Desert Breezes News – …for our Casas neighbors.

Welcome Back – October 2025

The Summer has seemed too long and too hot! All of us full-timers have been waiting patiently for everyone to return, and now, finally, October!

With the coming of Fall, we will renew our Desert Breezes News emails. We all enjoyed the old newsletter, but it is no more. Hopefully we can continue to fill in with periodic emails to keep people up to date and involved.

Getting Involved and Getting Active

Over the Summer, we’ve been reading about studies like this: You can slow cognitive decline as you age. If you don’t have time to read it, we can summarize.

To lead a healthier life in our advancing years we should:

Exercize: Get out and move around. Walking, tennis or pickleball, it’s all good.
Eat Healthy: If you don’t know where to start, check out recipes from Jen Blair.
Learn: take a class at the University, or learn at home with YouTube videos
Socialize: Find reasons to get together with others, starting right here.

All of these options are available right here in Desert Breezes, thanks to incredible people who donate their time and energy. In the coming weeks, we’ll tell you about Tai Chi, The Knitting Club, Tennis, Ladies Who Lunch and…this week…

The Desert Breezes Book Club

The Book Club took the summer off from meetings, but the members were busy reading, while traveling and while at home. Our first meeting after our break was on September 16 and included exchanging recommendations of books to read, including “The Atmosphere”, “The River Is Waiting”, and “Lightning in a Mason Jar”. One book got a poor review, “The Emperor of Gladness”.

Linda Demetrick shared with us her review of “The Wilder Shore”, by Camille Peri. It is a biography of Robert Louis Stevenson and his wife Fanny. The book is full of adventures and reflects their real life in which Fanny was the prey of another man, and so on. Lots of action and also a very thoughtful read.

Barbara Crawford reviewed “The Woman in the White Kimono”, by Ana Johns. The book is historical fiction featuring a woman torn between her culture and her heart; it takes place in Japan in 1957. It features a woman who is pledged to one man but she loves an American sailor and she then gets pregnant. The story is involved but quite interesting and well written.

Our next meeting of the Book Club is Wednesday, October 29 at 7 pm at the clubhouse. Over the weeks until then we will have read “Secret of Secrets”, the new novel by Dan Brown. For more information about the Book Club or to make arrangements to attend, contact sherrycarnevale@gmail.com.

Daiso Comes to Coachella Valley

One of the many things things people miss when coming to Palm Desert from Los Angeles is the International diversity of shops, stores and restaurants. In my case, it was all things Japanese. We had ten different Ramen shops to choose from. We could choose Mitsuwa or Nijiya for groceries.

Summer at The Living Desert

There aren’t a lot of activities over the Summer in the Coachella Valley, but for those who stay over, there are a few things that get even better.

The Living Desert, in Palm Desert, has always been the best bargain in the Valley for those that enjoy a morning hike in a desert landscape. Membership is fairly inexpensive starting at $119 per year for individuals and $289 per year for a family of four. That family price equals the amount you would pay for two visits.

Join A Committee Now

Make Desert Breezes Committees Great Again!

One of the great things about an HOA is the Committee system. While each Board Member may not be an expert in Landscaping or Finance, they have the ability to seek out that expertise in their Committee Volunteers.

Board Members who take on a Committee are taking on a lot of work, and the Committee can help keep things manageable.

Sadly, this system has fallen by the wayside over the last year. A quick glance at the Committee Minutes section on Townsq shows that the last updated minutes from a Committee were in January of 2024. I know that some homeowners have been doing work in Committees over the last year, but the system seems broken.

Thanks and Congratulations!

Janet & Val are in!

The Editorial Board of Desert Breezes News would like to thank the homeowners who joined us in endorsing Janet McKnight and Valarie Liautaud-Watkins, two of the most highly qualified candidates to run for the Board in years. The results are in:

We want to congratulate Janet and Valerie for coming through with a positive campaign that focused on the need to build community and strengthen the HOA for the future.

Happy Hour Monday at Pool 2!

To all Desert Breezes residents: We are holding a Happy Hour to give everyone a chance to meet the new Candidates in person.

Meet & Greet

Monday, March 10th
4:30 – 6:30
Pool 2

Please bring an appetizer or dessert, and a beverage to share. Cooler with ice will be outside the gate, as there is no glass in the pool area. Plates, plactic ware, napkins, etc. will be provided. Thanks in advance to those who help set up and clean up.

