The Gem Feb 2022 by Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce

The La Quinta Gem New Art in La Quinta New Businesses Popping Up Around Town

#LOVELQ

Greater Coachella Valley Chamber 78-015 Main Street, #206 La Quinta, 92253

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PALM DESERT PERMIT NO. 1099

********ECRWSSEDDM*** POSTAL CUSTOMER

Discover La Quinta Medical Center At Desert Care Network’s La Quinta Medical Center Campus you’ll discover an intimate setting for hospital outpatient services. Our services include: • Desert Regional Medical Center’s Comprehensive Cancer Center satellite facility offers consultations, infusion services, and screening mammography • Desert Care Network’s Advanced Wound Healing Center offers care for chronic wounds, including diabetic foot ulcers. We are a member of the Amputation Prevention Centers of America. • La Quinta Imaging provides a wide array of medical imaging, including X-ray, CT and MRI scans • Our Neurology Specialty Clinic treats movement disorders, epilepsy and a host of neurological conditions • Desert Care Network Primary & Specialty Care, where patients can schedule appointments with physicians in a variety of primary and specialty services

La Quinta Medical Center | 47647 Caleo Bay Drive | La Quinta, CA 92253

DesertCareNetwork.com/LaQuinta

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The La Quinta Gem

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A Look at Real Estate in La Quinta

FEBRUARY 2022

IRS Backlog to Present Challenges this Tax Season

Message from the Chairperson

Your Home Sold

A Bird Song in La Quinta

09 What’s New at the La Quinta Farmers’ Market

10 Nothing Bundt Cakes: A Yummy Addition to LQ

11 JadaBug’s Elite Repeat

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What’s Happening in Old Town

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Hikes at La Quinta Cove

New City Website

Bear Creek Trail Landscape Project

SilverRock Retention Basin Soil Stabilization Project

It’s Your Library La Quinta Museum Community Services

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Household Hazardous Waste

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Concerts in the Park

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City Pages • City Manager’s Message

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THANK YOU FOR THE MAJOR SPONSORSHIP PROVIDED BY The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce (GCVCC) was created in 2016 Q in cooperation with the former Coachella, La Quinta, Cathedral City and Indio Chambers, along with the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians and Twenty-Nine Palms ES Band of Mission Indians. It enhances and 0 T. 1 9 5 significantly improves the way businesses interact with each other and the community in the entire Coachella Valley. As a Regional Chamber, the GCVCC delivers services and benefits to its members on a scope not seen before in the area.

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Experience Top-Rated Veterinary Care GCV LA QUINTA CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS Eric Mosser , Chairperson | Charles Schwab Mike Chapa, Secretary | Fairway Independent Mortgage Carrie Babij, Treasurer | Desert Insurance Solutions, Inc. Doug Motz | Motz-Rusin Insurance Agency Steve Weiner | Coldwell Banker Ray Dominguez | Lamar Outdoor Advertising Karen Lambrose | Caliber Home Loans Steve Wilson | Optavia/Next Level Coaching - Steve Wilson Janice Isbell | La Quinta Chevrolet-Cadillac Ricardo Loretta | Dr. Carreon Foundation Kimberly Anken | Robert Half Staffing Agency Heidi McArthur | Jadabug’s Kids Boutique Ralph Piscitelli | Alzheimers Association Mike Williams | Capitis Real Estate Jeff Fishbein | Coldwell Banker / Fishbein Real Estate Group Mickey Jumapao | iServe Lending

with Personalized, Stress-Free Service for You & Your Pets

• Full-Service, Small Animal Veterinary Hospital • Comprehensive Medical, Surgical & Dental Care • Animal Rehabilitation with Underwater Treadmill • Preventative Care • Regenerative Medicine • Nutrition & Behavioral Consultants • Boarding • Grooming • Exotic Pets Welcome

