June 4, 2022
The Fire Was Where?
There was a fire last night around 7 PM in Desert Hot Springs. The Desert Sun phoned it in, relying on the fire department's tweet that said the location was "66700 Blk 6th St." But the fire department included a map in their tweet that pointed to the coordinates 33°58'07.4"N, 116°29'47.1"W, which is on 8th Street just east of Mesquite.
KESQ actually sent out a reporter and camera, but they were even less specific than the newspaper. KESQ said it was at "Mesquite Avenue, just off of Palm Drive." Since Mesquite parallels Palm, that's the equivalent of saying "somewhere on Mesquite."
So I put on my Brenda Starr boots and headed out to investigate. The fire was right where the fire department's map was pointing; they just mistyped 6th for 8th.
permalink | June 4, 2022 at 08:08 PM | Comments (0)
May 28, 2022
Getting My Legs Back
The view across Palm Springs from the popular lookout point on what might be called "Palm Hills Road," the road that climbs into the hills behind Vons Rimrock Plaza. Today is the first time I've been able to reach this point since my hip replacement surgery this past October. I'm sure I have not been able to hike to this point since at least 2019, maybe earlier than that. Even more satisfying than simply making it is that I caught up to three 20-something men who had a good head start on me, passed them and made it to the lookout point well ahead of them. Age and experience count for something.
The view from a lower spot on the trail. You can see the silhouettes of the three young men I passed resting (they took 4 or 5 rest breaks on the climb) in the right half of the image, at the top of a rise. You might need a larger image to see them.
permalink | May 28, 2022 at 03:46 PM | Comments (1)
May 15, 2022
That Was A Nice Slam!
Heard it coming. Felt it coming. And then it came. Most distinctive slam of an earthquake that I've ever felt. It didn't sound like I had any damage. It was small, but sharp. I'll get you the numbers as they become available.
It was in Long Canyon, within walking distance (a long walk). 4.27 miles (6.87 km) from me, measured on a direct line according to Google. Some boulders have moved.
USGS info. Currently estimated at 3.8. Noticeable.
permalink | May 15, 2022 at 11:20 PM | Comments (0)
May 7, 2022
China Star, Indio
From The Press-Enterprise:
China Star, at 81022 Highway 111 Suite B in Indio, was inspected April 27 and received a failing grade of 76/C with one critical violation. The inspector saw two live and one dead cockroaches near the wok, as well as flies by the dishwashing area. Among the 15 other violations, some chicken and bean sprouts were at unsafe temperatures, the restaurant’s dishwashing process was incorrect and an employee was standing directly on the stove to replace a hood filter. This was the restaurant’s third failed inspection since 2019, and it was closed for two weeks last June because of a cockroach infestation, so it now faces an administrative hearing. The inspector also told the facility to increase pest control service to every two weeks until the current activity ceases.
permalink | May 7, 2022 at 09:35 AM | Comments (0)
April 30, 2022
Public Health Report
From The Press-Enterprise:
Canton Bistro, at 79405 Highway 111 Suite 5 in La Quinta, was inspected April 26 and received a failing grade of 74/C with three critical violations. Some cooked chicken had been left at room temperature for hours. Surfaces weren’t being sanitized. And there was no hot water at the kitchen handwashing and bar dishwashing sinks. Among the 11 other violations, food had been delivered that day and boxes of raw meat were left sitting on the wet and dirty floor, while boxes of produce were left in an outside alley next to a grease bin that was attracting flies. The restaurant also needed cleaning and decluttering.
ROC’s Firehouse Grille, at 36891 Cook St. Suite 10 in Palm Desert, was inspected April 26 and received a failing grade of 80/B with 11 violations, two of them critical. Food was at unsafe temperatures in two refrigerators that were impounded for not keeping cold. The dishwashers in the kitchen and bar also were impounded for not dispensing sanitizer, and surfaces weren’t being wiped down with sanitizer. This was the restaurant’s third failed inspection since 2019.
permalink | April 30, 2022 at 07:21 AM | Comments (0)
April 26, 2022
BMW Ad Shot Locally
According to Adweek it was shot "in Yucca Valley, where a replica of the iX was placed atop a 12-foot stone tower." "Other scenes of natural beauty were shot in Joshua Tree National Park and Mount San Jacinto in Palm Springs, Calif."