Desert Breezes Animal Rescue

Sad tidings from Las Brisas North. A homeowner has been taking care of his wife who has rapidly progressing dementia. Last Tuesday he fell and very seriously injured himself. She also fell in the kitchen and was injured. She has been placed in dementia care, and he is in rehab and will likely be headed for a nursing home.

We are withholding names for privacy.

He had been caring for a French Bulldog who is four years old, and two cats who are five.

With family not in the area, Desert Breezes neighbors have rushed in help the animals. They are currently being cared for by Sherry & Michael Carnavale and Vie Giordono. Sherry, Michael and Vie are working to find homes for these lovely animals, and avoid turning them over to a shelter.

This big striped guy is Scotty. He is five and is a sweetheart. Rubs up against anyone who comes into the house. He likes to go outside, but does not jump the wall. Just walks around the pool.

The black one is being called Ebony, or Ebby, because no one knows her name. She is friendly, social, sweet. They have been together for years but can be separated. Scotty tends to bully Ebby a bit to get her food.

Murphy, the Frenchie has already garnered some interest in the community. He is a sweetheart.

If you are interested in adopting these lovely animals, please contact Sherry at sherrycarnevale@gmail.com.

Just Stay Active!

Keeping your brain in shape

There are three main routes to an agile mind:

mental stimulation
healthy diet
aerobic exercise

Many Desert Breezes residents are a testament to staying active, mentally and physically. They are out playing tennis, they are learning new things, they are taking classes in interesting subjects, and some like to get together and stay active together.

The Knitting Club

Knitters, crochet aficionados, crafters, etc.: the Knitting Group has taken some time off with no meetings planned for July, but we will be back August 2 and welcome all, from experienced to beginners. The Knitting Group meets every Wednesday at the clubhouse, 1:30-3:30 pm.

We always enjoy sharing our progress on projects and encourage you to come join us.
We look forward to seeing you August 2nd.

If you would like more information, contact Sheila Kerby, 323-893-5770.

The Desert Breezes Book Club

October, 2025

D’ Coffee Bouteaque – Palm Desert

Ladies Lunch Group

The Ladies who Lunch dined at D’Coffee Bouteague, on Cook Street, in July. A great time was enjoyed by the attendees who feasted on a wide selection of salads, sandwiches, omelettes, and a large assortment of tea and coffee beverages. We enjoyed escaping the high heat of summer and caught up with each other..

In August, we plan on eating at Legends in Palm Desert. Legends is an old school sports bar and diner that’s a favorite for many Desert Breezes residents. The luncheon is scheduled for August 13 at noon. For more information or to make a reservation, call or text Sheila Kerby at 323-893-6770.

Tennis

There has been a consistent group of tennis enthusiasts at Desert Breezes for many years. They meet at Center Court and expand as needed. They have now expanded to four days a week:

Sunday Morning 7:30-9am
Tuesday Morning 7:30-9am
Thursday Morning 7:30-9am

Skill level is beginner to intermediate, and they are continually expanding their 0ver 80 group. Come on out!

Tai Chi & Quigong

Tai Chi & Quigong instruction has been ongoing in Desert Breezes for four years now. There is no charge for Desert Breezes homeowners and guests.

Mondays, 8am – Beginners should start here: Eight Silk Brocade Qigong, Tai Chi Fan, Eight Immortal Flute
Wednesdays, 8am – Yang 108 form, National 24 Form

The group changes spaces and times now and again. Contact Liam at william@frogparade.com for more information.

Cancelled! Meet The Candidates!

Desert Breezes Community members,

The decision has been made to cancel the private candidates’ forum scheduled for 2/19/2025 in an attempt to allow the Election Committee the opportunity to convene and reach out to all the candidates and properly schedule an official forum to ensure a fair election as mandated by our CC&Rs and approved Election Committee Charter, dated 8/19/2024.

More And Better Choices!

The Casas Board Election has been electrified by the candidacy of two extraordinary homeowners. They bring the kind of expertise and experience that’s been lacking in the last year. The Editorial Board of Desert Breezes News would like to welcome Valerie Liautaud-Watkins and Janet McKnight as candidates for the Desert Breezes Casas Board.

Please take a moment to review these candidates qualifications. We think you’ll all agree: these are the neighbors we want on our Casas Board.