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.
GCVCC LA QUINTA 83040 AVENUE 42 LA QUINTA, CA 92253
CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The historical photo on the cover features Rita Hayworth and a friend at The Desert Club, a social club once located in La Quinta which attracted the Hollywood elite. This photo was provided courtesy of the La Quinta Historical Society.
To learn more about La Quinta history, visit the La Quinta Museum at 77885 Avenida Montezuma in La Quinta. Hours are Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission and programs are free.
JEFF FISHBEIN, CHAIR | COLDWELL BANKER / FISHBEIN REAL ESTATE GROUP
MIKE CHAPA, SECRETARY | FAIRWAY INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE
ALISON HENDRIX
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.
I hope this message finds you well as we dive into the summer season. July marks a time of great opportunities and exciting prospects for our business community. With the tourism industry thriving, visitors are continuing to come to our beautiful city – eager to explore our unique offerings even during the summer months. This presents a wonderful opportunity for all our businesses to showcase their products and services and make a lasting impression on both locals and visitors alike.
In the spirit of collaboration, I encourage all our residents to continue supporting one another and fostering partnerships within our business community. By leveraging our collective knowledge, expertise, and resources, we can amplify our impact and create a thriving business ecosystem. Let us explore new avenues for collaboration, share best practices, and forge strategic alliances that will propel our businesses to new heights.
Furthermore, let us not forget the importance of community support. La Quinta has always been known for its strong sense of community and its unwavering support for local businesses. As a chamber of commerce, we have a responsibility to give back to the community that has supported us throughout our entrepreneurial journeys. Whether through philanthropic initiatives, mentorship programs, or volunteering opportunities, let us find ways to make a positive difference in the lives of our fellow community organizations.
As we look ahead, the La Quinta Chamber of Commerce will continue to advocate for the needs and interests of our business community. We will work tirelessly to create a conducive environment for business growth, foster economic development, and promote the unique charm of our city. Together, we can ensure that La Quinta remains a beacon of opportunity and prosperity for all.
In closing, I want to express my congratulations to RD RNNR Libations Pints & Plates on winning the East Valley Small Business of the Year award at last month’s GCVCC’s Annual Installation and Business Awards Dinner. Additionally, I would like to thank the outgoing La Quinta Chamber Directors and congratulate the incoming Board as I’m looking forward to another year as the Chairman.
I hope to see you out and about, even in July’s heat.
If you love comics or are interested in learning more or getting more involved in the comic world, the La Quinta Library has a FREE special event just for you.
On July 29, this daylong comic celebration, including snacks and drinks, will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The second annual event will feature a representative from local comic book store, Comic Asylum, to talk about comic books and collecting.
The La Quinta Library is also partnering with the La Quinta Creation Station to offer a comic book wall art craft for ages 8-17.
Vie for a prize by testing your comic book knowledge at 4 p.m. playing a game of Jeopardy focused on pop culture related to comic books. Further explore comic books by browsing posters with facts from each decade of comic book history.
More info: (760) 564-4767
Support restaurants and other businesses in La Quinta on the Fourth of July. To celebrate this special day honoring our independence, Okura is offering a special holiday-themed roll from June 30-July 4, 2023.
The ‘Liberty Roll’ will be handcrafted by Okura’s sushi chefs, and will include shrimp tempura, crab, avocado and tobiko. The restaurant features Happy Hour in the bar from 3:30-5 p.m. SundayThursday with discounts on select food and beverages.
Okura has been part of La Quinta’s restaurant scene for the past two decades, moving from its original location in Point Happy to its expansive current site at the northwest corner of Highway 111 and Washington Street in 2020.
With the Fourth of July being on a Tuesday this year, more locals may choose to stay in town – and there are plenty of great spots in La Quinta to celebrate if you do.
More info: OkuraSushi.com
A new spot for sweet treats is opening its doors this month, and you’re invited to the grand opening of Cookie Co. on July 22!
Cookie Co. will be located next to The Palms Café at 79255 Highway 111, Suite 4. This is the first location of the growing company in the Coachella Valley, and the company’s 27th franchise nationwide. Owner Maria Figueroa has worked in La Quinta for 10 years and felt this was the perfect place to open a Cookie Co.
The grand opening will be held from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and include a ribbon cutting, free sodas and an opportunity to win a free 6-pack of cookies every week for one year.
