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Friday, March 13 | ☀️ 92°/64°
TGIF everyone! If you haven’t seen, the rains we received during the winter have helped the desert burst with color in places like Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, with many more lands expected to display vibrant blooms in the weeks and months ahead. This weekend might be a good time to get out there and experience one of the most amazing times of the year where we live. Need some guidance? The friendly folks at the California State Parks have you covered in this article.
🎶 Setting the mood: "Who Do You Think You Are" by Spice Girls
Leading Off
“El Diablo,” the city’s first fire truck, as seen over the years.
Palm Springs firefighters launch campaign to restore city's first fire engine
While two shiny new fire engines are rolling into the Palm Springs Fire Department ahead of schedule, the city's firefighters have their eyes on something far older — and they need the public's help to save it.
Driving the news: The Palm Springs Firefighters Association — Local 3601 — has launched a fundraising campaign to restore "El Diablo," a 1931 American LaFrance engine that served as the city's first fire truck. The association is seeking $100,000 to cover the full cost of the restoration.
Those interested in supporting the effort can donate directly through the campaign's GoFundMe page.
The case for El Diablo: The fundraising page puts it simply: "Palm Springs has always been a community built on pride, resilience, and looking out for one another. And long before modern fire apparatus, advanced equipment, and today's technology… there was one engine that helped protect this desert town when it was still growing into what we know today."
But wait: Fire Chief Paul Alvarado said this week that the city’s newest fire trucks — two brand new Enforcer Pumpers recently became available after the San Bernardino Fire Department cancelled its order for the equipment. One will assigned to Station 1 and the other to Station 3.
Alvarado said without the cancellation, the wait could have stretched to five years.
Looking ahead: The Fire Foundation's annual Easter egg hunt takes place March 29 at Ruth Hardy Park, 700 Tamarisk Rd. The free event runs from 9 a.m. to noon, with the egg hunt kicking off at 9 a.m. The day also includes pancakes, activities, and community fun.
Organizers recommend arriving early and bringing an egg basket.
Briefly
Lift To Rise founder Heather Vaikona is transitioning to a new role. (Photo: Lift To Rise)
🏘️ Lift to Rise founder stepping back, new executive director named
Coachella Valley affordable housing nonprofit Lift to Rise is shifting its top leadership, with founder Heather Vaikona moving out of the CEO role this July after more than a decade leading the organization.
Vaikona will transition to a senior advisor role focused on long-term strategy and storytelling. She will be succeeded by Ian Gabriel, currently the organization's director of collective impact, who will become executive director. Director of Power Building Joe Mota will become Deputy Director.
Bottom line: The transition comes as the organization approaches a goal set in 2018 to add 10,000 new affordable homes to the Coachella Valley's development pipeline by 2028. More than 9,700 homes have been added to date, with Lift to Rise's coalition growing to more than 70 public and private partners.
A MESSAGE FROM
PALM SPRINGS SPEAKS
CeCe Moore takes the stage on Monday, March 30 at 7:30 PM sharing how DNA and Genealogy can be used together to solve mysteries and crimes! Actress Jennie Garth, best known for her role on “Beverly Hills 90210”, will be sharing about her book “I Choose Me” on Tuesday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m., both at the Plaza Theatre.
📆 Your Weekend
Multiple Days
Cascade Nights Dance Party at Agua Caliente Casino Fri–Sat at 10 p.m.
Psychic / Healing Arts Fair at Crystal Fantasy Sat–Sun at 11 a.m.
RePLAY: The Tale of The Allergist's Wife at The Plaza Theatre all weekend
Today (Friday)
Palm Springs Certified Farmers' Market at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 8 a.m.
Walk of the Stars: Dolores Robinson at 849 N Palm Canyon Dr at 1 p.m.
Foodie Fridays at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 5 p.m.
Dusty Strings Collective at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 5:30 p.m. ($20–$22)
An Intimate Evening with Lucie Arnaz at The Purple Room Supper Club at 6 p.m. ($89–$109)
Dusty Strings - Live Americana Music at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 7 p.m. ($20)
Guess What? I Love You LP/Book Release Tour at Oscar's at 7 p.m.
Saturday
Palm Springs Certified Farmers' Market at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 8 a.m.
Desert Horticultural Society 17th Annual Spring Desert Garden Tour at various gardens at 10 a.m. ($30–$35)
Film Series: Hollywood Icon — Robert Redford at Mizell Center at 10 a.m. ($10–$15)
Los Compadres Neighborhood Organization (LCNO) Annual Meeting at 3601 E Mesquite Ave at 10 a.m.
The Acid Queen: PSPsychedelic Society presents Susannah Cahalan at Mizell Center at 1 p.m.
INNERBLOOM: 2026 Annual Spring Exhibition at Janssen Artspace at 5 p.m.
Jason Weber's Piano Riot at Revolution Stage Company at 5 p.m. ($10–$15)
An Intimate Evening with Lucie Arnaz at The Purple Room Supper Club at 6 p.m. ($89–$109)
BINGO with Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence at 67555 E Palm Canyon Dr at 6 p.m.
Coachella Valley Derby Girls Season Opener at Palm Springs Air Museum at 6:45 p.m. ($12–$15)
Avery Pearson's Comedian Rhapsody at Hotel Zoso at 7 p.m. ($50)
Country Western Dancing at 933 Crossley Road at 7 p.m. ($5)
Ian Edwards Comedy Show at The Rock Gallery at 7 p.m. ($23)
Sunday
Palm Springs Retro Market at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 10 a.m.
Love's Evolution with Pamela Galvin at Revolution Stage Company at 3 p.m. ($35)
Oscar Watch Party at Holiday House at 3 p.m.
The Black Jacket Symphony Presents: Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon at The Plaza Theatre at 4 p.m.
Author Event: Charles Busch — Leading Lady at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 6 p.m. ($17)
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🚠 And Finally …
Shoes from a recent donation event are piled high. Coachella Valley Has Sole takes the shoes and gets them ready for use by community members in need.
A Palm Springs couple we first featured in 2022 continues to quietly build something worth knowing about — one gently used pair of shoes at a time.
Driving the news: Judy and Mike Wexler, founders of Coachella Valley Has Sole (read our earlier story here), are looking for local communities to host shoe drives as donations to their grassroots footwear program continue to grow.
How it works: The Wexlers collect, sort, and clean donated shoes — replacing insoles and laces as needed — then distribute them to three local organizations: Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, Painted Hills Middle and High School in Desert Hot Springs, and Well in the Desert in Palm Springs.
Footwear that can't be distributed is sent to a recycling facility rather than a landfill.
The momentum: A recent drive at Trilogy La Quinta collected more than 1,000 pairs of gently used shoes and donation boxes are currently located at Running Wild and the Birkenstock store in Palm Springs.
What's next: The Wexlers are seeking other communities willing to host drives to benefit valley families in need. [email protected]
Want to get involved? Contact [email protected] to organize a shoe drive or learn more.
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