The GEM July 2024 by Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce

THE GEM

THANK YOU FOR THE MAJOR SPONSORSHIP PROVIDED BY CG V LAQUINTA CHAM B RE EST 1950 GCVCC LA QUINTA 83040 AVENUE 42 LA QUINTA, CA 92253

The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce (GCVCC) was created in 2016 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 Band of Mission Indians. It enhances and 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.

CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS

JEFF FISHBEIN, CHAIR | COLDWELL BANKER

The Gem Production Team

Editor: Andrea Carter

Graphic Designer: Jeff Day

The 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.

On the Cover:

Stay Cool at the

While it opened a year ago, the City of La Quinta’s Splash Pad at La Quinta Park is its newest way to keep cool in the summer heat.

Constructed by California Commercial Pools Inc., the Splash Pad includes features the whole family can enjoy, including toddler and teen splash areas, as well as adaptive and interactive components, and other features.

The Splash Pad is located near the La Quinta Park entrance at the corner of Blackhawk Way and Adams Street, and is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Photo Credit: Dan Eslinger Splash Pad Kids: La Quinta Residents, Layla & Emmitt Wasserman

Noteworthy Nuggets

Dive-in Movie

La Quinta, and aside from it being a fun place to stay cool, the District will also be co-hosting dive-in movies with the City of La Quinta.

The upcoming Dive-In Movies include: July 19 – Pixar’s “Elemental” August 9 – Super Mario Bros

Swim and watch a movie with family and friends for FREE! The event will be held from 7:30 – 10:30 p.m. You can watch in or out of the water.

Open and lap swim, swimming lessons and water fitness classes are also offered at Fritz Burns Pool, which is located at 78-107 Avenue 52 in La Quinta.

More info: MyRecreationDistrict.com/movies

X Park Summer Skate Camps

Have you discovered La Quinta’s state-of-the-art X Park, located at the southeast corner of Dune Palms Road and Westward Ho Drive? If not, X Park’s Summer Skate Camps are a great way to check it out.

Summer Skate Camps are led by experienced instructors and are designed for kids and teens who want to improve their skateboarding skills, make new friends and have fun outdoors.

Instructors will teach the basics of skateboarding and more advanced techniques including park and street skating. The cost is $150 per week.

Summer Skate Camps will be held July 3-5, 17-19 and July 31-August 2 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

More info & register: LaQuintaXpark.com

Center

La Quinta’s Cool

If you live in La Quinta, you’re already cool – but if you are in need of a place to cool down physically this summer, La Quinta’s Cool Center is the City’s Wellness Center available between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The La Quinta Wellness Center is also perfect for getting in your physical activity safely indoors while surrounded by air conditioning.

The Wellness Center offers a low-cost membership that gives access to its state-of-the-art fitness equipment. Ballroom dancing, Pilates, yoga and social activities are also offered.

The La Quinta Wellness Center is located at 78450 Avenida La Fonda in La Quinta. More info: LaQuintaCA.gov

New Businesses in La Quinta and Others Coming Soon!

Some exciting new businesses have recently opened in La Quinta, with more on the horizon. Be sure to shop and dine locally to support La Quinta businesses year-round – especially during the quieter summer months.

Handel’s Ice Cream

In the summer heat of 1945, Alice Handel created the sweetest of legacies in Youngstown, Ohio. Using fresh fruit from her backyard garden and her own personal recipes, Alice lovingly made ice cream that quickly became a neighborhood favorite. Handel’s, and a commitment to quality, was born. To this day, Handel’s upholds the traditions Alice started all those years ago. The new Handel’s is located in the Jefferson Plaza at: 79630 California 111 La Quinta, CA 92253 (442) 256-3139

HandelsIceCream.com

El Toro Loco Market is an upscale grocery boutique with the highest quality meats and seafood, organic produce, artisanal goods, a full bakery, a grab-and-go section and more. The market also has a full kitchen, and catering services with a skilled team to create a customized menu that will elevate any event. Turn to the article on page 12 to learn more. El Toro Loco Market in located at: 50991 Washington St, Suite 1 La Quinta, CA 92253 (442) 215-5003

