DVdL: DECEMBER MEETING REMINDER

DVdL: MEET THE ESTEEMED MEMBER, BROTHER ANDY

Brother Andy in a contemplative moment.

MEET DVdL CREATIVE DIRECTOR, BROTHER ANDY

Self-described visionary uber-artist (someone proficient in more than five media), Brother Andy, has worked as a producer, writer, director, cameraman, lighting expert, set designer, actor, makeup artist, costumer, editor and created musical scores for over twenty feature films, over three hundred short films, and dozens of music videos, plus educational films and videos.

He formed several production companies: Roadkill Productions in 1979, Full Frontal Productions 1984, and Narcissus International in 1992. His recent multi-media works are now under the Intriguism label. His most recent feature films are: "The Mummy's Desire" and "I Am...Dead" which can be viewed on youtube for free.

 

He performed as comic horror character, “Armando Creeper and Mother”, for fifteen years in films, conventions, film festivals, and merchandising, as well as appearing on TV (“Entertainment Tonight” and “America’s Funniest People”) and was KEZY radio’s “official character” for five years.

 

His works have appeared on stage, including producing audience-participation plays such as “Juan and Kitten’s Wedding” in the San Diego area. Theme parks employment included Knott’s Berry Farm’s Halloween Haunt for seventeen years as a specialist in prosthetic makeup and performing on the main stage dancing and singing.

 

TV commercials included productions for Movieland Wax Museum (which he also managed their haunted house) and several other companies.

 

Andy worked with RIP Productions, creating and managing haunted houses for five years in the Fallbrook and Escondido areas of California.

 

He worked with several nightclubs, including the gothic Vampircus in Long Beach, California, doing promotions, management and entertainment.

 

As a model, Andy was showcased in "Playgirl" Magazine and national calendars. Recently, he worked as a model for life drawing classes at the Palm Springs Art Museum. He worked as a photographer for twenty-eight years, compiling a 10,000-plus image library of over four hundred models. He is an expert in Photoshop.

 

On the Internet, he designed and managed over twenty award-winning mixed-media websites for movie stars and fine art artists for over a decade.  Andy worked with villagetv.com on original content, including photography stills, graphics and video production for over fifteen years for the GLTB community.

 

Early in his career, Andy worked as an award-winning “visual merchandiser” for major department stores throughout Southern California.

 

He has been a published writer in “In Touch”, “TV Guide”, “Back Country Living”, “Monster Maker Journal”, “Absolute Palm Springs” magazines, as well as the acting editor-in-chief of “Intriguism” online e-magazine, in addition to dozens of literary projects, including PDF books, calendars, catalogues, brochures, and e-books for “Lee Alien: Out Of His Mind” and “Shahram Farshadfar: People, Places And Things”.

 

Brother Andy performed live poetry readings at Dezart Gallery, the Palm Springs Art Museum, Wine and Art, and Barnes And Noble, amongst other venues.  He has been a Guest Speaker at high schools and colleges throughout Southern California.

 

As a experimental fine artist, Brother Andy has created countless paintings, drawings, assemblages and digital art.

 

Andy, as an interior/exterior designer, remodeled over twenty homes to date in Palm Springs, Orange County and San Diego areas.

 

Andy is the leader and founder of the Intriguism Art Movement and Retro-Futurism art method, plus creator of the controversial iconic Intriguism image, “Jesus Chimp”.

 

Brother Andy is currently serving as Media Coordinator/Producer for a San Diego non-profit organization, making educational videos for people with cognitive disabilities. He is a Consultant for artists, galleries, models and actors such as an Emmy-winning production designer and Miss Pre-Teen California Shane Murphy who appeared in the Academy Award-winning film "Little Miss Sunshine".

 

Brother Andy is now the Creative Director for DVdL.  His responsibilities are helping with book meetings, graphic designs, videos and the blog.  He has just completed a book, "Murder Most Fun: How To Start A Murder Mystery Book Club (And Live To Tell About It)".

 

"My motto has always been: Educate and entertain," says Brother Andy, "To inspire and encourage!" 

DVdL: BLOG CELEBRATES 3,000 VIEWS!

Charming On-line Esteemed Member, William P. Knobman, of Roberta, Canada, sent us a
photo of himself reading this month's book selection.  Thanks for sharing, Will. (Note To Will:
Spray-N-Wash will get rid of the stains on the sheet on the left of the picture.)

