June 8-14, 2026

National Garden Week takes place annually in the first full week of June. This year it is held from June 7 to 13. It is spearheaded by National Garden Clubs, Inc. a nonprofit organization headquartered in St. Louis, MO, that promotes the love of gardening, floral design, and civic and environmental responsibility. The day is about bringing more awareness to the importance of gardening and preserving gardening traditions and practices by passing on knowledge to new gardeners. Most importantly, the day is about simply enjoying gardening.

Between 1619 and 1865, during the slave trade, the gardens created by African American slaves in the U.S. were significant in the history of gardening. In this period, African Americans found time to cultivate their garden plots despite having to attend to the crops of slave owners. Their gardens provided additional food to the enslaved community and sometimes yielded enough produce to sell for profit.



One major feat in gardening history came when John Bartram of Philadelphia established his botanic garden in 1728. It is known to be the oldest surviving of its kind in North America. Bartram began trading seeds and plants with Peter Collinson, a London merchant and botanist. He had a huge reputation in international trade and in Botany, which earned him the title of ‘Royal Botanist’ to King George III. He was believed to have introduced 150 North American plant species to Europe and was considered the greatest naturalist in the world.

Joslyn Gardening Club was started in the spring of 2023 by Bilhartz Desert Insurance Agent, Julie Sarmiento, and fellow Joslyn members who share a love for gardening, nature, preserving the environment, and growing organic produce and herbs.

Currently, there are 12 active members (some of whom are first timers) who maintain 14 city garden plots in the community garden on San Pablo Avenue. In those plots, they grow broccoli, cauliflower, onions, carrots, kale, lettuce, spinach, brussels sprouts, peas, beans, tomatoes, basil, oregano, thyme, flowers for pollinators, and more. Members help with the weeding, feeding, watering, harvesting, and general care of the plants.

During the summer months, the Joslyn Gardening Club decides what did well the previous year and we plan accordingly. Seeds are started in August by Julie in her greenhouse and planted in the plots in early October.

The Club meets on the second Monday of the month at 10am. If you are interested in joining the Club, please contact Julie at 760-835-1651. Gardening is good therapy!

It's the time of year when Joslyn Center reaches out to our friends and donors to support nutrition service programs for older adults at risk for food insecurity. These programs include the Joslyn Community Food Bank, Morning Bites and other programs throughout the year for our members. Your donation helps ensure that we can continue to fight hunger right here in the Coachella Valley.

The campaign annually takes place at the end of season and helps support these critical services in our community during the hottest months of the year. Please consider a donation of any amount and click below to contribute.

Thank you to Desert Oasis Healthcare and NBC Palm Springs for including The Joslyn Center in a KMIR Desert Living Segment on the benefits of the programs and services we offer for older adults in the Coachella Valley. DOHC's longtime partnership and support play a critical role in our ability to meet the needs of our members and clients.

Special thanks to "spokesmodel" Colleen Kelly for sharing her personal experience of moving here four years ago not knowing anyone and the friends and connections she has made since joining The Joslyn Center. Colleen plays Pickleball, teaches Line Dancing on Tuesdays from 10-11am, and helps out at fundraising events. To view the segment on YouTube, please click the ad below.

Groundhog Day

1993, 1h 41m

Phil Connors (Bill Murray) is an arrogant and cynical TV weatherman out to cover the annual Groundhog Day festivities in Punxsutawney, PA. He gets caught in a blizzard that he didn't expect and finds himself trapped in a time warp. He is doomed to relive the same day over and over again until he gets it right. As the loop continues, Phil gradually changes from a selfish, arrogant person into a more compassionate and selfless one, while attempting to romance his new producer (Andie McDowell) along the way. The film was directed by Harold Ramis and is widely regarded as one of the greatest comedy films ever made.

Fantasy Rom-Com

Meet at

Burgers & Beer

Local chain serving burgers & beer, plus breakfast,

Mexican fare, pasta & more, in a casual setting.

72-773 Dinah Shore Dr., Rancho Mirage

Click image for restaurant information.

Please call John at 760-989-7031 for reservations.

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Don't forget to bring an interesting story or topic.

UPCOMING DATES & RESTAURANTS

 June 18 - Maracas Mexican Cantina & Grill - Rancho Mirage (4:00pm)

June 25 - Woodhaven Country Club Clubhouse - Palm Desert (4:00pm)

The Business Partner program is one of the reasons Joslyn Center is able to keep membership dues and activities low fee or free. Our business partners also sponsor events and social programs, helping to defray costs. To learn more about Gold Business Partner services, please click their logos below. 

For a full list of Joslyn Center Business Partners, please click below.

For information on becoming a Business Partner,

please contact Alex at AlexG@JoslynCenter.org or 760-895-4652.

The Joslyn Center provides extensive programs and services for older adults in Indian Wells, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, and surrounding Coachella Valley communities.

Thank you to the Cities of Indian Wells, Palm Desert, and

Rancho Mirage (Cove Communities) for their ongoing support.