Becoming Wilkinson

XIAOBING is from China.He spent four months as an artist in residence at the Tom of Finland Foundation in Los Angeles.After that experience, he's been traveling around the US.  I caught up with him as a guest at my Airbnb in Palm Springs (Palm Springs Interlude).He chats with me about his art, his family and gay life in China.Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.comWilkinson's airbnb:  https://www.airbnb.com/users/251586484/

Vinnie Rotalo is an amazing man.  He hasn't had an easy life.  When he was only 14, he tried to save his mother's life via instructions in CPR given by a 911 dispatcher.  After her death, he had to go live with his father whom he didn't really know.He became a trainer and was settling into a successful career with modeling potential when he became paralyzed.  It took him a year of fierce struggle to come back to his normal self.He got involved in drugs, spent some years in the gay porn industry and lost his partner to suicide.  He also lost his beloved feline buddy Baxter, who had stuck with Vinnie through all of the ups and downs.Vinnie is a courageous, beautiful man who's a bit shy - but he's very funny when you get to know him.  His beautiful energy will be obvious to even the most casual observer as you listen to his story and be encouraged...Vinnie's contact info:Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/vjr39/Email: Vjrotalo@gmail.comPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

A native of San Diego County, Rev. Dr. Jerry Troyer has been a New Thought/Religious Science minister since 2007.Jerry is a founding board member and currently Director of Relationship Development for Urban Street Angels, an organization in San Diego that works to end youth homelessness by providing housing, life skills training and employment referrals to homeless transition age youth, ages 18 to 25.He also serves as staff minister for Om Center for Spiritual Living, and is the author of the acclaimed book, Coming Out to Ourselves:  Admitting, Accepting and Embracing Who We Truly Are.  Rev. Dr. Jerry’s husband, also Jerry, died in 2018, after a 33 year relationship.  As a result of experiencing conflicting feelings of grief, loss and “toxic positivity,” he created an interactive workshop titled “The Search for Inner Peace:  Being at Home in the Muddy Water.”  Through the grieving process, Jerry connected with others, especially in the LGBTQ community, experiencing difficulty in finding a sense of purpose and possibility after the death of a dear one or other life trauma.  As a result of his connection with “ElderPride,” a focus ministry of the Centers for Spiritual Living, he began creating his second book about life after 60, which is expected to be published in 2023.  Rev. Dr. Jerry lives in La Mesa, a suburb of San Diego, with his English Cream Golden Retriever, “Maggie.” His son Brandon and family, including seven grandchildren, live near Eugene, Oregon.Links:http://www.revjerrytroyer.comhttp://www.urbanstreetangels.orghttp://www.omcsl.orghttp://www.elderpride4me.orgPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Dan RossiDan discusses his coming out process, life on the east coast and other topics, including his vast experience heading up several large non-profits.Prior to his current job as Executive Director of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, Dan  was with the Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh, where he led the very successful Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh over 12 years. Dan is a Pittsburgh native and holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Carnegie-Mellon University, as well as a Master’s Degree from Robert Morris University. His extensive nonprofit experience spans not only animal welfare but also human health, having served as CEO of United Cerebral Palsy of Central Arizona, part of the United Cerebral Palsy network which is one of the largest health nonprofits in the United States. Dan’s animal welfare journey really took off in 2010 when he accepted the role of Executive Director at the Animal Rescue League. Under his leadership the ARL experienced unprecedented growth and became the largest animal shelter in the Pittsburgh region, touching the lives of more than 25,000 animals and 30,000 households annually. In 2017, Dan was named CEO of Humane Animal Rescue – the legacy organization of the merged Animal Rescue League and Western PA Humane Society.Dan  is married to his husband Ed Garofolo and they live with their pets in Palm Springs, California.Visit the Palm Springs Animal Shelter: https://psanimalshelter.orgPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

