Visitor Center for Palm Desert & Palm Springs

Author name: Art Davis

Palm Desert High School Students Outperform State Averages with Shmoop SBAC Prep

Palm Desert, CA — Students at Palm Desert High School (PDHS) concluded their school year with academic outcomes soaring well above the California statewide average, thanks in part to their partnership with the digital education platform Shmoop. Shmoop (www.shmoop.com), a leading digital publisher recognized for its award-winning test prep and certified online courses, provides comprehensive prep materials for both the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) and PARCC exams. Shmoop’s engaging, unconventional resources have repeatedly proven their effectiveness in the classroom. The Results: PDHS vs. California State Averages Juniors at PDHS utilized Shmoop’s SBAC prep resources, and their subsequent exam scores significantly outpaced the rest of the state. According to data from the California Department of Education, PDHS students achieved a massive statistical edge: Subject PDHS Juniors (Met/Exceeded) California State Average PDHS Advantage English Language Arts (ELA) 80% 56% +24% Mathematics 41% 29% +12% A Less Stressful Testing Experience Assistant Principal Charles Mazet attributes a large portion of the school’s SBAC success to Shmoop’s specialized assets. “Shmoop helped our students get comfortable with the format, which was vital since everyone was initially anxious about the new examination,” Mazet said. “The platform mirrors the actual test perfectly, so students knew exactly what to expect and could actually enjoy the review process.” Discover Luxury Real Estate in Palm Desert Beyond its excellent local schools, Palm Desert, CA, is premier destination for luxury living. Located in the heart of the Coachella Valley, Palm Desert offers an array of stunning architectural styles, custom-built estates, and pristine raw land ready for your dream home. If you are looking to buy or invest in the Coachella Valley, explore these exclusive luxury listings currently on the market, featuring immersive virtual showings: Custom Estates & Dream Lots: Explore available luxury properties in Palm Desert. Virtual Showings: View high-end homes for sale from the comfort of your couch. Coachella Valley Vacation Rentals: Find premium seasonal rental homes across the region.

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Art on display in Palm Desert

It was time once again to take my annual trip down from the cold mountains to the warmth of the desert floor and look up something interesting in Palm Springs. In fact, it was a visit to Palm Desert — and people there don’t like everyone using the generic Palm Springs term any more than residents of Beverly Hills like to be considered being from Los Angeles. It has been almost exactly fours years since I last visited the Palm Springs Art Museum, at that time it had just opened. The museum has five entities: The art museum in Palm Desert; the main museum in Palm Springs, which also contains the Annenberg Theater; then there is the Museum of Architecture, also in Palm Springs; and finally the Frey House II. There truly is a lot to see under the banner “Palm Springs Art Museum.” The Palm Desert location is a small entity and it is easy to enjoy all of its exhibits. “It is quite intimate,” said Arlene Amick, the managing director who has been with the facility since its opening in 2012. “Not only do we have an exhibition of art here, but outside we have a sculpture garden with 16 different pieces on show.” The Faye Sarkovsky Sculpture Garden is a delightful place to spend time in this quiet preserve of culture alongside busy Highway 111. Not only are there pieces of art to enjoy, but the garden itself is full of cacti, flowers and desert palms. I liked the two life-sized Polynesian type heads, called “Laura and Awilda,” by Juame Plensa. They were different from another new arrival, “Eroded Column” by Philip K. Smith III, which was a geometric piece standing about 10 feet tall in its own small garden bed. The garden is not just used for art, it has become a center point for the community. “We find the museum has become a community cultural hub,” said Amick. “We have a big selection of activities that people can enjoy. There are yoga classes, and we have collaboration with the regular farmers’ market that draws lots of people.” A particular favorite is the Galen First Friday events, which bring together music in the form of live concerts and also films and performance art. These events occur the first Friday of every month. Two years ago, the museum became a free entry establishment and this policy is carried through to entry for special events, although costs can be incurred with the refreshment stalls and other vendors that are available. Inside the museum, which used to be a visitors’ center until its conversion in 2012, art is displayed in several small galleries. I was drawn to the Roy Lichtenstein work with his characteristic comic book format. It was nice to be able to walk right up to the surface of the painting, which showed his use of dots to build up color. If you drive along Highway 111 from Palm Springs, it’s easy to spot the Palm Desert Museum. On the corner of the property is a tall red sculpture by Fletcher Benton who was born in 1931. Originally it was black, but the directors felt it would stand out better in red. “I had to call the artist to see if he would give permission. I was quite nervous about it,” Amick said. But permission was granted and the tall slim figure acts like a signpost that you have arrived at this center for the arts in Palm Desert.

