| | | This past week we got out of town and went to the beach. Stayed near the water with friends who have two boys, and I'll tell you, traveling is so much easier when your friends have kids too. We were in the sand pretty much every day. | | | | Orion was buried to his chin and knocked out cold. Loved every second of it. And honestly that's about where the heat has me right now too, face down, half asleep, halfway buried, except mine's under a garage I'm deep-cleaning instead of a beach. | This week was about catching the flow again after vacation, so this one's here today instead of yesterday. Next week we're back to a normal schedule. Hope everyone's doing well out there. | Anyway, onto the issue. |
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| | City Happenings | Palm Springs: Sunrise Way lane reductions start Monday
As the library renovation moves onto Sunrise Way, expect intermittent one-lane-each-direction reductions between Baristo and Ramon starting Monday 7/20, running through roughly mid-November. Work hours are 7 AM to 4 PM, so pad your commute or route around it. | Palm Springs: Tahquitz Canyon Way repaving through Tuesday
Crews are grinding and repaving Tahquitz Canyon Way between South Palm Canyon and Sunrise, weekdays only, wrapping Tuesday 7/21. Intersections close intermittently and reopen as each segment finishes, so give downtown extra time this week. | La Quinta: Dune Palms closed through Monday, Miles Avenue paving underway
Eastbound and westbound lanes on Dune Palms are closed from Adams to Washington through Monday 7/20, and pulverizing and paving is in progress on Miles between Washington and Adams. Here are some alternate routes to consider. | La Quinta: Washington Street median work, 4 to 6 weeks
Landscape restoration in the center median between Sagebrush and Via Bolero has the inside northbound and southbound lanes closed with delays expected. Plan for it to run four to six weeks. |
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| | Business Happenings | Casa de Silvia opens in La Quinta
The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber cut the ribbon on Casa de Silvia, a new location for the family owned restaurant bringing fresh flavors and the best horchata coffee I’ve ever tasted to La Quinta. Worth a visit next time you are on Washington. |
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| | Deal of the Week | Ace Hotel Palm Springs: locals-only spa day
25 percent off Feel Good Spa services plus a complimentary day pass, Monday through Thursday, for local residents with valid ID. Use code LOCALSONLY when making a reservation. |
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| | Events This Week | Know of an event happening July 21st or later? Let me know. | If you go to something you see in here, reply and tell me about it. That helps me know what's worth putting in front of you. | Wednesday 7/15 | Ease into the week… | Game Night for Adults
5:30 PM to 6:30 PM, La Quinta Library, La Quinta
Switch games, board games, and cards for the 18-and-up crowd. Show up solo and team up, or bring your people. | Up the hill... | Beats Antique w/ Stephan Jacobs
Doors 8 PM, show 9 PM, Pappy & Harriet's, Pioneertown, all ages
Pappy's opens a stacked week with Beats Antique. Heads up, the tour poster floating around says July 17, but the venue calendar and pappyandharriets.com both confirm Wednesday 7/15. Trust the 15th. | Trivia and Karaoke with Charlie plus I Fall to Pizzas
7 PM trivia and karaoke, 6 PM pizza, Más o Menos, Joshua Tree
This is the last Trivia and Karaoke with Charlie of the summer before it breaks until September. I Fall to Pizzas has a special, The Plum Fired, from 6 PM. | | | Thursday 7/16 | A morning book club, a school-supply drive, and then live music at three different venues after dark. | SunLine Pack the Bus school supply drive
7 AM to 7 PM, Walmart at Monterey and Dinah Shore, Palm Desert
SunLine's 12th annual drive collects new backpacks, notebooks, binders, and calculators for local students, benefiting the JFK Memorial Foundation. Last year the valley donated 593 backpacks. Drop yours off anytime during the day. | Page-Turners Book Club
10:30 AM to 11:30 AM, La Quinta Library, La Quinta, 18+
