La Quinta Cove

One of the many frequent walkers in the Civic Center Park is a charming Korean lady whose mission it is to take care of the ducks, especially the young ones.

A great example of motherhood in our fair city….self-sacrificing, hard-working and setting a good example for her family.

Sandy Swan, who led the Nature Walk last week. has sent the list of 20 species sighted during the walk.  Here goes:

Alas, the little thing has met his (or her) end.  Earlier in the week, one of the early morning duck-watchers at the Civic Center Park found the little fellow “upside down”.  She was afraid the others would peck on him so she took him home, hoping that she could help him recover.  Not to be.  He succumbed to the inevitable.

Among the 50-60 crop of baby ducks at the Civic Center park is this lone albino.  Smaller and more frail that any of the others, it’s chances for survival are tricky.  These ducklings are growing up quickly, so if you want to see them. waddle on down and take a look.  BUT REMEMBER, no feeding the ducks.  Why?

• Bread and other carbs like popcorn, chips, etc. are junk food to the ducks and makes them obese (just like they do for humans!)
• Being hand fed is nunnaural and makes duck lazy and unable to forage for themselves.  Don’t teach them bad habits.
• A high-carb diet leads to more defecation (yuk) and to disease including avian botulism and lung disease.
• So, if you love the ducks, don’t feed them….it’s duck abuse!

The switch to drought-resistant landscaping has been completed at the Community Policing building in the Village.  Here’s a little tour of the improvements.

Also, you may have noticed the ripping out of sod along La Fonda in front of the Senior Center, Library, Civic Center Park and City Hall.  These are destined for similar new landscaping, as well as the flagged areas along Tampico for these same buildings.  We are told that a MILLION gallons of water is used to irrigate city land, and this amount will be reduced by these improvements.

Spring is in the air and on the ground and in the lakes at the Civic Center Park:

The City of La Quinta, Community Services Department and La Quinta Arts Foundation joined to add five honorees to the list of Distinguished Artists listed in the Civic Center Campus park.  They are pictured here along with Mayor Adolph (far left)  and council members Evans and Franlkin (on the right).  Honorees are the late  Jean Rosker (represented by her husband Ben), John Bowman,  Eddie Gilreath, Joe Oakes and Jan Blakley.

Mayor Adolph’s opening remarks:     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aB95DGw3lM0

Former city council member and mayor during the 1980s, Judy Cox and her husband, former fire fighter, Robert Cox, were seen at the Veterans Day event.  Their second son was honored with his name on the veteran’s plaque.  Both parents have served this community from the beginning of cityhood, and are still active in the greater Coachella Valley.

Enjoy…..