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Home My WebLink AboutCPD046 BrightsideMAR APR 2023FINALMARCH/APRIL 2023 PALM DESERT PUTS DOWN ROOTS WE’VE MOVED TO A NEW WEB ADDRESS PUBLIC ART FILM SERIES CONCLUDES TAKE OUR BROADBAND SURVEY CITY SEEKS COMMITTEE MEMBERS LANTERNS AGLOW AT LIVING DESERT HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AVAILABLE WILDFLOWER FESTIVAL CELEBRATES SPRING The season’s most scintillating happening – Fashion Week El Paseo – returns to Palm Desert, March 17 to 23, bringing even more style and sophistication to the desert’s most fashionable address. Celebrating 16 years of style in 2023, this week-long extravaganza and its famous red carpet will once again illuminate the Gardens on El Paseo with top designers showcasing their newest collections along with fresh ideas from emerging talents. Whether you are a serious stylist or a fledgling fashionista, Fashion Week El Paseo offers something for everyone including trunk shows, celebrity meet-and- greets, and much more. This year’s highlights include an opening-night runway show featuring luxury eveningwear, cocktail, and bridal designs from NARCES by Nikki Yassemi; Josie Natori’s vibrant resort show; local favorite and celebrity designer Michael Costello unveiling his latest creations; and the debut collections designed by outstanding recent graduates of the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandise. Fashion Week is accompanied by the annual Palm Desert Food & Wine, March 24 to 26. This fun and festive event attracts foodies, wine lovers, celebrity chefs and sommeliers for three extraordinary days of fabulous food and premium wine tasting on El Paseo. A portion of the proceeds benefit Friends of the James Beard Foundation. This year’s list of culinary celebrities features some of the nation’s top chefs, including Curtis Stone, Tyler Florence, Fabio Viviani, Aarti Sequeira, Jamie Gwen, Gail Gand, Zac Young, Glynis Albright, Afrim Pristine, and more. In addition to the James Beard Luncheon and the weekend Grand Tastings, these talented chefs can be found at other events including a “Cake Off,” “Sunday Brunch with Bubbles and Spritz,” and “Aarti’s Date Paarti.” FOOD AND FASHION EVENTS SHINE A SPOTLIGHT ON EL PASEO What’s Inside Fashion Week El Paseo – March 17 – 23 Palm Desert Food & Wine – March 24 – 26 Tickets and information: www.fashionweekelpaseo.com or 888-596-1027 Tickets and information: www.palmdesertfoodandwine.com or 888-596-1027 Ready to put down roots in Palm Desert? Then join the City of Palm Desert on Saturday, April 29 from 9 a.m to 12 p.m. when the ongoing celebration of our 50th Anniversary branches out in a new direction at the 50 Trees for 50 Years Arbor Day event. Palm Desert will plant a total of 50 trees throughout the city this spring including 10 in Civic Center Park. Residents can join in on the fun by coming out to the event and lending a hand in shoveling the dirt back around the roots of newly placed trees. It’s a great way to get outdoors and introduce young family members to the value of trees in our environment. Vendors will be on hand with educational and informative literature ranging from coloring books for kids to tree maintenance guides for adults. While supplies last, tree saplings will be available to take home and plant in your own yard, creating your own lasting memory of the City’s golden anniversary. For more information, call the City at 760-776-6481 Need to report a problem with a short-term vacation rental? Call Code Compliance during business hours (Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.) at 760-346-0611, or call the City’s Short-Term Rental Hotline at 760-862-6900. To report issues after 1 a.m., please call the Palm Desert Police Department at 760-836-3215. You can help the City meet its sustainability goals by recycling food waste in your new, green Organics Recycling waste container. Information: www.engagepalmdesert.com The City of Palm Desert has partnered with Nixle to provide email and text message emergency alerts directly to you. The City will use Nixle for critical situations such as severe weather events, evacuations, safety hazards, and security threats. Information: www.palmdesert.gov/our-city/ public-safety Calendar Palm Desert City Council Meetings Thursdays, 4p.m. March 9 and 23; April 13 and 27 Coffee with the Mayor Tuesday, March 7, 2 p.m. The Joslyn Center, 73750 Catalina Way Enjoy free coffee and conversation with Palm Desert’s Mayor and a representative of Sunline Transit Agency. Information: www.palmdesert.gov/news Senior Inspiration Awards Luncheon Thursday, March 30, 11:30 a.m. Fantasy Springs Resort Special Events Center Join us in recognizing 11 outstanding Coachella Valley seniors, including Palm Desert’s honoree, Dr. Betty Baxter. Tickets and information: 760-863-8211 or www.seniorinspirationawards.org Annual Neighborhood Clean Up Day Saturday, April 15, Citywide Information: See flyer included with this issue LifeStream Mobile Blood Drive Wednesday, April 19, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Palm