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Thursday, April 2 | ☁️ 78°/57°
Welcome to Thursday, everyone. As they prepare for additional listening sessions, members of the Palm Springs Parks Foundation (learn more about the organization here) are gathering community input on the future of city parks, and your voice is needed. Have thoughts? Make sure to click here and take the short survey, and stay tuned for details on the next listening sessions!
🎶 Setting the mood: "Powerlines" by Tame Impala
Leading Off
A row of smart electric meters on a building exterior for multi-unit energy monitoring. (Image: Shutterstock)
City pushing ahead on energy efficiency standards despite state pause
Palm Springs is moving forward with a long-delayed effort to adopt stricter energy efficiency building standards, with a new staff fellow reviving the initiative and developing a companion program to help low-income residents afford the upgrades.
Driving the news: Xavina Walbert, a Civic Spark AmeriCorps fellow working with the city, presented an update to the Sustainability Commission at its most recent monthly meeting, detailing the history of the effort and its current status.
Background: The city began working on so-called "reach codes" — which allow cities and counties to set energy efficiency standards beyond state minimums — in 2021. A first draft was presented to the Sustainability Commission in 2022, and a Civic Spark fellow began researching other cities' programs in 2023.
Yes, but: The effort stalled in 2025 on two fronts — staff shifted focus to a companion pilot program after the reach codes process dragged on, and Assembly Bill 130 effectively paused reach code adoptions statewide from October 2025 through June 2031.
Palm Springs believes it may still proceed because its general plan and climate action plan include language committing the city to energy efficiency measures regardless of code requirements. The most recent draft of the ordinance was completed in March and has already received state feedback.
Why it matters: Because reach codes would not apply to low-income residents, the city developed a pilot program to close that equity gap, offering financial assistance through rebates. The city has approximately $1 million in funding available for the program.
The pilot uses a points-based structure in which homeowners earn points for specific efficiency upgrades during remodels — such as a heat pump water heater — and must reach a target score to comply.
What's next: Remaining steps for the pilot include identifying contractors through a request for proposals, updating available incentives, and developing an application form. The reach code ordinance will eventually go before the City Council.
Briefly
The Palm Springs Air Museum’s new learning center was officially dedicated last week.
✈️ Air Museum opens new STEM learning center
The Palm Springs Air Museum last week cut the ribbon on its latest project — the Ronald M. Auen Learning Center.
The 2,500-square-foot facility is designed to expand student access to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in an aviation setting. Programs will include guided tours, an F-16 flight simulator, and an aviation science center, along with interactive activities and veteran docents sharing their experiences with students as living role models.
Details: The center was named for the late Ronald M. Auen, with major donors including his wife, Sherrie Auen — trustee of the Auen Foundation — and other family members.
A MESSAGE FROM
PALM SPRINGS CULTURAL CENTER
Hitchcock takes a rare turn into screwball comedy with Mr. & Mrs. Smith, pairing Carole Lombard and Robert Montgomery in a sharp, fast-talking battle of love, ego, and marriage gone sideways. Stylish, witty, and delightfully combative. Featuring an intro and discussion with film historian Richard L. Edwards. See it on the big screen April 5 at 3 p.m.
📆 Featured Events
Lesbian and Queer Women's Chat
10:30 a.m. | The Center
A welcoming weekly chat group for queer women to connect, share, and build community through friendship and support. Contact Candice at [email protected] or 760-416-7790.
Story Time at Palm Springs Public Library
10:30 a.m. | Library at Rimrock Plaza
Children's Librarian Nancy reads stories, sings songs, and shares early learning concepts for children newborn to age 5, every Thursday morning.
Mahjong Meetup
12 p.m. | Market Market
Come play the popular Chinese game with others each week. Two mats and sets are available, or feel free to bring your own.
