DDG Christmas special edition

An Evening with Judy
Debbie Wileman Lights the Night in Palm Springs
Debbie Wileman’s new
holiday album, “A Christmas
Garland”, is available on all
major streaming platforms.
PALM SPRINGS
By Shane Gallagher
Debbie Wileman is
spreading holiday cheer
with her new concert
experience, Judy Garland
– We Need a Little
Christmas. Produced by
Scott Stander, the evening
will showcase Wileman’s
extraordinary ability to
channel the voice and
spirit of the legendary
Judy Garland. The result
is an uplifting, nostalgic
celebration of the golden
age of Hollywood
wrapped in the warmth
and wonder of the
season.
Debbie Wileman performs “Judy
Garland – We Need a Little
Christmas” at Palm Springs
Plaza Theatre (128 South Palm
Canyon Drive) on Friday,
December 26. Tickets available
at palmspringsplazatheatre.com
.
WINTER 2025
Special
Edition
The Nutcracker
Los Angeles Ballet
1

2 Warm Sands edition A DDG MAGAZINE

3

Play
Hard!
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4 Warm Sands edition A DDG MAGAZINE

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Springs!
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5

Almost a fantastic
story, really.
Over the past year, I’ve learned something
important about my health and my life:
sometimes the scariest moments end up opening
unexpected doors. After a full round of tests, my
arteries and heart came back clear, and no direct
cause was found for my AFIB episode. That’s
both reassuring and humbling. It means that as
long as I take care of myself—eat well, manage
stress, and stay consistent with the medications
that keep my heart from racing—I may never
experience another episode. And if it does return,
it’s unlikely to be as dangerous as the first one,
because the rhythm‐control medications I take
are well‐tolerated and help prevent the electrical
misfires that can throw the upper chambers out
of sync.
All of that has given me something precious: the
freedom to enjoy retirement on my own terms. I
get to write when inspiration strikes, without the
pressure of a schedule. And that’s what I want to
invite others to experience too.
We’re honestly astonished that we still have a
loyal following after all these years. The DDG
has changed, sure, but we’ve kept the old‐timy
look and feel—the spirit that made this place
familiar. As I once told Mike, any reader can
drop in at any time, challenge us to a game of
checkers, or chew the fat. The amazing people
who passed through 541, those still with us and
those who’ve gone—shaped us in ways we’ll
never forget. We cherish those memories not just
6 Warm Sands edition A DDG MAGAZINE
for who they were, but for who they helped us
become.
So if you’ve ever thought about writing—
an article, a short story, a reflection—I
encourage you to submit something. Nothing
too graphic, just honest work from the heart.
Over the years, we’ve published pieces from
everyday folks, some of whom went on to
newspapers, politics, and other creative paths.
If you would like to submit writing, send it
to will@desertdailyguide.com, subject: print
this!
As we head into a new year, I wish you
something better: a kinder, gentler nation, the
kind we once believed in when we still dared to
enjoy the audacity of hope.
Nonetheless, this year, age finally caught up
to me in a strange cascade of ailments. Before
this, the only time I’d ever seen the inside of a
hospital was when they took out my appendix at
ten. I grew up in a swamp Yankee home — we
were a rugged bunch. My grandmother used to
say that our genes made us fit to be beasts of
burden. She came from an island 1,500 miles
off the Portuguese coast, and she carried that
toughness like a badge.
On my dad’s side, pre-1620, he’d joke that the
Pilgrims should go back to where they came
from. I grew up with a pond in the backyard
perfect for skating, and New England woods
stretching for miles. Those woods were dotted
with Native American lore and well‐beaten
trails. One of the most famous, Old Bay Road,
had started as an Indigenous trail. Southeastern
Massachusetts was laced with them — an entire
continues on 32

We custom
fit our designs to
you. Please ask for
an appointment
if you need to be
measured for chaps,
shirts, or pants.
Currently, we are
12 weeks out for
custom orders to be
fulfilled
Store Hours:
Open Tuesday thru
Friday, 11-4
Saturday, 11-3
Closed Sunday and
Monday
760-778-2798
650 E. Sunny
Dunes Road, Suite
3 Palm Springs,
California 92264
Simple, affordable,
7

Choreography by Thorda
Christensen and Colleen Nea
The Nutcracker
Los Angeles Ballet
Music by Pyotr Ilyich
Tchaikovsky
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l
ry
By Vic Gerami
Photo Credit is Nathan
Carlson Photography
There are few opening
notes in all of classical
music that signal
Christmas as instantly
as Tchaikovsky’s The
Nutcracker. From the
moment the orchestra
begins, something familiar
and magical settles in. It
is the sound of tradition,
anticipation, and childhood
wonder. This holiday
season, Los Angeles
Ballet brings that magic
to life once again with its
acclaimed production of
The Nutcracker, performed
at UCLA’s Royce Hall
and the Dolby Theatre in
Hollywood.
Los Angeles Ballet’s The
Nutcracker is more than
a seasonal favorite. It is
an immersive theatrical
event that blends music,
movement, design,
and storytelling into a
celebration that feels both
timeless and unmistakably
Los Angeles. The
production has become
a cornerstone of the
city’s cultural calendar,
drawing families, first-time
balletgoers, and devoted
dance lovers year after year.
From German folklore to
holiday icon
Long before The
Nutcracker became a ballet,
the nutcracker was already
part of Christmas tradition.
Wooden nutcracker figures
originated in Germany in
the seventeenth century,
crafted as practical tools
and symbolic gifts. Often
carved as soldiers, kings,
or guardians, they were
believed to bring good
luck and protect the home.
According to historical
accounts and museum
records, including the
Leavenworth Nutcracker
Museum, the first soldierstyle
nutcrackers appeared
around 1760.
These handcrafted figures
leapt from folklore into
legend through literature.
German author E. T. A.
Hoffmann’s fairy tale The
Nutcracker and the Mouse
King provided the original
inspiration, later adapted
by Alexandre Dumas into
a more whimsical version
suitable for the stage. When
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
transformed the story into
a ballet in 1891 and 1892,
the nutcracker’s place in
holiday culture was sealed
forever.
Tchaikovsky’s enduring
masterpiece
Premiering in St.
Petersburg in December
1892, The Nutcracker
initially received mixed
reactions. Time proved
more generous. Today,
its music is among the
most recognizable ever
composed. The score
carries audiences from the
warmth of a Christmas Eve
celebration into a dreamlike
world of snow, sweets, and
fantasy.
Tchaikovsky’s use of the
celesta for the Sugar Plum
Fairy was revolutionary,
giving the ballet its
signature shimmering
sound. The Nutcracker
Suite quickly became
popular as a standalone
orchestral work, helping the
ballet achieve worldwide
fame. What emerged
was a work that balances
elegance with joy, offering
beauty without pretension
and enchantment without
excess.
At the Dolby Theatre
performances, audiences
will experience
continues on 19
9

