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Home My WebLink AboutCPD044 Brightside Newsletter JAN FEB 2023 for webJANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023 PUBLIC ART DOCUMENTARY FILM SERIES RETURNS HONORING HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY PUBLIC INPUT NEEDED ON NEW PARK COURTESY CARTS OFFER NEEDED LIFT GET CITY NEWS DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX DISPOSE OF USED MOTOR OIL HALF MARATHON TAKES TO THE STREETS NEW SCHEDULE FOR CITY’S SHREDDING EVENTS NEW SCULPTURES DEBUT ON EL PASEO New Year’s Day traditionally dawns with the hope for good things to come in the year ahead. As the City of Palm Desert and its residents move into 2023, it’s with the anticipation of a golden event—the 50th Anniversary of the incorporation of the city. Palm Desert was incorporated on November 26, 1973, as the sixteenth city in Riverside County. Throughout 2023, events will be held to celebrate the anniversary and the city we love, culminating with a 50th Anniversary celebration on November 18. Count down the days to the big event by picking up the Palm Desert 2023 calendar, filled with fun photos and fascinating facts about our city. It’s available at Palm Desert City Hall as well as many locations around town including the Palm Desert Library, Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce, and Desert Willow Golf Resort. If the calendar piques your interest, make plans to visit the Historical Society of Palm Desert. Located in the City’s first firehouse at 72861 El Paseo, its collection of memorabilia from over the decades is extensive. Exhibitions are planned that will highlight the people, places, events, and institutions that helped to create and shape Palm Desert. Join us in celebrating all that Palm Desert has achieved, and all that is yet to come. Be sure to watch upcoming editions of BrightSide for updated information on the City of Palm Desert’s 50th Anniversary plans. PALM DESERT CELEBRATES GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY IN 2023 What’s Inside The 2023 Palm Desert Public Art Documentary Film Series returns on Wednesday, January 25 with “Chihuly: Roll the Dice,” the first of four art-themed documentaries to be screened in the coming months. The free film series is presented by the City’s Public Art Department and the University of California, Riverside Palm Desert campus. “Chihuly: Roll the Dice” follows American artist Dale Chihuly as he tests his own resolve and challenges his team to push the glass medium to its physical limits in the pursuit of a new creative concept. On Wednesday, February 22, learn about one of the few women in the world working in monumental sculpture in “Ursula von Rydingsvard: Into Her Own.” Go behind the scenes with von Rydingsvard as she and her collaborators produce new work. The series will continue on March 22 with “Tyrus” and concludes on April 26 with “Sanannguaqtit: Carved in Stone.” All films are scheduled for the fourth Wednesday of the month, January through April, at 6 p.m., followed by a Q&A with featured speakers who will discuss that night’s film. The documentaries will be screened in the auditorium at UCR Palm Desert, 75080 Frank Sinatra Drive. Admission to the Palm Desert Public Art Documentary Film Series is free, but registration is required by visiting palmdesert.ucr.edu or by calling 760-834-0800. For more information, please call the City of Palm Desert at 760-776-6346. Funds are still available from the City of Palm Desert’s Security Camera incentive program. All Palm Desert businesses are encouraged to apply. For more information, visit EngagePalmDesert.com or contact the Economic Development Department at bizsupport@cityofpalmdesert.org or 760-346-0611. Donating blood is a gift of hope and life made possible by people who want to make a difference in the community. The City of Palm Desert will host a LifeStream mobile Blood Drive at Palm Desert City Hall on Wednesday, January 11 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Information and appointments: www.lstream.org Save the date! The Palm Desert Charter Middle School Panther 5K is scheduled for Sunday, January 22 on El Paseo. Information: pdcms.dsusd.us PUBLIC ART DOCUMENTARY FILM SERIES RETURNS PARK CEREMONY RECOGNIZES INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY The Gerald R. Ford Chapter of Mensch International Foundation will hold its 13th annual International Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony on Friday, January 27, at 11 a.m. at Palm Desert’s Civic Center Park. In 2005, the United Nations General Assembly designated International Holocaust Remembrance Day as an annual day set aside to remember the Holocaust’s many victims, celebrate those who survived, and remind the world to never forget what happened. The official date, January 