permalink | April 26, 2022 at 08:11 AM | Comments (0)
April 16, 2022
Thai Smile - Palm Springs
From the Press-Enterprise:
Thai Smile, 100 S. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm SpringsClosed: April 12
Grade: 71/C, failing
Reason: Cockroach infestation. The inspector, visiting in response to a complaint about dirty conditions, saw a live cockroach on the wall behind a microwave. Among the 16 other violations, food including raw beef, pork and fish were at unsafe temperatures; food was being stored on the floor in the prep and cooking areas, including a large bucket of soup that was left to cool at room temperature; the beer gun line was in contact with ice; food was being stored uncovered; and equipment, floors and walls needed cleaning. This was the restaurant’s second failed inspection in less than a year, so it now faces an administrative hearing.
Reopened: April 13
permalink | April 16, 2022 at 06:44 AM | Comments (0)
April 15, 2022
Coachella Livestream
Three of 'em:
permalink | April 15, 2022 at 01:01 PM | Comments (0)
April 12, 2022
Tracy Turco Buzz
Maybe this Tracy Turco thing will work out well. A point of view from waaaaaay outside the city could be good for generating tourism, but I find it a little grating when she refers the city as The Desert Hot Springs as if we were a freeway or a formerly occupied nation (The Ukraine, The Congo, The Sudan). But I do want to draw your attention to this "logo" (is that what it would be called?) that she has designed with a faux-neon font. It looks like something from Hot Springs Hotel, the "adult" TV show that was shot in the Miracle Springs Resort in the 1990s.
On the plus side, so far the city has given her only $25,000; her scope is limited to one block of Pierson Boulevard; she has real experience; and she's putting her own money into other investments in the city. The city will be getting some benefit from the time and money spent on the Downtown Vortex plan from years ago which tore down some of old buildings that were too small for commercial use, and bought up parcels so they could be combined to a practical size.
permalink | April 12, 2022 at 04:12 PM | Comments (0)
April 9, 2022
Health Department Report For This Week
From the Press-Enterprise:
Blue Coyote Grill, 445 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm SpringsClosed: April 7
Grade: 72/C, failing
Reason: Excessive flies. The inspector, visiting in response to a foodborne illness complaint, saw flies landing on and crawling in washed lettuce in the food-prep sink, a container of tortilla chips, clean plates, cutting boards and below the bar counter and sinks. There were also four dead cockroaches in a cabinet and two more in the bar area. There were two other critical violations: Food was at unsafe temperatures in a refrigerator that was impounded for not keeping cold, and cooked food wasn’t being cooled down fast enough. Those led to well over 100 pounds of food being discarded. Among the 12 additional violations, there was biofilm in an ice machine, the person washing dishes didn’t know manual dishwashing procedures and the facility needed cleaning.
Reopened: April 8
Meng’s Filipino Cuisine, at 34091 Date Palm Drive Suite B in Cathedral City, was inspected March 30 and received a failing grade of 81/B with one critical violation. Meat skewers that had been left in the handwashing sink and a tilapia that had been put in a bowl of hot water to defrost that morning and left underneath the dishwashing sink were at unsafe temperatures. Among the 11 other violations, dishes weren’t being washed or sanitized properly, a fly swatter with a dead fly stuck on it was hanging next to clean dishes, food was being stored uncovered or in unapproved plastic bags, and the floors needed cleaning. The restaurant passed a mandatory follow-up April 6 with a score of 95/A.
permalink | April 9, 2022 at 09:56 AM | Comments (0)
April 7, 2022
IGLA Water Polo in Desert Hot Springs
The International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics Association (IGLA) is holding a competition in Palm Springs and Desert Hot Springs. Today and tomorrow it's water polo at the Furbee Aquatic Center. I walked over this morning and got a few photos. Here are four of them.
permalink | April 7, 2022 at 05:42 PM | Comments (0)
March 27, 2022
Mission Creek Preserve Today
The brittlebush is looking good!
permalink | March 27, 2022 at 09:30 PM | Comments (0)
March 26, 2022
Health Department Inspections in the Coachella Valley
From the Press-Enterprise:
China King Restaurant, 295 N. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm SpringsClosed: March 18
Grade: 68/C, failing
Reason: Cockroach infestation. The inspector visited in response to a complaint and found five or six roaches on a wall behind hanging utensils and another one on the floor. There were three critical violations: An employee killed a roach with bare hands and then touched diced bell peppers without washing. Food was also contaminated when an employee placed a trash bag on food at the prep table, and because raw chicken and beef were touching in overfilled containers. Additionally, shelled and pooled eggs were at unsafe temperatures, and tapioca balls and hoisin sauce that required refrigeration had been left out for two to three days. Among the 15 other violations, an employee said utensils are washed only once a day (at least every four hours is required), weed killer was stored next to the meat grinder, cooked pork wasn’t being cooled down safely and the facility needed cleaning. This was the restaurant’s second failed inspection since 2019.
