Dec. 6 Daily Briefing: Swim center discussion, film fest lineup, our pet of the week, and more

Happy Wednesday, everyone, where we’re here to remind you that multiple toy drives are happening in the city right now, and it’s still not too late to help out. One event is this evening at the Miralon development, where the public is invited to drop off new, unwrapped toys from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. You can also drop off toys at The Saguaro through Dec. 11 to benefit the city’s Boys & Girls Club, and at the American Legion, which will host a toy giveaway for parents from this Thursday through Dec. 11. These are only some of the toy drives on our community calendar. We suggest having a few toys on hand in case more chances to spread holiday cheer arise.

🎶 Setting the mood:  “Back To Life” by Poolside, Panama

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LEADING OFF

City gears up for long overdue swim center renovations

In the ongoing effort to address issues at the Palm Springs Swim Center, the team working on the architectural and design plans for the planned renovations presented their latest draft Tuesday evening, including a floor plan they revised after the first open house meeting with the community.

Driving the news: More than 60 people gathered at the leisure center adjacent to the swimming facility to see the progress on plans for the center’s long overdue renovation. Most liked what they saw, but suggested further revisions were necessary.

Context: The community meeting was the first since an open house in July, where residents let the design team know their priorities for the facility.

Why it matters: The 50-year-old facility is showing its age. The cramped main building leads to overcrowding and forces wheelchair users to maneuver their way through staff rooms and bathrooms to reach the pool.

• The altered floor plan that was shown Tuesday evening shifts the location of the locker room entrance and improves ADA access. 

Yes, but: Many in the audience commended Song for her responsiveness to their concerns but still had major issues with the existing design. The biggest concern was the lack of space and too few benches in the locker rooms.

• Residents also worried that the facility would shut down entirely during construction. Song assured them the team plans to divide the construction into zones so the pool will always be accessible. 

What to watch for: Song explained that her team would revise their designs again and eventually start speaking with the numerous city commissions and boards involved in the project.

Dive deeper with our complete story here.

BRIEFLY

🎬 Film Festival announces lineup

The 35th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival announced its lineup Monday, featuring a staggering 179 films from 74 countries, including 47 premiers. The diverse offerings include Oscar favorites, throwback films, international documentaries, and animation. 

• In addition to films with Oscar buzz, there will also be a spotlight on South Korean Cinema with films like “The Handmaiden” and “Train to Busan,” and a celebration of films like “Goodfellas” and “Paris Is Burning” released in 1990 to honor the festival’s 35th anniversary.
  
  
• Other categories include New Voices, New Visions, Modern Masters, Queer Cinema, Cine Latino, and more.
  
  
• Two films were selected as a part of the Local Spotlight highlighting films from the Coachella Valley, “Amongst the Trees” and “The Green Desert.”
  
  
• Details: Passes are currently on sale. Tickets for Film Society members are available today, and general tickets will go on sale on Dec. 11. Check here for more information.

🗣️ Cultural Museum plans lecture series

The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians has announced its opening series of lectures, to be held in the recently-opened Cultural Museum. 

• Starting next week and running through Feb. 7, there will be three lectures, all designed to highlight speakers and themes related to the opening of the museum. The lectures will be held on Wednesdays, starting at 6 p.m.
  
  
• First up, on Dec. 13, you can meet staff from the Tribal Historic Preservation Office while they share about the findings recovered during construction of the Cultural Plaza and now displayed in the museum.
  
  
• Subsequent lectures will address the development of community-centered Native stories (Jan. 17) and basketry (Feb. 7).
  
  
• Details: For more information and to purchases tickets, which are $10, visit this website.

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FEATURED EVENTS

Business and Economic Development Meeting
3:30 p.m. | City Hall
At this special meeting, committee members will discuss the latest updates on the Palm Springs City Council’s consideration of business districts.

Charles Phoenix at First Wednesday Art Walk
5 p.m. | Backstreet Art District
Celebrate the holidays and search for the perfect gift at this monthly tour of local art studios. Tonight, you can meet pop culture expert Charles Phoenix at the Gary Wexler Gallery & Studio.

Library Board of Trustees
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
The Library Board of Trustees gathers for the regular meeting, which can be accessed on Zoom.

Miralon Toy Drive
5 p.m. until 7 p.m. | Miralon development
Miralon will begin collecting gifts during a special holiday celebration at the “MiraBar” in the community’s social clubhouse, The Hub. Residents and the public are invited.

Rock the Park
7 p.m. | Downtown Park
The city’s free concert series is back. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy favorites from the band Chicago, performed by Kenny Cetera’s Chicago Experience.

SAVE THE DATE

• Coffee with a Cop on Thursday morning.
  
  
• American Legion toy giveaway starting on Thursday.
  
  
• Friends of the Palm Springs Library Holiday Bazaar on Saturday.
  
  
• Sip, Shop, Swim holiday market on Saturday at Drift Palm Springs.
  
  
• Palm Springs Animal Shelter Tail-A-Thon on Dec. 14.
  
  
• Ed Begley, Jr. book signing (rescheduled) on Dec. 17.

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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 Honey Bun, a female eight-year-old calico cat available for adoption at the Frisky Business Cat Cafe. Honey Bun recently faced the loss of her owner and Claire Rogers at Frisky Business said that left her feeling a little shy.

• Rogers said Honey Bun is looking for a quiet and peaceful home without dogs (she’s fine with cats though) and needs owners with lots of patience and understanding.

If you’re interested: You can visit Frisky Business at Rimrock Plaza (also where Von’s is located) at 4781 E. Palm Canyon Dr., Suite F. Look for the cafe’s current hours here.

• All cats available at Frisky Business come from the Palm Springs Animal Shelter. They are spayed or neutered and can be adopted while you sip a delicious beverage or enjoy a tasty treat. 

But wait: Don’t want to adopt but still enjoy cats? You can book a time to hang out in the cat lounge by clicking here.