In just under sixty days, the Dolca Vita di Libro Book Club blog has received over 3,000 views from all over the world, from all kinds of culinary arts/murder mystery enthusiasts, wearing all kinds of clothing, and in some cases in...uh...various states of undress. Whoever...or whatever...gets you excited (so to speak), we hope you can be educated and entertained here, where we cast off inhibitions and embrace "The Sweet Life Of Books".

 

Thanks so much for the overwelming support. 3,000 views -- and no complaints.  Our success is only because of you.

DVdL: FREE DETECTIVE SHOOTS ANIMATED GIF

DOLCE VITA di LIBRO: FREE ANIMATED GIF "DETECTIVE SHOOTS"

 

Just for fun, DVdL's Esteemed Creative Director, Brother Andy, has created an original, exclusive animated .gif of a detective shooting a gun, in homage to the classic noir murder mystery films of yester-year. 

 

Please feel free to download and place on emails or on Facebook or where ever you'd like.

 

 

DVdL: NEW 2014 DATEBOOK BY DAVIDRO

DOLCE VITA di LIBRO: PURCHASE A WONDERFUL NEW 2014 DATEBOOK

BY ESTEEMED MEMBER DAVIDRO

 

The new one-of-a-kind 2014 Date Book Calendar was designed by exceptionally super-talented Esteemed DVdL Member, Davidro (aka David Rose), with colorful art for each week of the year. The back of the date book includes calendars for years 2013, 2014 and 2015 with a special note section. It's the perfect gift!

 

For more information and to purchase see: http://blur.by/1b62wMJ

 

DVdL: FREE ON-LINE MURDER MYSTERY GAMES

DOLCE VITA di LIBRO: FREE ON-LINE MURDER MYSTERY GAMES

 

Murder Mystery Games is proud to feature “Suspicion of Murder”, created by Thomas Holtz and his team. MMG has been around since 1989. The seven different games can be downloaded and printed.  Some games offered require you buy a password so you might have to search for the free games and there are advertisements attached. There is no logging on or asking for email addresses.

 

http://www.murdermysterygames.co.uk/online/

DVdL: DICK POWELL IN "RICHARD DIAMOND: PRIVATE DETECTIVE" (RADIO)

DOLCE VITA  di LIBRO PRESENTS: Actor Dick Powell in "Richard Diamond: Private Detective" (1949) Radio Program: "A Christmas Carol" (Not the Dickens' version).

 

 

DVdL: TOP MURDER MYSTERY BOOKS EVER

What are the most popular murder mystery books?

In 1995, the Mystery Writers of America published a  list of "The Top 100 Mystery Novels Of All Time".

Here are the "Top 10" titles from their list:








 

1. Arthur Conan Doyle: The Complete Sherlock Holmes (1887-1927)
2. Dashiell Hammett: The Maltese Falcon (1930)
3. Edgar Allan Poe: Tales of Mystery & Imagination (1852)
4. Josephine Tey: The Daughter of Time (1951)
5. Scott Turow: Presumed Innocent (1987)
6. John le Carré: The Spy Who Came In From the Cold (1963)
7. Wilkie Collins: The Moonstone (1868)
8. Raymond Chandler: The Big Sleep (1939)
9. Daphne du Maurier: Rebecca (1938)
10. Agatha Christie: And Then There Were None (1939)

DVdL: "RUBY ROCKET: PRIVATE DETECTIVE" (ANIMATION)

DVdL: WRITERS MAKE SENSE OF CHAOS (VIDEO INTERVIEW)

DVdL: BOOK CLUB ETIQUETTE (EDITORIAL)

Dolce Dita di Libro:

Book Club Etiquette

by Diane Gottsman

TAKE TURNS

Be careful not to let one or two people do all the talking. It’s not uncommon in any group for stronger personalities to dominate the conversation while quieter people have little chance of getting a word in edgewise. Since the point of a book club is a group discussion, keep a few tricks up your sleeve if you have some particularly chatty members who tend to hold the floor. For example, structure the conversation by going around the table to let each member have a chance to talk about one aspect of the book that was most significant to them and lead a mini-discussion on their topic of choice. Or ask a quieter member for their opinion to get a good conversation going.

