Lesbians of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley Outings and Events
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Oswit Canyon to Anniversary Falls
We set out Tuesday morning, just after sunrise, following the sandy path through parched desert scrub. The air was still cool, the kind that brushes your skin like a promise. Soon, the trail turned rocky, then strewn with boulders. We crossed several ravines, descending cautiously through loose rock and scree until the canyon opened around us — its rugged, rust-colored walls soaring on either side.
It’s still early in the season; the volunteers haven’t yet cut back the shrubs and grasses—Cat’s claw snags at our legs, drawing thin lines of blood. Overgrown fountain grass hides the trail, and we lose our way more than once before finding the thread again. Our fearless scout climbs ahead, scaling boulders and extending a steady hand to those below. I boost a few hikers from behind, and together we clear the most challenging stretch.
In the lower springs, the water is alive with tadpoles. We step carefully across slick granite slabs, making our way toward the dry waterfall and pond. In spring, this rock face will sprout a dozen waterfalls, and the pond will shimmer with tadpoles in motion — thousands of tiny frogs will be crammed into cracks and crevices, announcing their existence to the world in an amphibian opera. Today, it is our voices that fill the quiet oasis.
When the Band-Aids and alcohol wipes are tucked away, we sit. The canyon holds us in its stillness. The rocks seem to sing — a vibration of being that reaches through time, whispering of their existence across billions of years. The soul of this place — stone, tree, tadpoles dormant in mud — finds me. I feel at home, as if my own soul has found its mothership. Spirits beyond vision claim me as family.
Eternal moments, balanced on the razor’s edge between the seen and unseen world. Then it is time to leave. The ghostly pale lavender datura beside the path will soon drop its seeds. Birds and small creatures will carry them to new grounds. The fountain grass coats our packs and boots in feathery seed pods, eager for their next voyage. Crows call. Lizards dart. Life continues, endlessly renewing itself beneath the desert sun. Life continues without us, without our schedules, without our demands, and without our religions. Something perfect in the untouched. Something that speaks to us in the mud of our own dormancy.
— Kim
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My book Travels Into Discomfort is available on Amazon.
It is a travel adventure in its prose and a journey to the heart in its poetry.
Travels Into Discomfort
"nothing about your life is small, the way sunlight hits your floor in the morning, the sound of someone laughing at something only you would understand, the feeling of water washing over your hands - none of it is meaningless. pay attention. let it mean something. let it be enough." soulxsigh
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Barbara Carpenter Realtor
Shann Carr
Comedian, Event Producer, Realtor, A Lesbian Concierge In The Desert
Andrea Voras, Gerontologist Dementia Specialist Life Aging Life Care Manager
Constance Clare-Newman, Somatic Work for Pain Relief and Stress Reduction
Corlyce Photography
Chris Ann Kallgren Realtor
Sunny Designs-Website & Graphic Design & Video
Rice Notary
Nancy Minger - Massage Therapist
Poochsitter
Motivation Changes — Life Coaching - Dr Ann Sarah Engel, MSW, PhD
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For more information about pickleball, including lessons, leagues, and other lesbians playing pickleball - contact Mary Barsaleau.
Mary is a registered Pickleball Ambassador.
| | Alohana- A Celebration of Palm Springs Tiki Culture | | |
New Book -Smartass: Memoir of a Mouthy Girl
New Book - Show Her The Money
New Book - The Worst Kind of Girl, a novel by Susan Rukeyser
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- Cork Women's Fun Weekend
- AdventureWomen: organizes exceptional women’s only travel groups spots around the globe.
- Trafalgar: offers women-only guided vacations to various destinations, with local female guides and experts.
- Road Scholar: provides educational and cultural trips for women of all ages and interests.
- Adventures in Good Company: creates active and adventurous trips for women who love the outdoors.
- Intrepid Travel’s Women’s Expeditions: explores local cultures and traditions from a female perspective, with female leaders and hosts.
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Shantell Martin is a prominent British visual artist known for her large-scale, black-and-white line drawings that often explore themes of identity, connection, and curiosity. Born in Thamesmead, London in 1980, Martin’s distinctive style is marked by bold, flowing lines and a focus on intuitive creativity, sometimes performed live for audiences. She is also recognized as an intuitive philosopher, cultural facilitator, teacher, choreographer, songwriter, and performer. Martin identifies as half-Nigerian and queer, and her personal experiences frequently inform her art.
Shantell Martin: How drawing can set you free | TED
Shantell Martin Bio
Shantell Martin — Info
| | Email me at gabriolakim@gmail.com if you want something posted on the bulletin board, or an event promoted. | | |
LEA - Lesbians Embracing Aging.