Desert City Hall Information and appointments: 800-879-4484 or LStream.org PALM DESERT PUTS DOWN ROOTS FOR 50TH ANNIVERSARY FILM SERIES CONCLUDES WITH FASCINATING DOCUMENTARIES We’ve moved! The City of Palm Desert recently transitioned to a new URL for its government website. You’ll now find us at a shorter, snappier address – palmdesert.gov While it’s a commitment to update our extensive website and refresh the URL on everything from letterhead to legal paperwork, the new user-friendly and easily remembered web address will make it all worthwhile. Since old habits are hard to break, the City’s former URL, cityofpalmdesert.org, will redirect indefinitely to our current site as will staff email addresses using that address. WE’VE MOVED TO A NEW WEB ADDRESS The 2023 Palm Desert Public Art Documentary Film Series continues on Wednesday, March 22 at 6 p.m. with a free screening of Tyrus. Until his death at the age of 106, Tyrus Wong was America’s oldest living Chinese American artist and one of the last remaining artists from the golden age of Disney animation. His pastel sketches impressed Walt Disney, and Wong subsequently went on to create all the backdrops for the animated classic Bambi. The quiet beauty of his Eastern-influenced paintings had a pioneering impact on American art and popular culture. The popular series of free public art- themed documentary films concludes on Wednesday, April 26 at 6 p.m. with Sanannguaqtit: Carved in Stone. Followers of Inuit art will want to view this new documentary that offers a reminder of the rich trove of Inuit culture that continues to grow in southern Canada. The 2023 documentary film series is presented by the City of Palm Desert Public Art Department and the University of California, Riverside Palm Desert Center. Films screen in the auditorium at UCR Palm Desert, 75080 Frank Sinatra Drive. For more information and reservations, please call 760-834-0800 or register online at palmdesert.ucr.edu. Inside Story MARCH & APRIL 2023 ARTISTS CENTER AT THE GALEN 72567 Highway 111 760-565-6130 Wednesday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. artistscouncil.com Upcoming Exhibitions Annual ACE Juried Exhibition and Sale Continues through Sunday, March 19 Through the Lens Photography Show and Sale March 30 – April 23 Young Artists Exhibition April 27 – May 21 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. The Emerging Artist: Lessons of Self- Discovery, Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., March 9 and 23, April 6 and 20 Impressionist Landscapes in Oil and Cold Wax, Saturday, March 11 and Sunday, March 12, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Ancient One – A Sculpture Class, Saturday, March 25, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Poured Painted Surfaces, Sunday, March 26, 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Don’t Be Scared! Sell Your Art on The Internet, Saturday, April 15, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Information and registration: artistscouncil.com CITY OF PALM DESERT Palm Desert Civic Center 73510 Fred Waring Drive 760-346-0611 Open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. palmdesert.gov 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 Emergencies: Call 911 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. CSUSB PALM DESERT CAMPUS 37500 Cook Street 760-341-2883 pdc.csusb.edu Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Closed March 31 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 Mature Adult Programs The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) offers non-credit, university-level courses for adults age 50-plus. Experience all the fun of learning with no homework, no tests, and no grades. Membership also includes fun events, interest groups, and travel opportunities. 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. Movies in the Park Thursdays at 7 p.m. at Civic Center Park Amphitheater March 9: Paul Blart, Mall Cop March 16: Super-Pets March 23: The Spy Next Door Brunch with the Bunny Saturday, April 8, 9 – 11 a.m. at the Palm Desert Community Center $10 per person Pancakes, eggs, fruit, and muffins, plus crafts and games, photo ops, and time for a bunny hop. Eggstravaganza Egg Hunt Saturday, April 8, 11 a.m. at Civic Center Park Free egg hunt plus fun activities like face painting, sack races, hula-hoop contests and a visit from the Easter Bunny! Spring Camp Monday, April 10 – Friday, April 14, 7:30 a m. – 6 p.m. Palm Desert Community Center, $140 per week Campers can enjoy a week of exciting, structured activities including sports, creative arts, and group games. All activities are carried out under the watchful eye of the camp staff. 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: Social starts at 4:30 p.m., followed by a short meeting and guest speaker at 5 p.m. DESERT SANDS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 47950 Dune Palms Road La Quinta 760-777-4200 dsusd.us DSUSD spring break is April 10 – 14. 