August 6 Daily Briefing: Pride honors announced, meeting on hospital tonight, and more

Welcome to Tuesday, everyone, where we hope you’ve got power. As you may have seen, some of our neighbors have been without it, and that’s never good when the extreme heat is here. What should you do if you lose power? If you’re able, use your phone to check online to see if others have reported the outage and report yours if you don’t find it. Then, make sure to follow the advice listed here. And remember, the city operates cooling shelters for those experiencing extended outages, and sometimes opens them beyond regular hours (as it did Sunday when it opened one at Demuth Park). You can check the normal operating hours here.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Dog Days Are Over” by Florence + The Machine

LEADING OFF

Palm Springs Pride chooses 2024 LGBTQ+ community champions

Greater Palm Springs Pride on Monday announced recipients of its annual Pride Honors Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to the LGBTQ+ community. The honorees will be celebrated at a reception in early October.

Driving the news: Seven individuals and one organization are being recognized for their commitment to the LGBTQ+ community and its allies.

• The awards span various categories, including advocacy, business, volunteerism, and arts and culture.

What they’re saying: “We are honored to recognize these extraordinary individuals for their unwavering commitment to our community,” said Ron deHarte, president and CEO of the nonprofit organization in announcing the recipients Monday. “Their work inspires us all to strive for a future where everyone can live authentically and without fear.”

Zoom in: The honorees, who will be celebrated at an awards banquet Oct. 2 at the Hilton Palm Springs, include:

• John Taylor receives the Spirit of Pride Award for his contributions through his KGAY radio show.
  
  
• Shannon Anderson earns the Spirit of Stonewall Business of Pride Award for her work at Hilton Palm Springs.
  
  
• DeeAnn Hopings is named Volunteer of the Year for her extensive community involvement.
  
  
• DAP Health is recognized as Advocate of the Year for its healthcare services to the LGBTQ+ community.
  
  
• Jasmine Sullivan Waits receives the Community Leadership Award for creating inclusive community spaces.
  
  
• Marconi Calindas-Cafege earns the Arts & Culture Award for his LGBTQ+ rights-focused visual art.
  
  
• Police Chief Andy Mills and his wife, Cathy Mills, are honored as Friends of Pride for their steadfast community support.

Details: Tickets for the event start at $25 and are available on the Greater Palm Springs Pride website here. 

• The annual event helps kick off one Southern California’s largest Pride celebrations and culminates with a weekend celebration and parade through Downtown Palm Springs in November.

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BRIEFLY

🗳️ Board to vote on placing hospital lease agreement on fall ballot

The Desert Healthcare District Board of Directors meets again this evening, this time to take a consequential vote.

• At tonight’s special meeting (find out to attend in person or online here) board members will vote on whether to approve the placement of Desert Regional Medical Center’s new lease agreement with Tenet Health on the November Ballot.
  
  
• Looking back: In May, the board and Tenet agreed to terms of an agreement that would see the for-profit company Tenet eventually purchase the Palm Springs hospital at the end of a new 30-year lease. 
  
  
• At issue these past few months was the language surrounding a non-compete clause, which board members updated last week.

Bottom line: The lease agreement has to be voted on and approved by voters in the Coachella Valley in November before it goes into effect.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Cribbage
1 p.m. | Play Lounge PS
Bring friends and family to play cribbage at the Play Lounge & Cafe.

Healing Arts: Art Therapy Support Group
4 p.m. | The Center
In-person, drop-in art therapy support group for adults 18 years and older. Using varying artistic mediums such as paint, crayons, coloring, clay, etc., participants will learn to explore and process emotions and experiences. For more information or to join, email lucy@thecentercv.org.

Queer Colon Care Collective
6 p.m. | The Center
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. Offered on the first and third Tuesday of every month in-person at the center or online at 4 p.m.

Palm Springs Toastmasters
6 p.m. | Palm Springs Toastmasters Club
Learn to speak with confidence with the Palm Springs Toastmasters and practice with friends. Guests always welcome.

SAVE THE DATE

• The Great Catsby Book Club at Frisky Business on Thursday.
  
  
• SplashHouse this weekend and Aug. 16 to Aug. 18.
  
  
• Clear the Shelters at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter on Aug. 17.
  
  
• Palm Springs Sunup Rotary Club Blood Drive at the Cathedral City DoubleTree on Aug. 17.
  
  
• Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus Auditions at the Mizell Center on Aug. 20 and 27.
  
  
• Friends of the Palm Springs Library Book Sale at the Palm Springs Public Library JC Frey Building on Aug. 31.
  
  
• Mrs. Frisky’s Cats & Bakewell Tart Night at Frisky Business on Sept. 6.
  
  
• PSUSD Diversity & Racial Equity Conferenceat the Palm Springs Convention Center on Sept. 7.
  
  
• Business Expo & Taste of Palm Springs at Indian Canyons Golf Resort on Sept. 18.

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AND FINALLY …

As Palm Springs looks to update its zoning code for the first time in 35 years, it’s throwing out an incentive for residents to participate.

Why it matters: Zoning codes determine which activities and buildings are allowed in specific areas, including residential, commercial, and industrial uses.

• Looking at the current Palm Springs zoning map, you may not know the difference between “R1” and “R2,” but you probably do have an opinion about where housing should be built and what types of businesses should be allowed where.

Looking back: In its effort to speak directly to residents about zoning, the city held its first in-person meeting in June.  Roughly 50 people participated.

Zoom in: Now, the city has launched a 20-question survey to gather public opinions. Participants who provide their thoughts are eligible for a $25 Amazon gift card upon completion.

Details: Residents can find more information and access the survey through the Zone Palm Springs website here. 

• You can also skip straight to the survey by clicking the following links in English or in Spanish.