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As you are probably aware, I will be retiring next week from my position as City Manager of Cathedral City. I spent a total of almost 47 years working in local government in Lexington, Kentucky, Glendale and Avondale, Arizona and for the last 11 and a half years as City Manager here in Cathedral City. I am leaving with a feeling of immense gratitude for all the people who have contributed to my success as City Manager.
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First of all, I am thankful for the City Councilmembers I have worked for. In the Council-Manager form of government the City Council makes the policy decisions, and the City Manager and staff implement those decisions. I am thankful for the leadership provided by Mayor Nancy Ross, Mayor Pro Tem Raymond Gregory and Councilmembers Ernesto Gutierrez, Rita Lamb and Mark Carnevale. They have provided steady, caring leadership and an environment where policy differences can be handled without getting personal. This is critical to having a successful local government.
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I am also thankful for the previous Councilmembers I had the privilege of working for: Shelley Kaplan, Stan Henry, John Aguilar, Greg Pettis, Kathy De Rosa, Sam Toles and Chuck Vasquez.
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A City Manager cannot achieve anything without faithful and competent staff who facilitate the implementation of Council decisions with the constant goal of providing excellent service to the people of our city. I am thankful for the staff in the City Manager's office who supported me daily:
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Human Resources Manager Suzie Soren and former manager Eugenia Torres along with Annemarie Quintanilla, Lidia Buelna and Mitzi Mares who work diligently to recruit and retain city staff and ensure employees are treated fairly so Cathedral City is an employer of choice. No services can be provided without an excellent city workforce.
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Communications and Events Manager Ryan Hunt and Adam Chastain who work to keep our community informed and provide an array of events that help build a sense of belonging and community for those who live here and our visitors from elsewhere.
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City Clerk Tracey Hermosillo and Deputy City Clerk Christina Burton make sure the materials for Council meetings are accurate and complete and available to the public and document all the decisions made by the City Council and manage our elections ensuring they are free and fair.
I am thankful for Assistant City Manager Anne Ambrose who supported me in every aspect of managing the city and was named Interim City Manager by the Council last night. She will do a great job in that role.
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I am thankful for our department head team of Police Chief George Crum, Fire Chief Mike Contreras, Finance Director Kevin Biersack, Public Works Director John Corella and Community and Economic Development Director Andy Firestine. They are all dedicated public servants who work tirelessly leading employees in their departments to serve our community every day.
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I am thankful for our city staff across all the departments who provide services to our people each day. Our police officers, firefighters, street maintenance workers, code officers, building inspectors, planners, engineers, accountants and others too numerous to mention always keep service at the forefront of everything they do.
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I am thankful for my husband Brian Talarsky who is my rock and support for everything I do. He is always there for me through the evening meetings, weekend events and through the joys and disappointments that come with this job.
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Finally, I am so thankful for the people of Cathedral City. You have demonstrated in many ways that you want excellence from your city government and that you care about each other. Your support for Measure W has allowed the city to begin providing parks and recreation services, improved emergency medical care and improvement of neighborhood streets. You will see the benefits for years to come.
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You also made me feel welcome when I arrived here and supported me throughout my time as City Manager. My wish for each of you is a life of success in your endeavors, happiness and always excellent city services.
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Device Advice
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Need some tech help for your smartphone, tablet or laptop? 40-minute appointments available on Wednesdays at 1:45pm, 2:25pm, and 3:05pm. Get help with the Bilhartz Team! Call for an appointment 760-321-1548 ... Read more
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Shine & Sparkle
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Monday, September 15, 2025
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Pamper yourself at the Cathedral City Senior Center on Monday, September 15th starting at 9:30am! Enjoy a relaxing afternoon of nail care with friends and leave with nails you'll love! Walk-ins OK. Donations accepted ...Read more
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Ice Cream Social
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Wednesday September 17, 2025
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Grab your friends and join in a scooptacular time filled with tasty ice cream, fun activities, and lots of laughs with great company.