Join us Monday, November 10, 11 AM. Our topic will be How does a Care Management Navigator help you? Meet Brittany Cabanas from Triangle Care Management.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82977588013?pwd=urfkjO44hhwpBbKU1OIZDnPfJlbg0R.1
SINGLES MINGLES REPORT:
We are meeting Sunday, November 9, 9:30am for the Pride Parade at the
Shell Station on Amado and Indian Canyon.
We will walk as a group to Palm Canyon to view the event!
Contact: Diane Turner 909 223-7010 or Kay Butler 760 567-4313 for more information
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Congratulations to Valerie Milano, publisher and senior editor of The Hollywood Times, will receive the Spirit of Stonewall Arts and Culture Award for her journalism and coverage of LGBTQ+ cultural events, including the Palm Springs LGBTQ+ Film Festival and Cinema Diverse at the Pride Honors
Valerie is also a major supporter of the L-Fund and Sunset Music. Well deserved Valerie.
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"The Center is doing an LGBTQ Quality of Life survey. It closes on Sunday, but they have just reviewed the data and found that only about 20% of the participants are women.
Please participate so our needs will be represented! It only takes about 30 minutes and is well worth it."
LINK: https://healthmanagement.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8bIStTtqWGpFLGm
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Birds Beyond the Binary
Speaker Lindsay Rowe, Senior Education Coordinator for Audubon California’s Salton Sea & Desert Program, will lead this discussion about how many species on Earth are capable of exhibiting characteristics humans have described as “Queer.” In this presentation, we will dive into the beauty of Queer birds, including polygamous Acorn Woodpeckers, a California island of Lesbian gulls, the story of the Male Hooded Warbler living a Female life, the White-throated Sparrows with four distinct sexes, and more. This presentation is co-sponsored by Oswit Land Trust, Audubon California, and the Palm Springs Public Library and will be held at the Mizell Center.
Thursday, December 11, 2025
3:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Mizell Center, 480 S Sunrise Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Information & RSVP: David Paisley at DavidP@OswitLandTrust.org
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BAM is back (Zoom Book and Movie) discussion group
BAM 2.0 starts on Monday, October 13th at 5:30 p.m. Pacific time. We are a book and movie club that has been meeting online since 2020. We have a new format coming back from our summer break this year. All participants have the opportunity to select a book or movie for the group and to lead the discussion the month the group reads or views their selection.
Looking forward to our meeting to talk about Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid on Nov. 10th at 5:30 pm pacific time.
Gail will be leading our discussion.
For questions about BAM and to request a link for the October meeting, please get in touch with Flynn Sylvest at flynnsylvest@gmail.com. Thank you!
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"Wine Down Fridays", This event is now Nov 21st. The guest speaker is Jeanette Tonnes. Registered Veterinary Technician with more than 45 years working worldwide with exotic animals. She now travels across the country offering a preventative medicine program to wolf and big cat sanctuaries.
1st and 3rd Fridays are Wine Down Friday’s with Guest Speakers 5PM-6:30P. 600 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs.
present by the Ladies of Justice at the V-Lounge
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Art in the Park in the Dark makes one FINAL appearance before taking a break for a bit.
This FUN FREE event fills the skies and trees with lasers and Demuth Park with black lights and neon on Nov. 29th from 5-9pm in Demuth park.
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Life is unpredictable and can change in a flash! People suddenly get sick when they seem really healthy — and when does anyone ever plan for suffering a heart attack, stroke or developing Alzheimer’s? Yet with an increasing number of people living well into their 80s, 90s and even 100s, the need to effectively plan ahead — has never been more pressing! So if you keep putting off getting your affairs in order because you don't want to think about it, don’t know where to begin, or don't know what to say, then this PALS is for you!
PALS 7 Essential Conversations 2025.08 a.pdf - Google Drive
PALS no-cost seminars offer up-to-date information, resources and opportunities for learning and engaging in each one of the essential "planning ahead" conversations all of us need to have and the actions we must take now before a health crisis or other life-altering situation arises.
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THE ROOMMATE
by Jen Silverman
November 14-23
Fridays/Saturdays @7pm
Saturdays/Sunday Matinee @ 2pm
Desert Ensemble Theater
She’s not who she said she was. Neither are you.
A dark comedy about unlikely friendship and fresh starts that enjoyed a successful limited run on Broadway last year. Directed by Kudra Wagner.
