Feb. 10 Daily Briefing: January housing sales, new art locations, protest held, and more

Welcome to Monday, and to a week that will see the start of one of the community’s largest and most popular events — Modernism Week! We’re kicking off the celebration of midcentury architecture, design, and culture by giving away two pairs of tickets to Friday night’s preview party for the Modernism Show, held all weekend at the convention center. Want to score the tickets? Simply fill out the entry form here. We’ll choose two winners at random and announce them later this week.

🎶 Setting the mood:  “Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl” by Chappell Roan

LEADING OFF

Housing report: Market is supply heavy as Fed lowers some rates

The latest Desert Housing Report shows that the housing market in Palm Springs is remaining consistent at the start of 2025, with prices staying steady and sales increasing slightly. 

Driving the news: Palm Springs homes showed a slight year-over-year price increase, with the average size detached home (2,175 square feet) selling for $1.2 million, up 2.5% from January of last year.

• The median price of a home in the Coachella Valley increased last month for the third month in a row, ending January at $689,753, which is about $31,000  above last year. 

By the numbers: Palm Springs recorded 101 home sales in the three-month average ending in January, the second highest in the valley behind Palm Desert.

Market dynamics: Palm Springs inventory increased to 754 units, up 36% compared to last year. Despite the inventory increase, homes in Palm Springs are selling relatively quickly, with a median of 39 days on market, the second lowest in the valley.

• The valley’s median selling time is a bit higher at 43 days, “These historically short median selling times are keeping prices stable,” noted the report.

Zoom out: Valley-wide, inventory is back to pre-pandemic levels and up 43% compared to last year and the report said seasonal patterns suggest inventory increases will continue through this month.

What they’re saying: Analyzing the months-of-sales ratio, the report notes, “While inventory has recovered, sales are 26% below normal, so supply is beginning to exceed demand.

What that means: If the months-of-sales ratio increases, that means the number of days a home is on the market will increase, putting downward pressure on home prices.

What to watch for: The report is still looking forward to rate drops, “The Federal Reserve Board has finally begun to lower short term rates, but this hasn’t done much to lower fixed mortgage rates, which are longer term.”

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BRIEFLY

🎨 Arts Commission narrows sites for artistic shade structures

The Palm Springs Public Arts Commission approved locations for new art installations last week, including shade structures at Ruth Hardy Park and Sunrise Park as part of the city’s “Beautiful Shade” initiative.

• Artist Roger Reutimann’s redesigned “Parkside Bloom” shade structure received unanimous approval for Ruth Hardy Park after modifications to meet city maintenance requirements.
• A dragonfly-themed installation with integrated seating was approved for Sunrise Park, pending safety review by the city’s planning department. The commission will also conduct a site visit to determine exact placement near the library, Boys & Girls Club, and swim center.
• Bottom line: Each installation combines public art with practical shade solutions and must meet engineering standards for wind resistance and stability.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

International Cribbage Day Celebration
9 a.m. | Mizell Center
Celebrate International Cribbage Day with other cribbage lovers over tea and crumpets. A refresher on the game begins at 9 a.m. ($5)

Alzheimer’s/Dementia Caregiver Support Group
2:30 p.m. | Mizell Senior Center
This weekly support group offers a safe, confidential, supportive environment for individuals caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia.

CalComMen’s Monday Coffee
5 p.m. | Play Lounge & Café
Join the group for coffee, chat, and chew! No RSVPs necessary.

Mon Petit Salon
5 p.m. | Palm Springs Cultural Center
Enjoy an evening of live music from the award-winning team from the high desert: Mon Petit Mojave ($22)

Human Rights Commission
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
The Human Rights commissioners gather for their regular meeting tonight at city hall and online via Zoom. 

Conversational Spanish
5:30 p.m. | The Center
Join a dynamic and diverse group of people who get together to chat and strengthen their language skills. New attendees, register online here.

“Cold Comfort Farm” screening
6:30 p.m. | Palm Springs Cultural Center
As a part of Michael Childers’ “My Husband Makes Movies: A John Schlesinger Film Festival,” the Cultural Center is presenting a screening of 1995’s “Cold Comfort Farm” starring Kate Beckinsale, IanMcKellen, and Eileen Atkins. ($17)

SAVE THE DATE

• Modernism Week starts on Thursday.
  
• “Racist Trees” film screening at the Cultural Center on Sunday. ($28)
  
• Palm Springs International Pride Hockey Tournament at the Berger Foundation Iceplex on Feb. 21.
  
• 38th Annual Black History Parade & Town Fair on Palm Canyon Drive on Feb. 22.
  
• Desert Pet Walk at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter on Feb. 22.

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AND FINALLY …

Members of Palm Springs’ LGBTQ+ community and allies gathered for a nighttime demonstration Friday, marching from Hunters nightclub to the Marilyn Monroe statue to voice concerns about civil rights and equality.

Driving the news: Pride Under the Pines, an Idyllwild-based LGBTQ+ festival organization, organized the protest to demand justice and respect for the LGBTQ+ community.

Why it matters: Demonstrators expressed fears about potential rollbacks of LGBTQ+ rights, with some married couples worried about the security of their marriages.

• Michael McDonald, a 66-year-old Palm Springs resident who married his partner two years ago, said he was “terrified” their marriage could be dissolved.

The scene: Protesters donned rainbow capes and solidarity-themed shirts, carrying signs reading “Human rights for all” and “We will not be erased” while chanting “We’re not going back” and “Love is love.”

Worth noting: The demonstration drew participants from beyond the Coachella Valley, including international visitors.

• D. Mira, a visiting LGBTQ+ community member from Mexico, chose to attend the protest instead of staying in, saying “this is more important.”

What’s next: Pride Under the Pines co-founder Niels Kosman announced this would be the first of many demonstrations, expressing hope that future protests will draw larger crowds.

• The organization aims to position Palm Springs as a leader in the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ rights.