Dr. Jeffrey, BSc, BVMS

Dr. Carlson, DVM

Dr. Jeffrey, BSc, BVMS

Dr. Smith, DVM

Dr. Rioux-Forker, DVM

THE GEM PRODUCTION TEAM THE LA QUINTA GEM IS PRODUCED BY THE GREATER COACHELLA VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. The Gem is an official publication of the GCVCC. Circulation: Approximately 23,000. Distributed free to all residents, Chamber members and businesses in La Quinta. To advertise please call (760) 347-0676. Please Note: The opinions and views expressed in all editorial material are those of the writer or person interviewed and are not necessarily those of the GCVCC, its Board of Directors, or the advertisers in The Gem. The GCVCC endorses no person, political candidate or opinion unless specifically stated. The Gem reserves the right to reject certain advertising submissions. For a list of advertising standards, please contact staff. The Gem reserves the right to edit all submissions for grammar, length, and questionable content. Advertisers please note that colors may look slightly darker, or slightly lighter due to variables in the printing process. Questions or comments? Email us at info@ GCVCC.org or call (760) 347-0676.

760-564-3833 51-230 Eisenhower Drive La Quinta

HOSPITAL HOURS M-F: 8am-8pm Sat: 8am-5pm

NEW CLIENT WELCOME OFFER $25 off Your Pet’s First Wellness Exam Please mention coupon when booking appointment. Limit one coupon per client. Offer expires February 28, 2022.

760-564-3833

VillageParkAnimalHospital.com 51-230 Eisenhower Drive • La Quinta

Gem half page ad Jan 2022.pdf

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRPERSON Submitted by: Eric Mosser, La Quinta Chamber of Commerce Chair How are those New Year’s Resolutions holding up? Hopefully you crushed or are crushing your goals. If not, there’s always next year. So what’s on the agenda for February? We are so fortunate to have so many options available during our peak season time of year. How ‘bout some hiking, biking, golfing, pickle ball, shopping and dining? If you haven’t already, you might want to put together some plans for Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day. They are taking place back-to-back Sunday 2/13/22 and Monday 2/14/22. Make your reservations, send out your invitations, and/or get your shopping done early. Speaking of shopping, have you checked out Grocery Outlet yet? If not, what are you waiting for? Pay them a visit at 50929 Washington St, near the corner of Tampico.

12/13/21

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Medicare has become even more complex Confusing and misleading ads Conflicting information Penalties and adjustments

More than ever, you need an expert on your side

Also coming our way is the 14th Annual La Quinta Hot Rod and Custom Car Show, on February 26th, 2022. Brought to you by the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the City of La Quinta, this event will be held at La Quinta Community Park located at 77-865 Avenida Montezuma. Entertainment, food, drinks and a beer garden will be available at this family friendly event. The event will be open from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM and attendance and parking is FREE. The vehicles will meander through the spacious grounds of the park, allowing viewers to take their time and comfortably enjoy each vehicle on display. This year the show will be recognizing several prize-winning categories, including Best Street Rod, Best Classic, Best Muscle Car, Best Sports Car, and more. Attendees will enjoy the proximity to Old Town La Quinta and many area shops, restaurants, hiking trails and parks. Y

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Interested in showing your car? They are offering discounted registration through February 4th. For additional information about the show visit lqcarshow. com, or contact the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce at 760.347.0676. Hope you have a lovely February! Eric Mosser Investment Consultant Charles Schwab 760-836-3079

Randy Foulds Lisa Foulds

760-346-6565 Office conveniently located at 78010 Main St, suite 208

CA License #0G69218 Learn more at FHI65.com 6

2-26-22 10 AM - 3 PM

La Quinta Community Park

FREE TO ATTEND! LQCarShow.com

760-347-0676 | info@gcvcc.org

A BIRD SONG IN LA QUINTA Submitted by: GCVCC Staff Nate Frizzel may sound like a familiar artist name in La Quinta, that’s because this is his second mural here in the Gem of the Desert. Nate recently did a beautiful mural located on Fred Waring Dr. and Adams St. called bloom. This piece inspired La Quinta to work with Nate again on his newest piece titled “Bird Song”. We caught up with Nate to find out more about him and the newest art piece in La Quinta. How long have you been an artist? I’ve been working solely as an artist since, I think, ‘08. But I started focusing mainly on public art about 5 years ago. We see this isn’t your first mural in La Quinta. What made you want to continue to work with the city? I fell in love with La Quinta the first time I was out there. It’s beautiful and the community was so kind and welcoming. When I got the opportunity to go back for another mural, I jumped on it. Can you tell us the name and a bit about the new mural and what inspired the look of it?