REMEMBER TO TALK ABOUT THE BOOK 

 

All of you committed to spending a considerable amount of time reading the book. With that in mind, remember to actually get around to talking about it. Don’t let the evening slip away with only chatting about the kids, the latest reality TV show or gossip. If your book club gatherings usually devote 10 percent of time to discussing the book and 90 percent talking about everything else, warn prospective members before they study up on the latest read.

GET PERMISSION FOR NEW MEMBERS

Ask the group before inviting new members to the club. This is a common courtesy to others in the group and the key to keeping it manageable. If everyone in the book club keeps inviting new members, you could quickly have a few dozen members, which makes it far more challenging to host and to have a good discussion.

WHERE'S THE JOINT?

Pick the ideal venue for a meeting. Hosting it at your home is great if that’s an option; you will have control over the food, drinks and noise level. If you choose a restaurant, wine bar or coffee shop, scope it out in advance to make sure your group can have a quiet area to yourselves long enough to discuss the book.

READ THE BOOK

If you didn’t read the book, come prepared to ask questions about it. Some book clubs welcome all members even if they didn’t get a chance to read or finish the book. If you go, be prepared to participate in the discussion by asking questions and showing genuine interest. You can actually help facilitate the discussion. But don’t expect others to give you a complete rehash of the story. Also, resist the urge to lure others who have read the book into a non-book related conversation.

POLITENESS COUNTS

Be gracious in your comments. If you didn’t like the book, don’t trash it by saying “This book was terrible!” This and similar conversation-killing statements are disrespectful to others who did enjoy it and also to whomever chose the book. It’s fine to say that it wasn’t your cup of tea. Beyond that, find constructive ways to contribute to the conversation instead of making sweeping, dismissive comments.

QUESTION EVERYTHING

Bring some questions for discussion. Some books come with their own discussion guide at the end. Also, there are several resources online to help you with this, such as ReadingGroupGuides.com.

BOOKS ARE OUR FRIENDS, SO PICK SOME

Agree on how to choose the next read. Decide up front how you will choose books for the club to read. Will the host make the selection of the month? Will the group vote on the next book? Decide in advance and follow the rules.

TAKE A CHANCE

Keep an open mind. Even if the next selection isn’t something you think you’re interested in, give it a chance. Part of the joy of book clubs is getting exposed to new books and new ideas that you wouldn’t have experienced before. And after all, isn’t that the point of reading in the first place?

DVdL: CELEBRATES DR. GOTHARD'S BIRTHDAY!!

DOLCE VITA di LIBRO CELEBRATES: ESTEEMED MEMBER DR. BARBARA GOTHARD'S BIRTHDAY PARTY

 

Esteemed DVdL Member Peggy Vermeer hosted a 39th birthday celebration for Palm Springs fine artist, Dr. Barbara Gothard, this week. Dr. Gothard has celebrated her 39th birth for many years, losing count of the exact number of times along the way.

 

In attendance to the festivities were Esteemed Members Jennifer Johnson, Hunter Johnson, Davidro, Brother Andy, On-line Esteemed Member Lee Balan, and several others who weren't nearly as Esteemed as the DVdL members. 

 

Happy Birthday, Dr. Gothard!

DVdL: "THE RED HOUSE MYSTERY" (AUDIO BOOK)

Dolce Vita di Libro Presents: Audio Book "The Red House Mystery" By A. A. Milne (1882 - 1956) 6:55:57

DVdL: "MURDER AND MARINARA" BOOK REVIEW 2

DOLCE VITA di LIBRO: "MURDER AND MARINARA" BY ROSIE GENOVA

REVIEW BY ESTEEMED MEMBER PEGGY VERMEER

"Murder and Marinara" had a pretty good plot idea, an okay storyline base, more or less, but the main character, the narrator, "Victoria", simply wasn't all that interesting, at least not enough so to carry a whole book. Her personality wasn't anywhere near as compelling as, say, "Sherlock Holmes" or "Bruno, Chief of Police" or "Miss Marple". A good murder mystery book needs a main character or a suspect or a villain who is unpredictable, a bit "larger than life". 

