Dec. 14 Daily Briefing: Surf park has opening date, new mayor seated tonight, our pet of the week, and more

Happy Thursday, where if you’re still in the giving mood, Mizell Center could use your help. Specifically, Mizell needs full-size bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion, as well as toothpaste, soap, athletic socks, deodorant, and toilet paper. The items will go into holiday gift bags for 500 Meals on Wheels clients. The deadline to drop items off — at 480 South Sunrise Way — is by the end of the day tomorrow, Dec. 15. Can’t make it there in person? Online donations are always welcome by going here.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” by the Beach Boys

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LEADING OFF

Thorough and thoughtful: Bernstein takes mayor’s seat tonight

Compassion. Kindness. Thoughtfulness. Thoroughness. Anyone wondering what the city’s next mayor will bring to the table as he steps into the role would be wise to listen to those who know him best.

Driving the news: Mayor Pro Tem Jeffrey Bernstein, who serves District 2 on the Palm Springs City Council, will be sworn in as the next mayor this evening in a ceremony at City Hall. 

• In interviews this month, those who work with him, work for him, and live with him told The Post they expect him to bring both compassion and a strategic approach to the role.
  
• While voters no longer elect a mayor directly, those sitting in the seat are charged with leading Council meetings and are also the city’s public face. They also receive a slight bump in pay.

Zoom in: A Yale professor’s son with an economics degree from Columbia, Bernstein transitioned from a successful career in media to entrepreneurship, opening a popular gift boutique downtown — Destination PSP — and deeply immersing himself in local community service and politics following his arrival in 2009.

• His multifaceted background ranges from anti-apartheid activism in college to opening a restaurant and developing an e-commerce business before arriving here. He said his business and volunteer work helped familiarize him with the city and its needs.

What they’re saying: Those who know him best, including his current City Council colleagues and his husband, Dr. Oscar Chamudes, say Bernstein often conducts deep analysis of city issues while preparing for meetings and respect for all opinions and viewpoints.

• “I realized what kind of person he was right away,” said Chamudes, who met Bernstein in New York in 2002. “He has a very big heart. He’s very compassionate for other people. He’s always thinking of the good of the people and the good of the city.”

Dive deeper with our complete profile of your new mayor in our story here.

BRIEFLY

🏄‍♀️ Surf ‘s up on New Year’s Day at former Wet ‘n’ Wild

Set on a 21-acre terrestrial surf haven off South Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs Surf Club, the result of a collaboration from an ensemble of surf enthusiasts and industry veterans, will open on Jan. 1, 2024.

• PSSC is the brainchild of Cheyne Magnusson, Kalani Robb, and James Dunlop, who, in 2018, began transforming a former waterpark into a desert surfing paradise.
  
  
• At the heart of PSSC’s offerings is its tailored wave technology. The club uses pneumatic wave tech, resulting in on-demand, customizable waves for varying skill levels.
  
  
• But wait: In addition to surfing, guests will be able to enjoy a lazy river, waterslide attractions, cabana rentals, and more. The club also features two restaurants, three full bars, and a retail store offering a curated selection of wetsuits, clothing, and accessories.

🎭 Council to discuss $20 million theater request tonight

The Palm Springs City Council will meet in closed and regular sessions today. According to the agenda, councilmembers will discuss and could vote to approve up to $20 million to help restore the city-owned Plaza Theatre in Downtown Palm Springs. 

• Among other items on the agenda, councilmembers will discuss the creation of commercial districts and vote to approve a measure prohibiting the theft of catalytic converters. 
  
  
• Details: The regular meeting is open to the public in council chambers at City Hall. You can submit comments via an online public comment form, in person, or by calling the city clerk’s office at (760) 323-8204 at any time prior to the end of the public comment period. View the meeting live on the city’s website, YouTube, or Spectrum channel 17.

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FEATURED EVENTS

Measure J Commission
9:30 a.m. | Virtual
The city’s Measure J Oversight Commission will hold a special meeting to discuss a request for funds to help pay for the refurbishment of the city’s historic Plaza Theatre. You can receive the Zoom link or register to speak at the meeting by emailing here.

Palm Springs Animal Shelter Tail-A-Thon
4 p.m. | Palm Springs Animal Shelter
Join NBC Palm Springs and the Palm Springs Animal Shelter for a three-hour telethon to raise critical funds for the animals at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter. This event will be broadcast live from the shelter.

Walk of the Inns Bake Sale
5 p.m. until 8 p.m. | PS Woman’s Club 
The PS Woman’s Club is having a bake sale this evening during the annual Walk of the Inns at its historic Clubhouse in the heart of the Tennis Club neighborhood. The Club will also be collecting unwrapped toys and non-perishable goods for Well in the Desert.

Latkes and Candle Lighting
5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. | Gre Coffeehouse
Gre coffeehouse and art gallery will host this event with Or Hamidbar. You can RSVP by filling out the form here.

VillageFest
6 p.m. | Downtown Palm Springs
The weekly street fair features art, entertainment, shopping, and food. The Palm Springs Art Museum also has free admission tonight starting at 5 p.m.

“Bella!” Film Premiere
7 p.m. | Cultural Center
Join the director and film producer for a premier and discussion of “Bella!” a documentary film on the trailblazing activist, feminist, and congresswoman Bella Abzug. ($15)

SAVE THE DATE

• Breakfast with Santa at the city’s pavilion on Dec. 16.
  
  
• Snowtopia at Palm Springs Air Museum starting Dec. 19.
  
  
• “Die Hard” at the Cultural Center on Dec. 24.
  
  
• Palm Springs International Film Festival Jan. 4 through 15.

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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 Ember, a 2-year-old female pit bull terrier mix who’s been at the shelter since May of last year. This young mama is full of energy and loves to play with other dogs, but she’s not so good with cats. 

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 Tuesdays (open for intake and clinic 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. And get a jump start on adoption by completing the form here.

Details: Scheduled across from Best Bookstore at Hotel Zoso, the festival offers All-Access Passes for $150, alongside other to-be-announced free and discounted options for students.

• Ticket sales begin on Dec. 11 on the store’s website.