Voices of the Villas

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PSNIC 3rd Quarter 2011 Newsletter 1

PALM SPRINGS NEIGHBORHOOD INVOLVEMENT COMMITTEE

QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER Third Quarter, 2011

PSNIC 2011 MAYORAL & COUNCIL CANDIDATE FORUM

WHEN: Tuesday, September 27, 2011

7:00 – 9:00 PM (doors open at 6:45 PM)

WHERE: Sinatra Educational Center

Desert Regional Medical Center (enter on Tachevah)

PARKING: Las Palmas Medical Center Parking Lot

555 Tachevah

Handicapped Parking: adjacent to Sinatra Center

Corner of Tachevah and N.Via Miraleste

TO SUBMIT QUESTIONS: PSNIC@yahoogroups.com
Subject Line: candidate forum question

This is PSNIC’s 4th such Forum. Moderated by Hank Plante, an award winning journalist, this is an informational program to learn more about the mayoral and city council candidates and their views. Citizen submitted questions will be used. The format is varied and lively. PSNIC does not endorse or support candidates; this is an informational session.

CITY COUNCIL JULY 20th MEETING -- Actions Taken… This was an excellent Council session dealing with complex issues. Go to City web site to view actual session.
1. Approved a general sales tax increase of 1% to be placed on the November ballot. Impact on consumers is neutral due to state’s reduction of 1 % on July 1, 2011. Proceeds will allow City to proceed with many deferred infrastructure needs such as streets, parks, safety as well as proceeding with Desert Fashion Plaza project.

2. Continued until September 7, 2011 the Financing Agreement for city participation in the revitalization of the Desert Fashion Plaza. Council voiced strong approval for the agreement. Some details yet to work out. Council states defaults and safeguards are in the agreement to protect the City.

3. Continued until September 7, 2011 the Resolution of Necessity to Acquire the Desert Fashion Plaza from the developer. (i.e. eminent domain) PSNIC 3rd Quarter 2011 Newsletter 2

Effective July 1, New State Law Requires Carbon Monoxide Detectors in Single and Multi-Family Dwellings

"As a condition of resale, all residences in California must now have an operational smoke and carbon monoxide detector installed prior to the close of escrow," according to Palm Springs Fire Chief Scott Ventura, who noted that carbon monoxide detectors can be purchased at any home improvement store.

"All home improvement stores in Palm Springs have been notified of the new law and have been provided with background information to help the public," Ventura said. "When an unexpected accident occurs in your home, a carbon monoxide detector can save your life."

For more information, call the Fire Department at (760) 323-8181.

RECYCLE, REUSE…RESCUE THE EARTH

Office of Sustainability Updates: (1) New one-stop web site for energy rebate information www.EnergyUpgradeCA.org. (2) E-Waste & Shredding November 19, 2011 (morning) - Lowe’s parking lot corner of Ramon and Gene Autry. (3) The Community Garden at Demuth Park planned opening end of October 2011. (4) October 21, 2011 – PS Convention Center – Electronic & Alternate Vehicle Fair – come see the new options for fuel efficient cars, look under the hoods, talk to reps.
(5) Congratulations to Palm Springs for being a Beacon Award winner for its sustainability efforts and achievements. Michele Mician, Director of the PS Sustainability Office is a dynamo and deserves to share in the credit.

NORG NEWS FROM AROUND THE CITY

Kudos to the NOrgs raising money for the new PS Animal Shelter – Vista Las Palmas ($9000), Four Seasons ($9000), Deepwell ($3000), Old Las Palmas ($2500), Araby Cove ($2500), The Mesa ($2500), TRENO ($800), El Mirador ($200), for a total $24,500. Don’t feel left out – there is still time to help – see page four for the Follies Fundraiser info.

Baristo NOrg Traffic Calming and Striping Project along Baristo Road between Sunrise Way and Avenida Caballeros. In partnership with the city of Palm Springs, BNO raised $2,000 of the $7,000 project cost to ensure its summer completion. The striping will help slow down traffic and reduce noise levels for BNO residents.