Wang’s in the Desert, 424 S. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm SpringsClosed: March 18
Grade: Not graded
Reason: Rodent infestation. An inspector visited in response to a complaint that someone saw multiple rats. The owner was aware of the problem and said they’d been working with pest control. The inspector found droppings throughout the facility, including inside containers of clean dishes, on shelves holding clean dishes and open containers of food, below prep tables and cooking equipment, on shelving at the food pickup window, in the customer dining area and in the employee break room. There were also gnaw marks and droppings on a package of salt.
Reopened: March 23 after pest control visited twice and affected areas were cleaned. The inspector did find a few old droppings on the floor behind some cardboard.
New grade: 92/A, passing
Sammy G’s, at 265 S. Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs, was inspected March 18 in response to a foodborne illness complaint and received a failing grade of 81/B with one critical violation. Several items were at unsafe temperatures in the walk-in dairy refrigerator, which was impounded for not keeping cold. Among the 11 other violations, cooked chicken and pasta had been left at room temperature to cool, there was biofilm in the ice machine, knives had been put away dirty, there were a few flies, the inspector found two old rodent droppings in an unapproved food storage area that wasn’t properly vermin-proofed, and the restaurant needed cleaning. This was the restaurant’s second failed inspection since 2019.
To Go Sushi, at 40101 Monterey Ave. Suite G2 in Rancho Mirage, was inspected March 16 in response to a foodborne illness complaint and received a failing grade of 80/B with one critical violation. The sushi chef didn’t wash hands after using a dirty towel. Among the 11 other violations, raw tuna and imitation crab were at unsafe temperatures in two coolers, one of which was impounded for not keeping cold; other prepared food wasn’t being cooled down safely; and utensils weren’t being sanitized properly.
permalink | March 26, 2022 at 08:08 AM | Comments (0)
March 25, 2022
PBR Comes To Desert Hot Springs
"Pabst Labs, a cannabis beverage company, unveiled its brand new manufacturing facility and distribution center in Desert Hot Springs." "Pabst Labs produces Pabst Blue Ribbon’s 10mg High Seltzer, Not Your Father’s Cannabis-Infused Root Beer, as well as ST IDES Cannabis product lines, including its 100mg infused 4oz shots."
Unfortunately, it doesn't seem that High Seltzer will be available for sale anywhere in the Coachella Valley. Their website lists dispensaries and delivery services up and down California, but nothing out here in the desert. How demoralizing!
permalink | March 25, 2022 at 03:03 PM | Comments (0)
March 24, 2022
Four On Agfa Copex Rapid Film
All of these were shot on Agfa Copex Rapid film at ISO 64. The film is also known as Rollei Copex Rapid. Interestingly, there is no information about the film on either the Agfa or Rollei websites.
"History of Suspended Time" by Gonzalo Lebrija across from the Palm Springs Museum.
"Isabelle" by Julian Voss-Andreae.
A storefront on Palm Canyon Drive.
permalink | March 24, 2022 at 07:01 PM | Comments (0)
March 19, 2022
Carniceria Rancho Grande
From Riverside County Department of Health inspections reported in the Press-Enterprise.
Carniceria Rancho Grande, at 13313 Palm Drive in Desert Hot Springs, was inspected March 16 and received a failing grade of 81/B with one critical violation. Multiple items of food were at unsafe temperatures, including a container of cooked tomatoes sitting on the floor and a container of pickled carrots that had been at room temperature since it was delivered a week before. Among the 11 other violations, there were many flies in the facility, with some landing on the cutting boards, as well as some other small bugs on a wall and a dead cockroach in a hole in the wall; an employee kept wiping his hands on his dirty apron; dishes were being washed but not sanitized; and several areas needed cleaning or repair. This was the market’s second failed inspection in less than two years so it now faces an administrative hearing.