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Hispanic Heritage Month Block Party
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The City of Cathedral City and the Cathedral City Senior Center invite you to a vibrant celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month in the heart of our community. This special event brings together music, dance, food, and valuable resources in a festive and family-friendly atmosphere. The celebration kicks off at 11:00 AM with remarks from the Mayor …Read more
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Documentary Screening of Lalo Guerrero: The Original Chicano
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Lalo Guerrero: The Original Chicano is an hour long documentary that celebrates the life and career of Lalo Guerrero, while documenting the contemporary history of Mexican Americans through his music. Taped interviews with Linda Ronstadt, Paul Rodriguez, Edward James Olmos, Ry Cooder, UFW co-founder Dolores Huerta, Cheech Marin …Read more
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Andy Cahan Book Signing
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In his new book, The Most Famous Musician You've Never Heard Of, Andy Cahan gathers up six decades of his life in music, making for an entertaining read. If you are a rock music fan, you are undoubtedly familiar with major artists Andy has performed with... including Harry Nilsson, Little Richard, The Turtles, Ringo Starr, Jimmy Webb …Read more
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International Day of Peace
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Cathedral City Peace Initiative invites you to the INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE observance and art exhibition. The event will take place on Sunday September 21, 2025 from 2-4pm. There will be two special exhibitions - Mayors For Peace Atomic Bomb Poster Exhibition - A Message from 1945 to the Future; and an exhibition of children's art from Gaza, incorporating artwork …Read more
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Psychic Pet Pawraiser
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Get a psychic reading, have your tarot cards read, talk with an animal communicator, sip on a delicious cup of coffee... all proceeds benefit the Desert Paws Sanctuary. Readings $20 ...Read more
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Spooktacular Movie Nights
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Come join in the fun at Spooktacular Movie Nights in the amphitheater. The fun starts at DUSK each Tuesday night during October with be seasonal family friendly films ...Read more
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HOWL-O-WEEN 2025
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Saturday, October 25, 2025
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Join us for the annual HOWL-O-WEEN dog costume contest at Panorama Park Dog Park on Saturday October 25th. Registration begins at 9am and the contest begins at 9:30am! There will be prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each of two categories - small and large breed. PLUS there will be a prize for the BEST COMBO COSTUME …Read more
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9th Annual Cathedral City Halloween SPOOKTACULAR
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Join us for the 9th Annual Cathedral City Halloween SPOOKTACULAR on Sunday, October 26th from 12-3pm located in downtown Cathedral City in front of City Hall. FREE ADMISSION, Kids Treat or Treat and Costume Contest, Win Bicycles, visit vendors for CANDY, and ...Read more
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Healthy Living Expo
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The Living Healthy Expo is the premier health and wellness resource in the Coachella Valley. Through a partnership with Desert Oasis Health Care and The Gulf California Broadcast Company's group of stations, The Living Healthy Expo unites business and community partners to educate and serve as a health resource for attendees. Attendees will have …Read more
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Community Emergency Response Team
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Classes now filling for November 2025 to become a member of the City's CERT team. November 1st & 8th from 8 am - 5 pm, November 15th from 8 am to noon ARE YOU PREPARED FOR: Earthquakes, Fires, Power Outages, Terrorism, Public Health Crisis, Adverse Weather? CERT training promotes a partnership between professional …Read more
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Tastes & Sounds PALM SPRINGS PRIDE kickoff
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Tuesday, November 4, 2025
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Be a part of kicking off PALM SPRINGS PRIDE at TASTE & SOUNDS of Cathedral City on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, from 5 PM to 7PM. Cathedral City LGBT+ Days in association with GED Magazine will be bringing you a Drag Spectacular to get the PRIDE flowing! PLUS learn about the new and exciting events planned for the 2026 Cathedral City LGBT+ Days …Read more
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Tastes & Sounds THE DREAMBOATS
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Tuesday, November 18, 2025
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Join us for the continuing FALL EDITION of TASTES & SOUNDS of CATHEDRAL CITY and the KICKOFF to the CATHEDRAL CITY INTERNATIONAL HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL with the DREAMBOATS! Their last concert in the Amphitheater brough in record attendance, so be sure to arrive early to get a spot for the show ...Read more
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Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival CONCERT
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Friday, November 21, 2025
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Join us for the Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival CONCERT in the Community Amphitheater! Featuring RADIO READY at 5pm and QUEEN NATION at 6:30pm. Listed among the Top 14 Hot Air Balloon Festivals by US News & World Report and winner of the prestigious Palm Award for Visitor Experience from Visit Greater Palm Springs …Read more
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11th Annual Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival
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11th Annual Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival November 21-23, 2025 Join us for three days of spectacular hot air balloon displays, family entertainment, and live music at Cathedral City's internationally acclaimed signature event. Listed among the Top 14 Hot Air Balloon Festivals by …Read more
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SNOWFEST 2025
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Saturday, December 1, 2025
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Join us for SNOWFEST 2025 at the Cathedral City Civic Center for an afternoon and evening of FUN with 10 tons of real snow! Activities include: Santa's arrival and photo op, tree lighting ceremony, snowfest train, elf workshop, and ugly sweater contest for the kids! Snowfest is presented by Comfort Air ...Read more
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