March 13 Daily Briefing: Hope and realism as part of Navigation Center opens, why we love date shakes, and more

Welcome to Wednesday, where we’re taking to heart the overarching message delivered Tuesday during the opening of a portion of the city’s new homeless services center. While it’s great to see more beds available, and we look forward to the facility’s full opening in August, the unfortunate reality is there are — and always will be — people who refuse help. Because of that, while city leaders and law enforcement officials are hopeful that the facility will help end homelessness for some, they are realistic that it’s not a panacea. It’s a significant step, but we’d urge everyone to remember the issue will not be going away in Palm Springs simply because the facility is opening.

🎶 Setting the mood:  “Wednesday” by Tori Amos

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LEADING OFF

Part of Navigation Center opens with hope, realism

The Palm Springs Navigation Center, a project two years in the making, officially opened its Early Entry Facility on Tuesday, offering beds and access to assistance such as addiction counseling to the unhoused. 

Driving the news: The center, which began offering 50 beds last week, is expected to provide temporary housing in 80 container homes by August, along with onsite services aimed at rehabilitation, rehousing, and re-employment. However, officials acknowledged that the center may not reach all unhoused individuals, particularly those who choose to remain on the streets.

• Police Chief Andy Mills encouraged those resistant to using the center’s services to “come here and get hope.”

Looking back: City staff first recommended purchasing the property at 3589 McCarthy Rd. in October 2021. Despite delays due to the pandemic and a spike in construction material costs, the project, which cost $40 million, was completed relatively quickly for a public project, according to Greg Rodriguez, deputy director of government affairs and community engagement for the Riverside County Department of Housing and Workforce Solutions.

• The project also faced controversy as nearby residents felt left out of the conversation and only learned about the center after an initial staff report was published one week before the City Council first considered purchasing the location.

The latest: During her remarks on Tuesday, Councilmember Lisa Middleton assured those with concerns that officials owe it to them to address these issues, emphasizing the importance of being “good neighbors to all the businesses and residents of this neighborhood.”

• Many who spoke at the ribbon cutting emphasized that while the center is seen as a significant step in combating homelessness, it is just one tool in a larger effort.

Dive deeper with our complete coverage here.

IN OTHER NEWS

⚖️ A man pleaded guilty Tuesday to breaking into a Palm Springs condominium naked, fighting residents, and shooting at a witness. [KESQ]

🏠 The former Palm Springs home of legendary costume designer Edith Head is on the market for $1.6 million. You can see her influence in its interior designs. [Stamford Advocate]

🥤 If you live in the desert, chances are you’ve had a date shake. One food publication explored why the sweet treat is so popular here. [Yahoo Life]

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Palm Springs Jewish Film Festival
All day (starting at 10:30 a.m.) | Palm Springs Cultural Center
See some of the most innovative and thought-provoking films from around the world during this event sponsored by Jewish Federation of the Desert and Temple Isaiah. For a complete list of films and showtimes, check here.

Talk: The AI Revolution
9 a.m. | Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
Come learn all about AI, how it could impact you, and how it may impact the local economy, at this talk put on by the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce that features two local AI entrepreneurs. Lunch is included with admission. ($40)

Climate Action Subcommittee 
5 p.m. | City Hall
The monthly meeting of this Sustainability Commission subcommittee takes place online and in the development services conference room. An agenda can be viewed here.

SAVE THE DATE

• Richard M. Milanovich Legacy Hike and 5K Run on Saturday at Indian Canyons.
  
  
• District 1 community meeting on March 20 at Demuth Community Center.
  
  
• ONE-PS Picnic and Community Expo on March 23 at Ruth Hardy Park.
  
  
• AIDS Diva: The Legend of Connie Norman on March 27 at the Mizell Center.
  
  
• Broadway and Beyond: Interview With Kevin Chamberlain on March 29 at the Mizell Center.
  
  
• Palm Springs Fire Foundation Easter Egg Hunt on March 30 at Ruth Hardy Park.

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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 handsome Dexter, a 4-year-old American Pit Bull Terrier Mix. Staff at the shelter say he loves people and just hanging out. 

• “He is great with female dogs and some males that are not dominate,” they wrote. “He walks well once away from the shelter and he loves, loves his treats.” (Same, Dexter — same!) 

If you’re interested: You can visit the shelter at 4575 E. Mesquite Ave. For current hours, call the shelter at (760) 416-5718 or go online here.

• Make sure to check out all the other pets at the shelter here. You can also get a jump start on adoption by completing the form here.