Most of the details of the book seemed to concentrate on the immediate happenings surrounding the characters at the moment and not the adjoining areas and lacked presenting references to relevant historical time frames to give the story a wide context.  In the last book selection we read, the location was set in a small town and you got a real feeling for the place.  Not so here. One can imagine how a family-owned Italian restaurant might be without too much effort.  Beyond that, a reader couldn't visualize much about the town by the way it was described -- another big mistake for a murder mystery book.

New York and New Jersey are known for having loads of "character" and a fast paced life -- both at the place and in the people who live there -- yet we're asked to slog through minutia that didn't really seem to matter. The way in which the book was written made it seem longer than it was without a perceivable sense of dramatic urgency.  The characters didn't seem to be in jeopardy, just easily excitable.

The ending was probably the most interesting part of the book -- sort of a surprising reveal as to who the murderer turned out to be. Overall, the book was what I would call "a little read", a slightly amusing puff piece.

I would not recommend this book. I would give this book a "6" (On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being "best").

DVdL: BOOK CLUB CARTOONS

 

 

 

 

 

DVdL: "MURDER AND MARINARA" BOOK REVIEW 1

Dolce Vita Di Libro December 2013 Book Selection: "Murder And Marinara" By Rosie Genova

Reviewed By Esteemed Member Lois Grossman Graziano

Young and successful book author, Victoria Rienzi (also known as "Vic"), decides to sublet her apartment in New York for a year and return to her roots in New Jersey. She had grown tired of writing formula mysteries with the same main character and yearned to do research on the history of her own family, which she would then use as a subject for a book. Vic also intended to learn how to cook from her "Nonna" (grandmother), who had been angry and disappointed with Vic for reasons that were unclear.

Gio Parisi, the despised potential producer of a new reality TV series which was about to be filmed at the Jersey Shore where Vic had re-located, turns up (and face down) dead, shortly after receiving his ordered meal at the local Casa Lido restaurant.

The real fun begins when Vic and her "SIL" (sister-in-law) are resolute about finding the killer, although Vic’s brother, Danny, a policeman, repeatedly warns the two women to not interfere with the investigation into Gio's apparent murder. Strangely enough, this warning doesn't seem to deter the women at all. Off they go...

Out of the list of suspects in Gio's murder is Vic’s former boyfriend, Tim, who was hired by Nonna as the sous chef at the same restaurant Gio died in.

Tim is the very same guy who had broken Vic’s heart years prior by having a relationship with another woman while Vic and Tim were together. Eventually, the "other woman" in the affair is revealed to be the wife of the murdered producer, Gio. Tim appears to be a likeable former (and possible future...?) boyfriend, who, in spite of breaking Victoria’s heart, is determined to get her past the past and reunite.

The list of suspects in the murder case included the restaurant produce delivery man, the producer's widow, the carpenter working in the restaurant, Gio’s former girlfriend, two young actors who were to star in the series, and a few other shady characters.

The story was entertaining and fun to read. I liked the intentions of the characters: the stern grandmother, the dance teacher SIL, the flashy mother, the interesting carpenter, the protective produce man, and all the others.

Also, this book made me hungry for marinara!

DVdL: "WITNESS TO MURDER" W/B. STANWYCK (MOVIE)

DVdL: COACHELLA VALLEY SCHEDULED COMMUNITY EVENTS

DOLCE VITA di LIBRO: COACHELLA VALLEY SCHEDULED EVENTS

SPONSORED BY ESTEEMED ON-LINE MEMBER LEE BALAN (www.leebalanarts.wordpress.com/)

1. JTAG Fine Art Gallery: Deadline for submissions Saturday November 30, 2013. Open call to artists for the December Show. Prospectus and application at: www.joshuatreeartgallery.com/ JTAG, 61607 Twenty-Nine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, California. 760-401-1662

 

 

2. SubverCinema Films: Unconventional, experimental, and transgressive film series. Tuesday November 26. 7 pm to 11 pm. Coachella Valley Art Center, 45140 Towne Street, Indio, California, 92201. 760-799-4364 info@coachellavalleyartcenter.com

3. Venus Art Studios Fine Art Gallery Presents: "First Annual Bazaar". Friday November 22 and Saturday November 23. 11 am to 5 pm. Buy crafts and art to support local artists.  760-340-5085 VenusStudios11@aol.com www.VenusStudiosArtSupply.com

 

4. Meet The Galen Fine Art Museum: Friday November 22. 6 pm to 8 pm. Palm Springs Art Museum, Palm Desert, California. Members: $40. Single/$80. Couple (Ticket-only option). Non-members: $50. Single/$85. Couple (includes a One-Year Museum Membership). Tickets online at: www.psmuseum.org/meet-the-galen/ 760-322-4825
 

5. Gallery 446 Fine Art Gallery Presents: SUBMISSIONS. Reception Sunday November 24. 4 pm to 7 pm. Gallery 446, 446 South Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, California.

