All Neighbors in Palm Desert, CA
Top Neighbors: The magic behind the mirrors
You will never have to pay to be listed as a top neighbor. Period. That important detail clarified, let's discuss how we arrive at two "top neighbors" for a given region:
Localism is a bustling collection of hyper-local communities, and the top neighbors should reflect those members who are most active. When ranking users in a given region, several factors are considered. To get your foot in the proverbial door, you need to have posted at least one "Localism" article or photo for the region.
The very best way to quickly rise to #1 is to post high-quality local content. Keeping a steady strem of incoming posts and photos will massively tilt the scales in your favor.
What doesn't count toward the top neighbor ranking? ActiveRain points and community sponsorships. The top neighbor spots will always go to the most active members in a region. We want to create a level playing field that encourages the growth of communities — talent and dedication are required to win the day.
The 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 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. 
Strolling 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.
The 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.
Christmas album. As Barry Manilow fans, we will be there and hope to see you there also!
This 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.
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.
From 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.
El 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.
the Arthritis Foundation's Programs, Research & Kids Camp
