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👋 Happy Wednesday, where if you're a candidate in the General Election held weeks ago, it must feel like Groundhog Day.
☀️ Outlook: It will be a mix in the coming seven days as temperatures shift from near 80 to the upper 60s, and clouds begin to form on Sunday.
🎶 Setting the Mood: Get in the pre-holiday spirit with a quirky Thanksgiving song from Adam Sandler, circa 1992 on "Saturday Night Live."
Gobble gobble ...
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First things first: Massive Coachella project needs public input
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A rendering of a portion of a development being planned for Coachella that’s in the initial stages of review.
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Nearly 3,000 acres of undeveloped desert in Coachella could become a master-planned community with about 9,500 dwelling units and more than one million square feet of retail and commercial space.
Driving the news: Monday night, representatives from KPC Group and the city held a meeting to gather public comments before preparing a draft environmental impact report. The company hopes to build the massive development on land it purchased in 2018 for $14 million.
- Included in the plans are an entertainment complex, a sports complex, parks, schools and a new hospital.
Though Monday’s meeting was sparsely attended, and there were no questions or comments from the public, consultants and city staff said they are eager to hear from residents about their thoughts on the project’s potential environmental impacts.
Why it matters: “[Public comments] give us a chance to learn about environmental concerns about the project from individuals so we can address issues of concern that might otherwise be overlooked late in the process,” said Meghan Karadimos, an environmental planner working with consultants Kimley-Horn and Associates.
What’s at stake: Because the project is in such early stages, aspects such as architectural design, lighting, and affordable housing have not yet been decided. For now, planners want public comment on broad subjects related specifically to the environment.
Looking ahead: Officials said they hope to complete the final impact report by spring 2023. That’s when the public will have another opportunity to comment before the report is put before both the planning commission and city council.
What you can do: Comments on the draft environmental impact report will be accepted through Dec. 14.
- Residents can either send an email to gperez@coachella.org, or a letter to the following address: City of Coachella Development Services Department, Attn: Mr. Gabriel Perez, Development Services Director, 53990 Enterprise Way. Coachella, CA 92236
Dive deeper with Kendall Balchan’s full story here.
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Next up: The final countdown
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With very few votes remaining to be tallied in Riverside County, all but a few races on the ballot earlier this month in the Coachella Valley appear to have been decided.
Driving the news: On Monday evening, the Riverside County Registrar of Voters reported that roughly 8,000 ballots remain to be counted. It plans to release its next count tonight.
- It isn’t likely there are enough votes left to count to change the current results of most races in the valley, but anything is possible, and there remain a few very tight races.
What we know: Currently, vote counts show a measure that would see La Quinta phase out unoccupied short-term vacation rentals is failing, and incumbent mayors in Coachella, Cathedral City, and La Quinta are headed to victory.
- Palm Springs could see history made if Mayor Pro Tem Grace Garner holds onto her lead in the District 1 election. She is hoping to become the city’s first Latina mayor.
The race for the California State Assembly in the 47th District will come down to the final tally in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. In that contest, Democrat Christy Holstege has a 68-vote lead over Republican Greg Wallis.
- The district includes a large part of Riverside County, including the western Coachella Valley, so vote counts from Riverside County factor heavily into the equation.
Dive deeper with our complete story.
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A MESSAGE FROM PATRICK STEWART PROPERTIES
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At PS Properties, service and success go hand in hand. We’re committed to both, so our Palm Springs and Coachella Valley clients receive the best market intel, concierge-level attention and access to our valued network of industry contacts. Because to us, real estate is more than a transaction. It’s personal.
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🌮 Desert Hot Springs hopes that "Food Truck Fridays" will help draw people to the city's downtown core. (Desert Sun)
⛪ First Baptist Church in Indio is launching a new youth development program in partnership with the VELA Youth Fund. (KESQ)
🛫 The airport that serves the valley is expecting record travel for Thanksgiving. If you're flying in or out of it, you should be prepared. (NBC Palm Springs)
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Feasting on Thanksgiving should be a generally guilt-free experience. But if you feel like you need some kind of physical activity to balance out that heaping plate (or three, we're not judging) of turkey and stuffing, check out the Fortem Financial Thanksgiving 5K at 8 a.m. Thursday.
Where you'll trot: The 5K starts and finishes along El Paseo in Palm Desert, or you can make your own route and join in virtually.
- If you run or walk the route in person you can join your fellow participants in the beer garden. There will also be vendors and activities for kids.
Plus: The event benefits Martha's Village & Kitchen, one of the largest providers of homeless and impoverished services in the Coachella Valley.
Details: Everything you need to know can be found on the event website.
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📌 Also this week
Craft & Cuentos: Thanksgiving Edition
Today | 2 p.m. | Coachella Branch Library
Join the Coachella Library for a special storytime, crafts, snacks and more.
WildLights at The Living Desert
Tonight and beyond | 6 p.m. | The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
It's that time of year again — the holiday lights are back at The Living Desert! Visitors can enjoy the zoo's annual "magical winter wonderland" tonight, this Friday and Saturday, and on many dates throughout December.
Magic of Lights
Tonight | 6 p.m. | Empire Polo Club, Indio
Enjoy a "dazzling, drive-through holiday lights experience" in Indio, featuring holiday scenes and characters, using LED technology and digital animations. ($15 - $20)
Coda Gallery Art Walk & Wine Tasting
Friday | 4 p.m. | Coda Gallery, Palm Desert
This monthly event is back with, you guessed it, art and wine. Organic wines and other beverages will be available with a donation benefitting the group Animal Samaritans.
Habla Conmigo event
Sunday | 3 p.m. | Cathedral City Branch Library
Practice speaking English with casual conversations, like ordering food and asking questions.
Modern Men Holiday Concert preview
Sunday | 3 p.m. | St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church
Enjoy this one-hour preview of the Modern Men Coachella Valley Men’s Chorus Holiday Concert, Stars: A Galaxy of Song. ($20)
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While Target may already have Valentine’s Day cards on display, the rest of the world knows it’s just the start of the winter holidays. This time of year sees us celebrate with tree lightings, latkes, and many more traditions.
It's nearly impossible to track down everything happening in the Coachella Valley during the next six weeks, but we've done our best to hit a few highlights, including all the official events put on by cities from Desert Hot Springs to Coachella.
But wait: Want to expand your horizons to more places in Riverside County? Our partners at The Riverside Record compiled this list of more than two dozen free events throughout the entire county.
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🦃 Kendall loves hearing about other families' Thanksgiving traditions and foods.
🥡 Mark is making his favorite for Thanksgiving — reservations.
📝 Miss a week? Read past newsletters here.
📣 Want to reach thousands with your message? Email us here.
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