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Lily Tomlin and Jane Wagner were honored with the 345th Star

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Story and Photos by Pat Krause

Comedienne Lily Tomlin and her Partner Jane Wagner were honored with the 345th Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars on March 16th. The Star is located in front of the shops in The Corridor at 515 North Palm Canyon Drive.

This much anticipated star brought out over 700 fans to see Lily Tomlin and her friend get this long overdo Star. Chairs were set up on the lawn area behind the shops to accommodate all the friends of the Stars. This was probably the only area capable of handling so many people for the dedication ceremony.

The couple were a little late due to traffic so Mayor Steve Pougnet and Senator Barbara Boxer took over as Emcees. They joked with the crowd but Mayor Pougnet refused to sing as he said he has no singing voice. Surprise celebrity guests included Lucy Arnaz and Carol Channing. They played the song Hello Dolly when Carol arrived. She thrilled the audience when she stood and started to sing along. What a real entertainer she still is. She got a standing ovation.

Lily and Jane arrived to the thunderous applause by the fans. Guest speakers included Mayor Pougnet, Senator Barbara Boxer, Dan McGrath and Michael Childers. All are friends of the couple for many years, They were given Proclamations, a Replica Star, Flowers and Star Pins to wear on their lapels. Lily and Jane took to the microphone to thank the crowd for coming. They made a special thank you to Carol Channing and insisted she come inside the shaded area. Carol also spoke about this amazing couple.

Lily and Jane bantered back and forth, cracking one joke after another. They worked off each other like a couple that have been together for years. They actually have been together for over 40 years and have worked together on numerous projects.

The actual Star Dedication took place on the sidewalk in front of the stores. There was limited space for everyone so only a few got to watch the Star being unveiled. Photographers and TV recorded this special event for all to see. A private party was held after the event.

 

BNP Parabas Tournaments broke attendance records

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Story and Photos by Pat Krause

The  Indian Wells Tennis Tournaments broke attendance records again this year. over 370,000 people attended with another record breaking day Sunday with over 24,000 people filling the stadium for the finals. The tournament was held on March 5th thru the 18th at the Indian Wells Tennis Gardens. The 5th and 6th were free to the public. Fans came to see if they could get to see one of their favorite tennis players practicing on the many courts at the gardens. It was also a time to see the whole area with the new tents and other new innovations that were added this year.

Matches started right away on Monday for the start of the elimination process. The top seeds managed to continue play for most of the tournament. A couple favorites like Andy Roddick and Caroline Wozniacki lost early in the second week of play. Some newcomers like Milos Raonic from Canada and Maria Kirilenko had tough matches with top seeded players. These young people will be ones to watch in the future.

The semi finals were some great tennis to watch. The stadium was filled as the top seeded players fought the tough fight to the finals. Exciting matches like Roger Federer against Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic against John Isner. Federer and Isner made it to the finals on Sunday. Isner was so excited to beat the number one seed, Novak Djokovic. Maria Sharapova beat Ana Ivanovic while Victoria Azarenka beat Angelique Kerber to reach the finals for the ladies.

Victoria Azarenka had little trouble on Sunday to beat former winner here at Indian Wells, Maria Sharapova. Roger Federer held his own against the strong serves by American John Isner to beat him in two sets. The prize money for both men and women was one million dollars. Second place winners each received one half million dollars. One of the largest prizes in tennis.

Roger Federer became a 4 time winner here at Indian Wells. He won back to back BPN Parabas open titles in 2004,05,06. He is currently ranked #3 in men’s singles. This is 73rd career title.

Other tennis to watch is the doubles matches. The play is fast and so are the players. The men’s doubles were played on Sunday after the singles matches. John Isner had little time to rest before he and his partner Sam Querry took on Marc Lopez and Rafael Nadal. Lopez and Nadal took the title. The women’s doubles match was won by Liezel Huber and Lisa Raymond.

Watching tennis is not the only thing to do at the Tennis Gardens. Vendors surround the area. There is a food court and a tented garden to sit and eat. Autograph sessions, Tennis commentators, Style shows, Fitness center, and chances on prizes are only a few of the ammentities at the tournament. Bands play during evening sessions. A Wheelchair tennis exhibition tournament is a real treat to see how really good they are. Main stadium sponsors all kinds of prizes during the tournaments. On the Big Screen there is the Kiss Cam and then there are lucky winners of Bulova watches, t-shirts and autographed tennis balls.

