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Monday, March 23 | ☀️ 89°/70°
Welcome to Monday and to what we hope is a slightly cooler week! To all of you who braved the temperatures to attend the ONE-PS picnic Saturday — Thank you! As usual, it was a tremendous success thanks to the dedication of a top-notch team of organizers and getting to meet many of you was the highlight for us. Thank you for all the kind words, story ideas, and kudos ❤
🎶 Setting the mood: "Blue Monday" by New Order
Leading Off
Pedestrians walk the sidewalks of Downtown Palm Springs on a warm summer day. (File photo)
Tourism Advisory Committee launched to guide city marketing
Palm Springs has formed its first Tourism Advisory Committee, assembling a cross-section of local hospitality and business leaders to help shape the city's tourism marketing priorities and strengthen collaboration across the industry. It held its first meeting last week.
Driving the news: The committee — directed by the City Council as part of its contract with Oakview Group — is designed to serve as a sounding board, not a decision-making body. It will advise tourism officials on marketing priorities, visitor trends and strategies for growing local business partnerships.
Councilmember Jeffrey Bernstein, who sits on the committee, said the work of the group is meant to have real consequences for how the city sets priorities. "What I hope to do is get things that we can then bring back that helps us set policy as we go forward," Bernstein said. "This is so significant."
By the numbers: Tourism is the Coachella Valley's largest economic driver, accounting for one in four local jobs and generating $9.1 billion in total economic impact in 2024.
The region welcomed 14.5 million visitors that year, with visitor spending producing an estimated $897 million in state and local tax revenues.
Who's involved: The committee's 10 industry members represent a broad range of businesses, including representatives from Greater Palm Springs Pride, Modernism Week, the Desert Business Association, Kimpton Rowan Hotel, Twin Palms Resort and several local dining and entertainment venues.
What's next: The committee will meet quarterly for 60-minute sessions, with its next meeting scheduled for May 28 at the Welwood Murray Library. Near-term discussions will focus on maximizing tourism around upcoming events, including the Great Marilyn Monroe Centennial Celebration on May 30 and the citywide XOXO Arts and Culture Celebration starting June 11.
Briefly
File photo
🏛️ What to watch for at City Hall this week
Palm Springs officials will hold a series of commission and City Council meetings this week, taking up land use decisions, parks funding, and a review of the Prescott Preserve fire.
The Planning Commission meets Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. to consider a two-year extension for a condo project at 1875 North Palm Canyon Drive, a lot split at 565 La Mirada Road, and a duplex proposal at 301 West Via Escuela. The Parks & Recreation Commission meets Monday at 5:30 p.m. to weigh a potential agreement with the Palm Springs Parks Foundation and a grant for new exercise infrastructure.
Details: The City Council will receive a report on the Prescott Preserve fire, hold a public hearing on landmark designation for the Edmund Goulding Residence at 1752 Ridge Road, and consider a three-year fire suppression contract not to exceed $975,000. All meetings are at City Hall, with a 3:30 p.m. closed session preceding the 5:30 p.m. Council session.
A MESSAGE FROM DAP HEALTH
Visit one (or more!) participating establishment during this one-day-and-night-only foodie fundraiser (where 33 to 110% of your bill goes to support our HIV programs and services!) and count yourself among the 20,000+ hungry humanitarians who will make their meals matter. It’s the easiest win-win-win ever!
📆 Featured Events
Free Film Showing: Bar None: Cannabis Redemption
2 p.m. | Palm Springs Cultural Center
Bar None is a documentary exploring the impact of outdated marijuana laws on people with past cannabis convictions. The film follows 13 people who've turned their lives around by entering the legal cannabis industry as advocates, business owners, and community leaders.
Mizell Kitchen Olive Oil Tasting
3 p.m. | Mizell Center
Join expert oleologist Steve Barry, owner of Luna Olivo in Santa Barbara, for a guided tasting of exceptional olive oils from renowned growing regions. Learn professional tasting techniques and discover which oils shine in dressings, cooking, and finishing dishes. Oils available for purchase.
HangingOUT! - Men's Monday Coffee
4:30 p.m. | The Social Cafe & Lounge
Drop-in coffee, chat, and snacks — no RSVP needed. Arrive by 4:45 p.m. to be included in the dinner count for those heading out afterward.
Mon Petit Salon
5 p.m. | Palm Springs Cultural Center
An evening of live music from the award-winning high desert group Mon Petit Mojave. ($22)
Monday Night Dance Party with Leanna and Miguel
5 p.m. | V Wine Lounge & Martini Bar
The locals' weekly Monday night dance party featuring jazz, Latin, pop, disco, covers, and more. ($5)
Parks and Recreation Commission
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
The commission meets on the fourth Monday of each month in an advisory capacity to the City Council on parks, recreational services, the municipal golf course, special events, and leisure programs.
PALS (Planning Ahead for LGBTQ+ Seniors) Circle
6 p.m. | Zoom
An informal weekly Zoom drop-in for connection and support with no agenda or set topic. Contact Billy Moss for Zoom instructions.
My Husband Makes Movies II: The Believers
6:30 p.m. | Palm Springs Cultural Center
Photographer Michael Childers hosts a benefit for the Palm Springs Cultural Center celebrating the work of his late husband, director John Schlesinger.
Katie Frank": Comedy Riot Winner
7 p.m. | Revolution Stage Company
Katie Frank, winner of the first Comedy Riot competition, brings her stand-up comedy to the RSC stage. ($25)
📌 Save the Date
PRIDE For the Pride Party on Thursday, benefiting The Living Desert’s Lion Bridge project
Police and Fire Appreciation Luncheon on Thursday at the convention center
AmDocs Film Festival on Thursday
Palm Springs Book Festival Friday through Sunday
Trans Pride 2026 Saturday and Sunday at Demuth Community Center
Palm Springs Fire Foundation’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday at Ruth Hardy Park
Palm Springs Speaks: CeCe Moore on March 30
🚠 And Finally …
The Palm Springs Police Department has a message for reckless drivers: the desert has eyes — and a new enforcement operation to back them up. PSPD has launched Operation Desert Zero, a targeted traffic initiative aimed at reducing DUI arrests, speeding, and unsafe driving behaviors across the city's most collision-prone corridors.
Driving the news: The operation follows a vehicle-versus-pedestrian fatality in January and grew out of a community workshop led by Traffic Sgt. Jason Lamb, where residents reviewed local crash data and helped identify high-risk hotspots.
The California Highway Patrol will join the effort, conducting enforcement along Highway 111 in Palm Springs, with overtime costs covered by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety.
What they're saying: "Operation Desert Zero represents our commitment to zero tolerance for behaviors that endanger lives on our roads," Lamb said. "By focusing on prevention and accountability, we're working to make Palm Springs safer for drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and runners alike."
What's next: Future phases may include outreach events with local cycling and running groups.
Residents can report unsafe driving via PSPD social media or contact Sgt. Lamb at 760-323-8105 or email [email protected].
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