your energy, and improve your relationships, work and even your health throughout the holiday season. Follow these five simple tips to stay fired up and feeling good.

Keep your mind on your muscles. You probably feel the urge to hit the gym after eating a big turkey dinner, but are you being smart about how you exercise? In many cases the answer is no, which can actually take you farther away from your fitness goals. If you’re trying to lose weight, try a longer, slower jog, which can burn more calories than a quick sprint. Go the opposite route with a shorter, faster run if you want a metabolism booster instead. To build muscle endurance, try lifting lighter weights for higher reps - not only can you get stronger in the long run, your technique might also improve. If you’re just going for pure muscle mass, stick with heavier weights and moderate reps.

Go the distance in bed. Make time in your busy schedule for your partner - yes, in the bedroom. Good sex can help improve both your mood and your relationship, so why not enjoy it for as long as

you can? A recent K-Y(R) survey shows 89 percent of men want to last longer in bed and many resort to distracting themselves with their favorite TV show or even grandma to last longer.

Work smarter, not harder. If work is taking up too much of your time, or you find work stress is making other parts of your life difficult, it’s time for a change. Instead of working harder to conquer the current task, work smarter. Focus on one project at a time and see it through to the end instead of juggling several projects at once.

Also, don’t be afraid to take back your calendar - if that useless meeting is wasting an hour or two of your time each week, it’s time to cut it from your schedule.

Let yourself nerd out. You’ve heard the saying knowledge is power, so make the most out of learning opportunities. Whether you read an article about the latest tech gadget, take a history class or learn a new recipe to try on date night, education is an easy and rewarding way to better yourself, so don’t pass it up.

Reprioritize your to-do list. Make time for those who are most important to you, even if that means turning off your phone and signing off email for a few hours at a time. The moments you spend with friends, family and your partner are the ones you’ll remember forever so don’t miss them. Everything else can wait. Make yourself a priority this holiday season, starting with these five tips.

DECEMBER 2016 37

FEATURE

A NEW COUNTRY INDIANA QUEEN CALLS OUT NASHVILLE

BY PAUL HUTNICK

If there’s one thing that’s clear, Indiana Queen’s founder and sole member Kevin Thornton is passionate about his work and has a razor sharp vision. His latest piece is titled “Summon Without Sorrow” and is a visceral journey into music through the artist’s eyes.

Being queer in the world of country might make him seem like a fish out of water, but rather he’s a shark that eats the fish as he grabs folk music by its balls. The end result, is a beautiful string of videos that interrelate to tell a singular story of pride, love, and acceptance.

What separates Indiana Queen from other bands, is that the band is all Kevin Thornton. Thornton actually prefers it to be called a “project” rather than a band, because through the years he has enlisted the help of others. When you hear harmonies that seem

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to extend to infinity, they’re surprisingly all him. The outcome is an uncluttered, clean sound that forces the listener to actually pay attention and appreciate the intimacy he provides.

With sample lyrics like “well-endowed angels descend, the weight of their cocks are sinking them to the earth,” one might think his target audience is strictly for the LGBTQ+ community. Instead, his delivery subdues any of the visual extremism and makes it highly enjoyable for everyone, regardless of their sexual preference.

He weaves together homoeroticism, spiritual references, modern dancing, and traditional straightforward singing to the camera. It all creates a dream with a strong message that fits perfectly with his silky voice and tender lyrics.

Growing up, Thornton was originally inspired by the harmonies and folksiness of bands such as Fleetwood Mac and Crosby, Stills & Nash. At a certain age, he opened Pandora’s Box after acquiring a subscription to Columbia House, and as the penny cassettes poured in, so did new sounds. He found The Smiths and The Cure, amongst other 80’s British bands, and created an amalgam of all his influences to make his authentic, raw sound which we hear today.

Perhaps the thing that separates Indiana Queen from other country bands most is that the band is all Kevin Thornton. The harmonies that seem to extend to infinity, they’re surprisingly all him.

The outcome is an uncluttered, clean sound that forces listeners to actually pay attention and appreciate the intimacy he provides.

“You’ll never see or hear manufactured songs about trucks and beer in my art,” says Thornton. “That stuff is garbage.”

