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Thursday, July 9 | 🥵 110°/80°
Happy Thursday, folks, where we are delighted to see the Palm Springs Cultural Center ad has returned to this newsletter. It’s not because that ad helps pay the bills (although we are extremely grateful for that), it’s because it means they are back open for business after a recent fire! We can’t say it any better than Jimmy Boegle at the Coachella Valley Independent said soon after the incident forced the temporary closing: “It’s truly a special place — a hub that brings together members of our community to be entertained, to be nourished, and to enjoy the talents of other members of our community.” Go pack the place this weekend!
🎶 Setting the mood: "Silver Springs" by Fleetwood Mac
Leading Off
A city crew removes the remains of a palm tree skirt after it crashed to the ground in March 2024 in Downtown Palm Springs, injuring a woman and her infant son. (File photo)
City to trim more palm tree skirts amid safety concerns
Palm Springs will begin removing more dry palm frond "skirts" from city-owned California fan palms, mainly in high-traffic areas downtown. The City Council approved the policy shift Wednesday amid growing safety concerns.
Driving the news: The council voted to allow removal of dry fronds from California fan palms on city property, reversing a policy that had left the native trees untrimmed except for fruit pod removal and minimal ground clearance.
The change follows a March 2024 incident in which a mother and her 2-month-old son were injured by falling fronds in front of the Welwood Murray Memorial Library.
By the numbers: City Attorney Jeff Ballinger said Palm Springs has received at least 11 claims over falling tree skirts since 2019, one of which led to a $100,000 settlement. Individual fronds can weigh more than 20 pounds, and a full skirt can weigh 1,000 to more than 4,000 pounds.
What they're saying: Mayor Naomi Soto compared the skirts to "a Volkswagen Beetle 10 to 15 feet above you." Councilmember Jeffrey Bernstein called it strictly a public safety issue, saying it's "probably a matter of time before we have something very serious."
About 20 speakers opposed the change, warning it would destroy wildlife habitat and alter the city's historic character.
What's next: Staff will prioritize skirt removal in pedestrian-heavy commercial areas, sparing designated historic sites, community gateways and heritage-value parks.
Crews will inspect trees individually before trimming, and the city plans added signage and other deterrents, such as removing benches beneath skirted trees.
Briefly
Architect E. Stewart Williams’ rendering for Temple Isaiah in 1950 is seen on the bottom. How it looks today is on top.
🕍 Temple Isaiah named historic landmark
The Palm Springs City Council voted 5-0 Wednesday to designate Temple Isaiah, at 332 West Alejo Rd., as a Class 1 historic landmark, following a recommendation from the city's Historic Site Preservation Board.
Founded in 1950 by Holocaust survivors, the temple grew into a more than 50,000-square-foot campus designed by several Modernist architects, including E. Stewart Williams, Donald Wexler, Richard Harrison and David Christian. Temple Isaiah President Robert Weinstein said Frank Sinatra helped fund a 1980s expansion through two benefit concerts. City Historic Preservation Officer Sarah Yoon said the site's location and integrity have remained consistent despite the changes.
Bottom line: Beyond its architecture, the temple has served as a community cultural hub, hosting weddings, funerals, performances and a Jewish film festival now in its 14th year. Weinstein said the designation aims to preserve the building for future generations.
A MESSAGE FROM
PALM SPRINGS CULTURAL CENTER
Cool air-conditioning, hot buttered popcorn, retro candy, and classic films on the big screen—everything you love about going to the movies. Join us all summer long as we look ahead to a stellar fall season featuring retrospectives, special events, concerts, and the return of Cinema Diverse: Palm Springs’ LGBTQ+ Film Festival, Sept. 18–27.
📆 Featured Events
Bird watching at Prescott Preserve
7 a.m. | Near Ferrell and Mesquite
Meet at the crosswalk on Ferrell near Mesquite in Palm Springs for a flat, approximately two-hour walk. Bring water and binoculars.
Second Thursday Art Walk
4 p.m. | 610 South Belardo Rd
Explore The Lofts Art District's monthly art walk, featuring eight galleries with styles ranging from geometric abstraction to hyper-surrealism. The event takes place year-round and celebrates the community's creative energy.
2026 Palm Springs Tramway Mixer
5 p.m. | Aerial Tramway
Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to the Mountain Station at 8,516 feet for an evening of food, drinks and raffle prizes while escaping the summer heat. Advance ticket purchase is required and space is limited. ($30)
Free Museum Admission
5 p.m. | Palm Springs Art Museum
Enjoy free admission to galleries and exhibitions from 5 to 8 p.m., with a DJ providing music throughout the evening. The Architecture & Design Center also hosts exhibitions and community programs during the event.
Public Arts Commission
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
The commission is responsible for procuring and placing visual art in and around the city of Palm Springs. See tonight’s special meeting agenda here.
Black Market Jazz
7 p.m. | Cipolline
A quartet performs an international mix of jazz with drums, bass, keys and guitar in the lounge for a groovy night out.
Forbidden Broadway
7 p.m. | The Plaza Theatre
The Palm Springs Unified School District and Musical Theatre University present the Off-Broadway hit "Forbidden Broadway," starring young performers from throughout the region. The show lampoons famous Broadway musicals and stars with sharp lyrical parodies and rapid-fire comedy. (From $36)
Palm Springs VillageFest
7 p.m. | Palm Canyon Drive
This weekly street fair in downtown Palm Springs features art, entertainment, shopping and food. During summer months, hours run from 7 to 10 p.m.
Blind Greg Stand-Up Comedy Show
9 p.m. | 333 North Palm Canyon Drive
This 21-and-over comedy club in downtown Palm Springs serves alcoholic drinks and features stand-up acts for a lively, entertaining night out. ($7)
📌 Save the Date
Palm Springs Food Truck Festival Saturday at Sunrise Park
PSPsychedelic Society Presents: Microdosing psychedelics at Mizell Center on Saturday
The Wizard of Oz begins July 17 at Palm Canyon Theatre
🚠 And Finally …
Shutterstock image
Backpacks, haircuts, and a swim pass all in one stop — Palm Springs is making sure students start the school year with more than just a new folder.
Driving the news: The Palm Springs Department of Parks & Recreation is hosting its annual Back-to-School Backpack Drive & Resource Fair on Saturday, Aug. 1, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Palm Springs Leisure Center, 401 South Pavilion Way.
Registration is required in advance, prior to July 16. Attendees must select a designated timeslot. Click here to register.
What students get: Every student who attends will receive a free backpack and school supplies, access to the Community Resource Fair and activities, a complimentary Palm Springs Swim Center day pass, and limited free back-to-school haircuts on a first-come, first-served basis.
Help wanted: As we noted in this newsletter earlier, volunteer barbers and hairstylists are needed to provide the free haircuts during the event.
Donations needed: New backpacks and school supplies — including notebooks, pencils, pens, crayons, markers, folders, binders, and calculators — can be dropped off at the Palm Springs Leisure Center, the James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center, or the Demuth Community Center.
Details: For registration, volunteer information, or donation details, contact the Palm Springs Department of Parks and Recreation at 760-323-8272 or visit PalmSpringsCA.gov/Recreation.
In Case You Missed It
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🐻 Kendall always likes to find new nature live cams to watch while she works. One day it’s bears, the next birds, the next fish!
🎂 Mark would like to wish his sister a very happy 36th anniversary of her 29th birthday!
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