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Monday, May 18 | ☀️ 84°/62°
Happy Monday, and Happy Mt. St. Helens Day for all our Washingtonian friends who remember! In news closer to home, it looks like there’s a buyer for Billy Reed’s, which went up for sale last year at $7.5 million. It’s status is currently listed as “sale pending,” so when the deal’s done hopefully we’ll know what’s next in store for the iconic eatery.
🎶 Setting the mood: "Everybody Loves The Sunshine" by Roy Ayers Ubiquity
Leading Off
Sean Bates at the site of a 2025 bombing. His former workplace, which suffered extensive damage, is in the background. (Photo: Maggie Miles)
A year after the Palm Springs bombing, a survivor is still picking up the pieces
Sean Bates was chatting with a coworker at WorldMark Palm Springs on May 17, 2025, when a car bomb exploded across the street at the American Reproductive Centers, sending shards of glass tearing through the lobby — and upending his life.
Driving the news: One year later, Bates remains unable to work due to chronic pain, mobility limitations, and neurological and systemic health issues caused by the blast. Just days before the anniversary, he learned his application to the California Victim Compensation Board — a state program that can reimburse eligible crime victims up to $70,000 — had been denied.
The FBI has connected him with a victims advocate in Riverside who is helping him reapply, but Bates does not know when he will hear back.
The toll: Bates suffered both external and internal injuries in the explosion, which he says involved 270 pounds of ammonium nitrate. He was also diagnosed with PTSD. After the resort closed for repairs, he lost his job and became homeless just five weeks after the attack, eventually living out of his car before a community member helped him find a room.
He is currently being treated for blood abnormalities and internal bleeding and has maxed out his credit cards to stay housed.
Support system: The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert has become a lifeline for Bates, pairing him with a social worker and recently launching a GoFundMe to help cover expenses as he again faces the possibility of homelessness.
What they're saying: "Nobody should have to work this hard just to get what they deserve," said Jill Hingston, chief behavioral health officer at The Center. "He felt like nobody cared for way too long."
Briefly
Palm Springs City Council Chambers at City Hall. (Shutterstock file photo)
🏛️ Palm Springs commissions tackle airport, development, climate this week
Palm Springs advisory commissions will hold a series of public meetings this week covering airport expansion, new development proposals, climate planning and parks policies, beginning tonight.
The Parks & Recreation Commission and Architectural Review Committee both meet tonight at 5:30 p.m. The ARC will consider a 92,400-square-foot self-storage facility proposed at 900 North Farrell Drive. The Sustainability Commission meets Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., followed by the Airport Commission on Wednesday at 4 p.m., where commissioners will receive updates on capital projects and airline service, including Porter Airlines' decision not to return next season on its Toronto route.
How to participate: Members of the public may attend meetings in person or participate remotely where available. Instructions for Zoom participation, phone access and submitting written public comments are included on each meeting agenda.
A MESSAGE FROM
DAP HEALTH
Longtime HIV specialist Dr. Kinji Hawthorne reflects upon decades of medical advancement — from the hopeless beginnings of the AIDS epidemic to today’s life-saving treatments. His story highlights how compassionate, equitable care can reshape lives, confront systemic barriers, and transform a once-deadly diagnosis into a manageable condition.
📆 Featured Events
American Mahjong
11 a.m. | Market Market
Come play the popular game with others each week. Mats and sets are available, but feel free to bring your own since it sometimes gets busy.
Mizell Kitchen Pasta and Southern Italian Food
3 p.m. | Mizell Center
A hands-on pasta class with Chef Mark Gavigan celebrating Southern Italian cuisine. The evening includes a Prosecco welcome, pasta-making instruction, and a light supper with wine and house-made sauces. ($115)
HangingOUT! – Men's Monday Coffee
4:30 p.m. | Social Cafe & Lounge
Drop-in coffee, chat, and snacks — no RSVP needed. Arrive by 4:45 p.m. to join the dinner group afterward.
Monday Night Dance Party with Leanna and Miguel
5 p.m. | V Wine Lounge & Martini Bar
Monday night dancing featuring jazz, Latin, pop, disco, and more. ($5)
Architectural Review Committee
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
The Architectural Review Committee meets to review and make recommendations on building and landscape design to the Planning Commission, City Council, and City staff. Check out the agenda online here.
Tap Dancing Classes with Miss Jane
6:30 p.m. | Palm Springs Pavilion
Tap dancing classes at two levels: Intermediate at 6:30 p.m. and Absolute Beginners at 7:30 p.m. ($20–$25)
The Carole King & James Taylor Story
7:30 p.m. | The Plaza Theatre
Performed by Phoebe Katis and Dan Clews. ($78)
📌 Save the Date
Ride of Silence at Ruth Hardy Park at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday
Pool Party for Cause at Palm Springs Surf Club at 6 p.m. on Friday ($25)
Memorial Day Air Fair & Flower Drop at Palm Springs Air Museum at 10 a.m. on May 25 ($23)
Heroes on the Diamond Charity Exhibition Baseball Game at Palm Springs Stadium at 5:30 p.m. on May 31
Palm Springs 70mm Film Festival at Palm Springs Cultural Center runs May 29-31 ($22)
Marilyn 100 Celebration runs May 29 through June 1
PS/NEXT Summit 26 at Palm Springs Convention Center runs June 22-23
🚠 And Finally …
Attendees at a December ceremony in Downtown Park walk past a scale model of the Palm Springs AIDS Memorial. (File photo)
Palm Springs has a new framework for how outside groups can donate monuments, memorials, and commemorative artworks to the city — one that closes gaps that left officials scrambling on several high-profile projects in recent years.
Driving the news: The Public Arts Commission voted earlier this month to approve a commemorative collection ordinance requiring donors to demonstrate proof of funding, a maintenance endowment, and meaningful community outreach before any piece can be accepted into the public collection.
City Council approval is still required before the ordinance takes effect.
What prompted it: Commission Chair Gary Armstrong cited three incidents over the past year and a half, including the AIDS Memorial project, the placement of commemorative plaques for Morris Kight and LGBTQ+ veterans in Frances Stevens Park, and a separate case in which the city unexpectedly absorbed installation costs for an unspecified artwork.
Worth noting: The approved language requires project budgets to be supported by contractor estimates — not just donor projections — after Commissioner Lauri Kibby warned that cost surprises were a real risk.
What's next: The commemorative collection section will be folded into a broader ordinance overhaul still in progress.
In Case You Missed It
Recently published stories
🥦 Kendall is realizing she needs to buy way less produce this time of year. It goes bad so fast!
🛒 Mark failed to get to the grocery store last week and ended up trying to survive off two cloves of garlic, leftover birthday cake, and a jar of mayonnaise.
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