Palm Springs is a desert oasis that has long
been a haven for the LGBTQ+ community,
offering a vibrant and welcoming
atmosphere for visitors and locals alike.
With its stunning mountain backdrop, lively
nightlife, and world-class resorts, this city
is a dream destination for those seeking a
mix of relaxation and excitement.
The Heart of Gay Palm Springs
Warm Sands is considered the heart of
the gay village, home to some of the best
LGBTQ+ shops and bars. A stroll down
Palm Canyon Drive during VillageFest
is a must, where the streets come alive
with vendors, entertainment, and a festive
atmosphere.
Nightlife & Bars
Palm Springs boasts an incredible selection
of gay bars, each with its own unique vibe:
Tool Shed: A cozy corner bar by day,
transforming into a world-famous leather
and Levi cruise bar at night, complete with
a famous DJ keeping the rhythm going.
Hunters Palm Springs: A lively dance club
with great drinks and a welcoming crowd.
Toucans Tiki Lounge: Known for its
fantastic drag shows and energetic
atmosphere.
Dick’s on Arenas: A laid-back spot with
inexpensive drinks and friendly staff.
Resorts & Hotels
Palm Springs is home to some of the best
gay-friendly resorts, offering luxurious
Palm Springs
stays and top-tier amenities:
Find a perfect, highly rated gay men’s resorts known
for their excellent service and relaxing vibe and
clothing optional fun in the sun!.
The People & Atmosphere
Palm Springs attracts visitors from around the world,
many of whom come for extended stays to soak
up the sun and enjoy the thriving LGBTQ+ scene.
Whether you’re lounging by the pool, exploring the
shops, or dancing the night away, the city offers an
unforgettable experience.
Palm Springs is more than just a destination—it’s a
lifestyle. The towering San Jacinto Mountains touch
the city, providing a stunning contrast to the sleek
pools and buzzing avenues below, creating a sexy
five o’clock shadow on the men sipping cocktails
at sidewalk bars. Are you from here is an easy
conversation starter that you can ask all night and
get a diferent answer each time!
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REPORTER: Adam EMAIL: adamsartexpose@gmail.com ADAMSARTEXPOSE’
ARTISTS DEBUNK FACISM IN THE U.S.
DEI has been purged by the Trump regime.
Injustice, Inequity, and Exclusion have replaced
diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The arts are
based on DEI, resulting in an anomaly for the
arts and artists in the Trump era.
Trump and his nominees can be defined in
many terms; initially, he is a criminal, a hatemongering
separatist, a racist, a xenophobe, a
misogynist, a fascist, a bully, a narcissist, an
egotist, a demagogue, an antisemite, and greedy.
Adjectives that describe him could fill several
pages with examples of how he and his political
appointees are generally inhuman or anti-human.
There are theories regarding how he appealed to
enough people to be elected to the presidency,
mostly that people who were dissatisfied with
their current situation were looking for someone
who could improve their lives. Trump’s
distortion and lying were most appealing to the
gullible, who are now facing the reality that
he is a complete and dangerous disaster and
the exact opposite of a messiah. He is not a
sophisticated individual who can discern reason
and logic. Still, his puppet masters, the authors
of Project 2025, found him easy to manipulate.
He leveraged his notoriety from the Apprentice
TV show, his ghostwritten book “The Art of The
Deal,” and his ability to lie, distort, and portray
himself as the savior of society, promoting
“Make America Great Again.” Ironically,
this phrase was first used by his Republican
predecessor, Ronald Reagan, who was also a bad
actor but not as deliberately conniving or evil as
Trump.
This is a dangerous and disastrous gang of
fascists who manipulate Trump, leaving the
challenge for artists to use their art to reveal
the tragedy that could arise if these thugs are
successful in ruining the United States for the
benefit of a few.
A young woman figure artist, Illma Gore, was
one of the first to literally disrobe Trump as
a fraud with a figure painting titled, “Make
America Great Again”. This painting actually
illustrates Trump as a more fit physical specimen
than his actual flabby body exhibits, with his
knee up on a bench, displaying a very small
mushroom dick, as was described by Stormy
Daniels after her experience with Trump in
a hotel room tryst. This elicited threats from
Trump and his followers, brought the artist
death threats, and a physical assault on a street
in Los Angeles after the painting was published
on Facebook during the 1916 election season.
continued on page 31
11

An Evening with Judy
Debbie Wileman Lights the Night in Palm Springs
By Shane Gallagher
Debbie Wileman is
spreading holiday cheer
with her new concert
experience, Judy Garland
– We Need a Little
Christmas. Produced by
Scott Stander, the evening
will showcase Wileman’s
extraordinary ability to
channel the voice and
spirit of the legendary
Judy Garland. The result
is an uplifting, nostalgic
celebration of the golden
age of Hollywood
wrapped in the warmth
and wonder of the
season.
Debbie Wileman’s new
holiday album, “A Christmas
Garland”, is available on all
major streaming platforms.
Debbie Wileman performs “Judy
Garland – We Need a Little
Christmas” at Palm Springs
Plaza Theatre (128 South Palm
Canyon Drive) on Friday,
December 26. Tickets available
at palmspringsplazatheatre.com
.
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13

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ROBOT SEX
& HUMOR ITS HARD TO BE TIN!

