Creatures of the Night
National parks are among this country’s greatest treasures. Of the 63 congressionally-designated protected areas, Joshua Tree is a unique local gem. Rugged geological formations, a stark desert landscape, and the...
Rear View Mirror
The fortunes of Palm Springs might’ve been at their lowest ebb in 1986. That year, the Desert Circus – the city’s week-long festival of social events, including a parade and...
Retreats: Something Fine
Artist Colas Moore flew into Palm Springs around 2000 to meet with a client in Indian Wells about doing some finishes on his estate. Moore was no stranger to the...
Firebirds Flying With Fresh Flock
Amid a host of unknowns heading into the Coachella Valley Firebirds’ 2025-26 campaign, one word skates above any degree of uncertainty: youth. The Firebirds, who own the American Hockey League’s...
Raw Talent
Back in the nineties, a neighbor named Steve Shagan used to call me up when his wife was out of town and suggest we go out for dinner. He was...
The Desert Magazine Q&A
Desert Magazine: Tell me about your background.
The Plaza Theatre: Reborn
Approximately 90 years ago, on Dec. 12, 1936, the newly-built Plaza Theatre opened its doors to moviegoers with a showing of “Camille.” The film was directed by George Cukor and...
Tamalada!
In the 1990s, I lived in a quaint little adobe at the top of Upper Canyon Road in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I became friends with my immediate neighbors; one...
Editor's Letter
I’ll admit that I was a latecomer to hockey. For the longest time, I did not understand the intense passion of its fans. They were not only Canadians but also...
The Hero in You
Earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and fires dominated news reports across the globe recently. And tsunami warnings along the Pacific Coast made cameos this summer. Preparing for disasters, educating children about safety,...
The Q&A with Palm Desert Mayor Jan Harnik
Desert Magazine: Why did you decide to move here in 1977?
The Life of Pie
Playboy magazines in barbershops, and endless refills of watery brown coffee. The promise of pie could ameliorate most culinary abominations of the pre-oughts: baked cod on Fridays, Hamburger Helper, spaghetti...
