Palm Springs-based catering company East Meets West has been contracted by MILK for the national brand’s summer Mootopia Tour. Over a course of 18 days in June and July, East Meets West will travel throughout Southern California for a series of extreme sports, volleyball and surf events, to provide creative smoothies and milk concoctions to help MILK promote itself and increase its customer base within today’s young and active demographic.

“It’s a really exciting opportunity,” says EMW Owner Chef Aaron Kiefer. “Not only are we thrilled to partner with such an iconic brand, but we are looking forward to being involved in the events and sharing our creations with the masses.”

East Meets West Catering specializes in all kinds of events from private wine dinners to intimate weddings to major upscale galas as well as creative cooking classes and private instruction. EMW Principal Chef Aaron Kiefer, at only 28 years old, has an impressive track record in the culinary field. Graduating number one in his class from the New England Culinary Institute, he went on to establish a career in Boston, Massachusetts, working in such renowned restaurants as the Federalist. He moved to the desert when the prestigious Viceroy Hotel brought him out to open their Palm Springs Resort with a menu that tantalized visitors and desert denizens alike. He then went on to help open Big Fish in Palm Springs as well as working with the Kaiser Group restaurants before opening his own catering company, which serves the desert’s entertainers today. He is a frequent guest chef at Zin American Bistro’s world-class wine dinners. Other honors include his appointment as Silver and Gold Medal winner at the ACF Fancy Food Show, recognition as Top New Talents in Departures Magazine, Top Young Chefs in LA Times and Ventura County Star, and Bon Appetit Magazine’s Search For The Best. Also, he was involved in the James Beard House Events, which included participation by such renowned chefs as Jean-George, Daniel Boulud and Charlie Trotter. Visit East Meets West online at www.eastmeetswestps.com

Reach Out Morongo Basin, the neighbors helping neighbors organization which matches volunteers with seniors and the disabled for visiting, shopping, minor home repairs and medial transportation, will benefit from sales of DVDs of “April,” a play written and directed by Reach Out board member Kurt Schauppner. According to Sandy Fleck, Executive Director of Reach Out Morongo Basin, “Kurt is very generous allowing Reach Out to be the exclusive outlet for recordings of his creative works and we are excited to be able to offer his newest work, ‘April’.” The play, a performance of which was captured by Morongo Basin videographer Paul Morehead, was produced in April at Grove’s Cabin Theatre in Morongo Valley. It tells the story of two groups of people who meet several times for lunch, and to discuss the details of their lives, at a small restaurant in Los Angeles. “April,” stars Manny Rincon, best remembered for his work at the Hi-Desert Playhouse, as Heriberto, a Los Angeles crime reporter covering a sensational murder trial. DVDs will be offered for $20 each and will be available at the Reach Out Morongo Basin office at the Twentynine Palms Senior Center, 6539 Adobe Road or through the Reach Out website at www.reachoutmb.org. DVDs of “Once Upon A Dirt Road,” a motion picture written and direction by Schauppner, are also available at the Reach Out Morongo Basin office and through the website. For more information call (760) 361-1410 www.ReachOutMB.org

Realtors Josiah and Justine Hamilton of The Hamilton Co. have launched a new blog at www.thehamiltoncoblog.com to showcase the best in architecture, design, art, photography and fashion in line with the company’s overall aesthetic.

 “We are known for selling homes with inspiring architecture and design,” explains Josiah Hamilton. “Our blog will be a showcase for these homes as well as the art of living.” Articles on cutting edge architects and designers, interviews with contemporary artists and a spotlight on the latest tastemakers and shakers in the world of fine culture will be featured three times a week in this electronic arena. Visitors can subscribe to receive automatic emails per each new post.  

 “Our life and our work are the same,” explains Justine Hamilton, “and this is a way of sharing our passion with the world!” To subscribe to the blog, visit www.thehamiltoncoblog.com. For more information on the Hamilton Co. call Josiah or Justine at 760-449-0049.
 
The Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring the opening night of Theatre 29’s next production, the classic hit Broadway Musical, “The Pajama Game”. Doors open at 6:00pm Friday, July 2nd, for a special social hour featuring hors d’oeuvres and beverages, the curtain will open at 7:00pm.  “The Pajama Game”, based on Richard Bissell’s novel 7 ½ Cents, is a romantic comedy set at a pajama factory in the 1950’s. The novel was turned into a play that debuted on Broadway in 1954, as well as a movie that starred America’s beloved Doris Day in 1958. The show features a multi-talented cast of some 25 live performers, classic music such as “Hey There”, “7 ½ cents”, and “Once-a-Year-Day”, great choreography, and distinctive costuming. Tickets for the opening night event only are $25.00. Limited quantities are available. All proceeds from opening night benefit the Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce. Please contact the Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce at (760) 367-3445 to purchase tickets or for more information. “The Pajama Game” will run five weekends through July 31st with performance Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:00pm.  Tickets (except for the Opening Night Gala) are $12.00 for regular admission, $10.00 for Seniors and Military and $10.00 for Children under 12 and Students with I.D., the show is suitable for children. www.theatre29.com or call the Box Office at 760-361-4151.