A few short dispatches from the editor's office

Monday, April 5th, 2010 at 7:09 pm

1270494555 A few short dispatches from the editor's office (2 of 2)

Here's yet another reason for visiting the Living Desert nature preserve in Palm Desert: the unexpected arrival of a 5-foot-11, 141-pound baby giraffe born March 10.

I'm convinced the complex is one of the best of its size in the country. if you haven't spent a Sunday afternoon exploring its animal and plant exhibits, grab the kids and the sunscreen and check it out. It's a little slice of serenity right in the middle of Palm Desert.

Think age doesn't play a role in local politics? Then, please, turn to Page B13 and read the letters we've received about the Rancho Mirage City Council election. You'll find about 12 references to age and experience in them, focused squarely on four candidates jockeying for three seats: incumbents Dana Hobart and Ron Meepos, planning commissioner Ira Laufer and political newcomer Scott Hines, who is running an aggressive, well-funded campaign.

Here's hoping Rancho Mirage voters focus on what these candidates — and the three other ones on the ballot — plan to do to address the community's needs.

Did you hear that howl of anger coming from Indio last week? if so, blame it on Rudy Ramirez, principal at Indio High School. He was appropriately enraged at the state, which had included the school on a preliminary list of “persistently lowest-achieving schools.” Indio's appearance on that list could have resulted in everything from staff changes (including the ouster of the principal) to even closing the school, but Indio fell from the list, released March 9, after a recalculation of the formula. “I am beyond angry with the state of California,” Ramirez said. Let's hope dodging the bullet this year inspires the staff and students to work even harder to keep Indio High off the list permanently.

I end this week on this positive note.

It's no secret that philanthropy is a desert tradition that defines our community. but one of the purest examples of heartfelt giving that I've seen recently came last week when Doug Wall of Bermuda Dunes, after reading our story about pantry shortages at the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, filled up two flat carts of food at Costco. Why was he compelled to deliver the $2,000 gift to the mission? “They're not just feeding stomachs down there,” he told reporter Nicole Brambila. “They're feeding souls.”

Amen, Doug. Thanks for reminding all of us about selfless charity.

I'm grateful for you reading the Desert Sun and mydesert.com.

Rick Green is executive editor of the Desert Sun and mydesert.com. E-mail him at rick.green@thedesertsun.com, or call (760) 778-4637.

A few short dispatches from the editor's office