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Monday, March 9 | ☀️ 73°/54°
Welcome to Monday, where we hope this is landing in your inbox in the 6 a.m. hour and not the 5 a.m. hour. If it’s the latter, you might want to double check that you set your clocks ahead yesterday. Or just go back to sleep and regain that hour we lost yesterday 🥱
🎶 Setting the mood: "Nobody Khan (Ain't Nobody)" by Austin Millz & Chaka Khan
Leading Off
The Public Arts Commission is looking to divide the city's art collection into two categories. (File photos)
Arts Commission approves new framework for commemorative art collection
The Palm Springs Arts Commission voted last week to advance a draft amendment that would formally establish a new "Commemorative Collection" subcategory within the city's public art holdings.
Driving the news: The commission approved sending the draft amendment to the city's Public Art Ordinance to the city attorney for final review. The amendment creates a formal structure for managing commemorative works — pieces that are often donated and differ in purpose from artist-led, curated public art.
Background: Last July, the commission voted to divide the city's art collection into two categories: one for curated, artist-led works and a new subcollection for commemorative pieces. The commission has spent the past several months developing criteria to distinguish the two.
How it works: The draft amendment outlines three pathways for a work to enter the Commemorative Collection — being gifted to the city, added by City Council request, or recategorized from the existing public art collection.
Nominating parties must show proof of adequate funding for creation, installation, signage and ongoing maintenance, and demonstrate meaningful public engagement. Proposed works would go before the commission at a public meeting before any recommendation to the City Council.
What's next: The commission will form a task force of experts to help guide decisions on recategorizing pieces already in the city's broader public art collection into the new subcollection.
Briefly
Renderings of what the bridge along South Palm Canyon Drive could look like appear at the left. The area in question is on the right. (File photos)
⚖️ Lawsuit delays South Palm Canyon Drive bridge project
A legal challenge filed under the California Environmental Quality Act has pushed back by at least two years a long-planned flood-control bridge on South Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs.
The Center for Biological Diversity filed suit Aug. 20, 2025, contesting the Palm Springs City Council's July 21, 2025, vote to reject an alternative design and proceed with the city's plans for an elevated roadway and drainage system near East Bogert Trail. The road serves roughly 700 homes and has been closed multiple times due to flooding, most recently in February 2019.
Bottom line: About half of the estimated $9 million project cost comes from federal Highway Bridge Program funds allocated in 2006. Those funds — approximately $4.5 million — could expire if construction does not begin by December, and the city has filed a waiver request with Caltrans to extend the deadline.
🏛️ What to watch for at Palm Springs City Hall this week
Palm Springs boards, commissions and the City Council hold a series of meetings this week, covering topics from bicycle infrastructure and climate action to affordable housing and VillageFest vendors.
The City Council meets Wednesday, with closed session at 3:30 p.m. and a public meeting at 5:30 p.m. Among the items is a proposal to commit $3 million toward a 72-unit affordable senior housing project at 1555 East Alejo Road, to be developed by Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation.
Zoom in: Earlier in the week, the Sustainability Commission's Active Transportation Subcommittee meets today at 1 p.m. to discuss bicycle parking and intersection design, followed by the Climate Action Subcommittee on Tuesday at 10 a.m. The VillageFest Board meets Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. to review vendor applications.
A MESSAGE FROM DAP HEALTH
Above, DAP Health Board Chair Eve E. Fromberg Edelstein, Esq., speaks at the 32nd Annual Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards, presented by Desert Care Network. The woman of the hour was former Palm Springs mayor Lisa Middleton, who received the Community Service Award.
📆 Featured Events
Learn English
9 a.m. | Mizell Center
Learn English in a comfortable, encouraging class geared towards older adults who want to speak and understand English better.
HangingOUT! - Men’s Monday Coffee
4:30 p.m. | Social Cafe & Play Lounge
Join the group for coffee, chat, and chew! No RSVPs necessary.
Human Rights Commission
5 p.m. | City Hall
The Human Rights Commission is a nine-member board appointed by the City Council that typically meets on the second Monday of each month. Click here to see the agenda for tonight's meeting.
Monday Night Dance Party with Leanna and Miguel
5 p.m. | V Wine Lounge and Martini Bar
Join Leanna and Miguel for a night of dancing to jazz, Latin, pop, disco, and more. ($5)
Hot Spot Bingo with Deven & Ned
7 p.m. | Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs
Join us for FREE Hot Spot Bingo with Deven & Ned in the Cascade Lounge at Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs! It’s not just bingo-it’s a party with comedy, music, and prizes galore. You play on your phone, so make sure you are charged up!vents
📌 Save the Date
The L-Fund presents: Luck be a Lady on Saturday
INNERBLOOM: 2026 Annual Spring Exhibition on Saturday at Janssen Artspace
Bloom in the Desert annual fundraiser at Palm Canyon Theatre on March 20
17th Annual ONE-PS Picnic & Community Expo on March 21 at Ruth Hardy Park
AmDocs Film Festival on March 26
Palm Springs Book Festival from March 27 through 29
Trans Pride 2026 on March 28 and 29 at Frances Stevens Park
Palm Springs Fire Foundation’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt on March 29 at Ruth Hardy Park
Palm Springs Speaks: CeCe Moore on March 30
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🚠 And Finally …
A collage shown during a Zoom meeting to celebrate and update the community after one year of Blue Zones Palm Springs. (Photo: Blue Zones Palm Springs)
Blue Zones Palm Springs is celebrating its first birthday this month with a report card that shows more than 1,000 community members engaged and a full agenda ahead for year two.
Driving the news: Executive Director Mihai Patru told attendees at a virtual town hall Friday that the organization spent its first year laying groundwork — building relationships, identifying partners and establishing a foundation before visible results could take hold.
Community engagement was built through walking groups, Moai social circles, cooking demonstrations, gardening workshops and a well-being festival held in October.
What's next: Year two targets include Cielo Vista Charter School becoming the first Blue Zones-approved school in Palm Springs, additional restaurant certifications and city partnerships focused on a master shade plan and a possible pop-up dog park.
The bigger picture: Native Foods became the latest certified Blue Zones business — an announcement made live during Friday's town hall — with Clandestine among the restaurants working through the certification process.
Blue Zones as a national organization has now reached nearly 6 million individuals across more than 75 communities, and the Palm Springs chapter is fielding interest from Cathedral City, Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage.
In Case You Missed It
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🎾 Mark would like to know the cutoff age for being a ball kid at tennis tournaments.
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