Oct. 10 Daily Briefing: Old Las Palmas art, housing project, architecture awards, and more

TGIF, everyone, where we’ve got coupons for you — or at least the modern-day equivalent: discount codes. If our memory serves us right (and it might not), we’ve never had a discount code just for readers of The Post, and today we have two! First off, if you’re looking to get your run on at tomorrow’s Spooktacular 5K/10K walk and run put on by Martha’s Village, you can use the code “BOARDPASS” and get 50% off registration fees. Then, head over to Revolution Stage Company for $10 off tickets to either “Point Loma” or “Evil Dead, The Musical” by using the code “POST” during checkout. Thank you to both those organizations for looking out for our readers! 

🎶 Setting the mood: “Dracula” by Tame Impala

LEADING OFF

Old Las Palmas sculpture payment advances; other city art installations begin

The Palm Springs Public Arts Commission approved $25,000 for two new sculptures in Old Las Palmas on Thursday, while the city is also preparing to unveil artwork along Museum Way and the Pride Monument.

Driving the news: The commission approved funding for sculptures of a yellow warbler and a dancing rhino by artist Delos Van Earl, which will join three existing sculptures on the Chino Drive median near N. Palm Canyon Drive and Belardo Road.

• The Old Las Palmas Neighborhood Organization is contributing another $25,000, bringing the total project cost to $50,000. The recommendation now goes to City Council for final approval.

What’s coming: Two new art installations will debut in Palm Springs this month.

• On Oct. 15, the Palm Springs Sister Cities Committee will unveil an installation by Daniel Valero from San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, along Museum Way next to Downtown Park — the first artwork in the space since the Marilyn Monroe statue was relocated. Installation began Thursday.
  
• The Pride Monument is scheduled to be installed today in Frances Stevens Park, with a dedication ceremony planned for Oct. 17.

In other news: The artist behind the planned “Desert Bloom” shade structure has withdrawn from the project, citing increased metal costs from tariffs, according to Commission Chair Gary Armstrong.

• The artist will return the money received from the city. The commission may discuss next steps at a future meeting.

What we’re watching: The restoration of Richard Wyatt Jr.’s mural on the James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center needs a nonprofit partner to apply for grant funding, city staff said.

Dive deeper with our complete story

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BRIEFLY

🏘️ 104-unit housing project to get Planning Commission review

• A 104-unit residential development called The Village @ Racquet Club will go before the Palm Springs Planning Commission on Oct. 14 for preliminary review. GHA Investments, LLC proposes building 31 single-family homes, 53 townhomes, and 20 affordable apartments on an 8.23-acre vacant lot at North Indian Canyon Drive and East Racquet Club Road.
  
• As currently designed, city staff said the project does not conform to several R-2 zoning standards, including minimum lot size, setbacks, open space, and building separation requirements. The developer’s plan for a gated community also conflicts with city policy that discourages gates and perimeter walls around neighborhoods.
  
• At issue: At a Sept. 17 neighborhood meeting, residents raised questions about traffic, drainage, and plans to narrow Racquet Club Road and add bike lanes.

Dive deeper with our complete story

🚨 Cathedral City woman arrested in Palm Springs shooting

• Palm Springs police arrested a 25-year-old Cathedral City woman on Wednesday in connection with an early morning shooting on Sunday in the 300 block of South Palm Canyon Drive. Officers responded around 2:25 a.m. to reports of a fight involving several women after bar closing hours.
  
• During the altercation, the suspect allegedly brandished a firearm, fired shots into the air and ground toward a victim, and struck a second victim with the weapon before all parties fled the scene. Detectives identified her as the sole suspect and arrested her at her workplace without incident on Thursday.
  
• Details: Police executed a search warrant at the woman’s residence and recovered the firearm believed to have been used in the crime. She was booked into Riverside County Jail on attempted murder charges and remained in custody as of Thursday evening.

YOUR WEEKEND

ALL WEEKEND

• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Palm Canyon Theatre ($20-$46)

TODAY

• Yoga with Mariana at the Palm Springs Leisure Center at 9 a.m. ($12)
  
• Endeavor with Jase at Demuth Park at 3 p.m.
  
• Foodie Fridays at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 5 p.m. 
  
• Dusty Strings Collective at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 5:30 p.m. ($22)
  
• Leanna and Miguel Happy Hour & Live Music at the Hyatt Palm Springs Atrium at 6 p.m.
  
• Woodman Shimko Gallery Reopening at 333 N Palm Canyon Drive at 6 p.m.
  
• Singing with the Desert Stars IV benefit at Palm Springs Cultural Center at 7:30 p.m. ($135)

SATURDAY

• Martha’s Village & Kitchen Spooktacular 5K/10K Run at Ruth Hardy Park at 8 a.m. ($40)
  
• Palm Springs Certified Farmers’ Market at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 8 a.m.
  
• Prayer Hike at the Palm Springs Visitor Center at 9 a.m.
  
• Junior Ranger Expo at Indian Canyons at 10 a.m. 
  
• “The Musicians” screening at the Camelot Theatres at 10 a.m. ($15)
  
• Kick Bullying to the Curb at Palm Springs Stadium at 4 p.m.
  
• The Lofts Art Walk starting at 5 p.m.
  
• Architectural Preservation Awards at the Palm Springs Art Museum at 6 p.m. ($175)
  
• Hanson House Wings of Hope 22nd Annual Gala at the Palm Springs Air Museum at 6 p.m. ($245)
  
• Battle in the Desert charity boxing event in Cathedral City at 7 p.m.

SUNDAY

• Mahjong Meetup at the Social Cafe & Play Lounge at 12 p.m.
  
• Doggie Fashion Show at Quadz Video Bar at 2 p.m. 
  
• Elvis: The Early Years at The Purple Supper Club at 5 p.m. ($40)
  
• Amy’s Purpose Doggie Fashion Show and Dinner at 5:30 p.m. at Mission Hills Country Club ($225)

AND FINALLY …

If you’re looking for inspiration on how to honor the past while keeping it alive, the Palm Springs Modern Committee’s annual Architectural Preservation Awards might give you a few ideas. This year’s ceremony on Saturday will recognize five projects and individuals who’ve managed to make preservation look both necessary and cool. Palm Springs Life wrote a spectacular preview of the event, and we borrowed some of the details below.

Driving the news: Starting at 6 p.m., PS ModCom will honor winners at the Palm Springs Art Museum’s Annenberg Theater before moving the celebration upstairs for cocktails and dinner.

• Tickets start at $175. Details can be found here.

The honorees: This year’s awards span the preservation spectrum — from David Wright’s meticulous restoration of the 1955 Koerner Residence (complete with its E. Stewart Williams pedigree and Garrett Eckbo landscaping) to Steve Hermann’s Hermann Bungalows, which prove new construction can channel midcentury spirit without cosplaying it.

Why it matters: “The new wave of preservation is more diverse, more design-conscious, and more rooted in stewardship than ever before,” says Nickie McLaughlin, PS ModCom’s executive director.

Other honorees include: Preservationist Peter Moruzzi will receive a lifetime achievement award for three decades of advocacy; the Garber Residence restoration in Southridge will be recognized; and Jim Murphy and Hal Keasler’s revival of the 1930s Cork ‘n Bottle building — a rare Streamline Moderne gem that predates the city’s midcentury boom — will be celebrated.

The full story: Read Palm Springs Life’s complete preview here.