Cookie Co. has over 100 recipes and will feature a rotating menu, offering 6 unique cookies each week.
More info: CookieCo.com or Coachella_Cookies on Instagram
By: City of La Quinta Staff
La Quinta may be a spry 41 years old, but the City’s history goes back hundreds of years.
The earliest settlers were the indigenous Desert Cahuilla who lived in villages in the lower Coachella Valley. Among them was the Kavinish village at what is today Point Happy, a spur of the Santa Rosa Mountains that juts out into the desert that provided villagers with an abundance of water, and some protection from sandstorms and flash floods. Here, the Cahuilla women used clam shells and pottery shards to dig 35 feet into what became known as the “Indian Well.” Dry for more than 100 years, the location of the well is marked with a plaque at Indian Wells City Hall.
The Cahuilla Indians are still a big part of the Coachella Valley, though the Kavinish village was abandoned by 1863 due to the smallpox epidemic that swept the area.
The area has gone through a series of transformations over the decades, from village to the Desert Cahuilla to stopping point for stagecoaches and others using the Bradshaw Trail through the desert on their way to the gold fields in Arizona, until around 1877.
In the early 1900s the area was homesteaded by Norman “Happy” Lundbeck who farmed dates, raised horses and opened a small store on the land.
In 1922, the land was bought by oil tycoon and philanthropist Chauncey Clarke who expanded the area to include 135 acres on which he raised purebred Arabian horses and dates, along with citrus and row crops.
Clarke died in 1946, but his wife Marie kept the farm going until her death in 1948 when the land was deeded to Claremont College, and then sold to DuPont Chemical heir William Du Pont Jr. in the mid-1950s. He built a home for himself astride a mountain saddle in the Santa Rosa Mountain spur that overlooked the Point Happy Ranch. Construction of the single-story home on 5.35 acres with a swimming pool and patio deck was overseen by his friend Alice Marble, the Grand Slam tennis champion of the 1930s and ’40s.
Du Pont later built a Mediterranean periodstyle vacation home with a pool and tennis court for Marble on the ranch property.
Following his death in 1965, Point Happy Ranch was subdivided and developed for residential and commercial/retail use, growing into what it is today: a busy commercial area that serves as the western gateway into the City of La Quinta at Highway 111 and Washington Street, the busiest intersection in the Coachella Valley.
A stagecoach plaque has been placed by the La Quinta Historical Society at the Point Happy entrance off Washington Street.
But it was the opening of the La Quinta Hotel – today the La Quinta Resort and Club – in 1926 that paved the way for what was to become the City of La Quinta, drawing wealthy clientele and Hollywood celebrities looking for a secluded getaway.
The Du Pont home on the mountain and the La Quinta Resort and Club are among 103 commercial and residential structures from the City’s early days eligible for national, state, and local historic registers. Urbana Preservation and Planning LLC has listed the properties in the 2022 Historic Resources Inventory Survey done for the City.
The survey also includes “thematic historic districts,” such as the Cove with 79 properties collectively eligible for the historic registers. The boundaries for the
Cove are Calle Tampico on the north; Calle Tecate on the south; Avenida Bermudas on the east; and Avenida Montezuma/Bear Creek on the west.
Urbana’s, which details La Quinta’s history back to Ancient Lake Cahuilla, was presented to the City Council in April. It is the fourth survey done since 1997, and focused on properties built between 1935 and 1978, and those identified by members of the community
Architect Gordon Kaufmann designed the hotel’s first six cottages, the 100-person dining room, lobby area and office building. He also designed the furniture and lights and oversaw brick firing for the hotel structures. His designs included elements that would later become common throughout his projects, with buildings featuring loggias, arches, chimneys, armadas for dining and enclosed private patios.
Laborers made more than 100,000 adobe bricks, 60,000 roof tiles and 5,000 floor tiles for the property which was constructed at an estimated cost of $150,000.
The resort soft-opened in December 1926, featuring an open-air glassed dining room, three courtyards and a swimming pool. During its second year of operation, Morgan added 14 more cottages for a total of 20, and a ninehole golf course – the Coachella Valley’s first. The original cottages and lobby are still in use. Though some remodeling has occurred over the years to modernize amenities, the original architecture has been preserved.
“The resort has embraced the history” of the property, said Linda Williams, president of the La Quinta Historical Society.
