La Quinta Cove

Plenty of action Friday night when the City tree was lit in Old Town. 

Entertainment was provided from local youth, as seen here from backstage:   http://youtu.be/GuC_-M-MjUg

Here are some of the vendors that offered information and services to help us get ready for The Big One or other disasters.  Take a look. http://www.youtube.com/user/CovePotato#p/a/u/0/sopOTr6CXcw

Old Town was the site for La Quinta’s first “Preparedness Party” to make citizens more aware of resources and preparations needed in case of a major disaster.  Floods, power outage, earthquake, chemical spill….it COULD happen.   In addition to incident vehicles from IID, fire department, and police, our local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) demonstrated techniques to assist in the neighborhoods should the need arise.  Here’s a look:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh3579TA8Gk

Here’s a look at the early morning set-up for the returning Farmers Market.  The old favorites back and some new booths besides.  Plan your shopping so that you can take advantage of this unique, healthy and neighborly shopping.  Sunday mornings starting at 8:30.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNTekj0_44o

The new LQ Activities Guide is out, so don’t lose it:  It contains important events in the city between now and March.

Items that occur regularly that you might want to note are:

• Nature Walks along the Bear Creek Trail and Fred Wolff Nature Preserve are on the THIRD Saturday of each month, beginning on September 17.  They begin at 8:00 a.m. and always feature an expert on some outdoor topic.  In January, the Walks for Kids and Families will be on the SECOND Saturday, starting at nine.  It’s FREE.
• The Old Town Farmers Market begins on September 25, 8-12:30.  These will be every Sunday, with music starting at nine. 
• Story Time for toddlers continues at the Museum on the first Wednesday of the month at 10:00 a.m.  Parents and kiddies come for free.
• Art under the Umbrellas will have a full season in Old Town on selected Saturdays from 10 – 4. The first one is October 29.
• SilverRock will be closed during the month of October for overseeding.  Have fun in the meantime..
• The City of LQ sponsors some great excursions during the season.  The first is called “Museums Galore” scheduled forSeptember 24 to the museums and attractions in LA’s Exposition Park.  DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS THIS FRIDAY (9th).
• Don’t forget the beautiful and busy Fitness Center open Monday – Saturday in the Community Center.
• The possibility of an earthquake or other disaster always looms: are you ready?  Call Paul Hess at city hall for info on getting yourself and your household prepared.  777-7061.  Classes and written info await you….
• Look through your Activities Guide a hundreds of courses and activities.  Never a dull moment in La Quinta

After an Easter hiatus, the Farmers Market will be back on Sunday from 8:30 – noon.  Lots of fresh fruits and veggies, flowers, spices, breads, oils, plus music and a chance to see your neighbors strolling about.

Don’t forget to shop for your fresh produce, breads, flowers, olive oils and other goodies at our weekly Farmers Market in Old Town from 8:30 – noon.  More great weather, music and meet your neighbors.

Remember the tree lighting on December 3?  Here are two more acts performed by students:

Ben Franklin School choir        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgYNi3Xee1Q

La Quinta guitar class    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzucwhaZNzc

Here’s some more talent from our future big stars….

Licensed golf carts are now legal on SOME streets in La Quinta, many in the Cove and the Village.  (Country clubs/gated communities have their own regulations.)  Licenses can be obtained at City Hall for $20, good for two years.

What carts can be licensed?  Owners must present proof of insurance, and carts must have seat belts, windshield, headlights and red reflectors, turn signals, parking brake, horn and mirrors.  Only carts designed for two passengers with a covered passenger compartment are eligible.  If your cart fits this profile, you can get a license and use the designated streets.  For all information on the City Golf Cart Program go to http://www.la-quinta.org/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=10089 and click on “Brochurs is available HERE”.   A permit sticker for approved carts looks like THIS:

Approved carts will have this sticker, be driven by licensed drivers (over 16), and obeying all of the California laws for automobiles.  There will be no 4-seater carts, nor back-facing seats, and they will be operated on the approved streets (not Montezuma, Eisenhower, Bermudas or Tecate).  Consult your map carefully, as there IS a route to get you into the Village.  If you see what appears to be an ILLEGAL CART, contact the police, not City Hall. 

Having carts on our streets will be a challenge to automobile and truck drivers, so be careful.  Carts will do a lot to diminish the use of gasoline, and provide a fun means of transportation around our beautiful Cove.