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 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 The Palm Desert Golf Academy Stick Mobility Golf Fitness Classes: Movement Made Better The Palm Desert Golf Academy’s 45-minute Stick Mobility Golf Fitness class is designed to improve your mobility, stability, and strength in your golf swing. Wednesdays in March and April, 10 a.m., $45 Information: desertwillow.com/stickmobility Mastering the Short Game Perfect your game with the help of Desert Willow’s PGA Golf Professionals. Learn the scoring skills required to improve your golf game and lower your scores on the course. March 10 and 21, April 7 and 21, 8:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., $399 Information: desertwillow.com/shortgame One Day Performance School The Palm Desert Golf Academy’s One Day Performance Golf School offers a unique approach made up of full swing plus short game analysis, proper diagnosis, purposeful situational practice, and expert on-course instruction conducted at a maximum 2:1 student to teacher ratio. March 15, April 12 and 27, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., $699 Information: desertwillow.com/ performancegolfschool FAMILY YMCA OF THE DESERT 43930 San Pablo Avenue 760-341-9622 ymcaofthedesert.org Flag Football Ages: 5 – 14 Fridays, March 31 – June 2 $125 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 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 April 3 – 9 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. Workshops You Break It: Mosaic Shard Workshop, Monday, March 6, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and Tuesday, March 7, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Introduction to Reduction Woodblock, Wednesday, March 8 and Thursday, March 9, 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Joomchi & Beyond: Papermaking Workshop, Wednesday, March 22 – Friday, March 24, 10 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 College of the Desert Practice Football Field One practice per week will be determined by the coaches once the season starts. Anyone interested in coaching, please reach out to the YMCA. Y Rookies T-Ball Ages 3 – 5 Saturdays, March 25 – May 20, 8:30, 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. $125 Spring Street Hockey Ages: 5 – 13 Mondays and Wednesdays, April 17 – May 31, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. $100 Creative Movement Dance Class Ages: 3 – 5 Saturdays, March 25 – May 20, 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Cost: $100 Class is designed to teach movement through dance and movement. Improve social skills and develop motor skills while having fun. 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 through March 11, 4:30 – 7 p.m. Center Lawn 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. JOSLYN CENTER 73750 Catalina Way 760-340-3220 joslyncenter.org Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sundays 3:00 –.4:30 p.m. for Sunday Cabaret Series in the Arthur Newman Theatre Onsite Programs Exercise classes, bridge, bingo, canasta, pinochle, mah-jongg, Scrabble, quilting, woodcarving, knitting, painting, pickleball, table tennis, lawn bowling, art classes, New Joslyn Singers, ukulele group, stringed instrument band, Joslyn Singles, 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: José Mendez at 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. 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. Joslyn in Bloom Fashion Show Luncheon Thursday, April 13, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Aqua Caliente Casino Resort and Spa, Rancho Mirage Tickets: 760-340-3220, ext. 105 or TommB@JoslynCenter.org Sponsorships: 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. Tours and Experiences Giraffe Feeding 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. $6 members/$8 non-members per person with paid park admission Rhino Encounter New! Meet one of the rhinos is a semi- private encounter experience. Offered daily at 8:15 and 9 a.m. Advanced reservations recommended; additional fee applies. Private Safari Tours Two-hour guided tours with private shuttle. Advanced reservations required; additional fee applies. This is How We Zoo It Tour New! A 30-minute guided tour that gives an inside look at how The Living Desert cares for its 600 animal residents. Walk- ups welcome; additional fee applies. Glow in the Park Opens March 15 – 16 for members, March 17 to the public and continues nightly through April 30. See article elsewhere in this issue of BrightSide 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. Open Call Talent Project Friday, April 21 – Saturday, April 22, 7 p.m. Some of the Coachella Valley’s best performers will take to the stage at the McCallum Theatre as part of Open Call, a popular talent competition for all ages. Finalists compete for multiple prizes including a $5,000 grand prize. Bensaiten by Taikoproject Friday, April 28, 6:30 p.m. A dynamic contemporary blend of taiko, music, storytelling, and choreography, this concert combines percussive power and strength with