Today the resort has 91 hacienda-style casitas and suites clustered around 41
Health issues are what brought Walter H. Morgan to the desert from San Francisco in 1921. The son of the Morgan Oyster Co. owner needed a drier climate.
About a year after his arrival, he started planning the development of the La Quinta Hotel on 1,400 acres he had purchased.
swimming pools, five championship golf courses including the Stadium Course at PGA West, 23 tennis courts, Spa La Quinta and restaurants that include Morgan’s in the Desert, Adobe Grill and Twenty6.
Kaufmann also designed and oversaw construction of a private home for Morgan, which still exists on the resort property
Continued on page 8
and is also on the inventory list as eligible for state, national and/or local registers. Among the celebrities drawn to La Quinta Hotel was filmmaker Frank Capra, who wrote the screenplay for “It Happened One Night,” starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert, during his stay. The movie won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and Capra considered La Quinta his good luck charm and returned to write several other screenplays.
Capra and his wife, Lucille, became hotel regulars. They eventually bought a home in La Quinta, on Avenida Fernando, that is also on the list of properties eligible for historical status.
Among some of the City’s earliest landmarks that have been demolished for various reasons is The Desert Club, which opened on Thanksgiving Day in 1937 to hopefully entice visitors to the area to buy a casita in the Cove.
That was the vision of Harry Kiener, who purchased several thousand acres of
land in the Cove area in the 1930s and built small weekend casitas to match the architecture of the La Quinta Hotel. Nicknamed “the ship of the desert” for its design with a rounded front and portholes for windows, The Desert Club had a swimming pool, dining room and lounge, and more and was a draw for Hollywood celebrities including Rita Hayworth, Kirk Douglas and Greta Garbo.
Kiener built The Desert Club not only as an incentive for people to buy casitas in the Cove, but to complement his summer resort in Big Bear, the Peter Pan Woodland Club.
It was out of the plan for the Cove subdivision, called Santa Carmalita de Vale, that the La Quinta Milling and Lumber Co. was built. The two-story lumberyard building at 77895 Avenida Montezuma still exists and is owned by the City, and is eligible for national, state and local registries.
The Desert Club closed in the mid-1980s and fell into such disrepair that the fire department burned it as a training exercise in 1989. Fritz Burns, the property owner at the time, deeded the
site to the city. Today, the land is home to Fritz Burns Park.
Many treasures of The Desert Club and other historic sites that no longer exist, including the 2,200-acre Kennedy Ranch – a cattle ranch and farm that produced cotton, melons and other crops from 1947 to 1976 and is today PGA West –are on display at the La Quinta Museum. In August, we talk to the owners of a portion of the former Rancho Tecolote about preserving the history of their home, and about why incorporation was deemed necessary.
Historic Resource Survey: Read the full 140-page report which details the City’s history and explains how certain properties were found to qualify for national, state or local certification at LaQuintaCA.gov/historicsurvey.
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Email your press release, story idea or job posting for consideration to info@gcvcc.org.
By: Jon McMillen, La Quinta City Manager
Summer is a good time to accomplish some capital improvement program (CIP) projects, including road resurfacing and park improvements, and we have a few of those underway.
We know these projects can create headaches and inconveniences, especially on roadways, but please know we appreciate your patience and believe you will be happy with the results.
Among our CIP projects is one that will be nice for cooling off in the summer heat.
It is our new splash pad that is under construction by California Commercial Pools Inc. at La Quinta Park, on the southeast corner of Adams Street and Blackhawk Way.
When finished, it will include features the whole family can enjoy, including toddler and teen splash areas, as well as adaptive and interactive components, water cannons and other features the old splash pad did not have.
If construction remains on schedule, the new splash pad should be completed this month, though at this time we don’t have an exact date.
As a high use amenity in La Quinta, the City Council approved the allocation of up to $850,000 for a new water feature with a variety of amenities, including water cannons.
As temperatures rise, don’t forget that your pets also need a little extra care. If you’re taking your dog on a walk or hike, be sure to pack extra water for your friend.
In the meantime, Desert Recreation District is providing La Quinta residents free access to open swim hours at the Fritz Burns Park pool while the new splash pad is under construction.
The old splash pad was closed in October 2022 when the main water feature, a palm tree, was toppled by a wind storm. Staff found the splash pad was aged beyond its useful life and the pumps, filters and underground surge tank all needed to be replaced.