be as broad as possible; After the first wall, the city took a poll of what people would like to see in the next. The most common ideas were sent to me as possible themes to keep in mind while I was sketching. I took that and did some research about the different topics and came across things I thought were interesting and combined that with some experiences from my time in the area. What do you hope people will take away from the mural? It’s my goal with every mural to create something that uplifts and adds a little beauty to the area, but also feels like it belongs in that space. I just hope the people that come across it enjoy it. Is there anything you would like to add? I’d love to thank everyone in the area for being so supportive and kind. It is truly a pleasure to spend time and paint there. How can someone see more of your art?

The name of this one is “bird song”. I don’t like to over explain a painting, because I believe art is subjective and should be interpreted however the viewer sees fit. But to

My website is natefrizzell.com and I’m on Instagram @ natepaints

WHAT’S NEW AT THE LA QUINTA FARMERS’ MARKET Submitted by: La Quinta Farmers Market Staff Although the calendar has firmly turned the page and we are well into the newness of 2022, there are some things that feel reassuringly the same as times past. Strolling through a Farmers’ Market has the effect of seeming somehow eternal, and the sights of freshly harvested produce and baked goods finished in the oven only hours before cause a pleasant deja-vu. Even if you never spent a childhood summer gathering eggs or pulling weeds in a grandparent’s garden, the tradition of farmers and makers bringing edible goods to a city center for direct sale lives in our collective memory – as old as agriculture itself. And yet, Farmers’ Markets never stay the same, even from week to week. In many ways Markets themselves are as alive as the staff who operate them. Seasons and farm crops rotate, come into and fall out of season. Market-based businesses grow, prosper and “level up” to selling in a brick-and-mortar or to specialty shops and leave the weekly gathering. These organic shifts sometimes surprise and disappoint us, but often the changes mean good things for the people involved. The best adjustments involve including someone new. For the CFM in Old Town La Quinta, new date and returning citrus farms will soon open their canopies, and recently shoppers were introduced to a culinary vendor who

marries ingredients from many So Cal sources into delicious P-I-E. Laura Loring Komers began Love, Dreams and Pie (www. lovedreamspie.com) out of a desire to pass along her beloved Grama Nola’s techniques and recipes, but also as a way to raise funds for the education and services of special needs adults like her two children, Alex and Kara. Offering a long list of both savory and sweet varieties, the flavors rotate as ingredients become available locally. To experience the pleasant dual sensation of stepping back in time to something that offers novel delights with every visit, visit the Certified Farmers’ Market in Old Town La Quinta at 78-100 Main Street every Sunday (with the exception of Easter) through the last week of April.

NOTHING BUNDT CAKES: A YUMMY ADDITION TO LQ Submitted by: GCVCC Staff If you’ve driven down Washington Street lately, you’ve probably seen one of the newest additions to La Quinta, Nothing Bundt Cakes. Not only is this a delicious addition to La Quinta as a great spot for yummy treats, it’s also opened by long time La Quinta residents Jeffrey Tropple and Ellie Koch. Jeffrey Tropple and Ellie Koch were inspired to start Nothing Bundt Cakes just over seven years ago here in the Coachella Valley. After trying Nothing Bundt Cakes for the first time, they both agreed that it was a deliciously unforgettable experience! Their vision for opening Nothing Bundt Cakes in the Coachella Valley was three-fold: provide a very unique and delectable product, couple that with exemplary customer service, and give back to our wonderful desert community through donations and philanthropic offerings! They have partnered with many non profits over the years like Animal Samaritans, Angel Light Academy, A Few Good Men, The Learning Tree, The Narrow Door, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Desert, The Living Desert, Coachella Valley Autism Society, Society’s Outcast Animal Rescue, the Girlfriend Factor, Desert Sands Unified School District, Bighorn Charities, Parkinsons Resource Organization, American Outreach Foundation, Bianca Rae Foundation and The College of the Desert, just to name a few.