ElToroLocoLaQuinta.com

In the Mediterranean, the locals believe in enjoying fresh, delicious cooking and sharing it with family and friends. That’s how Luna Grill founders, Sean Pourteymour and Maria Trakas Pourteymour, remember growing up, and that’s why they created Luna Grill. They envisioned a place where everyone could enjoy the sunny flavors and fresh, healthy ingredients of real Mediterranean cooking made from scratch. Luna Grill is located in the former Panera building at: 79-124 Highway 111 La Quinta, CA 92253 (760) 783-5862

LunaGrill.com

Chick-fil-A – the second in the Coachella Valley

Projected Arrival: Mid-2025

Location: Highway 111 and Dune Palms Road

Quick Quack Car Wash

Projected Arrival: Mid-2025

Location: Highway 111 and Dune Palms Road, next to Chick-fil-A

Five Below

Projected Arrival: Late 2024

Location: Next to WDC in the One Eleven La Quinta Center

PGA Tour Superstore

Projected Arrival: Late 2024

Location: In the old Bed, Bath and Beyond building in the Pavilion at La Quinta Center

Luna Grill

El Toro Loco

On behalf of Travertine Corporation, TRG Land would like introduce Travertine, a highly amenitized master planned community located in South La Quinta.

•1,200 Market Rate Residential Homes

•Boutique Resort and Spa with 100 Villas

•2 Community Centers

•Public Trail and Staging Area with

•Golf Training Facility Interpretive Elements

*Currently under consideration by the City of La Quinta and other regulatory agencies.

WelbeHealth Helps Vulnerable Older Adults Thrive & Live Safely in Their Homes

By: Sherry Barkas, City of La Quinta

Since the pandemic, more seniors have chosen to remain in their homes and avoid nursing facilities for as long as possible, and WelbeHealth, which opened July 1 in La Quinta, can help.

Founded in 2015 in Menlo Park by a group of doctors, WelbeHealth is a physician-led public health benefit company with a mission to help vulnerable older adults thrive and live safely in their homes through the Allinclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) program that benefits vulnerable older adults and their families.

PACE is a collaborative State and Federal program with centers such as WelbeHealth that provide coordinated medical care, dental services, prescriptions, transportation services, and an ability to respond to participants’ needs 24/7.

There is no cost for care and services for participants enrolled in Medi-Cal or Medicare and Medi-Cal.

WelbeHealth’s La Quinta center is staffed with licensed physicians and nurses, dentists, physical therapists, and social workers – most of them local practitioners and residents.

Meals are prepared and offered on-site, along with hair care, bathing facilities and activity areas for socializing, including special accommodations for those with dementia.

Transportation to and from the center, at 46805 Dune Palms Road, is provided by WelbeHealth’s trained and licensed drivers.

Care Based on Individual Needs

While at the center, participants can participate in a variety of social activities including art, music and games.

WelbeHealth also provides in-home services, and the frequency of visits and extent of care provided depends on the individual’s unique needs and functional health.

Care plans are tailored to the individual needs of WelbeHealth’s participants, whether administered at the center or in the home.

Having healthcare providers on staff is a unique quality of WelbeHealth, officials said, and a key reason the program has been successful. Program participants will have a primary care provider who is on WelbeHealth’s team of physicians and they will be seen regularly.

“One of the things that makes WelbeHealth unique is the quality of our providers,” said Aaron Delfausse, executive director of the Coachella Valley WelbeHealth center. “Many participants rate our providers as a key reason they enjoy our program.”

The interdisciplinary care team (IDT) is given more time and space to provide detailed attention and personalization to each participant, which helps to create a work environment that attracts some of the best in the medical profession, Delfausse said.

The WelbeHealth team understands that people may be reluctant to change primary care providers and will help participants transition to a new provider as smoothly and comfortably as possible.

Who Qualifies and How to Apply

WelbeHealth in La Quinta is the Coachella Valley’s first PACE center, and the only one within 70 miles.

Coachella Valley residents 55 or older who have Medi-Cal or a combination of Medicare and Med-Cal may be eligible for WelbeHealth services at no cost. Seniors or their caregivers can learn more about the application process at WelbeHealth.com or by calling (888) 530-4415 TTY 711.