15

MATTEO LANE
FOURTH SHOW ADDED! - ON SALE NOW!
FEBRUARY 18, 2026 AT 8:45 PM
Matteo Lane is a multifaceted talent known for his unique blend of
stand-up comedy, musical prowess and artistic versatility. Hailing from
Chicago, Lane’s comedic journey has taken him from New York City
comedy clubs to sold-out performances across the globe, including
Carnegie Hall and The Kennedy Center. His next stand-up special will
debut on Hulu in May 2025.
BUY TICKETS
16 Warm Sands edition A DDG MAGAZINE

A Hoe-y Christmas
On Mekahel puts the ‘ho’ in holidays
By Steven Boyce
A Hoe-y Christmas is less
about picture-perfect
families and more about
real love, fun, and
connection. “These songs
have that warm holiday
feeling, but with a sexy twist
to keep things interesting,”
On Mekahel says.
The album features a mix of
originals and reinvented
classics, including “Hoe-y
Night” and “Jingle Bells,”
along with a soulful queer
take on “Have Yourself a
Merry Little Christmas.”
The album’s romantic
centerpiece, “Under the
Blanket,” was written by
Mekahel’s husband and
creative partner, Dave.
On Mekahel’s A Hoe-y
Christmas is available
on all major streaming
platforms.
17

Join Us In Palm Desert for our
Second Annual Chamber Music Concert
featuring Small Ensembles from our Desert Winds Family
Sunday, January 11, 3pm
St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, Palm Desert
No tickets required
A free will offering of $10 at the concert is requested.
Chamber Music Concert
Join us in the beautiful setting of St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, Palm Desert,
as we celebrate the most talented members of Desert Winds in amazing solo
and small ensemble works. This was a new concert last season, drawing a huge
audience and two standing ovations. You won’t want to miss it this season.
Tickets Now Available for
Isn’t It Romantic
Join us for our annual
Jazz Concert and Gala
Fundraiser
$100 - Reserved Seating
18 Warm Sands edition A DDG MAGAZINE

Tchaikovsky’s score performed live by the Los
Angeles Ballet Orchestra, adding a richness and
immediacy that elevates every moment on stage.
A Nutcracker born in Los Angeles
The choreography created by Los Angeles Ballet
founders Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary
places The Nutcracker firmly in the city where
the company was born. Their interpretation
maintains the classical heart of the ballet while
infusing it with warmth, clarity, and a sense
of wonder that reflects Los Angeles itself. It is
grand without being distant and refined without
losing its sense
of play.
Under the
leadership
of Artistic
Director
Melissa Barak
and Executive
Director Julia
Rivera, Los Angeles Ballet continues to honor
Christensen and Neary’s original vision while
nurturing a company culture that values artistry,
individuality, and excellence. The dancers bring
precision, storytelling, and emotional sincerity
to each role, from Clara’s wide-eyed curiosity to
the regal grace of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
A celebration for the whole city
As a special holiday treat, Los Angeles Ballet
extends its run at the Dolby Theatre with
performances continuing after Christmas Day.
With a running time of approximately 120
minutes and one intermission, The Nutcracker is
perfectly suited for families, holiday traditions,
and first-time ballet audiences.
The production also reflects LAB’s broader
mission to make ballet accessible and
inclusive. Through programs such as Power of
Performance and A Chance to Dance, thousands
of Angelenos experience live ballet each year,
many for the first time.
As Los Angeles Ballet celebrates its twentieth
anniversary season, The Nutcracker stands as
a symbol of where the company began and
where it is headed. Rooted in classical tradition,
alive with creativity, and shared with the entire
community, this production captures the spirit of
the city it calls home.
A holiday invitation
Whether it is your first Nutcracker or one of
many, seeing Los Angeles Ballet’s production
is a reminder of why this story endures. It is a
celebration of imagination, music, and shared
wonder. In a season full of noise and rush, The
Nutcracker offers something rare: the chance to
slow down, be transported, and feel the joy of
the holidays together.
The Nutcracker plays at UCLA’s Royce Hall
from Friday, December 12 through Sunday,
December 14, and at the Dolby Theatre
from Friday, December 19 through Sunday,
December 28.,For tickets and information,
visit
LosAngelesBallet.org
19

20 Warm Sands edition A DDG MAGAZINE

PS Cultural Center
Events |
2 PSCC WEEKEND
HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS!
Friday: Foodie Fridays Free
Film | Big Night | 6PM
From 5pm - 8pm enjoy a cozy
night of food, film, and friends
— with hot House Pizza and
winter cocktails.
Saturday: Holiday Farmers
Market (8AM–1PM)
Local makers, live music,
seasonal produce & gifts —
a perfect morning in Palm
Springs.
FILM
DEC 18 | 7PM | DESERTED
FILMS HOLIDAY ODDITIES
4
DEC 19 | 6PM | REMEMBER
THE NIGHT | FILM Q +
A | BOOK SGN | AUTHOR
ALONSO DURALDE W/
COREY ROSKIN
DEC 24 | 6PM | ANNUAL
XMAS EVE SCREENING
:DIE HARD | FILM Q + A with
VANESSA THEME AMENT
DEC 26 | 6PM | AMONG
FRIENDS INTERACTIVE |
AUNTIE MAME
DEC 27 | 10AM | DESERT
FILM SOCIETY | THE
SHADOW OF THE SUN
CONCERTS | SHOWS
DEC 16 | 5:30PM | VIP
LOUNGE | MELBA
MILLER’S JAZZ OASIS |
Melba Miller
DEC 17 | 5PM | VIP LOUNGE
| COCKTAILS & CABARET:
Francesca Amari, Jeff Lantz
DEC 18 | 5:30PM | VIP
LOUNGE | AMERICANA
GUEST HOUSE | Dede
Ondishko, Jason Powell, LT
Cousineau, Chris Bennett,
Champagne Taylor
DEC 19 | 7PM | VIP LOUNGE
| RAZZLE DAZZLE: A
BROADWAY REVUE | Bonnie
G.
DEC 21 | 3PM + 7PM | BILLY
L’AMOUR | CHRISTMAS
MAMMARIES! A LIVE-
SINGING DRAG HOLIDAY
EXTRAVAGANZA
THEATRE
DEC 5 - 21 | THE BENT |
DOG SEES GOD
DEC 9 - 17 | THE BENT
| (THE ALL NEW)
SKIPPY & BITSY’S ALL
STAR CHRISTMAS TV
EXTRAVAGANZA
JAN 23 - FEB 1 | DESERT
ENSEMBLE THEATRE |
DISPERSION OF LIGHT
MARKETS
FRI | WEEKLY | 5PM - 8PM |
FOODIE FRIDAYS
SAT | WEEKLY | 8AM - 1PM |
PALM SPRINGS CERTIFIED
FARMERS MARKET |
OUTDOORS
SUN | 8AM - 1PM | DESERT
HOT SPRINGS CERTIFIED
FARMERS MARKET
SAT | 8AM - 1PM | PALM
SPRINGS HOLIDAY
FARMERS MARKET
SUN | DEC 21 | 10AM - 4PM
| PALM SPRINGS RETRO
MARKET
COMMUNITY
DEC 18 | 12PM | AUTHOR
SERIES | HOSTED BY D.
MARIE FITZGERALD
21