Also:

Gallery 446 Presents: "The 4th Annual Cocoa and Candy Canes", benefiting Twenty-Nine Palm Marine Corps program "Toys for Tots" hosted by LOLA.  Sunday December 1. 1 pm  to 4 pm.

6. Palm Springs Desert Art Festival: November 29 through December 1. 10 am to 4 pm daily. Francis Stevens Park, Palm Springs, California. Exhibition of fine art tiles by Mike Tauber (and work by other artists). Palm Springs Desert Art Festival, 580 North Palm Canyon (at Alejo), Palm Springs, California. Free admission and free parking.

 

7. Royale Projects Fine Art Gallery: Friday November 29 through December. 5 pm to 8 pm. Opening: Phillips K. Smith III: Lightworks.  Also artist Gustavo Godoy. Royale Projects, 73190 Elpaseo, Palm Desert, California, 92260. 760-742-5182 info@royaleprojects.com

8. Melissa Morgan Fine Art Gallery: First major show of the season, "Form and Figure". Reception Saturday November 30. 5 pm to 8 pm. Two of the featured artists: David Robinson and William Catling. Melissa Morgan Fine Art Gallery, 73040 El Paseo, Palm Desert, California, 92260. 760-341-1056

9. Christian Hohmann Fine Art Gallery: Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of his art career by showcasing works by Chagall. Opening Reception Saturday November 30 through the end of the year. 7 pm to 9 pm. Christian Hohmann Fine Art, 73660 El Paseo, Suite 2, Palm Desert, California. www.christianhohmann.com 760-346-4243
 

10. Heather Jame Fine Art Gallery: Season Opening. Saturday November 30. 6 pm to 8 pm. Heather Jame Fine Art Gallery, 45188 Portola Avenue, Palm Desert, California, 92260. 760-346-8926

 

 

11. Riverside Art Museum: Exhibit and Fundraider Carried Away and Off the Wall (exhibit & fundraiser). Art intake: November 30 to December 1. 10 am ti 3 pm.  Artists receive 50% of sale price. www.riversideartalliance.org/call-for-artists.html Riverside Art Museum, 3425 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, California, 92501. 951-684-7111. www.riversideartartmuseum.org 

Also:

Riverside Art Walk: First Thursday of every month.

12. S. R. Brennen Galleries Fine Art Gallery: Hosting "Wealth Planning For LGBT Couples -- A Post-DOMA Discussion". Morgan Stanleyrepresentative, Janet Malachowsky, Financial Advisor. Wednesday December 4. 6 p.m. S. R. Brennen Galleries, 73375 El Paseo, Palm Desert, California. Please RSVP: 760-779-8456
 

13. Archangel Fine Art Gallery: "First Annual Holiday Bazaar(t)". A 20+ artist group show featuring one-of-a-kind holiday art gift ideas. Opens Thursday December 5 through January 7. December 5 Party from 5 pm to 9 pm. Also: "Donna Summer in Syria", a new exhibition of paintings by Seattle artist Timothy Siciliano.

Also:

Archangel Fine Art Gallery Presents: Artist Bret Philpot, "Western Eyes", featuring new paintings and structures and artist Charlie Ciali, "Wanted", featuring new encaustic and monotype works. Show continues to December 3. Archangel Gallery, 1103 North  Palm Canyon, Palm Springs, California.  760-320-4795. www.archangelgallery.com

Also:

 

Archangel at Koffi in Rancho Mirage Presents: Artist Cynthia King's "California Dreaming," original drawings.  Continues through December 1.  Koffi, 71380 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, California, 92270.

