La Quinta Cove

Here are some of the vendors that offered information and services to help us get ready for The Big One or other disasters.  Take a look. http://www.youtube.com/user/CovePotato#p/a/u/0/sopOTr6CXcw

Old Town was the site for La Quinta’s first “Preparedness Party” to make citizens more aware of resources and preparations needed in case of a major disaster.  Floods, power outage, earthquake, chemical spill….it COULD happen.   In addition to incident vehicles from IID, fire department, and police, our local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) demonstrated techniques to assist in the neighborhoods should the need arise.  Here’s a look:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh3579TA8Gk

On October 20, as a part of the California state-wide “Shake Out”, city staff reacted to a simulated earthquake and the resulting damages across the community.  In addition to city staff, radio operaters, representatives from the school district, Red Cross, police, fire, CVWD and IID were present to work through the scenario.  This was probably the most full-blown drill of any city in the Valley.  We residents can be proud (and feel safer). 

The scenario included bridges damaged plus loss of electricity, gas, water, and phone communications.   Agencies were activated, staff dispatched to survey and set up roadblocks, etc. and press releases were issued once some communication across the valley was established.  In this clip, Paul Hess, La Quinta Emergency services Coordinator, introduces the drill to the first shift assembled in the Emergency Operations Center, in the basement of City Hall: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxZRB_vjl_s

Out of all the memorabilia at the Thursday “Evening with the Friends of the Library” Eddie Gilreath stated this poster was one of his most prized possessions.  A poster, later an album cover, of Bob Marley’s “Survival” recording on which Marley wanted to display all the flags of African countries.  Eddie worked with Marley to finalize an ever-changing group of countries and flags at a very volatile time in the history of the continent.

Eddie and Dan McGrath, local radio announcer, rolled out some great stories about the legendary entertainers that Eddie worked with over the years, from Marvin Gaye to Ray Charles to Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson.  What a career!

And here’s one of Eddie’s many gold records that he earned in his years with Motown, Warner Brothers and Geffen recording studios.  Pret-ty exciting to see one in the flesh!

On a beautiful Saturday morning, Dr. Cameron Barrows led a group of about 20 on a Nature Walk, focusing on the geology of our area.  In this clip, he talks about our earthquake faults.  Pre-tty interesting:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0cmFyI7PqY