April 8 Daily Briefing: March home sales report, next steps in superintendent search, star ceremony, and more

Welcome to Tuesday and Free Cone Day! From Noon until 8 p.m., you’re invited to grab free ice cream (the best type of ice cream) at Ben & Jerry’s in Downtown Palm Springs, located at 110 South Palm Canyon Dr. While your cone costs nothing, the shop is asking that you consider paying it forward and will be accepting donations to support the local Volunteer Search and Rescue Team.  

🎶 Setting the mood: “Boulevard Of Broken Dreams” by Green Day

LEADING OFF

Housing market shows slight price decline, improving inventory

Five years after the pandemic’s beginning in March 2020, the valley’s housing market is finally showing signs of normalization. 

Driving the news: The Desert Housing report for last month is out, and it shows that the median price for an average-sized house in Palm Springs is $1.26 million, a 4.2% decline from the year before but up slightly compared to February.

• The median price of a home valley-wide increased for the fifth straight month to $710,000.

By the numbers: Inventory valley-wide has significantly increased, with 3,667 units available as of April 1 — 1,271 more units than the same time last year. With an inventory of 823, Palm Springs has the most homes for sale compared to other valley cities. There were 570 homes for sale at the same time last year.

• The report notes that seasonal patterns suggest that inventory is near its peak.

Dive deeper: Sales continue to improve gradually. As of March, they are just 18.5% below normal. Palm Springs had the second highest unit sales, at 125, behind Palm Desert, at 147.

What that means: The report explained that while inventory has recovered to pre-pandemic levels, lower sales mean supply is beginning to exceed demand. “This should not cause a problem for home prices unless it begins to extend average selling times,” the report notes.

Looking back: The wild swings of the housing market during the pandemic appear to have calmed down. In early 2021, sales were almost 60% above normal and plunged to 35% below normal at the beginning of 2023. 

• In June 2022, nearly 60% of homes sold above list price compared to just 11.5% now, which is back to pre-pandemic levels. 

What to watch for: The report acknowledges the chaotic economic atmosphere and how it could affect rates, “The Federal Reserve Board has stopped lowering short-term rates until the effect of the administration’s new economic policies can be determined.”

• The 30-year mortgage rate dropped to its lowest point since October amid the chaos, but tariffs could increase the cost of new homes, and economic uncertainty may convince potential buyers to stay out of the market.

BRIEFLY

🏫 School district hires firm for new superintendent search

The Palm Springs Unified School District Board of Education voted in a special meeting Monday to hire Educational Support Services Group (ESS) to lead the search for a new superintendent, with completion possible by early July. 

• The search process will include focus groups, community forums in multiple languages, individual stakeholder interviews, and an online survey in both English and Spanish. ESS representatives, including former Desert Sands superintendent Dr. Gary Rutherford, hope to complete the work by July 1. 
  
• During public comments at the meeting, Palm Springs Teachers Association President Karen Johnson praised the district’s transparent approach and advocated for continued collaboration with employee groups. “We have been very fortunate in the past to have amazing people at our helm,” Johnson said, encouraging the board to maintain the district’s inclusive hiring practices.
  
• Bottom line: ESS representatives emphasized flexibility in the timeline, noting that dozens of districts are currently hunting for a new leader. “This is doable, but there may be things we don’t know about right now,” Rutherford said. “We’re flexible and nimble in terms of how we work with our school boards as real things happen.”

Dive deeper with our complete story

🚨 NY man arrested for alleged stalking of billionaire, child abduction

A New York man faces charges of stalking a billionaire and abducting children after two separate incidents in Palm Springs last month, police said Monday. The 63-year-old was arrested March 28 in Fresno after allegedly threatening a political donor and moving a vehicle containing children.

• The man allegedly threatened to kill a wealthy political donor because he disagreed with his politics and then “moved to fulfill his plan,” Palm Springs Police Chief Andrew Mills said.
  
• In a parking dispute in Palm Springs on March 25, the man allegedly entered someone else’s vehicle with two children inside and moved it within a parking lot, which police investigated as child abduction.
  
• Bottom line: The suspect is being held at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning on multiple charges including conspiracy to commit a crime, criminal threats, child stealing and stalking.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Desert X
The fifth edition of Desert X, the recurring site-specific, international art exhibition is open now through May 11. Find the map of installations on the Desert X website.

ONE-PS Monthly Meeting
4:30 p.m. | Palm Springs Police Training Center
The Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs (ONE-PS) holds its monthly meeting to discuss neighborhood issues with city council members, public safety officers, and others. The meeting will also be available on YouTube.

Melba Miller’s Jazz Oasis
5:30 p.m. | Cultural Center
Join songstress Melba Miller and special guests for an evening dedicated to serious listeners and lovers of Jazz. ($22)

Planning Commission
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
Commissioners meet to make recommendations on land use, zoning, and the general plan. Check out the agenda here. 

VillageFest Board
5:30 p.m. | Palm Springs City Hall
The VillageFest Board was established to review and approve VillageFest vendors, interpret and apply rules and regulations, suspend or revoke permits, and advise the City Council. Read the agenda here.

Fierce Femmes!
6:30 p.m. | Online
Hosted by The Center, this support group provides a safe and inclusive space for individuals who identify as transfeminine to come together, share experiences, offer support, and build a sense of community. Register by emailing Esther Loewen at esther@thecentercv.org.

See all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• The 70s Show starts Friday at the Cultural Center. ($25)
  
• World Art Day at the Downtown Park on Saturday.
  
• Movies in the Park: “The Love Bug” at Downtown Park on April 15.
  
• GPSR Spring Fling Auction at Mizell Center on April 16.
  
• Coachella Valley Local Government Vendor Fair at the Palm Springs Convention Center on April 16.
  
• Oasis del Sol Neighborhood Organization Annual Meeting at Sunrise Racquet Club on April 16.
  
• Movie Night in the Park: “The Wild Robot” at DeMuth Park on April 16.
  
• “Falsettos” at Dezart Performs starting April 18. ($53)
  
• “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” at Palm Canyon Theatre starting April 18. ($32)
  
• Self-Advocacy in Healthcare Conference at the Mizell Center on April 19.
  
• PS Gay Men’s Chorus “Disney Pride In Concert“ starting April 24. ($35)
  
• 2025 Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival starting May 8. ($17)

Submit your event here

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AND FINALLY …

A 19th-century author is not exactly who you picture when you think of Walk of the Stars honorees. Instead of a glamorous headshot, her photograph from around 1870-1880 was taken closer to the invention of the camera than to our century. Here’s why she will get a place of honor in the city:

Driving the news: The Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce will posthumously honor Helen Hunt Jackson with the 477th star on the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars during a ceremony next week.

• She championed Native American rights and will be honored in the “Literary” category, celebrating her contributions as a poet, novelist, and advocate.

Dive deeper: Jackson (1830-1885) began her career as a poet but became a passionate activist after meeting Chief Standing Bear of the Ponca Indian Tribe in 1879. This led to her landmark works criticizing U.S. policies toward Native Americans.

Why it matters: Her 1884 novel “Ramona,” which highlighted the struggles of Native Americans in Southern California, inspired multiple films and the creation of The Ramona Pageant—the longest-running outdoor play in the United States.

Why now: A chamber representative said “The Ramona Bowl Family” sponsored the dedication that was originally supposed to happen in 2023 to mark the 100-year anniversary of the “Ramona” play.

• The outdoor performance is a generational tradition that is still going on! Attend the 102nd edition in Hemet starting April 26.

Details: The star unveiling ceremony will take place on Wednesday, April 16 at 3 p.m. at Downtown Park.