When asked why they wanted to open another location in La Quinta, they said it was simple “We are long-time residents of La Quinta and we love it!”. They also spoke about what residents can expect from them being one of the newest businesses in La Quinta. “Our goal is threefold: We strive to offer a very unique and delectable product, provide exemplary customer service and give back to the desert community through donations and philanthropic offerings.” The Nothing Bundt Cakes company was started by two best friends, Debbie and Dena, back in 1997. They realized a need to offer readily available, delicious cakes using only the finest ingredients like real eggs, butter and cream cheese. Fast forward to today and Nothing Bundt Cakes brand has grown into a nationwide offer. Nothing Bundt Cakes still offers the warmth, nostalgia and comfort of its home-kitchen roots with a modern approach. Jeff and Ellie would like for you to stop by the bakery located at 46660 Washington St., Suite 10 in the Washington Park Shopping Center or give them a call at the bakery at (760) 501-2220. They look forward to seeing you!

JADABUG’S ELITE REPEAT Submitted by: GCVCC Staff Have you heard about JadaBug’s Elite Repeat? Learn more about this new business created by the same owners of longtime La Quinta business, JadaBug’s Kids Boutique. JadaBug’s has become a staple of the La Quinta community. Can you share about your experience as a business owner in La Quinta? Pre-pandemic, I always appreciated doing business in La Quinta and never had any issues. When COVID hit, the City of La Quinta was laser-focused on doing everything they could to help their businesses successfully get through the obstacles we were facing. The City was updating us, as needed, and problem solving with us. There’s no other community I would rather have a business in. Can you tell us a bit about JadaBug’s Elite Repeat, and what made you want to open it in La Quinta? Being constantly asked if we knew of a children’s consignment store showed us that there was a strong need for it. La Quinta is a central location in the Coachella Valley, so it made sense for us to open JadaBug’s Elite Repeat here. Our goal is to be open by the end of February or beginning of March. Our social media (Facebook and Instagram) will provide exact dates when we get closer and have a better estimate. It is important for La Quinta to have a children’s consignment store because there is nothing similar to it in the area. There are a growing number of children growing up in the Valley and not many unique places for them to shop.

This store will give people an opportunity to shop top brands at more affordable prices. It also provides families a way to pass along their clothing for the next family, while also making some income off resale goods. It helps those who have no place to put their belongings that are no longer being used, as well. It will essentially help the parents keep their children in up-to-date and trendy clothing while cycling out the older items that they no longer need – particularly when kids have grown out of them. The parents benefit by not having to go through the tedious work of posting each individual item to sell using online platforms, and they are able to avoid shipping costs associated, too. The children benefit because they are potentially able to have more toys, clothing and gear than they would if their parents were buying everything brand new. The last point that is important in any consignment/ resale business is the environmental impact it has allowing items – like infant clothing, that does not get worn for very long – to be used for multiple families rather than worn and thrown away/stored until forgotten about. How can someone contact you and find out more about JadaBug’s Elite Repeat? Follow us on any of our social media accounts (JadaBug’s Elite Repeat) and check the website for updates at www.jadabugseliterepeat.com.