22 Warm Sands edition A DDG MAGAZINE

Vetrans mail call! KEN SCHECHER-BOWERS ESTATE
DONATES MONEY FOR PEACE POLE
BRONZE PLAQUE
WE NEED YOU
TO MAKE A
KIND DONATION
VETERANS FOR PEACE AMVETS POST 66
Invites you to attend
PEACE POLE
DEDICATION CEREMONY
“May Peace Prevail On Earth” In English, Spanish, Hebrew and Arabic
In Memory of
Charles Ara, Lew Stewart, Lyne O’Neill
and Ken Schecher-Bowers
Martin Luther King Day
Monday January 19, 2026
10:00 AM
FRANCIS STEVENS PARK
Corner of Granvia Valmonte and Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA.
Across the street from Cheeky’s Restaurant
Call Tom Swann Hernandez
at (760) 324-5670
for information
23

Santa Cruz
Clam Chowder Cook-Off
Saturday - Sunday,
February 21 & 22, 2026
Compete in the largest, most legendary clam
chowder competition in the country!
Enter Your Team Today!
Serve up your best chowder recipe during the
ultimate showdown:
Amateur Competition- Saturday
Professional Competition- Sunday
NEW! Amateur teams see how you stack up
against the PRO’s and compete on Sunday
NEW! Professional Most Tasted winners
receive sponsorship from Santa Cruz Vibes
Boston and Manhattan categories
2 complimentary ride wristbands and 2 t-shirts
per team
Great exposure for restaurants and businesses
All Professional teams who compete will be
featured on the website after the cook-off!
Awards are given for Best Chowder in each
category, plus People’s Choice, Most Tasted,
and Best-Themed Booth
Fun atmosphere and camaraderie
Registration Deadline: February 8, 2026
NEW INCREASED PRIZES! Over $8,000 in
prizes
https://beachboardwalk.com/clam-chowder-cook-
24 Warm Sands edition A DDG MAGAZINE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCcQe_l1MuQ
25

The Center Coachella
provides a safe
inclusive space
*Learn more about our welcoming embrace mural by artist Venessa Becerra at thecentercv.org
for the LGBTQ+
Community
in the East
Coachella Valley
26 Warm Sands edition A DDG MAGAZINE

Welcome!
WORSHIP WITH US IN PERSON
SUNDAYS AT 10 AM
3601 E. Mesquite Ave, Palm Springs
Demuth Community Center
God’s Love &
Good Works.
760.327.3802
www.bloominthedesert.org
WORSHIP WITH US ONLINE
SUNDAYS AT 10 AM
Facebook
Bloom in the Desert Ministries UCC
REPLAY ANYTIME
YouTube
Bloom in the Desert Ministries UCC
Mass over Zoom every SUNDAY at 4 PM Pacific.
Call or 442-282-8389 or visit stgilesaltadena.org for more details.
27

The Tech Corner: To know
what it’s not is to know what it promises or fails.
Summary of Demystifying AI: A Layperson’s
Guide to Artificial Intelligence and Its Impact
on Our World by Glenn Hopper, based on these
claims:
Glenn Hopper’s “Demystifying AI” is designed
to strip away the mystery surrounding artificial
intelligence (AI) and explain its concepts,
applications, and implications in accessible
language. The guide emphasizes that AI is no
longer confined to labs or science fiction—it is
embedded in everyday life, shaping industries,
economies, and societies. Hopper argues that
understanding AI is not optional; it is essential
for individuals, businesses, and governments to
thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
The Rise of AI in Public Consciousness
The release of ChatGPT in late 2022 marked
a turning point. Within two months, it reached
100 million active users, outpacing the adoption
of broadband internet, Twitter, Instagram, and
TikTok. This meteoric rise demonstrated both
the accessibility and disruptive potential of
large language models (LLMs). Hopper warns,
however, that many users treat AI as “magic”
without understanding its mechanics, which
can lead to misuse and misplaced trust. Unlike
televisions or refrigerators, AI systems make
decisions and predictions that directly affect
human lives, so a basic grasp of how they work
is critical.
Why AI Matters
AI is already pervasive:
Consumer tools: Voice assistants (Alexa, Siri,
28 Warm Sands edition A DDG MAGAZINE
Google Home), recommendation systems
(Netflix, Spotify), and fraud detection in
banking.
Business operations: Predictive analytics,
customer service chatbots, and logistics
optimization.
Society at large: Healthcare diagnostics,
education platforms, and autonomous vehicles.
His guide stresses that AI literacy empowers
users to maximize benefits while mitigating risks
such as bias, errors, and over‐reliance.
Core Concepts
Artificial Intelligence
AI refers to computer systems capable of tasks
requiring human intelligence: problem‐solving,
reasoning, pattern recognition, and natural
language understanding. It has evolved from
rule‐based systems to machine learning, deep
learning, and generative models.
Machine Learning (ML)
ML is the foundation of modern AI. Algorithms
learn from data, improving performance without
explicit programming. Types include:
Supervised learning: Predicting outcomes from
labeled data (e.g., regression, classification).
Unsupervised learning: Discovering patterns in
unlabeled data (e.g., clustering).
Reinforcement learning: Agents learn by trial
and error, guided by rewards and penalties.
ML relies heavily on statistics—data
representation, model development, evaluation,
and uncertainty quantification.
continues on 29

