La Quinta Cove

An exhibit of photographs by award-winning National Geographic Photographer Annie Griffiths Belt is featured from now till January 4, 2009 at our own La Quinta Museum.  Children and members of the LQ Historical Society are admitted free, non-member adult fee is $7.00.  Museum hours are 10-4 Wednesdays - Saturdays, and 1-4 on Sundays.  Check out the introductory video RIGHT HERE!

The first floor exhibits and muralist, Andre Blanche, are still open to the public free of charge. 

Don’t forget FIRST FRIDAY this week, October 3, from 4:30 - 6:30, with live music and refreshments served by Mimi’s Restaurant.  It’s free for everyone, so bring your family, friends and neighbors….

One of our Cove neighbors is sponsoring a sit-down chat with candidates for City Council on October 4, at 6:30 p.m.  The groups will exchange thoughts on new dogs parks for La Quinta.  Free food and begerage.  Call 409-2210 for more information.

IN THE MEANTIME, CHECK OUT THESE POOCHES ENJOYING THEIR SUNDAY MORNING COFFEE AT OLD TOWN COFFEE COMPANY….

Take a look at the wonderful children’s area and collection at our own library!

The first of 9 Nature Walks took place on Saturday, September 20th.  The topic was CULTURAL HISTORY: THE CAHUILLA INDIANS IN LA QUINTA.  These Nature Walks are a collaborative program between the City of La Quinta and the Stewards of the Fred Wolff Bear Creek Nature Preserve.  Michelle Hedgecock of Caliso Learning, led this most interesting and informative walk.  A few of the educational facts are described below:

1.  The Creosote bush was a pharmacy for the Cahuilla Indians.  The leaves were used to make Cahuilla Tea for medicinal purposes.  Also this plant was a common item used as we now use antibiotics.

2.  The Cats Claw Acacia was a plant used for food by the Cahuillas.

3.  The Sweet Bush or sometimes called the Chuckwalla Delight was the food for the Chuckwalla, a vegetarian lizard.

4.  The Brittlebush was also a medicinal plant used as a chewing gum to relieve thirst.

5.  The Mesquite spines were used for tattooing and the ash from the Aguave was used for the ink.

These are just a few facts that Michelle talked about as she identified the various plants etc. that were used by the Cahuilla Indians.  Our beautiful cove is a wealth of examples for learning how the Cahuillas lived during their settlement in this area.

The schedule of the upcoming Nature Walks can be viewed on page 15 of the Community Services Activity Guide http://www.la-quinta.org/Index.aspx?page=491.  There are several designed especially for children including the next one on October 18th.  Please refer to the Activity Guide for details and plan to attend over the 6 months.  This is such a great way to enjoy the beautiful landscape of our community and to learn many interesting facts.  The Cove Neighborhood Association will notify you of the upcoming events on this subject.  A video appears today on the website to give you a taste of the Nature Walk.  Several books are available to learn more about the Cahuilla Indians in our area.

“Temalpakh, Cahuilla Indian Knowledge and Usage of Plants” by Lowell John Bean

“The Cahuilla Landscape” by Lowell John Bean

Beth Foley, Library Manager, guides us through our beautiful library.  Some interesting statistics:  Between April 1st and June 30th this year 30,696 people visited our library and checked our 48,477 items (an increase of 105% over the previous year). Our library ranked third among the 32 Riverside County Library System branches.  We followed Temecula and Palm Desert,  Cove residents are very active users of this great facility.  Hooray for La Quinta. 

LIBRARY HOURS: Monday 10-6; Tuesday 10-8; Wednesday 10-6; Thursday 10-8; Friday 10-4; Saturday 10-2; Sunday 12-4

REPORT FROM TUESDAY’S MEETING: Staff presented the council with options for replacing street signs, discussed resident input, and took community comments.  Council tentatively supported the larger, more reflective signs, to be placed on new posts at the center of the curb return on two corners (NW and SE) at each intersection in the Cove.  Council also supports selecting colored signs (not just green) and placing the City logo, seal, or a quail image on each sign.  Trimming landscaping will be done if necessary to see the signs.  Members are committed to making these signs attractive and functional for residents and visitors.  A vote will be taken in the near future.  Stay tuned.

FROM “SLEEPLESS IN LQ”:  I was wondering if there is a city ordinance regarding candidate election signs. My main concern is signs on city owned property. If you drive on our main streets that have beautiful landscaped medians, you will see that they are now being used (cluttered) by the candidates for their election signs. I can see personal/private property being used but to clutter up our beautiful city property with these signs doesn’t seem right?

Comments anyone?