Nov. 10 Daily Briefing: Pride fills city streets, next Blue Zones initiative, PS Speaks lineup, and more

Welcome to Monday, where we hope you’re resting up from a wonderful Pride Weekend! We’ve also got an early heads up for drivers. Indian Canyon Drive between Palm Springs Station Road and Garnet Avenue will be completely closed starting early Monday morning, Nov. 17 at 2 a.m., and won’t reopen until Thursday, Nov. 20 at 6 p.m. (or hopefully sooner). The closure is all part of the Indian Canyon Widening & Bridge Replacement Project, so plan your routes accordingly and give yourself some extra time to get where you’re going!

🎶 Setting the mood: “Monday, Monday” by The Mamas & The Papas

LEADING OFF

Pride Parade draws thousands for ‘Be Heard’ celebration

Palm Springs hosted its annual Pride Parade on Sunday, with thousands of spectators lining Palm Canyon Drive to watch more than 200 contingents march through downtown. The two-hour event began at 10 a.m. at Tachevah and Palm Canyon Drive, ending at the Pride Festival entrance at Amado.

Driving the news: Six individuals were named 2025 Grand Marshals, including Sister Roma of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, celebrity singer Holly Near, and KESQ journalist Peter Daut. Three Marsha P. Johnson Grand Marshals were also honored: Esther Loewen, Renae Punzalan and Jasper Price.

Why it matters: The celebration comes as LGBTQ+ civil rights face increasing challenges nationwide, making visibility and community support more critical than ever.

• Pride Royalty for Life recipients Douglas Woodmansee and Marshall Pearcy, together since 1976, said it was important this year to be “extra loud, extra everything.” As Les Dames du Soleil, they’ve helped raise over $2 million for local HIV/AIDS charities.

Notable moments: Volunteers offered “Free Mom Hugs” to parade attendees, providing support and affirmation to those who may not receive acceptance in their own circles. 

• Coachella Valley Pride Hockey, which has grown from one team to three in less than a year, also participated.

The big picture: The event took place despite financial challenges for Greater Palm Springs Pride, which announced a $325,000 budget shortfall in August after sponsors withdrew. 

• The Palm Springs City Council recently increased the city’s contribution from $125,000 to $350,000 in in-kind services last month.

Dive deeper with our full story and our photo gallery

BRIEFLY

🚌 Blue Zones launches transit audit for food access

• Blue Zones Project Palm Springs began a seven-month Transit Accessibility Audit for Healthy Food Access on Nov. 3 to evaluate how well local public transit connects residents to nutritious food options. 
  
• The audit will involve collaboration with residents, transportation planners and food system partners to collect data on bus routes and schedules. Findings will guide recommendations to strengthen transit connectivity, with a focus on seniors and transit-reliant residents.
  
• What to watch for: The initiative will examine transportation barriers and develop strategies to improve access to grocery stores, farmers markets and food pantries.

Dive deeper with our complete story

🏈 Palm Springs dominates Claremont in playoff opener

• Top-seeded Palm Springs defeated Claremont 33-7 in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division 7 playoffs Friday at home, with Koa Rapolla scoring two rushing touchdowns and returning a fumble 68 yards for another score.
  
• After Claremont scored on the opening drive, Palm Springs responded with 33 unanswered points to secure the victory. The Indians improved to 10-1 on the season.
  
• Details: Palm Springs will host Hart High School of Santa Clarita in the next round Friday. The win marks the school’s first postseason victory since 2019 and first playoff win for head coach Darryl Goree, who took over the program in 2023.

Check out Desert Sun photojournalist Jay Calderon’s images from the game

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Water Aerobics
10 a.m. | Palm Springs Swim Center
Get some low-impact exercise at the swim center every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday with instructor Donna Newton! ($5)

Speaker Series: Do Ask Do Tell
1 p.m. | Mizell Center
A heartfelt celebration recognizing the often-overlooked contributions of LGBT veterans. 

Mahjong Monday
1 p.m. | Social Cafe & Play Lounge
Come play the American version of Mahjong with others. Play Lounge has two mats and sets, but feel free to bring your own. 

California Community of Men’s Monday Coffee
4:30 p.m. | Social Cafe & Play Lounge
Join the group for coffee, chat, and chew! No RSVPs necessary.

Monday Night Dance Party with Leanna and Miguel
5 p.m. | V Wine Lounge and Martini Bar
Join Leanna and Miguel for a night of dancing to jazz, Latin, pop, disco, and more. ($5)

Human Rights Commission
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
The Human Rights commissioners gather for their regular meeting tonight at City Hall and online via Zoom. 

PSUSD African American Parent Advisory Council
6 p.m. | PSUSD Headquarters
The African American Parent Advisory Council (AAPAC) cordially invite you members of the community to join us at our upcoming meetings and become member of AAPAC.

Adult Tap Dance Class
6:30 p.m. | Leisure Center Dance Studio
Adult intermediate tap starts at 6:30 p.m., and “absolute beginners” adult tap is at 7:30 p.m. (“Two left feet are optional.”) ($20)

See all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• West Side Story in Concert benefit for Dezart Performs starting Thursday.
  
• Palm Springs Hospitality Golf Tournament on Friday.
  
• Section 14 Survivors Anniversary Summit at St. Paul in the Desert Church on Saturday.
  
• Coachella Valley Filipino Festival on Saturday.
  
• Gregory Douglass Live at Revolution Stage Company on Sunday.
  
• McCormick’s 79th Auto Auction Nov. 21 through 23 at Palm Springs Convention Center.
  
• Plaza Theatre Community Open House and Block Party</> on Nov. 22 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. 
  
• For the Heroic, Bright and Beautiful Desert Winds Freedom Band concert at Jewish Community Center on Nov. 22 and 23 ($35)

Submit your event here

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AND FINALLY …

The Friends of the Palm Springs Library has announced the lineup for Palm Springs Speaks Season Seven, bringing four notable speakers to the Plaza Theatre in downtown Palm Springs starting next month.

Driving the news: The series kicks off Dec. 16 with actor and director Rob Reiner, followed by Cheech Marin on Feb. 10, Wade Rouse in conversation with Steven Rowley on Feb. 24, and genetic genealogist CeCe Moore on March 30. All programs begin at 7:30 p.m.

The speakers: 

• Reiner, who won two Emmys for “All In The Family” before directing films like “When Harry Met Sally” and “A Few Good Men,” will discuss his career in entertainment and political activism. 
  
• Marin will share insights about his renowned Chicano art collection, which forms the core of The Cheech Marin Center in Riverside. 
  
• Rouse will discuss his latest novel inspired by “The Golden Girls.”
  
• Moore will talk about her pioneering work using genetic genealogy to solve criminal cases.

How to get tickets: Tickets for Reiner’s December program went on sale Friday and are available here, starting at $84. The remaining three programs become available Nov. 21 at 12 p.m. Keep an eye on this webpage for those sales.

• VIP packages are available for some events and include a pre-event reception, photo opportunity, premium seating and a book.

Dive deeper with our complete story