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Monday, April 6 | ☀️ 87°/65°
Welcome to Monday, everyone! If you’ve been hearing the roar of a very big, very low flying airplane recently, we’d like to direct your attention back to this May 2025 article, where we profiled the company operating the aircraft — Coulson Aviation — and why they’re taking to the skies in and around the city. Long story short: Ideal weather and the area’s complex terrain make for perfect conditions for pilots who need to train for the upcoming firefighting season.
🎶 Setting the mood: "Way Down Hadestown" by Lilias White and Ensemble
Leading Off
Council Chambers at Palm Springs City Hall. (File photo)
Palm Springs city bodies take up tourism, development, library naming, more this week
Four Palm Springs city bodies will meet across four days this week, with the City Council facing the most consequential agenda items, including an early vote on a proposed tourism infrastructure district.
Driving the news: The council meets Wednesday, with closed session beginning at 3 p.m. and open session at 5:30 p.m. Members will consider adopting a resolution of intention to establish the Palm Springs Tourism Infrastructure District and vote on changes to the city's hotel incentive program.
The council will also discuss and potentially provide direction on the mayoral position, and meet in closed session to address real estate negotiations tied to the Town & Country Center on Indian Canyon Drive and Palm Canyon Drive.
First up: The Architectural Review Committee meets tonight to revisit a proposal for a 16-court commercial pickleball complex near the airport and consider eight detached single-family homes on East Alejo Road.
On Tuesday: The Historic Site Preservation Board will hear an application to designate the Snyder Residence on West Merito Place as a historic Class 1 site, review a request for shade structures at Palm Springs International Airport, and consider exterior changes to a building on North Palm Canyon Drive.
And finally: The Library Board of Trustees meets Thursday to discuss its materials and supplies budget for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27, receive an update on naming opportunities, and hear a progress report on library renovation.
Briefly
🚔 PSPD recruiting volunteers for intelligence center
The Palm Springs Police Department is hosting a volunteer information event on Tuesday for those interested in joining its Real-Time Intelligence Center, a regional hub that supports law enforcement agencies across the Coachella Valley through camera networks, license-plate recognition, crime data and live intelligence.
The center's volunteers support officers in real time, helping track violent offenders, coordinate pursuits, assist in missing-person cases and provide situational awareness during major events. The information session will cover volunteer duties, qualifications, the selection process and what to expect on the team.
Details: The event begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Palm Springs Police Department, 200 South Civic Center Dr. Applications will be available on-site, and spots are limited. For more information, email [email protected]
🏨 Riviera resort to lay off staff amid lawsuit, renovation
The Palm Springs Riviera Resort & Spa is laying off a portion of its 233 employees as the nearly 400-room property prepares for a seven-month renovation. A state WARN filing sets May 31 as employees' last day of work, after which construction crews will begin upgrades to all rooms, public spaces and two pools.
General Manager Andrew Jay told SF Gate last week that the owner, Welcome Group Inc., plans to retain as many staff as possible during construction and has committed to rehiring the rest afterward.
Yes, but: A Desert Sun report (💰) from March found that Welcome Group's ownership entity has sued two IHG-affiliated companies, alleging they used misleading revenue forecasts to secure a branding agreement, resulting in more than $7 million in operating losses. The lawsuit seeks to cancel WGI Palm Springs LLC's branding agreements and recover damages, compensatory payments and attorney fees.
A MESSAGE FROM
DAP HEALTH
People whose superpower is providing health care at DAP Health are drawn to the work by our mission to protect and expand access for members of diverse communities, many of whom are marginalized.
📆 Featured Events
Cinema Diverse BIG Gay Movie: Accidental Friends
4 p.m. | Palm Springs Cultural Center
The story of two boys — one gay, the other a bit homophobic — who find themselves living together. ($11)
HangingOUT! - Men's Monday Coffee
4:30 p.m. | The Social Cafe & Lounge
Drop-in coffee, chat, and snacks — no RSVP needed. Some attendees head to dinner afterward; arrive by 4:45 p.m. to get your name in for the count.
Mon Petit Salon
5 p.m. | Palm Springs Cultural Center
An evening of live music from the award-winning high desert ensemble Mon Petit Mojave. ($22)
Monday Night Dance Party with Leanna and Miguel
5 p.m. | V Wine Lounge & Martini Bar
A local favorite where the locals come to dance — jazz, Latin, pop, disco, covers, and more. ($5)
PSP Community Update
5–7 p.m. | The Plaza Theatre
Palm Springs International Airport hosts a community update covering terminal improvements, capital projects, and long-range planning, with remarks from airport and city leadership. A public Q&A follows.
Architectural Review Committee
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
The ARC meets on the first and third Monday of each month to review and make recommendations on building and landscape design to the Planning Commission, City Council, and city staff.
PALS (Planning Ahead for LGBTQ+ Seniors) Circle 6 p.m. | Zoom An informal weekly drop-in for connection and support — no agenda, no topic, just friends getting together. Email [email protected] for Zoom instructions.
Tap Dancing Classes with Miss Jane
6:30 p.m. | Palm Springs Pavilion
Glamour-encrusted tap classes at two levels: 6:30 p.m. Intermediate and 7:30 p.m. Absolute Beginners. ($20–$25)
CABARET RIOT
7 p.m. | Revolution Stage Company
The Revolution's popular cabaret competition returns Mondays April 6–May 4. Buy tickets in advance — most nights sell out. ($25)
📌 Save the Date
Coachella Valley Real Time Intelligence Center (CVRTIC) volunteer information session on Tuesday at Palm Springs police headquarters at 5:30 p.m.
World Art Day Festival on April 11 in Downtown Park
Broadway Legacy Awards at Richards Center for the Arts on April 14
National Poetry Month Celebration at Mizell Center on April 15
Cultural Center 2026 Spring Gala Fundraiser starring Sierra Boggess on April 18
Barbra: The Birthday Concert on April 24 at Annenberg Theater at Palm Springs Art Museum
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🚠 And Finally …
Zoe Gray was surprised with a $50,000 scholarship from Southern California Edison.
Southern California Edison surprised Palm Springs High School senior Zoe Gray at her school with a $50,000 Edison Scholars Program scholarship recently, presented by school principal Michael Ventura and school counselor Rosa Corona, with her parents, Taya and Adam Gray, looking on.
Driving the news: Gray, this year's Palm Springs High School valedictorian, was selected as one of 30 high school seniors statewide to receive the scholarship, which is awarded to students passionate about pursuing STEM fields.
Her plans: Gray plans to major in physics, inspired in part by her experiences at the Rancho Mirage Observatory, where she developed a love of stargazing she hopes to make more accessible to others.
What they’re saying: “Helping others experience the observatory made me realize that curiosity and talent are everywhere, but opportunity is not. I want to give people that opportunity,” Gray told SCE.
Why it matters: For 20 years, the Edison Scholars Program has awarded more than $22 million in scholarships to 850 students. The program targets students who demonstrate financial need and plan to attend a four-year accredited college or university and pursue STEM programs.
What's next: Gray has not yet decided which school she will attend.
In Case You Missed It
Recently published stories
🎭 Kendall thoroughly enjoyed seeing “Hadestown” this weekend at the McCallum.
🤖 Mark got Rickrolled by one of his AI systems on Friday and decided that was a sign he needed to shut off his laptop for the day.
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