Lesbians of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley Outings and Events

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The birds are having a moment this morning. Twrills, tweets, and songs permeate the morning, obscuring the sounds of jets. Are they inspired by Coachella, or have they fled for the East Valley for a quieter venue? We remind ourselves to avoid the east valley and downtown for the next few days.


A week of rabbit holes, anxiety and reflections.


Consciousness is experience itself, and it is therefore easy to miss the profound question staring us in the face in each moment: Why would any collection of matter in the universe be conscious?', 'the truth of my situation: I’m floating around the universe on this giant sphere—suspended here by gravity and going for a ride.', and 'Why do certain configurations of matter cause that matter to light up with awareness?' Annaka Harris


I also listened to a fascinating interview with James Glattfelder about his new book this week.

The Sapient Cosmos: Where Physics, Psychedelics and Shamanism Meet | James Glattfelder, PhD

So much feels like it's unravelling. The old poltical systems, economic systems and belief systems no longer seem effective. Civility is lost, integrity is lost. Quantum physics is having us pause and re-examine our fundamental beliefs about reality. On who we are, on consciousness, and on who individually and as a species we are becoming. The days ahead will change us in ways we cannot understand. It seems blasphemous to have hope and faith, and yet I do. Hope and faith don't exempt me from the pain of life, but they can help me integrate it into my journey. Either I believe everything is for nought or I believe everything is for something, sacred in a way beyond my comprehension. It's comforting when quantum physicists are becoming the new mystics, echoing the messages of the ancient texts. The web of life, the body of Christ, the Tao. They all speak of our communion with one another and nature. I hope we find new ways to enter into that communion. Sometimes, life strips us of the extraneous and we rediscover our core humanity and we are changed.


I wish you hope this week.


Kim

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


Businesses - Let's Support Our Community

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  

Local Lesbian Hangouts - Cocktails & Dancing

The Roost

V Lounge

Community Bulletin Board 


Local Lesbian Authors and Books
Community Resources - Food, Medicare Counseling, Advocacy, Behavorial Health
Women's Music Festivals, Weekends, Travel etc.
  • 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.
Take Me Home - Pet of the Week

Fur babies needing family at Animal Samaritans

Shelter — Animal Samaritans


Email me at gabriolakim@gmail.com if you want something posted on the bulletin board, or an event promoted.

Hollywood Times - Valerie Milano

Thank you.


Thank you to everyone who shares recommendations for a worthy figure in women's history, an article, a book, a movie, or a women-centric event for the newsletter.

Women’s History


Women, We Should Know


Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz was a 17th-century Mexican nun whose critically acclaimed writings include lesbian love poetry. She is considered one of the greatest Latin American poets, an early advocate of women’s rights, and some say, North America’s first lesbian feminist writer. She is so important in Mexico that her face appears on the national currency.


Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz: Nun who loved a countess in 17th-century Mexico City


Who has forbidden women to engage in private and individual studies? Have they not a rational soul as men do?...I have this inclination to study and if it is evil I am not the one who formed me thus - I was born with it and with it I shall die.

-- Juana Inés de la Cruz


LGBT History Alive with Ronni & Kelly


Podcasts | Ronni Sanlo

In The Substacks


Katy O'Brian's thirst-worthy new pics reveal a new side


5 Questions With Olivia Kuan - Brené Brown

Olivia Kuan is a filmmaker and director of the documentary film The Herricanes featuring the Houston Herricanes, a professional women’s full-tackle football team that played in the 1970s. 


