July 11 Daily Briefing: What’s next for two grocery stores, design rules for Escena homes, and more

Welcome to Thursday. If you’ve got some extra towels, sheets, or blankets at your home, the Palm Springs Animal Shelter could use them. The shelter is currently experiencing a surge in animal arrivals this summer, leading to an urgent need for those items in order to provide comfortable bedding for the animals. Staff at the shelter (4575 East Mesquite Ave.) said they welcome both new and used donations and appreciate any support you can offer for their furry residents.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Coolin’ Out” by Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats

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LEADING OFF

Commission approves plan for more Escena homes, with some design caveats

Dozens more homes are moving forward in the Escena development after a decision by the Palm Springs Planning Commission Wednesday evening.

Driving the news: The commission voted unanimously to move forward with the final development plans to construct 40 new single-family homes in the neighborhood off North Gene Autry Trail.

• The plans are still subject to final review and approval by the Architectural Review Committee (ARC).

Yes but: The approval comes with several conditions, including shade and a fountain at the planned dog park, more solar abatement, more variation in color, building elevation and architectural styles, among other conditions.

• One commissioner said “I’ve looked at the color [options]. I think they’re still very monotonous. It’s variations on taupe.”

On the other hand: A sales associate working for Toll Brothers, the applicant, said buyers don’t tend to like too much variation in color, and she has had trouble selling homes with pops of color as opposed to monochromatic styles.

What they’re saying: Commissioners were also worried that the homes seemed too big for the size of the lots.

• “It’s going to feel like there’s a whole series of McMansions filling out the lots,” said Vice Chair Lauri Aylaian.

What happens next: The commission’s recommendations will be formalized in a resolution to be reviewed by the project subcommittee before going to the ARC. No timeline was given for when revised plans might come back for final approval.

BRIEFLY

🛒 How a proposed grocery merger would affect your local stores

A potential mega-merger between grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons is making headlines after they released a list of stores, two in Palm Springs, that would be sold off, but not closed, if the merger were to go through.

• At issue is the future of the Albertsons on Sunrise Way and the Vons on East Palm Canyon Drive. Kroger’s CEO said the stores would be sold to C&S Wholesale Grocers if the merger goes through, with no employees losing their jobs and no stores closing.
  
  
• The merger is not a done deal. It’s being challenged in court by the Federal Trade Commission which claims the $25 billion merger would lead to less competition and higher prices for customers and fewer protections for workers.
  
  
• The legal challenges of the merger are scheduled to happen sometime in September.

Head’s up: In other store sales news, the defunct 99 Cents Only Store just down the street from Albertson’s on South Sunrise Way is set to become a Dollar Tree, if the banner outside the building is to be believed.

🏥 Healthcare District working to inform voters about hospital deal

The Desert Healthcare District and Foundation is hosting two community information sessions to get the word out about the hospital lease plan for Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, ahead of voters’ final decision this November.

• Tonight’s meeting is at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio and starts at 6 p.m., and another is scheduled for July 16 at UCR Palm Desert.
  
  
• At the end of May, the board voted to move forward with a deal with the hospital’s current operator, Tenet Healthcare that would see Tenet continuing to run the hospital through 2057, with an option to buy the hospital at the end of the lease. 

Bottom line: The deal is not final until it is voted on and approved by local voters during the November election. 

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

New to Medicare Seminar
5 p.m. | DOHC Conference Center
Register online for this free event to learn more about the Medicare enrollment process.

Cocktail Cinema: “Edward Scissorhands”
5 p.m. | Annenberg Theater, Palm Springs Art Museum
This season of Cocktail Cinema, organizers explore four films that shed light on the dark side of suburban living, revealing the hidden struggles and tribulations behind the facade of the perfectly manicured lawns and white picket fences. Arrive early to the Houston Atrium for a movie-inspired cocktail. 

Desert Regional lease informational meeting 
6 p.m. | Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
The Desert Healthcare District and Foundation is hosting two informative community meetings about the Desert Regional Medical Center lease proposal.

Jackbox Game Night Takeover
6:30 p.m. | Play Lounge & Cafe
Jackbox is a fun interactive game played on the big screen with your phones. From trivia, to joke writing and drawing, you’re sure to have a great time! Great game to play if you come alone or with a group. 

VillageFest
7 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.

2024 Summer Cabaret Series: Broadway Barbara
7 p.m. | CV Rep Theatre
Broadway Barbara returns to the desert to make her Coachella Valley Repertory debut following a string of raucous, sold-out performances in Palm Springs, New York City, and Los Angeles. This definitive Broadway Barbara experience is packed to the gills with songs, stories, and even a Fosse dance move or two. ($50)

“Bye Bye Birdie”
7 p.m. | Palm Canyon Theatre
Set in the 1950s, a songwriter finds himself in trouble when the rock and roll teen heartthrob he writes for, Conrad Birdie, is drafted into the Army. As a publicity stunt to record and sell one more hit record before he is sent overseas, a televised farewell is planned with Birdie set to kiss a preselected All-American girl. ($40)

Plant Parenthood: Succulent and Cactus Care
7 p.m. | Plant This
In this free informative session, learn the art of watering, proper sunlight levels, soil, pests control, and more. Space is limited, register online here to attend.

SAVE THE DATE

• Sustainability Resource Fair at Mizell Center on Friday.
  
  
• May Cobb author reading and signing at Best Bookstore on Friday.
  
  
• Jazz in the Pines through Saturday in Idyllwild.
  
  
• Happy Hour for a Star fundraiser at Wildest Restaurant on Sunday.
  
  
• Zone PS Virtual Community Meeting on July 16.
  
  
• Desert Regional lease informational meeting at UCR Palm Desert on July 16.
  
  
• Desert Wildlife Center Breakfast Fundraiser on July 20.
  
  
• Mrs. Frisky’s Cats & Eccles Cakes Night at Frisky Business Cat Cafe on Aug. 2.
  
  
• The Great Catsby Book Club at Frisky Business on Aug. 8.

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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 the beautiful cat Emma, a female available for adoption at the Frisky Business Cat Cafe.

• Frisky Business owner Claire Rogers tells us Emma was at the animal shelter for three months and is using Frisky Business to get socialized with other cats.
  
  
• After a couple weeks hiding away, Emma is now out and about socializing with cats and customers!

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.