El Toro Loco Market Gourmet Grocery Boutique Opens in La Quinta

El Toro Loco Market is a welcome addition to the shops and dining options in the Old Town area of La Quinta. Family-owned and operated, this upscale grocery boutique offers a selection of the highest quality meats and seafood, hand-selected organic produce, and an impressive variety of upscale, artisanal goods.

El Toro Loco Market boasts a full bakery, serving freshly-baked bread and pastries, made daily in-house with premium ingredients. Their grab-and-go section offers shoppers convenience without compromising on quality.

The market has a full kitchen for those wishing to dine in and sample their delicious dishes, crafted from organic,

local ingredients whenever possible. They also offer full catering services for a variety of occasions, from small, private parties and intimate dinners to large parties and corporate events. Their skilled team can collaborate to create a customized menu that will elevate any event.

Customers are invited to linger at this locally-owned shop, exploring its offerings at their leisure. The friendly and knowledgeable staff is on hand to assist with recommendations or provide tips, ensuring that every visit is not just a shopping trip but a culinary experience.

Whether you’re a seasoned home chef or simply seeking the finest ingredients for their next meal, El Toro Loco Market

is excited to offer its guests a gourmet experience.

Conveniently located at the corner of Washington Street and Calle Tampico, near Starbucks, El Toro Loco Market is La Quinta’s destination for gourmet groceries, carefully-selected meats, seafood, fresh organic produce, baked goods and catering. Stop in to see all they have to offer and make El Toro Loco Market a staple in your shopping and dining routine.

El Toro Loco Market is open daily from 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. For more information, go to ElToroLocoLaQuinta.com or call (442) 215-5003.

EXPERIENCE THE TASTE OF SUMMER

Enjoy special summer-inspired prix ﬁxe menus at Twenty6, Adobe Grill, and Morgan’s in the desert through August 31, 2024.

$38 PER PERSON

$55 PER PERSON

$46 PER PERSON

Visit laquintaresort.com/taste-of-summer for menus and to make reservations.

CITY MANAGER’S MESSAGE

By: Jon McMillen, La Quinta City Manager

I want to wish everyone a happy and safe Fourth of July, our nation’s 248th birthday. Please remember that fireworks are illegal in La Quinta.

I would also like to give an annual reminder not to leave pets in vehicles, and if walking them, remember that their paws are more sensitive to the hot pavement than our bare feet – so walk them early in the morning or in the evening when it’s cooler and test the pavement with your hand. If it is too hot for your friend, put shoes on them and make sure to carry water for you both. If you need a place to cool off, our Cool Center is the La Quinta Wellness Center, where you can stop in between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

If you are looking for ways to cool off outdoors, the pool at Fritz Burns Park is open every day except Sunday. It is managed for the City by Desert Recreation District, which offers a variety of programs and open swim times and lessons. Visit MyRecreationDistrict. com for a full schedule and fees.

As seen on the cover of this issue of The Gem, the new Splash Pad at La Quinta Park includes a variety of water features for all ages and abilities. It is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. The park is on the northeast corner of Blackhawk Way and Adams Street, across from the high school.

Please note that the playground at La Quinta Park is closed through September 6 for the installation of new equipment and a shade structure.

Our library, MakerSpace and museum are all air-conditioned and great places to visit during the summer. Each offers a variety of free programs year-round for all ages. They are fun ways to spend time and make new friends. Check out the schedules on our website, PlayInLaQuinta.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS

X-Park Summer Camps

July 3-5, 17-19 and July 31-August 2, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Location: La Quinta X Park, Dune Palms Road and Westward Ho Drive X Park skate camps are led by experienced instructors and designed for kids and teens who want to improve their skateboarding skills, make new friends and have fun outdoors. Instructors will teach the basics of skateboarding and more advanced techniques including park and street skating. The cost is $150 per week. Register in advance at LaQuintaXpark.com

Dive-In Movie

Friday, July 19, 7:30-10:30 p.m.