The Class Of 2025: Introducing The Women Inductees Of The LGBTQ Sports Hall Of Fame - GO Magazine




Feds cancel shipments of meat and dairy to Coachella Valley food bank

Donate $ at FIND Food Bank The Desert's Regional Food Bank, Serving Southeastern California

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82977588013?pwd=urfkjO44hhwpBbKU1OIZDnPfJlbg0R.1

 

Please join LEA this month for a presentation by Kelly Watson and Ronni Sanlo.  We will be present:



7 Essential Conversations You Need To Have Now! with loved ones before a health crisis makes it impossible for you to communicate your wishes and values.  Since virtually no one wants to think about serious illness or dying -- whether it be themself, spouses, friends or family members we leave these conversations unspoken. Those who end up taking care of us without clear directions become unduly burdened and may make decisions which would not represent our final wishes.  

Be bold, be present and learn what can be done to get your wishes met and help your spouse, partner, family and friends know what to do so that all have greater peace of mind.

2025 Women’s Voices Now

Online Film Festival! 🌍

Theme: Women: In All Their Shapes & Forms

Now in its 11th year, this festival offers an intimate look at global

women’s rights struggles through groundbreaking documentaries.

🎬39 Films • 22 Countries • March 26 – April 30

Passes start at $25.00


Women's Voices Now - Women's Rights Through Film

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


Glow in the Dark at The Living Desert Meetup. I love this event!


APRIL 17th is Pride Night at The Living Desert in Palm Desert — get your tickets online early! — we will meet just inside the entrance gates, to the left, at 6:30pm


Events Calendar - The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

'Glow In The Park' Dates Announced For Living Desert Zoo And Gardens | Palm Desert, CA Patch

Don't miss Marisa's upcoming signature show at The Roost!


Click on the link below to get tickets, HURRY! Expected to sell out!!


MARISA TICKETS


Free Community Screening: Julie & Julia

April 18 | 6PM | Historic Camelot Theatre | Palm Springs Cultural Center

Join us for a free neighborhood screening of Julie & Julia (2009), the beloved food-filled film starring Meryl Streep as the iconic Julia Child. This heartwarming foodie favorite celebrates cooking, connection, and finding joy in the kitchen—perfect for a night out in Palm Springs!

Make an evening of it with Foodie Fridays from 4–8PM featuring live music, local food trucks, and outdoor diningbefore the film begins at 6PM.

 Great food.  A great film.  All in the heart of the neighborhood.

 Free Admission! TIX 


Sunset Jazz Soirée

Saturday, April 19

5-7 pm

​​

Sweet Baby J'ai Presents An Evening with Virtuoso Yuko Mabuchi​​

Join us for an intimate Sunset Jazz Soirée in a stunning private home—an exclusive night of fine wine, gourmet bites, and world-class music. This rare opportunity offers a front-row seat to Mabuchi’s brilliance in an elegant and welcoming setting.​

This fundraiser is more than a concert—it’s about community, artistry, and giving back. Proceeds support our Sunset Music And Education Foundation SMARTS Initiative (Sharing Music, Accessing Resources, Transforming Students), providing instruments and scholarships to young musicians. Some of our talented SMARTS students will also perform, showcasing the power of opportunity and mentorship—proof of what can happen when young artists are given the tools and encouragement to flourish.

 

Join us for a night of world-class music and inspiration, and witness the next generation of artists as they shine on stage

Venue: Private Home in Palm Springs (address will be provided upon ticket purchase). Admission: $85 (includes wine & hors d'oeuvres)​

Tickets on sale now! Click here for tickets or scan the QR code

Be sure to get yours before they out!


National Women’s Music Festival

49th year

July 3-6 2025

Madison Marriott West Hotel and Convention Center.

https://nwmf.info/performers/

Lesbians Embracing Aging - Next Meeting TBA


 Exciting News! Join Our New LEA Facebook Group 

We’re thrilled to introduce a new way for LEA members to connect and support one another—our brand-new Facebook group, The LEA Bulletin Board! 

 Click the link below to access the page, then hit the blue “Join Group”button. You’ll be asked to answer three quick questions, and an administrator will approve your request. 

 This is a private group—only LEA members can see discussions. Once you’re in, be sure to adjust your notification settings by clicking on the gray “Joined” button and selecting “Manage Notifications.” We recommend choosing “All Posts” so you don’t miss out! 

