“World's Most Complete Neighborpedia”
Explore:   What's happening in your neck of the woods?

Palm Desert, CA

Art and Architecture of beautiful Palm Desert

Mary MacGregor: Real Estate Agent in La Quinta, CA

Palm Desert is always in the vanguard artistically and architecturally here in the Coachella Valley. It was the first to commission signs—themed using giant slabs of flagstone—announcing various entry points of the city. The other cities quickly followed suite and the Valley is now replete with distinctive artwork demarcating each town's boundaries.Palm Desert marker

El Paseo artworkThe city's homage to art is quickly apparent, with eye-catching sculpture adorning El Paseo and the major boulevards. Last week I highlighted some of the revolving artwork now gracing the sidewalks and meridians of the desert's Rodeo Drive.

The city recently unveiled its new Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, wonderfully ensconced on a huge lot at the corner of Hwy 111 and Monterey, across from the Westfield Shopping Center. The former empty lot has been artfully transformed into a destination showpiece encompassing the two city buildings and two high-end restaurants—Cuistot's and La Spiga. Palm Desert Visitor Center

Earthen berms covered in desert flora literally and figuratively shelter the city buildings from adjacent traffic, creating a veritable oasis of beauty and solitude within their protective embrace.

Palm Desert Chamber of CommerceThe Chamber of Commerce itself is itelf integrated into the earth, with blue agave and yellow-hued brittlebush and barrel cacti cascading down the "walls" of the edifice. Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce

Palm Desert Visitor CenterMemorial GardensStrolling along the undulating paths punctuated by pots and palms, it's almost impossible to believe that Hwy 111 roars past a stone's throw away. Mosaic-infused walkways highlight the quiet spectacle of water and plants.

Memorial GardensThe xeriscape includes Memorial Gardens in honor of Eric Johnson, a local landscape architect renowned for his pioneering work in drought-tolerant landscapes who left his imprint on many of the city's most distinctive landmarks.

I was remiss in not visiting the gardens upon their debut last year but now make a concerted effort to occassionally stop and savor this unique gem. If you're here in the Palm Springs area, make a point of dropping by the friendly and informative Visitor Center and perhaps get some landscaping ideas from the surrounding grounds.Memorial Gardens

_

Barry Manilow's "Gift of Love" Charity Shows at the McCallum

Laxson Associates l La Quinta Real Estate: Real Estate Agent in La Quinta, CA

Barry Manilow will be performing at the McCallum Theater December 4th -5th and December 7th - 9th with all the proceeds from the concerts going to 25 local charities.

As a resident of our Coachella Valley, Barry Manilow's impact and generosity toward his neighbors in the desert is legendary and we are proud to have him represent us! Tickets will range from $85 to $250 and a limited number of Premium Tickets from $750 to $1,000, which include a champagne reception and photo with Barry. Barry Manilow is scheduled to perform his hit songs and special holiday songs from his new Barry Manilow "Gift of Love" Charity ShowChristmas album. As Barry Manilow fans, we will be there and hope to see you there also!

Below is a list of charities that will benefit from Barry's concerts at the McCallum:


ACT for MS - Palm Desert
Angel View Crippled Children's Foundation
Animal Samaritans
Barbara Sinatra Children's Center
Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS of the Desert)
Boys & Girls Club of the Coachella Valley
Desert AIDS Project
Desert Arc
Desert Samaritans for the Elderly
Desert Paws
FIND Food Bank, Inc.
Gilda's Club Desert Cities California
Guide Dogs of the Desert
Healthy Family Foundation: The Ophelia Project
Joslyn Senior Center
Mourning Star Center
Olive Crest
One Heartland
Pegasus Riding Academy for the Handicapped
Shelter From The Storm
Stroke Recovery Center
Temple Isaiah Fund
The Living Desert
United Cerebral Palsy - Inland Empire
Variety Club of the Desert

Savoring the Desert Beauty with an Early-Morning Hike

Mary MacGregor: Real Estate Agent in La Quinta, CA

Up at 5, on the trail at 6 a.m.! Kirk marvels at my new-found ability to rise and shine. Well, the first part anyway. This marks my third hike within four days. How on earth did I morph into this avid hiker?

