BROUGHT TO YOU BY
We are grateful for our advertisers. Become one today
Friday, May 8 | ☀️ 100°/69°
Happy Friday, everyone, where once again a government entity wants your opinion (hurray 🎉). This time, it’s Riverside County, where the Watershed Protection Program is collecting community input to help keep the region's waterways and natural environment clean and healthy. Take a few minutes to complete their survey (the deadline is May 27) and you earn a shot at a $50 gift card to the retailer of your choice.
🎶 Setting the mood: "Vogue" by Madonna
Leading Off
Clean energy efforts in Palm Springs are just one example of how the area might diversify its economy. (File photo)
Palm Springs, valley leaders launch dual economic diversification push
Two new initiatives are pushing Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley to shed their image as a seasonal tourism economy and build toward year-round business growth and innovation.
Driving the news: Visit Greater Palm Springs last week announced the launch of the Coachella Valley Subregional Economic Development Strategy, a multi-year plan developed as part of Riverside County's broader Economic Development Strategic Plan.
Days later, Blue Zones Project Palm Springs announced its support for the Coachella Valley Innovation Alliance, or CVIA, a new initiative focused on connecting entrepreneurs, innovators and community leaders through public events across the Valley.
Why it matters: The 56-page economic strategy describes the Coachella Valley as a region entering "a transformative era" while facing challenges including economic vulnerability, infrastructure gaps and disparities in opportunity.
The Valley's labor force participation rate trails Riverside County overall, and its median age of 44.2 years is the highest among county subregions.
Only 73.1% of housing units are occupied year-round, compared to 88.6% countywide.
The strategy calls for investment in clean energy, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, creative media and sustainable agriculture, alongside workforce development, housing, digital connectivity and Salton Sea restoration.
What they're saying: "Greater Palm Springs has long been known as a place people choose for lifestyle, creativity and opportunity," said Visit Greater Palm Springs President and CEO Scott White. "This strategy ensures we are equally competitive as a place to invest and grow a business."
What's next: The CVIA plans to hold its inaugural event May 26 in Palm Springs, featuring SunLine Transit Agency CEO Mona Babauta, whose agency operates one of the nation's first hydrogen fueling systems for public transit.
Organizers said additional CVIA events are planned throughout the Coachella Valley later this year.
Briefly
Ramon Park in Palm Springs. (File photo)
🏅 Ramon Park named first Blue Zones-approved neighborhood
Ramon Park became the first neighborhood organization in the Coachella Valley to receive Blue Zones Project approval, a milestone marked at a Blue Ribbon Celebration Wednesday at the its clubhouse off East Ramon Road in Palm Springs.
Palm Springs Mayor Naomi Soto, Blue Zones Project Palm Springs Executive Director Mihai Patru, and resident leader Scott Phipps were among those on hand for the event held for residents.
Details: Blue Zones Project officials said the designation is in recognition of Ramon Park's commitment to making healthy choices more accessible through initiatives including a community garden, walking groups, and cooking classes.
A MESSAGE FROM
RANCHO MIRAGE ANIMAL & EMERGENCY
At Rancho Mirage Animal & Emergency Hospital, we're dedicated to providing expert, 24/7 care when your pet needs it most. Our experienced emergency veterinarians and skilled nursing team are passionate about supporting pets and the people who love them-any time, day or night.
📆 Your Weekend
Multiple Days
A Man of No Importance at Palm Springs Cultural Center ($42)
Ann Hampton Callaway – Here's To Life at The Purple Room Supper Club ($60–$70)
Today
Pick it up Palm Springs Cleanup at North Virginia Road and West San Rafael Drive at 8 a.m.
Friends of the PS Library Pop-up Book Sale at Our Savior's Community Church starting at 9 a.m.
Jack Sollecito at The Thompson Hotel at 4 p.m.
Foodie Fridays at Palm Springs Cultural Center at 5 p.m.
Launch Party – XOXO Palm Springs Citywide Arts & Culture Celebration at Hotel Zoso at 5 p.m.
Saturday
Palm Springs Certified Farmers' Market at Palm Springs Cultural Center starting at 8 a.m.
PS Psychedelic Society Presents Joe Tafur at Mizell Center at 1 p.m. ($15–$25)
"Convergence" Opening Reception at Rubine Red Gallery at 5 p.m.
Piano Riot with Jason Webber at Revolution Stage Company at 5 p.m. ($10–$15)
License to Thrill with the Gand Band! Mother's Day Dinner Show at Hotel Zoso at 6 p.m. ($66)
Palm Springs Symphony: May Musical Mischief at The Plaza Theatre at 7:30 p.m.
Comedy Night at Hotel Zoso at Hotel Zoso at 9 p.m. ($10–$18)
Sunday
Mother's Day Soul Brunch with Sweet Baby J'ai at Hotel Zoso at 11 a.m. ($44.52)
Petals & Prosecco – A Musical Mother's Day Sunday Brunch at PS Underground at 11 a.m. ($110)
Woodstock with the Gand Band! Mother's Day Dinner Show at Hotel Zoso at 6 p.m. ($66)
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
🚠 And Finally …
Festival director Alan Rode (center) said the Film Noir festival was born organically out of a group of writers reminiscing on their favorite movies.
Shadows, femmes fatales, and fog machines at the ready — one of the desert's most distinctive film events returns this week to Palm Springs.
Driving the news: The 2026 Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival had its opening night last night and the festival runs all weekend long with multiple film screenings each day at the Palm Springs Cultural Center.
What they’re saying: “I am absolutely jazzed by this year’s line-up” Host-programmer Alan K. Rode said. He said several films this weekend, “haven’t been seen on a theater screen in decades,” offering a unique opportunity for film buffs to see the classics on the big screen, as the directors intended.
Happening tonight: Peabody Award winner Kirk Ellis will sign his new book, "They Kill People: Bonnie and Clyde, a Hollywood Revolution and America's Obsession with Guns and Outlaws," and introduce the classic "Bonnie and Clyde" (1967) on the big screen.
“Bonnie & Clyde permanently changed studio filmmaking while altering perceptions of movie violence. Kirk’s book is one of the most thoughtful chronicles of history, pop culture and Hollywood I’ve ever read,” Rode said.
Worth noting: The 12-film weekend also features author signings and film introductions, including New York Times best-selling author Scott Eyman presenting his Joan Crawford biography alongside her 1950 noir "The Damned Don't Cry," filmed on location in Palm Springs.
The festival also includes 35mm screenings of ultra-rare prints and new digital restorations from Paramount Pictures.
The bottom line: Founded in 2000 and renamed for late crime novelist and Palm Springs City Councilman Arthur Lyons in 2008, the festival is executive produced by the Palm Springs Cultural Center.
In Case You Missed It
Recently published stories
👠 Kendall is finally seeing “The Devil Wears Prada 2” this weekend! (With her mom of course!)
💐 Mark wishes his wife, his sister, Kendall’s mom and all readers who are moms or mother figures a lovely Mother’s Day!
WORK WITH US
Our network of publications has nearly 50,000 email subscribers and we send 125,000 newsletters each week! That gives advertisers unmatched reach to engaged local readers across the Coachella Valley. Click the button below to learn more or receive our rate card.
EXPLORE & SUBSCRIBE
We deliver free news to communities throughout the Coachella Valley and a roundup on Saturdays. Click below to subscribe to our other newsletters!
Proudly produced in District 1. Typos are intentional.