THE INDIO DATE FESTIVAL

During the annual INDIO DATE FESTIVAL AND RIVERSIDE COUNTY FAIR, held in Indio, the entire city springs into action with a week of activities and entertainment. An Arabian-themed play is held every night, world class entertainment comes to the town of 50,000+ residents, and livestock, camel races, beauty pageant queens and a huge carnival all keep locals focused on fun. 

Opening ceremony includes blessing of the dates, and award-winning Arabian Nights Musical Pageant starting at 6:15 p.m. at the Pageant Stage. An entertaining show that mingles contemporary humor with classic folklore, magic and mystery are at the heart of “Aladdin and the Heart of Agrabah”.

Also arriving on the first day are the Llamas, Dairy Goats, Poultry.  Opening Ceremony & Blessing of the Dates at 9:30am; Camel & Ostrich Races at 11am & 3pm – Arena; WGAS Motorsports Monster Trucks at 8pm – Arena and Carnival rides from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Affordable admission makes this event a great family outing and draws California vacationers and beach dwellers from as far away as 100 miles.

Location: Indio is located about 70 miles east of Palm Springs or 125 miles east of Los Angeles in Riverside County.  

Riverside County Fairgrounds

82-503 Hwy 111, Indio, CA 92201. Call: (800) 811-FAIR or (760) 863-8247. WWW.datefest.org

 Set along the San Andreas fault, the preserve is dotted with beautiful standing ponds, Fan Palm oases including  including the Willis, Hidden Horseshoe, and Indian Palms and is home to many endangered species like the Coachella Valley Fringe-toed Lizard and the Pupfish.

Join Christopher Baker, travel writer, as he takes us on a quick tour.

 The Coachella Valley Preserve system was designed to protect and endemic, threatened animal, the Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard, found nowhere else in the world, this lizard is a member of a rich array of organisms specialized to live on sand dunes

Desert sand dunes harbor one of the most species rich communities found in our southwestern deserts.

There is fewer than 5% of that habitat remaining in viable condition. Over the years, the lure of mild winter temperatures and beautiful scenery has resulted in an explosion of human development.

As canyons filled with houses, development pushed into the valley’s center, blocking the vital sand movement processes that keep the dunes alive. Today the majority of the remaining, viable dune habitat is contained in the Coachella Valley Preserve system.

On any given day you may see a Coyote, Roadrunner, rabbits, a Rattlesnake and yes, if you are lucky the elusive Fringe-toed Lizard!

 There are over 20,000 acres of pristine desert landscape protected within the preserve with miles and miles of nicely marked trails for hiking and exploring.

Get a map at the Visitors Center and you will find a trail perfectly suited to your fitness level. 

 Hiking from the rustic visitors center to the top of Vista Point takes you through two of the major Palm groves and gives you an overall perspective of the vast desert dunes.

For a wonderful day hike for the entire family, plan an early morning departure.  Bring a light jacket for potential weather changes, and while in the desert, always remember to carry sunscreen and plenty of water.

There is so much more to the Palm Springs desert resorts area than wonderful restaurants, world class golf, gorgeous pools and non stop shopping. Take a day, hop in the car and explore what nature has to offer. It’s spectacular!

    For more information visit:

COACHELLA VALLEY PRESERVE

THE LIVING DESERT IS ALL THIS and so much more.

A single word could not begin to describe all that The Living Desert is and does. One must string words together, like beads: zoo and endangered species conservation center – botanical gardens – natural history museum – wilderness park – nature preserve – education center. The thread that holds all the beads together is the word “desert.” 

The Living Desert, located in the town of Palm Desert, California, provides a one-stop opportunity to explore all the great American deserts and learn about their plants and animals. The Living Desert occupies 1,200 acres of the California Desert, 200 of which are developed as a zoo, botanical garden and natural history museum.

 A visit to the Living Desert and Gardens is an opportunity to see remarkable native plants, animals and the natural landscape of the Palm Desert area. 

A walk along the well manicured winding paths brings you up close to desert flora and fauna in a natural setting.  You feel as though you are walking through a natural landscape. 

Meet over  400 different species, including Mexican wolves, bobcats and falcons. Visit the outdoor theater that offers live presentations twice a day.  Don’t miss the Butterfly and Hummingbird compound or the enormous model train exhibit that defies your imagination.

THE MODEL TRAIN EXHIBIT IS WORLD CLASS.

