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SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | JANUARY 2024 19 By Cindy Ponce de Leon, Resident If you're turning 70 or older, you will be receiving a DMV notification informing you that you are required to take a test. The good news is that you can save a ton of time by taking your test at home. Not good at taking tests? Then you should take the e-Learning Course at home! The e-Learning Course consists of watching simple videos and answering a few questions about what you just learned. To be eligible to take the e-Learning Course, you must do your Application to Renew your license at home and prepay the Renewal Fee. Go to www.DMV.CA.Gov; Scroll down to the section; Start renewal online and finish at a DMV office. Select this option if you have either a standard driver's license or REAL ID driver's license and received a notice to renew at a DMV office. You can start the renewal online and save time at your office visit. Don't worry, the computer will tell you what to do every step of the way. After completing your application, you will be prompted to pay the renewal fee or more if making a donation to Donate Life. If you are converting to a Real ID, be prepared to upload your documents. Next, you will be asked if you would like to take the e-Learning Course? After taking the course you will receive a notification congratulating you and prompting you to take your documents and confirmation to the DMV. You will also be prompted to make an appointment. Appointments could be two to three weeks out so don't wait until the last minute. In order to be eligible for the e-Learning Course, you must do your application, pay, etc. at home. If you come into the DMV to renew your license you will not be eligible to do the e-Learning Course as it is only available online in the comfort of your own home! Turning 70 This Year? The DMV Will Be Contacting You By Mary McKernan, Resident In December my sister, Jane, who lives in Texas, made her annual three-week visit to our brother's home in Palm Desert. Each Wednesday I drove out for a day-long visit. My sister is frail and shuffles along with the help of a walker but loves sitting in the Palm Desert sunshine. During my first visit, we sat out on my brother's patio, chatted, then my brother drove us to JC's Cafe on Paseo Drive. It's a tucked away patio with fresh food, often served by the owner and his wife. French dip, Reuben, and tuna sandwiches were our choice for the day. The next Wednesday I reserved and paid for a 45-minute open air tram tour for the two of us at Sunnylands. This is a portion of the Annenberg Estate located on Bob Hope Drive. Check it out on Google. Sunnylands is open from mid-September to early June free to the public to park, walk the gardens, view a 30-minute video, or dine in the café. Our tour took us around the interior grounds with hundreds of olive trees, large lakes, gardens, a 9-hole golf course, the estate home and the retreat center cottages. Afterward with watched a 30-minute video of home movies that included visits from U.S. Presidents from Eisenhower through Obama, and worldwide dignitaries. They also entertained movie stars such as Frank Sinatra and Bob Hope. Our lunch that afternoon was at the Mission Hills Country Club. Sorry, that one's by invitation only. My third Wednesday visit included another sister, Maxine, who flew in for three days from Napa Valley. We enjoyed some mahjong out on Michael's patio then took off to lunch on the patio at the Vue Grille & Bar in Indian Wells. These experiences, an hour's drive away, are only a small sampling of enjoying the Palm Desert area during the sunny winter season. Three Wednesdays in Palm Dest

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