Aug. 22 Daily Briefing: Nonprofit assists Marines, airport job fair coming, summit tackles environment, and more

TGIF y’all! We’ve long bashed Nextdoor as a mosh pit of misinformation worse than Facebook and Twitter, but lately it appears to have changed. Unless our eyes have deceived us, it seems the company made true on its promise to be a more trusted source of hyper-local information. The best part for us is that it has asked local news outlets like ours to allow our content to be automatically shared with its users. So, we took a chance and performed the steps to do that. You can find us there via this link, and find our Indio publication here.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Club Tropicana” by Wham!

LEADING OFF

Year-old nonprofit now provides 100 monthly airport rides for Marines, families

A volunteer group provides free transportation between the Marine Corps base in Twentynine Palms and Palm Springs International Airport for active-duty service members and their families. The nonprofit 29-PSP recently celebrated its first anniversary serving Marines who often lack affordable travel options for short-notice leave.

Driving the news: Marines typically receive only 48 hours notice for 96-hour leaves, creating a time and money crunch when rideshare or taxi costs exceed $100 for the 62-mile journey.

• Many service members are too young to rent cars and lack credit cards or travel planning experience.

The challenge: The Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms is the world’s largest Marine Corps training base, creating access issues for non-vetted drivers who can only reach the front gate.

• Service members must then find on-base transportation or walk one to five miles to their housing.

By the numbers: 29-PSP averages 100 rides monthly with 33 volunteer drivers, most around age 75 and many are retirees and veterans.

• The average round-trip cost for Marines using commercial transportation is $250.

Looking back: 29-PSP formed in 2024 when five volunteers from a disbanded group called SOS Ride recognized the continuing need for the service.

What’s next: The organization actively seeks more volunteer drivers who can use their own vehicles and either donate fuel costs or receive reimbursement.

• Driver applications are available at www.29-psp.org/volunteer.

Dive deeper with our complete story

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BRIEFLY

✈️ Palm Springs airport hosts job fair with 200+ positions

Palm Springs International Airport will hold its 5th Annual Job Fair on Tuesday, August 26, offering more than 200 positions across airlines, concessions, security and parking operations as the Coachella Valley prepares for peak season.

• The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Palm Springs Convention Center lobby, with more than a dozen airport employers conducting on-the-spot interviews and immediate hires.
  
• Available positions include Transportation Security Officers, Ramp Agents, Customer Service Representatives, Retail & Sales Associates, Bartenders, Servers, Hosts, Utility Workers and Taxi Drivers.
  
• Pro tips: Job seekers are advised to bring multiple copies of their resume, dress professionally and arrive early to be ready for interviews.

YOUR WEEKEND

TODAY

• Endeavor with Jase at Demuth Community Center at 3 p.m.
  
• Leanna and Miguel at the Hyatt Palm Springs at 6 p.m.
  
• Suddenly, Last Summer at the Camelot Theatre at 7 p.m. ($12)
  
• Laughter For Relief benefitting locals impacted by the May bombing at The Rock Gallery Comedy Club at 7 p.m. ($55)
  
• PSHS vs. Segerstrom high school football at 7 p.m.

SATURDAY

• Rise and Shine Clean Up at Downtown Park at 6:30 a.m.
  
• Indoor Palm Springs Certified Farmers’ Market at the Palm Springs Pavilion at 8 a.m.
  
• Fix-it-Clinic at the Mizell Center at 10 a.m. 
  
• Diamanti at the Camelot Theatre at 10 a.m. ($15)
  
• Dogust Birthday Bash at the Rowan Palm Springs at 11 a.m. ($50)
  
• Sci-Fi Summer: The Matrix at the Camelot Theatre at 6 p.m. ($14)
  
• Country Western Dancing at Dance Ranch at 7 p.m. ($5) 

SUNDAY

• South Pacific at the Camelot Theatre at 3 p.m. ($14)

AND FINALLY …

If you’ve been wondering how to make your desert living a little more environmentally conscious while getting some expert guidance on air quality and renewable energy, a local health organization has you covered with what might be the most comprehensive two-day crash course on environmental health you’ll find this side of the Salton Sea.

Driving the news: Desert Healthcare District and Foundation will host its second annual “Healthy Desert, Healthy You” environmental health summit Sept. 11-12 at the Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort and Spa, bringing together more than 20 experts to discuss air quality, land use, and other environmental issues affecting the Coachella Valley.

• The free event combines a full day of educational sessions with guided tours of some Palm Springs facilities demonstrating clean energy and environmental solutions.

The format: Day one features concurrent morning and afternoon sessions on topics ranging from renewable energy and water quality to the environmental impact of distribution centers, with keynote speaker Andrea Vidaurre from People’s Collective for Environmental Justice. Day two offers guided tours of sites including Palm Springs Windmill Tours and Desert Water Agency’s hydroelectric plant.

Why it matters: The summit addresses the direct connection between environmental conditions and community health in a region where air quality, water resources, and renewable energy development are ongoing concerns.

How to participate: Registration for the free summit is available at healthydeserthealthyyou.com, with advance registration required for the limited-seating facility tours.