Desert Ensemble Theatre
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COME CELEBRATE FALL! SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, November 23rd. 3-7 PM. Get ready for a high-energy night with @pulpvixenband Duo Pulp Vixen - Female Fueled Music, bringing powerhouse vocals and nonstop hits. Enjoy drink specials, dance the night away, and win exciting giveaways!
Live Music by Pulp Vixen Duo
Drink Specials
Dancing & Giveaways
$10 Cash Door
Mark your calendar and gather your friends for an unforgettable night at @lowdesertps Low Desert Modern Mexican. Let’s make this a Fall Celebration to remember! All Welcome.
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Gennine Francis will be performing at The Roost on Saturday from 6–9 pm. Reservations can be made online at: ticketbud.com.
Leanna Rogers and Miguel will be performing at the V Lounge on Monday from 5–8 pm. $5 cover charge. Leanna and The Free Agents are performing on Fridays from 6–8 pm at Hyatt, Palm Springs.
Marisa Corvo performs at The Roost on Sunday, October 19; Wednesdays: October 1, 15, 29 from 6:30–9 pm. Tickets at ticketbud.com.
Sherie Rae Parker will be performing on Thursday, October 2 at 6 pm at The Roost. Reservations can be made online at: ticketbud.com.
Karen Cobb will be performing on Saturdays, October 11, 25 at 6 pm at The Roost. Reservations can be made online at: ticketbud.com.
Patrice Morris will be performing on Thursdays, October 16–December 11 at 6 pm at The Roost. Reservations can be made online at: ticketbud.com.
Rebecca Clark performs at The Roost on Sunday, October 26 from 6:30–9 pm. Tickets at ticketbud.com.
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Lesbians Embracing Aging (LEA)
Lesbians Embracing Aging (LEA)
If you are an older lesbian and would like to connect with others, please consider joining
LEA. You can start by signing up for our monthly newsletter and then, if you’d like to
connect more often, join our private Facebook group which is about connection and
conversation, support and community – a place to lend a helping hand and uplift each
other when needed.
To sign up for the newsletter let us know here: leaofcoachellavalley@gmail.com
To sign up for the Facebook group (please note: all applicants must answer brief
questions and agree to group rules) let us know here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1842826446542272
To attend the monthly LEA Zoom meeting mark your calendar for the second
Monday of each month at 11: 00 AM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82977588013?pwd=urfkjO44hhwpBbKU1OIZDnPfJlbg0R.1#
success
To read LEA’s mission https://www.trianglecaremanagement.org/embracing-aging-
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Worried about the legality of gay marriage and thinking you should get married just in case the laws change and having a problem booking an appointment at the City Clerk's office?
Fera Mostow
I am a minister and will do marriages for any gay couple that wants to get married before the inauguration free of charge or until Trump does something that eliminates gay marriage.
All they have to do is email me and they can come here - Sun City Shadow Hills, and I'll do the ceremony.
Contact Fera at fmostow@gmail.com
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David Brighton’s Space Oddity Concert at the Riveria Hotel in Palm Springs on Saturday, December 6th. Some of the proceeds will go to to local charities . . Tickets can be bought at Eventbrite.com David Bowie Tribute : Featuring David Brighton's Space Oddity Concert Tickets, Sat, Dec 6, 2025 at 7:30 PM | Eventbrite or through https://www.davidbowietribute.com/about
Space Oddity – The Quintessential David Bowie Tribute Experience is a live, multi-media spectacle that takes you on a musical journey through the constantly metamorphosing career of Rock and Roll’s most celebrated innovator. David Brighton and his amazing band deliver a stunning note-for note theatrical concert event… transporting today's audiences back in time through some of the most exciting moments in the history of Rock music.
Experience Bowie's miraculous transformation from space-aged rock idol, to polished mainstream media star... and the timeless classics that forever changed the face of pop culture, with David Brighton's salute to the most electrifying performer of our time.
"David Brighton has the voice, moves and look to actually step in for David Bowie if he were unavailable and few would ever know. Experiencing Space Oddity made for a truly remarkable evening…" says Harry Maslin, the Producer of David Bowie's YOUNG AMERICANS and STATION TO STATION Albums.
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Easy/Moderate/Difficult Hikes
Hiking season has started.
I hike Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Sign up below to receive hiking information
New hikers must register and sign a waiver.
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Movie Meetup
Wednesday - Mary Pickford Theater
Movie Meetups will start soon.!
