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Friday, March 20 | ☀️ 93°/68°
TGIF everyone! The need for blood donations is constant, and tomorrow's Rotary Blood Drive at the Mizell Center is a great chance to answer that call. The drive runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 480 South Sunrise Way. It’s an indoor event, so you’ll also be beating the heat if you step up. A single donation can help save up to three lives! Call 800-879-4474 or visit LStream.org/Mizell to sign up.
🎶 Setting the mood: "Midnight Sun" by Zara Larsson
Leading Off
A sprinkler operates to water a lawn. (Photo: Shutterstock)
City faces steep water cuts, decorative lawn deadline
The city must catalog all of its decorative lawns by June 30 and stop watering them with drinking water by January 2027 — part of a sweeping mandate that requires the region to cut total water use nearly in half by 2040.
Driving the news: Under state Assembly Bill 1572 and Desert Water Agency's Ordinance 80, the city must self-certify which of its roughly 75 city-owned properties contain non-functional turf — decorative grass with no regular recreational use — ahead of a Jan. 1, 2027 deadline to end potable water use on that grass.
"That self-certification form is essentially going to become our basis for enforcement," DWA representative Clark Elliott told the sustainability commission Tuesday.
The bigger picture: State regulators are requiring DWA to reduce total water demand 40 percent by 2040 compared to current levels — one of the steepest targets in California, driven by the region's high per-capita water use.
"You're talking about almost half of what we use today," Elliott said. "That is a lot of water to save, and it will not be easy."
By the numbers: Turf removal is expected to account for about one-third of the required savings. DWA's grass removal program eliminated 889,482 square feet of turf over a recent two-year period, saving approximately 60 million gallons of water annually.
Penalties: Fines under Ordinance 80 escalate to $2,000 per violation by the sixth infraction, with re-inspections authorized every three days. DWA says it will work with the city if good-faith compliance efforts are underway.
HOAs have shown strong interest in complying; commercial properties remain largely unaware of the new requirements.
What's next: The Palm Springs City Council is expected to receive a DWA presentation in May.
Briefly
Police Chief Andy Mills (right) speaks with Dr. Maher Abdallah in the days following a bombing at Abdallah’s medical clinic in 2025. (File photo)
👮 Palm Springs police chief signals departure
Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills announced Thursday on social media that he and his wife are putting their home up for sale as he prepares to leave the community, though he said the move is not a resignation or retirement.
Mills, who came to Palm Springs in 2021 after leading the Santa Cruz Police Department since 2017, cited crime reduction, improved quality of life, and a fully staffed department as progress made during his tenure.
Details: Mills credited the leadership team he built, describing his successors as prepared to carry the department forward, and praised City Manager Scott Stiles and the City Council for their support. He said he and his wife plan to remain open with the public as the situation develops.
A MESSAGE FROM
GREEN ROOM THEATRE CO.
Experience the magic of live theatre at the Newish Shakespeare Festival in the Coachella Valley, now through April 4! Enjoy Como Te Gusta, a vibrant bilingual reimagining of As You Like It set in the Sonoran Desert, and American Moor, a gripping one-man drama exploring race, identity, and who gets to claim Shakespeare’s legacy.
📆 Your Weekend
Multiple Days
Cascade Nights Dance Party at Agua Caliente Casino all weekend
Dolores Purdy artist trunk show at the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum all weekend
JBKO at Revolution Stage Company all weekend ($43)
Palm Springs Art Festival - March II at Frances Stevens Park all weekend
Psychic / Healing Arts Fair at Crystal Fantasy all weekend
Kathy Griffin at The Plaza Theatre
Today
Friends Book Club at Welwood Murray Memorial Library at 2 p.m.
Bloom in the Desert-UCC "Spring Fling" at Palm Canyon Theatre at 5 p.m. ($95)
Foodie Fridays at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 5 p.m.
Mah Jong and Martinis at Mizell Center at 5:30 p.m.
Outliers and Outlaws documentary screening at The Center at 5:30 p.m.
Books and Beyond: Provincetown Stories at Mizell Center at 6 p.m.
Razzle Dazzle Salute to Kander and Ebb at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 7 p.m. ($22)
Saturday
Palm Springs Certified Farmers' Market at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 8 a.m.
Tahquitz Creek Cleanup at Tahquitz Creek at 8 a.m.
Film Series: Hollywood Icon -- Robert Redford at Mizell Center at 10 a.m. ($10–$15)
17th Annual ONE-PS Picnic & Community Expo at Ruth Hardy Park at 11 a.m.
Jason Weber's PIANO RIOT! at Revolution Stage Company at 5 p.m. ($10–$15)
Max Meisel Comedy Show at The Rock Gallery at 7 p.m. ($12.51)
The Winehouse Experience at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 7 p.m.
Comedy Night at Hotel Zoso at Hotel Zoso at 9 p.m. ($10–$18)
Rafael "Bebos" Soto Comedy Show at The Rock Gallery at 9 p.m. ($12.51)
Sunday
Mahjong Meetup at Social Cafe & Play Lounge at 12 p.m.
WHAT'S UP DOC? at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 3 p.m. ($13.64)
Matthew Morrison - Welcome to Rhythms & Revelations at The Plaza Theatre at 7:30 p.m.
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🚠 And Finally …
The ribbon is cut Wednesday at Cielo Vista Charter School as it becomes the first Blue Zones Project approved school in the city. (Photo: PSUSD)
Cielo Vista Charter School marked a milestone moment this week, becoming the first Blue Zones Project approved school in Palm Springs — recognition of the school's commitment to building a culture of health and well-being for students, educators, and families.
Driving the news: Blue Zones Project Palm Springs, in partnership with Palm Springs Unified School District, marked the occasion with a community "Walking School Bus" from Demuth Park to the school, drawing hundreds of students, parents, and educators — along with Superintendent Dr. Marcus Funchess, Mayor Naomi Soto, Councilmember Grace Garner, and the CV Firebirds' mascot Fuego.
The morning began with the group walk at 7:15 a.m., followed by a Blue Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 7:45 a.m. and a Healthy Carnival at 8 a.m. featuring outdoor games, crafts, activities from Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert, and a pop-up farmers market by Aziz Farms.
What they're saying: "Being named the first Blue Zones Project Approved School in Palm Springs is an incredible honor for our entire school community," said Cielo Vista Principal Juanita Perezchica. "Our staff, students, and families have worked hard to create a school environment where well-being, leadership, and learning go hand in hand."
What's next: Blue Zones Project will work alongside the school to strengthen existing wellness initiatives — including its garden program — and expand programming around healthy eating, physical activity, and community connection, while launching a monthly Walking School Bus.
In Case You Missed It
Recently published stories
🐕 Kendall’s dog is in full shed mode.
🧺 Mark is sorry to be missing the ONE-PS picnic, but family duty calls up in Seattle. Make sure to say hello to Kendall and his wife Andy if you pass by our booth on Saturday!
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