April 25 Daily Briefing: ‘Undergrounding’ effort, multicultural festival, celebrating nature, and more

TGIF, y’all! Very few locals would disagree that Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is one of the best there is, but staff there still hope to learn how they can improve. To do that, they’ve launched a survey, and today is the last day to take it. The results will help guide PSP’s first-ever “customer experience plan” — a guide businesses use to assure people they interact with get what they need from employees. As of this morning, the survey is still live, and you can click here to complete it.

🎶 Setting the mood: “The Wire” by HAIM

LEADING OFF

Old Las Palmas neighborhood embarks on project to clear the skies of utility wires

One of the oldest neighborhoods in Palm Springs is hoping to make things a bit more modern by ridding its skyline of hundreds of utility poles and wires through a utility undergrounding project.

Driving the news: About three dozen Old Las Palmas residents gathered Wednesday to kick off the next phase of their utility undergrounding project. The project’s goal is to remove over 100 overhead utility poles and lines from the historic neighborhood. 

Why it matters: Getting rid of the utility lines definitely improves the views, but it also reduces the risk of fires. Recent wind-driven wildfires in Southern California, including the Altadena fire, were reportedly caused by power lines, adding a sense of urgency to undergrounding throughout the city. 

• Utility poles and lines are also a danger to the public during high wind events and major earthquakes, and when they collapse they can cause major service interruptions. 

How it works: In 2024, the city passed an ordinance that establishes a process for residents to fund undergrounding through special assessments, with property owners able to pay upfront or over 20-25 years via bonds added to property tax bills.

• While no costs estimates will be available for the Old Las Palmas project for several weeks, utility companies estimate undergrounding costs range from $350 to $1,150 per foot, not including home connection expenses.

Next steps: A petition drive to secure resident support will begin in the coming months, with 60% approval required to move forward, though consultants recommend aiming for 65-67%.

What to watch for: Other Palm Springs neighborhoods are closely monitoring this pioneering effort, with some advocating for modifications to the ordinance to reduce organizational and financial burdens on communities without financial means to back a similar project.

Dive deeper with our complete story here.

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BRIEFLY

🌍 PSUSD’s free multicultural festival set for Saturday

Palm Springs Unified School District will host its annual Multicultural Festival on Saturday from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Palm Springs Air Museum, featuring student performances that showcase the diverse cultures of the Coachella Valley.

• The free event, organized by PSUSD’s Diversity and Racial Equity Department, will include performances ranging from ballet folklorico and singing to banda music and dancing, allowing students of color and other diverse backgrounds to showcase their traditions.
  
• Dr. Nicole Crawford, PSUSD’s Coordinator of Diversity and Racial Equity, told NBC Palm Springs that the festival aims to raise awareness of the district’s diverse student population by exposing “students, their families, and community partners to cultures they may not otherwise encounter.”
  
• Details: Attendees can also enjoy arts and crafts for children, visit resource tables from community partners, and purchase food and merchandise from local vendors representing communities of color.

⚖️ Suspect in officer stabbing enters plea

A 41-year-old man accused of stabbing a Palm Springs police officer in the hand earlier this week has pleaded not guilty to charges of assault on a peace officer, trespassing, and an enhancement for inflicting great bodily injury. He remains in custody on $350,000 bail.

• Palm Springs police reported on social media that the stabbing occurred Tuesday afternoon on the 1500 block of North Sunrise Way when officers responded to a call about a man causing a disturbance and refusing to leave the premises.
  
• According to the department, the man “suddenly produced a knife and assaulted one of the officers” in an unprovoked attack. Officers “responded with restraint and used only minimal force” to subdue him and take him into custody.
  
• Next steps: The suspect is scheduled to return to court for a felony settlement conference on May 5, according to court records.

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YOUR WEEKEND

MULTIPLE DAYS

• Big Dog Adoption Bonanza at Palm Springs Animal Shelter. 
  
• PS Gay Men’s Chorus “Disney Pride In Concert” at the Palm Springs Art Museum. ($35)
  
• “Beyond Therapy” at Desert Ensemble Theatre. ($40)
  
• “Falsettos” at Dezart Performs. ($53)
  
• “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” at Palm Canyon Theatre. ($32)
  
• “Other Desert Cities” at Coachella Valley Repertory. ($80)
  
• Portraying Antiquity in Collage on Saturday and Sunday at Desert Art Center. ($100)

TODAY

• Drawing Faces & Figures at The Center at 10 a.m. ($15)
  
• Foodie Fridays at the Cultural Center starting at 4 p.m.
  
• Cocktails & Cabaret with Billy L’Amour at Revolution Stage Company at 7 p.m. ($50)
  
• Comedy Night at Lush at 8 p.m. ($17)

SATURDAY

• Earth & Arbor Day Festival at Victoria Park starting at 8 a.m.
  
• Certified Farmers’ Market at the Cultural Center starting at 8 a.m.
  
• Community Meeting with Mayor Ron deHarte at the Palm Springs Convention Center at 11 a.m.
  
• 2025 Preservation Matters Symposium at the Palm Springs Convention Center at 1 p.m.
  
• Bingo with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence at one eleven bar at 6 p.m.
  
• Country Western Dancing at 7 p.m. ($5)

SUNDAY

• Hollywood Meets the Plaza Theatre: A Multimedia Journey at the Palm Springs Convention Center at 11 a.m.
  
• Mah Jong Meetup at Play Lounge & Cafe at 12 p.m.
  
• Sunday T-Dance at Oscar’s at 4 p.m. 
  
• Standup Comedy featuring Dana Eagle at the Cultural Center at 7 p.m. ($30)

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AND FINALLY …

The city is celebrating Earth Day this weekend (even though Earth Day was actually on Tuesday) and – just like those poor folks with a birthday on Christmas – they’re combining the celebration with Arbor Day.

Driving the news: The Earth Day & Arbor Day celebration is happening on Saturday at Victoria Park. The festivities start bright and early at 8 a.m. and will include a ceremonial tree planting at 9 a.m.

• Mayor Ron deHarte will be in attendance to make a city proclamation commemorating Earth Day (sorry Arbor Day, you’ll get your time to shine eventually).

What else: Expect yard games, music, and everyone’s favorite: food and drinks. 

Details: Find more information on the city’s Instagram page.