Palm Desert markerThis morning the Energizer Bunny, aka Sue Cook—a fellow Windermere agent—and I tackle a 3-hour portion of the Art Smith Trail in the foothills of south Palm Desert. The trailhead commences across from the Santa Rosa Mountains' Visitor's Center and right before Hwy 74—the Palms to Pines route—commences its serpentine rise over the mountain pass. This trail is closed to hikers during the spring lambing season of the beseiged band of local bighorns and I've always wanted to try it.Sue Cook

The strenuous trail is 16 miles long and serves as the major link between the Palm Desert portion of the Santa Rosa Mountains and Palm Canyon's network of trails above Palm Springs and Cathedral City. Sue and I made a pack today that we will complete the entire trail this winter and have a spouse pick us up at the other end. Wonder who the lucky guy will be?

Even though we're up so early, the sun has already beaten us to the punch by the time our hiking boots hit the trail and the sky blazes cerulean blue.

Mary The Art Smith Trail is remarkably beautiful. From the desert wash, you quickly scale the granite-strewn hills, following a narrow carved trail as it snakes through areas replete with dark red boulders reminiscent of Sedona's distinctive rock formations. Barrel cacti, brittlebush, creosote, and agave punctuate the landscape, each awaiting spring's awakening touch. I plan to return and see the difference.

Palm Desert and valley vista

The strenuous efforts quicky pay off with spectacular views of ritzy Bighorn Country Club, splayed out in green glory at the base, and the eastern portion of the Coachella Valley in the distance. We reached the first of several palm oases before turning back to retrace our steps.

Hwy 74 climbs the Palms to PinesFrom the top, you're afforded an eastern view of undulating Hwy 74, whose distinctive switchbacks were memorably used in the opening car-chase scenes of 1963's madcap movie, It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.

Sue Cook

Sue Cook

Art Walk on El Paseo in Palm Desert tonight

Mary MacGregor: Real Estate Agent in La Quinta, CA

El Paseo artworkEl Paseo in Palm Desert, the desert's version of Rodeo Drive, features an ever-changing array of outdoor artwork. After this morning's early-morning hike along the Hopalong Cassidy Trail above Palm Desert, Marianne and I sipped coffee on the beautiful boulevard and then window-shopped the boutiques and galleries.

I snapped the following sculptures along the way.El Paseo artwork

Tonight also happens to be El Paseo Art Walk, an in-season, Open House of the street's plentiful art galleries held the first Thursday of each month. From 5 to 9 p.m. all the galleries—and many of the boutiques—remain open, serving up wine, hors d'oeuvres and even music. Art, wine-in-hand, balmy weather—what more could you ask for?

El Paseo artwork

El Paseo artworkEl Paseo artwork

El Paseo artworkEl Paseo artwork

El Paseo artworkEl Paseo artwork

El Paseo artwork

Desert Arthritis Walk Scheduled for Saturday, November 7th

Laxson Associates l La Quinta Real Estate: Real Estate Agent in La Quinta, CA

A 3K walk is scheduled for Saturday, November 7th at 9:00 AM. This fundraising event will benefit Desert Arthritis Walkthe Arthritis Foundation's Programs, Research & Kids Camp

There will be food, fun, entertainment, prizes, and wonderful Wellness Village and a beautiful day to walk with our community. The walk is the Arthritis Foundation's annual nationwide event that raises awareness and funds to fight arthritis, the nation's most common cause of disability. It is a tremendous opportunity to help improve the lives of the 46 million men, women and children doctor-diagnosed with arthritis.

Get your company involved or recruit friends and family members to form a team. Best of all, walk in honor of a loved one with arthritis and know you're making a difference by raising funds to support Arthritis Foundation research, public health and public policy efforts to improve the lives of people with arthritis.


Location:Palm Desert Civic Center Park
73-600 Fred Waring Drive
Palm Desert, Ca 92260


Contact Cortney Weir at (760)-773-3076 or go to the website:www.DesertArthritisWalk.com for more information.

For information about La Quinta real estate for sale or lease, view our website at www.LQ-Homes.com or call us at 1-760-567-9100.