Early Morning Shooting at DHS Party

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On March 24, 2012, in the early-morning hours, officers responded to a reported shooting at a large party in the 13300 block of Miracle Hill Road, Desert Hot Springs. When officers arrived on the scene, they found five victims of non-life threatening gunshot wounds. All the victims were transported by ambulance to area hospitals for medical treatment. This incident appears to be gang related. Please contact the Desert Hot Springs Police Department if you have any information regarding this crime.

The Police Department needs your help, for any information you may have, please call Desert Hot Springs Police Department or Police Sergeant Brian Link at 760.329.6411 ext. 321

Desert Youth Ballet Scholarships Available

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Rancho Mirage, Calif. – Wednesday, April 4, 2012 — Desert Youth Ballet will hold scholarship auditions for acceptance into Valerie Mahabir’s Studio of Dance. The class audition will be held from 5:45pm to 6:45pm. Students, 5 and up, who have a love of dance and financial need, may attend this class audition.

“We’re thrilled to be able to offer ballet scholarships this year,” said Susan Francis, President of Desert Youth Ballet Board of Directors. “The board is very excited to be able to provide this opportunity to children who have the dream to dance! This can be a life changing experience for these young aspiring artists.”

Attendance is limited and pre-registration is required.  Those interested may contact the Valerie Mahabir Academy of Ballet at 760-341-0122 for details and reservations.

Desert Youth Ballet is a private, local non-profit 501 c3 organization dedicated to inspire boys and girls of Coachella Valley to become involved in dance, enhance their performance skills, develop self-confidence and provide life-long interest in the arts. the Desert Youth Ballet provides professional training and performance experience by raising funds for scholarships, underwriting performances, and providing community outreach.  For more information, contact Brett at 760-341-0122 or visit the web site www.desertyouthballet.org

 

American Documentary Film Festival screen gems: Overlooked Suspect

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March 21, 2012, Palm Springs, CA –  On October 3rd, 1995 (with an estimated 150 million people watching on live television), the jury in the longest trial in California history declared O. J. Simpson not guilty of murdering his wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman.  Despite this, if you asked the question today, almost everyone would say that they believe Simpson committed the murders.

But what if everyone is wrong? What if someone else committed the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman?

Overlooked Suspect, a new documentary that is being screened on Friday, March 30th during the American Documentary Film Festival, asks exactly that question. The film highlights a detailed and on-going 15 year investigation that has led one of America’s leading Private Investigators, William C. Dear, to suggest that perhaps O.J. Simpson did NOT commit those murders. What’s more, a team of internationally recognized experts in their respective fields, when presented with the evidence, has come to the same, independent conclusion.

Was there another suspect? A suspect that was overlooked or ignored in the rush to judgment surrounding O.J. Simpson? A suspect that O.J. Simpson himself was willing to cover for?

“We have 16 distilled years and over 5,000 hours of intense research and investigation into a one-hour, thought-provoking, viewer-friendly documentary that will empower the public to decide what they feel, in conclusion, about the case, and whether or not there was a rush to judgment,”  says the film’s Director, David Nerman. “In the end, the audience will be the Judge.”

Don’t miss Overlooked Suspect  – one of the many thought-provoking screen gems you’ll see at this year’s inaugural American Documentary Film Festival. For more information, and a complete schedule listing, visit http://americandocumentaryfilmfestival.com/

See Overlooked Suspect on Friday, March 30, 2012 at 10am!
OF NOTE: Producer Howard Barrett and Investigator William C. Dear will attend
the festival screening and be available for advance interviews.

The American Documentary Film Festival
March 29 – April 5, 2012
Camelot Theatres
2300 E Baristo Road
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760-325-6565
Tickets: http://www.showclix.com

Interview with “Musical Chairs” actor E.J. Bonilla

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E.J. Bonilla is a young actor with a true gift for giving honest and real performances. Best known for his role on CBS’s Guiding Light, Bonilla has stepped away from television to make a name for himself on the silver screen. TheCelebrityCafe.com’s Kristen Maldonado got a chance to speak with the young talent about his new film Musical Chairs, his biggest acting inspirations, and some of the other films he has in the works.

Here is the the interview by The Celebrity Cafe; just click this link!

Samuel Livingston
living91@comcast.net