What’s This Group For? 

 Connection & Conversation – A space for us to chat about topics related to aging (and embracing it!).

Support & Community – A place to lend a helping hand and uplift each other when needed. 

We’d love for you to introduce yourself, join the conversation, and most importantly—have fun! See you there!


https://www.facebook.com/groups/1842826446542272 




Save the date: Our next LEA Zoom meeting will be Monday April 14th at 11 AM. More info soon.

Zoom link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82977588013?pwd=urfkjO44hhwpBbKU1OIZDnPfJlbg0R.1


Women’s basketball sign ups are now on MyRecreationDistrict.com/Sports 

Women can sign up as an individual or team, 18-70 years old and beyond . Games start on March 25th at Indio Recreation Center in the evening. We had 4 teams last year, hope to make it 6 teams this year. More infor on website.

You can also reach out to recreation supervisor Manny at 760-347-4263


Easy/Moderate/Difficult Hikes


Tuesday April 15th 8:00am

Murray Canyon Waterfall - Seven Sisters

Length    5 Miles

Type      In and Out

Elevation  600 feet

Time      2 - 3 Hours

Difficulty:  Easy/Moderate 

Meetup:    Once past the gate, go past the first right on the road to the trading post for 2 miles. The Murray Canyon parking lot is on the right, a mile before the trading post. Indian Canyon is $12 per person and $7 if you are 62 and older. Give yourself some extra time if this is your 1st time to the trailhead.


New hikers must register and sign a waiver.




Saturday, April 19th 7:15am

South Lykken

Length   4.0 miles

Type     In & Out

Elevation 800 ft

Time     2 Hours

Difficulty: Moderate


Meetup: It is a bit of a challenge to find the trailhead

South Lykken Trailhead. Go past 2800 South Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs on the left for about a 1/4 mile south. Parking is on the right near the cement bridge. This is a pretty hike with views of Palm Springs and sometimes sheep.


New hikers must register and sign a waiver.

Registration

Every Month Bird Watching Walks at Prescott Preserve


Join OLT Volunteer Kurt Kosek for bird watching walks at Prescott Preserve every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at 8am. Birders of all ages and experience levels welcome. Walks are under 1.5 miles on dirt trails. The group meets at the old golf cart crosswalk on Farrell, just north of Mesquite. Plenty of parking on Farrell. 

2025 Walks - Regular Friday walk at Butler Abrams - Rancho Mirage - Dogs Welcome

8AM - New Time


Length   2.5 miles

Type     In and Out

Elevation 45 ft

Time     1 Hr

Difficulty: Easy


Meetup is the parking lot at Michael S Wolfson Park

70001 Frank Sinatra Dr, Rancho Mirage, Ca 9227

The more you walk, the healthier you can become, major study finds (msn.com)

Details and Registration

Movie Meetup

Wednesday - Mary Pickford Theater


The Ballad of Wallis Island

11:30am April 16th


THE BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND follows Charles (Tim Key), an eccentric lottery winner who lives alone on a remote island and dreams of getting his favorite musicians, McGwyer Mortimer (Tom Basden & Carey Mulligan) back together. His fantasy turns into reality when the bandmates and former lovers accept his invitation to play a private show at his home on Wallis Island. Old tensions resurface as Charles tries desperately to salvage his dream gig.


Review: ‘The Ballad of Wallis Island’ is loveliest movie of the year (so far)

I will be in the lobby by 11 and lunch at the Thai restaurant after.


Details and Registration

Check This Out - The Lesbian Project Podcast

Episode 71 FREE: lesbians take over the UN; Gen Z need to drink more; sporting power couples; epigenetic sperm editing for same-sex procreation.


I love listening to these gals as they argue, debate, and commiserate.

