Jan. 30 Daily Briefing: Parks project updates, commuter rail progress, ‘Info-a-Go-Go,’ and more

Happy Friday and National Fun at Work Day, where we would like to note that if you find some workplaces closed today, there’s a grassroots effort happening to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities by skipping work or school and boycotting consumer activities. More information about the effort and protests can be found here.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Take Me Out” by Franz Ferdinand

Leading Off

Parks Commission OKs new signage, facility rules across city park system

The Palm Springs Parks and Recreation Commission approved new smoking prohibition signage and indoor fitness center rules this week while receiving updates on capital projects and long-range planning initiatives.

Driving the news: At their regular monthly meeting on Monday, commissioners approved new no-smoking and no-vaping signs for city parks in partnership with the Palm Springs Blue Zones Project, along with standardized rules for fitness centers at the James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center and Demuth Community Center.

• The fitness center rules require users to check in with membership cards, clean equipment after use and report damaged equipment or injuries to staff.

Why it matters: The policy updates establish consistent operating standards across city recreation facilities as Palm Springs implements its Parks and Recreation Master Plan and prepares for major infrastructure improvements.

What’s happening: Staff provided updates on multiple capital projects, including the Demuth Park improvement project with dog park upgrades and a new restroom building, and the downtown splash pad project expected to finish by late February.

• The Desert Highland Park playground replacement received Measure J funding and construction is slated for spring.
  
• Pavilion renovations are focusing on technology upgrades, HVAC improvements and security enhancements after completing demolition work.

What’s next: The city will launch “50 Years of Sunrise Park: A Year of Play,” a yearlong series of park-based events rotating across the park system and culminating in a November celebration at Sunrise Park.

Dive deeper

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Briefly

🚂 $80M contract advances Coachella Valley rail project

• The Riverside County Transportation Commission awarded an $80 million contract to HDR Engineering on Thursday to conduct environmental studies for the Coachella Valley Rail Project, moving the long-planned passenger rail service closer to construction.
  
• The proposed service would run along a 144-mile corridor between Los Angeles and the Coachella Valley, with planned stops at Los Angeles Union Station, Riverside and several valley cities including Palm Springs. The environmental review will be completed in two phases focusing on regulatory compliance, preliminary engineering and station studies.
  
• Bottom line: The overall project is expected to exceed $1.5 billion, with service potentially beginning by 2040 depending on funding, final design and construction timelines.

Dive deeper with our complete story

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Your Weekend

MULTIPLE DAYS

• California Winter League Baseball at Palm Springs Stadium all weekend ($10)
  
• Lillias White at The Purple Room Supper Club Friday and Saturday ($55)
  
• Assassins at the Revolution Stage Company Friday and Saturday ($49)
  
• Third Annual Palm Springs Readers’ Festival at the Leisure Center all weekend ($125)

TODAY

• Endeavor with Jase at Demuth Community Park at 3 p.m. 
  
• Foodie Fridays at the Cultural Center at 5 p.m. 
  
• Dusty Strings Collective the Cultural Center at 5:30 p.m. ($20)
  
• Mom At The Movies: Heller In Pink Tights at Camelot Theaters at 7 p.m. ($14)
  
• Don McLean at the Plaza Theatre at 8 p.m. ($75)

SATURDAY

• Sober & Strong at Atlas Training Co. at 8 a.m. 
  
• Palm Springs Certified Farmers’ Market at the Cultural Center at 8 a.m. 
  
• Friends of the Palm Springs Library Book Sale at Our Saviors Lutheran Church at 12 p.m.
  
• Guadalcanal’s “The Cactus Air Force” by Michael Carra at the Palm Springs Air Museum at 1 p.m. 
  
• Chris Salvatore Book Signing & Meet-N-Greet at Artworks Gallery at 4 p.m. 
  
• 1964 – The Tribute at the Plaza Theatre at 7:30 p.m. (Starting at $49)

SUNDAY

• Palm Springs Vintage Market off Indian Canyon Drive at 8 a.m. ($5)
  
• Gospel Brunch at PS Underground at 11 a.m. ($110)
  
• Love, Alaska at the Plaza Theatre at 7:30 p.m. ($52)

AND FINALLY …

Going about your everyday life, it’s easy to forget just how many organizations and resources are available here in Palm Springs. This weekend, head to a great event at Hotel Zoso to learn more about what’s on offer.

Driving the news: On Saturday, The Center hosts Info-A-Go-Go, a community information fair bringing together more than 45 organizations ready to share opportunities for the desert’s LGBTQ+ community to find fund, learning, friendship, and connection.

How we got hear: This is the ninth year of the information fair which aims to help connect people through volunteer work, social activities, activism, and support networks.

What they’re saying: “With Info-A-Go-Go, we celebrate, connect, and empower our diverse and vibrant LGBTQ+ community,” said Bekz Lorton, program manager at The Center. “We encourage anyone curious about ways to get involved or looking to support those who support our community to join us Saturday.”

What to expect: Past participants include groups related to cars, the outdoors, theater, and more.

Details: Come on down to Info-A-Go-Go on Saturday, Jan. 31 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hotel Zoso. Find out more online here.