Location: Community pool at Fritz Burns Park

Family and friends of all ages are invited to a free showing of Pixar’s “Elemental” at the pool, cosponsored by Desert Recreation District and the City of La Quinta. “Super Mario Bros” is scheduled for August 9. No tickets needed, just come for a free fun-filled movie that you can watch in or out of the water. The movie begins at dusk. More information is available at MyRecreationDistrict. com/movies.

CITY UPDATES

Citywide Slurry Seal Project

The next phase of the citywide slurry seal program has begun and consists of applying slurry seal on select streets, mainly within the Cove. The work includes weed removal, application of crack sealant, removal of existing striping, application of slurry seal, and restriping slurried streets.

Other Capital Improvement Program Projects

City Hall Roof Repair: Construction is expected to start in July and consists of repairing the main section of the pitched roof on the east side of City Hall and the pitched roof above the Council Chamber. The proposed work includes removal of the existing tile, replacing the roof paper, replacing plywood and broken tile as needed, and reinstalling the existing tile.

Dune Palms Pavement Rehabilitation: Construction has begun and work includes removal of existing pavement, asphalt overlay, signing and striping on Dune Palms Road from Miles Avenue to Fred Waring Drive.

Landscape Renovation: Construction is complete for the final phase of the La Quinta landscape renovation project. Work included refreshing the perimeter landscape in the Cactus Flower development with a desert oasis plant palette featuring various droughttolerant plants, boulders, multicolored crushed rock and a drought-friendly irrigation system. This project also includes an activities promenade at the end of Buttercup Lane within the Cactus Flower development, which consists of two pickleball courts, a drinking fountain, bench seating, and space for future amenities such as cornhole and table tennis.

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Online registration available at LaQuintaCA.gov

For more information, please call (760) 564-0096.

WELLNESS CENTER

Creative Wellness Indoors

Ballroom Dancing Beginning 6 – 7 p.m. T

Physical Wellness

Mat Pilates

Personal Trainer (by appt.)

Yoga Flow (with Billee)

Social Wellness

Movie Matinee

Social Bridge fee: $4

(call Pat 760-771-2261);

Mah Jongg; fee: $2 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. T

Mexican Train Dominoes; 1 – 4 p.m. W fee: $2

Quilting for Good Times 1 –

(volunteers)

Look Who’s in the Lobby

HICAP One-on-One Consultations

Monday, July 8, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Make a HICAP one-on-one counselor appointment to help understand your Medicare health insurance benefits such as prescription drug comparisons, information on low-cost medical insurance and advocating for medical bill concerns. Appointments to meet at the Wellness Center can be made by calling HICAP at (800) 434-0222 or (909) 256-8369.

FIND Food Bank

Tuesday, July 9, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Stop by for information on FIND Food Bank food pickup locations and low-income resources at FindFoodBank.org.

Love & Love Tennis Foundation (LLTF)

Fritz Burns Park on Saturdays, July 6-27

Free tennis lessons for children 6 to 15 years old, 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Equipment is provided by the LLTF program. Call Lenore Miller for reservations at (661) 609-8450 or email Lenoramiller@gmail.com or Sportswomn@aol.com.

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74855 Country Club Dr

Palm Desert 92260

Ph: 760 846 8757

Desert Springs Marketplace

74924 Country Club Dr

Suite G-130

Palm Desert 92260

Ph: 760 895 4132

El Paseo

73255 El Paseo, Suite 21

Palm Desert 92260

Ph: 760 219 7165

New OUTLET on El Paseo: “Last Chance”

Coco Rose Outlet

73896 El Paseo, Suite R-13

Palm Desert 92260

Ph: 760 492 0635

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Small Business of the year award

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Where Life Meets Luxury.

luxury handbags. lab created diamonds.

unique gifts customization.

EXHIBITS

LA QUINTA MUSEUM

Mission Gráfica: Reflecting a Community in Print

On Exhibit through July 20

This touring exhibition showcases California’s long tradition of activist printmaking and offers a historical context for understanding our present moment. The exhibition, comprised of 42 screenprints, reflects an enormous variety of styles, approaches and sensibilities. The artists range from emerging artists to well-known figures such as Carmen Lomas Garza, Nancy Hom, Rupert Garcia, Mildred Howard, Jean La Marr, Ester Hernandez, Michael Roman, Jesus Barraza, Favianna Rodriguez, and the San Francisco Print Collective. “Mission Gráfica: Reflecting a Community in Print” is a touring exhibition developed in partnership with the San Francisco Public Library, artists from Mission Gráfica, and Exhibit Envoy.