He’s fixin’ to make it in country on his terms and “Summon without Sorrow” is one rootin’ tootin’, powerful celebration of love and acceptance. And don’t we need it more now than ever before?

We spoke to Indiana Queen from his Nashville home.

INDIANA QUEEN: I don’t have ghosts any more. I used to. My fundamentalist Christian past made for a pretty hellish teenage period. That’s when I realized I was gay. But time has its way. The demons turned to ghosts; then the ghosts faded into my past. That’s the true meaning behind “Summon Without Sorrow.” We can look back and remember the pain but we don’t have to bring it up again.

I look back at it all with reverence. It made me who I am today.

What is your view on fundamentalist Christians?

INDIANA QUEEN: It’s a world view rooted in fear. You’re taught that if you step out of line, you will pay for it forever with a terrible after life. That sort of thinking gives birth to a lot of awfulness. In my small home town in Indiana, most young people’s lives revolve around church and I grew up in the early 90s when there wasn’t internet or contact with the outside world. It was all I knew.

Is “You Are Not Alone” a song to your teen self?

INDIANA QUEEN: I guess you can say that. The song is about how we all impact one another. Whether we like it or not, we are in this together.

“Summon without Sorrow” is especially significant considering what we’re headed for in the next four years. Have you come to terms with what’s in store for our future?

You can’t expect country music will embrace the graphic homosexual scenes in the Summon without Sorrow film.

INDIANA QUEEN: I’ve hardly come to terms with anything. It’s a lot to process. I certainly feel anxious about the future. There is a song on the album, ”I Could Not See The Future”, that I wrote several months ago, fearing a Trump presidency, and here it is. If nothing else, I have a feeling a lot of art will get made in the next four years.

INDIANA QUEEN: They weren’t going to embrace me anyway.

I’ve been trying for almost two decades to be embraced by this town.

There’s a song on the album called “Nashville Don’t Give A Damn” about my love/hate relationship with the city. At some point I just decided to do what I wanted to do without concern for Music Row.

Who do you blame for the outcome?

Are you a real cowboy or is it simply your form of drag?

Indiana Queen: Billionaires. In other times of history, this is the moment we came with pitchforks. Unfortunately, this time we used the pitchforks on ourselves.

INDIANA QUEEN: Maybe both. Most of the time, I do feel like an outsider and a loner, things we all associate with real cowboys.

But I live in a condo with cats.

The album is about reflecting on past sadness. Do you believe what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger?

When experiencing the visual album “Summon without Sorrow,” you get a sense that Thornton is an old soul with a lot to say. His sapphire blue eyes appear sage, which brings a layer of brevity to the album. During a spoken-word interlude, two male dancers engage in a silent tête-à-tête that explodes into his final track “You Are Not Alone.” The result is a very powerful video choreographed by professional dancers that is a celebration of acceptance.

INDIANA QUEEN: No, I don’t. Sometimes what doesn’t kill us gives us chronic depression or addictions. Sometimes it makes it hard to trust and love again.

Do your past troubles still haunt you?

Visit http://indianaqueen.com.

DECEMBER 2016 39

SOCIAL COMMENTARY

BLACK IS THE COLOR OF LOVE

BY DR. STEPHAN M. SCOGGINS

Here comes Santa Claus, Here comes Santa Claus, right down Santa Claus lane. How many of you actually believed in Santa Claus? Even at a young age when I discovered that my parents were Santa Claus, it was still a magical time. Right this second if you could just close your eyes to capture the innocence of a fantasy, the excitement of a fantasy. It’s really enjoyable to experience a respite, a relief, from a challenging day just by escaping to a time where we never heard of political debates, relationship trials and tribulations or financial struggles. How fun it is to reminisce on past gifts. I’m hoping that you will agree with me that some of our favorite gifts weren’t expensive, at all. Please write us at info@BlackIsTheColorOfLove.com and let us know, what is the BEST gift you have ever received?