27, coincides with the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp. The Palm Desert event will feature a variety of musical performances and speakers, as well as the presentation of the Mensch awards. A remembrance walk from the park amphitheater to the nearby Holocaust Memorial will serve as a moving conclusion to the program. Civic Center Park is located at Fred Waring Drive and San Pablo Avenue. Limited seating will be provided, and attendees are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets to participate in comfort. For more information or to volunteer, please email Steve Geiger at menschfoundation@yahoo.com or call 760-333-1189. New Year’s Day January 1 City Hall Closed on Monday, January 2 Valentine’s Day February 14 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day January 16 City Hall Closed Presidents’ Day February 20 City Hall Closed Dates to Remember Etc. JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2023 ARTISTS CENTER AT THE GALEN 72567 Highway 111 760-565-6130 Wednesday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. artistscouncil.com Upcoming Exhibitions Warp Speed Interactive Gallery, Demonstrations and Sale Wednesday, January 25 – Sunday, January 29 Desert Plein Air Association Festival Exhibition and Sale Thursday, February 2 – Sunday, February 5 CV Watercolor Society Exhibition and Sale Thursday, February 9 – Sunday, February 12 Annual ACE juried Exhibition and Sale Thursday, February 16 – Sunday, March 19 Workshops Realistic Oil & Acrylic Painting, Thursdays 1 – 3:30 p.m. and Fridays 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Watercolor: Beginners and Beyond, Wednesdays and Fridays, 1 – 3:30 p.m. Pushing Color: All Media, Wednesdays 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Interwoven: Expressions of Watercolor and Words, Saturday, January 14 Watercolor Portraiture, Friday and Saturday, January 20 and 21, 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Paint Your Inner Frida, Saturday, February 18, 1:30 – 4 p.m. The Emerging Artist: Lessons of Self- Discovery, Thursday, February 23, 10 – 11:30 a.m. Information and registration: artistscouncil.com CSUSB PALM DESERT CAMPUS 37500 Cook Street 760-341-2883 pdc.csusb.edu Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Closed January 16 Bachelor’s and master’s degrees, a doctorate in educational leadership, teaching credentials, and certificates. New programs include Hospitality Management, Entrepreneurship, Cybersecurity, Social Work, Kinesiology, and Child Development. Information: csusb.edu/pdc/our-programs CITY OF PALM DESERT Palm Desert Civic Center 73510 Fred Waring Drive 760-346-0611 Open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. www.cityofpalmdesert.org www.DiscoverPalmDesert.com Visitor Services 760-568-1441 Short Term Rental Hotline 760-862-6900 Code Compliance Hotline 760-776-6360 Report Graffiti 760-340-5776 Palm Desert Police Department Call 911 for emergencies Non-emergencies: 760-836-1600 Palm Desert In Touch Get information on City meetings, parks, trails, and public art, plus identify issues including graffiti and code violations and report them directly to City staff. Information: cityofpalmdesert.org/intouch EngagePalmDesert.com The City’s civic engagement platform allows residents a chance to ask questions, share comments, and contribute ideas on City projects. Mature Adult Programs The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) offers non-credit, university-level courses for adults age 50+. Experience all the fun of learning with no homework, no tests, and no grades. Membership also includes fun events, interest groups, and travel opportunities. Winter semester classes begin on January 16, both on campus and remotely. Information: www.csusb.edu/OLLI or call 909-537-8270 Upcoming Event New York, New York - A gala benefiting the CSUSB Hospitality Management Program Sunday, March 5 at 5 p.m. at the Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort and Spa Information: Hospitality@CSUSB.edu Campus Organizations Join the Cal State University Associates and become a member of a premier organization of campus supporters. Enjoy monthly educational and enlightening speaker events throughout the season. The majority of membership dues support student scholarships. Information: CalStateUniversityAssociates.com COACHELLA VALLEY ANIMAL CAMPUS 72050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms 760-343-3644 rcdas.org Services include animal adoption and licensing. COLLEGE OF THE DESERT 43500 Monterey Avenue 760-346-8041 collegeofthedesert.edu Learning in Retirement Learning in Retirement’s (LIR) six-week spring session runs from February 27 – April 7 and features a number of entertaining and informative classes. Some classes will be offered in person and others on Zoom. Attendees