Dec. 4 Daily Briefing: Mural move, warehouse being addressed, toy drop-offs, and more

Happy Wednesday, everyone! While we don’t have an exhaustive list of locations, if you’re considering buying new, unwrapped toys to help children in need during the holidays you can drop them off at Palm Springs Fire Station 2, located at 300 El Cielo Rd., or American Legion Post 519 at 400 North Belardo Rd. All gifts will be distributed to community organizations such as the local Boys & Girls Club and Toys for Tots.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Got To Be Mine” by Vulfmon & Evangeline

LEADING OFF

Mural to be removed amid ongoing vandalism

The Palm Springs Arts Commission has decided to remove much of the George Floyd mural from a private building on Indian Canyon Drive due to repeated vandalism and maintenance issues.

Driving the news: The mural, commissioned in 2020 from LA artist MisterAlek, was intended to be temporary. Despite being defaced several times, costing the city $4,000 to $5,000 in repairs, the building’s owner allowed it to remain.

Looking back: In 2021, the commission asked nearby building owners if they would want the mural on their property, but most either declined or didn’t reply.

• The commission nearly voted on its removal in April but held off due to the lack of a new location to install it.

The latest: With new vandalism still visible, commissioners decided during a Nov. 14 special meeting to remove the plywood portions of the mural and store them until a new location could be found.

• The fact that the mural is on a private building weighed heavily in the decision.

What’s next: The commission will consult with the artist before removal and investigate whether local preservation groups are interested in keeping the mural boards.

• Options for memorializing the artwork in a different format, such as high-resolution photos or prints, might also be explored.

Bigger picture: The commission acknowledged that erecting and maintaining the piece presented unique issues compared to other murals. They agreed to address mural ordinances and policies in future meetings to prevent similar problems.

Dive deeper with our complete story

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BRIEFLY

🏗️ Committee approves 15-Unit residential development

The Palm Springs Architectural Review Committee unanimously approved plans for a 15-unit multifamily residential project adjacent to the Gas Company Building on Sunrise Way Monday evening.

• The development will consist of three buildings with one-, two- and three-bedroom units ranging from 1,300 to 1,800 square feet, along with amenities such as a pool and recreational area.
  
  
• At its regular meeting, the applicant presented refined plans that addressed the committee’s previous concerns, including restructuring one of the buildings’ facade and implementing window overhangs for solar control.
  
  
• Bottom line: The project architect emphasized that the design respects the architectural character of Palm Springs, despite partially surrounding the Gas Company Building, which is currently in the process of being designated as a Class 1 historic property.

📦 Palm Springs considers approving mega-warehouse

The Palm Springs Planning Commission is set to possible vote on a proposed 739,360-square-foot fulfillment center this evening, testing the city’s appetite for large-scale industrial development. The project comes as nearby markets may have reached capacity for such warehouses.

• At its regular meeting tonight at 5:30 p.m. (broadcast live on YouTube or the city’s website), the commission will consider approving a Final Environmental Impact Report and adopting a Statement of Overriding Considerations due to significant unavoidable impacts on greenhouse gas emissions and transportation.
  
  
• Supporters claim the development will bring economic benefits, such as 718 permanent jobs and increased property tax revenues. However, concerns have been raised about the project’s environmental and quality of life impacts. 
  
  
• Bigger picture: The proposed fulfillment center reflects a growing trend of industrial development spreading east of the Inland Empire, home to more than 4,000 warehouses and some of the worst air quality in the country.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

The Rotary Club of Palm Springs
12 p.m. | Hilton Palm Springs
Weekly one hour luncheon gathering with a varied program. ($25)

Community Conversation: Moving Forward Together in 2025
4 p.m. | Palm Springs Convention Center
The city invites residents to a community meeting to address concerns about hate crimes and inclusivity. Meet in room Oasis 3A. 

Planning Commission
5:30 p.m. | City Council
The Palm Springs Planning Commission meets tonight, check out the agenda here. 

Wreath Auction 2024
5:30 p.m. | Eight4Nine
The festive evening will be filled with music, food, drink, and of course beautifully crafted wreaths made by the community. Donations go toward The Center and the Palm Springs Animal Shelter.

Screening of “Invisible Valley”
5:30 p.m. | Cultural Center
Join the production team for a Q&A at a screening of their film “Invisible Valley.” The 2021 film weaves together the disparate stories of undocumented farmworkers, wealthy snowbirds, and music festival-goers over the course of a year in the Coachella Valley. Check out the trailer here. ($10)

OutBook Book Club
5:30 p.m. | Palm Springs Public Library
This month’s meeting starts a half hour later due to the group’s holiday celebration and ugly sweater contest. This month, the group will discuss “Days Without End” by Sebastian Barry. Next month’s pick is “Leading Lady: A Memoir of a Most Unusual Boy” by Charles Busch.

Speaker Series: Treaty of Temecula: A Cahuilla Narrative
6 p.m. | Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Tribal Member Dr. Sean Milanovich (Agua Caliente) presents his research on Native American treaties in California and discusses his recent dissertation. ($15)

Rock the Park
7 p.m. | Downtown Palm Springs Park
Bring your blankets and chairs to this free evening of music from Hot August Night, a Neil Diamond tribute band.

Jews Do The Blues
7 p.m. | Cascade Lounge
Jews Do the Blues 2024 will feature one of Coachella Valley’s most talented performers, Deanna Bogart, backed by a wonderful team of musicians from near and far. She joins Rabbi David Lazar in presenting you with a spiritual experience of music and banter. ($28)

SAVE THE DATE

• Palm Springs holiday tree lighting on Friday.
  
  
• Santa Paws 5K on Saturday.
  
  
• Desert Film Society Screenings on Saturday (Dec. 7) and on Dec. 21.
  
  
• The Leslies’ 36th Annual Toy Drive & Fundraiser on Saturday.
  
  
• Breakfast with Santa at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway on Saturday.
  
  
• 32nd Annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade on Saturday.
  
  
• PS Concerts: Svetlana Smolina on Sunday.
  
  
• Joint Holiday Preview Concert with Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus and Modern Men on Sunday.
  
  
• Grand Opening PROULX galleries | studios on Dec. 10.

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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 the outgoing Starboard, a four-month-old male cat looking for a home that promises lots of playtime and maybe has room for two cats. They do best in pairs!

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 Mondays (open for intake 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.