Desert News

BNP Paribas Open- March 7-20, 2011

The Tournament in 2010 had more than 339,000 fans passing through the gates of the BNP Paribas Open. This tally made it the fifth most-attended tennis tournament in the world outside of the four Grand Slams, which are the just-concluded Australian Open, the French Open, the Wimbledon Open and the U.S. Open. The BNP Paribas Open, to be held at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, will feature hundreds of the world's best players, including the top three players on both the men's and women's tours, as of this printing date: Rafael Nadal and Kim Clijsters (No. 1), Roger Federer and Caroline Wozniacki (No. 2) and Novak Djokovic and Ana Ivanovic (No. 3). DETAILS Indian Wells Tennis Garden, 78-200 Miles Ave., Indian Wells. General information (760) 200-8000; information/online ticket purchase from bnpparibasopen.com.  Box office: (800) 999-1585; (760) 200-8000; fax (760) 200-8444, Email: tix@iwtg.net. Hours:10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday."Garden of Delights" 2011 Commemorative Print by Carolyn Counnas.

ART ALIVE- March 7, 2011

For the first time, the Palm Springs Art Museum has asked top regional floral designers tocreate fresh flower arrangementsfor public exhibitioninspired by specific artworks from the museum's diverse permanent collection. "Art in Bloom," presented by the Museum Associates Council, encompasses an array of activities including luncheons, a dinner and a party. Presentations including one by Nancy Goslee Power, whose work has appeared in Town & Country and House Beautiful will entertain and inform on flower arranging, history and landscaping. Best of all, the scents wafting from the galleries will be heavenly. Varied hours,depending on event; Palm Springs Art Museum, 101 Museum Dr., Palm Springs; $20-$500, depending on the event;(760) 325-4490; psmuseum.org.

ART UNDER THE SUN- March 10-13, 2011

For the past 29 years,the La Quinta Arts Festival has grown in prestige and scope so that it is now regarded as one of the top three such events in the nation by "Art Fair Source Book." Walk amid the inspiringworks by 230 contemporary artists while sipping on wine and enjoying live entertainment under the palms at the La Quinta Civic Center Campus. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta.

STARRY, STARRY NIGHT- March 18, 2011

Benefitting the Mizell Senior Center, the 6th annual Stars Among Us evening event will glitter with awards presented to the city of Palm Springs and Lisa Houston. 5:30 p.m. cocktails and silent auction, 7 p.m. dinner and entertainment; Hotel Zoso, 150 S. Indian Canyon Dr., Palm Springs; $150; (760) 323-5689; starsamongus.org; mizell.org.

One for 20- March 19, 2011

Just one ticket will introduce you to the foods and wines of more than 20 restaurants during the 2nd annual Taste of La Quinta. 1-4 p.m.; Old Town La Quinta, Calle Tampico and Desert Club, La Quinta; $25 for 10 food tickets, $15 for five wine tickets and commemorative glass; (760) 564-3199.

ULTIMATE POLO- March 26-27, 2011

The pounding hoofs on the turf and the resounding "thwack" of amallet hitting home on a ball as eight horseman ride down toward the goal is all part of the excitement of a major polo match. The weekend kicks off on Saturday with the USPA Townsend Cup Challenge, a 22-goal arena polo match between England and the U.S. This is the first time this event has ever been held on the West Coast and it will showcase the highest level of polo played in the western U.S. With 10 being the top, the higher a player's goal number, the higher their rank. On both teams, the players range from 6 to 9 goals each. 6 p.m. Free admission.On Sunday, the finals of the 2011 Champions Cup will be played for $60,000�$100,000 in prize money in an event that benefits Martha's Village & Kitchen. Noon; Empire Polo Club, 81-800 Ave. 51, Indio; (760) 393-7298; empirepolo.com.

Kraft Nabisco Championship- March 28-April 4, 2011

The 40th Kraft Nabisco Championship tees off again at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage this year continuing a very successful policy instituted last year. With their TICKETS Fore CHARITY program, 100 percent of the proceeds from all advance ticket sales will go to local charities that make those sales, with no strings attached. More than 120 of the world's top women golfers are expected. 8 a.m.; Mission Hills Country Club, 2 Racquet Club Dr., Rancho Mirage; $20; (760) 324-4546; kncgolf.com.

The La Quinta Museum Presents "Jurassic Encounter" February 4 - July 31, 2011

The La Quinta Museum's newest exhibit, "Jurassic Encounter." The exhibit features a robotic Stegosaurus and Allosaurus, as well as a Pteranodon with a twenty foot wingspan! Visitors will be able to come face to face with a Tyrannosaurus Rex skull, and stand in the footprints of Iguanodon, Allosaurus and Tyrannosaurus Rex. Various fossils will also be on display including a Stegosaurus egg and a lizard trapped in amber.

Phone (760) 777-7170 Museum Hours 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Tuesday through Saturday This kid friendly exhibit also features an interactive dig station and table for crayon rubbings of fossils.