Deep Learning
A subset of ML that uses artificial neural
networks (ANNs) inspired by the human brain.
Deep learning excels at complex tasks like image
recognition, speech processing, and natural
language understanding. Its success is tied to the
explosion of big data and advances in computing
power (GPUs, specialized chips).
Neural Networks
ANNs consist of interconnected nodes
(“neurons”) organized in layers. They process
inputs, transmit signals, and adjust weights
to learn patterns. This architecture mimics
biological learning and underpins breakthroughs
in deep learning.
Generative AI
Generative models create new content—
text, images, music—based on training data.
Examples include GPT for text, DALL‐E, and
Midjourney for images. These tools can produce
realistic, creative outputs, fueling applications in
chatbots, design, and media.
Large Language Models (LLMs)
LLMs like ChatGPT are generative AI trained
on massive datasets to produce human‐like text.
They revolutionize natural language processing,
enabling translation, summarization, and
conversational interfaces. Hopper notes their
accessibility but cautions against mistaking them
for “artificial general intelligence” (AGI).
Narrow AI vs. AGI
Narrow AI (Weak AI): Specialized systems
excelling at specific tasks (speech recognition,
recommendation engines).
AGI (Strong AI): Hypothetical systems with
human‐like general intelligence, capable of
learning across domains.
Despite appearances, ChatGPT is not AGI.
It lacks true understanding and adaptability
beyond its training scope. Hopper highlights the
distinction to temper hype and clarify realistic
expectations.
Evolution of AI
Early AI relied on rule‐based systems, which
struggled with real‐world complexity. The
shift to machine learning in the 1980s–90s
was transformative but limited by data scarcity
and weak hardware. The internet’s growth and
advances in computing unlocked AI’s potential,
leading to today’s breakthroughs in deep learning
and LLMs.
Disciplines of AI
AI spans multiple fields:
Natural Language Processing (NLP):
Understanding and generating human language.
Computer Vision: Analyzing images and videos.
Robotics: Autonomous machines performing
tasks.
Expert Systems: Replicating human expertise in
domains like medicine or law.
Reinforcement Learning: Training agents
through feedback loops.
This multidisciplinary nature explains AI’s
wide applicability across industries.
Applications Across Industries
Healthcare: Diagnostics, personalized medicine,
drug discovery, robotic surgery.
continues on 30
29

Finance: Fraud detection, algorithmic trading, risk
management.
Retail: Inventory optimization, personalized
recommendations.
Manufacturing: Quality control, predictive
maintenance.
Transportation: Self‐driving cars, traffic
management.
Entertainment: Content recommendations, game
development, VR experiences.
AI’s transformative potential is undeniable, but
Hopper emphasizes responsible deployment.
---
Ethical Considerations
AI raises pressing ethical challenges:
Bias: Algorithms can perpetuate discrimination if
trained on biased data.
Privacy: Data collection and surveillance threaten
individual rights.
Transparency: Black‐box models obscure
decision‐making processes.
Accountability: Determining responsibility for AI
errors is complex.
Hopper insists that ethical frameworks and
regulations are essential to ensure AI benefits
society equitably.
Future of AI
The guide outlines opportunities and challenges:
Opportunities: Efficiency gains, new industries,
improved healthcare, enhanced education.
Challenges: Job displacement, need for reskilling,
lifelong learning, and adapting to an AI‐driven
economy. Policy & Regulation: Governments
must establish safety standards, mitigate risks,
and foster international collaboration.
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Top 10 Takeaways (TL;DR)
1. AI is increasingly important across industries.
2. ML enables computers to learn from data.
3. Deep learning revolutionizes complex tasks.
4. Neural networks mimic the human brain.
5. LLMs like ChatGPT transform language
processing.
6. AI is integral to everyday life.
7. The future holds both opportunities and
challenges.
8. Job displacement requires reskilling.
9. Ethical issues must be addressed.
10. Regulation and policy are critical for safe
deployment.
Conclusion
Demystifying AI argues that understanding AI
is a collective responsibility. Hopper’s central
message is clear: knowledge is power or a
loaded gun.
The most serious, realistic risk: AI identity
manipulation. Children may grow up in a
world where they cannot reliably tell what is
real, who to trust, or whether the information
shaping their beliefs is authentic. Nontransparent,
unregulated AI systems can
tailor messages to a child’s psychology, fears,
desires, and vulnerabilities. Not in a broad
“advertising” way
REMOVE THE MASKS!!
We need Identity Verification for all AI
Systems (The “No Fake People” Rule that IDS/
blocks: AI “friends” pretending to be peers.
AI tutors pretending to be teachers, AI bots
impersonating authority figures, and Deepfake
grooming!

Trump’s pre-election claim to be a one-day
dictator turned out to be what he really meant to
be a permanent dictator. A London-based artist
called Pegasus designed a captivating, large
painting of Trump behind a podium dressed in
a Nazi uniform, which the artist says confirms
that Trump is out to be the next tyrant in history.
Each new hate speech during and after the
election confirms that he is out to be a full-time
autocratic dictator. The words printed over the
painting present the warning,
their civil rights in some of the most evil and
violent treatment ever exerted on people in the
United States.
Artist Roberto Gonzolez depicts the trauma
inflicted on parents in his painting of an
immigrant family attempting to evade Border
Patrol,
“Those who do not remember the past are
condemned to repeat it.”
The criminalization of immigration and the
cruel and illegal treatment of immigrants are
unfounded in U.S. history. Although immigrants
have historically been treated as second-class, it
has been only under Trump that they have lost
Trump insists that he should receive the Nobel
Peace Prize while he attempts to change the
name of the Department of Defense to the
Department of War. That doesn’t sound very
peaceful. As this is taking place,
he sends the National Guard and Marines into
U.S. cities to make them comply with his wishes.
The first city he invaded was Los Angeles which
came back with vigorous rebellion against his
illegal tyranny. Then he did the same with
Washington D.C., with protesters peacefully
rebelling except for an individual who threw
a sandwich at a National Guard soldier. The
attempt to charge this violent sandwich thrower
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31

