BROUGHT TO YOU BY
We are grateful for our advertising partners. Become one today
Thursday, March 12 | ☀️ 91°/64°
Welcome to Thursday, everyone — and Happy World Kidney Day, a global health awareness campaign dedicated to the importance of kidney health and reducing the impact of kidney disease, which affects about 1 in 10 adults worldwide. The day hits especially close to home for us here at the Palm Springs Post, where our own Kendall received a new kidney in 2024 — so we're celebrating her and encouraging everyone to take one small step today: check your blood pressure and know your kidney risk! 🫘
🎶 Setting the mood: "Moth To A Flame" by Swedish House Mafia and The Weeknd
Leading Off
Renderings of what two long-awaited hotel projects might look like are seen above. The Dream Hotel project is on the left and the planned Orchid Tree Hotel is on the right.
Council updates accountability measures on two long-delayed hotel projects
The Palm Springs City Council on Wednesday received progress updates on two downtown hotel projects that have faced years of delays — the Dream Hotel near the convention center and the Orchid Tree Hotel on Baristo Road.
Driving the news: The council approved an amendment to its 2023 settlement and development agreement with Serene Palm Springs LLC, the developer behind the Dream Hotel, adding stronger accountability measures to keep the project on track.
The amended agreement expands milestone deadlines from three to nine, requires the developer to maintain the project site during pre-construction and mandates monthly neighborhood meetings and a public-facing project website.
By the numbers: Under the revised timeline, the developer must have 80% of construction drawings completed by March 31. The target completion date has been pushed back to December 2028, from December 2026.
The Dream Hotel project was first approved as a mixed-use development in 2007. The current plan calls for 155 hotel rooms and 89 condos and townhomes.
What they're saying: "I would say that this contract actually holds the developer's feet to the fire a bit more closely," said Seth Merewitz, an attorney representing the city, adding that the intention is to "strengthen accountability and transparency as the project goes towards construction."
The other project: The council also received an update on milestone adjustments for the Orchid Tree Hotel at 284 Baristo Road, which has been in development for more than a decade.
The initial deadline for the developer to submit a planning application was moved from Aug. 23, 2025, to Feb. 14 after city staff determined the original submittal was incomplete. Other timeline dates were adjusted accordingly.
Briefly
Renderings of what a planned affordable senior housing project might look like and the land it would sit on is at right.
🏠 Affordable senior housing project to get some city backing
The Palm Springs City Council on Wednesday approved a $3 million funding commitment for a 72-unit, 100% affordable senior housing project at 1555 East Alejo Road, on land owned by the United Methodist Church of Palm Springs.
Every unit will be reserved for seniors 55 and older earning 60% or less of the area median income. Seven units will carry a veteran housing preference, and approximately 36 units may be set aside for formerly unhoused individuals, contingent on rental voucher awards from Riverside County.
Details: Developer Wakeland Housing and Development will ground-lease the church property for at least 70 years. The $3 million city commitment — roughly 7% of the total project budget — will be disbursed as permanent financing in fiscal year 2029, after construction is complete.
A MESSAGE FROM
THE PALM SPRINGS CULTURAL CENTER
The PSCC presents Broadway’s Best … In the West! Season 3, executive produced by Dr. Tom Truhe. This month’s star is Tony nominee Tony Yazbeck (On the Town, Finding Neverland, Chicago). Enjoy an evening of Broadway classics and stories from one of musical theater’s most dynamic performers.
📆 Featured Events
Dream Community Meeting
9 a.m. | Convention Center
A community meeting to bring the community up to date on the status of the Dream project and answer questions. Submit questions to [email protected] in advance.
Preschool and Baby Story Times
10 a.m. | Library at Rimrock Plaza
Children's Librarian Nancy reads stories, sings songs, and shares early learning concepts. Preschool story time runs 10–11 a.m. and Baby story time runs 11 a.m.–12 p.m. each Thursday morning unless otherwise noted.
Lesbian and Queer Women's Chat
10:30 a.m. | The Center
A welcoming chat group for queer women to connect, share, find friendship, laughter, and support. Contact Candice at [email protected] or 760-416-7790.
