Hello Friends & Neighbors:

First and foremost, I wish you and yours a Happy 4th of July! However you choose to celebrate our nation's independence, please stay safe and cool!

With July upon us, the heat is in full swing and most of our seasonal residents have headed back to their summer homes. This means it's up to us, the year-round residents, like myself, to continue to support our local restaurants and businesses during this time of year.

In my June message, I explained the role the Chamber of Commerce plays in our community and the importance of dining and shopping local, especially during the summer months. Our local restaurant and business owners are in tune with the issues impacting the community especially over the past few years, where we saw our community come together with compassionate support, helping one another, through a most difficult circumstance.

Choosing to spend locally allows money to be cycled back into the community, which means you are helping boost the local economy. Shopping local also helps ensure your tax money is going back into our regional tax base. Local taxes are then used for parks, roads and community improvements which we all benefit from on a daily basis.

Browse through the City's YouTube Channel for local dining & shopping videos >

With that said, keep reading to find out about all the wonderful events and opportunities we have here in Rancho Mirage to make it a happy, safe and prosperous summer for all.

Start it off with a Bang!
Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage's 4th of July Spectacular

For the past 8 years, the City has been a proud partner with Agua Caliente to host a spectacular fireworks show for our residents and visitors.

The fireworks begin at 9:00 p.m., parking and admission are free. Enjoy the Desert’s largest and most magnificent fireworks display, with synchronized music on The Eagle 106.9.

Bring your lawn chair, relax and enjoy music and giveaways before the show.
Enjoy specials at Agua Caliente's restaurants in celebration of the 4th. Perhaps try Pivat Cigar Lounge's drink of the month, The Firework martini or purchase any cigar and receive a draft beer for $4. Waters Cafe is celebrating the 4th and, just so happens, National Barbecue Day, with a delicious BBQ special.

Click here for all the exciting details >

Leave it to the Professionals

CalFire/Riverside County reminds us that ALL fireworks, including sparklers, are illegal in Riverside County. All fireworks are illegal because they cause serious injuries and very often, cause fires. Riverside County has very diverse terrain. The vegetation is very dry where fireworks can easily start a brush fire. Individuals who cause fires by using illegal fireworks will be held responsible for all suppression costs. These costs can run into the millions of dollars. Read more at the State Fire Marshal website at osfm.fire.ca.gov.
Fireworks are Illegal in Riverside County - Riverside County Fire Chief
Riverside County Fire Chief Bill Weiser discusses the dangers of fireworks and explosives, and protecting our veterans, our pets and property during the 4th of July holiday. Stay safe out there!

We want everyone to have a happy and safe holiday so if you see something, say something by reporting illegal fireworks in your area by calling the Riverside County Sheriff's non-emergency hotline at (800) 950-2444 or use the the online Fireworks Report Form at riversidesheriff.org/AlertCenter.

The Best Ideas Come from Necessity

Back in 2016, through a collaboration of the City, restaurant owners, resorts and the Chamber, the Taste of Summer Rancho Mirage campaign was born as a way to support our local restaurants, our nonprofit organizations and to offer dining deals to our residents. The campaign was so successful for all intended and the tradition continues on. 

Seven years later, the Taste of Summer Rancho Mirage is gearing up for another amazing summer full of delicious deals from July 11 - August 12, 2022.

Local nonprofits, the Rancho Mirage Library & Observatory, and the Chamber all benefit by selling wristbands and locals reap the reward through amazing discounts on food, drinks and desserts!

This event is a true economic driver, keeping restaurants busy during the slower months.

Visit TasteOfSummerRanchoMirage.org for details.

To support the Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory Foundation, purchase your wristbands in person at the Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory located at 71-100 Hwy. 111 in Rancho Mirage. The Library is open Monday - Tuesday, Thursday - Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

More Summer Savings!

Another way to support our local restaurants this summer is with the Summer Eats Pass offered by Greater Palm Springs. The Summer Eats Pass offers special discounts, prix fixe menus, and more, at Rancho Mirage restaurants and restaurants throughout the Coachella Valley.