network of Native paths, including the Old Bay
Path, which colonists turned into a main highway
by 1637. Wound its way through my backyard
“Those motherfuckers,” my grandfather would
muse, half amused, half bitter. He claimed
membership in the old Madokawanda tribe of
“red men” — a kind of cultural appropriation,
or what people today might call being a culture
vulture. But to him, it wasn’t politics or identity
debates. It was camping. It was hunting. It was
running wild through the woods in a cotton
loincloth and red body paint, living out the stories
he loved.
At eighty‐five, my dad—now gone—told me that
the winter had finally gotten to him. He said it
was time to stop painting the house himself and
put up vinyl siding instead. There was a hint of
defeat in his voice, a quiet regret that the body
eventually calls time‐out even when the spirit
doesn’t want to.
It was a big house, a classic hip‐roof Federal
with a wraparound porch held up by tall colonial
columns. That porch was my kingdom. I spent
my summers sleeping outside on the screened‐in
section with my friends, where we could play
all night and sleep all day—an arrangement that
suited my parents just fine. It was the seventies,
and crime felt miles and decades away. Or so we
thought.
We, kids, learned a lot about life at three in
the morning on that porch—about friendship,
mischief, dreams, and the strange electricity of
being young and believing the world was wide
open. And then, as it always does, childhood
ended. I shipped off to the military and built a life
as a decorated veteran. Sports kept me relatively
healthy along the way, gave me structure and
32 Warm Sands edition A DDG MAGAZINE
purpose, even when everything else was shifting.
But I’ll tell you this: I never warmed up to
pickleball. To me, it always felt like badminton
for the feeble, and I wasn’t ready to join that
club.
I started slowing down after I hit sixty. Not
a graceful, monk‐on‐a‐mountaintop slowing
down—more like a shopping cart with one bad
wheel veering into traffic. One body part after
another began filing formal complaints, each one
treated with a pill or two, like I was patching
leaks on a sinking ship and pretending it was
maintenance.
A roller coaster saved my life!
Then came the day. This year. I drove to Six
Flags—because apparently I still believed I
was the same guy who used to sprint onto roller
coasters like they were calling my name. Traffic
was a disaster, of course. By the time I finally
got to the park, I told my group to go on without
me because I was feeling dizzy. Not “I need a
minute” dizzy—more like “the Earth is tilting off
its axis” dizzy.
I staggered back to the hotel, lay down, and
the room immediately began spinning like I
was trapped inside a washing machine on the
‘Exorcist’ cycle. I took a nap, because that’s what
old men do when the universe starts rotating.
When I woke up, I felt better—meaning I could
stand without grabbing the furniture—so I
rejoined my party.
Still wobbling like a newborn deer, I got on the
continues from 6
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first roller coaster. Big mistake. The thing took
off like it was trying to shake me loose. I was
tossed around like a bag of rice in a food‐drive
commercial. I used to love coasters. I’d traveled
the country riding them. But this? This was not
the religion I remembered.
It reminded me of the last time I played hockey.
I scored a goal—yes, a goal—but afterward the
goalie told me he was stunned by my breakaway.
Not because of my speed. No. He said I looked
like a toddler learning to walk, arms flailing,
legs doing their own thing, gravity negotiating
terms. He was sure I was going to fall, but at the
last second, I flipped the puck into the net. That
was the moment I realized my hockey days were
over.
And sitting in that roller coaster, rattled like a
loose bolt in a lawnmower, I knew my coaster
days were over, too.
Ironically, all that twisting and jolting actually
fixed my dizzy spell, for a while. Like the ride
shook my inner ear back into place. But of
course, because this is aging we’re talking about,
it wasn’t the end of the dizzy spells. Oh no. That
was just the opening act.
A few weeks later, fate struck again, which
got my attention, comming from a life science
background, and FDA validations, I knew the
signs of severe symptoms. I had guessed my
luck had run out, but still, I had no symptoms
or pain other than the dizzy spells, and one
morning, I got out of bed, and I immediately
felt like I was going to faint. And I fell back in
bed, the room was spinning faster than Oz, and
I was doirathy, or a friend of dothery! Recently,
I completed a 2-year clinical study of the heart.
And I was given a free Apple Watch to use to
track my progress. And that included a 2-year
task of monthly EEG measurements on the
watch. So I found it, charged it (the study ended
a few months before), strapped it on, and lo and
behold, rapid heartbeat at 200, so it was off to
the ER!
Harvard Health provides reliable health
information on
Atrial fibrillation treatment
Treatment depends on the cause.
If the cause is coronary artery disease, treatment
may consist of:
• Lifestyle changes
• Cholesterol-lowering medications
• Blood pressure medications.
Atrial fibrillation caused by an excess of thyroid
hormones (hyperthyroidism) can be treated with
medication or surgery to address the underlying
condition. When rheumatic heart disease is the
cause, the condition may be treated with surgery
to repair or replace heart valves damaged by the
disease.
There are three main areas of treatment, all of
which need to be addressed:
• Control of heart rate (rate control)
• Restoring regular rhythm (rhythm control)
• Anticoagulation.
Treatment of the first attack
When a person develops persistent atrial
fibrillation for the first time (or the first few
times), doctors often try to restore a normal heart
rhythm. This is particularly true if a person is
continues on 34
33