February 5 & 19 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Live Music • Free Admission • Free Parking

Hasuyo Miller

Sponsored by

facebook.com/artonmainst

OldTownLaQuinta.com

78100 Main Street, La Quinta, CA 92253

CITY MANAGER’S MESSAGE By: Jon McMillen, La Quinta City Manager

Greetings We’ve been enjoying mild “winter” temperatures, and seeing many people out-and-about taking advantage of the beautiful weather. It’s one of the best months of the year to be enjoying the outdoor amenities in La Quinta! Here are some events to add to your calendar: Concerts in the Park Bring your blankets and chairs to enjoy live music by Funkonomix at SilverRock Park. Admission is free at this family-friendly event, and dogs are welcome on a leash. • Saturday, February 12 • 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. • Food trucks will be on site with food and drinks available for purchase (no alcohol is permitted)

New City Website The City has redesigned its website to improve access to public services and information for La Quinta residents and businesses. The site includes quick links to digital services, news, events, contact information, online forms and social media. To check out the new website, go to LaQuintaCA.gov. Bear Creek Trail Landscape Project The trees along the Bear Creek Trail between Avenida Obregon and Avenida Juarez were inspected and found to be diseased and/or have damage from pests. This caused significant decay in the trees which would lead to potential trunk and branch failure.

For more information, visit PlayinLaQuinta.com. Household Hazardous Waste If you have hazardous household items that need to be properly disposed of in an environmentally-safe way, please bring them to this free event sponsored by the City. • Saturday, February 26 • 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. • City Hall South Side Parking Lot Visit the calendar page at LaQuintaCA.gov for a list of acceptable and unacceptable items to bring to this event. Hikes at La Quinta Cove Hiking is one of the best ways to take in La Quinta’s spectacular scenery! Join these group hikes for some comradery and to learn more about your surroundings. • February 16 – Full Moon Hike; 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Organized by The Friends of the Desert Mountains to explore the cove trails by moonlight. • February 19 – La Quinta West Canyons Exploratory; 8:00 a.m. This is a moderate 6-mile loop with some off-trail travel. The hike is followed by lunch at the Cove Oasis for $20. Meet at the Cove Trails parking lot . To sign up for a group hike, go to PlayinLaQuinta.com A few City updates to take note of include:

The public works team has replaced these trees with a variety of new trees as well as desert plants suitable to the area. The new trees,native to the Coachella Valley, include Blue Palo Verde, Honey Mesquite, Desert Ironwood and Desert Willow trees. They are sure to provide shade for pedestrians along the walking path as they grow and mature. Plant selections include Brittle Bush, Chuparosa, Desert Lavender, Desert Mallow and Ocotillo. SilverRock Retention Basin Soil Stabilization Project The SilverRock Retention Basin Soil Stabilization Project is underway, and the contractor is currently clearing, grading and trenching to install the irrigation main line. The project will add shrubs to the upper half of the slope on Avenue 52 and along the parking area. The east slope will remain in its current natural state – utilizing a hydroseed mix with rotor irrigation on the balance of the slopes to prepare for future tree installation during Arbor Day. The purpose of this project is to stabilize the deterioration of the retention basin slopes and to prevent possible erosion during large storms. This project is anticipated to be complete in May 2022. We encourage you to shop local whenever possible to support your City and maintain safety protocols to help prevent the spread of COVID. To stay updated on news and events in the Gem of the Desert, sign up for “Quail Mail” by going to LaQuintaCA.gov.

CITY SPONSORED SECTION

ONGOING PROGRAMS La Hora del Cuento/Spanish Storytime (Facebook & YouTube) Tuesday, February 8 @ 11:15am ¡Únete a la Sra. Minerva mientras lee algunos de sus libros favoritos en español! Join Miss Minerva as she reads from some of her favorite storybooks in this Spanish language storytime! NEW! Readers’ Club (Ages 18+, Zoom) Thursday, February 10, 2022 @ 5:30PM This group will read and share about a variety of books based on a different theme or genre each month! Visit our Book Club Page at bit.ly/LQLibraryBlog to register and for more information. Should I Know That? (Ages 13-17, Teen YouTube Channel) Available Fridays, February 11 & 25 @ 5pm This quarterly program asks local experts the questions you’ve never thought to ask. Watch the videos February through March and stay tuned for our live activity at the end of March!