consummate grace and movement. General admission tickets are $10, and education partners (students, families, and teachers) attend at no cost. Tickets: www.mccallumtheatre.com or 760-340-2787. PALM DESERT AQUATIC CENTER 73751 Magnesia Falls Drive 760-565-7467 pdpool.com Check website for current schedule. PALM DESERT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 72559 Highway 111 760-346-6111 pdacc.org Business Breakfast Tuesday, March 14, 7 a.m. at Residence Inn, 38305 Cook Street Profit Connection Lunch Thursday, March 30 and Thursday, April 27, 11:30 a.m. After Hours Business Mixer Friday, March 31, 5 p.m. at Residence Inn Wednesday, April 19, 4:30 p.m. at Avenida Palm Desert, 40445 Portola Avenue Morning Mixer Tuesday, April 11, 7:30 a.m. Information and registration: 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: April 9 Sunday Sounds in the Park Concert Series Palm Desert Civic Park Amphitheater Sundays, 2 p.m. Free. Presented in partnership with Desert Recreation District. March 5: The Gand Band March 19: The Palm Springs Gay Men’s Choir April 2: Michael Gagliardi Adult Programs Lunch and Learn: Info Hour Light lunch and an information- packed hour with local experts. Tuesday, March 28, 12 p.m.: Inland Counties Legal Services Tuesday, April 25, 12 p.m.: Riverside County Office on Aging Reservations Required: rivlib.libcal.com or 760-346-6552, ext. 8112 Title Wave Book Club Mondays, March 6 and April 3, 3 p.m. Special Events Author Talk: Paula Kinney, The Delicate Dance: Living White Being Black Tuesday, March 14, 2 p.m. Lecture Series: Start to Finish: The Building of Highway 74 Sunday, March 12, 8 a.m. Plants Can’t Move. So What? Sunday, March 12, 11 a.m. Weirdly Wonderful World of Galls Saturday, March 18, 11 a.m. A Local History of the Mountain Town of Idyllwild Saturday, March 18, 1 p.m. Evolutionary History of Scorpions Saturday, April 1, 9 a.m. Coyotes in Town: Living with America’s Most Common Predator Saturday, April 1, 11 a.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 Pre-Oscars Academy Awards Show Monday, March 6, 6 p.m. Hollywood comes to the desert with this free discussion, featuring an all-star panel of industry professionals offering their Oscar picks and predictions for this year’s Academy Awards. RSVPs Required: palmdesert.ucr.edu Boyd Deep Canyon Lecture Series Next Generation Natural History: Using Technology to Understand Rattlesnake Behavior Thursday, March 9, 6 p.m. Learn how researchers are unlocking the secrets of rattlesnake behavior by studying footage from time lapse and live-streaming cameras on a den with hundreds of rattlesnakes. Microplastic Ingestion by Baleen Whales Thursday, April 13, 6 p.m. Baleen whales may be at extreme risk of exposure to microplastics, but neither the amount nor pathway of microplastic ingestion are well understood. Reservations Requested: palmdesert.ucr.edu Adult Art Workshops Mondays, March 13 and April 10, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Event Details and Reservations: rivlib.libcal.com or 760-346-6552, ext. 8112 Teen Programs Open to teens grades 6 – 12 Program Information: rivlib.libcal.com Teen Advisory Council Tuesdays, March 7 and 21, April 4 and 18; 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Teen Book Club Tuesdays, March 28 and April 25, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Children’s Programs Paws and Pages Storytime and Craft with Animal Samaritans Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Library Connect - Desert Mobile Resource Van Library cards, check out/return books, Wi-Fi, and pop-up computer lab services. 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 SANTA ROSA & SAN JACINTO MTNSNAT’L MONUMENT VISITOR CENTER/FRIENDS OF THE DESERT MOUNTAINS 51500 Highway 74 760-862-9984 DesertMountains.org Upcoming Events Coachella Valley Wildflower Festival Saturday, March 4, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. See article elsewhere in this issue of BrightSide Free Guided Hikes, Birding Walks and Wildflower Nature Walks Information: desertmountains.org/calendar Desert Mountains Art Fair Saturdays, March 18 and April 1, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Support local artists and find unique gifts while enjoying the beauty of our desert mountains. Star Party at the Monument Saturdays, March 25 and April 29, 7 p.m. Tortoise Talk and Walk Monday, March 20; Sunday, March 26; and Saturday, April 8, 9 – 11 a.m. Enjoy a two-mile hike on the Randall Henderson Trail searching for tortoises. Lower-income homeowners with homes that need emergency repairs are encouraged to apply for the City of Palm Desert’s Home Improvement Program. Examples of the types of repairs that could be eligible for assistance under the program include emergency water damage repairs, HVAC replacement, water heater replacement, and repairs to damaged roofs. If you own your own home, think you might qualify for the program, and would like more information, please contact the City’s Housing Division, at 760-346-0611, ext. 412 or email