John Adam Di Pietro John earned his J.D. degree from the University of Notre Dame. In addition to being a civil litigator for most of his career,  he also brought in excess of four decades of experience in real estate, title, zoning, land use, litigation, business and municipal law to The Danek Law Firm. He has served as solicitor for many municipalities and zoning and planning boards. In addition to representing local governments, he has acted as legal counsel for real estate developers, general contractors and financial institutions. He has also served a five-year term as in-house underwriting counsel and marketing agent for a national title insurance company. John was a panel participant in numerous legal seminars for members of the Pennsylvania Bar and for various professional organizations, including the National Business Institute. Some of his presentations have been at the following seminars: “Practical Guide To Zoning and Land Use Law” Philadelphia, PA March 14, 2016;“Practical Guide To Zoning and Land Use Law” King of Prussia, PA September 16, 2015;“Title Law From Start To Finish” Philadelphia, PA April 28, 2015;“Title Workshop: From Examination to Commitment: March 10, 2014;“Title Law in Pennsylvania” Philadelphia, PA July 10, 2013;“Practical Guide To Zoning and Land Use Law” Philadelphia, PA October 1, 2013; and “Legal Issue in Local Government” Philadelphia, PA March 2, 2012.He was often a guest columnist on legal issues in a variety of internet media outlets. As a member of the Pennsylvania, Montgomery and Philadelphia County Bar Associations he  practiced before several U.S. Federal District Courts. As an appellate attorney he has also represented clients before the Commonwealth’s appellate courts.He is fluent in Italian and French and has represented clients abroad in various business matters.John was also active in local politics. In 1979, he was elected as councilman-at-large to Wilkes-Barre City Council for a four-year term. Community service includes Chairperson of the East Norriton Township Zoning Hearing Board and member of the Human Relations Commission of East Norriton Township. He is also a member of the Independence Business Alliance of Philadelphia.Past Solicitorships:Luzerne County Institution District;Borough of Conshohocken; 1992 – 2004;North Wales Borough;Springfield Township Zoning Hearing Board; Springfield Township Civil Service Commission; Special Counsel to Borough of Conshohocken; Special Counsel to Ambler Zoning Hearing Board.John is married to his husband Rich and now enjoys a busy life of retirement in Palm Springs, California.Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Luke Yankee Has written, directed, produced, taught, lectured and acted throughout the country and abroad. He has run two regional theatres, serving as Producing Artistic Director of the Long Beach Civic Light Opera  and the Struthers Library theatre.Luke’s published plays include THE LAST LIFEBOAT and A PLACE AT FOREST LAWN, both published by Dramatists Play Service.   His other plays include THE JESUS HICKEY (which premiered in Los Angeles starring Harry Hamlin) and THE MAN WHO KILLED THE CURE, which had  it's world premiere in Southern California in February 2017. He has also written numerous TV spec scripts and pilots.His book, JUST OUTSIDE THE SPOTLIGHT:  GROWING UP WITH EILEEN HECKART is published by Random House (under the imprint of Back Stage Books), with a foreword by Mary Tyler Moore. Critics have praised it as “One of the most compassionate, illuminating showbiz books ever written.” (Musto, The Village Voice)  It was recently cited by PaperMag as “One of the Ten Best Celebrity Memoirs of All Time.”He has taught and guest directed extensively at colleges, universities and conservatories throughout the U.S. and abroad, including five years at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Northwestern, Ohio State, AMDA, Denison, University of New Mexico, the Folkwang Hochschule (in Essen, Germany) and three years on the faculty of Columbia College-Hollywood. He has been a panelist and guest instructor at the William Inge Theatre Festival, where he has performed with Marybeth Hurt, Holland Taylor and George Grizzard. He is also a member of their Advisory Board. He is currently on the faculty of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA), teaching advanced acting and scene study.His theatre acting credits include “Our Town” at the American Shakespesare Theatre with Fred Gwynne, the U.S. premiere of “The Greeks” at The Williamstown Theatre Festival with Gwyneth Paltrow, Blythe Danner, Christopher Reeve and Celeste Holm and “The Dream Watcher” with Eva LeGallienne. In film and television, he has appeared in “The Hiding Place” with Julie Harris, “Ragtime” with Elizabeth McGovern, “Evergreen” with Armand Assante and “The Equalizer” with Jim Dale.Luke has studied at the Juilliard School of Drama, New York University, University of California – Riverside, Northwestern University, Circle in the Square and the Herbert Berghof Studio.He is the son of the late Eileen Heckart, who won an Academy Award for “Butterflies Are Free” and appeared in over 15 feature films, 20 Broadway plays, and countless television programs. Ms. Heckart is a member of the Theatre Hall of Fame and a multiple Emmy and Tony Award winner. In her honor, Luke created the Eileen Heckart Memorial Scholarship Fund at Ohio State University, her alma mater.Luke toured internationally for more than ten years with  DIVA DISH, his one-man show about the golden age of Broadway and Hollywood.  There was such demand for a sequel, he  created DIVA DISH: THE SECOND HELPING, which he premiered at the Desert Rose Theatre in Palm Springs.Luke and his husband Don Hill spend time at their homes in Long Beach, CA and Palm Springs, CA.For more info ( including his full Bio) or to contact Luke:  https://yankeehillproductions.comLuke's email is: luke@lukeyankee.net Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