IT’S YOUR LIBRARY

La Quinta Public Library | 78275 Calle Tampico La Quinta, CA 92253 | 760-564-4767

La Quinta Public Library is located at 78-275 Calle Tampico. Enjoy FREE programs for all ages! Questions? Call 760-564-4767

FEATURED PROGRAMS La Quinta Book Fest 2022 (Teens & Adults) – Register at bit.ly/LQBookFest Monday, February 14 - Friday, February 18, 2022 Book Fest 2022 will feature a Zoom author panel discussion, a special virtual book club, and more! Book Fest is FREE, but registration is required. For the full schedule, announcements, FAQs, etc. visit bit.ly/ LQBookFest. Tween STEAM (Ages 8-12, in-person) Saturday, February 12 @ 11am Create and collaborate on exciting experiments and hands-on fun at our new Tween STEAM program. Registration required. Bloody Valentine - A Mystery Party (Ages 13-17, inperson) Saturday, February 12 @ 3-4pm Join other sleuths to identify and stop the villain among you in this murder mystery-style game. Registration required. NEW! Preschool Storytime in the Park (Civic Center Campus Amphitheater) Wednesday, February 23 @ 11:15am Join us at the amphitheater behind the library for storytime! This program is best for preschool-age children and their caregivers. Note: Program may be subject to cancellation due to inclement weather. CITY SPONSORED SECTION

LA QUINTA MUSEUM 77885 Avenida Montezuma La Quinta, CA 92253 (760) 777-7170

LA QUINTA MUSEUM FEBRUARY 2022 THE LA QUINTA MUSEUM IS OPEN TUESDAYSATURDAY, 10AM-4PM. ADMISSION AND PROGRAMS ARE FREE CURRENT EXHIBITS

Tuesday, February 22, 11am: Take a Break with Huell Join us for an episode of Huell Howser’s California’s Gold on the big screen! This month, we’ll watch “Elvis Presley Palm Springs House”. Register here: https://tinyurl.com/HuellFeb Thursday, February 24, 4pm: Good Books in the Gallery This month, we’re reading Let There Be Night by Paul Bogart. A limited number of free copies are available for book club participants, call 760.777.7170 to request one. Register here: https://tinyurl.com/GoodBooksFeb

The Ranges Between On exhibit February 8 – May 21, 2022. Experience the wonder of the desert through 35 works in this series of paintings from Eric Merrell’s artist residency at the Mojave National Preserve. La Quinta History Galleries Dive in to the stories of your city, from the original stewards of the land, the Cahuilla, to the homesteaders, ranchers, and dreamers looking for a desert oasis. PROGRAMS As programs are subject to change, please find the latest information and register for our FREE programs at facebook.com/LaQuintaMuseum/events Thursday February 3, 5-6 pm Music at the Museum By popular demand, Music at the Museum is back on the first Thursday of each month! Join us in the Courtyard for the jazz stylings of Rose Mallett. Tuesday, February 8 & 22, 1-3pm: STITCH Fiber Arts Group Bring your fiber project to work on while you meet in our Courtyard with friends old and new, share what you’ve been working on, and get inspired for your next project! Register here: https://tinyurl.com/StitchFeb Wednesday, February 9, 1pm: TED Talk Hangout Let’s enjoy a TED talk on the big screen, and then discuss! This month, we’ll watch “Can beauty open our Hearts to difficult conversations?” by Titus Kaphar. Register here: https://tinyurl.com/TedFeb Friday, February 11 & 25, 1-3 pm Sketchbook Journaling Get in touch with your inner artist with sketchbook journaling—the no-rules, playful approach to creativity. Join us each month to create bite-sized bits of drawing, painting, lettering, collage, and mixed media. Basic supplies provided. Seating is limited, please reserve your spot at https://tinyurl.com/SketchFeb

CITY SPONSORED SECTION

COMMUNITY SERVICES Online registration available at https://laqwebtrac.laquintaca.gov For more information, please call (760) 564-0096. (Creative Wellness) Indoors Line Dancing