July's pick is "The Engagement Party" by Darby Kane. Register at the Information Desk, copies are limited. | Then tonight, pick your side of the hill. | Open Mic Thursdays at Frontier Cafe
Sign-ups 6 PM, show 6:30 PM, Frontier Cafe, Yucca Valley
Weekly open mic at Frontier, 55844 Twentynine Palms Highway. Beer, coffee, and wine, and you do not have to perform to come watch. | Reverend Horton Heat w/ The Rhythm Shakers
Doors 8 PM, show 9 PM, Pappy & Harriet's, Pioneertown, all ages
Psychobilly royalty at Pappy's. If you like your rockabilly loud and fast, this is the one. | | | Friday 7/17 | Free family movies at two pools, a themed skate, gallery pop-ups, and Starcrawler up the hill. | Sketchbook Journaling
1 PM to 3 PM, La Quinta Museum, La Quinta
Drop-in journaling session, basic supplies provided. A quiet way to spend a hot afternoon indoors. | Frozen Pool Party Theme Skate
6 PM to 9 PM, Berger Foundation Iceplex, Palm Desert
Beach-themed photo ops, summer jams, giveaways, and free snacks from Melissa's Produce while they last. Ice skating in July is the correct move. | Loteria Night
5:30 PM to 6:30 PM, Indio Hills Community Center, Indio Hills, free
Free Loteria night out in Indio Hills. Bring the family. | Up the hill, Más o Menos brings a new pop-up and a vinyl set. | Mystic Meals pop-up plus DJ Evening Advice
6 PM dinner, 7 PM vinyl, Más o Menos, Joshua Tree
New pop-up Mystic Meals brings vegan Vietnamese with a Pho Burger special at 6, then Evening Advice spins a night of all-vinyl deep cuts at 7. Think 80s Japanese electro-pop, global funk-jazz rarities, and dusty jukebox classics. | Summer Camp 62: DIY Arts and Crafts
5 PM to 8 PM, Corner 62, 73552 29 Palms Hwy, Twentynine Palms
Recreate your favorite 90s crafts, with camp dinners by I Fall to Pizzas. Part of the Summer Camp Fridays series. | Starcrawler w/ Sluttony
Doors 8:30 PM, show 9:30 PM, Pappy & Harriet's, Pioneertown, all ages
LA glam-punk chaos comes to Pioneertown. Loud, sweaty, and a good time. | | | Saturday 7/18 | The biggest day of the week. A World Cup third-place watch party, three pop-up markets, a cooking demo, and James McMurtry closing out the night at Pappy's. | Mindful Art Workshop
1 PM to 3 PM, La Quinta Museum, La Quinta
Meditative, process-over-product art making. Supplies provided, no experience needed. | World Cup Capsule Collection pop-up
8 AM to 2 PM, Sixth Street Coffee, Coachella
Return of the Goods drops vintage soccer jerseys, World Cup tees, and windbreaker track pants over morning coffee. Get there early, the good jerseys go fast. | Brixi Blooms bouquet pop-up at Ara
Ara Pilates and Movement, La Quinta
Ready-made bouquets from Brixi Blooms at the La Quinta studio this Saturday, then the Indian Wells studio Sunday. Book a class or just grab flowers. | Palm Desert Community Soccer Watch: Third-Place Match
Check-in 1 PM, match 2 PM, The Shops at Palm Desert Main Court, Palm Desert, free
Big screen, live DJ, local vendor fair, and a kids craft zone. Wear your team colors. Registration is encouraged. | Cooking Demo: Cool Recipes for Summer
5:30 PM, Wabi Sabi Japan Living, Palm Springs
Fresh, seasonal Japanese and Japanese-inspired recipes built for warm-weather eating. | Latte Art Throwdown at Rutina
Doors 5:30 PM, Rutina Coffee
Latte art competition night at Rutina. You know this one from a couple issues back, worth the trip if you missed it. | Indoor Oasis at Requa, Part 2
6 PM to 10:30 PM, 83197 Requa Ave, Indio
Mills Wick and Polyfer Clay host food trucks, artisan vendors, and indoor seating out of the heat. Family friendly. | Then up the hill… | Summer Music Festival: The Answer
6:30 PM, Yucca Valley Community Center Ballfield, Yucca Valley, free
Yucca Valley's free summer concert series brings The Answer to the ballfield. Free to attend. | James McMurtry w/ BettySoo
Doors 8:30 PM, show 9:30 PM, Pappy & Harriet's, Pioneertown, all ages
One of the finest songwriters working brings his road-worn sound to Pioneertown. If you only make one trip up the hill this week, this is a strong pick. | | | Sunday 7/19 | The final. Two ways to watch, in the valley and up the hill, plus Friendship closing out the Pappy's run. | Palm Desert Community Soccer Watch: Championship Final
