March 4 Daily Briefing: Board member’s book helps youth appreciate diversity, paving projects coming, and more

Happy first Monday of March, everyone. If you weren’t here over the weekend or didn’t notice, the month blew in with force! Sustained winds between 20 and 35 mph came in from the west and gusts up to 50 mph were common. The highest reported gust in Palm Springs was 48 mph at the airport just before 1 p.m. on Saturday. In Desert Hot Springs, however, a gust of 73 mph was measured Saturday at 8 p.m. Thankfully, the wind advisories and warnings expired Sunday evening. 

🎶 Setting the mood: “Tennis Court” by Lorde

LEADING OFF

School Board member pens children’s book on equity and inclusion

One Palm Springs Unified School District Board of Education member has decided to tackle a tough topic by taking his message directly to youth, no matter where they live.

Driving the news: Charlie Ervin, who in 2022 became the first African American to serve on the Board, has authored a book aimed at helping explain terms that many struggle to comprehend — equity, diversity, equality, and inclusion.

• Ervin specifically chose to target his message to children under the age of 10, hoping to increase awareness of the terms and comprehension.

Zoom in: “Adults use these important words, but they never ask if children understand what these words mean,” Ervin said recently. “So I took the words and made them very simple to understand for our youth.”

Why it matters: The book, titled “Equity, Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion for kids is as simple as 1,2,3,” uses captivating stories and illustrations by Mariah Young to introduce children to important social concepts, encouraging them to value their individuality and the diversity around them. 

• It aims to encourage deeper conversations about kindness and respect, ultimately highlighting the importance of a harmonious world built on embracing diversity.

Details: The 33-page book was published in January and is available here. For teachers or school districts that wish to buy the book in bulk, Ervin said he provides site reading and activity sheets with the purchase.

Bottom line: “This has always been a dream of mine, and the world needs this now more than ever,” Ervin said. “I won’t stop until this book is in the hands of every child under the age of 10.”

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IN OTHER NEWS

📰 Journalists from The Desert Sun reached a tentative deal with the newspaper’s parent company, Gannett, after three years of trying to negotiate. A strike declared Friday was short-lived. [KESQ]

🏠 An iconic Palm Springs home by pioneering midcentury architect William Krisel just hit the market. [Robb Report]

🎾 Headed to the big tennis tournament? Check out 10 must-see players to watch as the BNP Paribas Open kicks off in Indian Wells. [The Desert Sun]

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Mon Petit Salon
5 p.m. | Palm Springs Cultural Center
Experience world music with a French accent at Mon Petit Salon, hosted by violin virtuoso Jeremie Levi Samson. ($10)

District 2 Community Meeting
5:30 p.m. | Vista del Monte Elementary
This is an opportunity to get city updates, ask questions, raise issues, and most importantly to discuss matters of importance to the residents of District 2 with Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein. Registration is required as space is limited.

Monday Men’s Coffee
6 p.m. | Gre Coffeehouse
This event is back in session following a holiday break. Come have coffee and chat with other men about issues that are on your mind. No RSVP required — just drop in!

Fabulous Bingo
7 p.m. | Kings Highway at Ace Hotel
Join Bella Da Ball for a night of fabulous bingo. (Must spend $30 at Kings Highway to participate).

SAVE THE DATE

• Movies in the Park: “The Goonies” at the Downtown Park on Tuesday.
  
  
• Rock the Park: AbbaFab-a Tribute to Abba at the Downtown Park on Wednesday.
  
  
• 2024 Palm Spring Philharmonic Series at the McCallum Theatre on Wednesday.
  
  
• Palm Springs Art Festival at Frances Stevens Park on Saturday.

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AND FINALLY …

From Desert Highland Gateway Estates to Hillview Cove, dozens of roads in Palm Springs are about to get smoother in 2024.

Driving the news: 50 distinct street segments in the city will be freshly paved with asphalt starting this spring following the approval of using $9 million in Measure J funds for the projects at last Thursday’s City Council meeting.

What they’re saying: “This is the most money ever allocated for annual street paving,” said Palm Springs Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein. “(A)nd it’s all thanks to Measure J, which continues to be a huge economic booster for the city of Palm Springs. Perhaps most importantly, this is money that primarily comes from tourist dollars and not our residents.”

Details: Want to check if your street (or one you frequent) is in line for improvements? Turn to this list of city streets scheduled for pavement rehabilitation in 2024.