 

14. Lon Michels Fine Art Gallery: Reception, "The Dark And Light Of It". December 6. 5 pm to 8 pm. Lon Michels Gallery, 1061 North Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, California. Featuring "The Incredible Talented Couple", Professors emeritus at Ripon College: bronze sculpture, weaving extraordinaire, and hand engraved prints. lpmichels@yahoo.com and www.lonmichelsart.com

15. UCR Palm Desert Presents: "Figuratively Speaking -- The Human Form in Drawing, Painting And Sculpture". Wednesday December 11. 6 pm. Curated by Ryan Motel Campbell.  UCR, 75080 Frank Sinatra Drive, Palm Desert, California, 92211. 760-834-0800

16. Joshua Tree National Park Art Show And Faire: Three-day celebration of art and music at the historic Oasis of Mara, including a juried art show with an opening reception, awards, a weekend art faire with artists’ booths, art demonstrations, cultural displays, park history presentations, youth art activities, live music, and more! December 6 through December 8. http://www.JTNPartfaire.com

17. Saguaro Hotel Presents: Bob Hoffmann and Rick Herold - this month's art exhibition. Saguaro Hotel (on the corner of Sunrise and Highway 111 in Palm Springs, California).

18. Studio D Fine Art Gallery: Reception, December 7 – “More Manhattan” by artist Downs. 6 pm to 9pm. In the “Manhattan Series”, Downs creates layered paintings which emit a sense of "risky adventure". Studio D, 4116 Matthew Drive, Palm Springs, California, 92264. 760-218-4026. studioDdowns.com studioDdowns@gmail.com

Also:

 

Studio D Fine Art Gallery: "Atomic Lounge Night". December 21. 6 pm to 8 pm. Make the scene and experience an evening of contemporary art and talk in an intimate sophisticated art studio. Crazy Cocktails and Light Bites will be served. Cool and casual dress.

19. Take 3 Contemporary Fine Art Gallery: At The Shops, 1345 North Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, Caliofnria. Featured artists Robert Bradshaw, Richard Proctor, Viki Horat, Gary Paterson, Laurel Goddard Thomas.

 

20. Marks Art Center at C.O.D. Fine Art Gallery: "Phantasmagoria", continuing exhibition through December 12.  College of the Desert, 43-500 Monterey Avenue, Palm Desert, California 92260. 760-776-7278

21. Stephen Archdeacon Fine Art Gallery: 865 North Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, California, 92262. 760) -673-7520
 

22. Heath Fine Art Gallery: 222 East Amado Road, Palm Springs, California. 760-770-2779

23. Inlandia Writing Workshop In Palm Springs: Mondays from 2 pm - 4 pm, October 28 through November 18. Club House, Smoke Tree Racquet Club, 1655 East Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, California. (Enter the parking lot from East Palm Canyon.) 760-416-0772

 

24. Howard’s Back Door Gallery And Custom Frame, Inc. And Fine Art Gallery: Featuring Greg Talley Photographer. Continuing through  February. $525.00 real darkroom photographs, no digital. Howard's, 71418 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, California, 92270. 760-779-1855. howardsgallery@dc.rr.com  www.howardsbackdoorgallery.com

 

25. Community Arts Center Presents: "In The Muse". Community Arts Center, 1500 South Palm Canyon Drive and 10 (near the Stein Mart), Palm Springs, California, 92264. 760-980-2900 or 818-749-5576 www.inthemuse.org/

 

26. Gallery 57 Fine Art Gallery: 1735 Hancock Street, San Diego, California, 92101.

27. Inlandia Institute: Fall Creative Workshops for writers and poets, begin this week in Riverside, Ontario, Idyllwild, and now Corona. Cati Porter's Inlandia Literary Journey's column:  www.facebook.com/events/301221256687303/

28. Palm Springs Art Museum: Museum events: www.psmuseum.org
 

29. The Desert Arts Center: Open daily from 10 am to 4 pm. Desert Art Center, 550 North Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, California, 92262. I760-323-7973. www.desertartcenter.org
 

30. Creare Fine Art Galleryand Lightbender Art Studios: 73255 El Paseo Drive, Palm Desert, California, 92260.

31. Dahlstrom Design: The newest design center Downtown Palm Springs.  Dahlstrom Design, 1566 North Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, California, 92262. 425-890-8101

 

