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Thursday, Feb. 26 | ☀️ 94°/66°
Happy Thursday! All month long we’ve been telling you about various groups and government bodies that want your input. Well tomorrow is your last chance to submit several surveys that could influence local leaders. Friday, Feb. 28 is the last day to submit a survey to SunLine for their Rides Reimagined initiative. If you do ride the bus, tell them what they need to improve, and if you don’t ride the bus, tell them why! Friday is also the last day for the county’s budget priority survey. Last year, 24,000 residents weighed in on what issues the county should focus on, from homelessness and housing to traffic and health. And a new survey to put on your radar, this time from Desert Healthcare District. They want to know what you’re missing when it comes to healthcare options. If you weren’t able to attend one of their in-person listening sessions, here’s a way you can still participate.
🎶 Setting the mood: "Hot In Herre" by Nelly
Leading Off
An aerial view of the mixed-use project, with plans for 300 apartment units, retail, and a hotel. (Rendering: AO Architects)
Indio Planning Commission delays Madison Pointe project over car wash dispute
The Indio Planning Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to halt progress on the Madison Pointe Phase 1 project, telling the developer to drop a proposed Quick Quack car wash from its plans before the application can advance to the City Council.
Driving the news: Commissioners continued the item to their March 25 meeting after expressing concern that a drive-through car wash conflicts with the pedestrian-focused vision the city has established for the Highway 111 corridor.
The project: Schmid Desert Investments LLC is proposing four buildings on 4.8 acres at the southwest corner of Highway 111 and Madison Street as Phase 1 of a larger 20.2-acre mixed-use development. The phase included a Starbucks with a drive-through, the Quick Quack car wash, an EV charging station with a convenience store, and a multi-tenant retail building.
Background: The project last came before the commission in October 2025, when commissioners warned the developer that auto-related uses along Highway 111 had been repeatedly rejected. The applicant returned Wednesday with the car wash still in the plan.
Commissioner Gloria Franz noted Wednesday that Quick Quack "has come before us multiple times from different developers over the years. And the answer has always been the same: not on Highway 111."
What's next: Because removing the car wash requires redesigning site access, parking, and circulation, staff directed the full revised package to return to the commission before going to the City Council. The applicant agreed, saying changes could be completed quickly if the car wash pad was left vacant as a placeholder.
Briefly
Indio resident Frank Brabec at Tuesday’s State of the Union address. (Photo: Rep. Raul Ruiz)
🏛️ Indio man joins Rep. Raul Ruiz at State of the Union
An Indio business owner and health care consultant attended President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday as the guest of Rep. Raul Ruiz, bringing attention to the rising cost of health insurance for families without enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits.
Frank Brabec, who works as a health care management consultant, was invited by Ruiz after writing to the congressman’s office about the financial impact his family has experienced since the enhanced ACA premium tax credits lapsed.
Brabec, who identifies as a Republican, said he was pleased that his concerns were received without regard to party affiliation. “I truly appreciate how you and your staff respected my request to keep this visit nonpartisan and focused on affordability and accessibility,” Brabec said in a statement directed at Ruiz.
♻️ Commission briefed on new sustainable building standards
The Indio Sustainability Commission this week heard a presentation on California's evolving building decarbonization policies and options the city could adopt to affect how residents heat and cool their homes and what appliances they use.
Lawrence Garber, interim associate director of policy acceleration at the Building Decarbonization Coalition, said new state energy codes that took effect Jan. 6 strongly encourage heat pumps in new construction. He noted 13 California cities have adopted policies encouraging heat pump installation when replacing or adding air conditioning units, and Indio could do the same.
Details: For low-income residents facing higher upfront costs, Garber said the California Energy Commission will soon roll out a pilot program called the Equitable Building Decarbonization Program. No action was taken, as the commission was only receiving a presentation.
📅 Featured events
The Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival
Thursday - Sunday | Riverside County Fairgrounds
It’s the final weekend for the fair! In addition to the usual attractions, exhibits, and midway games, on Saturday and Sunday, pay extra for the PRCA Rodeo show featuring barrel racing, bull riding, and steer wrestling. Today, seniors aged 62 and up get free admission. ($12-$85)
“The Graduate”
Thursday - Sunday | Desert Theatreworks
The 1967 film “The Graduate” comes to life on stage. The play follows Mrs. Robinson and 21-year-old Ben’s secret affair
La Quinta Art Celebration
Thursday - Sunday | La Quinta Civic Center
This four-day event celebrates jury-selected, world-class artists working in ceramics, oil painting, fiber art, jewelry, and more. ($25)
Coachella Valley Clinic
Friday - Sunday | Empire Polo Grounds
A free three-day clinic offering dental, vision, women’s health, and general health screenings and exams.
Lotería
Friday | 5:30 pm | Indio Gymnastics & Performing Arts Center
Free and open for all ages, enjoy an evening of Lotería with your neighbors!
Veterans Trout Derby
Saturday | 7 am | Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park
The lake has been stocked with 4,000 trout and it’s time once again for the trout derby! It’s free to attend, and for just $5 you can enter into the trout derby. All proceeds will go to support local veterans groups.
Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez Community Coffee
Saturday | 8 am | Everbloom Coffee, downtown location
Join our State Assembly representative this weekend to learn all about what’s happening in Sacramento and how it affects us here in the valley.
Avenida Music, Whitewater, and Quivero
Saturday | 7 pm | The Dune Room
Avenida, former owners of Little Street Music Hall, make their return to the venue playing signature covers of rock classics. They’ll be joined by Whitewater and Quivero. ($10)
Cars and Coffee
Sunday | 8 am | Indio Taphouse
Check out some unique classic cars, enjoy complimentary coffee, and consider sticking around for brunch.
Waymond Fermon City Council Campaign Kickoff
Saturday | 7 am | Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park
Mayor pro-tem Waymond Fermon is running for re-election, and his campaign kickoff is this Sunday.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
📣 And Finally …
Luis Bernal (Marine veteran), Johnny Dunkin (Navy veteran), Rodolfo Cruz Gutierrez II (Navy veteran/Desert Recreation District board member emeritus), and other district staff members dedicate the parking spot. (Photo: Desert Recreation District)
Veterans looking for a place to park their gratitude — and their cars — now have a dedicated spot at one of the valley's busiest recreation facilities.
Driving the news: The Desert Recreation District on Wednesday added a designated Veterans parking spot at the Indio Community Center, honoring the contributions of Veterans to the community.
Why it matters: The district said, “This small sign is a huge step for our district in our promise to better serve our Veterans community, and promised more initiatives to come.
Context: The move comes several weeks after Desert Recreation District hosted a special open house event for veterans. The district does not currently have any veteran-specific programs, but the listening session was designed to hear ideas for future programs, classes, services, and events.
More information: If you missed out on the open house and have some ideas, contact Scott Sear at [email protected] or at (760) 347-3484.
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