Protecting your pooch’s feet with dog booties is also recommended when walking on a hot surface.
Most of all, do not leave your pets locked in the car at any time, but especially on a hot summer day when the temperature inside a vehicle can rise to 20 degrees hotter than outside within 10 minutes. If it is 90 degrees Fahrenheit outside, it can be 109 in the vehicle within 10 minutes and 124 within 30 minutes – leading to dehydration, heat stroke and death of your pet.
Summer Skate Camp at X Park
Wednesday, July 5 and 19, 8-11 a.m.
Location: X Park
Skate camp is designed for kids and teens who want to improve their skateboarding skills, make new friends, and have fun outdoors. Experienced instructors will teach campers the basics of skateboarding, as well as more advanced techniques, including park and street skating. The cost is $65 per camp date. Space is limited, so reserve a spot before it’s too late at LaQuintaCA.gov/xpark.
Dive-In Movie Night
Friday, July 14, 7:30-10:30 p.m.
Location: Fritz Burns Pool
Family and friends of all ages are invited to join us for a free showing of “Lightyear”
at the pool, cosponsored by Desert Recreation District and the City of La Quinta. No tickets needed, just come for a 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.
Dive-In Movie Night
Friday, August 4, 7:30-10:30 p.m.
Location: Fritz Burns Pool
Family and friends of all ages are invited to join us for a free showing of “Puss In Boots: The Last Wish” at the pool, cosponsored by Desert Recreation District and the City of La Quinta. No tickets needed, just come for a funfilled movie that you can watch in or out of the water. The movie begins at dusk. More information is available at MyRecreationDistrict.com/movies.
Thursday, September 21, 6 p.m.
Location: City Hall, Study Session room
Find out what is happening in your community by attending the Neighborhood Watch meeting with presentations from the Sheriff’s Department and City staff. While Neighborhood Watch is on summer hiatus, organizer Sally Shelton is happy to accept topic ideas for future meetings and share additional information about Neighborhood Watch via email at sally_shelton@aol.com.
Pavement Project Updates
Avenue 50 and Avenue 52: Construction is beginning for these pavement rehabilitation projects. Work will include both pulverizing and replacing the existing pavement and grind and overlay.
Fred Waring Drive: Design is wrapping up for a pavement rehabilitation project that includes pulverization and paving of Fred Waring Drive between Washington and Adams streets. Construction is anticipated to start this summer.
Citywide Slurry Seal Project
Construction is underway on a citywide slurry seal project that is part of the five-year Pavement Management Program. Work areas include a portion of the Cove, Desert Pride neighborhood, Desert Club Drive, Seasons neighborhood, and Dune Palms Road south of Highway 111. Find more information and updates at LaQuintaCA.gov/roads.
Other Capital Improvement Program Projects
Fritz Burns Park: Master planning efforts are wrapping up for the 6-acre Fritz Burns Park improvements project. The proposed improvements for the master plan will be presented to the City Council in July or August to begin the design phase of the project.
Landscape Renovation: Construction is expected to begin this summer for the final phase of the La Quinta landscape renovation project refreshing the perimeter landscape in the Cactus Flower development with a desert oasis plant palette featuring various drought tolerant plants, boulders, multicolored crushed rock, and drought friendly irrigation system.
Dune Palms Bridge
Construction on the all-weather bridge at Dune Palms Road, over the stormwater channel, has begun with expected completion in early 2025. Construction crews are continuing work on the east side of the bridge. A bypass road has been constructed with one lane available in each direction. Barriers separate a dedicated pedestrian and cyclist lane from vehicles. Check LaQuintaCA. gov/dunepalms for project updates and to register to receive updates by email or text.
Construction is wrapping up for the reconstruction of curb ramps, sidewalks and driveways on various intersections along Avenida Montezuma to bring them up to the current code.
The main pathway through La Quinta is near completion, and work has started on various connectors, including at Washington Street. The lights and the decomposed granite for walkers and joggers also need to be installed. CV Link is a planned 40-mile, multi-modal pathway for cycling, walking, jogging and lowspeed electric vehicles such as golf carts that will run through much of the Coachella Valley. La Quinta’s portion of CV Link is about 2 miles and runs along the south side of the Whitewater channel levee from Washington Street to Jefferson Street, with a promontory point and bridge over the La Quinta storm water channel, linking the City with Indio’s portion of CV Link. For more about CV Link, visit CVAG.org.
