Feb. 28 Daily Briefing: Weekend sale benefits library, latest on Desert Regional Medical Center, and more

Welcome to Wednesday, everyone! We thought it would be a good time to remind you that it’s time to start planning your parties for the 96th Academy Awards which takes place on March 10. If you’d rather somebody else do the planning, and you just show up to party, might we recommend heading to Trio, where the fine folks there are throwing a bash with benefits, featuring “orange carpet arrivals,” large screens, and more. And the best part? It all benefits local nonprofit AAP – Food Samaritans. Need more details? Find those here.

🎶 Setting the mood:  “16 CARRIAGES” by Beyoncé

---

LEADING OFF

Healthcare District Board to study costs of taking over operations of Desert Regional Medical Center

Amid ongoing negotiations between the nonprofit Desert Healthcare District and for-profit Tenet Healthcare over the sale of Desert Regional Medical Center, the district will soon learn what a future without Tenet would look like.

At issue: Tenet, which has leased Desert Regional from the district since 1997, proposed a new lease, expiring in 2057, that would eventually allow the company to purchase the hospital.

• Context: DHCD is run by board members who are elected by voters.

Yes, but: Despite the district’s efforts to remove the provision that would allow Tenet to purchase the hospital, in each counteroffer, Tenet has kept it in. 

What happens then: If the hospital sells to Tenet, the district would no longer have public oversight over the hospital. But if Tenet purchased the hospital, the district would have $300 million for healthcare access in the valley.

Why it matters: If the district took over operations of the hospital, it would have to foot the bill for costly state-mandated seismic updates to the hospital, estimated to cost about $185 million. 

The latest: During Tuesday evening’s meeting, the board voted to hire a consultant to research the implications and cost of the district taking over the hospital’s operation if negotiations with Tenet fall through.

• The consultant will produce a report for the board members sometime in the next four to six weeks.

Behind the scenes: Meanwhile, registered nurses at Desert Regional unveiled a billboard campaign to bring their concerns over safety, cleanliness, and staffing issues to the forefront. 

• The first billboard is on the I-10 near the exit for Highway 111, and another billboard will be located at the intersection of Vista Chino Road and Gene Autry Trail.

What to watch for: The district plans to hold five informational meetings throughout the Coachella Valley for residents to ask questions and learn more about the lease agreement negotiations. The first one is planned for March 5 in Desert Hot Springs at Miracle Springs Resort & Spa at 5:30 p.m.

• The meeting for Palm Springs will be held on April 5, but no location or time has been decided.

BRIEFLY

📚 Library group hosting annual book and media sale

Friends of the Palm Springs Library will hold its Annual Book and Media Sale at the JC Frey building this weekend from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Friday is reserved for members only, while Saturday and Sunday are open to the public, with a special offer on Sunday for $5 per bag or $10 per box.
  
  
• Offered items include best-sellers, CDs, DVDs, cookbooks, and more, as part of an effort to clear inventory before a planned library renovation.
  
  
• Bottom line: The fundraising organization supports the library through book sales, events, and grants, aiming to raise awareness about the library’s role in the community and provide necessary resources. Visit this website for more information.

🎨 Desert X, Art Museum launching free artistic program

Desert X, in collaboration with Palm Springs Art Museum, will host Desert r&d, a free weekend program from March 8 through 10, offering panels, workshops, and artist visits outside the Desert X exhibition.

• The program aims to bring together artists, scientists, writers, and thinkers to encourage research and development in process-based practices, ongoing experiments, and unanswered questions.

• It includes conversations and panel discussions, including one on March 8 about the challenges of curating art in a desert landscape and one on March 9 examining climate-related work.
  
  
• Details: More information about the program, as well as details about tickets, is available at this website.

---

TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Wine & Design 
5:30 p.m. | Modern Home Design Showroom
Join top interior and exterior design professionals, contractors, solar providers, artificial grass specialists, and other local businesses at the Wine & Design event. 100% of the $15 dollar donation at the door will support the Braille Institute of the Coachella Valley. ($15)

Palm Springs Planning Commission
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
According to the agenda, commissioners will discuss extending the existing approvals for developers of a parcel of land at the corner of Belardo Road and Museum Way. 

PSPD Neighborhood Town Hall Meeting
5:30 p.m. | Hilton
PSPD will meet with residents for its third town hall which officers hope will encourage community engagement and public safety strategizing.

Celebrating Black History Month Through Film
6 p.m. | Palm Springs Public Library
Celebrate Black History Month with a thoughtfully curated and narrated video tour through Black production and representation in film and television. Local film archivists/historians Melissa Dollman and Devin Orgeron will guide viewers from the silent film era to the shows and films we’re watching today.

SAVE THE DATE

• An evening with PSIPC and Friends on Thursday.
  
  
• 26th Annual Hike 4 Hope at the Art Smith Trailhead on March 3.
  
  
• Movies in the Park: “The Goonies” at the Downtown Park on March 5.
  
  
• Rock the Park: AbbaFab-a Tribute to Abba at the Downtown Park on March 6.
  
  
• 2024 Palm Spring Philharmonic Series at the McCallum Theatre on March 6.
  
  
• Palm Springs Art Festival at Frances Stevens Park on March 9.

---

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 handsome Felix, a two-year-old shepherd retriever mix. Staff at the shelter say he might seem initially shy, but once you get to know him his affectionate nature shines through.

• They also say he thrives in the company of most other dogs, and with his mix of breeds, he’s ready for an active and adventurous home. 

If you’re interested: You can visit the shelter at 4575 E. Mesquite Ave. For current hours, call the shelter at (760) 416-5718 or go online here.

• Make sure to check out all the other pets at the shelter here. You can also get a jump start on adoption by completing the form here.