March 20 Daily Briefing: Styrofoam use under heavier scrutiny, ‘Tree City’ effort, our pet of the week, and more

Happy Wednesday, everyone. If you attended any events during Modernism Week last month, you likely realized you were not alone. In fact, according to numbers released by organizers on Monday, the 11-day festival attracted over 130,000 attendees from all 50 states (and 24 countries) to 400 events, generating an estimated $68 million in economic impact for the region. Ready to do it all over again? Organizers are working hard to plan a smaller version for Oct. 24 through 27. We can dig it!

🎶 Setting the mood:  “We’re Going To Be Friends” by The White Stripes

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LEADING OFF

City stepping up efforts to combat plastic and Styrofoam food ware

The city’s food ware ordinance banning plastic items and food ware made with expanded polystyrene foam and polystyrene used in Styrofoam containers went into effect more than two years ago. But with residents and tourists still finding Styrofoam containers in their takeout bags, the city’s Sustainability Department is stepping up efforts to combat the single-use food ware waste.

Driving the news: During Tuesday’s Sustainability Commission meeting, Sustainability Director Lindsey-Paige McCloy told commissioners the department is working to combat the single-use food ware waste in several different ways.

What they’re doing: The department is working on hiring a waste specialist who will join the team sometime in the next few months and will help with waste audits of restaurants.

• The waste audits will also be expanded in scope to crack down on single-use plastic bags for takeout and remind restaurants with on-site dining that they must give diners reusable items if they choose to stay and eat.

State of play: McCloy told the commission that most restaurants are complying with the ban on Styrofoam, except for four “entrenched diehards,” who McCloy said are not budging.

What they’re saying: “I’m really not trying to fine people, but they’re forcing my hand,” McCloy said, confirming that the businesses had already been warned before.

In addition: Department staff is working on tweaking the city’s food ware ordinance to add Styrofoam coolers, sold in about 75% of city grocery stores, to the ban.

• Stores will be allowed to sell the rest of their stock but should not reorder more once they run out.

What to watch for: The department is also trying to get more vendors at VillageFest to comply with the city’s rules but acknowledges the difficulty the vendors face.

BRIEFLY

🌳 New additions to ordinance will encourage stewardship of city trees

The Palm Springs Sustainability Commission is drafting a new addition to the city’s tree protection ordinance, with the hopes of turning the city into a certified “Tree City.”

• The goal of the addition, according to Sustainability Director Lindsey-Paige McCloy, is to codify the best practices that the city already tries to do.
  
  
• The ordinance includes additions to standards for tree planting and care, criteria for tree replacement, and codifies measures to protect trees during construction.
  
  
• To become a Tree City, a city has to meet certain frameworks, including maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, and spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry.
  
  
• The commission noted that the issue of tree skirt trimming is not covered in the draft addition.
  
  
• Up next: The city attorney is still reviewing the draft. Once finished and voted on by the Sustainability Commission, the addition will go through the Planning Commission before being voted on by the City Council sometime in June, before the city’s summer break.

🏕️ Local survivalist tackles ‘Naked and Afraid’ challenge

Palm Springs resident Sam Ray Moore stars in the latest episode of Naked and Afraid, tackling a 14-day survival challenge in Limpopo, South Africa.

• Super fans Sam and her partner Billy Jennings are tested among the Big Five in hopes of proving themselves as capable survivalists, beyond their couch critiques.
  
  
• Sam, a self-professed lover of adventure and the outdoors, aims to emulate her predecessors and join the ranks of the series’ memorable strong female contestants.
  
  
• Details: The episode airs this Sunday, March 24 on Discovery.

TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Darkstar Rising Experience
5:30 p.m. | Palm Springs Air Museum
Learn more about the “Darkstar” aircraft featured in the 2022 blockbuster film, “Top Gun: Maverick.” Go full throttle through a comprehensive design-to-cockpit tour. ($60)

AIDS Memorial Sculpture town hall
6 p.m. | Temple Isaiah
The Palm Springs AIDS Memorial Sculpture task force is organizing a town hall to gather public input on the design of the future memorial. The public is invited. No preregistration is required.

District 1 community meeting
6 p.m. | Demuth Community Center
Come meet with District 1 Councilmember Grace Garner during this town hall event for her constituents. ASL and Spanish translation is available upon request.

Palm Springs Airport Commission
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
The Airport Commission meets this evening, and they will discuss updates on concessions and noise complaints from the car rental car wash, among other topics.

SAVE THE DATE

• ONE-PS Picnic and Community Expo on Saturday at Ruth Hardy Park.
  
  
• Coachella Valley Classical Voices on Sunday at United Methodist Church.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• Trans Pride 2024 on March 30 at Frances Stevens 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 Nosy, a Siamese mix available for adoption at the Frisky Business Cat Cafe.

• Frisky Business owner Claire Rogers tells us Nosy’s crossed eyes are a common trait among Siamese cats, but it’s harmless and doesn’t affect his health or zest for life.
  
• Nosy loves to chat and cuddle however, he doesn’t like sharing the love with other cats. If you’re searching for a talkative, affectionate cat with a lot of personality and can offer a one-cat household, Nosy could be your perfect match. 

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. 

But wait: Don’t want to adopt but still enjoy cats? You can book a time to hang out in the cat lounge by clicking here.