can take up to five different courses a week for $45. Registration opens online in early February. Information and registration: lirpalmdesert.com New Classes Belly Dance Fridays, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. $70/month Advanced Performing Belly Dance Thursdays 7 – 8:30 p.m. $65/month Information: myrecreationsdistrict.com Adaptive Sports Programs Adaptive programs have ongoing enrollment and are open to individuals with disabilities or special needs and their family members. Palm Desert Resident Cards Palm Desert Resident Cards for use at Desert Willow Golf Resort are issued by Desert Recreation District at the Palm Desert Community Center. City residents who would like to get a new or renewed card may visit the Community Center during business hours with the necessary documentation (California ID or Driver’s License, plus a utility bill with a Palm Desert address). More information: cityofpalmdesert. org/departments/special-programs/ desert-willow-golf-resort Golf Center at Palm Desert 74945 Sheryl Avenue 760-779-1877 golfcenterpd.com Open daily, 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. Home of the First Tee of the Coachella Valley youth golf program includes 9-hole par three course, driving range with chipping and putting greens, foot golf, and more. DESERT ROSE SOCIETY desertrosesociety.com The Desert Rose Society holds monthly meetings on the second Tuesday of the month at the Portola Community Center: 4:30 p.m. social, 5 p.m. meeting. Pruning Demonstration Learn how to prune your rose bushes at a free demonstration held at the Palm Desert Civic Center Park Rose Garden on Saturday, January 7, 8 a.m. DESERT SANDS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 47950 Dune Palms Road La Quinta 760-777-4200 dsusd.us DESERT WILLOW GOLF RESORT 38995 Desert Willow Drive 760-346-0015 desertwillow.com Visit their website for current hours Dining The Terrace at Desert Willow Golf Resort Unique, tasteful, handcrafted cuisine paired with one of the most scenic outdoor dining venues in Palm Desert. Open daily for breakfast and lunch. View menus and hours of operation online. Information: desertwillow.com/TheTerrace Music and Dining Under the Stars Desert Willow’s popular open-air music and dining series returns on select Thursdays from 6 – 9 p.m. Enjoy live music and eclectic, hand-crafted dinner buffets (unique to each event) from Executive Chef Francois Gaertner and his culinary crew. Each Music and Dining Under the Stars event is $62.99 per person and open to adults 21 years and older.• Thursday, January 19: Seafood Buffet• Thursday, February 2: Italian Buffet• Thursday, February 23: New Orleans Buffet Reservations and information: desertwillow.com/MusicDining Golf Enjoy award-winning championship golf at Desert Willow Golf Resort. Contact the pro shop or go online to book your tee times. Information: 760-346-7060, ext. 1 or desertwillow.com/teetimes FAMILY YMCA OF THE DESERT 43930 San Pablo Avenue 760-341-9622 ymcaofthedesert.org From registration for Out of School Time Day Camps to Flag Football and Y Rookies, the Family YMCA of the Desert has a lot happening this winter. Information: www.ymcaofthedesert.org or call 760-341-9622 Jean Benson Child Development Center 75433 Orange Blossom Lane 760-836-3336 Serving children 2 – 5 years of age by supporting their unique interests, skills, and needs. They focus on the social, emotional, physical, and language development which form the basis of their lifelong learning. Information: ymcaofthedesert.org/jean- benson-child-development-center/ Afterschool Childcare Program Sites: Adams, Carter, Reagan, Amelia Earhart, and Ford elementary schools. Information: ymcaofthedesert.org/school-age-childcare/ THE GARDENS ON EL PASEO 73545 El Paseo 760-862-1990 thegardensonelpaseo.com 25th Annual Concert Series Saturdays, January 21 – March 11, 4:30 – 7 p.m. Center Lawn For 25 years, The Gardens on El Paseo has brought the community together to support local musicians and non-profits at its Annual Concert Series, raising over $1 million for local organizations. January 21: Eagles and Linda Ronstadt Experience benefiting Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert COD Street Fair Open Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Information: 760-636-7957 or codaastreetfair.com COD Veterans Resource Center 760-773-2536 Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Closed major holidays Provides critical services for veterans and their dependents to support their success, retention, and educational needs. CREATE CENTER FOR THE ARTS 73600 Alessandro Drive 760-834-8318 createcentercv.org Tuesday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. CREATE Center for the Arts provides instruction, resources, and space for artists to create together. Classes, workshops, open