Jason Altieri, Jim Casey, Ginny Foat, Mayor ProTem

Yesterday my dear friend Jim Casey, was honored in our community with the 339th 'Golden Palm' Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars.

 

Jim is president of Integrated Wealth Management, one of the fastest growing and most highly respected wealth management and investment organizations in the US. Jim has added jobs to the valley with the expansion of several offices, including his flagship office on Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs. Jim is also an executive committee member and board member of the Palm Springs International Film Festival and the Desert AIDS Project. He serves as co-chair of the Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards, which raises money for the non-profit Desert AIDS Project.

I've known Jim for nearly 10 years and have seen first-hand just how deeply involved he has been in our community supporting a dizzying array of non-profit groups including: Guide Dogs of the Desert, Desert Aids Project, Palm Springs Art Museum, The Living Desert, Mc Callum Theatre, Human Rights Campaign, La Quinta Arts Foundation, Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs, Leadership Coachella Valley and the College of the Desert Foundation- just to name a few!

On top of his profession and non-profit activities, he became a film producer. A little over two years ago, he met local Independent film Producer Kim Waltrip and together they formed a Palm Springs based production company Kim & Jim Productions. In a short time, they have produced three feature films, a musical special for PBS and have multiple other projects in the hopper.

Jim has set a wonderful example about the importance of leadership within your community. Follow what you believe in, take action, get involved and help your community be a better place. Thanks to Jim for his leadership and support for Palm Springs and the entire Coachella Valley. 

• article in The Desert Sun
• video on NBC KMIR6 TV

The Saturday Seven: Summertime Things in Palm Springs

In my capacity as The Palm Springs Savant, I am known for dispensing sage wisdom advice and recommendations for things to do here in Palm Springs. Certainly at work, back in San Diego people ask me all the time about what is happening in our fair desert community. I receive e-mails from people around the world asking for my opinion, so I created a separate blog with all sorts of info as a reference site. I realized that I'm about due for a seasonal pitch about Palm Springs, which was the inspiration for this week's scintillating edition of The Saturday Seven: Summertime Things in Palm Springs

#1 Check out The Living Desert A fabulous collection of plants, animals, birds and reptiles all found in the desert life.

#2 Visit the Indian Canyon trails or hike somewhere. (Check out that link)

#3 Take A Ride on The Palm Springs Tramway- Its a breathtaking view of the valley and mountains, and at least 30 degrees cooler than the desert floor.

#4 Shop for Vintage, Retro and Mid Century-Modern Collectibles

#5 Golf, Golf and More Golf- Just go early, before it gets too hot!

#6 Visit the Palm Springs Art Museum

#7 Tour The Palm Springs Walk of Stars - Its a fun stroll along the Palm Canyon Drive area

Bonus Entry: Hit the Spa Resort Casino- make the Indians richer! Of course there are lots of resources to help you find more information: Check out this one.

Take it from me, a visit to the Palm Springs area can be unique and very relaxing. Just do your homework ahead of time so you find the hidden gems and really cool stuff. And if you keep your eyes peeled, you just might see Brad Pitt or some other celebrity enjoying a martini with friends. ;-)

-Rick Rockhill

Dick Van Patten Honored on Palm Springs Walk of Stars

On Saturday January 12th, actor Dick Van Patten received a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars. It was a beautiful sunny morning in downtown Palm Springs, perfect weather for the event. The public ceremony attracted over 150 spectators and guests, and was crawling with press taking photos and filming the event. The entire Van Patten family were present: Dick and his lovely wife Pat, sons Vince Van Patten and wife actress Eileen Davidson, actor Nels Van Patten and actress wife Nancy, and actor/writer/producer Jimmy Van Patten. The Van Patten family are such wonderful people, down-to-Earth, warm and genuine. I was so pleased that we were able to honor Mr Van Patten with a star in a city he holds so dear. Dick has been coming to Palm Springs for many years, attending celebrity tennis tournaments, the Palm Springs Film Festival, charitable events and just spending time relaxing with friends in our desert. He continues to bring prominence to Palm Springs through the Dick Van Patten Celebrity Poker Tournament. As far as the ceremony yesterday, everything went very smoothly, and exactly as I had planned. Special thanks to our co-sponsors, Integrated Wealth Management and Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Pet Food company, with whom I worked closely to pull off the day's events. My own employer, whose name is shown in the photos below was supportive in making the day a success.
The Media Frenzy

Above left: On set at CBS TV, where Dick Van Patten was interviewed by Patrick Evans. Above right: at the star dedication ceremony, we were besieged by press and paparazzi.

above: Radio personality Harrison Forbes was on site broadcasting live. He interviewed me, Deborah Gibson and Dick Van Patten, which was broadcast live in Los Angeles, San Diego and Palm Springs. I have to say, it was a thrill to be interviewed on the air live.

The Ceremony

above: Actor Tom Bosley, of Happy Days fame and desert resident speaks about his friend Dick Van Patten.

above: Crooner Jerry Vale, another resident of Palm Springs addresses the audience.

above: The fabulous and stunning actress/dancer Ruta Lee, who also lives in Palm Springs, turned up to honor her dear friend Dick.

above: Son Vince Van Patten, actor, host of the World Poker Tour, and former tennis star speaks about his dad. Brother Jimmy Van Patten also said a few words and told a great joke.

above: Dick Van Patten poses with "Blue Mews the cat" and "Red Ruff the dog" after the ceremony.

above: Following the star dedication, I hosted a private lunch reception for about 90 people to honor the great Dick Van Patten. It was held at Spencer's restaurant, in a beautiful room overlooking the tennis courts, pool and palm trees. It was stunning.

above: from left, Patricia Carr, Tom Bosley, Dick Van Patten, Pat Van Patten and Charlie Chaplin impersonator, the ambassador of Copykatz theatre in Palm Springs.

above: Celebrating with friends. left to right: John, me, Jimmy Van Patten, Jason and Jim.

above: Later that evening the Van Pattens were my guests to a party at a private estate as part of the Palm Springs Film Festival. left to right: Rick Rockhill, Dick Van Patten, Deborah (Debbie) Gibson and John. As a side note, Deborah is really sweet, and a lot of fun to hang with!

above: here it is, the newly installed star itself, all shiny and new. I was so proud of the day's events. More photos below...

-Rick Rockhill