A trio of Palm Springs organizations are in the running for a share of $40,000 in prize money, and you can help.

Desert Oasis Healthcare (DOHC) is marking its 40th anniversary by awarding $40,000 to 10 organizations in the Coachella Valley on its anniversary date, July 1. Between now and then the community is being asked to vote online to determine which organization should take home the top prize — $12,000.

Among the 10 eligible organizations are the following from the city:

Sanctuary Palm Springs, which provides assistance for LGBTQ 18- to 21-year-olds transitioning out of foster care
The Mizell Center, which provides services, classes and more for older people in the city; and
Palm Springs Animal Shelter, the city’s official animal shelter, providing animal care and advocacy

Each person may only vote one time, ranking the selected organizations from 1-10.

To vote: Follow this link

The Post is covering news at City Hall and your neighborhood every day with original reporting that’s not hidden behind a paywall. We plan to keep it that way, and depend on readers like you to spread the word about our efforts.

BRIEFLY

An artist’s rendering of new buildings for Starbucks and Raising Canes that would replace the currently empty Office Depot on Ramon Road.

NEW DEVELOPMENT: A shopping center on the eastern edge of Palm Springs’ boundary with Cathedral Center could soon see ground broken on new construction. Destination Ramon, which owns the property at 5601 East Ramon Road that houses Walmart, among other businesses, hopes to build three new structures, including a gas station and buildings that would be leased to Starbucks and Raising Canes, a fast-food chain specializing in chicken fingers. Buildings for the fast-food businesses would replace a now-defunct Office Depot building, which would be demolished. Plans for all three projects are under review at City Hall.

WEEKEND QUAKES: Residents of the city were among those feeling shockwaves from a series of earthquakes reported near the Salton Sea on Saturday. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the largest of the temblors was a 5.3 magnitude near Calipatria that struck around 11 AM. Dr. Lucy Jones, a seismologist and author of “The Big Ones,” said more than two dozen quakes were reported along the Westmoreland fault on Saturday, and that the fault “is not long enough to have something much bigger than (magnitude) 5.8.” She added that, “It could trigger other faults but that is much less likely.”

EVENTS

TODAY

GRATITUDE: The Mizell Center offers a program via Zoom today titled, “Practice of Gratitude: What is Gratitude?” starting at 2 PM. This is a three session course using meditation, Haiku, and understanding gratitude. For more information on registration, turn here.
ARCHITECTURE: The city’s Architectural Advisory Committee meets at 5:30 PM this evening via Zoom. An agenda is available here and the instructions for participating are here.

TUESDAY

TAI CHI: The Mizell Center offers Chair Tai Chi at 9 AM. Registration is available here.
HEALTHY FEET: A program titled, “Healthy & Happy Feet” is offered by The Mizell Center at 4 PM. Registration information is available here.
ONE-PS: The monthly membership meeting of Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs (ONE-PS) starts at 5:30 PM on Zoom. No information on participating in the meeting was available by the time this edition of The Post was sent. Information on the organization, however, can be found here.
BUSINESS RETENTION: The City’s Business Retention/Economic Development Standing Committee meets at 5:30 PM via Zoom. Information on joining that meeting, as well as an agenda, can be found here.
VILLAGEFEST BOARD: The VillageFest Board meets at 5:30 PM. Information on how to view or participate in the meeting, including an agenda, can be found here.

WEDNESDAY

MIZELL EVENTS: The Mizell Center hold four events today. For a complete list, you can see the facility’s calendar for today here.
PLANNING COMMISSION: The city Planning Commission meets at 5:30 PM. Information on participating in the meeting can be found here. Among items up for discussion are revised plans for the property formerly known as the Andaz Hotel, 414 N Palm Canyon Dr. The revised plans are to replace a proposed spa on the second floor with additional rooms.

THURSDAY

DESERT WATER: The Desert Water Agency Executive Committee meets at 8 AM. Due to COVID restrictions, this is not an in-person meeting. Anyone is invited to attend by phone, however, by dialing 877-309-2073 and entering access code 480-904-965.
STORY TIME CANCELLED: “Read-To-Me Story Time” with Nancy Valdivia, the city’s children’s librarian, is cancelled on this day. It usually takes place at 10 AM on YouTube and Facebook.
BOOK CLUB: The Cover-to-Cover Book Club meets at 2 PM via Zoom. Up for discussion this week is “The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek,” by Kim Michele Richardson. For information on joining the club please email Sharon Ballard in advance of the meeting at [email protected]
FOOD AVAILABLE: FIND Food Bank distributes food in the city today at two locations. A mobile market will be set up at the James O. Jessie Desert Highlands Unity Center, 480 W Tramview Rd., from 4-6 PM. Food is also available at the community food bank, 610 S. Belardo Road, between 5 PM and 7 PM. That location is open every Thursday. A complete calendar of food distribution in the community is available here.
FREE MUSEUM ADMISSION: The Palm Springs Art Museum offers free admission from 5-7 PM this evening. Tickets are required and can be obtained here.
CITY COUNCIL: The Palm Springs City Council holds its regular meeting tonight at 5:30 PM. Information on viewing the meeting online, as well as an agenda, can be found here.

ONGOING

VACCINES: Anyone 12 and older now qualifies for a COVID-19 vaccine in Riverside County. If you qualify, you can get one at the Palm Springs Convention Center, 277 North Avenida Caballeros, from 8:30 AM until 4:30 PM Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and from 8:30 AM until 7 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Appointments are not required, and those age 12-17 need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. You can also find a list of community providers such as pharmacies here.

UPCOMING

LISTENING SESSIONS: Residents are invited to participate in a series of four neighborhood community listening sessions June 15-28. Conducted in English and Spanish, the goal of the sessions is obtaining input related to the future of Palm Springs. To find out where and how to participate, turn here.