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PLAY PICKLEBALL IN PALM DESERT

CTE Receives Grant

By Deanna Keuilian, administrator, career tech education The California State Board of Education recently approved Desert Sands Career Technical Education Incentive Grant (CTEIG) application in the amount of $1,889,995. This grant covers the first funding term, from April 2016 through June 2017. At the conclusion of the first term, a renewal application will be completed to collect the next allocation which is projected to be $1,400,000. As part of the renewal process, and to maintain eligibility for funding under the CTE Incentive Grant Program, recipients must demonstrate positive results across a spectrum of outcome measures, including high school graduation rates, CTE course completion rates, pupils obtaining industry-recognized credentials and certificates, the number of pupils achieving gainful employment in relevant occupations, and the number of pupils progressing to postsecondary education. The second term grant dollars will support the 2017-2018 school year. The last cycle of the grant will be for the 2018-2019 school year, and is projected to be $900,000. DSUSD could receive approximately $4,200,000 over the next three years.

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Eco-volunteerism in the Coachella Valley

6 p.m. Wednesday, March 23 FREE Making a difference in the world is easier than you might think. This lecture will be an interactive and in-depth exploration of Citizen Science and Green Volunteerism in the Coachella Valley.  An engaging panel of experts, including UCR’s own Cameron Barrows of the Center for Conservation Biology, will explain how each of us can play a role in making science happen. You’ll leave knowing how to make an impact on your community, your environment, and the world. This series is in partnership with Friends of the Desert Mountains. RSVP now! Visit for vacation rental jomes in the Coachella Valley.. Luxury homes in PALM DESERT Palm Desert offers homes in various architectural styles, custom builds, and even raw land to build your one-of-a-kind dream home. If you want to know more about what’s available to buy in Palm Desert, check out these luxury listings currently on the market with virtual showings. Homes for sale around the Palm Desert Area

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New courses starting soon at UCR Palm Desert!

New UCR Extension classes are coming to the desert! For interior design enthusiasts • Introduction to Interior Design This class covers the ABCs of creating an attractive, functional, comfortable space. Starts April 6 Section: 154-CPD-D02 Enroll now! • History of Architectural Interiors Study furniture and decoration styles in historical interiors from antiquity through the 17th century. Starts April 6 Section: 154-CPN-012 Enroll now! Get ready for Rio! • Conversational Brazilian Portuguese Whether you are traveling to Brazil for business or pleasure, this course will introduce you to the language and culture. Starts April 9 Section: 154-CPB-B02 Enroll now! Harness the power of geography • Creating a Story Map Learn how to use a simple GIS app to create sequential, place-based narratives using a series of geotagged photos (your own photos!) and captions linked to an interactive map. Session is 1-4 p.m. May 7 Section: 154-CPG-G10 Enroll now! For leaders and managers • Communicating Effectively Explores the techniques supervisors can use to translate technical skills and on-the-job expertise to others. Meets 5:30-8:30 p.m. April 14, 21, 28 Section: 154-MCS-015 Enroll now! • Understanding Your Role as a Supervisor Discussion topics include focusing on your strengths as a supervisor, evaluating others, offering constructive feedback, communicating directions, identifying roles and responsibilities. Meets 5:30-8:30 p.m. May 12 and 19 Section: 154-MCS-016 Enroll now! • Building High Performance Teams Discussion topics include strategies for team development, motivating others to serve as a team, determining the inner workings of the team, communication and decision making, and instilling the vision, mission and values of an organization on a team. Meets 5:30-8:30 p.m. June 2 and 9 Section: 154-MCS-017 Enroll now! Courses take place at UCR Palm Desert, 75080 Frank Sinatra Drive, Palm Desert.For more information, please call (760) 834-0800 or email us! Visit for vacation rental jomes in the Coachella Valley.. Luxury homes in PALM DESERT Palm Desert offers homes in various architectural styles, custom builds, and even raw land to build your one-of-a-kind dream home. If you want to know more about what’s available to buy in Palm Desert, check out these luxury listings currently on the market with virtual showings. Homes for sale around the Palm Desert Area

