2013 Tour de Palm Springs, Saturday February 9

Expect more than the usual number of cyclists in the neighborhood Saturday morning, February 9, as they traverse the “Galaxy of the Stars” course during this year’s Tour de Palm Springs cycling event.

The Las Palmas leg of the annual event will commence at 10:00 AM. Cyclists will circle the Old Las Palmas neighborhood west on Chino Drive, north on Rose, east on Stevens as far as Camino Centro then down through the neighborhood to Via Lola. The route winds around and along Hermosa Place exiting the neighborhood on El Alameda.

This is one of the less demanding options of the available rides, so expect significant bicycle traffic, plan your Saturday morning with the Tour de Palm Springs in mind, and look both ways pulling out of the driveway.

For  maps,  schedules  event  information  visit  the  Tour  de  Palm  Springs  website: www.tourdepalmsprings.com

DESERT FASHION PLAZA UPDATE

Mayor Steve Pougnet will give the annual State of the City address at an 11:30 a.m. luncheon Thursday, Feb. 7, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce at the Hilton Palm Springs, 400 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way. Tickets are $45 for chamber members and $65 for non-members. However, free seats will be available for residents wanting only to hear the Mayor’s address, which will begin at 12:15 p.m. Following the speech, the community is invited to the second phase of the demolition of the former Desert Fashion Plaza. Similar to last year, those attending the State of the City will walk from the Hilton to the corner of Tahquitz Canyon Way and Palm Canyon Drive, and join with others from the community in the parking lot behind California Pizza Kitchen. A free block party celebration will follow in the Forever Marilyn Sculpture Park. If you cannot attend the State of the City, you’ll have an opportunity to view the Mayor’s speech throughout the month of February on Palm Springs Community Television Channel 17 and on Time Warner Cable 121 – or watch it online at www.palmspringsca.gov by clicking on Government or Residents. Attached is a news release with more information about Thursday’s State of the City address, free block party and how to get tickets for the luncheon.

You can follow the progress of the revitalization and replacementof the Desert Fashion Plaza at http://psmeasurej.com/

SAFETY AND SECURITY

The Old Las Palmas neighborhood is both beautiful and safe yet, even here from time to time, untoward events occur. Recently, gardeners have reported incidents of tools and equipment being stolen by thieves taking advantage of open gates while the gardeners were working. So warn your gardener to be watchful and alert to strangers accessing your property while they are there.

By each of us making a practice of following those few simple security measures spelled out at our fall OLPNO gathering by Palm Springs Police Chief Al Franz, miscreants will be inclined to take their mischief to more easily penetrable environments:

•   Keep all the doors locked when you are away - even for a short time - and make a habit of always arming your security system when going out the door.

•   Test your alarm system regularly.

•   Don’t make your home vulnerable when you’re on vacation. Get to know your neighbors and ask them to pick up newspapers, phonebooks, UPS notices and anything that may accumulate at your gate or door your while you are gone.

•   Keep perimeter and outdoor lights lit from dusk, and when you’re away, place a few interior lights on timers.

•   Maintain photo records of your belongings.

•   Be a good neighbor. Report any suspicious activity.

CERTIFIED FARMERS' MARKET

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The Advisory Board for the Old Las Palmas Neighborhood Organization is seeking neighborhood residents who would be interested in serving on committees and/or taking on other short-term assignments.  The time committment monthly is minimal.

If you would like to participate and help guide the organization to achieve its goals, please contact us.

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR YOUR CALENDAR

Palm Springs International Film Festival - January 3 - 14, 2013 - Visit psfilmfest.org for more information

For more information about these and other upcoming events, visit the Palm Springs event calendar.