Job changes

Steven G. Martin, an environmental consultant-turned-attorney, has been hired by Best Best & Krieger. Martin joins the environmental and natural resources practice group as an associate. He was a summer associate with BB&K in 2008 while attending Pepperdine University School of Law in Malibu.

El Paseo Bank of Palm Desert recently announced two personnel promotions at its Market Place branch.

• Katie Gutierrez has been promoted to senior teller. Gutierrez began her banking career at El Paseo Bank's main branch as a teller in 2006.

• Jessica Garza has been promoted to the new position of new accounts/operations representative. With El Paseo Bank since 2007, Garza has held positions of teller, new accounts rep and Saturday supervisor.

Openings & movings

Spectacular Health Wellness Center, formerly Spa~tacular Health, has moved from Palm Desert to a new location at 79-440 Corporate Center Drive, Suite 115 in La Quinta. The Wellness Center, celebrating its third anniversary this year, offers body detoxification therapies including lymphatic drainage, herbal wraps and ion foot cleanse. Information: (760) 409-6458

DesertArc has opened a new retail store outlet in Palm Desert at 77-682 Country Club Drive, Suite C. The store features fashionable clothing items that are produced by staff and clients of DesertArc, a nonprofit agency that serves 550 people with developmental disabilities. New lines include school apparel, team uniforms, medical scrubs, men's and women's apparel, T-shirts to polo shirts, and hats to golf towels. Embroidery or print screening services are also available. For more information, contact Rich Sells, director of business operations, (760) 346-1611.

Philanthropy

Desert Healthcare District has provided a $130,000 grant to help expand Family YMCA of the Desert's ‘Y Be Fit' program, to combat childhood obesity and encourage local children and families to live a healthy lifestyle. The grant funds will be utilized to expand the program to 100 students at two additional schools, Julius Corsini Elementary and Cabot Yerxa Elementary, both in Desert Hot Springs.

Recognition

American Leak Detection, an international franchise corporation headquartered in Palm Springs, has been named one of the top 100 franchises in the world. The prestigious recognition by Franchise Direct ranked ALD 68th in the publication's first ever list of the Top 100 Global Franchises.

Two Allstate Insurance agents have been recognized for their agencies' designation as a Premier Service Agency for 2009:

• Roland McFadden, of the Roland D. McFadden Agency in Cathedral City.

• Max Johartchi of the Max Johartchi Agency in Palm Desert.

Rona Barrett, Hollywood entertainment journalist, author, TV personality, businesswoman, philanthropist and former Palm Springs resident, has been honored with the 323rd Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars.

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E-mail Nina.Ronda@ thedesertsun.com, call (760) 778-4639. Send announcements to the following address: Nina Ronda, The Desert Sun, 750 N. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs, CA 92262.