July 12 Daily Briefing: Eyebrows raised over request by councilmember’s org, CV Link group honors entrepreneur, and more

TGIF, everyone! It’s no secret that California has an issue with reckless drivers. Just look at where it ranks in this study (spoiler alert: it’s the worst). That’s why a recent effort by the city’s police department is such welcome news. And it looks like that effort is paying off. Since “Operation Rearview Mirror” began in June, police say they have conducted 1,472 traffic stops, written more than 877 citations, and issued over 300 warnings. They even stopped a motorcyclist who was going 112 mph on 111 coming into Palm Springs. Police Chief Andy Mills wasn’t kidding when he proclaimed last month that “Enough is enough!”   

🎶 Setting the mood: “Runaround Sue” by Houndmouth

LEADING OFF

Days after criticizing city’s $300K art museum grant, mayor pro tem’s organization seeks same

Just days after the Palm Springs City Council approved $300,000 to help continue free Thursday night admissions at the Palm Springs Art Museum, the city received a request for the same amount from Greater Palm Springs Pride, an organization headed by a member of the council.

Driving the news: In a letter sent to the council on June 30, Greater Palm Springs Pride Executive Vice President Keith Gran requested “enhanced funding” of $300,000 to maintain free admission for the annual Pride Festival.

• The request came three days after a heated council debate about allocating the same amount to the art museum, spurred on by Mayor Pro Tem Ron deHarte, who is also president and CEO of Greater Palm Springs Pride.

What they’re saying: In the letter, Gran claims the money is crucial to keeping Pride events free to attend. 

• “The Palm Springs Pride Festival, a cornerstone of our city’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community and a major tourist draw, faces a critical moment,” Gran wrote, adding in bold, “Without immediate action, free admission to the festival could be jeopardized.” 

Dive deeper: DeHarte told The Post via email that the request from Pride was motivated by the council’s decision to approve $300,000 in funding for the museum admission program in next year’s budget. It has given similar amounts in the past.

• DeHarte said the organization’s request was only logical since the council “proclaimed their support for free programming in a way we have never heard before.”

State of play: In the letter, Gran claimed that PS Pride’s expenses have increased “20% to 50% over the past several years.” However, the organization’s most recent tax documents show expenses have remained steady, averaging $183,000 for the past five years. It  has also collected an average of $234,000 in donations and other revenue during the same timeframe. 

• DeHarte told The Post those numbers don’t reflect current expenses, which he said totaled more than $1 million last year and that organization has so far managed by cutting back in other areas.

By the numbers: The most recent contract between the city and Greater Palm Springs Pride shows the organization is scheduled to receive $125,000 of taxpayer funds via in-kind contributions over each of the next five years.

• The funds are used to cover costs related to police and fire services and other expenses related to special events and permits.

What happens next: A spokesperson for the city said the Pride funding request would only be put on the agenda if the City Council gave direction to staff to do so.

• “Like with all funding requests that come to the city, staff would need to complete due diligence before making any recommendations to City Council,” she said.

Dive deeper with Kendall Balchan’s complete story here.

BRIEFLY

🏆 Student wins entrepreneur award from CV Link organization

A Palm Springs Unified School District student won a prize from Friends of CV Link after submitting his business plan to the 2024 Young Entrepreneur Competition.

• The competition encouraged middle and high school students to submit business plans for an innovative service or solution related to the CV Link pathway that’s currently under construction.
  
• A student from Rancho Mirage High School, Maxwell Johansson, won the award, which includes a $1,000, which will help launch his business aimed at providing mobility vehicles and services for CV Link riders with an emphasis on the disabled community.

What they’re saying: “We are tremendously proud of Maxwell and excited to support him in bringing his business to reality” said Yurema Arvizu, Friends of the CV Link board president. “CV Link is all about removing barriers to provide a safe way to travel and exercise throughout the Coachella Valley and Maxwell’s business can make a huge impact in doing just that.”

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YOUR WEEKEND

ALL WEEKEND

• Palm Springs Power baseball at Palm Springs Stadium (Friday and Saturday)
  
  
• Jazz In The Pines in Idyllwild (Friday and Saturday)
  
  
• Bye Bye Birdy at Palm Canyon Theatre ($17-$40)

TODAY

• Sustainability Research Fair at Mizell Center
  
  
• May Cobb Author Reading and Signing at The Best Bookstore in Palm Springs
  
  
• Cool Summer Nights Dinner at PS Underground ($149)
  
  
• Country Western Dancing at Dance Ranch Palm Springs ($5)
  
  
• Comedy Night at Hotel Zoso ($10-$15)

SATURDAY

• Indoor Farmer’s Market at Palm Springs Pavilion
  
  
• Fundraiser for 29-PSP to Support Marines at Krispy Kreme in Rancho Mirage
  
  
• Brothers of the Desert Members Monthly Meeting at LGBTQ Center of the Desert
  
  
• Hip Hop Divas Drag Brunch at Reforma ($22)
  
  
• Poolside with Jasmine Johnson at Ace Hotel & Swim Club
  
  
• Evolution at the Revolution at Revolution Stage Company
  
  
• Dusty String Collective at Palm Springs Cultural Center

SUNDAY

• Happy Hour for a Star at Wildest Restaurant and Bar ($25)
  
  
• Summer Sundays at Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
  
  
• Guided Nature Walks at Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

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AND FINALLY …

If you saw dozens of flowing robes and smiling faces Thursday outside Palm Springs High School and thought you were back in June, you weren’t. 

Driving the news: Palm Springs Unified School District held its annual summer graduation ceremony at Richards Center for the Arts at PSHS, honoring students from Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, Rancho Mirage, Palm Springs, and Mount San Jacinto high schools, Desert Learning Academy, and the Grad Alliance.

• A total of 55 seniors in the district completed their graduation requirements in summer courses. About three dozen walked in the ceremony.

Details: Executive Director of Student Support Services Laura Meusel accepted the summer graduates. She was joined by Executive Director of Student Learning Mark Arnold and Board Members Sergio Espericueta and Charlie Ervin in handing out certificates.

Looking ahead: The first day of classes for the new school year is slated for Aug. 7. Start stocking up on supplies soon!