2020 Home Maintenance Ideas

Home Maintenance For The New Year Hi David, The beginning of a new year is always a great time to address those basic but important home maintenance tasks that may get forgotten throughout the year. This January, when you're packing up your holiday decor or just getting ready to start a new year, take some time to go over these important tasks to help jump start your New Year.

Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors Some home systems are vital to ensuring your home is safe, and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are on that list. Often, these systems are only refreshed when they start chirping and causing havoc in your home, but they should be checked multiple times a year to ensure they're working the way they're intended. If the detectors are not hard-wired to your home or plugged into a wall outlet, now is the perfect time to replace batteries.

Take some time and perform a test on every detector, familiarizing yourself with the sound - each alarm sounds different. This is also a good time to check any fire extinguishers you may have in your home. These important safety tools should be checked monthly, ensuring the pressure gauge needle is in the green – if it's not, the extinguisher should be serviced or replaced. The last thing you want is for one of these important devices to fail you when you need it the most.

Change Out Home Filters Several home systems use filters: a furnace, water filtration system, HVAC and heat pumps, and other systems that may be in your home. Whether you're in a sunny climate or a winter one, January is a great time to change out your filters. Filters help keep dirt, debris and other particles from getting into your home, so ensuring you replace them in January guarantees a fresh start for the new year and will help your home’s systems work to their optimal performance. This is also a great time to clean your kitchen’s exhaust hood and air filter, and don’t forget your refrigerator – the beginning of the year is the perfect time to clean behind and below the appliance.

Refill a Water Softener Hard water can be brutal on a home, especially if minerals are allowed to build up over the years. For most homes with a water softener system, the softener is stored out of site, which can mean it can be forgotten. If you have a water softener, now is the time to replenish the salt it needs to function (and for most softeners this only needs to be done once a year). The salt is used to strip out the excess minerals from the water, ensuring your home is free of hard water.

Update a Disaster Kit No one can anticipate a natural disaster but having a disaster kit in your home helps prepare you for the unexpected. In the new year, take time to update or replenish your kit - check dates on any non-perishable food items, restock batteries and water, and add any missing items that will come in handy in case of emergency.

Do a Personal Inventory The holidays can mean a time of new belongings. Now is a great time to do a personal inventory of all your high value items, like electronics, jewelry, or art. If you've added to your personal collections, take a moment to update your records and contact your homeowner's insurance to update your plan if need be. The new year is also the perfect time to go through all your things and get rid of items you don't need or want anymore. Cleaning out clutter not only helps add space to your home, it can also act as a positive change for the new year.

With a new year comes the opportunity to get your home ready for the months to come, and doing these tasks at the beginning of the year will help you remember when you did them. Taking time now to get your home updated will save you time in the future. Here’s to a happy and healthy start to 2020. If you have questions on how to update your home for the year to come, feel free to contact me david@laquintare.com or visit my website davidburke.bhhscaproperties.com. Happy New Year!