32. Art in the Upper Desert: Morongo Basin Cultural Art Council, weekly news flash featuring events in the upper desert. www.hwy62art.com 

33. Elena Bulatova Fine Art Gallery: 232 Palm Canyon Drive, Downtown Palm Springs, California. 60-774-3869
 

34. Haya Fine Art Gallery: New location, 1007 North Palm Canyon, Palm Springs, California.
 

35. Incredible Artist: Sponsoring "The Annual Wreath and Gift Auction", benefiting The Boys and Girls Club of Cathedral City. "We're calling on everyone to create and donate a wreath or gift, sponsor a wreath, come to the event and buy a wreath, and be sure to tell others about this wonderful event. Every year it gets better and better, and your efforts will really help our local children!" www.incredibleartist.com/home/

36. Backstreet Galleries Fine Art Galleries: (Off of Cherokee Way behind the Mercedez Dealer) Artize Gallery, Wind of Art Gallery, Elena Bulatova Gallery, Pilcher Gallery with Joseph and Leena -- paintings and sculpture, Bill Anson Gallery (sculpture) and Jessica Schiffman (paintings), Jackson Gallery, Studio 13.

Also:

Backstreet Art District Art Walk:  The first Wednesday of every month. Backstreet Art District, Palm Springs, California. 6 pm to 9 pm.

37. Savage Gallery Fine Art Gallery: Weekend Yard Sale. Savage Gallery, 870 East Research Drive, Palm Springs, California. 760-464-5978. Check Shawn Savage on Facebook.
 

38. Jack Farley's Art Supplies: Next to Heath Gallery, 222 East Amado Road, Palm Springs, California, 92262. 800-699-3792

39. Charlie Ciali Studio: Workshops and instruction in print-making, monotype, and encaustic. 760-409-9496 Charliepsca@gmail.com.

40. Dragonfly Foot-Prints And Atelier in Cathedral City, California: A studio for printmakers and artists by appointment only beginning in November 2013. Large work area. No more than two artists per day at $100.00 per person, includes inks and most supplies. Private Press time also available. jordan@jordandauby.com 760-778-7973

41. Lon Michaels Fine Art  Gallery: 1061 North Palm Canyon, Palm Springs, California. www.lonmichelsart.com

42. Michael Weems Fine Art Gallery: 384 North Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, California, 92262. 760-904-4930. www.michaelweems.com

43. Palm Springs Library Events: Different events during the month of November.  www.palmspringslibrary.org

44. Rancho Mirage Library:

www.ranchomiragelibrary.org/events/

 

45. El Paseo Art Walk: Palm Desert, California. The first Friday of every month.

 

 

46. Crystal Fantasy Art Walk: First Friday of every month. Open until 9 pm. Downtown Palm Springs, Palm Canyon Drive (across from the Hyatt).

 

47. Arts Oasis Coachella Valley Events:

www.artsoasis.org

48. Artist Art Events:

www.incredibleartist.com/home/

49. Sunrunner Magazine Information and Calendar of Events: www.thesunrunner.com/ Copies are available at local stores and libraries.

50. Artists' Survival Guide Blog:                                         www.artistssurvivalguide.blogspot.com/

51. Art By Lee Balan On BIGBRIDGE.org: A great nine-year-old Online Magazine featuring art, poetry and articles. Click on images to enlarge. www.bigbridge.org/BB17/art/lee_balan.htm#

 

 

52. People's Voice TV: Looking for artists of all kinds to feature on thier show. Have something new and different you want to share with viewers? Send images of your art to: art@thepeoplesvoice.tv

DVdL: COOKING LESSON, "LET'S TALK TURKEY" (1951) (SHORT FILM)

DVdL: HANDWRITTEN BOOKS BY MAYHEW PRESTON REESE

Ultra-talented Palm Springs author, Mayhew Preston Reese, creates amazingly detailed hand-crafted, hand-written and hand-drawn books (at an affordable $35 each), with a strong homage to Edward Gorey's instantly-recognizable humorous/strange style.  

These incredible black-and-white books are the absolute perfect Holiday gift and must be seen to be appreciated.  A true collectible! 

Please see www.agothicfable.com for details.

