Colorful benches dotting the sidewalks of Downtown Palm Springs are getting some company. The first in a series of painted traffic equipment boxes was recently finished near the intersection of North Indian Canyon Drive and East Amado Road.
Artist Kat Trevino completed the box, titled “One Love,” last week. It’s the first of several that will painted as part of the “Stop In The Name of Love” project sponsored by the Palm Springs Public Arts Commission and Main Street Palm Springs. Trevino’s work can also be seen on other benches throughout Downtown that are being reimagined by several artists as part of the bench project, currently in its third phase.
When completed, a total of 40 benches will be painted Downtown. Currently, artists are working to complete 25 benches located between Tahquitz and Ramon on South Palm Canyon Drive. The project is supervised by Tysen Knight, who painted the first set of benches.
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BRIEFLY
FLOYD VIGIL: Dozens of area residents gathered at a mural depicting George Floyd in downtown Palm Springs Wednesday evening, coming together to both remember his life and call for more work to provide justice for all Americans. Floyd, a black man, died last May after a white police officer knelt on his neck and back for more than nine minutes. That officer, Derrick Chauvin, was convicted of Floyd’s murder in Minneapolis on Tuesday. During the hour-long vigil Wednesday night, Palm Springs Black History Committee President Jarvis Crawford pointed out the diversity of the audience, noting that the issues of police reform and systemic racism in America affect more than just the black population.
WINDS CLOSE ROADS: Both Gene Autry Trail and Indian Canyon Drive remain closed at the wash this morning due to continued high winds that cause blowing sand to limit visibility. Drivers trying to reach Interstate 10 are encouraged to reroute to Highway 111 north or Vista Chino to Date Palm. Winds are expected to be 15-25 mph today, occasionally gusting over 40 mph.
FOOD BASKETS: Find Food Bank is offering free food baskets at James O. Jesse Desert Highland Unity Center, 480 Tramview Road, today from 4-6 PM. The event, held every second and fourth Thursday of the month, also features CalFresh app assistance and free community health resources. Participants are encouraged to make use of the drive-thru pick up for their food baskets and to bring reusable bags to take food home.
EARTH DAY: The city has compiled a page highlighting events surrounding Earth Day and how to take part. Included on the agenda today are an online webinar to learn more about Mayor Christy Holstege’s Water Conservation Challenge, including a call this week to check the efficiency of sprinklers before the summer heat sets in. Today marks the 50th anniversary of the first Earth Day, when millions of Americans gathered in cities across America to demand a better environment.
POST OFFICE MOVING: Postal service in Palm Springs will face a brief disruption while the main post office completes it move this week. Postal officials are advising customers of the following:
- Today, both the current location at 333 E Amado, and the new location, 333 N Sunrise, will be closed for the move. Customers can pick up their post office box mail and parcels at the Smoke Tree Post Office (1775 E Palm Canyon Dr., Suite 605) on that day
- On Friday, both post office box mail and parcels can be picked up at the new post office from 10 AM-5 PM. There will be no in-person mailing services at the new location on that day
- On Saturday, all services will resume at the new location from 9 AM-3 PM
EVENTS
TODAY
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Story time: “Read-To-Me Story Time” with children’s librarian Nancy Valdivia takes place at 10 AM this morning on YouTube and Facebook.
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City Council: The regular meeting of the Palm Springs City Council starts at 5:30 PM. The agenda, staff reports, and participation information can be found here. Among items on the agenda:
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A presentation by backers of a hotel development formerly known as The Andaz
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Adoption of an ordinance regulating animal breeding in the city
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Discussion of waving conditions to allow for issuing a state liquor license for a new restaurant at 333 South Palm Canyon Drive. The proposed restaurant would be in an area with an over-concentration of alcohol licenses and requires city action for the permit.
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Discussion of renewal for the conditional use permit for Well In The Desert, which provides services to individuals experiencing homelessness. Issues surrounding that permit were reported earlier in The Post here.
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Discussion of a revised city budget (Our previous coverage is here).
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Discussion of a roundabout proposed for the south end of town (Our previous coverage is here).
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ALL WEEK
- Outdoor art: Desert X art installations are on display throughout the Coachella Valley, including several within the Palm Springs city limits. The free event runs through May 16. A map of the installations can be found here. Some require reservations to view.
- Vaccines: Anyone 16 and older now qualifies for a vaccine in Riverside County. If you qualify, you can get one at the Palm Springs Convention Center, 277 North Avenida Caballeros, from 8 AM-5 PM today, and all week through Friday. Appointments can be reserved online at www.rivcoph.org/COVID-19-Vaccine. No luck at the convention center? Find a list of community providers such as pharmacies here.