Online registration available at https://laqwebtrac.laquintaca.gov
For more information, please call (760) 564-0096.
Please note that the Wellness Center hours on Tuesday, July 4, will be from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., due to the holiday.
Social
FIND Food Bank
Thursday, July 20, 10 – 11 a.m.
Need Assistance with Cal-Fresh or Medi-Cal?
A representative from the Food Bank will be at the La Quinta Wellness Center to assist with filling out applications. Please bring identification. No appointment required. Check in with the front desk.
HICAP One-on-One Consultations
Monday, July 10, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
HICAP counselors will meet with you one-on-one to help you understand your Medicare health insurance benefits and options. Please call HICAP (800) 434-0222 or (909) 256-8369 to make an appointment. Meet for your appointment at the Wellness Center.
The Riverside County Community Action Partnership program and the La Quinta Wellness Center have partnered as a Cool Center Monday through Friday, June 1 through October 15, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to provide drop-in sites for vulnerable individuals, seniors, the disabled, and others in need of temporary relief from the heat.
La Quinta Public Library is located at 78-275 Calle Tampico. Enjoy FREE programs for all ages! Questions? Call 760-564-4767
CLOSED: The La Quinta Library will be closed on Tuesday, July 4th, in celebration of Independence Day.
Find You Voice Summer Reading
Program | All ages
Continues until Friday, July 21 | In-person
Six weeks of activities, events and prizes for kids, tweens, teens and adults including performances and presentations happening weekly as well as a reading challenge where you can earn drawing tickets toward endof-summer prize drawings. Don’t miss a spectacular closing concert performance by Genevieve Goings from Disney Junior.
Week 4: July 2-8 | Connect With Us - Switch it up! Make new friends and challenge old ones (or vice versa!) to Mario Cart or Smash Bros on our new Nintendo Switch.
Week 5: July 9-15 | Animal Talk - Joshua Tree Tracking Activity (July 13) and Wild Animal Party (July 13).
Week 6: July 16-21 | Be My VoiceGenevieve Goings from Disney Junior performs at the La Quinta Library.
Anime Zone | Ages 13 - 17
Saturday, July 1 @ 11:30 a.m. | In-person
Enjoy random anime with friends. Commentary encouraged!
Sensory Hour | Ages 0 - 12 years
Monday, July 3, 17, 31 @ 10:15 a.m. | Inperson
Sensory activities to promote the development of motor skills as well as socialization among peers. Sponsored by Friends of the La Quinta Library.
Chess Club | All Ages
Thursday, July 6, 13, 20, 27 @ 4 p.m. | Inperson
Players of all levels welcome! Hosted by the Coachella Chess Club.
Read the States | Ages 13 - 17
Saturday, July 8 @ 11:30 a.m. | In-person or Zoom
Travel to a different state every month through YA Fiction. Then, enjoy snacks and goodies while discussing the book. In July, visit Indiana by reading All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. Visit the Library to check out a copy. *Registration required
Writer’s Block | Ages 18+
Sunday, July 9 @ 1 p.m. | In-person Meet monthly with other local writers to explore the various aspects of creative writing. Participants will be able to share and critique their work with the group.
Love Story Book Club | Ages 18+
Sunday, July 9 @ 2:15 p.m. | In-person Happily Ever Afters not guaranteed in this traditional book club featuring romantic titles. July’s pick: You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi. See the Adult Reference Desk to register and to ask about available copies. *Registration required
Graphic Bites | Ages 13-17
Tuesday, July 11 @ 5:30 p.m. | In-person Sample three comics or manga then share what’s interesting, what’s meh, and what’s irredeemable!
Short Stack | Ages 8 - 12
Wednesday, July 12 @ 5:30 p.m. In-person New for TWEENS! Read a short story with friends, then create something new based on you read.
The Pagemasters’ Book Club | Ages 18+
Thursday, July 13 @ 5:30 p.m. | In-person or Zoom
Join the newest traditional book club to read a wide variety of SciFi and Fantasy titles throughout the year. In July, discussion with surround An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon. See the Reference Desk to register, copies are limited.
