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Thursday, March 26 | ☀️ 96°/66°
Happy Thursday! With April just around the corner, we’d like to point out that it’s shaping up to be a delicious month. Over at The Coachella Valley Independent, food writer Charles Drabkin notes that not only is Dining Out for Life returning on April 23, but the Big Gay BBQ takes over Arenas Road just a few days later — April 25 and 26. In other food related news, congrats are in order for Palm Springs' own Gambino's Creperie, which is expanding to a third location in La Quinta!
🎶 Setting the mood: "Girl from the North Country" by Bob Dylan
Leading Off
A vehicle hooked to a tow truck is driven away. (Photo: Shutterstock)
City Council votes to expand tow contractor zone to boost competition
If your car gets towed in Palm Springs, you may have to travel outside city limits to retrieve it after the City Council unanimously approved an amendment to the city's towing ordinance Wednesday.
Driving the news: The council voted to expand location requirements for non-consensual tow contractors — those used when a vehicle's owner is arrested, detained or otherwise unable to drive — allowing storage facilities to be located either within city limits or within 10 miles of the city's border, measured by driving distance.
Previously, contractors were required to maintain storage facilities inside city limits.
Why it matters: The city says the existing requirement limits the pool of potential bidders when it solicits towing services. Expanding eligibility is expected to increase competition and potentially lower tow rates for residents.
The staff report notes that any cost savings passed on to customers cannot be "precisely determined at this time."
The other side: David Bell of Dave's Towing, one of two operators currently providing these services in Palm Springs, spoke against the change.
"Emergency personnel will be tied up waiting for out of town towing services," Bell said, adding that tow yards north of the washes would create "a logistical nightmare for customers needing to access their vehicles."
What they're saying: Police Capt. Mike Torres said Wednesday that the department does not anticipate issues from using out-of-town operators.
Briefly
Neighbors from the area adjacent to Prescott Preserve, along with volunteers from Oswit Land Trust, tour the fire-damaged section of the preserve with Palm Springs firefighters. (Photo: PSFD)
🔥 Officials outline fire prevention steps after preserve blaze
Palm Springs Fire Chief Paul Alvarado presented a review Wednesday of the Feb. 1 fire at Prescott Preserve, which destroyed roughly 100 palm trees and burned about 3.5 acres near the preserve's turtle pond, between Farrell and Compadre Road. No injuries or structural damage were reported.
The cause remains under investigation. A person was seen leaving the area minutes before the fire started, and human cause could not be ruled out. Some 36 firefighters from Palm Springs, Cathedral City, and CAL FIRE contained the blaze in approximately two hours.
Details: The city plans to install a fire-resistant buffer zone between the preserve and nearby homes, funded by a state grant, with planting expected in fall 2026. The annual brush mitigation program is set to begin May 5, starting in the Little Tuscany neighborhood.
A MESSAGE FROM
PALM SPRINGS CULTURAL CENTER
Two roommates. One apartment. Zero patience. When Omero’s open sexuality collides with Pietro’s deep-seated homophobia, sparks fly. But what begins in conflict slowly shifts toward understanding in this sharp, human comedy about unlikely connection. Screening daily March 30 - April 16, 4pm + 6:30pm.
📆 Featured Events
Lesbian and Queer Women's Chat
10:30 a.m. | The Center
A welcoming space for queer women to connect, share, and find friendship, laughter, and support. Contact The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert 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, each Thursday morning unless otherwise noted.
Police and Fire Appreciation Luncheon 2026
11:30 a.m. | Convention Center
The Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce hosts this annual luncheon honoring local police officers and firefighters. Questions? Contact the Chamber at 760-325-1577 or [email protected].
Mahjong Meetup
12 p.m. | Market Market
Come play mahjong with others each week at Market Market. Two mats and sets are available, or bring your own.
AmDocs Film Festival
4:30 p.m. | Cultural Center & Plaza Theatre
This internationally recognized event celebrates excellence in documentary, animation, and music video storytelling across both short and feature formats. It runs through Sunday.
Free Museum Admission
5 p.m. | Palm Springs Art Museum & Architecture and Design Center
Enjoy free admission to galleries and exhibitions from 5–8 p.m. A DJ will perform at the Art Museum (101 N Museum Dr.), while the Architecture & Design Center (300 S Palm Canyon Dr.) hosts exhibitions and community programs.
PS Woman's Club Scholarship Gala
5 p.m. | Doubletree by Hilton
The Palm Springs Woman's Club hosts its 87th annual gala, a 1920s Great Gatsby-themed evening with fine dining, live entertainment by Champagne Taylor, and a silent and live auction benefiting scholarships for local high school seniors. ($125)
Palm Springs Parks Foundation Listening Session
5:15 p.m. | 1700 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way
The Palm Springs Parks Foundation invites the community to share experiences, needs, and hopes for local parks at Dance With Miss Lindsay’s studio. RSVP at [email protected] or visit 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.
Palm Springs VillageFest
6 p.m. | Palm Canyon Drive
The weekly street fair features art, entertainment, shopping, and food on Palm Canyon Drive in Downtown Palm Springs. October through May hours are 6–10 p.m.
📌 Save the Date
Palm Springs Book Festival Friday through Sunday
Trans Pride 2026 Saturday at Demuth Community Center
Palm Springs Fire Foundation’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday at Ruth Hardy Park
Palm Springs Speaks: CeCe Moore on March 30
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🚠 And Finally …
Illustration: Shutterstock
You like books. We like books. And now, Friends of the Palm Springs Library is giving book lovers two chances to browse and buy gently used books, CDs, DVDs, and more — and the first opportunity is just days away.
First up: On this Sunday, March 29, the Friends will have a table in front of the Festival Theaters as part of the Palm Springs Book Festival's Community FREE day.
The sale runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with books, media, and information about upcoming Palm Springs Speaks events on offer.
Then: On Saturday, April 4, the Friends host a Sidewalk Sale at the rear of Our Saviors Lutheran Church, at the corner of Ramon and Caballeros in Palm Springs, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Expect fiction, non-fiction, art books, cookbooks, and more media — all at great prices.
What they're saying: "These are both wonderful opportunities to pick up a good book (and more) at a great discount," said Nanci Morrison, president of the Friends of the Palm Springs Library. "Our selection of books and media is tremendous, so don't miss out!"
For more information or to become a member, visit this website.
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📚 Kendall always finds the best deals at library book sales! Don’t sleep on the DVDs and cookbooks up for sale.
😢 Mark has officially declared it the end of Flannel Sheet Season.
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