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Rotary Youth Leadership Council (RYLC) initiates Coachella Valley Rotary Youth Network & Youth Congress projects

Palm Desert, CA – In planned fashion today by the RYLC, Ashley-Anne Hobbins –Palm Desert Rotarian, COD Rotaract President and RYLC Chair met Sunday with Sergio Parra –CSUSB Palm Desert Rotaract President and RYLC Co-Chair to discuss next steps and planning in developing their youth initiatives for Coachella Valley. Ashley-Anne Hobbins developed the initiatives last summer while gaining support from Rotary District Governors, Rudy Westervelt and Chehab Elawar and Rotaract HQ. The project is considered a ‘lighthouse youth initiative’ for building Rotary Youth and general Rotary club development. ‘We expect our project to be one that Rotary International can emulate in other localities, states and regions’ says Palm Desert Rotarian Ashley-Anne. The CV Youth Leadership Council is made up of College of the Desert and CSUSB Rotaract Presidents and Vice Presidents, as well as Presidents from each desert Interact clubs. The project’s Next steps includes formalizing the online CV Rotary Youth Network -getting an online social media presence, reaching out to CV Rotary Clubs to assemble current youth advisors from each club and their Interact clubs in middle and high schools. This RYN project places valley Interact Presidents and Vice Presidents across the Coachella valley together into an interactive network. The project’s Rotary Youth Congress made up of Rotaractor and Interactor Presidents and Vice Presidents, their teacher and Rotary club advisors. The annual Congress event will take place where Rotary Youth and advisors will celebrate Rotary and Rotary Youth and more. They will work, communicate, plan projects together, build joint efforts to fund raise, to help enhance the Rotary Youth Brand, Rotary Clubs, and especially help build visibility and Rotary membership throughout the valley. ‘We can likely expect projects such as this three part Rotary Youth initiative to be the future of Rotary efforts in ‘Service Above Self’, a pathway to sustainable membership and club development’ says RYLC projects advisor Ben Hobbins. The RYLC is assembling Coachella Valley Interact Club Presidents and Vice Presidents. Each serves as a ‘junior member’ on the Rotary Youth Leadership Council, chaired by ‘senior members’, officers of collegiate Rotaract Clubs. RYLC will organize the 1st Annual Rotary Youth Congress this spring at a time TBD. The RYLC effort is being led by the project founder and chair Ashley-Anne Hobbins and CSUSB co-chair Sergio Parra in collaboration with membership of their clubs and their project advisor. ‘this is definitely a project for the ages’ states Cody Frank, Vice President Rotaract College of the Desert. ‘As Rotarians, we can expect the fruits of our efforts to bring light to the good things Rotary does every day in our communities, regions, our nation and around the world!’ says Ashley-Anne. ‘I am so happy to help develop Rotary and Rotary International youth efforts. Our cutting edge project will help lead the way’. Visit our website Visit for vacation rental jomes in the Coachella Valley.. Luxury homes in PALM DESERT Palm Desert offers homes in various architectural styles, custom builds, and even raw land to build your one-of-a-kind dream home. If you want to know more about what’s available to buy in Palm Desert, check out these luxury listings currently on the market with virtual showings. Homes for sale around the Palm Desert Area