(Anti) Bored Games | Ages 13 - 17
Saturday, July 15 @ 11:30 a.m. | In-person Stupid Deaths: Race the Grim Reaper around the game board by correctly guessing the true deaths from the fake ones!
Page Turners Book Club | Ages 18+
Thursday, July 20 @ 10:30 a.m. | Inperson or Zoom
In July, the discussion will be about Gold Diggers by Sanjena Sathian. See the Adult Reference Desk to register. Copies are limited.
Bad Book Club | Ages 13-17
Saturday, July 22 @ 11:30 a.m. | In-person Teens, have you read a book you’ve absolutely HATED? Come and tell us why – spill the tea!
It’s a Library Birthday! | All ages
Saturday, July 22 @ 12 p.m. | In-person Register your July birthday and let the library throw the birthday party! This once-a-month library birthday party will include games, crafts and stories geared to create a safe, fun, all-inclusive birthday experience. Members of the community are encouraged to come and celebrate July birthdays. Sponsored by Friends of the La Quinta Library. *Registration required
Impulse Affirmation | Ages 13 - 17
Tuesday, July 25 @ 5:30 p.m. | In-person Reader’s choice. Discuss in-person or online at bit.ly/LAQTeensDiscord.
Comic Celebration
Saturday, July 29 @ ALL DAY | In-person
Come celebrate comics in all forms during this all-day extravaganza! Test your trivia knowledge, create fun crafts, and gab about all things graphic novels with friends.
SRP Maker Crafts | All ages
Thursdays, July 6, 13, 20 @ 11 a.m.12:30 p.m. | In-person
Each week during the RCLS Summer Reading Program, the Creation Station will offer a free craft program that ties into the theme of the week.
Week 4: Connect With Us – QR Code
Friendship Bracelet or Talking Stick
Week 5: Animal Talk – Felt Animal Finger Puppets
Week 5: Be My Voice – Electronic Voice Modifier
FREE (limited to first 20 patrons)
Fiber Arts Bootcamp (FAB): Cross Stitch Bookmark
Sunday, July 30 @ 1 - 3 p.m. | All-Ages
For July, members of FAB will learn the basics of Cross Stitch and make a plant inspired bookmark.
FREE (while supplies last)
Interested in supporting and making a change in your community? Friends of the La Quinta Library is recruiting new board members. As a member of the Library Board, you get to make a difference in your community by ensuring that everyone has free access to information, resources, educational opportunities and programs. Support your community by becoming a Friends of the La Quinta Library board member! Call the Reference Desk for more information, (760) 564-4767.
our FREE programs at facebook.com/ LaQuintaMuseum/events.
Friday, July 7 & 21, 1-3 p.m.
Sketchbook Journaling
Get in touch with your inner artist with sketchbook journaling. Basic supplies provided.
Saturday, July 8, 1-3 p.m.
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
Closed for the holiday: The Museum will be closed Tuesday, July 4, and reopen at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 5.
New Exhibit: The Newest Americans: New Citizens Reflect on What America Means to Them (on exhibit through July 22) The journeys, hopes, dreams, and concerns of 29 new U.S. citizens come to life through vivid color portraits and personal stories. The Newest Americans encourages visitors to see the United States and the immigration process through the eyes of new citizens representing over 20 origin countries. All photos were taken, and interviews conducted, in the moments immediately prior to and following two naturalization ceremonies. This exhibit by Sam Comen (photography) and Michael Estrin (reporting) is produced in partnership with The California Museum and traveled by Exhibit Envoy.
La Quinta Legend: Dorothy Arzner
Explore the life of this Hollywood trailblazer, Dorothy Arzner. She was the only woman director during the “Golden Age” of Hollywood, with the largest body of work of any woman director to this day. A groundbreaker in the film industry, she also “broke ground” here in La Quinta, building a home that she shared with her partner, Marion Morgan.
As programs are subject to change, please find the latest information on
Genealogy Meet-Up
Are you interested in your family tree? Are you a beginner or an expert in all things Genealogy? Come join this discussion and collaboration.
Tuesday, July 11 & 25, 1-3 p.m.
STITCH Fiber Arts Group
Bring your fiber project to work on while you meet with friends old and new, share what you’ve been working on, and get inspired for your next project.
Wednesday, July 12, 1 p.m.
TED Talk Hangout
Enjoy a TED talk on the big screen, and then, discuss! This month, “4 Lessons in Creativity” by Julie Burstein will be featured.
