I’m not sure I need permission to “Eat What I Want” on this official day of throwing caution to the wind. Hasn’t most everyday had an element of “just this once” or “it will go to waste if I don’t eat it!””?? Well, let them and us eat cake, and live for today! You can always work off the excess calories by joining The LGBT Center’s Knitting Together with Doug Morris 🙂 Knit one, purl two and repeat…
Yes, we have compiled numerous virtual events on the GayDesertGuide.LGBT calendar and keep you updated with our weekly #ILoveGayPalmSprings podcast each Thursday as well. And there are many new testing sites we’ve linked to below.
Happy “Eat What You Want Day”
Monday, May 11 is National “Eat What You Want Day,” which was created to help people break away from the frustrating health and diet trends of our times. This could mean treating yourself to a great takeout meal from one of the LGBTQ-friendly establishments on our Carryout/Delivery Directory. And if indulging your sweet tooth sounds like a great way to celebrate, there are plenty of options: Pastry Swan, Over the Rainbow Desserts, Townie Bagels, Kreem Artisinal Ice Cream, Brandini Toffee, Lappert’s Premium Gourmet Ice Cream, and many more. (If you happen to be discovering this holiday after May 11, we think it’s ok to celebrate late.)
Virtual Events at The Center
Looking for connection in this time of self-isolation? The LGBT Center of the Desert continues to connect people, using the technology of group-meeting platform Zoom, which you can use on your computer, tablet, or smartphone. Here’s just a taste of the programs they are hosting:
Social Caring in the Face of Quarantine with Alexis Ortega – Monday at 11:00 a.m.
Chair Yoga with Lynn Simonson – Tuesday at 10:00 a.m.
Managing Emotions During a Pandemic with Jill Hingston, Ph.D – Tuesday at 11:00 a.m.
LGBTQ+ Youth Virtual Hangout with Miguel Navarro – Wednesday at 3:00 p.m.
Knit Together with Doug Morris – Monday & Wednesday at 3:00 p.m.
Women’s Chat with Kim Kieler – Thursday at 10:30 a.m.
Who Cares: Caregiver Support Group with Perry Wiggins – Fridays at 3:00 p.m.
Virtual Games, Friends and Fun with Lorenzo Taylor – 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month at 3:00 p.m.
Eight New COVID-19 Testing Sites Open in Riverside County
Riverside County residents who want to be tested for COVID-19 can choose among eight new testing sites being offered by state health officials. Sites are open from 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday by appointment only. See our link for more information and location details: More info
Jerry Springer: The Opera
MAX, the social group for gay men and their friends, is going to be watching the London stage production of The Jerry Springer Show: The Opera, and then gathering online to discuss the performance on Tuesday, May 12 at 7:00 p.m. Instructions for viewing the performance in advance and registration link can be found here: More info
COVID-19 Online Discussion
MAX also presents a roundtable discussion about the COVID-19 pandemic on Thursday, May 14. Joel Barish, Clinical Professor of Medicine at UCSF, will be joined by Jim Cady for an open discussion based on the latest information and developments about this pandemic. More info
I
nvesting in an Uncertain Market
Join Edward Jones Financial Advisor Sean K. Heslin for Investing in an Uncertain Market on Wednesday, May 13 at 11:00 a.m. This Zoom workshop will cover: setting realistic expectations, three specific investment strategies, and staying the course. More info
Strength Training at Any Age or Fitness Level
The LGBT Center of the Desert and Eisenhower Health present Strength Training at Any Age or Fitness Level on Wednesday, May 13 from 5:30–6:30 p.m. on Zoom. Regardless of your age or fitness level, it’s important to incorporate strength training along with your aerobic activity. And, it’s not about getting big muscles. At all stages of life, maintaining muscle mass and muscle function is really about quality of life. Join Ken Zaparinuk, DPT to learn specific exercises you can do to increase your strength. More info
CVRep: Show Tunes Sing Along
Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre presents a “CARE-ie-okie Show Tunes Sing Along” on Thursday, May 14 at 6:00 p.m. as part of their Theatre Thursdays program of web events. Sing along to the Broadway show tunes you know and love. Neuroscience proves that group singing makes us happier, healthier, smarter and more creative. Every time you sing, you fire up the right temporal lobe of your brain, and release endorphins – the “feel good” chemical of the brain. What more convincing do you need? More info and registration [here]
Marilyn, Mom & Me: A Virtual Staged Reading
Luke Yankee invites you to a virtual staged reading of his new play, “Marilyn, Mom & Me” available on YouTube from Thursday, May 14–Sunday, May 17 as a benefit for The Actors FundThis deeply personal and largely autobiographical play is the story of a middle-aged, gay man trying to better understand his tough-as-nails actress mother by unraveling her intense friendship with Marilyn Monroe during the shooting of “Bus Stop”. Watch the trailer below and follow our [link] for more info.
I Love Gay Palm Springs Podcast – Episode 44
Join hosts John Taylor and comedian Shann Carr, GayDesertGuide.com’s Brad Fuhr, Jimmy Boegle from CVIndependent.com and Dr. Laura Rush as we look ahead to the next challenges we’ll all face together as a community. Dr. Rush debunks medical myths. Brad Fuhr has news on the tourism industry’s response to the coming new normal. Jimmy is a coloring book mogul…and Shann Carr is moonlighting as a mermaid! Just in time for Mother’s Day “take out shout outs” to restaurants with pickup and delivery specials. [Listen] or [Watch]
This week’s Take Out Shout-Outs include: Michael Holmes’ Purple Room Supper Club, Cuistot, Johannes, John’s, Shabu Shabu Zen, and Lulu, Eight4Nine, Trio, and don’t forget our Updated Carryout & Delivery listing of LGBTQ-friendly restaurants [here] on GayDesertGuide.com!
Among Friends Virtual Happy Hour
Join Among Friends for their ongoing Thursday “Kickoff to the Weekend” Happy Hours, on Zoom from 5:00–6:30 p.m. every week. There are fun and games, prizes by beardedshirts.com, and if you don’t want to be on cam, you don’t have to, you can still attend. And hey, no Uber needed! More info
Palm Springs Certified Farmers’ Market is Open
The Palm Springs Certified Farmers’ Market is still open for business, Saturday from 8:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. next to the Palm Springs Cultural Center. They have been going the extra mile to stay open while keeping everyone safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. While providing a vital service, the market is losing money every week and needs your help to stay afloat. Please visit their GoFundMe campaign page [here] and donate what you can.
Palm Springs Art Museum At Home Activity of the Week
Get inspired this week by the artwork of Evelyn Ackerman and Sherill Broudy, with the Palm Springs Art Museum’s At Home Activity. Recreate the look of glass mosaics using simple household materials! Ackerman and Broudy’s collaborations contributed to the aesthetic of California midcentury design in home furnishings and architectural elements. More info
WESTAF CARES Relief Fund
WESTAF CARES Relief Fund for Organizations is a competitive grant program, supported by the National Endowment for the Arts through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed by Congress and signed into law in March 2020. Awards of up to $20,000 will be made to provide general operating support to eligible arts and culture organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. More info