+1 on the encouragement to get some tools to work on it, take a look at Sheldon Brown's website (among others, but it's where I started), and get a feel for things. As for shop suggestions, call around, or visit the shops in person. To me, the facts of the bike bought new in 1971, and you living in the Palm Springs area, says 'retired' or nearly so (or rather, not a working stiff like others of us here--certainly me), so my educated guess is that you may have some time available to go to some of these shops in person and talk to the mechanics or managers that will either at least take a look at your bike or, if asked if there's a shop that takes more of a shining to older rides, point you in the direction of another shop.

Your bike may just need some cables and the chain lubed, maybe brake pads replaced. Or it may need more. I'd like to think that a dry climate like Palm Springs, will not have subjected a bike to temperature+moisture swings like they would up here in the Pacific Northwest. I think errant golf balls are more of an existential threat to a bicycle in your area.