In my home, growing up in Tulsa, Oklahoma with politically active, Afrocentric parents, we were NEVER told that Santa Claus was a fat white man, with a large white beard. Everything was presented in a manner where we could see…ourselves. (smile) This was our imagery of Santa Claus. (smile) So, back to your favorite gifts. Once, my grandmother gave me a notebook where she had compiled some of her best recipes. Since I don’t cook, at all, I never prepared any of the meals. However, reading each recipe is like going down memory lane. I cannot only remember her preparing the meals, (and I’m not making this up); I can even smell the aromas - Monkey bread, turkey tetrazzini, peach cobbler and many others. Food, especially in the African American culture, is the “draw” for most meetings. If you don’t believe it, try and have a meeting at da church and not offer any food. It will be fewer people turning out than at our last election. What? Too soon? (smile) Not only are people inquiring WHAT is being served, they want to know WHO is doing the cooking? Black people get real “funny” about who is preparing food. Additionally, depending on the church, there is usually one sistah in charge of the kitchen. Going into “her” kitchen without approval would probably be worse than wrestling a wild bear. Even the pastor of a church knows not to overstep that boundary.

Of course, another wonderful gift is when a military service member comes home and surprises the entire family. Mothers and wives are hugging them (I swear I wanted to say, be hugging them) and crying while children and siblings are staring at the uniform

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and the impeccable haircut and appearance. Have any one of you had that experience? For some of those lean times when money is tight, people, with good sense, appreciate used items for gifts. One year, I gave away a chair from my living room to a friend who I knew really liked the chair. He loved receiving it, but said, “Are you dying? Why are you giving your things away?” I also gave my mother a baby grand piano from that same living room. Needless to say, she loved it. I guess where I’m going with all of this is that we’re ALL Santa Claus. The best part about gift giving is watching the appreciation of others. Kids going to sleep just to be awakened to wrapped gifts; Adults wrapping gifts all night, listening to music from “back in da day”. My most enjoyable Christmas CD seems to still be Luther Vandross. When the first cut starts, “It’s Christmas time, something to believe it…” That sets the stage for evening of FRIENDsational fellowship. And don’t even suggest adding a few adult beverages to the mix. Oh shucks!

Now, it is really, on and popping!”

Here’s a thought, in addition to emailing us at info@ BlackIsTheColorOfLove.com the most favorite gift you have received, include your favorite Christmas song. Music is truly a universal language, singing along with the artists. Are you like me, you don’t like it when people sing ahead of the line? For instance, right before everyone is preparing to sing, “Have yourself a merry little Christmas,” someone rushes in early, “Have yourself a merry little Christmas.”(smile) For the family members and friends who have made their earthly transition, when a song comes on that they were known for singing or causes you to think of them, it brings them to life. It feels as if they are with you. We can hear their laughter, hear their perfect pitch or missed notes. Especially during this holiday season, when we face the reality that our loved ones are gone all of a sudden we don’t care if they were rather loud. We don’t care if they were off key. We don’t care if they forgot to bring the egg nog. We sometimes stand completely still and try to capture their scent or the sound of their voice. It is in THAT moment, that moment of loss, that moment of grieving, that moment of rejoicing, that moment of remembering that we really FEEL the words, I’ll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

LIFE’S A DRAG LET ME SAY THANK YOU

BY PINKIE MERINGUE SHIMMER

OUR BEST SELLER! Stew’s Choice Gift Basket

A wooden crate filled with delicious Smoked Gouda, Vermont Cheddar, Multi-seed Flatbreads, Cranberry Fitness Mix, Pistachios, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Caramel Popcorn, Pretzel Bites, Mini Chocolate Truffles, and Freshly Ground Coffee.

Shipped in our famous signature cow print box!

h$5999 Hello all of you most fabulous, amazing people out there. First off I have to start off this month’s column with a huge thank you to Desert AIDS Project. Thank you for the most amazing honor I have ever received, the Everyday Hero honors award. I am truly humbled. And to my family, friends and amazing husband Kevin Baar. THANK YOU! I think it is always great to start a column by saying Thank You. As it is the perfect way to start your day, by simply saying Thank You. Keep that attitude of gratitude. It will make a huge difference.

Well to my lovely drag personalities out there. Don’t you just adore this time of year? All the stores are full of fabulous drag accessories. You can buy a Christmas tree skirt and turn it into a beautiful outfit for the holidays. If you find a further looking good one then that becomes a fabulous fur stole, lol. This is a most fun and amazing times of the year. So go exploring and you can make some amazing outfits then tell your fans it is ‘One of a kind’

There are so many great events happening every day and night here in our village so check it all out. There is no reason to be bored at home just check out the calendar and get out and support your local businesses, local performers, everyone!