Spotlight Exhibit in the Local History Gallery:

LQ Fact or Fiction: The Fisherman Steps

Have you heard that the rock stairs in the La Quinta Cove have a Hollywood connection? They do, but it might not be the one that you think! Find out what’s fact and what’s fiction in this spotlight exhibit.

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

The La Quinta Museum is open Tuesday - Saturday, 10am - 4pm. Admission and programs are FREE.

PROGRAMS

As programs are subject to change, please find the latest information on free programs at Facebook.com/ LaQuintaMuseum/events.

Friday, July 5 & 19, 1-3 p.m.

Sketchbook Journaling

Get in touch with your inner artist with sketchbook journaling. Basic supplies provided.

Saturday, July 13, 1-3 p.m.

Genealogy Meet-Up

Whether you’re a beginner or an expert in all things Genealogy, join the meet-up for discussions and collaboration.

Tuesday, July 9 & 23, 1-3 p.m.

STITCH Fiber Arts Group

Bring your fiber project, meet with friends old and new, share what you’ve been working on, and get inspired for your next project.

Please note: The Museum will be closed on Thursday, July 4, for Independence Day.

Wednesday, July 10, 1 p.m.

TED Talk Hangout

Enjoy a TED talk on the big screen, and then discuss! This month, the feature is “I Got 99 Problems ... Palsy is Just One” by Maysoon Zayid.

Tuesday, July 16, 11 a.m.

Take a Break with Huell

Watch an episode of Huell Howser’s “California’s Gold” on the big screen. This month, Huell takes viewers to a ghost town: Bodie, California.

Saturday, July 20, 1-3 p.m.

Workshop: Dabbling in Water Media

Explore painting with water-soluble paints, such as watercolors, gouache and acrylics. This free workshop is for adults. Space is limited, and registration is required. Sign up at tinyurl.com/ LQMWaterMedia.

Thursday, June 25, 3 p.m.

Good Books in the Gallery

Read a great book, and then get together to discuss! This month, the book is “The Goldfinch” by Donna Tartt. A limited number of free copies are available for book club participants, so call (760) 7777170 to request one.

Saturday, July 27, 2 p.m.

Summer Family Fun: Indoor Bird Watch

Meet the Bird Ambassadors from Avian Behavior International in the Mural Room.

IT’S YOUR LIBRARY

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

The library will be closed Thursday, July 4, 2024, in observance of the Fourth of July.

SPECIAL EVENTS & NEW PROGRAMS

Read, Renew, Repeat Summer Reading Program | All ages

Monday, June 10 to Friday, July 19

In-person

through song, books, rhymes and music. Enjoy special guests and toddler crafts during the Summer Reading Program.

Anime Cafe

Saturday, July 6 @ 1 p.m. | Ages 13-17

your own coloring book or enjoy one provided by the library.

LA QUINTA CREATION STATION PROGRAMS

Six weeks of activities, events and prizes for kids, tweens, teens and adults, including performances, presentations and craft events weekly as well as a reading challenge. Plues, don’t miss a spectacular closing Summer Splash Party! Scan the QR Code to see a full calendar of events.

Friday Family Day – Noteworthy Puppet Show

Friday, July 12 @ 11 a.m. | All Ages Come and see the musical puppet show STEAM Works by Noteworthy Puppets.

Friday Family Day – Summer Splash Party

Friday, July 19 @ 11 a.m. | All Ages Make a SPLASH as part of the wrap up of the Summer Reading Program! Join a fun water party with water games, music and more.

Adult Craft: Leaf Printing

Wednesday, July 10 @ 5:30 p.m. Ages 18+

Make green art! Paint with leaves on recycled book pages, while supplies last.

ONGOING PROGRAMS

A.B.C. Storytime

Wednesdays, July 3, 10, 17, 24, & 31 @ 11:15 a.m. | Ages 2-4

Acoustics, Books, & Children storytime promotes early literacy and movement

A fun space to hang out, watch anime, read manga and try the Japanese snack of the month. Make manga collages of your favorite characters and scenes. All supplies provided, while supplies last.