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Leadership Seminar Information

Join us for our next leadership seminar as author and seasoned business consultant, Ron Burgess, provides insightful research-based principles that exist across nearly all wealth-creating small companies.   The seminar highlights the experiences and habits of successful small business leaders and discusses how to create and maintain a market niche, which is more important than excellent management. Whether working in the private, public, for-profit or non-profit sectors, the seminar provides timely and relevant principles for those interested in optimizing their personal and professional pursuits. Seminar: Leadership Lessons from Wealth-Creating Small Companies Date: Monday, April 4, 2016 Time: 7:00 PM to 8:15 PM Place: BUS123 California Baptist University Admission is complimentary but registration is required. Visit the event page for more information and to RSVP. Register Now   If you are interested in mastering your education in Leadership, consider CBU's Master of Arts inLeadership and Organizational Studies.

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Promote  and  market  Greater  Palm  Springs as  a  premier  visitor  and  convention/meeting destination

Palm Desert, CA – Promote  and  market  Greater  Palm  Springs as  a  premier  visitor  and  convention/meeting destination for the purpose of positively affecting the area’s economy. Smith Travel Research:December occupancy  in Greater  Palm  Springs  was  down  1.8%  at  51%.  ADR  was  down 2.2% and RevPAR was down 4% in December. Year-to-date occupancy is up 1.1% at 59%, ADR is up 5.4% and RevPAR is up 6.6% over the previous year.•Convention Sales:For December,  the  CVB  booked 29,967room  nights. The  rooms  booked  by  the  CVB  in December will  support  more  than 6,769jobs  and  generate  more  than $28.7million  in business  sales. Year-to-date, 175,898 room  nights  have  been  booked. The CVB  booked meetings which were held in December and generated 6,327 room nights.  These bookings supported 2,787 jobs and  generated  more than $15.6 million in business sales. The  team also generated 50new leadsinDecemberfor a total of 827new leads year-to-date.In 2015,  the  CVB  grew  the overall number  of  room  nights  by  14%.     Additionally,  the Convention  Sales  department increased the  number  of  new  leads  by  7%  (576  leads)  to the market. December Convention Sales Activities: December 2-4, 2015–CalSAE Seasonal Spectacular –Sacramento, CAThe CalSAE Seasonal Spectacular is a premier one-day program and the event drew over 1000 attendees and meeting executives from throughout the greater Sacramento area.  CVB staff members and five destination partners attended the morning educational sessions and the West Coast’s largest association industry tradeshow. oDecember 7-9, 2015–Society of Incentive Travel Executives Southern California Holiday Event –La Quinta, CAThe Society of Incentive Travel Executives Southern California Holiday Event,also known as SITE SO CAL,returned to the Greater Palm Springs and the CVBassisted as a major sponsor for the program. The event took place at the La Quinta Resort and Club and approximately 500meeting planners and hospitality professionals were in attendance to celebrate the holidays and raise money for worthy charities. This all-star event has grown to be a premiere event among Southern California hospitality professionals.oDecember 15-17, 2015–Association Forum of Chicagoland (AFOC) Holiday Showcase –Chicago, ILThe annual AFOC holiday Showcase is widely considered the industry’s best and most highly attended one-day exhibition for Chicago’s multi-billion dollar association meetings market. The CVB and five destination partners were in attendance. DecemberDestination Services:oFulfilled 12 client requests resulting in 204 CVB Partner referralsoAssisted a total of nine clients with service requests/fulfillmentsoOrganized six site visits representing 8,324 room nights and 4,050 attendeesTravel Industry Sales:In  December,  the  Travel  Industry  Sales  department  produced  six  hotel  and  non-hotel leads,  sent 117client  services  and  met  with 633travel  professionals  by  conducting destination   training,   sales   calls,   hosted   familiarization   tours   and   attended   industry tradeshows and events.December TIS Sales Activities:oDecember 1, 2015 –China Destination Sales Calls & Meetings -ChinaCherrie Yang, CVB’s account manager in Shanghai, conducted sales calls to Bamboo Garden  International  Travel  Service  in  Beijing.  