Get Your Summer Eats Pass here >

Desert Arc's 'Shred It and Forget It Fridays' Program

Desert Arc is a leading nonprofit that has been serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities within the Coachella Valley, the Morongo Basin, and outlying desert communities for over 62 years. Their mission is the enhance the lives and create opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Pictured above from LtoR: Councilmember Ted Weill, myself, Richard Balocco, President/CEO of Desert Arc, Councilmember Steve Downs, and Angelique Ontiveros, Director of Business Services for Desert Arc.

Desert Arc debuted its Shred It and Forget It Fridays! program. These public Shredding & Recycling events will take place on the third Friday of every month from 9:00 am to 12 noon. Local area businesses, as well as, residents are invited to take part in disposing of their sensitive and confidential records, while supporting this worthwhile nonprofit.

The cost is $5.00 per banker box or shred bag, and $8.00 per hard drive. Proceeds from these public monthly shredding and recycling events will go toward funding Desert Arc’s many programs and services for its nearly 700 adults with disabilities. 

The City of Rancho Mirage is extremely proud of the partnership we have with Desert Arc. Desert Arc handles all shredding and electronic waste recycling needs for the City. The entire organization is filled with wonderful people and incredible stories of hope. I would encourage any individual to participate in one of their fundraising events, to witness the encouraging work being done in our community. I would also compel any business to consider using Desert Arc’s Business Services, knowing the difference being made in the lives of these inspiring individuals.

On the third Friday of every month, Desert Arc will have its mobile shredding truck at its corporate headquarters, located at 73255 Country Club Drive in Palm Desert, available to service the business and residential community’s needs.

2022 Shred It and Forget It Friday! events will be held from 9:00 a.m. to noon on:

July 15
August 19
September 16
October 21
November 18
December 16

For more information regarding Desert Arc’s Shredding & Recycling service offerings, please call (760) 404-1370 or visit desertarc.org

Our phenomenal Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory is packed full of summer programs from observatory tours, stargazing events, discussion groups, lectures, Summer Reading Club, story time for the preschoolers, Teen Book Clubs, arts and crafts and movies. There is always something entertaining, cultural and educational happening at the Library and Observatory.

July event calendar >

Program Guide >

Wait....there's more! 

On July 22 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the Library and Observatory will host LifeStream’s 9 Cities Challenge Blood Drive. Support your community and give the gift of life! Let’s make sure Rancho Mirage rises to the challenge.

For more information, please call (800) 879-4484 or visit lstream.org.

...and even more! 

On July 29, 30, and 31, 2022, Desert Theatricals' Junior Theatre brings a talking rabbit, a mad hatter, a vengeful, and of course, Alice to the Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory.

Through a generous grant from The Richard Brooke Foundation, the Rancho Mirage Library & Observatory Foundation presents three whimsical performances for those looking for an adventure.

Although these performances are free, registration is required and tickets are limited to 4 per guest. Seating will be provided and food vendors will be onsite with concessions.

Showtimes
July 29 at 6:00 p.m.
July 30 at 2:00 p.m.
July 31 at 2:00 p.m.

Doors open a half hour before showtimes.

I hope you all come out and experience the wonders of Wonderland and see if Alice ever figures out how to get back home!

Get your free tickets here >

Disney Brings Innovation & Imagination to Rancho Mirage

Cotino Storyliving by Disney is coming to Rancho Mirage as part of the Section 31 development. This project, led by DMB Development, is a 618-acre parcel that begins at the northeast corner of Bob Hope and Frank Sinatra drives, then stretches a mile north to Gerald Ford Drive and east to Monterey Avenue (across from Sunnylands).  

Cotino is Disney's first of its kind Storyliving community to include homes, a hotel, a vibrant retail and culinary district and a 24-acre swimmable lagoon that will be open to the public and will be one of the most significant master planned projects in Rancho Mirage history!

Last month, the Disney design team was in town (pictured below) and I had the opportunity to meet with them and give them some details about Rancho Mirage's rich history. They will take inspiration from the landscape and history of our beautiful community and combine it with their imagination to create something unique in our community – Cotino, a Storyliving by Disney!

storylivingbydisney.com

With your support and valued input I, along with your City Council, will continue to move forward together in unity, stability and leadership on a continued path of excellence. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments at [email protected] or contact City Hall at (760) 324-4511. I look forward to hearing from and working for you.

Mayor Charles Townse