July 16 Daily Briefing: Bookstore moving, new flights to East Coast, chorus season preview, and more

Welcome to Wednesday, and the day often called the slowest day of the year in sports. Coming the day after Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game — which the National League won in a wild swing-off — it features no contests from any of the four major leagues. However, the day isn’t without its own history. On this date in 1941, Joe DiMaggio extended his hitting streak to a record 56 games, a run that would end the very next day. Roughly a decade later, rumor has it that DiMaggio proposed to Marilyn Monroe right here in Palm Springs.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Holiday” by Vampire Weekend

LEADING OFF

As AC issues persist, bookstore owners plan to relocate business

The owners of The Best Bookstore in Palm Springs are relocating their independent store after their landlord refused to pay for repairs to a broken air conditioning system.

Driving the news: Co-owners Paul Bradley Carr and Sarah Lacy said Tuesday they will move from their 180 East Tahquitz Canyon Way location to one nearby rather than pay an estimated $13,000 repair bill themselves.

Looking back: The air conditioning unit failed during the July 4th weekend, leaving the nearly 1,000-square-foot store without cooling during Palm Springs’ summer heat. Lyle Commercial Properties, the landlord, declined to cover repair costs despite previously fixing AC issues in the store’s back annex about a year ago.

• An HVAC technician found that someone had disconnected the unit and the condenser was destroyed, though it’s unclear whether the disconnection caused the damage.

The dispute: Lyle co-owner Danny Grathwohl told The Desert Sun that lease language makes tenants responsible for such repairs. The landlords offered to pay 50% of repair costs and let the bookstore out of their lease early, which Grathwohl described as going beyond legal obligations.

By the numbers: The bookstore needs to raise $13,000 for moving costs and has launched a fundraising campaign featuring a permanent mural in the new location. They are also offering a three-for-two special on all books.

• Donors contributing $1,000 to the effort, which should go live this week, will have their names included in the artwork.

What’s next: Carr hopes to sign a lease for a nearby downtown location this week, ensuring the bookstore remains a downtown staple. The store must vacate its current space by Aug. 10.

Current situation: The store operates limited hours from noon to 5 p.m. using swamp coolers and fans, with indoor temperatures regularly reaching 90 degrees.

Dive deeper with our complete story

BRIEFLY

✈️ United Airlines returning to PSP with nonstop Newark service

United Airlines will launch nonstop service between Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) and Newark Liberty International Airport starting Dec. 18, marking the first time in over five years the airline has offered regular service on this route.

• The new flights arrive in time for the busy holiday travel season and are part of steady growth for PSP as it continues to expand its list of direct destinations. Specific flight times and booking options are expected to be available soon through United Airlines’ website and app.
• “We’re delighted to see United continue growing at PSP, with Newark service returning this winter and LAX flights coming back earlier than last year,” said Harry Barrett, Jr., Executive Director of Aviation at Palm Springs International Airport.
  
• Yes, but: Avelo Airlines will not bring back its seasonal flights between Palm Springs and both Santa Rosa and Bend/Redmond, Ore. this fall, the airline’s communications manager confirmed Monday. The airline earlier announced it would no longer offer flights in the western United States and would instead shift its focus east.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Palm Springs Surf Club Local Day
10 a.m. | Palm Springs Surf Club
The City of Palm Springs is teaming up with the Palm Springs Surf Club to offer residents discounted ticket pricing (surf pool admission not included). ($20)

Lifestream Blood Drive
11 a.m. | Palm Springs Animal Shelter
The Greater Palm Springs Animal Allies are teaming up with LifeStream to hold a blood drive at the shelter. To sweeten the deal blood donors receive free ice cream and get the paw-some opportunity to play with some of the pets at the shelter. 

PSUSD Job Fair
1 p.m. | School District Office
PSUSD is looking to fill a number of classified level substitute positions throughout the district. From campus safety to custodial aide, there are tons of opportunities. 

Palm Springs Airport Commission
4 p.m. | Palm Springs Airport Conference Room
The Palm Springs Airport Commission will meet for a regularly scheduled meeting this afternoon. You can find the agenda here.

Palm Springs Power Baseball
7 p.m. | Palm Springs Stadium
Your Palm Springs Power continue their series of games against the Havasu Heat. ($10) 

See all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• Good Trouble Lives On discussion, music, and tribute to the late Congressman John Lewis on Thursday
  
• Palm Springs Library renovation celebration on Saturday
  
• ALL OUT, a summer dance party put on by The LGBTQ+ Center of the Desert on Saturday
  
• Next Gen Care community conversation on HIV prevention innovations on July 22 
  
• Pool Party for a Cause benefiting Palm Springs Animal Shelter on Aug. 15 

Submit your event here

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AND FINALLY …

The Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus is set to make history when it takes the stage at the fully restored Plaza Theatre later this year, and you can score tickets now. 

Driving the news: The PSGMC will serve as the historic theater’s Official Inaugural Resident Artists, helping to officially reopen the 1936 venue following its comprehensive restoration with two major musical performances.

• Tickets range from $30 to $85, with over 150 mezzanine seats available at the $30 price point.

The lineup: The season opens December 19–21, 2025, with “Bells, Brass, & Sass,” featuring holiday favorites from Elf The Musical and The Sound of Music, followed by “Rhinestones and Rainbows” on April 24–26, 2026—a spirited celebration inspired by Dolly Parton complete with bedazzled boots and soulful harmonies.

Why it matters: These performances are among those that will mark the grand reopening of the Plaza Theatre following its complete restoration, returning Palm Springs’ premier cultural landmark to its former glory after nearly 90 years of entertaining audiences.

Details: Seats are available now at both the chorus website here and the theater’s website here, with the venue featuring enhanced audio technology for guests using hearing-assisted devices.

But wait: The venue’s Ensemble-in-Residence, Modern Men, will take the stage the weekend before (Dec. 13-14), performing what organizers are calling “the most joyful, jazz-infused holiday celebration in town.

• Details on tickets for that event can be found here.