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Friday, June 5 | ☀️ 102°/74°
Welcome to Friday. Tonight at sunset, the community is invited to gather at Desert Healthcare Wellness Park (at the corner of Via Miraleste and Tachevah Road) for a candlelight vigil as part of the national Seven Days in June: Health Is Primary campaign — a moment to honor those lost to AIDS, celebrate long-term survivors, and stand together in affirming that health must remain a governing priority. Today also marks HIV Long-Term Survivors Awareness Day and the 45th anniversary of the first published reports of what would become known as AIDS, making tonight's vigil at 7:30 p.m. all the more meaningful.
🎶 Setting the mood: "Swimming" by Flawed Mangoes
Leading Off
Zoe Gray speaks during graduation ceremonies for Palm Springs High School. (Photo: PSUSD)
PSHS valedictorian heading to Berkeley with a universe of questions
Zoe Gray was sitting in science class when her teacher told her to stay seated — and then the principal walked in, followed by her college counselor carrying flowers and balloons, and then came the giant check.
Driving the news: Southern California Edison announced that Gray, Palm Springs High School's 2026 valedictorian, had received a $50,000 Edison Scholarship to attend the University of California, Berkeley, where she plans to study astrophysics or physics.
“Mr. Goehring told me to sit down and I was like, ‘I’m scared. I don’t know what’s going on,” said Gray, explaining that as it became clearer what was happening, “In my mind I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s a giant check.’”
How it started: Gray's fascination with space traces back to fifth grade, when her father showed her the first NASA photograph of a black hole. "I thought they were invisible," she recalled. "Like, what do you mean we can see it?"
Eight years later, she has interned at the Rancho Mirage Observatory and is still chasing the same question.
Who she is: A lifelong desert resident, Gray has lived in North Palm Springs for 18 years and is known around Palm Springs High School as someone who moves easily between worlds — discussing Mars rovers one moment and friendship bracelets the next.
In her words: Gray's personal philosophy, she says, is "to always seek joy in all that you do." Her favorite local destination is the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, and she wants the world to know that Coachella — the music festival — actually takes place in Indio, roughly 30 to 40 minutes from Palm Springs.
What's next: Gray heads to Berkeley with a scholarship, a physics degree in her sights and, as she puts it, "a much bigger sky waiting for her there."
Briefly
The map at left shows areas where spraying for mosquitos will take place starting Saturday.
🦟 After West Nile virus detected near North Shore, mosquito treatments to start here Saturday
West Nile virus has been detected in mosquitoes near the North Shore area, prompting the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District to launch targeted control operations in coming weeks, including truck-mounted and aerial treatments in parts of Palm Springs.
Beginning Saturday, the district will initiate its annual Wide Area Larvicide Treatment program in Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, and the North Shore community. The larvicide being used, VectoBac WDG, contains a naturally occurring bacterium that kills mosquito larvae and is safe for people, pets, wildlife, and beneficial insects. Residents are not required to go indoors during spraying.
Details: Applications will run between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. on June 6, 13, 18, 20 and 27, and again Sept. 12, 19, 26 and Oct. 3. Updates are available at cvmosquito.org or @cvmosquito on social media.
A MESSAGE FROM
THE CENTER
The LGBTQ+ community needs supportive behavioral health services that acknowledge their unique experience and affirm their strength. The Center’s behavioral health clinic provides therapy services on an income-based sliding scale along with no-cost and low-cost group support options on topics like bereavement, codependency, and transgender experiences.
📆 Your Weekend
Multiple Days
Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week at various Coachella Valley restaurants through June 7
Palm Springs Power Baseball at Palm Springs Stadium on Friday at 7 p.m. ($10)
Today
HangingOUT! GBT Men's Friday Breakfast at Si Bon at 10 a.m.
Healthcare Town Hall at DAP Health at 11 a.m.
Foodie Fridays at Palm Springs Cultural Center at 5 p.m.
Hitchcock Retrospective: "Frenzy" at Palm Springs Cultural Center at 7 p.m. ($14)
“American Pie”: A Live Shadow Cast Experience Spirit Animal at Hotel Zoso at 7 p.m. ($45)
Drag Race: All Stars 11 Viewing Party at one eleven bar at 7 p.m.
Healthcare Candlelight Vigil at Via Miraleste & Tacheva Road at 7:30 p.m.
Ambrosia at The Plaza Theatre at 7:30 p.m. ($77)
Saturday
Indoor Palm Springs Certified Farmers' Market at Palm Springs Pavilion at 8 a.m.
Mizell Members Fix-It Fair at Mizell Center at 10 a.m.
California Adopt a Pet Day at 11 a.m.
House Party PS: Pink Saturday 4 at private Palm Springs address at 5 p.m. ($130)
Palm Springs Firefighters Fish Fry at Ruth Hardy Park at 6 p.m. ($15)
Night Swim at Palm Springs Surf Club at 6 p.m. ($27)
BINGO with Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence at one eleven bar at 6 p.m. ($20)
Coachella Valley Derby Girls vs Shasta Roller Derby at Palm Springs Air Museum at 6:45 p.m.
Jasmine Masters presents ILLUSIONS at Social Cafe & Lounge at 7 p.m. ($18)
Beach Boy Al Jardine and The Pet Sounds Band at The Plaza Theatre at 7 p.m. ($81)
Whitney Rayner Comedy Show at The Rock Gallery at 7 p.m. ($13)
Sunday
Palm Springs Indoor Vintage Market at Palm Springs Pavilion at 7 a.m. ($5–$13)
Mahjong Meetup at Market Market at 12 p.m.
The Palm Springs Young Playwright Festival at Palm Springs Cultural Center at 12 p.m.
Screwball Sundays: "Miss Grant Takes Richmond" at Palm Springs Cultural Center at 3 p.m. ($17)
Women's Tea Dance ft. Tribute to HEART Performed by Dog & Butterfly at Hunters Palm Springs at 3 p.m. ($15)
Tony Awards Watch Party at Quadz at 3:30 p.m.
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🚠 And Finally …
As summer arrives, the farmers’ market moves inside. (File photo)
The desert heat has a way of motivating everyone to head indoors — including the farmers market. This weekend, the Original Certified Farmers’ Market in Palm Springs makes its annual move indoors, heading to the Palm Springs Pavilion for its summer run.
What to watch for: Shoppers can expect fresh fruits and vegetables, artisan foods, baked goods, and more — all in an air-conditioned setting — from Saturday (June 6) through Sept. 12 at 401 South Pavilion Way, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Worth noting: The "certified" label isn't just a marketing term — it means each farmer has been vetted and inspected by the county Agricultural Commissioner to confirm they actually grew what they're selling.
The market aims to keep at least 50% of its farmers and vendors certified all-organic at all times.
Why it matters: The market is owned and operated by the Palm Springs Cultural Center, the Coachella Valley's most prolific producer of cultural events. A companion market in Desert Hot Springs runs outdoors from October through May.
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🌬️ Mark is loving the warm breezes at night!
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