March 21 Daily Briefing: Pig in a pinch, unique partnership, Measure J moves, and more

TGIF, everyone, where we can think of no better weekend to stay in town. Between the ONE-PS picnic at Ruth Hardy Park on Saturday, the 70mm Film Fest on both days, the Drone Fest all three days, numerous performances on our local stages, and Desert X, you may run out of time, but you won’t run out of options for something fun and entertaining to check out. And have we mentioned the weather? 😙🤌 

🎶 Setting the mood: “Écoute chérie” by Vendredi sur Mer

LEADING OFF

Airport partnership creates life-changing opportunities

Palm Springs International Airport and Desert Arc have launched a partnership creating employment opportunities for adults with disabilities through a five-year agreement approved by the city council last fall.

Driving the news: The partnership, which began in November 2024, employs five individuals with disabilities and one supervisor to provide year-round ground maintenance, landscaping, and trash removal services at the airport.

The details: The five-year agreement allocates $320,000 annually for labor and materials, directing over $1 million toward maintenance projects managed by Desert Arc.

• The airport self-funded the project using no taxpayer dollars.

What they’re saying: “It showcases the kind of work we can do, and it removes stigmas about people with developmental disabilities,” said Richard Balocco, president and CEO of Desert Arc.

• Harry Barrett Jr., executive director of aviation at Palm Springs International Airport, emphasized the partnership helps maintain the facility while supporting meaningful employment for individuals with disabilities.

Between the lines: The initiative reinforces the airport’s commitment to fostering diversity and inclusivity while addressing essential maintenance needs.

The bottom line: City leaders, including Mayor Ron deHarte and Councilmember Jeffrey Bernstein, praised the program for its positive impact on both the airport’s appearance and employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

• “The airport looks better than it ever has,” Bernstein noted at Wednesday’s celebration event.

Dive deeper with our complete story here.

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BRIEFLY

🏙️ Measure J Commission has recommendation for $750,000 to four projects

Having already decided on which projects to fund with a majority of the $6 million available through a special one-cent sales tax, The Palm Springs Measure J Oversight Commission turned its attention to recommendations for distributing the remaining $750,000 during its Thursday meeting.

• A tree planting project for the Prescott Preserve, help improving First Baptist Church Palm Springs, downtown sidewalk enhancement, and neighborhood blade signs were the four projects that the commission voted to recommend to the Palm Springs City Council.
  
• Also approved was a proposal for an interior remodel of the Owen Coffman American Legion Post 519. Several projects involving city parks were deferred for consideration because the parks and recreation director requested time to review the proposed projects.
  
• What’s next: Commission members will present their recommendations at an upcoming City Council meeting, where councilmembers will have the final say on which projects to approve and for how much.

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YOUR WEEKEND

MULTIPLE DAYS

• Desert X at multiple locations, running through May 10.
  
• “Bring It On: The Musical” all weekend at Palm Springs High School’s Richards Center for the Arts. ($15-$25)
  
• “God of Carnage” all weekend, final performance on Sunday at the Cultural Center. ($40)
  
• “Jesus Christ Superstar” all weekend, final performance on Sunday at CV Repertory. ($90)
  
• “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” all weekend at Revolution Stage Company. ($29-$53)
  
• Palm Springs 70mm Film Fest at the Cultural Center on Saturday and Sunday. ($18)
  
• Palm Springs Drone Fest at Palm Springs High School starting Friday. ($25)

TODAY

• Friends Book Club at the Palm Springs Public Library at 2 p.m.
  
• Foodie Fridays at the Cultural Center at 4 p.m.
  
• TGIF Trivia at Play Lounge & Cafe at 6:30 p.m.
  
• An evening with Caroline Rhea at the Cultural Center at 7 p.m. ($49)
  
• Comedy Night at Hotel Zoso at 8 p.m.

SATURDAY

• Certified Farmers’ Market at the Cultural Center at 8 a.m.
  
• ONE-PS Picnic and Community Expo at Ruth Hardy Park at 11 a.m.
  
• Water Polo Showdown at the Palm Springs Swim Center at 12:30 p.m.
  
• Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) at the Palm Springs Air Museum at 1 p.m.
  
• Country Western Dancing at their new address at 933 Crossley Road at 7 p.m. ($5)
  
• “The Real Black Swann” performance at Revolution Stage Company at 7:30 p.m. ($43)

SUNDAY

• The Real Deal: An Authentic Soul Food Brunch at the Mizell Center at 12 p.m. ($30)
  
• “EXHIBIT” a one-woman play at the Mizell Center at 2 p.m. ($20)

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AND FINALLY …

A beloved pet pig is, well … happier than a pig in mud after her terrifying ordeal. 

Driving the news: Six-month-old Suebelle was pig-napped Tuesday evening while hiking with her owner on the goat trails behind Vons in Palm Springs. Her owner put out a call on Craigslist, desperately searching for the pint-sized pet and offering a substantial reward for her return. 

• The ad on Craigslist said three men swiped the swine and took off running. “As they fled, my beloved pet was heard screaming,” the owner wrote. 

The story unfolds: Palm Springs Police said they did receive a report of a purloined pig, but it ended up being Cathedral City Police who helped this little piggy go wee, wee, wee, all the way home.

• Suebelle was recovered after an anonymous tip led her owner to a Cathedral City address on Wednesday night, where police found the animal. Residents of the home claimed they purchased the pig from someone in a Walmart parking lot.

💬 Our take: We can’t help thinking of the 2021 Nicholas Cage film “Pig,” a movie with the premise: What if John Wick was looking for his pet pig instead of avenging his dog?