Always Something

So, this evening I will be attending a film screening with a co-worker and his partner. The film being screened is "Mildred Pierce." It is a classic film from the late 1940s starring Joan Crawford. The Palm Springs Film Society is hosting a series of free film screenings throughout the summer.

That is one thing that I have really learned to appreciate here in Palm Springs and the entire area as a whole: there is always something to do. There is always an event going on, a festival, a screening, a street fair...you name it, they have it here. I think the fact that most of the population here is older (like retirement age) has something to do with it...they always have free time. However, the events are not only for those at the far end of the age spectrum. I think that they try to hold events that can reach all ages so as to include the whole community. As a bonus, most things are either free or low-cost.

The fact that there is always something to do out here is one thing that was, and still is, always absent in Temecula. That is why teens and those who fall into the "young-adult" category are always complaing about Temecula. Sure, Temecula has great climate, wonderful parks, easy access to San Diego and beaches and top-notch schools but if you are younger, there is absolutely nothing to do. You're too old to go to the park, you do not attend the schools, the mall does nothing for you and if you don't make good money, the price of gas will prevent you from driving down to San Diego and enjoying the beaches and the events that they do have (like performances at the Merc in Old Town) are just out of a young person's price range. Temecula is a city set up to cater to young families and those who commute for a living-driving into the big cities (San Diego, Riverside, LA) and who enjoy coming home to the picture perfect suburban home.

Don't get me wrong-Temecula is a wonderful city...for when I have finally have a family. I don't think the city leaders and other civic officers realize the fact that Temecula holds nothing for the students who graduate from the high schools and those who graduate from college and come home to Temecula. They end up wanting to escape as soon as possible (eg. me!). Besides those who work in the district schools, I doubt that there is a high number of Temecula natives (those who grew up in Temecula) who are employed in viable positions in the city, unlike the numbers in San Diego, LA, Riverside, etc. As a result, Temecula is a city of constant newcomers and I forsee an issue when the city wants to celebrate and keep traditions-the city will not have a population that even knows those traditions! I see it already happening...the Great Tractor Race is gone (though I heard a rumor that someone is trying to bring it back) and the Rod Run was discontinued (though it was brought back by a different organization that really has no ties to Temecula).

Anyways...I think this blog is a little too long and got too way off topic...but this an issue that has bothered me (and my friends who are also from Temecula) for a long while. After moving here and seeing what the cities have to offer (for the young and old), it makes me sad for what Temecula does not have and what they are losing as a result of it.