Book and Movie Salon/Club -

2024 Schedule 2nd Mondays 5:30 pm


**BAM SALON**

March through June 2025

 

 

No men beyond this point 2015 directed by Mark Sawers (April 2025)

In a world where women have become able to “self-fertilise” and are no longer giving birth to males, a quiet, unassuming housekeeper named Andrew Myers finds himself at the center of a battle to keep men from going extinct.


Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86210738578?pwd=OFRYSFNaYmNBaDlQaXRaZ1RBbktUQT09

 

Meeting ID: 862 1073 8578

Passcode: 744589


 

 

The midnight library by Matt Haig, 2020 (May 2025)

Between life and death there is a library, and within that library, the shelves go on forever. Every book provides a chance to try another life you could have lived. To see how things would be if you had made other choices. Would you have done anything different, if you had the chance to undo your regrets.

 

 

Signature Move 2017 directed by Jennifer Reeder (June 2025)

A closeted Muslim lesbian takes up lucha-style wrestling to release the anxiety from her stressful job and tense relationship with her newly widowed mother.



Details and Registration

The Palm Springs Cultural Center brings you a season of films directed by women. And we think our timing is pretty good, too! Curated by Deserted Films. It all begins on Sept. 8th with CLUELESS, and lasts through Spring of 2025. It's about women. And it’s about time. TICKETS: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/she-did-it-8-riveting-films-directed-by-women-clueless-tickets-1001604805937?aff=oddtdtcreator

This Week's Recommendation


A Nice Indian boy (gay romcom) in theaters was fun.


I loved the Diplomat Season 1 and Season 2 on Netflix. Politically thriller, maybe a little too close to home, but fascinating with Keri Russell and Allison Janney joins in season 2 as the vice president.


Mid Century Modern on Hulu is good fun. Golden girls except it's three aging gay guys in Palm Springs.



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All things Pickleball


For more information about pickleball, including lessons, leagues, and other lesbians playing pickleball - contact Mary Barsaleau.

Mary is a registered Pickleball Ambassador.




Pickleball points: Here are some tips and strategies specifically for seniors (msn.com)

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




Lesbians Embracing Aging



Lesbians Embracing Aging: An Introduction

The mission of LEA is to encourage and assist LBTQIA women with healthy aging by creating

support networks of socialization, information, and healthcare.


We are forming a hub of LBTQIA Women and allies willing to help one another navigate the

changes and challenges of aging and help make the myriad of available services more accessible.


Please join us for our next meeting as we make progress toward our goals.

If you would like more information, be on our email list or join us for our next meeting TBA Please send an email to

LEAofCoachellaValley@gmail.com



The LEA women:

Kelly Watson, Lauren Nile, Barbara Tyler, Rita Gonzales, Kate Ullman, Ronni Sanlo


Evening Chat Group 5:30pm to 7 pm Every Wednesday


LIDS (Lesbians In The Desert) Wednesday evenings, 5:30 pm - 7ish — 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 NurseJaynes@yahoo.com to receive the invite with Zoom meeting ID & Passcode. Bring a friend! Hosted by Cindy T, Crickett, & Jayne


Hosted by Crickett and Cindy

Register Here

1st and 3rd Fridays are Wine Down Friday’s with the Coachella Valley Ladies of Justice and a Guest Speaker at theV-Lounge 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!


No meeting April 4th

Next meeting Safety Blows with guest speaker and freebies

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.

 

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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The L-Fund empowers cis, trans, and queer identifying lesbians through financial crisis assistance as well as grants in the areas of education, the arts, and health and wellness.

If you would like to donate, please find us at https://l-fund.org/


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The Palm Springs Women’s Jazz and Blues Assoc. exists to preserve and foster an appreciation of jazz and blues music and to support female jazz and blues musicians who traditionally struggle for recognition and employment. The festival includes concerts, exhibits, presentations, films, and other events that promote an understanding and enjoyment of the work of women artists.

Jazz News and Events