Perspective from the 19^th Hole is the title I chose for my personal blog, which is meant to give me an outlet for one of my favorite crafts – writing – plus to use an image from my favorite sport, golf.  Out of college, my first job was as a reporter for the Daily Astorian in Astoria, Oregon, and I went on from there to practice writing in all my professional positions, including as press secretary in Washington, D.C. for a Democrat Congressman from Oregon (Les AuCoin), as an Oregon state government manager in Salem and Portland, as press secretary for Oregon’s last Republican governor (Vic Atiyeh), and as a private sector lobbyist.  This blog also allows me to link another favorite pastime – politics and the art of developing public policy – to what I write.  I could have called this blog “Middle Ground,” for that is what I long for in both politics and golf.  The middle ground is often where the best public policy decisions lie.  And it is where you want to be on a golf course.

Here in La Quinta, California – which is part of the Palm Springs environs – we have been several times to a great theater-music venue, the McCallum Theater.

As some of my friends would say, “there is a not bad seat in the house.”

My wife and I would attest to the virtue of that exclamation.

The events we have attended include:

• Traveling through the Beatles best hits, played by a combination of the Desert Symphony and six guys who are making a living mimicking the Beatles.  And I use the word “mimic” in a positive sense.

• A theatrical presentation of the movie, “You Are Here: A Come From Away Story,” which told the story when 9/11 forced 38 planes to land in Gander, Newfoundland.  There, locals welcomed 6,500 stranded passengers for five days, showing extraordinary kindness that inspired a Broadway musical and the movie.

• Two guys “mimicking” Simon and Garfunkel, singing all the songs we knew growing up.  And the two even looked the part.

• A presentation by original members of the Fifth Dimension, Billy Davis, Jr. and Marilyn McCoo – and singing many of the songs we also knew growing up.  Even in their 80s, Davis and McCoo belted out the memorable songs, talking on stage between the numbers.  

So, without much knowledge of the McCallum’s Theater’s background, I relied on Mr. Google.  Here is what he said:

“The McCallum Theatre’s mission is to entertain, educate and enrich the Coachella Valley community through world-class performances, critically acclaimed education experiences, and serving as the desert’s premier performing arts center.

“In May 1973, a group of Coachella Valley business, education and cultural leaders organized as Friends of the Cultural Center, Inc. committed themselves to the creation of a state-of-the-art performing arts center. 

“Their vision was to enhance and enrich the lives of Palm Springs and Palm Desert residents by making the performing arts available to as many people as possible.  Fundraising began in earnest with 13 sold-out performances by Fred Waring.

“By 1984, local developer Terry Hahn contributed $1 million to the project and Gerald Ford became part of the board of directors.  Ford, in turn, convinced Bob Hope to contribute to the project.

“Vision became reality in January 1988, with the opening of McCallum Theatre.  Opening night was an all-star tribute to Hope.  According to the magazine, Palm Springs Life, Van Cliburn inaugurated the Steinway piano.

“In the audience that night were Ronald and Nancy Reagan, Gerald and Betty Ford, Walter and Leonore Annenberg, and many other notable VIPs.

“Named for a pioneering desert family, the McCallum has gained acclaim as one of the country’s finest presenting theaters by audiences and entertainers alike.  Ticket sales consistently place the McCallum in the top 50 theaters in the world.  Education programs have served more than one million local schoolchildren, educators and community members, while top entertainers praise the venue and its audiences.”

Now, as for such performers as those who mimicked Simon and Garfunkel, here’s more.

Simply, it has always been said that imitation is the highest form of flattery, so to those who mimic Simon and Garfunkel, I say “thank you.”

But, after all this “good” news, let me add one piece of bad.

A few weeks ago, we attended a theatrical presentation of the “Book of Mormon.”  We were sorry we were there and nearly walked out early.  It was crass, gross and disrespectful, not just of Mormons (and I am not one, I hastily add), but of African people general and anyone else who believes there is God.

So, while the Book of Mormon has opened to rave reviews in some places, if is playing near you, don’t go!

And, back to the McCallum.  A great venue and we’ll love to go again.