Aug. 5 Daily Briefing: Inspirational school start, arrest in attempted crime, and more

Welcome to Tuesday! If you’re in the market for a unique Palm Springs purchase, might we suggest considering the Exotic Dream Resort in the Warm Sands neighborhood? The clothing-optional, 40-room resort is up for sale for $10.5 million and comes with not only a colorful history, but also a loyal customer base and something called a “play maze.” Listing agent Adam Gilbert told realtor.com that it could easily be transformed into a regular boutique hotel, similar to the former Desert Sun property (also once clothing optional) a few miles to the north.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers

LEADING OFF

As new school year starts, a call for excellence comes from district leadership

Palm Springs Unified School District’s new superintendent Dr. Marcus Funchess delivered an energetic first address to hundreds of elementary school staff Monday, repeatedly calling employees “trailblazers” and leading chants of “PSUSD excellence.” The school year begins Wednesday.

Driving the news: Funchess, who began his role July 1, used the Richards Center for Arts kickoff to outline his vision for developing “strong and confident young people” who can compete globally, challenging staff to think big about student potential.

Celebrating wins: District officials recognized significant achievements in student attendance and academic progress during the event.

• Cathedral City Elementary earned standout recognition for most improved attendance rates and achieving the lowest chronic absenteeism rate at 7.87%.

New initiatives: Assistant Superintendent Simone Kovats unveiled the district’s “Portrait of a Graduate” program, focusing on four essential skills: collaboration, communication, problem solving and work ethic.

By the numbers: The district serves nearly 19,000 students across 27 school sites spanning 500 square miles, with over 95% of students socioeconomically disadvantaged and over 10% classified as homeless.

• Despite challenges, the district maintains a 90.3% graduation rate with about 50% of graduates attending college within one year.

What’s next: The district’s theme for the year is “The Story of Us,” with Funchess telling staff that students’ academic and social lives “many times depends on what we do in our schools.”

Dive deeper with our complete story

BRIEFLY

🚔 Palm Springs man arrested after alleged armed carjacking attempt

A 38-year-old Palm Springs man was arrested Monday morning after attempting to steal a vehicle at gunpoint from a gas station in the 2700 block of North Palm Canyon Drive around 5:30 a.m. Police located the suspect nearby and took him into custody after a brief foot pursuit.

• The suspect reportedly approached a victim pumping gas, pointed a firearm and demanded car keys and personal belongings. He entered the vehicle but was unable to operate it before fleeing on foot. A second victim who tried to intervene also had the firearm pointed at them.
  
• Officers recovered a loaded unregistered firearm and the victim’s stolen property during the investigation.
  
• Bottom line: The suspect was booked at the John J. Benoit Detention Center in Indio on charges including robbery, attempted carjacking, assault with a deadly weapon, being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition by a prohibited person, carrying a loaded unregistered firearm, and a parole violation.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Better Brain & Balance Tuesday
9 a.m.| The Center
This class is to help people who struggle with balance and notice memory issues. ($48)

Virtual Talk: The Bird Book
11 a.m. | Online
Dr. Jay Jinsing Falk discusses “The Bird Book: The Stories, Science, and History of Birds” during this virtual event hosted by Palm Springs Public Library.

Knit Together
10 a.m. | The Center
This Social/Fun space hosted by Doug Morris and sponsored by The Perfect Purl provides a social and sharing platform for a community of fiber enthusiasts. Please note that this group is a social knitting group and open to anyone with any level of fiber enthusiasm. This is not a class.

Queer Colon Care Collective
5 p.m. | Virtual
This support group is open to LGBTQ+ colorectal cancer patients, survivors, or caregivers. Organizers will offer resources and a sense of community in a safe place to share experiences. 

See all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• PSUSD – Back to School across the school district on Wednesday
  
• Decriminalize Nature Palm Springs event at Mizell Center on Saturday
  
• Second Saturday in Downtown Indio on Saturday
  
• Retreat to the Heat presented by The Palm Springs Writers’ Guild Sunday through Aug. 13
  
• Resident Discount Day at the Palm Springs Surf Club on Aug. 13 ($20)
  
• Pool Party for a Cause benefiting Palm Springs Animal Shelter on Aug. 15 
  
• Rotary Club of Palm Springs Sunup Blood Drive on Aug. 16
  
• Fix-It-Fair at the Mizell Center on Aug. 23

Submit your event here

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AND FINALLY …

🐾 Each week, The Post partners with a local animal shelter to feature one or more of the many animal companions ready for a new home in our community. 

Today, we invite you to meet diva herself, Bella. This 10-year-old Siamese lady aspires for the opera house and has only been at the shelter for a short time. Staff say she is a rather vocal and charismatic gal.

• Staff also said she loves the occasional treat and spurts of attention.

If you’re interested: You can visit the shelter at 4575 E. Mesquite Ave. Hours are 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on all days except for Mondays (open for intake only) and Thursdays (1 p.m. until 7 p.m.). You can always call the shelter at (760) 416-5718.

• Make sure to check out all the other pets at the shelter here.