5:30 - 6:30pm

Chair Yoga

11am - 12pm

Gentle Yoga

11am - 12pm

T/TH

Sculp Fit Core (Fitness Members)

4 - 5pm

T/TH

Tai Chi Yang

3 - 4pm

T/TH

Yoga

4 - 5pm

M/W

8:30am - 9:15am

T/TH

Pickleball 101 Beginners

6 - 7pm

Pickleball Drills for Skills

7 - 8pm

Pickleball Conditioning

6:30 - 7:15am

M/TH

Pilates

11am - 12pm

M/TH

12:30 - 4pm

12:30 - 3:30pm

9 - 10am

(Physical Wellness)

(Physical Wellness) Outdoors Essential Fitness

(Social Wellness) Social Bridge (Call Julie 760.342.8580 (Fee: $4) Mah Jongg (Fee: $2) Family Hospice Care Support Group (Call TR Barto 760.674.3344)

UPCOMING 2022 AARP Federal and California State Tax Assistance - Drive Up / Drop-off site at the La Quinta Wellness Center in February by appointment. Stay tuned for more information.

A LOOK AT REAL ESTATE IN LA QUINTA Submitted by: Jeff Fishbein, Coldwell Banker Realty As we welcome 2022 and begin working toward our newly set goals and resolutions for the year; many people are wondering if it is still a good time to buy a home. The answer to that question is relatively complicated. The residential real estate market continues to push its sales limits with most homes trading at, or even well above, asking price.

As a result of this recent influx of new residents, the population here in the Coachella Valley is growing and diversifying at a rapid rate. The valley’s nine cities grew by 23,557 people from 2010 to 2020, an increase of about 6.8% to a total population of 370,135. According to these stats, the desert is expected to double in population size by the year 2035.

The median price of a detached home here in the Valley had a yearly gain of just over 18% to $615,000. While the median price for attached homes rose by 22.5% to $402,900. The largest sales price increases were seen in the cities of Desert Hot Springs, La Quinta, and Bermuda Dunes.

Our cities are keeping stride with this growth as well. La Quinta is constructing a $3.7 million dollar X-Park (skate park) and will gain more housing units as well as two hotels with the Talus development (formerly SilverRock). La Quinta is also in negotiations to build a Kelly Slater Surf Park in the near future. Palm Desert has begun construction on a $250 million dollar Coachella Valley Sports & Entertainment Arena. These venues will bring our cities additional tourism dollars as well as creating business for our local hotels, shops, and restaurants.

While prices are somewhat inflated, there are still plenty of buyers in the hunt for new homes who are willing to pay a premium to move to the Coachella Valley. Working remotely has been a motivating factor for many families to leave larger cities like Los Angeles and Orange County. Transferring their buying power here allows them to afford a larger home with a pool and other desirable amenities for a fraction of the price. Last quarter there were an average of 878 units sold per month. Although sales in each city are beginning to decline, this dip in transactions is not due to lack of demand – it is directly related to a lack of supply! Inventory in the Valley is at the lowest number on record at almost 900 units less than last year. Every price bracket under a million dollars has a “months of sales” ratio less than .7 months, and the median number of “days in the market” has been hovering around 25 days for six months which is truly extraordinary.

For these reasons, I am extremely optimistic about the real estate market here in La Quinta, and the surrounding Valley. Whether you are looking for a primary residence, a secondary/vacation home, or a longterm rental/investment property, there are still some fantastic opportunities to purchase property here in this wonderful Valley. Jeff Fishbein is a REALTOR with the desert’s leading Coldwell Banker Realty. Jeff has tremendous success in helping home sellers and buyers with a 5 Star rating on Zillow.com. Jeff’s motto is “NOT the BIGGEST Realtor, but the BEST! Jeff is also very active in La Quinta , serving as the past Chairman of the GCV La Quinta Chamber of Commerce and currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Regional GCVCC Board of Directors.

