Feb 18 - Feb 24
by Buzzard
February 18, 2010

Eco-Hikes Discover the Beauty and Learn the Real Story of the Mojave Desert. Discover nature while learning about our cultural history, desert ecosystems, fascinating geology, and rare flora and fauna. Our expert tour guides will take you to our most scenic desert destinations where you will experience the abundant natural beauty that surrounds us. Limited spaces available. When: One hike per week (Sat. or Sun.), Feb-April, Oct-Dec. See Schedule Who: Naturalists, Hikers, Explorers and Outdoor Enthusiasts of all ages. Hikes range from easy to difficult. Where: Most hikes are scheduled in Joshua Tree National Park. See schedule for more info on each hike. Cost: $10 for Land Trust members. $25 for non-members (includes one MDLT membership) Length of hikes: 1/2 day to full day. Call 760-366-5440.

The Joshua Tree Retreat Center’s second open Community Drum Circle of 2010 celebrates the Full Moon on Sunday, February 28, from 7:00 – 9:00 PM in Friendship Hall. Popular Morongo Basin percussionist Sam Sloneker will facilitate the gathering. “Our circles are always lots of fun, and I’m really looking forward to our drumming together in the unique high energy of the Full Moon at this month’s circle,” says Sloneker, “So, come play with us in celebration of this special time of balance and vibrancy, and bring your family and friends to take part in the merriment.”

College of the Desert’s (COD) Vocal Performance and Appreciation Club presents Closer Than Ever. The production opens Friday, Feb. 26 at 8 p.m. The production features Julie Rosser, Kaley Smith, Cliff Plummer, Paul Cracchiolo and Mark Almy. Each song in Closer Than Ever is a story that is an intimate tale about love, security, happiness -- and holding onto them in a world that pulls you in a hundred directions at once. It includes twenty-four funny, wise and witty songs of experience. Originally produced off-Broadway by Janet Brenner, Michael Gill and Daryl Roth, this version was developed at The Williamstown Theater Festival. The shows are in COD’s Pollock Theatre on Friday, Feb. 26, Saturday, Feb. 27, and a matinee on Sunday, Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. The Sunday, Feb. 28 at 8 p.m. is sold out. Tickets are $15. Available online at CollegeOfTheDesert.ticketleap.com or for reservations call (760) 641-7119.

Legendary singer Dionne Warwick is set to perform at Spotlight 29 Casino on Saturday, February 27 at 8pm. Scintillating, soothing and sensual best describe the familiar voice of the one and only Dionne Warwick, who has become a cornerstone of American pop music and culture. For tickets, visit Spotlight29.com or call Star Tickets (800) 585-3737. Tickets are also available for purchase at the Spotlight 29 Gift Shop Sunday-Friday 8am-10pm, and the Spotlight Showroom Box Office 1:30pm-9:30pm on Saturdays and on the day of the show. Warwick’s career has spanned more than 48 years, establishing her as an international music legend. She has earned more than sixty charted hits and sold over 100 million records.

Saturday, February 20 2010, from 9 - 10am there’s a great workshop on Sustainability in the Desert Landscape with landscape designer Paul Ortega of the Desert Garden Center, and lecturer and botanical garden register Jennifer Purcell of the Living Desert. It’s a $15/non-refundable fee, and proceeds benefit designated organizations. Register online at www.PalmSpringsLivingandDesign.com. The workshop takes place at Digs Palm Springs, The Corridor Shops, 515 N. Palm Canyon Dr. Contact Paula Walters at pwalters@DigsPalmSprings.com, or 760.325.6601.

The Artists Council of the Palm Springs Art Museum invites all to the opening of ACE 2010, a juried exhibition showcasing the work of local member artists. The exhibition opens February 14 at 4:30 p.m. with an awards ceremony and is followed by a free opening reception in the museum’s lower level, catered by Cowboy Way Barbeque. This year’s judge is Martin Gammon, from Bonhams & Butterfields in San Francisco (probably better known through his appearances on television’s Antiques Roadshow). Mr. Gammon will select approximately 70 out of the 135 entries to be included in the show, and award several prizes for the best works. All selected works will be available for purchase through a silent auction during the opening night reception; artwork not sold on the opening night will then be for sale in the exhibition’s online auction that will run for the duration of the show, which closes March 28, 2010. ACE 2010 attracts some of the Coachella Valley’s most serious art collectors and raises money to support the museum’s education art programs, including workshops for adults, teens and children. It also supports several community outreach programs that bring art to Coachella Valley residents who otherwise might never have a chance to experience art for themselves.

Wednesday, February 24, from 6:00pm - 7:30pm there will be a Lecture: “Energy Storage and Conversion Materials: Photovoltaics, Fuel Cells, and Batteries,” presented by David Kisailus, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, UCR. Part of UCR Palm Desert and the City of Indian Wells 2009-2010 Imagining the Future lecture series. The series showcases the rich expertise of UCR faculty on a wide variety of important, contemporary scientific topics. The lectures are free and open to the public. The lectures will be held from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Indian Wells Club Celebrity Ballroom, 44-500 Indian Wells Lane in Indian Wells.

The City of La Quinta’s Police Department is offering an anonymous way to get involved and stop crime in the City with an extra added bonus of up to a $1,000 cash reward. If you witness a crime or have any information regarding a crime that has been committed, call 341-STOP (7867). You don’t have to give your name! An operator will take your information and assign you a code number. If an arrest is made, you call Crime Stoppers again, provide your code number, and a reward will be paid - no questions asked! This program is designed to give everyone the opportunity to be a good citizen and keep their City safe. By keeping the Crime Stoppers number handy, you can help stop graffiti, home invasions, vandalism and acts of violence by assisting the police in finding those who are responsible for the crimes.

COD’s Marks Art Center kicks off the spring semester with a new exhibition, Beverly Reordan: Retrospective, Feb. 17 – Mar. 18, 2010. There will be an artist’s reception for the exhibition—which is subtitled “Textures of Life”—on Wednesday, Feb. 17, from 5:00-7:00 pm. This event is free and open to the public, and will also feature a musical performance by harpist and COD faculty member, Dr. Vanessa Sheldon. Reordan, who is a prolific artist, lecturer, and world traveler, has worked in oil, watercolor, handmade paper, and printmaking, and her most recent work incorporates mixed media collage in order to explore archetypal symbols and richly layered metaphors.

Got high or lo-dez tips or carcasses? Email editor@DesertValleyStar.com or editor@americanfreejournal.com.