Level Up LQ

Saturdays, July 13 & 27 @ 12 – 2 p.m. | Ages 13-17

Calling all teen gamers! Play different games on a variety of consoles including the PS4, Nintendo Switch and more.

Scrabble Club

Tuesdays, July 2 & 9

@ 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Ages 18+

Stop by Scrabble Club for some friendly games of Scrabble.

Pagemasters Book Club

Thursday, July 11 @ 5:30 p.m. | Ages 18+

Pagemasters is a traditional book club for SciFi and Fantasy titles. In July, the book discussion will be about “The Salt Grows Heavy” by Cassandra Khaw. Register at the Information Desk, as copies are limited.

Threadheads Fiber Arts Club

Saturday, July 20 @ 1:30 p.m. | Ages 18+

Come and share your fiber art projects, ideas, skills and inspiration with other fiber artists. All skill levels welcome!

Coloring Book Night for Adults

Tuesday, July 30 @ 5 p.m. | Ages 18+

Feeling stressed & overwhelmed? Discover the benefits of coloring while listening to relaxing Lo-Fi music. Bring

Questions about Creation Station programs? Call (760) 777-7088.

SRP Maker Craft: Revive Broken Circuits

Thursday, July 11 @ 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

All ages

Help revive circuit boards that are only slightly broken. Learn a little bit about electronics and diagnostics while you adopt and repair one of these boards.

Free | While Supplies Last

SRP Maker Craft: Plantable Seed Paper

Thursday, July 18 @ 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

All ages

Learn how to use Mould and Deckle screens to make a biodegradable paper that contains seeds – which, when planted – will grow flowers or vegetation.

Free | While Supplies Last

FAB: MINI WEAVING LOOM

Sunday, July 28 @ 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.

All ages

Using a small laser cut loom made by Creation Station staff, learn the basics of how to weave a simple design out of yarn. Weaving is often used to make fabric, blankets, tapestries and more.

Free | While Supplies Last

La Quinta High School Student and Special Needs Swimmer Wins CIF Title

Shawn Graves – a La Quinta High School (LQHS) math teacher and father of LQHS junior, Charlie Graves – lovingly describes his autistic son as being a “water baby” from the very beginning.

“Charlie wanted to swim from the moment I put him in water,” Shawn said. “We started him in formal swimming lessons around age 4 or 5. He was terrified of pretty much everything, but he’d get in the water and there would be no problems. The water has always been a happy place for him.“

Competing as a La Quinta High School swimmer this past spring, Charlie finished second in the para 50-yard freestyle and the para 100-yard freestyle, but he walked away a champion after earning the CIF-SS Division 3 title in a new event called the Unified 2-by-50 freestyle relay. The relay pairs a special-needs swimmer and a traditional athlete. Charlie and sophomore, Jack Lindsay, brought the championship home to La Quinta for this race.

Charlie and Lindsay may have been partners on a winning relay team, but they’ve also become great friends.

“He helped us get those medals!” exclaimed Charlie.

While Charlie started high school in Northen California, he transferred to La Quinta High School his sophomore year. His grandparents are longtime homeowners in the Laguna de la Paz community located near the intersection of Washington Street and Eisenhower Drive, which is part of what attracted Shawn and Charlie to La Quinta.

“The special education team at LQHS is incredible,” explained Shawn. “From case manager, Jennifer Robinson, to Charlie’s para, Brenda Quintana, and his counselor, Michele Morales, plus the administrators like Dr. Oron Jackson –the entire team is top notch. It takes a village to work with a kid like Charlie, and the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) they developed for him is the best he’s had.”

Shawn gives one particular example of an accommodation that works well for Charlie, called chunking. “Chunking allows Charlie to take an 8-page assignment and break it into parts to manage it one piece at a time. Autistics are task-oriented people – they often know how to get a task done but don’t always understand why or the underlying meaning of it. And the IEP allows for that,” added Shawn.

The special relay that combines a special needs swimmer with a traditional swimmer was inspired by another special needs high school swimmer from Montrose who has cerebral palsy, Mateo Escovar, who loved the pool and felt it was the one place he didn’t have to worry about his legs.