So for the rest of our time together this month I want to send out my year end gratitude, and I know I will not be able to name everyone.

Thank you my amazing husband, Kevin Baar, my number one champion and supporter, my parents Robbie and Terry Edwards who made the trip from Alabama to see me be honored, to our amazing how friends who stuck by us through good times and bad, thank you DAP you treat me like family and give me a place that allows me to give back, and thank you to my grandmother Ivy Yeomans for inspiring me to quilt and to keep going no matter what life brings your way.

#101 Net wt. 3 lbs.

StewsGifts.com 1-800-815-1457

Free Gift!

Four decadent, chocolate brownies, in a special gift box with every order of Stew’s Choice Gift Basket.

Use code:

BROWNIE151 at checkout.

Offer ends 12/31/16

Be kind to one another LOVE AND LIGHT Pinkie Meringue Shimmer Pinkiemeringue@yahoo.com

DECEMBER 2016 41

the3D’s RESTAURANTS WANG’S IN THE DESERT 424 S Indian Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.325.WANG (9264) www.wangsinthedesert.com NATURE’S HEALTH FOOD & CAFE 555 S Sunrise Way Suite 301 Palm Springs, CA 760.323.9487 www.natureshealthfoodcafe.com SHERMAN’S DELI & BAKERY 401 E Tahquitz Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 760.325.1199 www.shermansdeli.com RÍO AZUL 350 S. Indian Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 760.992.5641 www.rioazulpalmsprings.com AZUL RESTAURANT 369 N Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 760.325.5533 www.azultapaslounge.com TINTO 1800 E. Palm Canyon Dr. PS 760.323.1711 palmsprings.tintorestaurant.com COPLEY’S ON PALM CANYON 621 N Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 760.327.9555 www.copleyspalmsprings.com

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DINE | DRINK | DANCE { Coachella Valley } WORKSHOP KITCHEN & BAR 800 N. Palm Canyon Dr. PS 760.459.3451 www.workshoppalmsprings.com LULU CALIFORNIA BISTRO 200 S Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 760.327.5858 www.lulupalmsprings.com POMME FRITE 256 S Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 760.778.3727 www.pomme-frite.com DISH 1107 N. Palm Canyon Dr. PS 760.322.7171 www.dishcreativecuisine.com THAI SMILE PALM SPRINGS 100 South Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.320.5503 www.thaismilepalmsprings.com TRIO RESTAURANT 707 N Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 760.864.8746 www.triopalmsprings.com THE TROPICALE 330 E Amado Road Palm Springs, CA 760.866.1952 www.thetropicale.com

BARS AND NIGHT CLUBS

ZIN AMERICAN BISTRO 198 S Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 760.322.6300 www.pszin.com

HUNTERS NIGHTCLUB 302 East Arenas Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.323.0700 www.huntersnightclubs.com

BIRBA 622 N Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 760.327.5678 www.birbaps.com

TOUCAN’S TIKI LOUNGE 2100 North Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.416.7584 www.toucanstikilounge.com

CHEEKYS 622 N Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 760.327.7595 www.cheekysps.com

PURPLE ROOM 1900 E. Palm Canyon Dr. PS 760.322.4422 www.purpleroompalmsprings.com

EL MIRASOL 140 E Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 760.323.0721 www.elmirasolrestaurants.com RICK’S RESTAURANT 1973 N Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 760.416.0090 www.ricksrestaurant.biz PINOCCHIO IN THE DESERT 134 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.322.3776 www.pinocchiops.com

CHILL BAR 217 E. Arenas Road PS 760.327.1079 STREETBAR 224 E. Arenas Road PS 760.320.1266 www.psstreetbar.com THE TOOL SHED 600 E. Sunny Dunes Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.320.3299 www.toolshed-ps.com SPURLINE VIDEO LOUNGE 200 Indian Canyon Drive Palm Springs CA 92262 760.778.4326 www.spurline.com

BUSINESS DIRECTORY GET HIM ON THE LINE Try For Free

800-960-6843 www.TrioPalmSprings.com

Ahora en Español /18+

For advertising inquiries please contact Nino@thestandardps.com TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE STANDARD PLEASE GO TO THESTANDARDPS.COM If you are an artist and would like to be considered for our ART VIEW - Artist Profile, please email us at info@thestandardps.com.

