Jan. 18 Daily Briefing: Break-ins prompt changes at restaurants, latest star recipient, a beneficial Modernism Week event, and more

Welcome to Thursday, which kinda feels like a Friday. As you may have seen, we’ve been reporting on the latest developments as Tenet tries to score a new lease, and eventually purchase, Desert Regional Hospital here in the city. Yesterday we got word from the district that manages the hospital that another special meeting has been called to further discuss the matter, which some have pointed out is rather urgent to address (a Desert Sun editorial called it ‘a regional catastrophe waiting to happen’). That meeting is scheduled for Monday evening in Palm Desert. We’ll keep you posted.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Just A Girl” by No Doubt

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LEADING OFF

Safety concerns prompt tech shift that may surprise diners

Stores and restaurants nationwide are moving toward cashless payments, a trend accelerated by the pandemic. But for one local restaurant, the switch was made for safety reasons. 

Driving the news: After enduring two burglaries a few months apart last year, totaling about $15,000 in damages and lost cash, the owners of vegan restaurant Native Foods decided it was too risky to keep accepting large amounts of paper money.

What they’re saying: “Someone broke in through the backdoor last year,” said Misti Rausch, a longtime employee who, along with another longtime employee, Sean Reynolds, took over the business from chef Tanya Petrovna. “He used a blowtorch, burned our safe, and took all our money.”

Here’s why: The restaurant was broken into twice within a few months last year. After the second break-in, the owners decided to lower their risk by forgoing cash payments. Owner Misti Rausch estimated there have been eight or nine burglaries since 2020.

• Palm Springs Police confirmed there was a call for service in May of last year, but the case was closed, and the suspect was never apprehended. 

In addition: Native Foods isn’t alone. Nearby businesses, including Giuseppe’s Pizzeria and the AIM Mail Center, have also been broken into in the last few years.

Why it matters: “This is more than just a job or a way to make money,” said Reynolds. “We are both vegan and care very much about the plant-based movement and we know how much this restaurant means to the community here,” he said.

What’s happened since: Since the second burglary last summer, Rausch said things have calmed down, and there hasn’t been another burglary. 

Dive deeper with our complete story online.

BRIEFLY

🏠 Modernism Week tour will benefit library nonprofit

With Modernism Week right around the corner, it’s hard to narrow your choices when the schedule is packed with more than 350 events. But that decision may be easier knowing that some events benefit local institutions, such as the Friends of the Palm Springs Library (FOPSL).

• For Modernism Week this year, FOPSL is organizing a house tour of the Robson Chambers House. The house, which won an award for its renovation, was built in 1946 and was home to the architect Robson Chambers.
  
• The architect worked with Albert Frey and John Porter Clark, and the house is considered architecturally significant.
  
  
• The $45 ticket price goes to benefit FOPSL, a local nonprofit that uses its funds to provide books, furnishings, equipment, materials, programs, and more for the library.
  
  
• Details: The tour is on Feb. 21 and tickets can be purchased online here.

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FEATURED EVENTS

Nonesuch Nonfiction Book Club
2 p.m. | Palm Springs Public Library
This month, the nonfiction book club will discuss a book that seems apropos for the new year: “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life” by Mark Manson. Learn more about the book club and sign up to learn about future meetings here.

Mixed Feelings: Bad Bunny And The Light and Space Movement
5 p.m. | Palm Springs Art Museum
Mixed Feelings features back-to-back lectures on unrelated topics that are somehow connected. Organizers invite you to discover the connection. ($16)

Measure J Oversight Commission
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
Commissioners are set to discuss an update on the Measure J Budget and will get an update on capital projects, according to the agenda.

VillageFest
6 p.m. | Downtown Palm Springs
The weekly street fair features art, entertainment, shopping, and food. The Palm Springs Art Museum also has free admission tonight starting at 5 p.m.

Live Laugh Love; A Sondheim Celebration
7 p.m. | Rancho Mirage High School
The musical celebration is back by popular demand. Jason Graae will host the evening, and the cast will come from the Musical Theatre Guild, including a special appearance from former MTG member Teri Ralston from the original Broadway casts of “Company” and students from Musical Theatre University. ($35)

SAVE THE DATE

• “Mid-Century Moderns” at the Revolution Stage Company from Jan. 19 to March 31.
  
  
• Janet Davidson book signing on Jan. 20 at Barnes & Noble in Palm Desert.
  
  
• Palm Springs Health Run & Wellness Festival at Ruth Hardy Park on Jan. 27.
  
  
• PS Woman’s Club Annual Patio Sale on Feb. 3.
  
  
• Black History Committee 14th Annual Awards Gala on Feb. 3.
  
  
• Palm Springs Woman’s Club Scholarship Luncheon at the Hilton on March 27.

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AND FINALLY …

The Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce will honor Susan Stein, a leading figure in the fashion industry and regional editor, with the 465th star on the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars for her civic and pioneering contributions. 

Driving the news: Chamber CEO Nona Watson said Wednesday that Stein will be recognized for her extensive impact on Coachella Valley’s global fashion presence.

•  For example: Fashion Week El Paseo, under Stein’s direction, has become a major event with record attendance, promoting both renowned and upcoming designers, as well as philanthropic initiatives.

What they’re saying: The chamber said Stein’s civic engagement can be seen in her “creative direction and production for various events benefiting organizations such as Animal Samaritans and The Joslyn Center.”  

Details: The star unveiling event, open to the public, is scheduled at Downtown Park on Jan. 30 at 2 p.m.