Dec Events 2019

Gingerbread Lane   Nov. 24-Dec. 21Every Saturday. A winter wonderland with multiple trees, trimmed garland, twinkling lights, a marquee 17-foot tree next to Santa's workshop all wrapped in the music of the holidays! We will be offering gingerbread cookies and hot cider in the culinary area, cookie decorating tables and clay ornament painting. Santa will be here in person each Saturday. Time/Place: 12-6pm / Old Town Artisan Studio, La Quinta Contact: 760-777-1444 / www.oldtownartisanstudios.org WildLights   Nov. 27-Dec. 28Over a million twinkling lights dazzle as guests enjoy holiday festivities, food, drink, arts and crafts, animal encounters, live entertainment, Santa Claus and more. Time/Place: 6-9pm / The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, Palm Desert Contact: 760-346-5694 / www.livingdesert.org Cabazon Indio Powwow   Nov. 29-Dec. 1Included in the celebration are Native American dance competitions for contestants of all ages, bird singing, drum contests and peon games. Time/Place: Fantasy Springs Resort Casino Contact: 760-342-5000 / www.fantasyspringsresort.com Palm Springs Open Tennis Tournament   Nov. 29-Dec. 1An international tennis tournament run by the Desert Tennis Association, attracting more than 300 LGBT players from around the world. DTA is a non-profit corporation that organizes tennis events for the LGBT community in the Coachella Valley and raises funds for local charities. A Players Banquet, benefitting AAP Food Samaritans, at Mission Hills at 7pm on Saturday. Time/Place: Mission Hills Country Club, Desert Princess, Monterey Country Club, and Sunrise Country Club Contact: 760-325-8481 / www.deserttennis.us Coachella Holiday Tree Lighting   Dec. 4The holiday excitement begins with the holiday tree lighting outside the Coachella City Hall. Enjoy free food, holiday train rides and a special appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus, all with a Candy Land theme! Time/Place: 5-8pm / City Hall: 1515 Sixth Street   Contact: www.coachella.org HOle HOle HOle Holiday Golf Tournament   Dec. 5Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce invites you to play in our HOle! HOle! HOle! Holiday Golf Tournament. Time/Place: 12-4pm / Big Rock Golf Course, Indian Springs Contact: 760-346-6111 / www.pdacc.org McCallum Theatre Annual Gala   Dec. 5Enjoy fine dining at a local participating restaurant and then a performance by Grammy Award-winning artist, Seal, with a 29-piece orchestra performing standards by George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, Charlie Chaplin, and more! Time/Place: 8pm / McCallum Theatre, Palm Desert Contact: 760-340-2787 / www.mccallumtheatre.com Celebrate the Season   Dec. 6Features the music of Elvis Presley performed by Scot Bruce in his Tribute to the King, free pictures with Santa Claus, entertainment by strolling carolers, festive snowfall, and hot cider and cocoa. Time/Place: 5:30-7:30pm / The Gardens on El Paseo, Palm Desert Contact: 760-862-1990 / www.thegardensonelpaseo.com La Quinta Tree Lighting Ceremony   Dec. 6Live performances, crafts, cookies, hot cocoa, pictures with Santa, and complimentary rides around Civic Center Park on a holiday train! This event is free and all ages are welcome. Time/Place: 6-8pm / Civic Center Park: 78495 Calle Tampico Contact: 760-777-7000 / www.laquintaca.gov Coachella Holiday Parade   Dec. 6The parade will feature local marching bands, dances troupes, floats and dignitaries. Food vendors will be located along the route selling tamales, tacos, champurado and snacks. Time/Place: 6-8pm / Downtown Coachella   Contact: www.gcvcc.org El Paseo Cruise Night   Dec. 6The cool, shiny, lovingly cared-for classic cars begin arriving around 3:15pm at the upper level of the parking structure behind The Gardens. Get a close-up look at these beauties and talk to the owners before they take over cruising El Paseo from 4-6pm. Time/Place: 3-6pm / El Paseo, Palm Desert   Contact: www.elpaseocruisenight.com Palm Springs Holiday Tree Lighting   Dec. 6Join the City Council and Celebrity Tree Lighter Mary Hart for caroling, holiday craft stations and storytime with Santa Claus. The lighting of the 22-foot Holiday Tree will take place at 5:15pm sharp. Time/Place: 5pm / Frances Stevens Park   Contact: www.palmspringsca.gov El Paseo Art Walk   Dec. 6There will be exhibit openings, artist receptions and more! Enjoy seeing everything there is to see, from the Palm Desert Art Museum in Palm Deserts free First Friday event to each gallery and stops along the way. Time/Place: 4-7pm / El Paseo, Palm Desert   Contact: www.elpaseoartwalk.com Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade   Dec. 7Over the past 22 years, the parade has featured a host of marching bands, performing groups as well as the Budweiser Clydesdales, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Snoopy and the Gang and of course Santa and Mrs. Claus! This years Celebrity Grand Marshal is Mary Hart! Time/Place: 4:45-9pm / Palm Canyon Drive     Contact: www.psfestivaloflights.com Desert VegFest   Dec. 7An all-vegan festival, featuring delicious food pop-ups, food trucks, food vendors, informative speakers, music and more. Time/Place: 10am-4pm / University of California, Riverside - Palm Desert Contact: https://www.desertvegfest.com Welcome Winter Festival   Dec. 7Games, music, crafts, shopping, food, bounce house and auction/raffle. Take a picture with Santa! Americas Got Talent season 13 Golden Buzzer winner Makayla Phillips will be performing and our own local Bone Thumpers. All proceeds benefit Ronnies House For Hope. Time/Place: 10am-3pm / Palm Desert