COMING UP NEXT MONTH DESERT AIDS PROJECT UPDATE

STEVE CHASE HUMANITARIAN AWARDS

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EVENTS CALENDAR ONGOING >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

THROUGH DEC 31 VILLAGE PUB ROUND IT UP EVENT. VILLAGE PUB PALM SPRINGS Celebrating 21 years in downtown, Village Pub invites guests on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to donate to Animal Samaritans during the pub’s Round It Up campaign to support the organization. Guests have the opportunity to round up their bills to the nearest dollar or can enter a specific donation amount to help support Animal Samaritans.

For info visit www.palmspringsvillagepub.com

DEC 16-17 JOHNNY MATHIS 60TH ANNIVERSARY CHRISTMAS TOUR MCCALLUM THEATRE, PALM DESERT A Johnny Mathis Christmas showcases the legendary, award-winning vocalist and performer with his quartet and a 31-piece orchestra. The concert features favorites from Mathis’ many beloved and best-selling holiday albums plus a selection of Mathis’ pop music hits. www.mccallumtheatre.com

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DEC 17 DANCING WITH THE DESERT STARS. PS CONVENTION CENTER Seven local celebrities train with seven professional dancers for one enchanted evening of music, movement, and magic!

Benefiting Desert AIDS Project. Cocktails will be served at 6PM and the show starts at 7:30PM. For more information please visit, www.desertaidsproject.org

DBA EVENTS FOR MORE INFO VISIT WWW.DESERTBUSINESSASSOCIATION.ORG

CHILL BAR PALM SPRINGS A warm and fabulous twenty first century modern venue located on Arenas, suited with multi faceted rooms for any celebration.

The gorgeous island bar is surrounded by hi-definition video entertainment and a comfortable designer lounge. Chill on the patio enjoying music and refreshing beverages with friends after a game of pool, or come by and say hello to our friendly staff. Open for business seven days a week. Get out of the heat, and come join us! Happy Hour (From Open to 7pm) and Late Happy Hour (From Midnight to Last Call) $4 Well Drinks, $2.75 Bud Light & $1.50 Chill Lager. www.chillbarpalmsprings.com

THE SUNDAY BAND W/ SPECIAL GUESTS. PAPPY & HARRIET’S PIONEERTOWN The Sunday Rock + Roll Service is a Pappy and Harriet’s institution celebrating the healing powers of music and community!

Every weekend the club’s favorite singers and players get together and trade songs.

Come join us to see Victoria Williams, Gar Robertson, Carol Ann Crandall, Damian Lester, Bob Furgo, Rachel Dean, Ryan Norman, Caleb Winn, Danny Frankel and other talented locals performing for your drinking and dancing pleasure. With a come-as-you-are vibe, Sundays have seen great special guests like Robert Plant, Lucinda Williams, The Jayhawks, Rickie Lee Jones to name a few. www.pappyandharriets.com

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EVENTS CALENDAR

CARNIVAL CABARET. OSCAR’S CAFÉ & BAR. PALM SPRINGS Carnival Cabaret is a high-end female impersonator revue.

This production has traveled throughout the country with performances in casinos, theaters and for corporate events.

Carnival Cabaret features the world’s most amazing cast of men who perform as famous women. You will not believe your eyes! Veteran TV and film actor James Gypsy Haake, who holds the record for the oldest working female impersonator in the world, hosts the show. Haake is 83 years old and has been seen in films and television since the 1980s. Shows run every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Dinner show seating begins at 6:30pm. Show only seating begins at 7:30pm. Showtime is 8pm.

Tickets start at $29.95.