She  also  attended  a  Brand  USA  Key Partner  Meeting,  including  key  clients fromGalaxy  Tour,  JJ  Tour , and  Ukubang discussing FAMopportunities to Greater Palm Springs in 2016.oDecember 1-6, 2015 –Prost Desert Cities Luncheon –Indian Wells, CAThe  PROST  Desert  Cities  December  networking  luncheon  was  held  at  the  Hyatt Regency  Indian Wells  Resort  &  Spa.  The  Event  was  attended  by  travel  industry professionals from Corniche, Altour, ProTravel, Worldview Travel, and Sunshine Travel.oDecember 3, 2015 –Prost Desert Cities Luncheon –Indian Wells, CAThe  PROST  Desert  Cities  December  networking  luncheon  was  held  at  the  Hyatt Regency  Indian Wells  Resort  &  Spa.  The  Event  was  attended  by  travel  industry professionals from Corniche, Altour, ProTravel, Worldview Travel, and Sunshine Travel. December 11-12, 2015 –Visit California Luxury Workshop –IndiaChristina Colney, Visit California’s India account director, conducted two workshops, in New Delhi and inMumbai, on behalf of the CVB. These two workshops were for tour operators that focus on the luxury segment. Destination presentations and information were provided to a group of luxury tour operators.oDecember 14-15, 2015 –Local Sales Calls to Travel Agencies –Greater Palm Springs, CALocal calls were conducted on both days to the following agencies: AAA La Quinta & AAA  Palm  Springs,  Anderson  Travel  Palm  Springs  &  Anderson  Travel  Indian  Wells, Sunshine  Travel  &  Cruise,  ProTravel,  Worldview  Travel,  Aviator  Travel,  ACT  1  Travel,  Elite Travel,  Gadabout  Tours,  and  Your  Travel  Agents  Palm  Springs.  The  CVB  met  with  45 agents and discussed GPS events, travel and business forecast for 2016.oDecember 15, 2015 –International Travel & Tourism Forum –San Francisco, CA Ashlee Ciara attended the 3rdannual International Travel & Tourism Forum. This program was created by San Francisco Travel with a specific focus on the international visitor industry and addressed the important of international visitors. Ashlee Cara was invited to speak on a panel to discuss international tourism.oDecember 31, 2015 –United Kingdom Trainings & Meetings – London, United Kingdom James Meed, CVB’s account manager, conducted destination training at Ocean Holidays, Vacations to America and Flight Centre for their reservation staff and had product meetings with Bridge & Wickers and Mint Greens no behalf of the destination.oDecember 1-31, 2015 –Australia Destination Trainings & Meetings –Sydney, AustraliaMelanie Mayer, CVB’s account manager in Sydney, conducted sales calls at Helloworld and Driveaway Holidays as well as trained 26 agents at Hoot Holidays and Excite Holidays through webinars and in-office training. FAMS, Site Inspections & Client Meetings:oHotelplan Motorhome (14 clients) -SwitzerlandoVision Travel Solutions (1client) –CanadaoBlue Heron Travel (1client) –Canada US Consultant General (1 client) –SingaporeMedia and Communications Highlights: Media Golf ClassicThe CVB was the destination partner for the annual Media Golf Classic.  As part of the event, 65 media professionals were in attendance. Visit for vacation rental jomes in the Coachella Valley.. Luxury homes in PALM DESERT Palm Desert offers homes in various architectural styles, custom builds, and even raw land to build your one-of-a-kind dream home. If you want to know more about what’s available to buy in Palm Desert, check out these luxury listings currently on the market with virtual showings. Homes for sale around the Palm Desert Area

