June 19 Daily Briefing: Juneteenth events, bond rating upheld, honor for cat cafe, and more

Happy Thursday, folks, where we’ve got a correction to make. When we reported on proposed updates to the city’s vacation rental ordinance earlier this week, we said that the Administrative Appeals Board would recommend owners who had no citations in 2025 not be subject to an impending cap on contracts scheduled to start in 2026. The proposal was ultimately not included in recommendations being passed on to the City Council by the AAB. We’ve corrected our story and, as usual, we regret the error.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Hung Up” by Madonna

LEADING OFF

Palm Springs celebrates Juneteenth with series of community events

Palm Springs will honor Juneteenth National Independence Day with multiple community events today through Saturday. The celebration includes panel discussions, a youth pageant, concerts, a movie screening and a family picnic.

Why it matters: The festivities commemorate June 19, 1865, when the last enslaved people in Texas learned of their freedom, marking the true end of slavery in the U.S.

The details: Today’s events kick off with “Juneteenth: The Fight for Freedom” from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Oscar’s Downtown Palm Springs, featuring a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Imani Woody and hosted by performer Sweet Baby J’ai.

• Panelists include media producer Marilyn Solomon, LGBTQ+ advocate Tim Vincent, and Riverside County DNC Chair Joy Silver.

What else: VillageFest continues the celebration from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. this evening in Downtown Palm Springs with a live DJ, cupcakes, arts and crafts, and educational booths.

Looking ahead: Friday features the annual Kings & Queens Pageant at 5 p.m. at the James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center, followed by a Concert in the Park at 7 p.m. at Downtown Park with a musical tribute to Kool & the Gang.

• The pageant is a tradition spanning more than 30 years.

The finale: Saturday’s free Unity Picnic at 5 p.m. at Downtown Park concludes the weekend with food vendors, live entertainment, games, arts and crafts, and children’s rides.

• Free screenings of a documentary that follows local residents as they fight to remove large tamarisk trees from a historically Black neighborhood will take place at the Palm Springs Art Museum at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Find all the details here

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BRIEFLY

🏛️ City receives AA credit rating for library, swim center bonds

S&P Global Ratings has reaffirmed Palm Springs’ AA long-term credit rating for the city’s upcoming 2025 lease revenue bonds that will fund renovation projects for the Palm Springs Public Library and Swim Center. The rating agency also affirmed the city’s AA+ issuer credit rating and AA long-term rating on existing appropriation debt.

• The city will break ground this fall on the renovation of the Palm Springs Public Library and Swim Center in Sunrise Park, with a total expected cost of $50 million.
  
• The rating affirms S&P’s view of Palm Springs’ growing economy and strong reserves, according to Finance Director Kris Mooney. S&P cited steady General Fund performance and a stable outlook.
  
• What they’re saying: “This important news helps us continue the momentum of moving forward these important community-driven capital improvement projects,” said City Manager Scott Stiles. “Because of the City Council’s strong commitment to financial stability we can now deliver what will be an exceptional project for our community.”

⚖️ Palm Springs man sentenced to probation for crash that injured pedestrian

A 62-year-old Palm Springs man received three years’ felony probation Wednesday for striking and seriously injuring a woman in a crosswalk while driving under the influence. 

• Mark Gerald Blanchette pleaded guilty June 4 to DUI resulting in great bodily injury and felony DUI under a plea agreement with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office. A Superior Court judge imposed a jail term of four years, nine months but suspended the sentence, ordering Blanchette to enroll in a first-time DUI offender awareness program.
  
• Looking back: The incident occurred Feb. 1, 2023, when Blanchette failed to see a 57-year-old woman in a crosswalk at the intersection of Tahquitz Canyon Way and Sunrise Way, according to police. The victim suffered life-threatening injuries but ultimately recovered after hospital treatment. Blanchette did not attempt to flee after the crash and was arrested without incident.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Art Museum Free Admission
5 p.m. | Palm Springs Art Museum 
From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., enjoy free admission to galleries and exhibitions, and explore the collection at your own pace. 

VillageFest
7 p.m. | Downtown Palm Springs  
The street fair features art, entertainment, shopping, and food. Today is Juneteenth, and the city of Palm Springs will have arts and crafts, a paint party, and historical information on Juneteenth at this week’s VillageFest. 

Summer Cabaret Series: Sally Mayes
7 p.m. | CV Rep
Come see this celebrated Tony-nominated actress and singer in the next performance in a summer-long series at CV Rep! ($60)

View all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• Palm Springs AI & Creativity Expo on June 23 at the convention center.
  
• Palm Springs International ShortFest June 24 through 30
  
• Swim Center Community Meeting on June 26 at 5 p.m.
  
• 2025 All American 4th of July Weekend July 3-5 in Palm Springs.

Submit your event here

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AND FINALLY …

A local cat café has proven that combining feline therapy with business success is more than just a purr-fect idea. Frisky Business received a $5,000 small business grant at the California Business Outlook dinner in Sacramento earlier this month, earning recognition as one of only four businesses statewide honored for leadership in job creation, business growth, and financial success.

Driving the news: Owner Claire Rogers’ business stood out among hundreds of California businesses for its innovative approach to workplace inclusion and community engagement, according to event organizers.

• The business operates as a certified “EmployABILITY CHAMPION” and neurodiverse workplace, offering a four-month paid internship program for people with disabilities along with flexible scheduling, mental health resources, and customized accommodations.

What makes it special: Beyond serving as a relaxation destination, Frisky Business — located at 4781 East Palm Canyon Dr — advocates for the LGBTQ+ community, partners with the Palm Springs Animal Shelter for cat adoptions, and provides free meeting space to community groups including the Autism Society and Voices for Children.

What they’re saying: “I believe this award isn’t just a check—it’s proof that heart-led businesses belong at the table, too,” Rogers said. “As part of the recognition, Frisky Business was also gifted a one-year membership to the California Chamber of Commerce — so we’re now officially part of the broader conversation about how small businesses are supported across the state.”