A breed apart

Everyone got a big chuckle out of the mistake that ran in last week’s Briefs.  Lokos, the former K-9 in the Police Department, who was identified as a Labrador, was actually a German shepherd.  “We’re catching criminals here, not birds,”  howled Officer Berto Ruiz.

Smile and say Cheese

Chadwick’s of Boston has been shooting its spring-summer 2006 catalog of women’s fashions in the Cathedral City Civic Center area for the past two weeks. Although on location throughout the desert, camera crews spent most of their time photographing models here, against a backdrop of the Mary Pickford Theatre, the award-winning Fountain of Life, the arches of the Paseo and in Town Square. 

Lew Magram, which produces home decorating and fashion catalogs, has scheduled two shoots in the Civic Center area, in November and in March. 

Thanks to Sylvia Schmidt of Locations Unlimited for always keeping Cathedral City in mind when arranging catalog shoots. These publications are mailed to millions of consumers throughout the world.    

Bah, humbug!

Yes, it’s true.  Wal*Mart’s Cathedral City store is closing Oct. 25.  The new Wal*Mart Super Center opens the next day in Palm Springs.  City officials here had hoped that the Cathedral City store would remain throughout the busy holiday season and not close until after the New Year. 

In the meantime, buyers of the building (it’s in escrow) are moving along with plans to divide it into several tenant spaces and build additional leaseable space on the site for other retail stores and offices.

Pack those tables and chairs, too

If you’re planning a picnic at Panorama Park this weekend, be aware that although the new barbecues have been installed, the new picnic tables and benches will not be in until next week due to a late shipment.

The Public Works crews were disheartened to see that someone recently sprayed graffiti all over the new playground equipment and broke beer bottles in the tot lot area.  They cleaned up the mess, successfully removing the graffiti. 

Some just wondering ….

Redevelopment Project Manager Jim Cleary is not moving his office to the first floor in City Hall.  He is just temporarily using Housing Manager Warren Bradshaw’s old office for his plan check room. 

Clearing their calendars

Schedules have been finalized so Building Department personnel can take advantage of CALBO (California Conference of Building Officials) Education Week Oct. 24-28 in Ontario. Classes range from electrical code to multifamily disabled access. 

The Building Department will also be participating in the annual CALBO Business Meeting, scheduled to start Feb. 28 at the Doral Resort Hotel.

Hurricanes’ wallop felt here, too

The “evil twins”, Katrina and Rita, have affected the families of many city employees.  Fire Capt. Jeff Welsh is housing six family members from Louisiana at his home in Panorama, as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Two relatives plan to return when Rita passes through and four plan to stay in this area.  Don’t forget the “Firemen’s Feast” to benefit the Welsh family.  It will be held at the Red Tomato from 12 noon to 4 on Sunday, Sept. 25.  

Most of Fire Capt. John Aman’s family in the Gulf Coast relocated with relatives living in that area, although his niece is now in California.

And now Rita is affecting Associate Planner Rich Malacoff’s mother in Houston; some of Engineering Technician/Webmaster Kevin Lockwood’s family in Texas;  possibly a new home that Senior Planner Bud Kopp’s parents are building on Lake Tenkiller, Ok. (tornados threaten); and Administrative Secretary Donna Velotta’s sister and brother-in-law’ in Oklahoma and aunt and uncle in Texas.  

City takes show on road

City Council members will join employees from various departments next Thursday, Sept. 29, at the ICSC (International Conference of Shopping Centers) annual convention in Palm Springs.  In the newly revised exhibit booth, they will work on “selling Cathedral City” to the 7,500 retailers, investors, developers and Realtors expected to attend. Among those participating are Economic Development Guy Paul Shillcock, Redevelopment Project Manager Charlene Sumpter, Finance Director Tami Scott, Fund Development Coordinator Lynn Mallotto and Business License Revenue Officer Kim Porterfield, who also serves on the Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development Committee.  Lynn has been integrating the city’s new logo and marketing materials into the presentation package. The double booth is prominently located in the center of the newly expanded PS Convention Center.

Stop identity theft

You can promote recycling and prevent crime at the same time. Just stop by the document shredding operation in the IMAX parking lot Friday and Saturday,  Sept. 23 and 24, from 9 to 12 or whenever the truck fills up. Shredding those old tax forms, financial statements, cancelled checks, medical records and legal documents you no longer need can prevent identity theft. Also, the paper can be recycled and put back to use. No need to remove paper clips, staples or binders. The project is provided by the city’s Environmental Conservation Manager Deanna Pressgrove. 

Looking for a few good men and women

The City Council wants to fill three vacancies on the Architectural Review Committee (ARC); two on the Board of Appeals and one on the Planning Commission.  It has been the most difficult to find men and women willing to serve on the ARC, but it is an important position because they make decisions on landscaping; architectural elevations (layout, color, textures, windows and  special features such as columns); and site plans. Deadline to apply is 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4. Applications are available on the city’s website, www.cathedralcity.gov.