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Thursday, Feb. 12 | 🌤️ 71°/53°
Happy Thursday! Whether or not you have a special someone to celebrate Valentine’s Day with this weekend, be sure to check out some of the Valentine-themed events happening around town like the special celebration of love at this week’s Food Truck Friday, candle-making at The Place, Circle of Love public ice skating, or the Coachella Container Park’s Valentine’s Night. Also consider some charitable giving this Valentine’s Day to spread the love! TODEC in Coachella is accepting donations of food and hygiene products for valley families impacted by immigration enforcement. Drop off items on Friday from 10 a.m. to. 5 p.m.
🎶 Setting the mood: "L.O.V.E." by Frank Sinatra
Leading Off
A rendering of the view of Sonora Homes looking southeast from Fred Waring Drive and Hoover Avenue. (Credit: Abode Communities)
Developer seeking $29 million for 203-unit affordable housing project in Indio
Underpinning the difficulty of building affordable housing, a developer explained to residents this week that they still need at least $29 million in funding for the first phase of a new 203-unite affordable housing development.
Driving the news: Nonprofit developer Abode Communities presented plans for the Sonora Homes affordable housing project to the community Tuesday, outlining plans that feature 203 units of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, amenities including a pool and park, and an early childhood education center.
How it works: Brendan O’Donnell, associate vice president at Abode Communities, told more than a dozen attendees the Indio project at Fred Waring Drive and Hoover Avenue will be built in three phases and serve households earning between 30% to 80% of area median income, but the project faces significant funding challenges due to state budget cuts.
What they’re saying: “Unfortunately, due to state budget cuts, AHSC is really one of the last remaining sources of funding for affordable housing,” O’Donnell said, referring to the competitive state Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program.
By the numbers: For the first phase, they will apply for $29 million for the affordable housing portion and additional $9 million for bike lanes, sidewalks, and other transit solutions.
Yes but: Community members raised concerns about whether Indio residents would receive priority for the housing units. O’Donnell explained that while the project cannot legally restrict applicants to city residents, Abode Communities plans to focus marketing efforts locally.
The developer explained that they can’t legally restrict people from applying, but they plan to heavily market the units in Indio and create their own waitlist of tenants.
What to watch for: O’Donnell said the development team is working to build support from the city of Indio and Sunline Transit Agency to strengthen their application, noting that collaboration is critical to success.
Briefly
Artist Adam Enrique Rodriguez was selected out of a group of 19 artists to create his massive “Nuestra Vida” mural.
🎨 Massive mural transforms street corner into a celebration of Indio’s history and culture
The City of Indio will officially unveil a massive new mural reflecting its “City of Festivals” spirit next Wednesday during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the southwest corner of Avenue 45 and Jackson Street.
Created by artist and Indio native Adam Enrique Rodriguez, “Nuestra Vida” transforms the 100-foot wall into a vibrant day-to-night scene featuring iconic local imagery like native cactus and palms, desert landscapes, and references to the Riverside County Fairgrounds and Coachella and Stagecoach Music Festivals set against a backdrop of festival lights, fireworks and concert stages.
The composition also incorporates cultural elements deeply rooted in Indio’s history, such as papel picado, lotería cards, and a piñata.
Details: The public art unveiling will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 3:30 p.m. at 44925 Jackson Street, Suite C. Learn more about the event here.
🪧 Indio Public Arts Commission updates plan for new interactive signage
The Indio Public Arts Commission received an update Tuesday regarding a new signage project designed to bring uniformity and digital connectivity to the city’s growing art collection. The project will include 30 new signs to be installed at various art sites throughout Indio for a total fabrication cost of approximately $17,300.
The signage will feature aluminum posts standing 36 inches tall and one-quarter inch thick. For all the murals, a 30-inch by 15-inch plaque will be placed with the mural’s title, artist, and a QR code with more information about the work.
