La Quinta Cove

The final edition of “The La Quinta Sun” was published last Thursday, according to a credible source.  The new version next Thursday (I believe),  will be “The Indio – La Quinta Sun” or the La Quinta – Indio Sun”.  Bummer!!!!!

Here’s a third “poem” from the December 17 Nature Walk:

The smell of creosote wafts through the air/as the tiny raindrops began to fall.  We began our walk into the layers of rocks/which form the base of these beautiful mountain ranges/ with the clouds covering the sun.  The usually colorful backdrop seems muted, yet serene.  As we march through this geologic wonder, the stories of ancient times flow through my thoughts/and I wonder how people in those days/could have survived this terrain/without all the modern day conveniences/of the current neighborhood/that I now see spread out below.

Once again,  Station 32 fire engine delivers Santa to Cove the weekend before Christmas.  Here’s a taste of Sunday’s visit:  http://youtu.be/GrOuWqRSzmQ

A hardy handful of nature enthusiasts trekked across the channel to get their creative juices flowing last Saturday morning (17th).  Led by Michelle Hedgecock, the group “soaked” up the views, fresh air, and charm of nature.  Circular drawings, called “mandalas” were created in pairs, with each person adding a circle of design to the previous work.  Above are some samples.

As for poetry, each hiker listed a series of words that expressed an impression that rainy/misty morning.  Then the words were given to another, who fashioned a poem using the words.  Here are two:

A grey bareeze rustles sleeping plants./I feel quite within this rugged landscape/Until a wispy chill awakens me.

Staggering and swaying/we climb up through the glorious mist/seeking expression on paper/as we gaze across/a majestic explosion of gnarled brush.  Graffiti-tainted boulders/clash with the calm, gracefully-falling snow/on the distant mountain.

Aren’t you sorry you missed it?     A couple more poems are saved for a future posting…..

The Mission In is worth the trip any time of the year, but Christmastime has got to be the finest hour.  The Friends of La Quinta Library sponsored a trip last week for a tour of its historic hotel and an opportunity to see the 3.5 MILLION lights.  Wow.  Magical.  Pictures don’t do it justice, but here’s a feeble attempt: http://youtu.be/I0ZPXjsi7Rk

Yes, the City is doing the planning for a “modern” roundabout to be constructed at the intersection of Eisenhower and Sinaloa.  The traffic and safety issues merit either a signal or a roundabout.  The City has opted for the latter.  What’s the advantage of a roundabout?  Safer (no broadside hits when someone runs the light), prettier (who wants glaring lights day and night?), you don’t have to stop, usually (just yield to the vehicle already in the circle), saves gas (less stopping and starting) and slows down traffic without installing speed bumps.  It costs a bit more to install, but a lot less to maintain and repair.  There have been several public discussions on this, and the neighbors are all involved in the planning and design, and support it, from what we hear. 

Here’s a link to the City Public Works website that shows what the tentative design looks like, in that very neighborhood, with the streets narrowing to one lane and a typical traffic flow around the oval/ellipse (not quite round).  North is on the left, and ease is at the top.  If you look closely you can see a bicycle approaching from the south on a bike path, however, bicycles will have the option of staying in the street or using their special lanes.

http://www.la-quinta.org/Index.aspx?page=26

Robert asks:

What is the status of the upper cove cleanup that was initiated last year, addressing the 50-year-old dump along Boohoff Trail? It seems to be no better now than prior to the efforts started last year, just from walking up the cove along Boohof Trail.

ANSWER? It’s a huge expanse, as you’ve probably noticed, and even with the tons of trash that has been hauled out by inmates last spring and volunteer groups just recently, hardly a dets has been made in the mass.  A work in progress….  Here’s a link to a recent BLM newsletter report: 

http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/newsbytes/2011/509xtra_srsjmnm_npld.html

Tour participants got a look at seldom-seen spaces at last Saturday’s tour of the La Quinta Resort and Spa. One highlight was a walk through Frank Capra’s casita where he lived late in his life.  Here’s a shot of the fireplace in this tiny space (excuse the glare): 

 The original gate to the hotel now hangs above the fireplace in the reception area:

What a beautiful time of the year and what  lovely weather greeted the group.  It’s worth at drive down there to stroll arund and take in the beauty:

The red carpet was rolled out for the tour group, concluding a luncha at “La Casa” private party area.  The Resort outdid itself.  If you missed this event, you’d better sign up next year….. it’s a treat.

Remember Andrew Davis, the Cove Boy Scout who is working on his Eagle Scout badge?  He’s raising money to build a sculpture in the Civic Center Campus park that holds the piece of the World Trade Center ruins, remember?  Well, right now is the perfect time to make a donation if you’re going to: a) income tax deduction for 2011, and b) Andrew will be reporting on his fund-raising success to the city in early January. 

If you are inclined to donate to this wonderful La Quinta project, you can send your contribution to Andrew Davis, 54-785 Rubio, and make your check payable to Boy Scouts of America Troop 50.  The tax ID number is 33-0765686.  Personal contributions to the 9/11 memorial are being matched, so your $10 dontation will be worth #20 to Andrew.

Plenty of action Friday night when the City tree was lit in Old Town. 

Entertainment was provided from local youth, as seen here from backstage:   http://youtu.be/GuC_-M-MjUg