studio hours, and one-on-one instruction are available to artists of all ages and experience levels. Workshops Printmaking for Future Influencers, Thursdays and Fridays, January 5 – 27, 4 – 6 p.m. Nuno Felted Seamless Garment Workshop, Friday – Sunday, January 27 – 29, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Solarplate Printmaking, Monday – Friday, February 13 – 17, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Ongoing Classes Play with Paint (Ages 6 -10), Thursdays, 4 – 5:30 p.m. Drawing Fundamentals for Adults, Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Intro to 3D Printing, Thursdays, 4 – 5:30 p.m. Creative Practice, Wednesdays, 6 – 8:30 p.m. DESERT RECREATION DISTRICT Palm Desert Community Center 43900 San Pablo Avenue 760-568-9697 myrecreationdistrict.com Monday – Friday, 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Closed Sundays Palm Desert Senior Games and International Sports Festival Monday, January 30 – Sunday, February 5 Athletes ages 35 and up will compete in a variety of individual and team sports including track and field, soccer, golf, pickleball, table tennis, volleyball, and more. A variety of age divisions allows athletes to compete against their peers. Keeping the Keys Workshop Saturday, February 25, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. In partnership with AAA Southern California Automobile Club, Desert Recreation District is offering a free Keeping the Keys Workshop designed to help keep senior drivers on the road for as long as safely possible. January 28: Gypsy benefiting Pegasus Therapeutic Riding (Fleetwood Mac Tribute) February 4: Pulp Vixen benefiting Shay’s Warriors Life After Cancer (Top Hits from 70s to Today) February 11: Journey Captured benefiting Voices for Children (Journey Tribute) February 18: Lisa Lynn and The Broken Hallelujahs benefiting Friends of the Desert Mountains February 25: Eevaan Tre and The Show benefiting Bianca Rae Foundation March 4: Slim Man benefiting Coachella Valley Volunteers in Medicine (Jazz) March 11: John Stanley King Band benefiting Family YMCA of the Desert (Favorite Rock Hits) Reservations: thegardensonelpaseo.com/events HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF PALM DESERT &FIREHOUSE MUSEUM 72861 El Paseo 760-346-6588 hspd.org Open Friday – Monday, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Friday Night Lecture Series Third Friday of the month at 6 p.m. at the Portola Community Center January 20: Warner Graves III discusses Postcards from Mecca, a book of early 20th Century photos shot in the California desert by Susie Keef-Smith and her cousin and his grandmother, Lula Mae Johnson-Graves. JOSLYN CENTER 73750 Catalina Way 760-340-3220 joslyncenter.org Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Onsite Programs Exercise classes, bridge, bingo, canasta, pinochle, mah-jongg, Scrabble, quilting, woodcarving, knitting, painting, pickleball, table tennis, art classes, Joslyn Singers, ukulele group, stringed instrument band, Joslyn Singles, virtual book club, HI-CAP Q&A, and more. Information: JoslynCenter.org/programs Onsite Programs with Partners SCAN Independence at Home, Eisenhower Health lectures, Health Expos, JFS Let’s Do Lunch, and more. Virtual Programs Some of the Joslyn Center’s services and programs are offered virtually. Virtual activity newsletter: JoslynCenter.org/ virtual-programs. Information: Melanie Lyons at 760-340-3220 ext. 102 or melaniel@joslyncenter.org. Joslyn Wellness Center Programs Free and low-cost programs include Go4Life®, Aging Mastery Program®; Brain Boot Camp; Problem-Solving Strategies; Mindful Living; Bereavement Group; Fitness Center, and more. Information: 760-340-3220 ext. 117 Nutrition Programs Meals on Wheels: Providing healthy meals Monday – Friday to seniors in Palm Desert, Sun City Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, and Indian Wells. Friday delivery of frozen meals for weekends also available. Penny’s Pantry Community Food Bank: First and third Fridays, 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. Fresh produce and non-perishable food for low- income seniors. Farmers’ Market: Second and fourth Fridays, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. (or until depleted). Free, fresh produce provided by FIND Food Bank. Information: joslyncenter.org/meals-on-wheels or contact Bob Elias at 760-340-3220, ext. 110 or bobe@joslyncenter.org. Wine & All That Jazz Five-Course Wine Pairing Event Tuesday, January 17, 6 p.m. Classic Club This fundraising event starts with sparkling wine and hors d’oeuvres and is followed by an elegant five-course meal paired with choice wines from Napa Valley. Information: JoslynCenter.org/Fundraising-Events or contact Greg Murphy at 760-340-3220, ext. 107 or gregm@joslyncenter.org THE LIVING DESERT 47900 Portola Avenue 760-346-5694 livingdesert.org 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; last admission 4 p.m. Giraffe Feeding 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. $6 members/$8 non-members per person with paid park admission Private Safari Tours Two-hour guided tours with private shuttle. Advanced reservations required; visit website for pricing and details. MCCALLUM THEATRE 73000 Fred Waring Drive 760-340-ARTS (2787) mccallumtheatre.com Purchase tickets for all upcoming events at their box office or at mccallumtheatre.com. Upcoming Highlights: Peter Cincotti, Friday, January 6, 8 p.m. Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents: The Songs We Love, Monday, January 30, 7 p.m. The Piano Guys, Friday, February 10 – Saturday, February 11 On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan, Friday, February 24 – Sunday, February 26 PALM DESERT AQUATIC CENTER 73751 Magnesia Falls Drive 760-565-7467 pdpool.com Lap Swim Monday and Wednesday: 5:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 3 – 7 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: 5:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. Water exercise classes offered six days a week. Private swim lessons for all ages are available upon request. PALM DESERT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 72559 Highway 111 760-346-6111 pdacc.org PALM DESERT PUBLIC LIBRARY 73300 Fred Waring Drive 760-346-6552 rivlib.net Open Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Friday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday, 1 – 5 p.m. Closed: January 1, 2, 16; February 13, 20 Sunday Sounds in the Park Concert Series Palm Desert Civic Center Park Amphitheater Sundays, 2 p.m. Free. Presented in partnership with Desert Recreation District. January 8: Francesca Amari January 22: Desert Winds Freedom Jazz Band February 5: Eevaan Tre February 19: Hotflash Adult Programs Lunch and Learn: Info Hour Light lunch and an information-packed hour with experts from local organizations. Tuesday, January 24, 12 p.m.: Riverside County Office on Aging Tuesday, February 28, 12 p.m.: Trio Educational Opportunity/CSUSB Reservations Required: rivlib.libcal.com or 760-346-6552, ext. 8112 Title Wave Book Club From classics to “Hot Off the Press” – they’ll discuss it all! Tuesday, January 3, 3 p.m. Monday, February 6, 3 p.m. Special Events Author Talk: Susan Beckham Zurenda Monday, January 9, 2 p.m. Film Screening: Ronald Reagan, An American Journey With director/producer Robert Kline Thursday, January 19, 1 – 4 p.m. “Who Me?” Mask-Making Workshop Thursday, February 2, 1 – 4 p.m. Event Details and Reservations: rivlib.libcal.com or 760-346-6552, ext. 8112 Teen Programs Open to teens grades 6 – 12 Please visit rivlib.libcal.com for program information. Teen Advisory Council Tuesdays, January 10, 24; February 7, 21; 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Crafternoon Saturdays, 1 – 2 p.m. January 21: DIY 2023 Memory Jar February 18: TBD Children’s Programs Paws and Pages Storytime and Craft with Animal Samaritans. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. STEM/STEAM Wednesdays, January 18; February 1, 15; 3 – 4:15 p.m. Library Connect - Desert Mobile Resource Van Library cards, check out/return books, Wi-Fi, and pop-up computer lab services. Workshops, crafts, and other activities also available. Information, location, and events schedule: bit.ly/desertmrv or email LibraryConnectDesertVan@rivlib.net Veterans Resource Center Monday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Information and referrals for veterans. Walk-ins welcome. Information: 760-346-6552 Start to Finish: The Building of Highway 74 Sunday, January 15, 1 – 2 p.m. Evolutionary History of the Tortoise Saturday, February 4, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Life Zones in the San Jacinto Mountains Saturday, February 4, 1 – 2 p.m. Plants Live in the Desert: How Do They Do That? Sunday, February 12, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. We All Live Downstream… Monday, February 13, 2 – 3 p.m. Reservations are required for all events. Information: DesertMountains.org/calendar or call 760-862-9984 THE SHOPS AT PALM DESERT 72840 Highway 111 760-346-2121 shopsatpalmdesert.com UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIARIVERSIDE/PALM DESERT CAMPUS 75080 Frank Sinatra Drive 760-834-0800 palmdesert.ucr.edu UCR Osher Winter classes start in mid-January. These courses are for lifelong learners over the age of 50 and cover a broad range of subjects. Delve into history, art, current events, film, and more. Information: OLLI page at palmdesert.ucr.edu Arts & Letters: An Evening with Best American Mystery & Suspense Writers Thursday, January 19, 6 p.m. The free literary series welcomes Steph Cha, Alex Espinoza, and Tod Goldberg in person, with Juliet