Oct. 4 Daily Briefing: First of its kind food cart, looming strike, and more

🚨 Happy hump day, and if you’re reading this before 11:20 a.m., this is a heads-up that the Federal Emergency Management Agency is conducting a nationwide test of the emergency alert system and wireless emergency alerts at exactly 11:20 a.m. PDT. That means a test message will appear on your cell phone, and a tone will also sound. There will also be a test at that time on radios and televisions. That’s basically it. And no, there’s no plan to activate nanochips in vaccines or whatever the latest conspiracy theory claims.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Ring The Alarm” by Beyoncé

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LEADING OFF

For first fully-licensed food cart, process was walk in the park

A unique food cart has made an appearance at local parks shortly after the Palm Springs City Council approved new rules for sidewalk food vending.

Driving the news: The city’s first fully-licensed food cart, Palm Springs Charcuterie, is the brainchild of sommelier Adam Leemon. 

• Leemon said he and his wife were driving past Demuth Park one day, marveling at the greenery, dogs, playground, and pickleball. The only thing missing? Picnics.

What they’re saying: “I have this vision of a picnic in the park experience,” Leemon said. “It’s just something different than going to a restaurant. It allows you to really enjoy the amazing parks we have here in the city.”

Zoom in: With help from the city and county, Leemon was up and running in just a few months. He said the timing was serendipitous. He came up with the idea around June, just when the council was finalizing its new rules for street food vendors.

• “I became almost like a template for the new rules since I was the first person going through the full process,” said Leemon.

Yes, but: Even though the process was easy for Leemon, some critics of the new rules say the permitting process and restrictions on vending downtown introduce too many roadblocks to immigrant and low-income entrepreneurs. 

Looking ahead: Deputy City Manager Flinn Fagg said Tuesday that a workshop is planned on Oct. 12, starting at 11 a.m., at Palm Springs Public Library. At the workshop, city staff fluent in English and Spanish will assist vendors with obtaining all necessary permits. 

Bottom line: You can find the Palm Springs Charcuterie food cart in either Frances Stevens or Demuth parks Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Check out their website and social media for their location.

Check out our full story online here.

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BRIEFLY

🏥 Healthcare workers vote to authorize strike

SEIU Union workers at 11 Tenet Healthcare hospitals in the state, including Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, voted to authorize a five-day strike from Oct. 23 to 27 if progress isn’t made during negotiations.

• The union’s contract expired at the end of June, and negotiations have been ongoing since then. Union members allege Tenet allows for unsafe staffing levels and patient conditions. They also want an increase in wages and the hiring of more staff.
  
  
• Nurses at the local hospital have participated recently in informational pickets and earlier this year drew attention to what they say is a lack of staffing.
  
  
• In context: More than 75,000 healthcare workers, many represented by SEIU at Kaiser Permanente healthcare facilities in multiple states are poised to strike this week. The workers are voicing many of the same concerns related to wages and staffing.

🚸 Students walking to raise awareness

Students from eight Palm Springs Unified School District (PSUSD) elementary schools will join others worldwide to celebrate International Walk to School Day today.

• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates about 15 pedestrians die on our streets every day. The annual event raises awareness about the importance of safer routes for walking and biking to school. 
  
  
• Dive deeper: Some communities aren’t waiting around for cities to alter their unsafe street design. They’re taking matters into their own hands and organizing friends and neighbors to form a bike bus and rally supporters.

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TODAY’S EVENTS

Palm Springs Sunshine Sisters Breakfast
7:50 a.m. | Elmer’s Restaurant
Start the day with conversation and new friends with the Palm Springs Sunshine Sisters.

Business Retention/Economic Development Subcommittee
3:30 p.m. | In-person and online
Mayor Pro Tem Jeffrey Bernstein and Councilmember Christy Holstege will hold a meeting to discuss the creation of business and business improvement districts in the city. Check out the agenda here.

First Wednesday Art Walk
5 p.m. | 2600 S. Cherokee Way
This monthly tradition allows patrons to learn more about local artists and peruse some of their works. 

OutBook Book Club
6 p.m. | Palm Springs Public Library
The selections for the book club are chosen by members and highlight a mix of new and classic LGBTQ+ works. The club meets on the first Wednesday of every month.

SAVE THE DATE

• Coachella Valley Filipino Festival  at the Cultural Center on Oct. 8.
  
  
• Lesley Zerebny Memorial Softball Game at Big League Dreams on Oct. 14.
  
  
• Evening Under The Stars benefitting AAP – Food Samaritans on Oct. 14 ($200)
  
  
• Center Stage 2023 benefitting The Center on Oct. 20 ($350)
  
  
• Palm Springs Pride 5K Run & Walk on Nov. 4 ($40 registration through Nov. 1)

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AND FINALLY …

🐾 Each week, The Post partners with a local animal shelter to feature one or more of the many animal companions ready for a new home in our community. 

Today we invite you to meet Stubby, a six-year-old male cat. He’s named Stubby because he’s missing most of his tail. Staff at the shelter say Stubby is a handsome cat who can be a little shy at first, but, “He does warm up quickly with just a few pets and chin scratches.”

• Staff say Stubby is a sweet guy who will do best in a more quiet home. 

If you’re interested: You can visit the shelter at 4575 E. Mesquite Ave. Hours are 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on all days except for Tuesdays (open for intake and clinic only) and Thursdays (1 p.m. until 7 p.m.). You can always call the shelter at (760) 416-5718.