Cal Bears in the Desert
November 2026 Newsletter
A Message from Chapter Leadership
Dear Fellow Golden Bears,
Fall is here, and our chapter has been busy. In September, board volunteers joined students and families from across the valley at the Coachella Valley Regional College & Career Fair. Their curiosity about Berkeley was a great reminder of why we do this work.
This month is all about getting together. We are starting a new tradition with Coffee and Hike with the Bears, joining our friends from the Stanford Coachella Valley chapter for a Big Game watch party, and closing out the year with a December holiday get-together. Whether you have been to every event or haven’t connected with us in a while, we would love to see you.
Thank you for being part of the Cal community here in the desert.
With gratitude,
Rosemary Bautista, Esq.
President
On behalf of the Cal Bears in the Desert | Cal Alumni of Coachella Valley Board
Upcoming Chapter Meeting
Monday, November 16, 2026 | 5:00 PM via Zoom
Our chapter meetings are open to all members. Join us to hear updates on our fall events, help plan the year ahead, and share your ideas.
Topics Expected to Be Discussed:
- Committee updates: Executive, Finance, Membership, and Social
- Coffee and Hike with the Bears
- Big Game Watch Party with the Stanford Coachella Valley chapter
- CAA Alumni Chapter Leader updates
The Zoom link and agenda package are available through our chapter Linktree and our communications platforms.
Upcoming Events
This Saturday: Coffee and Hike with the Bears
Saturday, November 7, 2026 | East Indio Hills Badlands & Downtown Indio
Join fellow Golden Bears, friends, and family for a sunrise hike at the East Indio Hills Badlands, followed by coffee and conversation in downtown Indio. Whether you’re a longtime desert local, new to the valley, or looking to meet other Bears personally or professionally, this is an easy way to connect with our community.
The loop is about 5.1 miles with 728 feet of climbing through sandy washes, slot canyons, and a ridge with valley views. Not a hiker? Skip the trail and meet us for coffee.
- Hike: meet at 6:00 AM, on the trail by 6:20 AM. Free parking lot at Avenue 42 and Golf Center Parkway, Indio.
- Coffee: about 9:00 AM at Saguaro Coffee, 45151 Oasis St, Suite A, downtown Indio.
- What to bring: at least 2 liters of water, a snack, a hat, sunscreen, and sturdy shoes with good grip. Mornings start cool, so dress in layers. There is no shade on the trail and no restrooms at the trailhead.
- Group size: limited to 20 hikers. Coffee is open to all, and everyone pays their own way.
- Heads up: clocks fell back on Sunday, November 1, so double-check your alarm for the 6:00 AM meet time.
Big Game Watch Party with the Stanford Coachella Valley Chapter
Saturday, November 21, 2026 | The 129th Big Game
This year Cal hosts Stanford at California Memorial Stadium, and we’re watching together here in the desert. We’re teaming up with the Stanford Coachella Valley alumni chapter for a friendly, family-friendly watch party. Wear your blue and gold, bring friends and family, and help cheer the Bears on to keep the Axe.
Kickoff time and venue will be announced as soon as the game time is set, so watch your inbox and our social media. Attendees cover their own food and drinks.
Questions? Reach our chapter at calbearsinthedesert@gmail.com.
Community Events: UFW & Chicana/o Public History in the Coachella Valley
Professor Christian O. Paiz of UC Berkeley’s Department of Ethnic Studies, author of The Strikers of Coachella, is hosting a series of public history events on the United Farm Workers and Chicana/o movements in the Coachella Valley. Everyone is invited. No expertise needed, just curiosity. Students, teachers, and families are especially welcome.
Lecture: Las Mujeres Mandan — Women Leaders in the UFW
Thursday, November 19, 2026 | 5:00 – 6:30 PM
College of the Desert, Indio Campus, Room B324 (Makerspace)
Part of a six-part lecture series organized with faculty at College of the Desert’s Indio campus.
Public History Reunion
Saturday, November 21, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Mecca Public Library, Mecca
An informal gathering that brings together veterans of the UFW and Chicana/o movements with students, teachers, and community members, with lunch and coffee.
The series continues in December. Questions or interested in collaborating? Please reach out to Professor Paiz using the contact information on the flyers.
Recap: College & Career Fairs
Coachella Valley Regional College & Career Fair (September 17)
Chapter volunteers represented UC Berkeley at the annual Coachella Valley Regional College & Career Fair at Agua Caliente Resort in Rancho Mirage. Students and high school counselors kept our table busy with great questions: how to get into Berkeley, how much community service matters, and how Berkeley takes a holistic look at every application.
An estimated 400 to 500 students visited the UC Berkeley table. The fair also brought our highest social media engagement to date, along with positive coverage in the local press. Thank you to our alumni volunteers, Rosemary Bautista ’06, Angel Garcia ’21, Kiara Bragg ’24, and Maximiliano Ochoa ’14, for joining Admissions Regional Representative Ebelio Mondragon and helping put Berkeley on the map for Coachella Valley students. Thanks also to OneFuture Coachella Valley for hosting.
La Quinta High School College & Career Fair (October 23)
Our chapter president, Rosemary Bautista ’06, represented UC Berkeley at La Quinta High School’s College & Career Fair. During lunch, Blackhawk students packed the outdoor quad, and many stopped by our table with questions about majors, campus life, and what it takes to become a Golden Bear. Thank you to Maira Alcazar and the La Quinta High School College & Career Center for the invitation, and to the UC Berkeley Office of Undergraduate Admissions for supplying materials so we could share the Cal experience with local students.
Get Involved with the Chapter
Want more events? Help make one. Every hike, mixer, and watch party you see from us starts with one volunteer who says, “I’d love to do this.” Cal Bears in the Desert | Cal Alumni of Coachella Valley is run entirely by volunteers, and the more Bears who pitch in, the more we can offer. Have an idea for an event? Bring it to us, and we’ll help you make it happen.
- Volunteer at the hikes as a sweep, at check-in, or taking photos
- Help spread the word about the Big Game watch party
- Join our new social media committee
- Support student outreach and admissions events
- Bring an idea for a future event or partnership, and help us host it
Whether you have a few hours a year or want to take on a larger role, we welcome you. Reach out at calbearsinthedesert@gmail.com or join us at the November 16 meeting.
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