Wilma & Frieda’s, at 155 S. Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs, was inspected March 16 and received a failing grade of 80/B with two critical violations. Food was at unsafe temperatures in three coolers that were impounded for not keeping cold. A dishwasher also was impounded for not dispensing sanitizer. Among the nine other violations, there was an empty cockroach trap next to food in one of the nonfunctional coolers, cooked chicken wasn’t being cooled down fast enough and several areas needed cleaning.
Rick’s Restaurant, at 1973 N. Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs, was inspected March 15 and received a failing grade of 80/B with two critical violations. Some food was at unsafe temperatures in a refrigerator that wasn’t keeping cold. Also, a fly landed on biscuit dough on a prep table. Among the eight other violations, there were old rodent droppings in a food storage area (but no evidence of live rodents) and the facility needed cleaning.
permalink | March 19, 2022 at 09:59 AM | Comments (0)
March 17, 2022
Four More On Ilford XP2 Super 400
These were shot with Ilford XP2 Super 400 film in January or February 2022.
Putting new gas lines under West Drive.
The Church of St Paul in The Desert in Palm Springs.
Mt San Gorgonio and DHS High School.
permalink | March 17, 2022 at 06:47 PM | Comments (0)
March 16, 2022
Four On Ilford XP2 Super 400 Film
These were shot with Ilford XP2 Super 400 film in January 2022.
The Plaza Theater sign in Palm Springs.
768 N. Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs.
"Forever Marilyn" on Museum Way.
permalink | March 16, 2022 at 05:34 PM | Comments (0)
March 10, 2022
Proposed Voting District Maps For Desert Hot Springs
The agenda for thee March 15 City Council meeting is now available. Included in it are the two draft maps for voting districts in DHS. This is a link directly to that item in the agenda packet.
permalink | March 10, 2022 at 08:17 PM | Comments (0)
March 9, 2022
$20 Million(-ish) For New MSWD Headquarters
On March 3, 3033, the Mission Springs Water District Board of Directors held a workshop to discuss the proposed Critical Services Center And Administration Building. The video of the workshop is available here. Director Duncan was absent.
General Manager Arden Wallum said that of the five major water purveyors in the Coachella Valley, MSWD has the worst administrative building. The site where they plan to locate the new headquarters was purchased about 2000. GM Wallum said there was a consensus in favor of one of the designs presented at the previous meeting. There was actually no consensus. He wasn't sure which one was preferred. Vice President Nancy Wright couldn't recall any consensus. President Russ Martin said he had said he preferred Option 2 only because it was the cheapest, but that any of the three designs would be acceptable. Actually, at the previous meeting he had said he preferred Option 2 before he knew that it was also the cheapest. VP Wright thought that Option 1 was cheapest. Her memory was incorrect.
The three options are options in the external appearance only. The interior layout is the same in all three. VP Wright asked which way was north on the site layout. The layout has a compass rose showing north is up, but the architect walked her through the compass directions. Director Ivan Sewell asked about the more compact site layout that was presented as a possible cost saving choice at the prior meeting. The architect said that could reduce the cost about $600,000. At the prior meeting it was said that could have reduced the cost by $1 million to $1.5 million. Now, with a range from $600,000 to $1,500,000 I would call those just wild-ass guesses.
MSWD currently has a staff of about 52 people. The architect said the new headquarters would be designed to accomodate "70-some-odd" staff. Further expansion will be possible on the site.
Ms. Wright mentioned that the district paid only $25,000 for the site originally.
There was a long discussion with Directors sharing their opinions on details of the different designs. If you want that in detail, go to the video.
Option 3 was preferred by the Directors. Directors Sewell, Grasha and VP Wright preferred the shallow curved dais for the boardroom.
$20,000,000
They plan to pay for the new building using only property tax revenue and "other general administrative revenues." They do not intend to use the revenue from water and sewers to pay for it.
It was pointed out that it would be more correct to say that $20 million is the estimated cost of the full project, not just the building(s).
The annual property tax revenue of $1 million would be sufficient to cover either a 20-year loan of $13.5 million at 3.9% or a 30-year loan at 4.1%. Some grants may also be available. Director Grasha recommended financing the entire $20 million in order to preserve the district's cash on hand for emergencies or changes in state regulations. He also said he expects the final cost to be $30 million.
