La Quinta Cove

LQ impresario, Eddie Gilreath, pulled together a wonderful evening for First Friday (on the 3rd).  Another overflow crowd heard a balance of biographical sketches on Eubie Blake, Louis Armstrong, Lena Horne, and Paul Robeson, interspersed with video clips and live renditions of some of their most notable music.  Instructive and entertaining. Here’s Eddie at the podium:

Here’s Yve Evans singing Lena Horne’s “Stormy Weather” http://youtu.be/vrOedqTugQ0

And here’s Perry L. Brown’s rendition of Paul Robeson’s “Ole Man River” http://youtu.be/JDqB_-S5_Aw

Sign up now for the February 9 tour of local historical sites, including the new plaque locations.  Call 564-1283 for more information. Sponsored by the LQ Historical Society, naturally.

In honor of La Quinta’s 30 years since incorporation, the LQ Historical Society is sponsoring a series of four history discussions beginning tomorrow, January 20.  Each will take place from 5-7 p.m. and is free of charge. Here’s the lineup.  And you’ll be reminded each month again, as the new event nears:

• January 20: Pre-History & Native Americans, Bradshaw Trail, and Point Happy Ranch: Harry Quinn and Louise Neeley
• February 17: La Quinta Hotel and Ranches: Judy Vossler, Barbara Irwin, and Tom Kennedy
• March 23: The Desert Club & Historical Casitas of La Quinta Cove: Johanna Wickman and Maggie Gordon
• April 13: City Incorporation, Arts Foundation, and Historical Society: Kay Wolff and Terry Henderson

Mark your calendars now so you don’t get double booked!

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.

Confederate President Jefferson Davis didn’t make it on to yesterday’s posting so here he is…. http://youtu.be/L8ugeYMZBNo

How to load a musket (in 20 seconds): http://www.youtube.com/user/CovePotato#p/a/u/0/it-14-56nWU

Company blacksmith http://youtu.be/tixbWrtY1gg

Field hospital surgeon: http://youtu.be/35ksaVUKOzU

These great days were brought to you by the City of La Quinta, the La Quinta Museum, and the La Quinta Historical Society.  A wonderful educational experience for the whole family.  Thanks to all!

The year 2011 marks the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War.  To commemorate this, the City of La Quinta, the La Quinta Museum, Historical Society, Riverside County, and several corporate sponsors will sponsor a unique weekend.   Saturday and Sunday will see scores of members of the American Civil War Society come to Lake Cahuilla and literally set up camp and fight some battles. In addition, the encampment will have hospital, chow wagons, and other elements common to the Civil War. 

On Saturday (19th) the park opens to the public for FREE at 9:00 a.m. and battles will be “fought” with canons and muskets at 11:30 and 3:00.  The park will close at 5:00 that day.

On Sunday (20th) the park is open from 9-3:00, with church services at 9:00 and battles at 11:00 and 2:00.  Each battle will be different.  Guests are invited to ask questions of the “soldiers” to learn even more about this critical era of our nation’s history.

 Also, vendors will offer food and souvenirs. Don’t miss this truly historic event…bring the kids and the cousins and the neighbors.  Remember, it’s free and it’s on our doorstep!

After that record-setting exhibit of dinosaurs, what can the Museum possible present as a follow-up?  Well, let’s hear it from Museum Manager, Johanna Wickman, who is opening some boxes….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8UuJswThFg

Almost 40 curious nature walkers enjoyed a morning hiking and listening to a myriad of myths and mysteries being addressed by Katie Barrows and local history buffs.  One such mystery:  What film featured the steps carved into the outcropping rocks above Tecate?  The answer is: SEVERAL, most notably “The Ten Commandments” 1956, and “The Big Fisherman” 1959.  Maybe more….. The above steps are only the top few remaining in the stone  stairway.  The lower steps were subsequently covered by the earth moved around to shape the flood control retention basins in the late 1980s.

Our own Eddie Gilreath (Motown Man) was joined by Al Robertson and Dave Hannans to trace black rhythms from Sierra Leon to La Quinta on Friday night.  An enthusiastic crowd enjoyed the stories and songs that remain popular to this day.