sestrada@palmdesert.gov. HOME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM HELPS LOWER INCOME HOMEOWNERS CITY SEEKS COMMITTEE AND COMMISSION MEMBERS After a dazzling debut in 2022, Glow in the Park returns to The Living Desert this spring with an all-new line-up of larger-than-life illuminated lanterns. Glow in the Park delivers a dazzling immersive experience that is visually stunning and infinitely memorable. Intricate and colorful, the awe-inspiring lantern creations feature animals and landscapes representing wild places on land and sea. Interactive attractions and memorable photo opportunities add to the event’s appeal. Don’t miss this chance to watch the desert come alive with spectacular installations that will delight people of all ages. The event opens March 15 and 16 for members only, and then to the general public from March 17 through April 30. Hours each night are 6:30 – 10:00 p.m. with last admission at 9:00 p.m. Advanced reservations are required. Ticket prices are Adults $27.95; Members $25.95; Children (ages 3-12) $17.95; Child under 3 free. For more information and tickets visit livingdesert.org DRAMATIC LANTERN EXHIBIT SETS LIVING DESERT AGLOW One of the many things that make Palm Desert a uniquely wonderful place is its involved citizenry, who give generously of their time and talents to serve our community. More than 100 volunteers serve on the Palm Desert’s standing committees, commissions, and boards, and the City is currently seeking applications from citizens who wish to join them. As City ambassadors, appointed members develop recommendations reflective of the community, and provide the City Council with perspectives to make policy decisions that enrich Palm Desert. Applications are welcome year-round with interviews and appointments occurring in May or June annually. With few exceptions, appointed members must reside in Palm Desert. Certain boards may also require specific experience in a technical field or have other qualifying criteria. Please carefully review your preferred board’s requirements to ensure eligibility. For more information regarding each board, including agendas and minutes, and to complete an application, please visit www.palmdesert.gov/our-city/committees-and- commissions. The City of Palm Desert is working to better understand the connectivity needs of its residents and businesses and needs your feedback on the current state of broadband internet where you work or live. Participation in a brief survey is crucial in helping the City identify areas of greatest need, the value of next-generation high-speed broadband services for economic development, and more. Your input may help the City find Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to partner within a given area, and funding opportunities to support new initiatives. The survey can be found at www.palmdesert.gov/broadband and takes only a few minutes to complete. All responses are anonymous and confidential. Please limit participation to one person per household. Because this is a survey to assess wired internet service, participants should use a device connected to a wired internet connection (through WiFi or Ethernet) if possible, and not a cellular connection (4G/ LTE/5G), to take the survey. Participants with no wired internet connection may take the survey on a mobile device. The survey closes on March 31. SURVEY TO HELP IDENTIFY BROADBAND NEEDS 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.palmdesert.gov n Watch City Council meetings live online at www.palmdesert.gov 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 MARCH/APRIL 2023 Look what’s on the BrightSide... inside! Celebrating its 16th year of promoting recreation and the beautiful outdoors, the Coachella Valley Wildflower Festival returns to Palm Desert’s Civic Center Park on Saturday, March 4, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Presented by Friends of the Desert Mountains, the festival features skilled local artisans, shopping and information booths, enchanting wildflower displays and an exciting raffle. A huge interactive Kids’ Zone and “Naturally Inspired” youth art contest brings families from all over Coachella Valley. Local food trucks and beverage concessions will be available along with a beer and wine garden for adults. Live music performances will add just the right note to the festival as well. This FREE event is fun for all ages and helps promote education, environmental stewardship, land conservancy, and an appreciation of our fine Desert Mountains. Kicking off the Wildflower Festival will be the FODM 5K, an exciting trail adventure in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. Run or walk on natural desert terrain raising funds to support conservation of these wonderful desert lands. Civic Center Park is located at 73510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert. For more information about the Wildflower Festival or 5K run, visit www.desertmountains.org or call the Friends of the Desert Mountains’ office at 760-568-9918. WILDFLOWER FESTIVAL CELEBRATES SPRING