Civic Center Park Contact: 760-485-9019 / www.ronnieshouseforhope.org Playtime with Santa   Dec. 7Pose for photos with Santa, have your face painted, a balloon creation twisted or just lounge on the Center Lawn enjoying lawn games. A $15 donation to participate benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Desert. Time/Place: 4-6pm / The Gardens on El Paseo, Palm Desert Contact: 760-862-1990 / www.thegardensonelpaseo.com Desert Mountains Art Faire   Dec. 7Mediums may include photography, paintings, ceramics, hand painted silks, and more. Support local artists and find beautiful and unique gifts and desert mementos, all while enjoying the natural beauty of the desert mountains! Time/Place: 9am-4pm / Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, Palm Desert Contact: 760-862-9984 / www.desertmountains.org Indio International Tamale Festival   Dec. 7-8Visitors delight in scrumptious tamales, endless alternative food options, shopping, and all-day entertainment. Land, Kid Zone, Two Community Stages, Selfie Stops. Time/Place: Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 1-am-5pm / Oldtown Indio Contact: 760-262-4633 / www.tamalefestival.net Ironman 70.3   Dec. 8Join the triathletes or cheer them on as they race through a course that includes a swim at Lake Cahuilla, a bike race through La Quinta and a half-marathon. Time/Place: 7am-4:30pm / Indian Wells Tennis Garden Contact: www.ironman.com Golden Grapes Wine Festival   Dec. 8Join in for a wine-soaked bacchanalia with the Palm Springs Wine Festival as we celebrate the best winemakers, grapes and grape lovers in California with over 30 participating wineries lovingly pouring the sweet nectar all day. Time/Place: 1-4pm / Ace Hotel & Swim Club, Palm Springs Contact: www.pswinefest.com Police Blue Light Ceremony   Dec. 9A Day in Honor of Fallen Officers who have provided the Ultimate Sacrifice in the Line of Duty. Ceremony held in Council Chambers; gathering overflow to the Lobby area afterwards. Time/Place: 6-8pm / La Quinta City Hall   Contact: www.laquintaca.gov The PSHA/PSRA 9th Annual Clubs Fore Kids Golf Tournament   Dec. 11Benefits Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs, PSHA and PSRA.  We have great prizes for the winners & amazing Raffle Prizes for all your Holiday Shopping. Time/Place: 8:30am-3pm / Escena Golf Club, Palm Springs Contact: 760-346-8738 / www.palmspringshospitality.org Jarabe Mexicano Mexican Folk Rock   Dec. 12The Jarabe Mexicano quintet invites audiences on a rollicking joyride through Mexican folk, rock n roll, Tex-Mex, Latin rock, and Reggae-Cumbia. Time/Place: 7-9:30pm / Rancho Mirage Library Contact: 760-341-7323 / www.ranchomiragelibrary.org Athena Awards Luncheon   Dec. 13Receiving an Athena Award is a distinguished honor presented by Chambers of Commerce nationwide, paying tribute to women who demonstrate excellence in business and in the community. Time/Place: 11:30am-1pm / Renaissance Palm Springs Contact: 760-325-1577 / www.pschamber.org Santa Visits the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway   Dec. 14Free candy canes and photo opportunities for the kids bring another dose of Yuletide merriment to all who visit the Tramways Mountain Station. Time/Place: 11am-3pm / One Tram Way, Palm Springs Contact: 888-515-8726 / www.pstramway.com North Pole Village at Snow Fest   Dec. 14Holiday music and carolers, Santa Claus, holiday tree lighting ceremony, a 10,000 Candy Cane Drop for Kids, Snow Bubble Play for Kids, free ice skating passes to Desert Ice Castle, and a silent auction featuring Charlie Brown Christmas Trees decorated by local celebrities. Time/Place: 11am-7pm / Cathedral City Town Square Park Contact: www.snowfest.us Paws N Claus   Dec. 14 Dont miss the fun of Paws N Claus, where you can photograph your canine pal with Santa Claus, and enjoy fun pet activities and treats for you and your dog. A $15 donation to participate benefits the Bianca Rae Foundation. Time/Place: 4-6pm / The Gardens on El Paseo, Palm Desert Contact: 760-862-1990 / www.thegardensonelpaseo.com A Big Band Christmas   Dec. 14Step back in time to the 1940s during WW II and experience the sound of a live radio show being broadcast to the boys overseas. Arrive early and enjoy food and beverages from local vendors. Time/Place: 6pm / Rancho Mirage Community Park Contact: www.desert-theatricals.com Walk of the Stars Honors Jon Schroeder   Dec. 20Join us as we honor local kid turned Hollywood writer and producer, Emmy-winner, Jon Schroeder, with the 435th star on Walk of the Stars Palm Springs. Time/Place: 2-3pm / Palm Canyon Drive   Contact: www.pschamber.org Palm Springs Breakfast with Santa   Dec. 21Join us in your favorite pajamas as we have pancakes with Santa Claus. Create a gingerbread house, decorate holiday cookies, enjoy the holiday reading corner and photos with Santa Claus (bring your own camera). Time/Place: 8am-12pm / Palm Springs Pavilion   Contact: www.palmspringsca.gov Star Party at the Monument   Dec. 21Enjoy a sky tour conducted by The Astronomical Society of the Desert, observing celestial bodies and constellations in the night sky through telescopes and giant binoculars. Time/Place: 5-8pm / Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, Palm Desert Contact: 760-862-9984 / www.desertmountains.org Santa Paws 5k   Dec. 21Benefiting Guide Dogs of the Desert. Each participant receives a 5-piece Santa suit that can be worn during the event and is then yours for keeps! All participants run, walk or stroll the 5K (3.1mile) route. Time/Place: 8-11am / Temple Isaiah, Palm Springs Contact: 760-413-6508 / www.palmspringsmarathonrunners.org

