The Coachella Valley Number ‘One’ Desert Local Newspaper
desert
STAR
PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID Desert Hot Springs, CA PERMIT NO 00005
W E E K L Y
June 15, 2016 Vol. 9 No. 48
Orlando Massacre
Worst shooting spree in US history, surpassing 2007 Virginia Tech The massacre at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida has left 50 dead including the shooter, and 53 injured, topping a long and sad list of fatal mass shootings in American history. Virginia Tech, 2007: 32 dead: On April 16, 2007, 32 people, including 27 students, were gunned down in a massacre at the Virginia Tech
campus at Blacksburg, Virginia. Seung-Hui Cho, the 23-year-old shooter who committed suicide, sent a video to the media in which he said that the attack was retaliation against rich classmates who bullied him. Sandy Hook, 2012: 27 dead: On December 14, 2012, a gunman made his way into
Story and Photos by Pat Krause William “Bijou” Perez was honored with the 396th Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars on June 9th. The star was placed in front of George’s Alibi George and Paris Kessinger from the Restaurant. Close to 200 people witnessed the Star Dedication. Bijou was announced as the oldest Drag Queen to be honored with a Star in Palm Springs. Bijou is a humanitarian, entertainer and is a local resident of our Desert since moving here in 1990. Bijou has become what is called a Living Legend and Palm Springs Royalty. His persona as a Female Impersonator and Entertainer
is well-known in the Desert. Bijou has used his talents to raise money for his favorite charitable causes. His performances of live singing have raised a lot of money for AIDs charities, Animalrelated causes and even children with Toys for Tots. He has been responsible for raising over 5 million dollars for these many charities. Bijou arrived for his Star in a blonde wig and long flowing blue and green dress. He adorned his ensemble with a large diamond necklace and long diamond earrings. Many of his friends and fans came dressed as drag queens in his honor.
Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut and opened fire on the pupils. Adam Lanza killed 20 first graders and six staff members before taking his own life. Before going on the rampage, the 20-year-old attacker, who was established have had easy access to guns despite extreme mental
health issues, murdered his mother at their home. Luby’s, 1991: 23 dead: On October 16, 1991, George Hennard deliberately crashed his pickup into a packed Luby’s Cafeteria in in Killeen, Texas and opened fire on the visitors indiscriminately. Twenty-three people died and 27 were wounded in the
attack, carried out the by the 35-year-old man, described by those who knew him as a racist and homophobe. McDonald’s Massacre, 1984: 21 dead: On July 18, 1984, 21 customers and staff were shot dead at a McDonald’s restaurant Continues on Page 7
The 396th PS Star for William “Bijou” Perez
Continues on Page 2
William “Bijou” Perez. Photo by Pat Krause.