Tickets: carnivalcabaret.ticketleap.com

COPA In a throwback to old Palm Springs’ nightclubs, the Copa is fashioned around an elevated performing stage and a stunning u-shaped bar lined with leather barstools, upholstered booths, and gilded cocktail tables. Sink into the sexy lounge, sip a cocktail, and enjoy the lineup of local and guest entertainers. For weekly schedule visit www.coparoomps.com

OSCAR’S CAFÉ & BAR Located in the heart of downtown Palm Springs on the corner of Tahquitz Canyon Way and Indian Canyon, Oscar’s has a huge outdoor patio with lots of umbrellas for shade and misters to keep you cool, too.

You can beat the heat any time of year and enjoy the views of Palm Springs. On Saturday and Sunday from 8am – 2pm, enjoy a $9 Bottomless Mimosas (juice included), a single $2 mimosa or a $5 Bloody Mary with brunch, during which both our full breakfast and lunch menus are available. Also join us for Sunday Funday Weekly Tea Dance 4pm-Close! Live entertainment weekly visit our website for details. www.oscarspalmsprings.com

LIPSTICK AT COPA Thursday nights at Copa just got a little hotter with a new show at the new showroom inside Copa. The Hot New Lipstick show is a raucous affair where the audience is encouraged to participate in singing, clapping, dancing, partying and celebrating special events. Featuring performances by Charles Herrera, Pinkie Meringue Shimmer, Marina Mac, Sassy Ross, Dion Khan, and Cherilyn, and emceed by the fabulous Bella Da Ball, this show will not disappoint. For ticket info and schedule of performers visit www.coparoomps.com

HUNTERS NIGHTCLUBS® Palm Springs, Palm Springs’ go-to gay bar and dance club, has been leading the way in full-out fun for 16 years now! And we keep it pumping, making it better for you all the time with our unparalleled event line-up. We enjoy having

the desert’s most sought-after and friendly DJs, full-on themed events, and a staff that has it all without the attitude. And of course, we are proud to hold the longest happy hour in the entire Valley. Remember: Size Matters.

Come by for our happy hour from 10am- 7pm.

Yes, that’s right: 9 hours long! For a list of all events and specials visit www.huntersnightclubs.com

SUNDAYS “The Playgirls” at Toucans Tiki Lounge featuring Tommi Rose. Performances at 8 & 10pm.These darling Divas of drag really deliver with their very own brand of entertainment to packed houses. Special guests appear weekly. DJ in the sound booth. Every Sunday Complete list of events www.toucanstikilounge.com FOR A COMPLETE CALENDAR OF EVENTS VISIT OUR MEDIA PARTNER, GAY DESERT GUIDE. CLICK ON LOGO

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EVENTS CALENDAR and holiday decorations, while you embark on a self-guided walking tour of delightful drinks, scrumptious eats and fabulous retail shopping at the “Hillcrest Taste ‘n’ Tinis”! www.fabuloushilcrest.ticketleap.com

and explosive winter entertainment. Worldrenowned DJ’s, indoor & outdoor pool parties, debauchery that will take you into the morning hours just in time to hit the slopes. www.gayskiweek.com

DEC 8 - 26

HOMO FOR THE HOLIDAYS SEATTLE, WASHINGTON Homo For The Holidays is a hearty holiday fruitcake packed with rollick-some reindeer, enticing elves, ghostly guests, sexy snowstorms, agile angels, musical Maccabees, and new ways to define coming home. It’s not Christmas in July, it’s Pride in December! Light your menorah, stuff your stockings, and join our chosen family in celebrating our favorite wintry holiday of all, Homo For The Holidays! For tickets visit www.thestrangertickets.com

JAN 5 - 16

PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL. PALM SPRINGS, CA Now entering its 28th year, the Palm Springs International Film Festival has a wellestablished reputation as one of the most prestigious and well-attended film festivals in the country. The Festival has long secured its place on the world stage as the portal for the very best in world cinema, welcoming more than 136,000 enthusiastic filmgoers to Palm Springs every year. www.psfilmfest.org

JAN 17 - 24 DEC 8

TASTE ‘N’ TINIS. HILLCREST SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA Classic cocktail parties will have a new sparkle this season, when one of San Diego’s most beloved neighborhoods serves up a festive way to enjoy the holiday season.