“Charlie has had the opportunity to swim with Mateo, which was really neat,” said

Shawn. “Because of Mateo’s physical limitations, he – nor Charlie – would not have qualified for CIF. So this new relay allowed special needs swimmers, who swam on their school’s team all year, to take part in these inclusive exhibitions. And that’s what led to Charlie and Jack becoming CIF champions – they got the rings, the patches – all of it.”

Charlie – who also gave cross country a try – loves to swim because it is a sport that helps him keep cool while being able to exercise at the same time. “Swimming is where I have the most fun, and it’s like a dream come true. Even a bad day in the pool beats a good day in school,” Charlie shares with enthusiasm.

Charlie will return to the swim team at LQHS as a senior year next season, hoping to become a two-time CIF-SS champion.

Charlie and LQHS sophomore, Jack Lindsay, prepare to get into their blocks for the Unified 2-by-50 freestyle relay.

La Quinta High School math teacher, Shawn Graves, with his son, LQHS junior, Charlie, who recently became a CIF-SS champion.

Get Published in The Gem

We want to continue featuring relevant, local content in The Gem – so we want to hear from you! If you have:

• News about an upcoming event in La Quinta...

• A report about something exciting that happened in our community...

• Job postings in La Quinta or a nearby community and are an active business member of the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce...

Thank you to this year’s sponsors

Entertainment Sponsor- Palm Springs International Film Festival

Award Sponsor - Powered by IID

Centerpiece Sponsors - DAP Health, FirstBank, Southern California Edison, and Sun Community Federal Credit Union

Community Sponsors - Alpha Media, Altura Credit Union, Assistance League Coachella Valley, AT&T, Aziz Farms, Banc of California, Chandi Group USA, City of Cathedral City, City of Coachella, City of Indio, City of La Quinta, City of Palm Springs, Coachella Valley Public Cemetery District, Community Valley Bank, Desert Arc Business Services, Desert Healthcare District, Desert Valley Builders Association, DoubleTree by Hilton Golf Resort Palm Springs, DropByOffice, Forest Lawn Memorial Parks & Mortuaries, Imperial Western Products, Inc., Indio Police Department, Indio Rotary, JNS Next, KESQ New Channel 3, LOCALiQ/Desert Sun, NBC Palm Springs/Univision Palm Springs, Palm Springs Air Museum, Renova Energy, Ryan Ryan Fine Jewelry & Gift Bar, RivCoDCSS, Riverside County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez, Servpro Team Brogdon, SoCalGas, Sunline Transit Agency, The Oasis at Indio, Valley Sanitary District, Visit Greater Palm Springs and Wilson Meade Commercial Real Estate.

Thank you to this year’s silent auction donors

Ace Hotel & Swim Club Palm Springs, Acrisure Arena / Coachella Valley Firebirds / Berger Foundation Iceplex, Pueblo Viejo Grill, Aziz Farms , Banc of California, Big Rock Pub , Brandt Group, California Dream Spa, Coachella Valley Public Cemetery District, The Colony Palms Hotel and Bungalows, Courtyard by Marriott, Covered Wagon Tours, Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, Sun Community Federal Credit Union, Dell’Acqua Dental Studio, Desert Arc, Desert Water Agency , Embarc, Eric Mosser - Charles Schwab, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, G-Aries Visions, Growing Coachella Valley, Hampton Inn & Suites , Hotel Paseo, Indio Rotary Club, Jackalope Ranch, JNS Next , Las Casuelas Terraza Palm Springs , The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, Longhorn Steakhouse, La Quinta Resort & Club, Curio Collection by Hilton, Mission Lakes Country Club, Modern Hippie Interiors, Mission Springs Water District, NBC Palm Springs / Univision Palm Springs, Old Town La Quinta, Peter Bedard | Convergence Healing, Rd Rnnr, Red Jeep Tours, Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells, Ryan Ryan Fine Jewelry & Gift Bar, The Line Hotel , Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel, The Desert Sun, The Saguaro Palm Springs, The Spring Resort & Spa, Western Air Cooling & Heating