having bothersome symptoms (like shortness of
breath or weakness) from atrial fibrillation. Even
if the person does not have symptoms, there is
a reason to try to restore a normal rhythm: the
longer the heart remains in atrial fibrillation, the
harder it is to restore a normal heart rhythm.
Several different medicines are used to restore
a normal heart rhythm. A first step for those
who remain in atrial fibrillation is electrical
cardioversion: a slight shock is delivered to the
chest, and the electricity can “reset” the heart to
a normal rhythm. This procedure is done with
brief anesthesia and works in most cases. But
more than half of patients eventually develop
atrial fibrillation again.
Restoring a normal heart rhythm when atrial
fibrillation recurs
To keep the heart from repeatedly going
back into atrial fibrillation, your doctor may
recommend radiofrequency catheter ablation.
This procedure is typically performed in a
hospital’s catheterization laboratory. The method
uses radio waves to destroy the heart tissue
that triggers the abnormal electrical rhythms
that cause atrial fibrillation. If it is effective in
eliminating recurrent attacks of atrial fibrillation,
then it also eliminates the symptoms caused by
atrial fibrillation. For patients who maintain a
regular rhythm for more than a year, sometimes
blood-thinning medications can be stopped.
Unfortunately, radiofrequency catheter ablation
is not always practical, and it can also have
complications. Talk to your doctor about the
balance of benefits and risks.
Keeping a normal heart rhythm
Once a normal heart rhythm has been restored,
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several different medicines may be given to help
maintain it. This is called rhythm control.
Sometimes, high doses of beta-blockers can
keep the heart in a regular rhythm. These drugs
have relatively few serious adverse effects. For
most patients, however, the most potent drugs
for keeping the heart out of atrial fibrillation are
the antiarrhythmic drugs, such as amiodarone.
Although these drugs are generally effective at
keeping the heart rhythm regular, they can also
have serious side effects.
Slowing the heart rate
Sometimes—usually after the heart has slipped
back into atrial fibrillation several times, despite
treatment — doctors decide it is better to leave
the heart in atrial fibrillation. When that happens,
the heart rate usually needs to be slowed down
to help the heart work most efficiently. This is
called rate control.
Medicines used to slow the heart rate include
beta blockers, calcium-channel blockers, and
digoxin.
Rhythm control versus rate control
A recent study has found that for patients who
have developed atrial fibrillation in the past
year, a strategy of rhythm control with either
medication or ablation does lead to a lower risk
of heart events. Thus, discussing the plan with
your doctor is essential.
Anticoagulation
For anyone who has chronic atrial fibrillation, or
who may be going in and out of atrial fibrillation
without knowing it (because it doesn’t cause
them symptoms), the risk of blood clots needs to
be reduced. This requires “blood-thinning” drugs
continues on 35

known as anticoagulants.
An assessment of the risk of stroke, the major
complication of atrial fibrillation, is always
performed in deciding on whether to use
anticoagulation. Doctors use a simple but
surprisingly accurate method to estimate your
risk of stroke if you have atrial fibrillation. It’s a
score on a scale of 0 to 9 that predicts the risk of
stroke from AFib in any given year.
The method is called the CHA2DS2-VASc score.
It’s an acronym for the eight major risk factors
for stroke that add one or more points to your
overall score:
• C: Congestive heart failure (1 point)
• H: high blood pressure (1 point)
• A: age 75 and older (highest risk, 2 points)
• D: diabetes (1 point)
• S: previous stroke, or any event related to a
blood clot that forms in the heart and travels
to another part of the body (2 points)
• V: vascular disease, or buildup of fatty
deposits (plaques) in the coronary arteries or
other major arteries (1 point)
• A: age 65 to 74 (moderate risk, 1 point)
Sc: female sex, because women with AFIB are
at higher risk of stroke compared with men (1
point)
Guidelines recommend anticoagulation for those
with a CHA2DS2-VASc score of 2 or greater,
although some studies have shown benefit in
those with a score of 1.Several different bloodthinning
drugs all carry a risk: a tendency to
reduce the tendency of blood to clot, thereby
increasing the risk of bleeding (since clots are
a protective mechanism the body uses to try to
stop bleeding).
Traditionally, the drug warfarin (Coumadin) has
been used for anticoagulation. New guidelines
recommend anticoagulation with drugs called
direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for
people with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. This
means they have standard heart valves. The
DOACs include apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban,
and rivaroxaban.
These drugs are increasingly used instead of
warfarin.
The DOACs do not require periodic blood tests,
unlike warfarin. They also may have a lower
risk of bleeding. On the other hand, they are
considerably more expensive, and because they
are new, there is less known about their possible
long-term side effects.
The alternative to a DOAC is warfarin. Millions
of people have taken this drug over the past 70
years. Doctors have extensive experience using
it and knowledge of its possible side effects.
Warfarin also needs to be monitored regularly:
The good news is that once detected, there
are many time-tested treatments, and it is less
life-threatening than it once was. Because our
knowledge is better. In my case, I asked the
doctor to hold off on more invasive treatments,
and I was able to manage my condition.
Recently Cardiologists in Mayo Clinic’s Heart
Rhythm Services are performing safe, successful
ablation procedures in patients using a novel
energy source. The FDA-approved pulsed field
ablation (PFA) for atrial fibrillation (AFib) marks
a milestone in electrophysiology.
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NAKED LUNCH!
Clothing optional beaches...Check first
Fan Faves
San Onofre State
Beach – Nude Area
Caution its on a
Military land once
friendly. The clothingoptional
area of San
Onofre State Beach is
located south of the
state park beaches.
This beach, aka
Gladiator Beach, is at
the edge of the state park boundary, and the only
way to get there is by hiking from the state park.
San Onofre is one of the better-known clothing
optional beaches in California.
From the linear parking lot on the bluff, there are
six numbered hiking trails (numbered 1 to 6 north
to south) that lead down to the beach. The nude
beach is south from the bottom of Trail 6. See
Bluffs Beach for more information.
San Gregorio Private Beach San Gregorio Private
Beach is a clothing-optional beach on private
property just north of the state-owned land in San
Gregorio State Beach. It’s considered to be the
first nude beach in America.
Pro Tip! A large number of secluded and amazing
hiking trail Breaking the ice on a hiking trail can
be as simple as complimenting someone’s gear,
like noticing a cool backpack and asking where
they got it, or asking for trail tips if
For the Naturist
Family DeAnza Desert Sun Resort
Starland Community Desert retreat
40 Warm Sands edition A DDG MAGAZINE
Sea Mountain Luxury Nude Resort and Spa Hotel
DHS
Black’s Beach
2800 Torrey Pines Scenic Dr, La Jolla, CA 92037
+1 619-221-8899. Torrey Pines bluffs collapsed
last year I don’t know the status but there is an
entrance from the south side but a long walk.
https://www.sandiego.org/explore/things-to-do/
beaches-bays/blacks-beach.aspx
Tunitas Creek Beach
20775 Cabrillo Highway S, Half Moon Bay, CA
94019 (650) 355-8289 https://www.smcgov.org/
parks/tunitas-creek-beach
El Matador State Beach
32350 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265
(818) 880-0363
Sand Cove Beach
2005 Garden Highway, Sacramento, Ca 95833
https://www.californiabeaches.com/beach/elmatador-state-beach/
https://www.parkwhiz.com/p/sacramentoparking/2101-garden-hwy/
Red Rock Beach
Shoreline Highway 1, Stinson Beach, CA 94970
(415) 868-0942
https://www.nps.gov/goga/stbe.htm
Topanga Beach
18700 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265
(310) 821-1081
https://beaches.lacounty.gov/topanga-beach/
Kellogg Beach
San Antonio Ave, San Diego, CA 92106-3518

