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Friday, May 1 | ☀️ 93°/68°
TGIF and welcome to May — a month packed with reasons to celebrate! This month brings AANHPI Heritage Month (theme: "Power in Unity: Strengthening Communities Together"), Mental Health Awareness Month ("More Good Days, Together"), Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4-8) with National Teacher Appreciation Day on May 5, Cinco de Mayo on May 5, and Mother's Day on May 10. And don’t forget Memorial Day Weekend to close us off. Here’s to a month full of community, gratitude, and good vibes!
🎶 Setting the mood: "Sunrise" by Norah Jones
Leading Off
Climate change is predicted to bring a large increase in the number of extreme heat days. (Shutterstock Image)
Sustainability Commission hears climate research presentation, unveils waste reduction goals
A UC Riverside researcher brought four years of climate science to Palm Springs last week, presenting a free public website and planning toolkit built to help the Coachella Valley prepare for the effects of a warming climate.
Driving the news: Danielle Baronia, an assistant specialist at the UC Riverside Center for Conservation Biology, introduced the Desert Climate Resilience Initiative to the Palm Springs Sustainability Commission. The project launched in 2022, wrapped up in March, and was funded by the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy.
The initiative studied four ecological regions — the Colorado Desert, the Mojave Desert, surrounding Southern California mountains, and the broader Sonoran Desert.
Coming soon: When it goes live, the project's public website will include community climate stories, educational pamphlets in English and Spanish, indigenous climate resilience information, and links to partner organizations. A park toolkit offers vulnerability maps, climate resilience maps, and data on carbon stocks in desert ecosystems.
Baronia noted a common misconception that deserts store little carbon, explaining that deep-rooted desert plants deposit carbon that can be stored as calcium carbonate for thousands of years.
What's next: Though the funded phase has ended, Baronia said the website and toolkit will continue to be maintained, with the team exploring potential collaborations on wildfire impact research.
On the horizon: The city's Extreme Heat Summit is scheduled for Sept. 18 at a location to be announced. Residents can email [email protected] for information.
Briefly
Shutterstock image
🚨 Pedestrian killed in Palm Springs traffic collision
A pedestrian was struck and killed by a vehicle Tuesday evening at the intersection of East Palm Canyon Drive and Cherokee Way in Palm Springs, police said Thursday.
Officers were dispatched at approximately 8:18 p.m. The preliminary investigation indicates the vehicle had a green light and the right of way when it struck the adult male pedestrian in the east crosswalk. The driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with investigators.
Details: The Palm Springs Police Department Traffic Division is investigating. Drugs and alcohol have not been ruled out as factors. Anyone with information is asked to contact Palm Springs Police at 760-323-8125 or Crime Stoppers at 760-341-7867.
A MESSAGE FROM
STUFT PIZZA BAR & GRILL
May 4th – Intergalactic cocktails set the stage for an out of this
world day! Be sure to dress accordingly! Mother’s Day weekend offers Mom the time she wants to relax while being showered with great food, family and friends!
CHAZZ our Magic Man is appearing at both locations this month.
📆 Your Weekend
Multiple Days
Better Late at The Plaza Theatre all weekend ($61–$85)
"Cockroaches" at Revolution Stage Company all weekend ($38–$75)
NIC & DESI: Broadway to Hollywood! at The Purple Room Supper Club all weekend ($45–$55)
Today
Pick it up Palm Springs Cleanup! at 3699 E Via Escuela at 8 a.m.
American Mahjong at Mizell Center at 12:30 p.m.
Foodie Fridays at Palm Springs Cultural Center at 5 p.m.
Dusty Strings - Live Americana Music at Palm Springs Cultural Center at 7 p.m. ($20)
Hitchcock Retrospective: SPELLBOUND at Palm Springs Cultural Center at 7 p.m. ($13.64)
Palm Springs Drone Fest - Light Show at PSHS at 7 p.m.
Saturday
Palm Springs Certified Farmers' Market at Palm Springs Cultural Center starting at 8 a.m.
A Day of Healing for Body, Mind, and Spirit at Palm Springs Cultural Center at 12 p.m. ($10–$20)
Jason Weber's PIANO RIOT! at Revolution Stage Company at 5 p.m. ($10–$15)
Coachella Valley Derby Girls vs. Orange County Roller Derby at Palm Springs Air Museum at 6:45 p.m.
An Evening With Tynomi Banks at Social Cafe & Lounge at 8 p.m. ($28)
Comedy Night at Hotel Zoso at 9 p.m. ($10–$18)
Sunday
Palm Springs Vintage Market at 200 North Indian Canyon Dr. at 7 a.m. ($5–$10)
From Book to Stage at Jewish Community Center at 2 p.m. ($30)
All Keyed Up at United Methodist Church at 3 p.m.
Screwball Sundays: Midnight at Palm Springs Cultural Center at 3 p.m. ($17)
BENISE - 25 Years of Passion at The Plaza Theatre at 4 p.m. ($115)
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🚠 And Finally …
Josh Heinz, community engagement manager with VGPS, poses for a photo with county supervisors after a presentation. (Alicia Ramirez/The Riverside Record)
A personal story helped launch a regional movement — and now the Coachella Valley has become one of the most autism-friendly destinations in the country.
Driving the news: The Riverside County Board of Supervisors recognized Visit Greater Palm Springs (VGPS) this week for its work turning the region into a Certified Autism Destination, with more than 30 businesses now holding Certified Autism Center status.
The effort was spearheaded by VGPS community engagement manager Josh Heinz, a father of three sons on the autism spectrum, who brought the idea to the organization in 2021 after learning about Mesa, Arizona's pioneering autism certification program.
How it works: Certification through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards requires hospitality-related businesses — hotels, restaurants, attractions and venues — to complete specialized training. It must be renewed every two years.
By the numbers: More than 3,500 hospitality workers in the region have completed the training, with certified businesses now operating in Palm Desert, Indian Wells, Palm Springs, Cathedral City, La Quinta and Desert Hot Springs.
Worth noting: The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens was the first local attraction to earn certification, followed quickly by the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa.
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