Cinema Diverse BIG Gay Movie: Accidental Friends
4 p.m. | Palm Springs Cultural Center
The story of two boys — one gay and the other a bit homophobic — who find themselves living together. ($10.48)
Free Museum Admission
5–8 p.m. | Palm Springs Art Museum & Architecture and Design Center
Enjoy free admission to galleries and exhibitions, with a DJ curating a live playlist at the Palm Springs Art Museum. The Architecture & Design Center offers concurrent exhibitions and community programs.
Public Arts Commission Regular Meeting
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
The nine-member commission, which oversees procurement and placement of visual art in and around Palm Springs, meets on the first Thursday of each month. For information, call 760-323-8259.
Palm Springs VillageFest
6–10 p.m. | Downtown Palm Springs
The weekly Thursday street fair features art, entertainment, shopping, and food along Palm Canyon Drive.
Thursday Night Live Music
6 p.m. | Hyatt Palm Springs
Enjoy handcrafted cocktails and live music every Thursday night at HooDoo in Downtown Palm Springs.
’The Man Who Saves The World?’ Premiere
6:30 p.m. | Palm Springs Cultural Center
Palm Springs premiere of Gabe Polsky's acclaimed documentary — named one of The Hollywood Reporter's top six docs of the year with a 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating — followed by a Q&A with the director. The film follows peace advocate Patrick McCollum drawn into an Indigenous prophecy tied to the future of the Amazon. ($13.64–$14)
Maundy Thursday
7 p.m. | Saint Cecilia Catholic Community
Traditional Maundy Thursday Sung Liturgy with Foot Washing, Altar of Repose, Stripping of the Altar, and Night Watch. Features an offertory duet by David Justin Lynch with Soprano Katrina G. Dixon and Countertenor Cliff Plummer.
Sunset Boulevard
7 p.m. | Palm Canyon Theatre
Andrew Lloyd Webber's hauntingly glamorous tale of fame, obsession, and faded dreams set in Hollywood noir, featuring the iconic "As If We Never Said Goodbye."
In The Air Tonight
8 p.m. | The Plaza Theatre
Rick Snider leads this award-winning tribute act through the full catalog of Phil Collins and Genesis, having performed worldwide for over a million fans. The band held the first Las Vegas residency ever awarded to a tribute act.
📌 Save the Date
Easter Egg Hunt at James O. Jessie Desert Unity Center on Friday
American Moor / Newish Shakespeare Festival at Revolution Stage Company on Friday
Free Shredding Event at the Convention Center Saturday starting at 8 a.m.
Glen Wexler: Everywhere & Nowhere exhibit at Janssen Artspace on Saturday
Easter Sunrise at O'Donnell Golf Club Sunday at 6:15 a.m.
World Art Day Festival on April 11 in Downtown Park
🚠 And Finally …
Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce CEO Nona Watson and Assemblymember Greg Wallis. (Photo: Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce)
Three Palm Springs women were among those celebrated at Assemblymember Greg Wallis's annual Women of Distinction Reception Tuesday, where the 47th Assembly District honorees received certificates of recognition before an audience of community leaders, family members, and local officials.
The Palm Springs honorees:
Carrie Allan, recognized for her work as lead chaplain at Desert Regional Medical Center during COVID-19;
Dr. Terri Ketover, founder of the Do the Right Thing program, which has honored students throughout the Coachella Valley for acts of kindness and leadership;
and Nona Watson, who has led the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce for 15 years as its CEO and was described as “a steady force behind initiatives that strengthen business, deepen civic engagement, and build a more resilient community.”
The bigger picture: Eight additional women from Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Beaumont, Redlands, Desert Hot Springs, and La Quinta were also honored at the reception.
Wallis named Dr. Kelly May-Vollmar, superintendent of Desert Sands Unified School District, as the 2026 Woman of the Year.
In Case You Missed It
Recently published stories
🫖 Kendall was horrified to find her tea drawer filled with DECAFFEINATED tea! Not a single full caffeine option to be found!
✡️ Mark is wishing a Happy Passover to all who are celebrating. Chag Sameach!
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