Grames joining via Zoom, all authors celebrated in this year’s collection of Best American Mystery & Suspense Writers. Information: palmdesert.ucr.edu Deep Canyon Lecture Series Deep Canyon: A lens for understanding plant species range shifts in a warming world Thursday, January 12, 6 p.m. Plant species are responding rapidly to warming and drying conditions worldwide. Speaker Tesa Madsen-Hepp from the Department of Evolution Ecology and Organismal Biology at UCR will discuss the long-term dynamics of where plant species are found along the Deep Canyon Transect. Information: palmdesert.ucr.edu SANTA ROSA & SAN JACINTO MTNSNAT’L MONUMENT VISITOR CENTER 51500 Highway 74 760-862-9984 DesertMountains.org Desert Mountains Art Fair Saturdays, January 7 and February 4, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Support local artists and find unique gifts while enjoying the beauty of our desert mountains. Upcoming Events Buford Crites’ Memorial Hike and Celebration of Life Tuesday, January 17, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Join Friends of the Desert Mountains to celebrate the life and accomplishments of Friends of the Desert Mountains founder, College of the Desert professor, and former Palm Desert Mayor Buford Crites. Memorial Hike at 9 a.m.; Celebration of Life at 11 a.m. on the Friends’ patio. Reservations: DesertMountains.org/calendar or 760-568-9918 Free Guided Hikes Trails vary. Selected Tuesdays through Saturdays, 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. Star Party at the Monument Saturdays, January 14 and February 11, 5 p.m. Tortoise Talk and Walk Tuesday, February 28, 9 – 11 a.m. Enjoy a 2-mile hike on the Randall Henderson Trail searching for tortoises. Event Reservations: DesertMountains.org/calendar or 760-862-9984 Lecture Series: Hiking 101: Learn Safe Hiking Skills on the Trail Saturday, January 7, 9 – 11 a.m. Evolutionary History of Scorpions Saturday, January 7, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. A Cultural History of the San Jacinto Mountains Saturday, January 7, 1 – 2 p.m. Conservation Conversation! Monday, January 9, 2 – 3 p.m. Plants Can’t Move. So What? Sunday, January 15, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. On Sunday, February 12, the Palm Desert Half Marathon and 5K returns as the Coachella Valley’s longest running and only half marathon and 5K festival. Half-marathon and 5K participants will experience a fast, scenic course with views of the surrounding mountains. There will be awards for overall winners and the top three in each age group division. There will also be a one-kilometer Kids Run on a closed course for children 13 and under. All Kids Run participants will receive a finisher medal. All races begin and end at beautiful Civic Center Park. The half-marathon begins at 7 a.m.; the 5K at 7:30 a.m.; and the Kids Run at 10 a.m. For more information and to register, please visit palmdeserthalfmarathon.com. HALF MARATHON TAKES TO THE STREETS NEW SCHEDULE FOR CITY’S FREE DOCUMENT SHREDDING For nearly two decades, El Paseo Courtesy Carts have whisked residents and visitors alike all along the famed El Paseo Shopping District. Now, newly reimagined Courtesy Carts not only provide FREE transportation as they circle the street but are also available on demand by hailing them via the easy-to- use “Ride Circuit” app available for both Apple and Android devices. As a hyperlocal shuttle, the El Paseo Courtesy Carts are seen as a “last mile” transportation service that encourages fewer car trips. By reducing traffic, congestion and emissions, these electric shuttles are a sustainable way to navigate El Paseo. On your next trip to visit the stores, galleries, and restaurants found on El Paseo, catch a free ride on a Courtesy Cart and enjoy being chauffeured directly to your destination. Courtesy Cart service is available seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., October to May. For more information, visit FreeRideElPaseo.com. COURTESY CARTS OFFER A NEEDED LIFT Along with the refreshed look of the current edition of the City of Palm Desert’s BrightSide newsletter, more changes are afoot for how the City communicates with its residents and businesses. With the launch of a new, digital BrightSide newsletter, the City of Palm Desert will expand its means to keep its residents up to date on what’s happening in our community. The emailed newsletter will be sent monthly and feature top stories from the print edition of BrightSide, plus the latest city news updates, event listings, photos, videos, and more. To receive a digital newsletter, residents and other interested parties must first sign up to receive emails from the City. In addition to registering for the digital BrightSide, residents can sign up for other alerts that are tailored to meet their needs such as