Throughout the year, The Living Desert is host to several annual events. WILD LIGHTS in December is a family tradition for many locals. Hundreds of thousands of lights decorate the trees and walkways creating a wonderland of light and color. Hot cocoa, chili and toasted marshmallows are served with a background of music and entertainment.  HOWL-O-WEEN is celebrated 2 nights each year with vendor booths and treats for children. 

A highlight to anyone’s visit to the Palm Springs area, The Living Desert is a great outing for the entire family

THE LIVING DESERT 47900 Portola Dr. Palm Desert CA 760 346 5694

http://www.livingdesert.org

Mz. Nichols shares with us the history and evolution of the HEATHER JAMES FINE ART Gallery in Palm Desert and it’s Blue chip stable of artists.

Her interview continues with her perspective of the art and gallery landscape from museum quality fine art at HEATHER JAMES GALLERY to the hip and trendy working artist enclave in Palm Springs known as the BACKSTREET ART DISTRICT.

She discusses new as well as established galleries throughout the desert, one being ROYAL PROJECTS GALLERY in Indian Wells who’s owner, Rick Royal opened his gallery in 2008 with a cutting edge neon show.

The IMAGO GALLERY in Palm Desert has been a prominent art address for years and represents the stunning glass work of Dale Chihuly and Ginny Ruffner among many others.

Along Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs you will find many art as well as Mid Century Modern furniture and collectible galleries.

As the desert resorts area becomes more and more a year round community for young families and continues to be a thriving second home address to the ultra rich, the art world sees the Greater Palm Springs area as a great stage for new and emerging artists as well as the “blue chip” collectibles like Degas, Warhol, Monet and Chagal.

From Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs to El Paseo in Palm Desert, from public art to discrete tucked away private working studios throughout the desert, the art scene in the Coachella Valley is thriving. A great place for cultural inspiration and the perfect place to comfortably browse and find the next piece for your collection.

Greet the sun or bid it farewell as you drift in beautiful desert skies.

Hot air ballooning in the desert is one of the most peaceful experiences you could possibly hope for. While floating effortlessly in one of our colorful hot air  balloons, you will view breathtaking  vistas of some of the most picturesque landscapes in California. Vineyards, polo fields, world famous golf courses, and exotic orchards are just a few of the unbelievable sights you will experience.  Your flight direction is determined by the breeze.

Your pilot will give a guided tour as well as serving your champagne and cookies, while you are in the air. During the first few minutes, you will receive a guided tour of the valley.  Your picture will be captured during the celebration and attached to your flight certificate before your leave. 

BALLOON ABOVE THE DESERT

83232 E   44th  Ave  Indio
Call for reservations:   760   247-0410

 The BEST OF THE WEST JET RALLY is something you have to see to believe. Model airplanes that transend a “hobby” to being more of an obsession of the grown up guys that fly them.

The saying “Big Toys for Big Boys”  is very evident as you listen to the  model jet plane owners and pilots discuss their collections of $10,000-$50,000. planes.

See for yourself. From a distance, you will not believe the jets you are watching perform tricks are pint size models worth thousands!!

For more information go to:

What began as a museum about the desert has evolved into an oasis for the arts with Modern and Contemporary American works by artists such as Robert Motherwell, Helen Frankenthaler, Duane Hanson, and Mark di Suvero; Contemporary California painting and sculpture by Sam Francis, Edward Ruscha, Robert Arneson, Nathan Oliveira, and others; Studio Art Glass by Dale Chihuly, Howard Ben Tré, and William Morris; and Classic Western American Art by Thomas Moran, Charles Russell, Frederic Remington, and others.

 The modern building, designed by renowned California architect E. Stewart Williams, is the focal point of the 125,000-square-foot complex that also houses collections of Native American and Mesoamerican Art.

Among the American photographers included in the Photography Collection are the Stephen H. Willard Collection and Archive, and the Bill Anderson Photography Collection.

Architecture holdings include the Albert Frey Archive and Frey House II, and the E. Stewart Williams Architecture Archive.
We invite you to enjoy some of our highlights!

PALM SPRINGS ART MUSEUM 760 322 4800

100 Museum Drive, Palm Desert Ca. http://www.psartmuseum.org

Ride Up Cool Down All Summer Long

PALM SPRINGS AERIAL TRAM 760 325-1391

http://www.palmspringstramway.com