A positive signal 

So far, so good!!  From early indications, traffic signal modifications along East Palm Canyon from Cathedral Canyon to Date Palm appear to be improving the flow of traffic.  Travel time from Date Palm to Cathedral Canyon has dropped in half, according to the Police Department, speeds have increased by about eight miles per hour and the irritating stop-and-go pattern has eased.

The traffic consultants and Police Department are keeping a close eye on the changes -- eliminating the left-turn arrows and replacing controllers – to make sure the results continue and to determine if anything further should be recommended. 

Hurricane help

The City Council has approved a $5,000 donation to the Riverside County Chapter of the American Red Cross to supplement local funds that have been depleted because of Hurricane Katrina. And speaking of lending a helping hand, Bill Beck of the Red Tomato is hosting a fund-raiser from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, for Fire Captains Jeff Welsh and John Aman, whose families lived in the Gulf Coast.         

Safe havens for babies

All Cathedral City fire stations will soon become safe havens for infants under 72 hours of age who are surrendered by an adult.  The program is designed to protect a baby from being unsafely and illegally abandoned and to offer a last resort to parents under severe emotional distress who may believe they have no other option.

Firefighters will be trained in the California “Safely Surrendered Baby Law” which allows fire stations to be used for this purpose, on how to accept an infant and on the appropriate procedures to follow.   

K-9 Ricky on trail of new job 

“Ricky” will soon become the newest member of the Cathedral City Police Department. The K-9 will replace Lokos, a devoted Labrador who died of natural causes in August after three and a half years of service.  The new police dog will be trained by Work Dogs International, which has training standards exceeding those required by POST (Police Officers Standards and Training).   

Purchase of Ricky, his training and officer training (400 hours) are being made possible by donations from Edith Davison Howard and Date Palm Country Club. The department continues to solicit donations for the K-9 program.

Math just comes easy for some

Diane Sawa, Building Division Permit Coordinator, was once again lauded by CVAG for her perfect TUMF (Transportation Underground Mitigation Fees) report.  Adhering to a complex mathematical formula, Diane and Wyvette Fuzell collect these fees and then turn them over to CVAG to fund transportation projects throughout the Valley.

“Building our cathedral, community” 

The City is embarking on a marketing plan aimed at celebrating the community’s heritage and improving communication and partnerships with residents, businesses and visitors.

Cathedral City’s name is derived from early surveyors’ comparison of the hills behind the Cove to giant “cathedrals.”  The cathedral theme will be brought into the city itself, with sculpture, art and various activities.

Several new programs will be launched in an effort to improve communication, including a community newsletter, TV vignettes of various programs, promotional videos on the city’s website, presentations to Realtors and Homeowner Associations, streaming video that will allow the public to view or replay Council meetings, messages, short stories, news updates and any other audio-video content that can be provided on the City’s website, and direct mail to targeted neighborhoods. 

Sponsors are being sought for three annual signature events sponsored by the City. They are a music and meatball festival the last Saturday in April, the Fountainworks Festival on July 3 and the Holiday Tree Lighting and Cathedral Festival the second Saturday in December.        

Look for the new logo replicating the “Mountain Cathedrals” sculpture that artist Michael Paul Thiry designed for North Date Palm Drive.

As we “build our cathedrals”, we will also build our traditions, sense of community and civic pride, Council said at the meeting where the plan was approved. 

Two honored

Congratulations to Building Inspector/Plans Examiner Marilyn Overman and Deputy City Clerk Daryl Betancur, who were honored by the City Council at its last meeting.  Marilyn was instrumental in helping shops at the Mission Plaza Shopping Center get back in business after a fire and Daryl has been certified as a City Clerk.

Classical concert Friday, Sept. 23

If you’re into classical music, mark Friday, Sept. 23 on your calendars.  That’s when the Public Arts Commission will present a Canyon Classics Ensemble concert in the Council Chamber. Donations will be gladly accepted for the purchase of a piano at the Senior Center, but the wine reception starting at 6:30 p.m. and the concert following at 7 are free to the public. That same night, the Friday Night Concerts Foundation will hold a Latin-themed concert at 2nd Street Park, right off Date Palm Drive.  

2-1-1 offers help to those in need

“My child is on drugs.”  “I can’t pay my rent.” “I am hungry.”  These and other cries for help are finally being answered through a new information and referral program. People who need assistance with a variety of problems can now call 2-1-1 seven days a week, 24 hours a day and they will be referred to social service agencies that can help them. 

Every day persons in our community and throughout the desert search for critical services, such as child care, jobs, emergency shelter, financial assistance, food, mental health support and others. This new program will put people in need immediately in touch with organizations that supply the vital services they are seeking.

The Volunteer Center of Riverside County launched the program on July 1, the same date it was established in San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura Counties.

Persons who would like to volunteer their time to social services agencies can also

call 2-1-1.