La Quinta Cove

Consult www.ymcaofthedesert.org to find out about registration, classes, meets private parties, laps, water aerobics, lessons and all the rest.

Desert visitor, Peter Swart, recently photographed all these birds right in La Quinta….even the last one, the most rare of the species.  Enjoy, and thank you, Peter, for letting us use your footage.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/peripics/sets/72157624080474781/show/

LQ resident cards for golf at SilverRock are available for $15 ONLY till the end of June.  Then the fee goes WAY up (to $70).  Info on resident cards is at http://www.la-quinta.org/Index.aspx?page=424

This is a great perk for residents and your guests, so plan ahead at this bargain rate.

Your garage sale (and everyone else’s in LQ) is posted every Friday after 5:00 p.m.  at

http://www.la-quinta.org/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=304

TELL A FRIEND……….

Recycling makes good sense for EVERYONE, and it doesn’t take much effort.  Sometimes an extra inside trash can will make this more convenient.  The City has goals to meet to reduce land fill items, and we ALL want to do our bit to control unneeded environmental waste. 

Hopefully most of your weekly trash is recyclable: papers, cans, bottles, cardboard, lids, phone books, etc.   Use your biggest container for these items. 

What’s left?  Food, clothing, Styrofoam, medical stuff, soiled paper, bubble wrap, chemicals and oils. 

Keep your batteries, bulbs and electronic items aside for hazardous waste days.

Don’t forget your green bin for lawn cuttings, tree trimmings, and plants (not food).  Got dirt? put it in the brown bin with the landfill items.

CHECK YOUR BLOCK TO SEE HOW MANY NEIGHBORS ARE USING THEIR GREY RECLCYLING BINS.  TELL YOUR FRIENDS TO HELP OUR ENVIONMENT.  IT’S EASY AND IT’S IMPORTANT.  Questions?  Call Burrtec at 340-2113

If you haven’t seen the “Women in Flight” and the “Stitch in Time” exhibits, better get to it, as this is their last week.  You’ll never guess what’s coming next!!

And get your children/grandchildren signed up for the “Water Wonders” summer programs, ages 7-12).  Call 777-7170 for all the details. 

Check out the new items in the gift shop while you’re there, you’ll be surprised at the cute gifts and interesting history/nature books that are in stock.

Our advocacy group is working with the City to restore the natural vegetation in the Preserve that has been destroyed by off-road vehicles, dumping, and meandering foot traffic.  The new footpath along the east side is an effort to keep pedestrian traffic from further damaging the fragile desert flora and fauna by tracking all through the Preserve.  We request that citizens refrain from creating their own pathways, including paths lined with rocks or delineated in any other way.  If you have suggestions for additional pathways, please contact Steve Howlett at 777-7090.  We can work together to enjoy our beautiful Preserve to its fullest, yet restore and maintain as much nature in the Preserve as we can.   THANKS!

P.S.  Of course, dog feces also infect and detract from the beauty of the Preserve.  Please remind your fellow-walkers to keep their dogs on a leash and clean up after them.  DOUBLE THANKS!

Register by May 14 for the great opportunity to visit the Getty Center and see the fabulous architecture and works of art in the Getty collection.;  A comfy bus ride and an exciting day, leaving at 7 a.m. and returning at 6 p.m., $34 each.  Contact Communiyt Services at 760-777-7090 or visit the City website.

Last month, the Historical Society members made some interesting stops along the Salton Sea.  One of those was the volcanic mud pots.  Before it gets too hot, take Hwy 111 south past Niland, and turn right (west) on Schrimph Road.  Go a few miles, and the action will be up a road to your right (north).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le8pDatP44w

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoUTnTGArUw

La Quinta Cove Neighborhood Association members interviewed 48 residents at the picnic on Saturday and asked these questions:

1. Did you use your grey recycle bin last Thursday?  Yes = 46   No = 2
2. How large should LQ be (LQ now has about 42,000 residents)?   Under 50,000 = 32 respondents;       50-100,000 = 21     100-150,000 = 1    No limit = 3
3. What things do you like best about LQ?      See list below
4. What improvements are needed in LQ?     See list below

What we like (number refers to number of respondents):                                         

          48 =Views, Parks/Trails                       

          45 = Small town atmosphere                             

          43 = Peacefulness & library        

          42 = Well-run city                     

          40 = Safety (police and fire)                          

          39 = Friendliness                                

          38 = Schools                                                                   

          37 = Museum                                                                  

          36 = Clean air                                                                 

          33 = Organizations/volunteerism

          28 = Dark skies                                                     

          25 = Close to my work                                           

          23 = Social mix     

Needs improvement:

          19 = Traffic

          15 = Undergrounding utilities

          12 = Small lots & run-down properties

 8 = Street lights

          7 = Code enforcement (1 = need to work with homeowners)

          4 = Safety & not enough activities

3 = Traffic signals (1 = too many)

2 = Noise (car radios) & local taxes

& not enough diversity

One each = Pool, more small kid activities, more bus service, landscaping on Eisenhower, snow birds, entrance to Desert Club Estates