"Facing The Truth Of Your Life" by Merle YostThe bad news: Your parents lied to you about who you are and what life is about.The good news: Most parents didn’t do it intentionally. They told you what they learned from their parents.ARE YOU READY TO:Look at the world differently?Challenge the beliefs that you were force-fed as a child?Live life on your terms, being free and at peace with yourself?Stop passing fiction to your own children and their children?...then you are ready for Facing the Truth of Your Life.Some self-help books promise simple solutions that sound easy and might even feel good. Yet the fact about your personal truth is that getting down to it, facing it, and getting to the other side of it, involves some pain. There’s no way around it. The way out is through.Facing the Truth of Your Life is a tough, enlightening and demanding book that delivers.Contact Merle: http://www.MerleYost.comMerle's workshops: https://unspokenboundaries.comBuy the book: https://www.amazon.com/Facing-Truth-Your-Merle-James/dp/0999154702/Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Helene Verin has a B.S. in Art from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and has a certificate in arts appraisal from NYU. Verin has worked for many galleries, museums as well as individual artists;  including the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, Documenta (where she worked with Joseph Beuys), was the Edinburgh Arts Administrator, and worked for Dennis Oppenheim as his registrar.  She has written for FlashArt, Interview, and the Smithsonian.As an award-winning designer of shoes, rugs, wallpaper, and tiles, Verin is intimately involved with contemporary design, with a specialty in couture and accessories.  Her work has appeared in countless books and publications.  A Professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, Verin has lectured around the world.Recognized as the expert on Beth Levine, (having written Beth Levine Shoes, (Stewart, Tabori & Chang 2009) and curated 3 exhibitions, as well as authored Arsho Baghsarian (Schiffer Fashion Press.)Verin moved to Palm Springs during Covid, May 2020.Contact Helene: helene.verin@gmail.comHelene's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heleneverin/?hl=enHelene's Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/helene.verin.9Artsy Article:  https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-sit-andy-warholLABUCQ interview: https://labucq.com/pages/helene-verinHelene's Books:"Beth Levine Shoes " (2009)https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1584797592/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0"Arsho Baghsarian: A Life in Shoes"  (2019) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764357328/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Jeff WitthuhnPeepa's owner & designer, Jeff Witthuhn, has been a Palm Springs resident since 2016. He began his retail career in 1998 when he worked at The Gap. From there he spent twelve years at Express and then moved into a buyers position at The Bon-Ton before moving to Palm Springs and opening up Peepa’s.Peepa’s is named after Jeff’s Great Grandpa, Bud Storch. Bud and his wife Roma were instrumental in raising Jeff. Jeff spent most of his childhood at their house. Bud & Roma had a workshop in their basement where they made wood crafts and home goods in their retirement years. And Jeff always had to be down there with them. So it was decided many years ago, if Jeff ever opened up a store, it would be named in his Great Grandparents honor.Peepa'sNestled in the heart of downtown Palm Springs, California, Peepa’s has become a go-to destination for Palm Springs locals and tourists. At Peepa’s, they strive to give the best shopping experience in Palm Springs.  They carry a wide assortment of products including mens & women's apparel, art, gift and seasonal goods. At Peepa’s they focus on bringing in artists and designers who are independent and/or local. This helps them keep their assortment unique and different. As a gay owned business, they like to especially support other LGBTQ, black and female brand/artists. Their  in store experience is rooted in exceptional customer service, just like the old days! They look at themselves as hosts of the best daily party in Palm Springs. And it's their job to make you feel welcome and comfortable in their store. They enjoy the opportunity to tell customers all the interesting stories about their featured artists and designers too! And they love to learn where you are from and what brings you to fabulous Palm Springs!They play lively, upbeat music from a variety of genres and decades. So one minute you may be bopping to Lizzo and the next minute to Donna Summer. They keep it light, happy and fun! The store is colorful, clean and well merchandised, so its easy to shop. Every visit in Peeps,  you’ll discover something new!Jeff lives with his partner Darren in the home they've just remodeled in Palm Springs.Visit and shop Peepa's: https://www.peepasps.comPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Jared Rohrer is an advocate for healthy touch and sexual exploration. It is his passion to dispel shame by bringing dark things into the light and empowering people to want what they want in a way that benefits everyone’s highest good. To contact him email:jaredrdc@gmail.comPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com