IRS BACKLOG TO PRESENT CHALLENGES THIS TAX SEASON Submitted by: Bruce J. Legawiec, Osborne Rincon CPAs The New York Times recently reported that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) kicked off 2022 approaching the tax season with a backlog of at least 10 million unprocessed returns from last year. Much of this backlog can be attributed to additional workload of having to administer various stimulus payments and other programs during the pandemic. According to the president and CEO of the American Institute of CPAs, Barry Melancon, this threatens to make the current tax season a challenging one for tax professionals and taxpayers alike. The IRS itself has warned of delays due to the pandemic, as the agency deals with employee staffing constraints and the complexities of issues like the enhanced Child Tax Credit. During an online meeting with the Accountants Club of America (AICPA), Melancon described the impact of increasingly threatening notices that the IRS has been sending out to taxpayers. The AICPA is backing a piece of bipartisan legislation in Congress that could help with the issue of penalty notices. “They have been unwilling to do away with the penalty notices, saying there are abuses in this process and we don’t want to give a free pass to abusers,” said Melancon. “We all get that. But the vast majority of penalty notices are actually [going to] people who are well meaning. Getting rid of those would clean up that process to a large degree.”

In a briefing by the Treasury Department, officials noted that in the first half of 2021, fewer than 15,000 employees were available to handle more than 240 million calls — one person for every 16,000 calls. Over the past two years, the agency has been charged with administering three rounds of stimulus (totaling 478 million payments worth $812 billion) and $93 billion in advance payments for the expanded child tax credit to more than 36 million families. Tax practitioners are entering their third filing season during a pandemic that has brought IRS service levels to unprecedented lows. Clients are receiving unnecessary and erroneous notices because the IRS is backlogged and short-staffed. Tax practitioners aren’t even able to get through to live assisters to quickly fix the problem. With new tax changes around the corner, these issues will only get worse. In order to help taxpayers and minimize contacts with the IRS as it struggles to provide adequate services, we ask that you co-sponsor H.R. 5155, the Taxpayer Penalty Protection Act, and urge the IRS to provide reasonable penalty relief measures to taxpayers now. Bruce J. Legawiec, CPA, is a Partner with Osborne Rincon CPAs and has over 30 years of diverse public accounting experience. Osborne Rincon is one of the oldest and most respected full-service accounting firms in the Coachella Valley. To learn more, call (760) 777-9805 or go to www.OsborneRincon.com.

Further compounding the situation are the unopened correspondence and automated tax notices –especially when the phone lines often go unanswered. Technology fixes may help the IRS, but that’s not going to improve the backlogs this tax season.

YOUR HOME SOLD Submitted by: YOUR HOME SOLD Staff

CALL RON AT 760-625-6506 AND START PACKING

Buyers and sellers are wondering, what’s next in 2022? Here’s what the experts are saying: “With more housing inventory to hit the market, the intense multiple offers will start to ease. Home prices will continue to rise but at a slower pace.” Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist, National Association of Realtors. “We expect a growing number of homeowners to bring properties to market, taking some pressure off high prices and offering buyers more options.” George Ratiu, Manager of Economic Research, realtor.com.

DRE # 02033152

22 HOMES Expired or Cancelled

If you’re thinking of buying or selling, be sure to work with an agent who knows the local market and current inventory conditions, and will ensure you have the support you need to make an educated and informed decision in 2022.

UNDER CONTRACT

HOWS THE MARKET?

This seller’s market will remain in 2022 as home prices are projected to continue climbing, just at a more moderate pace. Selling your house while buyer demand is so high will truly put you in the driver’s seat. With more listings projected to become available, your ideal window of opportunity to stand out from the crowd won’t last forever. Hope is on the horizon for buyers. You should see your options grow as more homes are listed and some of the peak intensity of buyer competition starts to ease.

LA QUINTA December 2021

97 NEW LISTINGS S

145 CLOSINGS

M MAIN STREET COFFEE La Quinta, California