The initiative aims to enhance the experience of the city’s robust public art collection. Indio’s official map of public art currently boasts a diverse array of works, including 15 murals (soon to be 16 after next week’s unveiling of “Nuestra Vida”) and 17 sculptures. Among these are several large-scale pieces originally displayed at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
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📅 Featured events
The Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival
Thursday - Sunday | Riverside County Fairgrounds
Today is the first day of the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival. Today and Friday, pay extra for the monster trucks event and Saturday for the demo derby. Check out the attractions and food, but don’t miss out on the animal exhibits, prize-winning arts and crafts, and a special exhibit of home movies from the 1940s - 1970s. ($12-$44)
Neil Simon’s “Laughter on the 23rd Floor”
Thursday - Sunday | Desert TheatreWorks
It’s the final weekend for a chance to see the play! Inspired by Simon’s own days in the writers’ room of a comedy show, this behind-the-scenes play captures the outrageous antics, razor-sharp banter, and heartfelt camaraderie of a team of comic geniuses. ($46)
Coachella Valley Horse Rescue Open House and Blood Drive
Today | 9 a.m. | Coachella Valley Horse Rescue
Learn more about the horse rescue with a guided tour and stay for face painting, a horse kissing booth, and a blood drive.
New Year, New You: Elevate Your Career Workshop
Today | 5:30 p.m. | Everbloom Coffee Downtown
Hosted by OneFuture’s Young Professionals Alignment Team, this Career Development Series is designed to help you build connections, explore local opportunities, and grow with confidence. Free, but space is limited. Register online here.
Lotería Fundraiser for Danza Azteca Citlaltonac
Today | 6:30 p.m. | Desert Beer Company Pizza + Pints
Bring extra cash for Lotería cards to play and win prizes while supporting Danza Azteca Citlaltonac.
Food Truck Friday
Friday | 5 p.m. | Corner of Towne Street and Bliss Avenue
Celebrate all things love this Food Truck Friday! The vendor lineup this week features The Original Alkobar, La Mercado Taqueria and Birrieria, El Reaper Chicken, Pit Boss BBQ and Soul Food, and plenty more!
Valentine Candle Making
Saturday | 5 p.m., 6 p.m. | Chicano Candle Co. Candle Bar, The Place
Local candle-makers are opening up their new candle bar and celebrating with a special Valentine’s Day candle-making event. Come with a partner, a friend, your favorite third wheel, or just yourself. Blend your own custom candle from over 100 scents and leave with something you actually want to keep. ($50 per person)
Live Jazz
Saturday | 6 p.m. | Rosemary HiFi
Black Market Jazz performs live followed by a romantic DJ set from Erick Andre.
Coachella Valley Invitational, National Women’s Soccer League
Sunday | 10:30 a.m. | Empire Polo Club
See four matches between professional women’s soccer leagues including Angel City FC, Portland Thorns FC, and San Diego Wave FC. ($37)
📣 And Finally …
There’s a lot more to the fair than just fried food and fun rides. This year, explore a new museum, blue ribbon exhibits, livestock, date-themed food, and a new bar.
The Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival opens today at the Riverside County Fairgrounds in Indio, bringing three weekends of carnival rides, arena shows, and date-centric cuisine to the desert through March 1.
Driving the news: The 78th edition of the fair operates Thursdays through Sundays, plus a special Presidents Day opening on Monday, Feb. 16, under this year's theme "Return to the Oasis."
The fair features more than 40 date-based food items, from date-infused burgers to deep-fried dates, alongside traditional fair fare.
What to see: Highlights include the new National Date Festival Museum in the Sands of Time Pavilion, vintage home movies curated by Deserted Films, the historic Arabian Nights stage hosting the Date Pageant, and nearly 50 carnival rides including two Ferris wheels.
Free daily programming includes pig races, sea lion shows, camel rides, and a motorcycle stunt show.
Special events: Arena shows run throughout the festival, starting with monster trucks on opening night and a demolition derby on Feb. 14. Out at the Fair celebrates the LGBTQ+ community on Feb. 14 with Mariachi Arco-Iris de Los Angeles and a mid-century drag show. The Battle of the High School Marching Bands competes for an $8,000 prize on Feb. 16.
The details: Gates open at 3 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. on weekends and Presidents Day. General admission ranges from $10 to $18, with carnival wristbands costing $32 and special event tickets between $10 and $85.
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