La Quinta Events June 2019

STAY EVENTS ARTS & CULTURE SEE & DO EAT & SHOP   Your City Council   Linda EvansMayor Steve Sanchez Mayor Pro Tem   Kathleen Fitzpatrick Council Member John Peña Council Member Robert Radi Council Member                 CITY MANAGER   GET UPDATED ON LA QUINTA FROM CITY MANAGER FRANK J. SPEVACEK.   Read More                         WHAT MAKES A CITY COME ALIVE?   WHAT MAKES IT SO CAPTIVATING, SO VIBRANT, PEOPLE FALL IN LOVE WITH IT?   Watch                             WELLNESS CENTER   CHECK OUT ALL OF THE CLASSES AND PROGRAMS AT THE LA QUINTA WELLNESS CENTER!   Read More                       COMMUNITY PROFILE: LA QUINTA LIBRARY   SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO AT THE LA QUINTA LIBRARY.   Read More

La Quinta Events March 2019

STAY EVENTS ARTS & CULTURE SEE & DO EAT & SHOP   Your City Council   Linda EvansMayor Steve Sanchez Mayor Pro Tem   Kathleen Fitzpatrick Council Member John Peña Council Member Robert Radi Council Member                   CITY MANAGER   GET UPDATED ON LA QUINTA FROM CITY MANAGER FRANK J. SPEVACEK.   Read More                         LA QUINTA RESORT & CLUB SUMMER CHILL   CHILL AT THE LA QUINTA RESORT.   Watch                       WELLNESS CENTER   CHECK OUT ALL OF THE CLASSES AND PROGRAMS AT THE LA QUINTA WELLNESS CENTER!   Read More                       SILVERROCK RESORT   UPCOMING EVENTS AND INFO ON SILVERROCK RESORT.   Read More