Gift of life
The Community Blood Bank collects blood donations throughout the valley in the motor coach and at local businesses. Employees of Merrill Lynch in Indian Wells and Time Warner in Palm Desert gave the gift of life at blood drives June 13.

Palm Springs BMX
Riders of all skill levels race on the Palm Springs BMX track in Cathedral City Tuesdays and Saturdays. The track is also open for practice Mondays and Fridays.

Franks on Friday
Pacific Western Bank hosts Franks on Friday, a hot dog bar-b-que open to the public, monthly September through June at the La Quinta branch.

JCC classes
The Jewish Community Center of the Desert offers classes on conversational Hebrew and Israeli dancing Wednesdays at the center in Bermuda Dunes.

Seasons grand opening
La Quinta city officials, along with new residents and staff of the Seasons apartments, celebrated the grand opening of the subsidized affordable housing for seniors in the Miraflores community in La Quinta June 12.

Open Call
Local singers and dancers competed for cash prizes at the Open Call amateur talent competition presented by the McCallum Theatre Institute and the City of Palm Desert June 14. Allison Jones won the grand prize for her performance of “And I’m Telling You.”

Relay for Life
Teams of walkers and runners circled the track at Indio High School for 24 hours June 14 and 15 to raise money for the American Cancer Society at the east valley’s first Relay for Life. Cancer survivors are identified by their purple t-shirts.

Sacred Heart graduation
Graduating eighth grade students at Sacred Heart School in Palm Desert received their diplomas and awards during a ceremony at Sacred Heart Church June 13.

YMCA graduation
Graduating preschool students at the La Quinta YMCA received their diplomas and entertained their families during a ceremony at La Quinta Middle School June 12.