Check-in 11 AM, match 12 PM, The Shops at Palm Desert Main Court, Palm Desert, free
The final on the big screen with a DJ, vendor fair, and kids zone. Same setup as Saturday, bigger stakes. Don’t forget to register. | World Cup Final watch plus Sunday Drive brunch at Red Dog
Final at 12 PM, brunch 11 AM to 3 PM, Red Dog Saloon, Pioneertown
Red Dog is putting the final on the big screen, capping a week of World Cup viewing. Come early for Sunday Drive brunch: breakfast tacos, bloody marys, and an all-vinyl set from Kate McCabe. | Friendship w/ Iji
Doors 8 PM, show 9 PM, Pappy & Harriet's, Pioneertown, all ages
Friendship closes out the Pappy's week. | | | Monday 7/20 | One free thing up the hill to reset the week. | Open Mic Night at Pappy's
Sign-ups 6 PM to 7 PM, performances 7 PM to 10 PM, Pappy & Harriet's, Pioneertown, all ages, free
Free open mic presented by Folk Yeah. Sign up early if you want a slot. | | | Tuesday 7/21 | Wind the week down with a matinee and a lunch program, and a council meeting if you want a say. | Take a Break with Huell
11 AM, La Quinta Museum, La Quinta
An episode of Huell Howser's California's Gold on the big screen. This month, the arrival of the first steam train to San Luis Obispo, recreated a century later. |
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| | Kids and Family | David Skale: The Library Magician
Friday 7/17, 11 AM, La Quinta Library, La Quinta, all ages
Library magic with David Skale. Will he make the library disappear for the finale? Show up and find out. | Dive-in Movie Night: Luca
Friday 7/17, 7 PM, Fritz Burns Pool, La Quinta, free
Watch Pixar's Luca from the pool. Free, and a genuinely great way to spend a Friday night in this heat. | My Gym Toy Story Parents' Night Out
Friday 7/17, 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM, My Gym Palm Desert, Palm Desert, ages 3 to 9
Three hours of drop-off fun with dinner included so you get a night out. | Parents Night Out at Tiny Toddler Soft Play
Friday 7/17, 6 PM to 9 PM, Tiny Toddler Soft Play, Palm Springs, ages 3 to 8
Drop-off evening of crafts, a movie, snacks, and open play. $45 first child, $35 per sibling. Potty trained, waiver and advance reservation required. | Maker Craft: Pirate Party
Saturday 7/18, 10:30 AM to 1 PM, La Quinta Library, La Quinta, ages 7+, free
The summer reading finale. Make a captain's hat, fold an origami parrot, and hear "Muppet Treasure Island" over Pirate's Booty snacks. First come, first craft. | YMCA Reel Night family movie
Saturday 7/18, activities 5 PM, movie 6 PM, Family YMCA of the Desert, Palm Desert, free
Free family movie night showing Hoppers. Chick-fil-A cow mascot and food before the movie. Bring chairs and blankets. | Popsicles in the Park
Saturday 7/18, 7:30 PM until supplies last, Thousand Palms Community Park, Thousand Palms, free
Free popsicles, lawn games, and crafts for Parks and Rec Month. A easy evening with the neighbors. |
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| | Ongoing | Chess Club
Thursdays, 4 PM to 6:30 PM, La Quinta Library, La Quinta, all ages
Weekly drop-in chess hosted by the Coachella Chess Club. All levels welcome. | H-2-Oh! Water Playtime
Fridays through 8/14, 10 AM to noon, Yucca Valley Community Center North Lawn, Yucca Valley, ages 8 and under, free
Free morning water play for the little ones, up the hill on the North Lawn. | La Quinta Seed Library
Library hours, La Quinta Library, La Quinta, all ages
Grab free seeds to start an at-home garden. No library card required for check-out. | Palm Springs Art Museum: free Thursdays
Thursdays, Palm Springs Art Museum, Palm Springs, free
Free admission every Thursday. An easy air-conditioned afternoon. | Summer programs at the Palm Desert Library
Through 7/24, Palm Desert Library, Palm Desert
The Summer Reading Cup runs through July 24. Also recurring: Lego Open Build Tuesdays and Fridays 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM, Little Learners Lounge Mondays and Fridays 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM, Storytime Tuesdays 10:30 AM, Chinese Mahjong Tuesdays 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, and Career Coach Tuesdays 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. | Free Summer Kids Movie Series at the Mary Pickford
