La Quinta Cove

City Hall, the Library, Senior Center, and Museum are all closed in honor of our presidents, Lincoln and Washington.

• Kids’ Nature Walk 9:00 Another great opportunity for young people to get their hands into nature’s wonder, this time on the topic of Desert Plants.  Kids will study plants from the roots up, and have fun doing it.  Some teachers are giving extra credit for this activity, so check it out.  Meet at the rest stop at Ensenada and Montezuma.

• Art under the Umbrellas 10-4:00 in Old Town.  Stroll around, chose a Valentines gift for your sweetie, browse the shops, relax at the restaurants.  Music on Main Street.

• “Live Roq” Concert at the Community Park from 2-4:00.  Bring your chairs, blankets, and goodies for an afternoon of musical fun for the whole family.

Free AARP tax help is available at the Senor Center several mornings a week through April 8.  Call for an appointment at 564-0096.

The City of La Quinta’s Police Department is offering an anonymous way to get involved and stop crime in the City with an extra added bonus of up to a $1,000 cash reward.  If you witness a crime or have any information regarding a crime that has been committed, call 341-STOP (7867). You don’t have to give your name! An operator will take your information and assign you a code number.  If an arrest is made, you call Crime Stoppers again, provide your code number, and a reward will be paid - no questions asked!  The operator will give instructions about how to collect the cash reward and you’ll never have to reveal your identity or sign any receipts.

This program is designed to give everyone the opportunity to be a good citizen and keep their City safe.  By keeping the Crime Stoppers number handy, you can help stop graffiti, home invasions, vandalism and acts of violence by assisting the police in finding those who are responsible for the crimes. 

REMEMBER, IF THE CRIME IS IN PROGRESS, CALL 911!

The Cove Neighborhood Association steering committee recently hosted two officers from the LQ police department. Sergeant Rick Waltch and Community Services Officer, Tom Fowler, reviewed recent crime statistics and emphasized that we all need to limit the opportunities for crimes to be committed. 

They also pointed out that LQ has been able to maintain a high level of staffing for public safety at a time when many cities are having to cut back.  Thanks to our City Council for making fire and police protection a high priority.  While officers are assigned to specific duties (traffic, patrol, etc.) each can be called from that duty when the need arises, to assist in a specific incident.  Both officers exclaimed at what a safe city La Quinta is, even in densely populated areas like LQ Cove.  We rank high in the Valley for safety….

While the overall crime rate in the Cove has been about the same over the past few years, burglary, vehicle burglary and theft are slightly up.  This means we need to be more careful with the security of our property, including cars not parked in garages. 

We were also cautioned that vacant homes can attract squatters and other vandalism, especially if the property LOOKS vacant or is in disrepair (broken windows, dead landscape, etc.).  We need to report such instances to Code Compliance and to do what we can to keep neighbors’ property looking as good as possible. 

Here’s an old video (Community Picnic Day a year or so ago) that summarizes crime prevention for residents. The information is still valid.

watch?v=uKY4W_plN2Y

In case you missed the bagpipes, there’s another tune….  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFVt0J9_zcM

Desert Sun article outlines the plan: http://www.mydesert.com/article/20100121/NEWS01/1200365/1141/yourtown06/Residents+like+proposal+for+off-leash+dog+park

Those terrible scenes of Haiti should make us want to fix potential home hazards, freshen up our earthquake kits and review our family plans.  The Desert Sun recently published a great summary.  If you missed it, take a look and  be reminded of earthquake safety.  Most important? Water, WATER, WATER!!!  And by the way, have you secured your new giant TV sets?  They’ll go FLYING across the room, so screw them down now!  http://www.mydesert.com/article/20100121/NEWS0805/1200362/1141/yourtown06/Know+what+to+do++what+you+need+on+hand+before++after+an+earthquake

Read all about it: http://www.mydesert.com/article/20100107/NEWS01/1060346/1141/yourtown06/Golf+Cart+Program+nears+launch

Starting last Monday, City hall is open from 7:30 to 5:30 on Monday through Thursday.  Regular hours on Friday, 8-5.  This makes it easier to get those garage sale permits, dog licenses, pick up brochures, etc.