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Wednesday, May 6 | ☀️ 86°/58°
Welcome to Wednesday. While it's not exactly in our Palm Springs backyard, a community meeting coming up Monday in Coachella may be of interest to many of you who have asked if we’re covering the topic locally (we are in our Indio outlet). The East Valley city is hosting a town hall on its municipal utility and a proposed data center concept, where residents can hear directly from city representatives and ask questions of both city and developer teams. The meeting runs from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club of Coachella Valley, 85350 Bagdad Ave. No project has been approved at this time — so this is your chance to get informed before any decisions are made!
🎶 Setting the mood: "Acelera" by Nu Genea with María José Llergo
Leading Off
The interior and exterior of Temple Isaiah are seen in these images from a city staff report.
Board recommends historic designation for Temple Isaiah
Temple Isaiah, a synagogue and Jewish Community Center that has anchored a Palm Springs neighborhood for more than 70 years, is one step closer to receiving historic protection.
Driving the news: The Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board on Tuesday recommended the temple at 332 W. Alejo Road for a Class 1 historic designation, finding that the property has maintained its historic significance through multiple design phases spanning more than seven decades.
The backstory: Architect E. Stewart Williams designed the temple's first facility — a Modernist building with a C-shaped plan and exposed concrete blocks — between 1950 and 1952. Architects Wexler and Harrison added a six-classroom addition in the early 1960s, and architect David Christian later encapsulated the original structure within a new stucco exterior and added an auditorium, transforming the aesthetic from Mid-Century Modern to Late Modern/Brutalist.
The expansion made the complex more than three times its previous size, according to a city staff report.
Why it matters: The temple was founded in the late 1940s by a group of between 50 and 100 concentration camp survivors. A city staff member described it Tuesday as "the social and cultural center for the community for the past 75 years."
What they're saying: "Let's preserve this for generations to come," said Robert Weinstein, president of Temple Isaiah. "20, 30, 40 years from now, when future generations come, we want to make sure it's still there."
What's next: The board's recommendation will go before the Palm Springs City Council for final approval.
Briefly
🎵 PS Phil opens music scholarship applications for 2026
Palm Springs Friends of Philharmonic has opened its 2026 application cycle for Summer Music Camp grants and College Scholarships for Coachella Valley students, with applications accepted through May 31.
The PS Phil Board of Directors has allocated more than $40,000 in funding this year — a $10,000 increase over last year. Summer camp grants offer up to $3,000 per student, while college scholarships provide up to $5,000 per year, renewable for four years, for students maintaining a minimum 2.8 GPA at accredited colleges or universities worldwide.
Details: College scholarships are open to Coachella Valley students attending accredited institutions anywhere in the world. Summer camp grants support students attending programs including the Idyllwild Arts Summer Program and other qualified music camps across the United States.
A MESSAGE FROM
MIZELL CENTER
Senior Summer Camp
Mondays, June 1-July 13 | 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Mizell Center and James O. Jesse Unity Center host a senior summer camp. Combating isolation through connection, this fun filled camp brings seniors together for health & wellness, crafts, arts, games and shared experiences. Includes breakfast and lunch. Limited space. Email [email protected].
📆 Featured Events
American Mahjong
11 a.m. | Market Market
Play the popular game with others each week. Mats and sets are available, but feel free to bring your own as it sometimes gets busy.
Chinese Mah Jong Open Play
2 p.m. | Mizell Center
Practice your skills and play with others in the dining room, 2–4 p.m. No Mizell membership required; limited sets provided, so bring your own if possible.
Backstreet ArtWalk
5 p.m. | Backstreet Art District
From 5 to 7 p.m. is a monthly Art Walk on the first Wednesday of each month – rain or shine. Sometimes there will be entertainment or food vendors to complete the evening’s festivities.
Cocktails & Cabaret with Francesca Amari & Jeff Lantz
5 p.m. | Palm Springs Cultural Center
Hosted by Francesca Amari and Jeff Lantz, featuring mod pop, yacht rock, Broadway tunes, Rat Pack gems, and interactive fun. Expect silly stories, surprise guests, and plenty of audience participation. ($20)
the impact social
5 p.m. | The Velvet Rope
An evening of connection, conversation, and collaboration. Featured Home for a Home member: Jesse Andrade. ($10)
Library Board of Trustees
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
Monthly public meeting of the Library Board of Trustees in the Large Conference Room. Also accessible via Zoom (Meeting ID: 859 5829 0008, Passcode: 090845) or by phone at 1-669-900-6833.
OutBook Book Club
6 p.m. | The Center
LGBTQ+ book club supported by the Palm Springs Public Library, meeting the first Wednesday of the month, 6–8 p.m. Selections include new LGBTQ+ releases and influential classics; no meetings in August or September.
Rock the Park Doobie Brothers Tribute
7 p.m. | Downtown Palm Springs Park
High-energy Doobie Brothers tribute featuring classics like "Listen to the Music," "China Grove," and "Long Train Runnin'." Bring blankets and chairs; free and open to all.
📌 Save the Date
Friends of the Palm Springs Library sidewalk book sale on Friday at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church starting at 9 a.m.
PSPsychedelic Society Presents Joe Tafur on Saturday at Mizell Center ($15)
Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast on May 14 at the Palm Springs Convention Center ($95)
Agave Paradiso Cocktail Party benefitting Palm Springs Animal Shelter on May 16 ($25-$250)
Ride of Silence at Ruth Hardy Park at 6:30 p.m. on May 20Submit an event
🚠 And Finally …
Shutterstock image
If you've ever wanted to do something meaningful with your evenings and weekends — and have a high tolerance for emotionally demanding situations — a Coachella Valley nonprofit has an opening for you.
Driving the news: Trauma Intervention Programs of Riverside County is recruiting volunteers for a training session beginning May 14 at the Palm Desert Police Department, 73705 Gerald Ford Dr.
The organization deploys citizen volunteers to emergency scenes to provide emotional support to trauma survivors — at no cost to those receiving help.
What volunteers do: When police, fire, or medical personnel respond to a tragedy, TIP volunteers are called in to assist family members, witnesses, and bystanders, helping arrange shelter, food, clothing, and transportation, and connecting victims with follow-up services.
The commitment: Training runs across eight sessions through May 23. A $50 fee covers materials, food, and a Live Scan background check. Once certified, volunteers work three 12-hour shifts per month.
A minimum of 10 participants is required for the session to proceed.
The bottom line: Founded in 1985, TIP is a national nonprofit with 16 affiliates serving more than 250 cities. For information or to apply, visit tiprivco.org or email [email protected].
In Case You Missed It
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