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This Week's Recommendation
Dark Winds Season 3 on Netflix
Season 3 of Dark Winds delivers a powerful and emotionally charged conclusion to the series, blending mystery, spirituality, and justice with remarkable depth. Set once again against the haunting beauty of the Navajo Nation, the story follows Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee as they confront personal demons and unravel a case that tests their loyalty, courage, and sense of destiny. The writing is sharp and layered, the performances grounded and compelling, and the cinematography stunningly captures both the vast landscapes and the quiet intensity of reservation life. This final season feels both intimate and epic, offering a deeply satisfying closure that honors the characters’ journeys and the cultural roots that have defined the show.
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PALS’ no-cost educational seminars provide up-to-date information, resources and opportunities to engage in essential planning ahead conversations before a major health or life-altering event occurs. For info about upcoming PALS Seminars with in-person and zoom registration links click here.
9:30 to 11 am. 3rd Saturday
September thru June
| | PALS Death Cafe is a group-led open conversation about mortality that’s not a counseling or bereavement group. There’s no specified topics or designated outcomes. Just bring your questions about any aspect of death and dying that interests you. RSVP for the next PALS Death Cafe here. | | |
PALS Circle is an hour of enjoyable connection, support and friendship among LGBTQ+ seniors and allies. There's no agenda, no formal topic — just fun conversation and camaraderie each Monday from 6:00 to 7:00 PM on ZOOM. Sign up to receive PALS Circle announcements here.
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Evening Chat Group
Evening Chat Group 5pm to 6:30pm PST Every Wednesday
Join us for a lively Zoom chat, catch up with friends, and make new ones! Open to Lesbians in and out of the Coachella Valley — California — all 50 States — and beyond. Please email JayneStrelecki@gmail.com to receive the weekly invite & reminder with Zoom meeting ID and Passcode. Bring a friend! A different host each week!
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1st and 3rd Fridays are Wine Down Friday’s with Guest Speakers 5PM-6:30P. 600 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs.
Network, share info about your business/upcoming event or just drop-by to unwind and make new friends!
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Gay Country Western Dancing - Saturday Nights
Join the Dance Ranch for a great night of country western dancing, including two-step, waltz, shadow, East and West Coast swing, and line dances.
It all happens at Step By Step
933 Crossley Road, Palm Springs.
Admission is $5
Lesson is at 7pm. Dancing from 7:30-9:30pm
Dance Ranch Palm Springs is a country western dance group serving the LGBTQ+ community and its friends. Country dancers of all levels are welcome!
Learn more about Dance Ranch and find out what they’re teaching at danceranchps.org.
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Sunniva Sorby (fellow hiker and Palm Springs snowbird) joins Wild Women Expeditions as their Polar Ambassador representing adventures across Svalbard, the Canadian Arctic, and Antarctica.
To kick things off, I’ll be joining their Svalbard voyage from June 15–25, 2026, and I’d like to extend a heartfelt invitation to all women to join us on this incredible journey. Right now, Wild Women Expeditions is offering a 20% promotion until the end of October — it’s a rare opportunity to be part of something transformative. – click here for more details
Having traveled much of my life, I know that how, and with whom we travel matters more than ever. That’s why I’m proud to align with a company like Wild Women Expeditions, where we share core values of:
Women’s empowerment
Female leadership / Elevating one another
Giving back and adding value to every place/community we visit
Together, we’ll have a ton of fun and experience the raw beauty of Svalbard, connect deeply with nature, and contribute to a legacy of women supporting women at the ends of the Earth.
I hope to see some of you on deck in Svalbard this June.
Sunniva Sorby
Polar Explorer | Citizen Scientist | Polar Ambassador for Wild Women Expeditions
** By the way Bellsund is on the itinerary and weather permitting we’ll explore the area around Bamsebu ( yup that teeny trappers hut I spent 19 months in) which is steeped in history and rich with wildlife and wildflowers.
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Join me in Svalbard, Norway June 15-25th 2026
with Wild Women Expeditions!
** TEDx Talk in Victoria - 14 mins
** Check out our Monthly Event Series
with Exploring by the Seat of your pants!
Author.Explorer.Activist.Educator
www.sunnivasorby.com
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Our history will NOT be hidden!
Not with us two old lesbians and our awesome guests on guard! Our free podcast LGBTQ History Alive! with Ronni and Kelly begins
January 1, 2024.
Meet the Two Old Lesbians!
Ronni Sanlo, Ed.D. is a retired UCLA professor and LGBTQ Center director, founder of the award-winning Lavender Graduation, and editor of the four volume This Day in LGBTQ History. Kelly Watson, Ph.D, DDS, is a retired recovery center director and business professional, and still and always involved with 12 step recovery.
2024 Schedule - Check it Out!
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