Saturday, July 15, 2 p.m.
Summer Family Fun: Indoor Bird Watch Avian Behavior International is coming to the Museum! Enjoy an amazing encounter with some feathered friends.
Tuesday, July 18, 11 a.m.
Take a Break with Huell
Join for an episode of Huell Howser’s California’s Gold on the big screen. This month, Huell takes his audience to the Gold Rush town of Downieville.
Thursday, July 27, 3 p.m.
Good Books in the Gallery
This month, the featured book is “The Other Americans” by Laila Lalami. A limited number of free copies are available for book club participants, so call (760) 777-7170 to request one.
Friday, July 28, 3 p.m.
La Sobremesa Cultural
La Sobremesa un programa en español para el disfrute cultural. ¡Acompáñanos el día Viernes 28 de julio a las 3 pm y hablemos sobre los Parques Nacionales!
Saturday, July 29, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
S.C.R.A.P. on Saturday
The S.C.R.A.P Gallery is coming to the Museum. Bring the whole family and make your own masterpiece with upcycled materials.
“Do some of that leg work upfront so when an emergency happens, you’re not as stressed out what to do to keep your pet safe,” White said.
Additional information about preparing pets for an emergency can be found at Ready.gov/pets.
White also reminded people about the danger of leaving pets in cars and cautioned against trusting that a dog or cat will be safe if the motor is left running with the air conditioner on.
How well prepared is your pet should you have to evacuate due to a disaster or emergency?
“Furry family members must have a gobag with everything they will need should the family have to evacuate at a moment’s notice,” said La Quinta Fire Chief and Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department Division Chief, Bryan White.
“Our pets are an extension of our family,” White continued, adding that they should have emergency kits just like those put together for humans. Pet emergency kits should include:
• Medications
• Medical records with up-to-date vaccination information
• Food
• Water
• Collar with ID tag and a harness or leash
• Pet carriers or crates
• Litter boxes and litter for cats
Familiar items such as favorite toys, treats or bedding to help reduce stress
You should also have a picture of you and your pet together, according to Ready – a national public service campaign designed to help people prepare for and respond to emergencies, including natural and man-made disasters. Ready advises that if you were to become separated from your pet during an emergency, a picture of you and your pet together will help you document ownership and allow others to assist you in identifying your pet.
Put your pet’s emergency kit together next to your human go-bags in a place where they can be easily grabbed if you must exit your home in a hurry.
Consider microchipping your pet if you haven’t already done so. Microchipping can help you find your pet should you become separated. It is also important to have make a plan with neighbors, friends or relatives to make sure someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you can’t.
It’s also good to have a plan that includes knowing where you might evacuate to –a neighbor’s home, a shelter or a hotel, and check ahead to know what hotels allow pets.
New cars with push-button starts may have idle shutoff features and “temperatures can skyrocket in a matter of minutes,” he said. “On a 90-degree day, it is not uncommon to see temperatures of 120 to 130 degrees inside the vehicle.”
“Out here, where we see 110-degree days, it can be a matter of life and death for our fur babies if we leave them in the car and that vehicle shuts down,” White explained. “The best rule is to not leave your pets in the car, just as you wouldn’t leave your children in the car.”
With summer temperatures heating up, it is also important to ensure your pet’s safety when out for walks. Touch the pavement and if it is too hot for your hand, it is too hot for your dog’s paws.
When walking, watch your pet’s paws and see how they are reacting to the pavement, White said in presenting pet preparedness tips during the June 6 City Council meeting. He also noted to bring along plenty of water, and make sure there is shade so you can cool them down.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE GREATER COACHELLA VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, VISIT www.gcvcc.org
Title Sponsor
Presenting Sponsors
Riverside County Child Support provides services to parents and guardians of minor children. Every child needs financial and emotional support. Every child has the right to support from both parents. Our services are available regardless of marital status or income.
• Obtain a new child support/medical support order if you don’t have one from the court.
• Keeping case records
• Processing and tracking child support payments
• Enforce spousal support orders (if part of existing child support order)
If you already have a child support court order and need help enforcing that order, we can help!
• Establish parentage
• Locate absent parents
• Other county and community resources referrals available
• Convenient 24/7 access to your case/account information via Customer Connect
To apply, scan the QR code or visit us online.
