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View of the reflecting pools and the rear of the Center, with the Palo Verde trees in bloom at Sunnylands. Photo by the Office of James Burnett. See story on page 3.
W E E K L Y
US POSTAGE PAID Desert Hot Springs, CA PERMIT NO 00005
October 3, 2014 Vol. 7 No. 75
Go Green for Life
Senator Kevin de León, President pro Tempore-elect
Darrell Smith, Microsoft
JB Straubel, Tesla Motors
Learn How to Go Green for Life at the SoCal Energy Summit coming to Palm Springs By Desert Star Staff Hundreds of industry and community leaders will unite next week at the Southern California Energy Summit on October 9-10th in Palm Springs to discuss trends, advocate for clean energy issues and highlight the region as the epicenter for renewable energy. The theme for the 6th annual Energy Summit is “The
Great Energy Debate: Beyond 33% & the Future of the Salton Sea” and features a wide array of speakers that include Tesla Motors Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer JB Straubel, California Senate President pro Tempore-elect Kevin de León, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D., President Michael R. Peevey of the California Public Utilities
Commission, and Microsoft’s Director of Energy and Building Technology Darrell Smith along with many others. The first day of the Energy Summit on October 9th will include two FREE events open to the general public; a Green Building Bus Tour and a forum on the Salton Sea. The Green Building Bus Tour is hosted by
By KMIR News Staff LA QUINTA, Ca. - Kentuckybased health insurance provider Humana is ending its sponsorship of the Humana Challenge men’s golf tournament in La Quinta effective in 2015 -- four years ahead of what had been expected to be an eightyear deal, it was announced today. Nonetheless, ``the future of the tournament is secure and the PGA Tour is confident that a sponsor will be found to replace Humana,’’ according to a PGA Tour statement released from its headquarters in Pointe Vedra Beach, Florida. A search for a replacement sponsor is already underway, according to the PGA Tour. Desert Classic Charities, the nonprofit
that operates the tournament, has begun discussions with a number of prospects, as has the tournament’s other sponsor, the Clinton Foundation, according to the statement. ``Humana has been a wonderful sponsor that has worked diligently to maintain and elevate this tournament through a focus on health and well-being, while continuing to have a positive economic and charitable impact on the Coachella Valley,’’ said PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem. Humana, the Clinton Foundation and the PGA stepped in in 2011 and are credited with keeping alive what had been the Bob Hope Classic.
``Humana’s business is changing rapidly,’’ said Tom Noland, Humana’s senior vice president of corporate communications. ``As we continue to shift toward a direct-toconsumer focus, we have to align our marketing and sponsorship commitments to areas that are the best fit for our business.’’ Valerie Alexander, chief marketing officer at the Clinton Foundation, said the organization ``remains dedicated to the tournament’s future success and to promoting health and wellness in the Coachella Valley, year-round, as we have for the past four years.’’ Tournament CEO Marra said
Humana Drops Sponsorship
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Coachella Valley Association of Governments’ Green for Life program and will showcase the valley’s most sustainable properties and feature educational demonstrations on the various ways to save energy and money. The tour will have architects and contractors to help attendees answer questions about the green design features shown and
how such improvements can be incorporated into a new home or remodel. CV Upgrade, Ygrene Energy and utility representatives will also present to discuss financing options and rebate programs. Bus tour attendees will be provided with a complimentary lunch and are invited to attend Continues on Page 2