Fridays 10:00 AM, Mary Pickford Theatre, Cathedral City, free
A different kid-friendly film every Friday through July 31. Doors at 9:30 AM. | Cathedral City Library cooling center
Through October 15, Cathedral City Library, Cathedral City
The library at 33520 Date Palm Drive is the county cooling center again this summer, open during normal library hours. Free, air-conditioned, no reason needed. |
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| | Now Showing | | The Odyssey (R, 2 hr 53 min)
🍅🏅 97%
This is the big new release this week and the reviews are enormous. Playing wide across the valley including Regal Rancho Mirage, Century at The River, La Quinta XD and ScreenX, Festival Theaters, and Mary Pickford, opening Thursday 7/16. I’m headed to Rancho to catch it on the IMAX for this one. | The Invite (R, 1 hr 47 min)
🍅🏅 96%
🍿 90%
A couple's shaky marriage tips over when they invite their mysterious upstairs neighbors to dinner. Critics and audiences both love it. Playing wide, including Festival Theaters, Regal Rancho Mirage, Century at The River, and Mary Pickford. | Pulp Fiction (R, 2 hr 34 min)
🍅🏅 92%
🍿 96%
The Tarantino classic back on the big screen, Friday through Monday at Festival Theaters in Palm Springs. If you have only ever seen it on a couch, this is your chance. | Dazed and Confused (R, 1 hr 42 min)
🍅🏅 94%
🍿 90%
Last day of high school, 1976, one long Texas night. Screening Wednesday 7/15 at 6:30 PM and Thursday 7/16 at Festival Theaters, Palm Springs. | Jack Johnson: SURFILMUSIC (1 hr 15 min)
One night only, Wednesday 7/15 at 7:30 PM at Mary Pickford in Cathedral City. A documentary tracing Jack Johnson from surfer to filmmaker to musician, built on rare footage from his early surf films and family archives. | Moana (PG, 1 hr 55 min)
🦠 32%
🍿 89%
The live-action reimagining. Critics are cold on it, but families are turning out. Playing everywhere all week. | Dog Man (Summer Movie Clubhouse)
🍅🏅 82%
🍿 81%
Discounted kids-series screenings of Dog Man, Wednesday 7/15 and Thursday 7/16 mornings at La Quinta XD and ScreenX and Century at The River. A cheap morning out with the kids. |
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| | The Oasis | Happenings that are here to serve you and worth knowing about. | Cool Centers: free heat relief
Weekdays, multiple locations, free
The La Quinta Wellness Center is a drop-in Cool Center Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM, through October 15. Indio also runs cooling centers at the Indio Senior Center, Molina One-Stop, CV Rescue Mission, and Martha's Village. |
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| | Plan Ahead | A few things worth getting on your calendar now. | Friends of the PS Library Pop-Up Book Sale
Wednesday 7/22, 10 AM to 8 PM, Rimrock Plaza, Palm Springs
Big used and new book sale at the temporary library location, fiction to cooking to history. Supports the Friends and the library. | Desert Beer Co 7th Anniversary Party
Saturday 7/25, from 4 PM, Desert Beer Co, Palm Desert
Live DJ, live music from Mikey Reyes, food by Mazatleco Sinaloa Kitchen, new beers, new swag, games, and prizes. Seven years is worth showing up for. | PS Vintage Market Indoor Summer Series #3
Sunday 8/2, 7 AM to 2 PM, The Pavilion, Palm Springs
Third indoor market of the summer series. Vintage treasure hunting, food, drinks, and a good hang, all out of the heat. | Area 29: Galactic Gathering
Wednesday 8/13 through Saturday 8/16, Twentynine Palms
Four days of live music, art installations, stargazing, and dance parties. A UFO pool party, free all-ages nights at Corner 62, the Elks Lodge, and the Historic Plaza, plus a galaxy-wide scavenger hunt. Get the disclosed intel. |
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| | | Closing Note | That's the week! | Look at the time… | Time to watch the new episode of GHOST IN THE SHELL!! GITS is 100% my favorite anime. I’ve been waiting for this season to come out for over a year and I’m loving it! | See you next Tuesday. 🌴 | | | | | | P.S. Want to get your business in front of local Coachella Valley residents? Reach out to partner with The Desert Letter. | | | |
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