March 14 Daily Briefing: Safety effort gains momentum, storm arrives, art dedication, and more

TGIF, everyone! As you may have noticed, we like to use this space to give you a heads up about various road construction projects, anticipated delays, and other things that might impact getting around town. Today is no different, as we bring you this message from the city: Indian Canyon Drive will be fully closed between Sunrise Parkway and Garnet Avenue from 8 p.m. this evening until 5:30 a.m. Saturday. The closure is necessary for warehouse development work in Desert Hot Springs. Drive safe on whatever route around the closure you choose!

🎶 Setting the mood: “Weekend Run” by Unknown Mortal Orchestra

LEADING OFF

‘Safety Blows’ gains momentum, distributes 8,000 whistles

A grassroots safety program in Palm Springs is making waves, with 8,000 whistles distributed since it launched in January. The “Safety Blows” initiative, created by local psychotherapist Brent Heinze, aims to address potential violence against marginalized communities.

Driving the news: Safety Blows includes social media campaigns, community discussions, and educational workshops. The organization recently held a 30-person self-defense class as part of its educational outreach.

• The initiative’s provocative name refers to its primary tool – a whistle that can draw attention in threatening situations.

Gaining support: The initiative has received support from the city and the Palm Springs Police Department. Local businesses can participate by hosting small baskets of whistles with informational materials

Why it matters: The rapid distribution of whistles indicates strong community interest in addressing safety concerns for LGBTQ people, people of color, and other marginalized groups.

• “A lot of us are really trying to live our best lives, and anything that gets in the way of that needs to be addressed,” Heinze said.

What’s next: The program is launching “Safety Blows Safe Space,” providing signs for businesses to display, signaling support for individuals feeling unsafe or targeted that they can stay and wait there if they need help from police or other authorities.

• If you’re a business owner interested in helping out, email Heinze at brent@begintheshift.org

Dive deeper with our complete story here.

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BRIEFLY

☔ City feels impact of atmospheric river

Gusty winds and much lower-than-average temperatures put the freeze on Palm Springs Thursday, as the impacts of the latest atmospheric river to come through Southern California were felt in the city.

• Rain began to fall in the city around 5 a.m. It was accompanied by winds in the double digits, with gusts nearing 50 mph in some areas of the desert. At the airport, where the official total is tallied, two-tenths of an inch of rain were recorded on Thursday.
  
• While the high temperature was recorded as 62, that was 18 degrees cooler than the average for this time of year, and the “feels like” temperatures were in the 40s.
  
• Looking ahead: While a chance of showers is expected today, the clouds will start to clear out, and temperatures will reach the 70s this weekend and the 80s by late next week.

🔥 Animals die in Starr Road fire

Seven dogs were killed, and several other animals were rescued when a carport fire broke out at a Palm Springs home Thursday afternoon on the 2400 block of Starr Road, according to fire officials.

• The Palm Springs Fire Department reported that seven additional dogs and four cats were rescued from the property and are being evaluated by Palm Springs Animal Control.
  
• Details: One resident of the home was transported to the hospital for evaluation, but no other injuries were reported in the incident that began around 12:45 p.m. The Palm Springs Police Department is currently investigating the cause of the fire.

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YOUR WEEKEND

MULTIPLE DAYS

• Desert X runs through May 10.
  
• “God of Carnage” at the Cultural Center. ($40)
  
• “Jesus Christ Superstar” at CV Repertory at 7 p.m. ($90)
  
• St. Paw-tricks Adoption Weekend Saturday and Sunday at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter.

TODAY

• Oscar movie double feature “Saturday Night” and “A Real Pain” at the Palm Springs Public Library starting at 10 a.m.
  
• Foodie Fridays at the Cultural Center from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m.
  
• Into the Abstrakt 2025 Spring Exhibition opens at Janssen Artspace at 5 p.m.
  
• TGIF Trivia at Play Lounge & Cafe at 6:30 p.m.
  
• Hitchcock Retrospective: Shadow of a Doubt” at the Cultural Center at 7 p.m.
  
• Movies in the Park: “Despicable Me 4” at Sunrise Park at 7 p.m. (weather permitting)
  
• Comedy Night at Hotel Zoso at 8 p.m. ($15)

SATURDAY

• Tahquitz Creek Cleanup at the Tahquitz Creek Foot Bridge at 8 a.m.
  
• Little Beverly Hills Neighborhood Yard Sale starts at 8 a.m.
  
• Certified Farmers’ Market at the Cultural Center from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.
  
• Coffee with a Firefighter at Cafe La Jefa from 9 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.
  
• Teen Workshop: How to Reduce Your Environmental Impact at City Hall at 9 a.m.
  
• Los Compadres Neighborhood Organization Annual Meeting at Demuth Community Center at 10 a.m.
  
• 16th Annual Desert Horticultural Society Garden Tour locations available after purchasing tickets at 10 a.m. ($30)
  
• Bingo with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence at one eleven bar at 6 p.m.
  
• PSUSD Theatre Arts Extravaganza at Rancho Mirage High School at 7 p.m. ($10)
  
• Country Western Dancing at at 7 p.m. ($5)

SUNDAY

• Hockney + You – An Art Experience and Love Storyat the Downtown Park at 11 a.m.
  
• Screwball Sunday: “Ninotchka” screening with Molly Haskell at the Cultural Center at 3 p.m. ($14)

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AND FINALLY …

Palm Springs expanded its artistic footprint this week with the dedication of two striking new sculptures in the Old Las Palmas neighborhood. 

Driving the news: “The Prince” and “Blue Belly Crab” made their official debut Monday at the corner of Palm Canyon Drive and Old Las Palmas. The artwork was chosen by residents themselves and funded through the city’s Public Arts Commission.

Zoom in: Mayor Ron deHarte and Public Arts Commission Chair Gary Armstrong joined neighbors for the dedication ceremony that transformed a neighborhood entrance into the city’s newest artistic hotspot.

• “It’s always a good day when we have new public art, and especially when it reflects the creativity and the character of Palm Springs,” Armstrong said.

Why it matters: In a desert landscape already famous for its midcentury architecture, the installations add fresh visual punch to the city’s cultural identity.

• “These pieces aren’t just sculptures; they are vibrant symbols of creativity, culture, and our shared commitment to making Palm Springs a place where art thrives,” said deHarte.

The backstory: The project emerged as a genuine grassroots effort, with Old Las Palmas residents driving the selection process from start to finish.

• “It really represents the entire Old Las Palmas community coming together to make art happen in their community,” deHarte explained.

Bottom line: The installations serve as a deliberate counterpoint to division elsewhere, offering a moment of collective appreciation during polarized times.

• As deHarte put it: “When you come to Palm Springs, this is how you should feel. You should feel happy and playful and very upbeat.”