Palm Desert, CA) – The College of the Desert Theatre Arts department celebrates the 100^th birthday of legendary American playwright, Tennessee Williams, with the production of his soulful classic drama, Summer and Smoke.

The play (set in Glorious Hill, Mississippi, at the turn of century) focuses on a high-strung, unmarried minister’s daughter, Alma Winemiller, and the sexually “spiritual” romance that nearly blossoms between her and a wild, undisciplined young doctor (John Buchanan, Jr.) who grew up next door.  The theme of the play, however, is more complex than “sexual repression versus indulgence”.  According to Williams himself, Summer and Smoke paints a reflective portrait of “beleaguered souls trying to find their way toward the light; which could not only illuminate, but also blind and destroy.”  As with all of Williams’ works, his own life story is brought to life through the words and actions of the characters.  Famed Hollywood director Elia Kazan (who directed many of Williams’ greatest successes) said, “Everything in his life is in his plays, and everything in his plays is in his life.”

“Summer and Smoke is one of my favorite works by Tennessee Williams,” says C.O.D. instructor and play director, Fergus Currie.  “In the canon of his master works, this play often gets overlooked; mainly due to the success of a little play he wrote called A Streetcar Named Desire. This is a very ambitious play to produce at the college level.  The subject matter delves deeply into the origins of human feelings and motivations.  It’s a lot for an actor (and director) to sink their teeth into at any level.  Our student cast here at C.O.D. is outstanding and our ability to effectively produce this work is a testament to the growth of our department.”

The ensemble cast consists of current C.O.D. theatre students Doug Newton, Allison Feist, Will Rian, Elana Sanchez, Hannah Seals, Jacquelyn Kay Hermosilla, Carl Bolin, Ivan Ortega, Jennifer Kiehl, Anthony Gomez, Austin Schroeter, Tyler Fryatt, Megan Noble, Robert Vernier, Megan Camacho, and Ashton Loyo.  Diamond Braverman is the scenic/properties designer.  Lights and sound are designed by Doug Ridgeway.  The hair and make-up designer is Lynda Shaeps.

For ticket information and reservations, please call 760-773-2565.  Tickets are also available at the College of the Desert Bookstore and on-line at www.ticketleap.com.

Tennessee Williams’ Summer and Smoke

Produced in association with Dramatists Play Services, Inc.

Friday, March 16^th & Saturday, March 17^th at 7:00 pm / Sunday, March 18^th at 2 pm

Friday, March 23^rd & Saturday, March 24^th at 7:00 pm / Sunday, March 25^th at 2 pm

Location: The Pollock Theater (on the campus of College of the Desert)

Tickets: $15 Adults / $13 for Students & Seniors / $10.00 for Groups of 10 or More

  www.collegeofthedesert.edu

  www.ticketleap.com

[easyembed field=”code1″]

Americans perceive Iran as Evil #1 on the planet, the latest Gallup poll shows. Since neither the US military nor intelligence believes Iran could strike America, why do the US media whip up hysteria about Iran, some 10,000 kilometers away?

According to a new Gallup World Affairs poll released Monday, 32 per cent of those surveyed rank Iran as America’s greatest enemy – compared to just 25 per cent a year ago.
Many more – 87 per cent – gave the Islamic Republic a negative rating, making the country the worst in the survey.

No wonder the impact of fierce anti-Iranian rhetoric is so huge. What should an average American think about an alien Muslim country on the other continent, being told on a daily basis that Persians dream to launch an attack on America?

“Iran could attack the United States in a much more fearsome way,” claims CNN. “We have to assume that Hezbollah would be the proxy for Iran and could well carry out the attack,” it specifies.

A hypothetical national security threat is growing more dangerous by the day, making American citizens believe that Iran’s next target could well be on American soil.

Read the whole article…

The Desert Hot Springs Police Department is hosting their second annual Community
Policing Initiative (CPI) City-wide meeting tomorrow, February 23. 2012 from 6PM – 8PM.

The meeting will be held at the Desert Hot Springs High School cafeteria located at
65850 Pierson Boulevard. Community members are asked to join us to discuss quality of life issues affecting our City. Community leaders including City Manager Rick Daniels, Mayor Yvonne Parks, and Police Chief Patrick Williams will be on hand as well as our Community Police Beat Officers, Detectives, Code Enforcement Officers, and representatives from Animal Control and Dispatch. It’s a simple fact that when police and communities work together our neighborhoods are safer! Some of the topics to be discussed include:

• Citywide crime statistics
• Crime trends affecting our community and your specific neighborhoods
• Crime prevention ideas to keep you and your family safe
• Quality of life concerns (Le., traffic, graffiti, gangs, etc.)

Food and beverages will be available. We hope to surpass last year’s attendance and
look forward to seeing many of our community members.

A six-week Basic Dog Obedience Training class will begin March 9 at the Yucca Valley Community Center. This class will cover sit, down, stay, come, heal and leave it commands. The purpose of this class is to gain confidence as a dog handler and open the lines of communication with your dog. Classes will be held on Friday evenings from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. For more information please call trainer Lori Herbel at 760 420-7529. Dogs must be current on all vaccinations.

This class is part of the spring line-up of recreational activities organized by the Town of Yucca Valley’s Community Services Department.  Classes begin March 9. Those interested in participating in the Dog Obedience Companion Dog Training (6 weeks, $135.00), classes are required to pre-register at the Yucca Valley Community Center.  Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Registration is also available online at www.yucca-valley.org  For more information please call 760 369-7211

The Town of Yucca Valley will team up with the Yucca Valley Senior Club to host a Country Western Dance for seniors and adults on Saturday, February 25th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Yucca Valley Senior Center.

Dance the night away while listening to live music provided by “The Ghostlight Trio”.  Ghostlight Trio formed in the high desert in the fall of 2010, the Ghostlight Trio consists of guitarist Mike Behrman, Bass player Dave Behrens and drummer Butch Morello.  The band has been spreading their own brand of high-octane honky tonk, roadhouse rock and “twangbilly” performing throughout Southern California and the local area. With an increasing legion of fans and devotees, the Ghostlight Trio is preparing for production of their debut CD. Performance dates and other band information are available on their website, www.ghostlighttrio.com.

The Senior Dance admission charge is $3.00 for seniors and $5.00 for adults under 55 years old. Refreshments and door prizes are included. Brush off those cowboy boots, grab a cowboy hat and come out and enjoy a night of great music and dancing.

For more information please call the Town of Yucca Valley Community Services Department at 760 369-7211, Monday through Thursday, 7: 30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.