Aug. 7 Daily Briefing: Natural psychedelics talk, tech upgrades, telltale real estate deal, and more

Welcome to Thursday, everyone, where we’re hoping you choose to simply stay inside if you’re able. Between the extreme heat warning — it’s expected to hit 115 today — and the smoke from nearby fires, it will be especially risky to be out there for any length of time. If you don’t have a place to cool off or your place doesn’t have functioning air conditioning, take note that the city provides cooling shelter at locations that can be found here. If turning on your AC creates a financial hardship, take note of assistance available through SCE that’s explained here.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Hot In Herre” by Nelly

LEADING OFF

Palm Springs group hosting free event, hopes city will decriminalize some psychedelics

A local advocacy group wants Palm Springs to become the seventh California city to decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms and plants. The Palm Springs Psychedelic Society is hosting a free event Saturday to discuss the proposal.

Driving the news: The society will host Larry Norris, co-founder of Decriminalize Nature, at 12 p.m. Aug. 9 at the Mizell Center to discuss decriminalizing natural hallucinogenic plants and fungi in Palm Springs.

• If successful, Palm Springs would be the first Southern California city to take this step.

Looking back: Six California cities have decriminalized psychedelics since Oakland became the first U.S. city to do so in 2019. The other cities are Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Berkeley, Eureka and Arcata — all in the Bay Area and Northern California.

The big picture: Psychedelic mushrooms and plants remain federally illegal as Schedule 1 drugs under the Controlled Substances Act. However, cities can deprioritize enforcement and defund related activities, creating “de facto decriminalization,” Norris said.

• Colorado voters passed a statewide ballot measure in 2022 to decriminalize psilocybin cultivation and personal use for adults over 21.
  
• Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a statewide California decriminalization bill in 2023.

What’s next: The Palm Springs Psychedelic Society plans to build support for a city council discussion about decriminalization following Saturday’s event.

Why it matters: “We’re saying, let’s remove these criminal penalties, or at least stop arresting people for doing something that’s been going on for millennia,” Norris said.

Details: A link to RSVP for the event is available here. 

Dive deeper with our complete story

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BRIEFLY

💻 Unity Center gets tech upgrade with new computers and Wi-Fi

The James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center at 480 West Tramview Road received new technology upgrades including 16 computer workstations and expanded Wi-Fi coverage throughout the facility, funded by a $56,000 grant from the California Public Utilities Commission’s Broadband Adoption program.

• The upgrade includes new monitors, keyboards, mice, ergonomic chairs, and full-site Wi-Fi coverage extending to the gymnasium and meeting rooms, replacing older technology with modern equipment designed for users of all ages.
  
• “This is more than a technology improvement, it’s an investment in our residents and their future,” said Nicholas Gonzalez, Parks and Recreation Department director, noting the importance of reliable internet access for everything from homework to job applications.
  
• Bottom line: The grant addressed connectivity issues in areas that previously operated without reliable internet access, bringing the facility’s technology infrastructure up to current standards.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Women’s Chat Group
10:30 a.m. | Virtual
Inspiring Friendships. This chat group is for all women (no matter how you identify) to discuss topics of interest and find connection.

Better Brain & Balance
1 p.m. | The Center
This class design is for older adults noticing memory issues and/or balance challenges. The exercises promote blood flow to the brain, and re pattern responses in fall risk scenarios. ($40)

Game Night
4 p.m. | Starbase 505
Join the team at Starbase 505 for fun and friendly board games. Whether its a quick party game or deep strategy, the team will make you feel right at home.

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. 

VillageFest
7 p.m. | Downtown Palm Springs  
Weather permitting, the street fair features art, entertainment, shopping, and food. 

Melancholy Babies
7 p.m. | Agua Caliente Palm Springs
Straight from the heart of California’s high desert, Melancholy Babies serve up a timeless blend of Western Swing, New Orleans jazz, and popular tunes from the golden age of American music. ($20)

View all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• Retreat to the Heat presented by The Palm Springs Writers’ Guild Sunday through Aug. 13
  
• Resident Discount Day at the Palm Springs Surf Club on Aug. 13 ($20)
  
• Pool Party for a Cause benefiting Palm Springs Animal Shelter on Aug. 15 
  
• Rotary Club of Palm Springs Sunup Blood Drive on Aug. 16
  
• Fix-It-Fair at the Mizell Center on Aug. 23

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AND FINALLY …

The old adage of “buy low, sell high” appears to have gone spectacularly wrong at one Palm Springs property, showing just how much the market might be shifting for some who hoped to cash out from the pandemic-era “Zoom town” rush that quickly fizzled.

Driving the news:  A home off North Whitewater Club Drive bought for $1.35 million in May is now heading to foreclosure at less than half that price. The three-bedroom home in Desert Park Estates with pool, spa and desert views is now listed for $665,500.

• The property’s wild ride through recent sales shows just how volatile the market became — it sold for around $750,000 in 2022, jumped to $1.4 million in 2023, then this year’s buyer paid $1.35 million before losing it to foreclosure.

The bigger picture: This isn’t an isolated case. Palm Springs now has the highest inventory in the Coachella Valley with 754 homes for sale, up from 625 last year, and sellers are taking the biggest hit on prices — accepting an average of 4.1% below their asking price.

Bottom line: The correction comes after years of pandemic price spikes, and with the median list price of Palm Springs homes on Zillow now at $633,816, the foreclosure could serve as a reality check for anyone who thought real estate only goes up.