La Quinta Cove

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.

Plan ahead.  Here are some great excursions:

January 22 to Griffith Observatory   Call 777-7090 

January 29 to the Salton Sea and North Shore Yacht Club    Call 564-1283

February 12 to La Brea Tar Pits (right next to LA County Museum of Art)    Call 777-7090

Last Saturday (Nov 13) the Historical Society had a “members only” bus tour of some of the Cove’s 63 historic casitas.  These were built in the mid 30s up until WWII by the Desert Club developers.  Maggie Gordon, author of “Historical Casitas of La Quinta Cove”, led the tour.  In addition to driving by a few dozen of these little gems, the attendees entered and toured four.  The owners were most gracious and happy to share these little treasures that they have lovingly restored.  (Now, you non-members, time to become members of the Historical Society, to take advantage of these perks).  Here’s an outside glimpse of two of the homes:

If you missed Sonny Evaros at the LQ Museum on the last First Friday (November 5), here’s a little taste of his style.  He has been playing piano in the Palm Springs area for decades, first with his siblings, and now with this offspring.  Four of the family members entertained a mellow throng in the courtyard on a lovely desert evening.

Fun for all at the LQ Museum Carnival last Saturday.  Thanks to the Historical Society for sponsoring this event.  Here’s a sampling….

The Gerald Ford Boys and Girls Club of La Quinta played an amazing concert at the Museum for First Friday on October 1.  The band members range in age from ten to eighteen.  This is an amazing group, and the audience was completely enthralled.  There were some terrific soloists and lots of spirit.  The audio does not do justice to these kids, but here are seven segments.  Look closely, your neighbors might be in the band.

Come for a reunion with your old friends and neighbors at the Museum on Friday (October 1) from 5 – 7 P.M.  The Boys and Girls Club “Heatwave Jazz Band” will enliven the evening, and light refreshments will be served.  Visit the great exhibitions (PT Barnum and Old Hollywood and the Desert Club) and check out the new additions to the permanent collection.  The gift shop has MANY new and exciting items.  So help us to launch the season…..