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Friday, April 3 | ☁️ 79°/58°
TGIF, folks, where we hope the weekend is just like that tale with Goldilocks — just right — with the clouds eventually giving way to blue skies and the temps not too hot and not too cold. Speaking of the weather: We were recently criticized by a reader for not having the correct predicted temperature in the line above ⬆️ so now seems like as good a time as any to regretfully inform you that neither of us have a degree in meteorology, nor do we pretend to be meteorologists — we simply tell you what the Internet tells us.
🎶 Setting the mood: "Working for the Weekend" by Loverboy
Leading Off
Part of the Town & Country Center can be seen from North Indian Canyon Drive.
Palm Springs may turn historic Town & Country Center into fire station site
The Palm Springs City Council will meet in closed session April 8 to continue negotiations over the potential acquisition of a portion of the Town & Country Center, with a local preservation group saying the city intends to build a new Fire Station No. 1 on the property while incorporating the 1948 landmark into the station's design.
Driving the news: The Palm Springs Modern Committee said in a Facebook post Thursday that the city contacted the group two weeks ago to discuss the proposed purchase, describing the Town & Country parcels as "the best solution" for relocating Fire Station No. 1. The organization said the outcome it is advocating for "would result in the restoration of the Town and Country restaurant, including the north two-story portion."
The city has not confirmed that account, and has not publicly announced its plans for the property.
The background: Fire Chief Paul Alvarado told attendees at a Feb. 23 community open house that the current 1957 facility on North Indian Canyon Drive can no longer meet the demands of modern emergency services, and that keeping the new station as close to its current location as possible was critical to maintaining response coverage.
Plans to rebuild on the current site drew opposition from nearby business owners concerned about losing adjacent parking — opposition that could be resolved if the city acquires the Town & Country parcels instead.
Why it matters: The Town & Country Center, designed by architects Paul R. Williams and A. Quincy Jones, has held Class 1 Historic Site status since 2016 and is considered one of the notable examples of international-style architecture in Southern California.
Its central two-story building has sat vacant for years, with tenant negotiations — most recently with Barnes & Noble — having fallen through.
What's next: The closed session is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. Wednesday, with the council's open session set for 5:30 p.m. If an agreement is reached in closed session it would be announced in open session.
Briefly
Nightly block parties and live entertainment — along with a massive parade — help 200,000 attendees celebrate Pride in the city each year. (File photo)
🏳️🌈 Theme for 40th Pride celebration announced
Greater Palm Springs Pride has announced "Be Included" as the theme for its 40th annual festival, a three-day event scheduled for Nov. 6–8 in Downtown Palm Springs that organizers expect to draw more than 200,000 people.
The festival is projected to generate $38 million in direct economic impact for local hotels, restaurants, and retail businesses. "This theme is an invitation to embrace your full self," said Jasmine Sullivan Waits, executive director of Greater Palm Springs Pride.
Details: The Pride Parade is set for Nov. 8, stepping off at 10 a.m. in Uptown Palm Springs and traveling south along Palm Canyon Drive to Amado Road. The procession will include more than 225 entries, and registration for participants and vendors is open at the organization's website.
A MESSAGE FROM
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
Join the City of Palm Springs on Wednesday, April 15th for this FREE workshop and vendor fair to learn more about government contracts with cities, CVAG, and other local agencies. Get practical tips on requirements, meet procurement teams face-to-face, and discover real opportunities to grow your business through public sector partnerships.
📆 Your Weekend
Multiple Days
American Moor at Revolution Stage Company all weekend
Cinema Diverse BIG Gay Movie: Accidental Friends at Palm Springs Cultural Center all weekend ($10.48)
Sunset Boulevard at Palm Canyon Theater all weekend
Today
The Phoenix Rising at Center for Spiritual Living at 7 a.m.
Good Friday Stations of the Cross at Saint Cecilia Catholic Community at 12:15 p.m.
Kim Waltrip Walk of the Stars Dedication Ceremony at 275 South Palm Canyon Dr at 2 p.m.
Easter Egg Hunt at James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center at 4 p.m.
Foodie Fridays at Palm Springs Cultural Center at 5 p.m.
Desert Legends Comedy Show: Funny Gals at Agua Caliente Casino at 7 p.m.
Dusty Strings – Live Americana Music at Palm Springs Cultural Center at 7 p.m. ($20)
Saturday
Free Shredding Event at Palm Springs Convention Center from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m.
Palm Springs Certified Farmers' Market at Palm Springs Cultural Center at 8 a.m.
Porsche Palm Springs Cars & Coffee at 3735 E Palm Canyon Dr at 8 a.m.
Friends of the Palm Springs Library Sidewalk Sale at 1020 Ramon Rd at 10 a.m.
Como Te Gusta at Revolution Stage Company at 1 p.m. ($28–$39)
WASPs by Michael Carra at Palm Springs Air Museum at 1 p.m.
Glen Wexler: Everywhere & Nowhere at Janssen Artspace at 5 p.m.
Jason Weber's Piano Riot at Revolution Stage Company at 5 p.m. ($10–$15)
Country Western Dancing at 933 Crossley Road at 7 p.m. ($5)
Comedy Night at Hotel Zoso at Hotel Zoso at 9 p.m. ($10–$18)
Sunday
Easter Sunrise at O'Donnell Golf Club at 6:15 a.m.
Palm Springs Vintage Market at 200 N Indian Canyon Dr at 7 a.m. ($5–$10)
Easter Sunday Sung Mass at Saint Cecilia Catholic Community at 10:30 a.m.
🚠 And Finally …
An early rendering of the landscape design plan along the Tahquitz Creek trail (seen on the right)
A Palm Springs neighborhood is getting ready to break ground — and plant some trees — along one of the city's most underutilized stretches of open space.
Driving the news: The Tahquitz River Estates Neighborhood Association and the Tahquitz Creek Yacht Club are partnering with the Palm Springs Parks and Recreation Department to celebrate a Measure J grant funding the first phase of the Tahquitz Creek Trail Master Plan.
The $670,000 project will bring tree plantings and landscape improvements along the mile-long stretch of Tahquitz Creek Wash between South Sunset Way and South Palm Canyon Drive.
The event: A groundbreaking and tree-planting ceremony is set for Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the pedestrian bridge in the Tahquitz River Estates neighborhood. All area residents are invited.
Worth noting: The celebration will also include a Good Neighbor Award honoring Joan Martin, who is well into her 90s and has spent years serving the community through monthly Tahquitz Creek clean-up activities. She will receive a certificate of appreciation from the city.
Why it matters: As neighborhood advocate Eric Borsum noted in 2024, the creek corridor represents "a really underutilized asset for the city in terms of a linear park opportunity" — one that's about to get a lot more shade.
In Case You Missed It
Recently published stories
🥷 Kendall got sunburned last time she went cycling—even though she was so careful to apply and reapply sunscreen! Now she has a warm-weather balaclava and she looks crazy but at least she’ll be protected …
🏇 Mark is headed to the Santa Anita Derby this weekend and hopes to find his Kentucky Derby favorite there.
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