May 22 Daily Briefing: Fundraising effort launched, students honored, unique gym opens, and more

Welcome to Thursday, where we’ve got great news for those looking to help local businesses who were impacted by Saturday’s explosion: Some local business owners have started a formal fundraising campaign, aiming to raise $100,000 to help other businesses repair damage to their property that is not covered by insurance. Already, we’re seeing some familiar names on the roster of donors (and you might see ours as well). Check out some of the details below, or in our complete story, then dust off those checkbooks!

🎶 Setting the mood: “All I Wanna Do” by Sheryl Crow

LEADING OFF

Fitness entrepreneurs bring community-focused approach to new Palm Springs gym

Fitness entrepreneurs Pieter Vodden and his wife, Emylee Covell, are launching their fourth Pharos Athletic Club in Palm Springs, a 27,000-square-foot facility offering a unique blend of traditional and innovative fitness amenities.

Driving the news: The new club, located at 3455 North Indian Canyon Dr., features areas for bodybuilding, functional training, recovery, pickleball, boxing, and yoga, as well as a soon-to-be coffee bar. The club’s standout feature is its “fire and ice area,” offering contrast therapy through saunas and ice baths.

• Vodden, a former personal trainer for movie actors, emphasizes the importance of variety in fitness, stating, “You can’t just do one thing. There has to be change.”

The backstory: Vodden and Covell started their fitness journey with the first Pharos location in Echo Park, Los Angeles. After moving to Idyllwild in 2021, they found many of their LA and Idyllwild members owned homes in Palm Springs, leading to the decision to expand there.

• The name Pharos is inspired by the ancient lighthouse and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Bigger picture: Vodden sees Pharos as a crucial middle ground in a fitness landscape dominated by specialized boutique studios and impersonal big-box gyms. He aims to cater especially to adults in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond, focusing on maintaining lean muscle tissue for a strong metabolism and functional ability.

• Beyond physical fitness, Vodden and Covell aim to foster a sense of belonging among their members, a value that became particularly evident during the pandemic.

What’s next: Pharos will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce on Friday at 12 p.m., followed by a public grand opening party on Saturday from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. 

• The celebration will feature gym tours, membership specials, a live DJ, giveaways, local bites, and more. It is located at 3455 North Indian Canyon Dr.

Read our full story

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BRIEFLY

🤝 Business owners unite to launch fundraiser after bombing

Palm Springs business owners have launched a fundraising initiative to assist local businesses and residents affected by the May 17 bombing at the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic, aiming to raise $100,000 for repairs not covered by insurance such as shattered windows and structural damage.

• The effort is led by five local business owners: Bob Smiland of Desert Hand Carwash, Liz Ostoich of FARM, Tac/Quila and Clandestino, Willie Rhine of Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge, Bill Sanderson of Townie Bagels, and Gregory Goodman of My Little Flower Shop.
  
• NBC Palm Springs will also be hosting a drive-thru donation drive on Friday (May 23) from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Denny’s parking lot at 1201 North Palm Canyon Dr., with all funds to be distributed by the Desert Business Association and Greater Palm Springs Pride.
  
• Bottom line: Funds may be provided as match grants covering up to 50% of repair costs for property owners or tenants who submit evidence of completed work, including paid invoices, before and after photos, and copies of canceled checks.

Read our full story

🚴 Cyclists honor fallen riders, note troubling statistics

The fourth annual Ride of Silence held Wednesday evening in Palm Springs honored cyclists killed or injured on public roads as advocates revealed Coachella Valley cycling deaths have been on the rise, with 20 deaths between 2000-2015 but 30 deaths between 2015 and 2025.

• The good news is that CV Link, a 40-plus mile multi-use path, is nearing completion after 14 years and cities are working to improve safety. For example, Rancho Mirage is investing $388,000 to widen bike lanes, while La Quinta expanded its network from 34 miles in 2015 to 83.6 miles today.
  
• The bad news is that Desert Regional Medical Center has treated 64 injured cyclists so far this year, with one death. Police on hand emphasized road safety requires commitment from all road users.
  
• Bottom line: Cycling advocates called for a coordinated regional safety plan, noting the need for year-round education programs to teach drivers about sharing roads with cyclists.

Read our full story

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Art Museum Free Admission
5 p.m. | Palm Springs Art Museum 
From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., enjoy free admission to galleries and exhibitions, and explore the collection at your own pace. 

City Council/Measure J Study Session
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
Members of the City Council and the Measure J Oversight Commission will meet to review the proposed Measure J budget for the next two years during this joint study session which could include adoption of the budget.

Star Wars: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
6 p.m. | Camelot Theatre
Enjoy the classic cinema sequel, “The Empire Strikes Back”, on the biggest screen in the Coachella Valley. ($13.65)

VillageFest
6 p.m. | Downtown Palm Springs  
The street fair features art, entertainment, shopping, and food. 

Lush Comedy Night
7 p.m. | Lush Bar Lounge
It’s Comedy Night at the Sirocco Nightclub, Lush Bar Lounge. Enjoy laughs, indulge in delicious drinks, and more. ($7)

View all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• Rebuild Palm Springs donation drive-thru on Friday from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. at Denny’s.
  
• Grounding After Crisis free drop-in counseling sessions at The Center on Friday this week and on May 27 and 29 next week.
  
• “Veils: A Requiem For Trayvon” film screening at the Cultural Center on Friday. ($18)
  
• Dip Into Summer free pool and park fun at the Palm Springs Leisure Center on Saturday.
  
• Memorial Day Air Fair and Flower Drop at the Palm Springs Air Museum on May 26.
  
• South Palm Canyon Drive bridge project meetings in person on May 29 and virtual on June 2.
  
• Miralon Blood Drive with LifeStream Blood Bank at Miralon on May 30.
  
• 2025 Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week starts May 30.
  
• Palm Springs Equality Wine & Food Fest on June 7.

Submit your event here

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AND FINALLY …

Sometimes doing the right thing comes with its own rewards, and for 47 Coachella Valley high school seniors, that reward totaled $60,000 in scholarships from a local organization dedicated to recognizing positive youth behavior.

Driving the news: Do The Right Thing – Greater Palm Springs awarded individual scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $1,500 to graduating seniors from all 14 high schools across the valley’s three school districts at a ceremony Wednesday at Desert Learning Academy.

• The organization, now in its second year of scholarship awards, has distributed $100,000 total to local students pursuing further education, training, or workforce entry.

The recognition: The event also honored eight outstanding students from across the valley, including Raymond Martinez, a sixth-grader from Raymond Cree Middle School in Palm Springs who was selected from 300 nominees for his academic excellence, leadership qualities, and dedication to creating a positive school environment.

Why it matters: The program reinforces that good deeds and positive choices deserve recognition, with more than 2,000 youth honored in just two years for “doing the right thing” in their communities.

Read our full story