Fireworks Alerts and Council Meeting updates. Now there’s no reason to miss out on all the latest e-news from Palm Desert. To opt in to one or more of these enhanced email offerings, visit www.cityofpalmdesert.org/ our-city/newsletter and indicate which topics you’d like to hear about. GET CITY NEWS DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Coachella Valley residents can safely dispose of their used oil and oil filters in an environmentally friendly way at an event hosted by the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) on Saturday, February 25, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., at AutoZone, 73605 Highway 111, Palm Desert. Residents can transport up to five gallons of used oil per vehicle. Oil must be in a clean, sealed container. Bring in used oil filters to the event and receive a new replacement filter (of equal or lesser value) for free. Limit two per household. For additional information about the event, call CVAG at 760-346-1127. DISPOSE OF USED MOTOR OIL AT FREE EVENT To help Palm Desert residents and businesses dispose of sensitive documents such as tax records, bank statements, and legal documents safely and securely, the City of Palm Desert and Burrtec Waste and Recycling Services will now offer free document shredding events three times each year. The first of these events is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, February 10 and 11. Two additional shredding events will be scheduled for later in the year. Shredding begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 11:30 a.m. each day or when the truck is full, whichever occurs first. Acceptable items include stapled and bound office and/or glossy paper, file folders, and envelopes. Paper clips are allowed, but binders and notebooks will not be accepted. The shredding event will be held at the Palm Desert Civic Center, 73510 Fred Waring Drive. This is a drive-through, drop-off only event and no appointment is necessary. Residents and businesses alike are limited to ten boxes per day; boxes and bags will not be returned. For additional information, please call 760-776-6342 or email recycling@cityofpalmdesert.org. As part of its continued investment in the community, the City of Palm Desert has envisioned a new regional sports park for North Palm Desert. The park has been preliminarily identified to include recreational, active, and passive uses. All community stakeholders are encouraged to provide input on the park’s development, including the preferred location for the park, programming needs, amenities, and design considerations. Visit the North Palm Desert Park page on EngagePalmDesert.com for additional details and updates on upcoming public meetings related to this exceptional new development. Also on EngagePalmDesert.com, residents can take a survey to contribute ideas, ask questions of City staff, and post comments. PUBLIC INPUT NEEDED ON NORTH PALM DESERT PARK ECRWSS Resident and/or Business Palm Desert, CA PRESORTED STANDARD US Postage PAID Palm Desert, CA Permit No. 160 73510 Fred Waring Drive Palm Desert, CA 92260 Phone 760-346-0611 Email info@cityofpalmdesert.org Websites www.discoverpalmdesert.com www.cityofpalmdesert.org n Watch City Council meetings live online at www.cityofpalmdesert.org on the 2nd and 4th Thursday each month at 4 p.m. n City Council Kathleen Kelly Mayor Karina Quintanilla Mayor Pro Tem Jan Harnik Gina Nestande Evan Trubee JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023 NEW SCULPTURES DEBUT ON EL PASEO Look what’s on the BrightSide... inside! Welcome the New Year with inspiring new artworks now on display as part of the 2023/2024 El Paseo Sculpture Exhibition. The public is invited to celebrate the official debut of the new biennial exhibition and meet some of the artists during a dedication ceremony at The Gardens on El Paseo, on Friday, February 3 as part of “First Fridays.” But there is no need to wait. A virtual tour has been created and is accessible on the City’s Public Art webpage as well as by scanning QR code signage along El Paseo. Palm Desert’s Cultural Arts Committee selected the 18 artworks from among scores of local, regional, and national artists who submitted their work for consideration, and which will now be on display for the next two years. The exhibition includes “Timepiece,” a clockwork heart; a female superhero “SWIRLY GIRL”; “Red Rover,” a soaring red tail hawk; and an illuminated “Dione the Water Goddess,” who celebrates the element of water. These fun and uplifting artworks are joined by a variety of abstract pieces that give free rein to viewers’ imaginations. For more information, please call 760-776-6346 or visit www.cityofpalmdesert.org/public-art Circo X – Chain of Connected Ideas, by T Barny Dione the Water Goddess, by Lynn Jaye Treble Clef, by John Banks Pirouette