Dec. 20 Daily Briefing: Person of the year, airport advice, a delightful display, and more

Happy Friday, everyone! Yes, it’s Friday. Not Thursday. And definitely not Wednesday, which was the day of week we had written in this space yesterday, even though yesterday was Thursday 🙃. As punishment for confusing you, we’re going to suspend ourselves for one week, starting Monday. Just kidding! We had planned to take the week off already. And since our brains appear to be shorting out with the whole day of the week fiasco, we probably need it. 

Before we go, we wanted to convey a heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who contributed during our year-end campaign the past two weeks. More than 400 of you helped support free, independent news for our city by pitching in online or by sending us a check! The funds raised are vital to our little news operation, so know that because of your generosity we’re heading into 2025 in great shape.

Enjoy the holidays, and we will be back in your inbox on Dec. 30 (which is definitely a Monday).

🎶 Setting the mood: “Skating in Central Park” by Bill Evans

LEADING OFF

Meet Greg Rodriguez, our 2024 Palm Springs Person of the Year

Greg Rodriguez, deputy director of government affairs for Riverside County’s Housing and Workforce Solutions Department, has been recognized as our Palm Springs Person of the Year for 2024 for his impactful work addressing homelessness and spearheading the Palm Springs Navigation Center.

Driving the news: Rodriguez’s leadership was instrumental in the creation of the Navigation Center, a facility offering comprehensive services like mental health treatment, workforce training, and shelter for homeless individuals. 

• Opened this year, the center also accommodates pets, personal belongings, and RV parking — addressing barriers that often deter people from seeking help.

Behind the scenes: Rodriguez’s approach stems from personal experience with homelessness in the 1990s, which shaped his commitment to holistic, sustainable solutions.

Why it matters: Homelessness remains a critical issue in Palm Springs and beyond. Rodriguez’s efforts have fostered collaboration between the county and cities, leading to more effective strategies and resources to combat the crisis.

• His work highlights the importance of addressing root causes, such as mental health and workforce readiness, rather than just providing temporary shelter.

Bigger picture: Beyond the Navigation Center, Rodriguez has been a consistent advocate for public service, recently winning a seat on the Desert Healthcare District Board. He emphasizes the connection between housing and health, advocating for sustainable funding to maintain long-term solutions.

• “Healthcare plays a huge role in addressing homelessness,” Rodriguez said. “And housing is a social determinant of health.”

What’s next: Rodriguez continues to push for state and federal funding to ensure lasting progress in addressing homelessness, while his recognition as Person of the Year underscores the impact of his work on the community.

Dive deeper with our complete story

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BRIEFLY

🧳 Holiday travel surge expected at airport

Palm Springs International Airport will handle more than 40,000 departing passengers during the six-day holiday period from Saturday through Dec. 26, with peak days seeing over 7,300 travelers departing through the desert terminal.

• Airport officials identified Dec. 22, 23, and 26 as the busiest travel days, advising passengers checking bags to arrive two hours before departure and those with carry-on luggage to arrive 90 minutes early.
  
  
• Parking options include the $20-per-day main lots and an $18-per-day overflow lot on Kirk Douglas Way. Airport officials recommend considering alternative transportation due to limited parking availability.
  
  
• Bottom line: Security wait times could reach 30 minutes during peak hours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The airport advises using gift bags instead of wrapping paper for holiday items, as wrapped presents may require inspection.

🏫 COD board schedules special meeting amid leadership uncertainty

The College of the Desert’s Board of Trustees has called a special meeting today to discuss potential discipline or dismissal of a public employee, as well as the employment of its interim/acting superintendent/president, Laura Hope.

• The meeting comes 11 days after the cancellation of the process to select a new superintendent/president due to a breach of confidentiality in the search committee.
  
  
• Hope, who was initially reluctant to pursue the permanent role, is now a candidate. Documents obtained by The Post show she has been the subject of concerns among staff for weeks.
  
  
• Also on tap: During its regular meeting prior to the special meeting, the board will appoint new leadership after former Chair Bonnie Stefan and Vice Chair Bea Gonzalez lost their re-election campaigns.

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YOUR WEEKEND

MULTIPLE DAYS/TIMES

• Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus: “Fa La La Fabulous” Holiday Spectacular at the Palm Springs Art Museum all weekend. ($35)
  
  
• “The 39 Steps” at CV Repertory all weekend. ($80)
  
  
• Cathay Moriarty Live at the Palm Springs Cultural Center all weekend. ($75)
  
  
• “Mary Poppins” at the Palm Canyon Theatre all weekend. ($38)
  
  
• “Snowtopia” at the Palm Springs Air Museum all weekend. ($15)

TODAY

• Friends of the Palm Springs Library book club at the library at 2 p.m.
  
  
• TGIF Trivia at Play Lounge & Café at 6:30 p.m.
  
  
• Country Western Dancing at Dance Ranch Palm Springs at 7:30 p.m. ($5)
  
  
• Comedy Night at Hotel Zoso at 8 p.m. ($15)

SATURDAY

• Tahquitz Creek Cleanup at the Tahquitz Creek Foot Bridge at 8 a.m.
  
  
• Certified Farmers’ Market at the Cultural Center at 8 a.m.
  
  
• “Marcella” film screening from Desert Film Society at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 10 a.m. ($15)
  
  
• Santa and the Desert Carolers at the Kimpton Rowan hotel at 4 p.m.
  
  
• Blue Christmas Interfaith Service at the Church of St. Paul in the Desert at 6 p.m.

SUNDAY

• “The Muppet Christmas Carol” free screening at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 3 p.m.
  
  
• Judy’s Old Fashioned Christmas at the Purple Room Supper Club at 5 p.m. ($45)
  
  
• Holiday Oddities 3 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 7 p.m. ($10)

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AND FINALLY …

Wildlights at the Living Desert is an enduring holiday tradition for many in the Coachella Valley. The light displays, hot chocolate, and animals have been wowing visitors since 1993. But for many, the highlight of the event is the impressive model train set that takes up almost ¾ of an acre.

Driving the news: This year, visitors to Wildlights should keep their eyes peeled for local easter eggs throughout the sprawling Bighorn Railroad display, like a Marilyn Monroe statue, wind turbines, and even a whole neighborhood of midcentury modern homes.

How we got here: First built in 1998 the original display was planned as a temporary installation for that year’s Wildlights, but it grew so popular it turned into a year-round display. It featured Old West towns, 1950s buildings, and multiple trains that travel on about 3,000 feet of track. 

What’s changed: Starting this year, the railroad is undergoing an update worth about $200,000 to add even more local representations for each of the valley’s nine cities as well as Idyllwild and Joshua Tree National Park.

• Local businesses sponsor many of the buildings and eagle-eyed visitors will notice Palm Springs favorites on tiny billboards.

Why it matters: Any attendee of the zoo will notice how kids are instinctively drawn to the display, and often so are adults. It’s hard not to explore every crevice and point at each of the buildings. Now, there’s even more to discover with the local elements sprinkled throughout the display. 

💬 Our take: Kendall used to live right next to the Living Desert. She celebrated birthdays there and attended summer camp and some of her best memories at the zoo are when she was exploring the train display.