2009 is only the second year for the Palm Springs Desert Classic but already this concours d'elegance is securing a place among North America's best. Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised for the area is home, part-and-full-time, to some wealthy collectors as well as being a mere two-hours drive east from Los Angeles. The weather in March is near-perfect, the setting spectacular. Following the Pebble Beach example it also offers a "street drive" by the entrants with bonus points for participation, plus an in-town display of vintage cars that may not rate concours entry but are interesting nevertheless.

Alfa-Romeo is the 2009 Desert classic's honoured marque and for anyone who admires Italian beauty, the Alfas alone are reason enough to attend. As you read this I'll be in Palm Springs where friends have invited me to be their guest for 10 glorious days of warm sunshine. Ironically that's the time when cherry blossoms first appear in Sidney, BC, giving us Toronto ex-pats living in the PNW reason to congratulate ourselves for escaping the snowy east. Never content, I sometimes prefer the palms, the desert sands, the contemporary architecture, and the endless days of sunshine. Oh... and this magical classic cars show.