 

 

DVdL: TALK TO THE AUTHOR, ROSIE GENOVA

Esteemed Members --

 

FYI: The author of our next selected book, "Murder and Marinara", can be spoken to directly, if you so choose.  Rosie Genova has a Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/RosieGenova).  Simply go and chat her up! Perhaps ask her a few questions and bring the answers to the next meeting... Just thought you'd like to know...

DVdL: "THE MONKEY'S PAW" (VINTAGE RADIO PROGRAM)

DVdL: "MY WIFE GLOWS IN THE DARK" (SHORT STORY)

My Wife Glows In The Dark

by Brian Ross

My wife is following me. Again.

Lately, I have been distant: hands-off when she wants me to be hands-on, too busy or too tired when she wants to talk. She has suspicious blood, my wife, but she also trips over her reckless curiosity. She does the math, comes up with five, and paints herself a pretty picture. Next thing I know, I’m watching my back because she’s on it.

She never stops to ask why. So we play the game.

She asks me how my racquet-ball practice was and I say, great thanks. I rub my shoulder convincingly as she tells me about her evening of dishes and dirty nappies. Her story is as transparent as mine, but I’m working a lie so I don’t question her's.

 

She is a poor detective - more Clouseau than Poirot. She thinks I don’t see her - behind cars, in doorways, around corners - but I do. I see everything. She doesn’t move when my eyes try to find her, but she is there just the same, not realising that I have her chasing her own tail.

 

I’m happy to indulge her, to pretend I don’t notice my new shadow, because she will only ever see what I want her to. And besides, after tonight, she won’t do it again.

 

#

“It’s work, honey,” I tell her, already shrugging my jacket on. “I’m sorry. I have to go.”

I’m a doctor, so leaving the house at eleven-thirty on a Thursday night isn’t such a stretch. I have made midnight trips before: I have saved lives at this hour several times. This one though is different. Make up a patient, give him a name, a tumour, two months to live. Shake and stir.

 

I cross the street and make as if I’m checking for traffic, but there are no cars at this time of night, and it’s really her I’m looking for. She’s still there, hands frightened by her sides, pretending to be interested in the sides of beef Joe has in his butcher’s window.

 

My wife, the vegetarian. She can’t fool me.

The town is black, but the truth cannot be masked by flicking a switch and killing the light. I turn up my collar and sink deeper into the gloom. I pass a guy on the street, his hands shoved deep into his pockets like he is digging for answers. His eyes meet mine as our shadows merge under a street-lamp, and he quickly looks back at his guilty feet, as they take him towards the wrong bed. I turn the corner and there’s the building I’m looking for. Five storys. There are a few yellow eyes in the wall of concrete and black glass: dozens of numbers on the silver panel by the door.

I press forty-two, and say:“Sorry to bother you so late, but I’ve locked myself out. Can you let me in please? It’s seventeen. Thanks, man.”

 

He doesn’t say a word. There is a buzz, the lock springs, and I push inside. The door falls closed on my tail.

 

The outside chill is replaced by artificial warmth. The heating system tick-ticks within the walls of the building like a telltale heart.

 

I climb the stairs, passing seventeen, and throw a look over my shoulder. Nothing. She has learned fast, but not fast enough. Out of sight, and soon to be out of her mind, I think, almost loud enough to hear outside my own head.

 

When I reach the third floor, Number Forty-Two is standing in his doorway. Bare feet, wild hair, black pants. His middle-of-the-night curiosity is a dangerous thing, although at this moment he doesn’t realise it. I don’t mind. It saves me knocking or breaking in.

Less noise, more haste.

I walk up to him and say: “I believe you know my wife.”

 

It’s not a question but he seems to think it is. I can see him wondering who the hell I am and why the hell I’m here. He looks at me strangely - because comprehension is asleep at midnight - then tries to say something, but I am not interested in any of his excuses.

 

I pull a gun from my inside pocket and shoot him three times in the chest.

Phfft.

Phfft.

Phfft.

Silencers are wonderful. It’s like plugging a pillow.

 

Forty-Two falls back and hits the carpet, dead before he does. I’m a doctor. These things I know.

 

I put the gun back into my jacket and make my way downstairs. My wife is standing in the foyer with her mouth open, looking at me the way people do when they don’t know what to say. I smile and brush past her into the night. You see, a cheat is easy to see, and a betrayal of the heart shines like a beacon. My wife glows. But not anymore.