A Home for the holidays!
FOR SALE — COUNTRY HOMESTEAD ON 18 ACRES
3327 Military Road • Haynesville, Maine 04497
Offered at: $156,900
Live the Homestead Life
This spacious 4,000 sq ft farmhouse sits on 18 acres of open pasture, woods, and tillable land—
perfect for horses, gardening, or peaceful rural living. Located near the Mattawamkeag River and
East Grand Lake, with easy access to Houlton and the Canadian border.
Home Features
- 3 Bedrooms • 1.5 Baths
- Large remodeled kitchen
- Unfinished 3rd floor with bonus room
- New electrical wiring, breaker panel, and meter
- New plumbing throughout
- New drywall & subflooring upstairs
- Pellet stoves heat the entire home
- Generator hookup installed
Outbuildings & Land
- Detached 2.5-car garage
- Carriage/Barn house with loft
- Shed + dog kennel
- 18 acres of pasture, woods, and shade trees
Important Notes**
- Sold as-is
- Will not qualify for FHA, USDA, or VA loans
- Conventional or cash buyers only
Listed free by: Dorothy Field — North Country Properties 207-307-2161
41

Helping immigrants facing
mass deportation requires a
multi-faceted approach. Here
are some steps you can take:
Legal Assistance: Support organizations
that provide legal aid to immigrants. Many
immigrants facing deportation do not have the
right to a publicly funded attorney, so donating to
or volunteering with legal aid organizations can
make a significant difference.
Community Support: Engage with local immigrant
advocacy groups. These organizations often
provide resources and support to immigrants,
including legal advice, housing assistance, and
emotional support.
Raise Awareness: Use social media and other
platforms to raise awareness about the issues
immigrants face. Sharing stories and information
can help garner public support and put pressure
on policymakers to protect immigrant rights.
Political Action: Advocate for policies that protect
immigrants. Contact your local representatives
and urge them to support legislation that provides
protections for immigrants and opposes mass
deportation efforts.
Emergency Preparedness: Help immigrants
prepare for potential deportation by ensuring they
have legal documents in order, such as custody
arrangements for children and important personal
documents readily accessible.
Support Networks: Create or join support
networks that can provide immediate assistance
to immigrants in crisis. This can include offering
temporary housing, transportation, or financial
support.
support to immigrants facing the threat of mass
deportation.
We are at our bes
Quotes that reflect the importance of immigrants
and their invaluable contributions to society.
“We should embrace our immigrant roots and
recognize that newcomers to our land are not
part of the problem but part of the solution.” —
Roger Mahony
“Remember, remember always, that all of us,
and you and I especially, are descended from
immigrants and revolutionists.” — Franklin D.
Roosevelt
“Our attitude towards immigration reflects our
faith in the American ideal. We have always
believed it possible for men and women who start
at the bottom to rise as far as the talent and energy
allow. Neither race nor place of birth should affect
their chances.” — Robert F. Kennedy
In a 1946 commencement address at Lincoln
University, a historically Black college, Albert
Einstein stated that segregation was “not a disease
of people of color. It is a disease of white people”
“We are a nation of immigrants, and if America is
to be great, we must not only protect but cherish
our immigrant heritage.” — George W. Bush
“Immigration is not just a link to America’s past;
it’s also a bridge to America’s future.” — George
W. Bush
“Everywhere immigrants have enriched and
strengthened the fabric of American life.” — John
F. Kennedy
“America was built by immigrants. Almost all of
us have ancestors who braved the oceans—libertyloving
risk takers in search of an ideal—the largest
voluntary migrations in recorded history.” —
George H. W. Bush
By taking these steps, you can help provide crucial
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with numerous serious felonies by Trump’s
Department of Justice was not convincing to a
grand jury, which decried the attempted charge
as excessive. The art that evolved from this
was the use of the U.K. artist, Banksy’s original
illustration of a man throwing a bouquet of
flowers from a protest in Gaza, substituting the
bouquet of flowers with a subway sandwich
which is now found in many locations in
Washington D.C.
Bahamas, and the Turks Caicos Islands. As the
SpaceX disaster is happening, pieces of Musk’s
Tesla Cyber truck were
flying off the vehicles and
damaging other vehicles in
traffic.
People who may still
support Trump might
consider the lessons of
history. His predecessors,
Stalin, Hitler, Mussolini,
Franco, and others didn’t
have happy endings.
Hopefully, Trump and his
leading tyrants will consider
the historical context of their
fate. While they are contemplating this, artists,
journalists, and activists along with
thousands of individuals who love democracy
will continue to expose and resist.
Again, artists have been at the forefront of
visually exposing the tyranny of a criminal
president and his devotional acolytes in their
savage attempts to ignore and overthrow the rule
of law. An anonymous local artist’s montage/
painting, “Clouds Over Democracy”, of Trump’s
first attempts at ignoring and then pardoning
participants of the January 6th invasion of the
capital, then being reelected, and with his vice
cohort J.D. Vance, and temporary DOGE leader,
Elon Musk who, emulating Hitler, attempted to
destroy most government agencies and services.
While waging this destruction, Musk’s subpar
SpaceX rockets exploded over the Caribbean, the
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