Second Thursday Art Walk
4 p.m. | 610 South Belardo Rd
Explore The Lofts Art District on Palm Springs' 2nd Thursday Art Walk, featuring 8 cutting-edge gallery/studios with a dynamic mix of styles from geometric abstraction to hyper-surrealism. Join year-round and experience the creative pulse of the thriving art community.
Free Museum Admission
5 p.m. until 8 p.m. | Palm Springs Art Museum
Enjoy free admission to galleries and exhibitions at the Palm Springs Art Museum (101 N Museum Dr.) with DJ music and refreshments, plus exhibitions and programs at The Architecture & Design Center (300 S Palm Canyon Drive).
Palm Springs Parks Foundation Listening Session
5:15 p.m. | Dance With Miss Lindsay
The Palm Springs Parks Foundation invites the community to a listening session to share experiences, needs, and hopes for local parks. RSVP at [email protected] or learn more at psparks.org.
Hyatt Palm Springs | HooDoo - Thursday Night Live Music
6 p.m. | Hyatt Palm Springs
Thursday nights at HooDoo feature handcrafted cocktails and live music with downtown Palm Springs vibes.
Joe Croyle at Atrium Piano Bar at Oscar's
6 p.m. | Oscar’s
Singer/vocalist and Vocal Group Hall of Fame member Joe Croyle performs piano and vocals at Oscar's Atrium piano bar.
Palm Springs VillageFest
6 p.m. until 10 p.m. | Downtown Palm Springs
The weekly street fair on Palm Canyon Drive features art, entertainment, shopping, and food. Hours run October through May from 6–10 p.m. and June through September from 7–10 p.m.
Fried Chicken Dinner at Holiday House
6:30 p.m. | Holiday House
Holiday House's renowned family-style fried chicken dinners are served under starlit skies in the resort's gardens, limited to 40 guests. Gather in the art-filled lobby for a pre-dinner drink before heading to the long table. Reserve via OpenTable. ($65)
Les Greene
7 p.m. | Agua Caliente Casino
Soul, rock, and vintage rhythm and blues performer Les Greene plays Cascade Lounge's weekly Carousel concert series. Use promo code PARTY50 for 50% off. ($18)
📌 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
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
🚠 And Finally …
Karen Devine holds a statue after she was inducted into the Coachella Valley Media Hall of Fame in 2024. (File photo)
Longtime broadcast journalist Karen Devine is about to get her own piece of real estate on Palm Canyon Drive — a permanent one.
Driving the news: Devine will receive the 486th star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars during a public ceremony on March 27 at 11 a.m. at 112 North Palm Canyon Drive in Downtown Palm Springs.
The honoree: The Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce will recognize Devine in the categories of Humanitarian and Entertainment. She has been a broadcast journalist in the Coachella Valley for nearly 35 years, beginning her desert career in 1992 at NBC Palm Springs, formerly KMIR.
She joined KESQ News Channel 3 in 2009, where she has served as an evening anchor and investigative reporter on the station's I-Team.
Her record: Devine has received multiple Emmy Awards, two regional Edward R. Murrow Awards and Golden Mike Awards. In 2024, she was inducted into the Coachella Valley Media Hall of Fame.
Beyond the desk: She has emceed fundraisers for nonprofits and supports organizations including the American Cancer Society, Palm Springs Women in Film and Television and Loma Linda Children's Center.
In Case You Missed It
Recently published stories
👗 Kendall thinks she should take up tennis just so she can wear those cute outfits.
🌡️ Mark’s body is so used to extreme highs and chilly lows in the desert that it refuses to recognize when it’s actually pleasant outside.
WORK WITH US
Our network of 23,000+ subscribers gives advertisers unmatched reach to engaged local readers across the Coachella Valley. Click the button below to learn more or receive our rate card.
EXPLORE & SUBSCRIBE
We deliver free news to communities throughout the Coachella Valley and a roundup on Saturdays. Click below to subscribe to our other newsletters!