On Thursday, December 10th, 2015, from 4PM to 9PM, take in the crisp winter air

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ASPEN GAY SKI WEEK ASPEN, COLORADO Aspen Gay Ski Week is the premier gay & lesbian winter travel vacation event in Colorado. Not only is it a great vacation destination but also it is a fundraising event for local and national LGBTQ organizations.

Aspen Gay Ski Week has gained the reputation of hosting the most exclusive

JAN 18 - 22

WINTER RENDEZVOUS STOWE MOUNTAIN RESORT, VERMONT The largest and longest-running gay ski event in the northeast offers amazing discounts on lift tickets, rentals, lessons along with non-stop action; daily apres-ski, wine tastings, pool party, champagne reception, downhill drag race, bonfires, hot tubs, spa treatments, dance parties, ice sculptures and more! Entertainment includes Sandra Bernhard and DJ Mary Alice. www.winterrendezvous.com

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EVENTS CALENDAR international DJs, dinners, competitions, trips, saunas, gastronomy and culture. www.madbear.org

NOV 26 - DEC 23

PINK CHRISTMAS MUNICH, GERMANY For the 12th time “Pink Christmas” will open this years doors in the heart of the famous “Glockenbachviertel” in Munich. It is a small, pretty, colorful, diversified market - and as social as no other! Gays, locals and guests feel equally happy and are looking forward to the friendly vibes, the various and special stands, the famous tasty “Glühwein” as well as our unique nightly Show-Acts. Pink Christmas will be open during the full advent season, starting November 26th ending the December 23th. Right next to the historic graveyard “Alter Südfriedhof”, people will be strolling, shopping, eating and drinking.

Pink Christmas can be reached from the “Sendlinger Tor” in just a few minutes walking. www.pink-christmas.de

JAN 21 - 28 DEC 8 - 12

MERLINKA QUEER FILM FESTIVAL. BELGRADE, SERBIA The Festival aims at presenting films dealing with gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual, intersexual and queer issues. The official program will highlight short, documentary and feature films from all over the world. www.merlinka.com

AROSA SKI WEEK AROSA SWITZERLAND The annual Gay Ski Week in Arosa, one of Switzerland’s most enchanting winter resorts. Come experience Swiss hospitality, the charm of a true mountain resort and glamorous parties while you’re enjoying yourself with various activities throughout the week. There is a wide range of accommodations. Don’t forget to order your event pass for the week, or do you want to miss the foam party, a fondue night at the mountain hut, a classical piano concert, the pool party, our cabaret-night or the dragqueen ski race?? www.arosa-gayskiweek.com

DEC 29 - JAN 1 DEC 5 - 12

MAD BEAR 2016 MADRID, SPAIN Mad Bear’s 15th annual international meeting of bears, big men and admirers from Spain and abroad coincides with Spain’s biggest public holidays of the year.

Mad Bear 2015 will offer you 8 days and 7 nights of partying and fun with bar fiestas, club dance parties, the best national and

ULTIMATE NEW YEAR IN ICELAND REYKJAVIK, ICELAND The package combines quality time in Reykjavik, visits to some of the most famous natural wonders like the Geysir geothermal area, Gullfoss, Thingvellir national park and the Blue Lagoon, celebrating New Years in Iceland the Icelandic way with a bubbly bonfire tour, a house party and some late night dancing followed by a relaxing dip in the Blue lagoon on the first day of the new year. www.pinkiceland.is

Our international media partner, FNQ Magazine, www.fnqmagazine.com Cairns gay lifestyle and travel publication that gives Australia and the world a taste of gay life in the tropics, sponsors the International Calendar. www.go2gaycairns.com

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FOUR FANTASTIC DAYS OF POOL PARTIES, DANCE EVENTS, AND CAMARADERIE, AND OF COURSE A LOT OF FUN, FROLIC & FUR

Hosted at the Hard Rock Hotel FRIDAY FEBRUARY 10

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 10

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 12

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 12

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 11

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 11

Weekend Passes & Room Reservations at www.ibc-ps.com

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PHOTO REWIND PRIDE PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAVID A. LEE

DECEMBER 2016 49

PHOTO REWIND PARTNERS FOR LIFE PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAVID A. LEE

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PHOTO REWIND THE CENTER GRAND OPENING PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE STANDARD MAGAZINE STAFF

DECEMBER 2016 51

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