Dec. 3 Daily Briefing: State of the City, historic home, film fest lineup, and more

Happy Wednesday! If you’re a fan of NPR’s AirTalk with Larry Mantle, and a fan of The Post, you’ll want to be at the Rancho Mirage Library & Observatory at 4 p.m. today for a live discussion on desert politics, public health, and the Salton Sea. Panelists include The Post’s founder and publisher, Mark, alongside public health professor Ryan Sinclair and political advisor Wayne Avrashow. Can’t make it? The conversation airs tomorrow morning for listeners throughout the region. Find details here.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys

LEADING OFF

Mayor touts economic growth, crime reduction in State of the City address

Mayor Ron deHarte delivered an upbeat State of the City address Tuesday to more than 500 attendees, highlighting tourism growth to $1.9 billion annually and a 17% drop in violent crime. The speech emphasized the city’s recovery from recent challenges and outlined major infrastructure investments.

By the numbers: Palm Springs International Airport reported 2.7 million passengers year-to-date with five new direct flight routes, while the tourism sector supports 11,343 jobs and generates up to $85 million in local tax revenue.

• The reopened Plaza Theatre is projected to generate 50,000 hotel nights yearly and $40 million in incremental spending.

Public safety wins: The police department reported significant crime reductions across categories, with homicides down 25%, burglary down 32% and larceny theft down 20%.

• Operation Rearview Mirror increased hazardous traffic violation citations from 400 to 1,500 monthly.

Major projects: Measure J funded $24 million in infrastructure projects, including $6 million in street paving that brought the total to 113 miles of repaved roads.

• The city also approved approximately 800 new housing units, including 250 affordable units. College of the Desert’s new Palm Springs campus is scheduled to open in fall 2027, and a $125 million Convention Center renovation is moving forward.

The big picture: The mayor closed the event by recognizing the community’s response to an explosion that damaged the American Reproductive Centers facilities along North Indian Canyon Drive in May.

• Dr. Maher Abdullah and clinic staff stood alongside patients who benefited from the clinic’s work as the mayor emphasized community resilience. “Who we are as a city isn’t defined by tragedy,” deHarte said. “We’re defined by how we rise from it.”

Dive deeper with our complete story

BRIEFLY

🏠 1970s home receives historic designation recommendation

• The Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board voted unanimously Tuesday to recommend Class 1 designation for the Fallows Residence, a 1972 Late Modern home in Vista Las Palmas designed by architect Tom Jakway. The decision pushes the city’s preservation efforts beyond the current 1969 endpoint of its historic context statement.
  
• The single-story home features distinctive Late Modern characteristics including bold geometric volumes, deeply recessed openings, and floor-to-ceiling glass walls. It was Jakway’s first residential commission, built by his father Jerry Jakway, a prominent Palm Springs builder. 
  
• Bottom line: The board upgraded staff’s Class 2 recommendation to Class 1, citing architectural significance and cultural value. The recommendation now goes to the City Council for final approval.

Dive deeper with our complete story

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Sammy’s Circle Pet Bereavement
10 a.m. | Palm Springs Animal Shelter
Sammy’s Circle is a safe place to share grief and stories of our beloved pets, both those who have recently left us as well as those whose memories have long lingered in our hearts.

Rental Housing Association Palm Springs Luncheon
11:30 a.m. | Escena Golf Club and Grill
A focused gathering of local property managers, rental owners, and industry professionals. ($40)

American Sign Language
1 p.m. | Mizell Center
This introductory class will provide participants with the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of American Sign Language, including foundational grammar and vocabulary, as well as an overview of its history and culture. ($100)

Chinese Mah Jong Open Play
2 p.m. | Mizell Center
Practice your skills and play with others. This is a FREE library program; you do not have to be a member of Mizell Center to attend.

First Wednesday Artwalk
5 p.m. – 7 p.m. | Backstreet Art District
Come explore this diverse collection of galleries, working artist studios, and art businesses. The event is held rain or shine.

Wreath Auction
5:30 p.m. | Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge
This festive event raises funds through beautifully crafted donated wreaths from our community. You can preview and bid online for your favorite wreath and enjoy a special holiday cabaret performance live on the patio. The event benefits The Center and Palm Springs Animal Shelter

Rock The Park
7 p.m. | Downtown Palm Springs
Kick off the Rock the Park concert series with a high-energy tribute to one of America’s greatest rock legends. The Springsteen Experience celebrates the music of Bruce Springsteen — one of the most prolific songwriters and storytellers of our time.

See all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• New Members Show, Holiday Shop, and Artist of the Year Round II at Desert Art Center Friday from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m.
  
• Palm Springs Holiday Tree Lighting at Francis Stevens Park Friday at 5 p.m.
  
• Festival of Lights Parade Saturday at 5:45 p.m. in Downtown Palm Springs.
  
• Men of the Desert Fashion Show & Luncheon benefiting Animal Samaritans on Sunday at 11 a.m.
  
• Stewardship: Dedication to Conservation talk at the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum on Dec. 10.
  
• Fundraiser for Shop with a Cop at Palm Springs Tennis Club on Dec. 12.
  
• Psychedelic Society documentary “Last Journey” on Dec. 13

Submit your event here

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AND FINALLY …

The 37th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival returns in January with 169 films from 72 countries, including a new venue and special programming celebrating cinematic gateway moments, it was announced Tuesday.

Driving the news: The festival runs Jan. 2-12, opening with director Maryam Touzani’s “Calle Malaga” and closing with Brian Cox’s directorial debut “Glenrothan,” in which he stars alongside Alan Cumming as estranged Scottish brothers.

• The lineup includes 44 International Feature Film Oscar submissions and 53 premieres.

What’s new: This year introduces Gateway Films, a curated series celebrating movies that inspired lifelong cinema love, with selections from actress Diane Kruger, critic Leonard Maltin, and director Paul Feig. The festival also adds the Plaza Theatre as a venue and features a German Country Spotlight showcasing nine films.

• Family Day takes place Jan. 11 at Cathedral City Community Amphitheater from noon to 4 p.m. with activities, food trucks, and free screenings.

The guest list: Expected attendees include Oscar Isaac, Kim Novak, Paul Feig, Edgar Ramirez, and journalist Amy Goodman.

What to watch for: Juried awards will be announced Jan. 11 across seven categories.

• The complete lineup is available at this website. The festival box office can be reached at 760-778-8979.