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Special Message From ​Friends Of CV Link

When I first heard about plans for the CV Link, a bike path traversing 50 miles between Palm Springs and Coachella, I was thrilled. Imagine being able to bike in the scenic outdoors instead of going to the gym for your daily exercise. Imagine being able to share the beauty of the desert with your guests. Imagine younger generations choosing to bike instead of drive a car – because they can do it safely. As a resident of Thunderbird Heights, I’m concerned that Rancho Mirage residents might lose out on this vision because our City Hall is engaged in a vitriolic fight against the CV link. I’ve attended meetings and tried to understand where Mayor Dana Hobart is coming from. But where he sees inconvenience, I see an opportunity. There will be a multitude of residents who will enjoy this path and the addition of something new and spectacular will bring even more tourists to our valley. Mayor Hobart has said he is trying to preserve the integrity of the developments on Highway 111, but take a look at the businesses along Highway 111, whose empty parking lots indicate they could benefit from additional customers. Some potential re-landscaping and minor changes along the Thunderbird communities and Whitewater River seem well worth it for those results. Our city’s leadership doesn’t seem to be representing people like me, who will want to buy property next to a bike path that offers them easy access to glide onto the path right from their home. Some of the issues that Mayor Hobart is raising are valid concerns. I only wish he was raising these issues from a place of support and not opposition.  Instead of drawing a line in the sand and dividing us further, I would like to see our mayor, with all his experience and intelligence, refocus his energy and help the Coachella Valley Association of Governments figure out a way to make the CV link a reality. The demographic of the Coachella Valley is changing rapidly. Riverside County is one of the fastest growing counties in the nation. With growth comes change. We are no longer only a community of retirees and vacationers. We are a diverse community, and we’re seeing more and more of our children – who have grown up here – decide to stay here to live, work and raise their families. We don’t need obstructionists who will fight change; we need people who will work together to plan for those changes. As we age, we think not only of ourselves but the next generations. When we age with integrity, we exhibit a willingness to invest in the next generation – a willingness to risk, explore, produce and be open to change. Rancho Mirage City Hall has yet to embrace this change. They’ve taken our city out of the project – but maybe they’ll change course. There’s still time. And since the tourists don’t get a vote, it’s up to us residents to embrace change when we cast our votes for the April 12 election. Let’s not be shortsighted and stunt our growth potential by resisting forward momentum. Visit for vacation rental jomes in the Coachella Valley.. Luxury homes in PALM DESERT Palm Desert offers homes in various architectural styles, custom builds, and even raw land to build your one-of-a-kind dream home. If you want to know more about what’s available to buy in Palm Desert, check out these luxury listings currently on the market with virtual showings. Homes for sale around the Palm Desert Area

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Make Your Clients Move Easier

Palm Desert, CA – Our New HouseMaster Concierge Program is FREE to every client we perform an inspection for. Have your clients asked you to help set up their utilities? Well look no further. We have the tools to help save you and your clients time. Just another added benefit in trusting HouseMaster Home Sweet Home Inspections to perform your property inspection. Take the long list of stressful to-dos and throw it in the garbage. Make one call to your HouseMaster Concierge and let them take care of setting up your home services for you. Using only the most trusted companies in your area, your concierge will organize a single day of appointments based on your home service wants and needs. This means less stress, less time you’ll have to spend worrying about the set-up, and more time enjoying your new home. Your HouseMaster Concierge will work with you to select the right home service packages to fit your needs and save you money by finding the best deals in your area. Your HouseMaster Concierge will set up all of your utility connection appointments. You will even have the option to have providers install your services on the same day convenience!  Now that the hard work is taken care of—sit back and relax. It’s time to kick back! CONTACT US TODAY: 844-626-2298 housemaster.com/concierge

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