WELCOME TO NEW NORGS – the 28 existing Neighborhood Organizations (NOrgs) were recently joined by two new NOrgs: Canyon Corridor and Araby Commons, bringing the grand total to 30 NOrgs! What began in 2005 has grown, in spite of some skepticism, into a forceful voice for residents as well as a major disseminator of information.

PS NIGHT ON HGTV – July 25, 2011, 10:30 PM (check time on TV schedule) – "House Hunters On Vacation" spotlights a beautiful home in The Mesa NOrg. Congratulations to The Mesa! Nice PR for PS. PSNIC 3rd Quarter 2011 Newsletter 3

Palm Springs Action Committee (PSAC)

2011 Neighborhood Beautification Grant Details

BACKGROUND: …join with citizens passionate about the future of Palm Springs… raise visual standards to enhance our quality of life… the 26 Neighborhood Organizations have a vital part to play in improving our quality of life.

WHAT: The PSAC committee challenges each neighborhood organization to clean up a public or private location…. join forces with your neighbors… or join forces with another neighborhood organization.

WHO: Each official City of Palm Springs Neighborhood Organization may participate.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE: The grant process will take place in the following manner:
• Submit an application(s) from Tuesday, September 6, 2011 through Friday, September 16, 2011.

• A panel of five, representing members of the historic, modernism, art and design communities, will complete a review of applications received by Sunday, September 18, 2011.

• Beginning Monday, September 19, 2011 each successful applicant will have 60 days to complete their project.

Some examples of beautification projects include but are not limited to: • Clean up a blighted site…

• Landscape a vacant lot…• Repaint something unsightly…• Volunteer to help a neighbor who is unable to clean up his/her property

On Saturday, November 19, 2011 a panel will meet to award the top three grants:

• First $2,000 • Second $1,250 • Third $750

All applications submitted from Tuesday, September 6, 2011 until Friday, September 16, 2011 will be considered for funding. The committee reserves the right to grant or otherwise award prizes under $750 at anytime between Tuesday, September 6, 2011 and Saturday, November 19, 2011.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: go to PSNIC’s Yahoo!Groups web site and see File: "2011 Neighborhood Beautification Grant Details" for the Application Form. (Only PSNIC reps, once signed up, have access to this web site.)

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS PARADE – Saturday, December 3, 2011

BALLOON ADOPTION

Calling all NOrgs…get a group of volunteers and help guide the BIG balloons down Palm Canyon Drive. It’s fun! The balloons were the hit of last year’s parade.

NOrgs "adopting" a balloon will have a banner sign with their NOrg’s name – what great PR for your NOrg! Have a smaller NOrg? Can’t find many volunteers?

Not a problem – Lee will assemble a group of sufficient size for each balloon. # of volunteers needed depend on which balloon you want to "adopt." Contact Lee Bonno at Lee.Bonno@palmspringsca.gov for more information. PSNIC 3rd Quarter 2011 Newsletter 4

REMINDER – PSNIC ANIMAL SHELTER FUNDRAISER!

FOLLIES – NOVEMBER 19, 2011 7:00 pm SHOW

Calling all pet lovers!

Help the new Palm Springs Animal Shelter and have a fun evening all at the same time.

Grab some friends, have dinner downtown at one of the many great restaurants, and make an evening of it. Sunrise-Vista Chino NOrg has 8 people signed up already. The challenge is on!

For tickets call Follies: 760-327-0225. Mention Code: 111911

$84 per ticket – Gold Section – great price for great seats!

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST – A BIG THANK YOU TO THE 2011 PSNIC PICNIC SPONSORS…

…who help make our fun picnic a reality. Please acknowledge and support our sponsors:

Desert Regional Medical Center; Casa Cody B&B;

R & DP Family Trust; Main Street; PS Disposal Services; Grassroots for Youth Tennis; PS Hospitality Association; Desert Water Agency; Hot Purple Energy; PS Fabulous Follies; El Mirador Neighborhood Organization; Racquet Club Estates Neighborhood Organization; Kerstin Pollack; and the numerous others who, while not a "sponsor," also contributed to this event. And finally a big thank you to all those who attended and had a good time! See you next year!