March 7 Daily Briefing: Palm tree problems, Dream Hotel update, Internet access at Demuth, and more

Welcome to yet another Thursday, where one of us has seen nearly every movie nominated for an Oscar this year, and the other one of us is Mark. If you’d like to avoid being like him, the Palm Springs Public Library can help. There are free screenings of both Barbie and Oppenheimer tomorrow (Friday), starting with Barbie at 10 a.m. and followed by Oppenheimer at 1:30 p.m. There’s no word on whether library staff have a microwave in the breakroom you can use to make your popcorn, but you could always ask. 

🎶 Setting the mood: “The Knife Thrower I” by Ben von Wildenhaus

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LEADING OFF

Latest palm tree skirt incident sparks more concerns over tree trimming

A recent incident involving a mother and her young son in downtown Palm Springs is a reminder for tourists and locals alike to keep an eye out for the palm trees that give the city its name.

Driving the news: On Saturday, March 2, Meghan Brtnik was strolling down Palm Canyon Drive in front of the Welwood Murray Memorial Library in the heart of downtown Palm Springs with her mother and 2-month-old son Benoit, when she heard a loud crack, almost like thunder.

• “All of a sudden, it felt like a roof had crashed down on me,” she said. “I opened my eyes, but it was completely dark.” Then, Brtnik realized the dried fronds – or skirt – of a palm tree had fallen down on her and her child.

Her reaction: Brtnik said she tried her best to shield Benoit, but he ended up with dirt in his mouth and diaper and scratches on his head. Brtnik’s back was scratched up too. 

• The two are fine, though Brtnik has had a headache and sore neck all week.

Worth noting: That Saturday was particularly windy, and the National Weather Service had issued a wind advisory. Gusts reached nearly 50 mph at the Palm Springs International Airport, though Brtnik said she didn’t notice the wind in downtown Palm Springs.

• “Unfortunately, we were just in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Brtnik said. 

Here’s why: Brtnik is not the first to wonder why the city doesn’t trim the palm tree skirts. The city hasn’t changed its rules about trimming the trees since 2009 when they passed an ordinance mandating that California fan palms keep their skirts and fronds. 

Zoom out: Brtnik said she doesn’t know the solution but wonders if the city should erect signs warning people to be cautious or if city landscaping crews should give the trees a closer trim.

What to watch for: A city representative could not say whether the City Council plans to revisit the decision to trim the tree skirts. At a recent Main Street Palm Springs meeting, however, Mayor Pro tem Ron deHarte acknowledged the issue was “a long and ongoing concern” and said he would be in favor of having the conversation.

Dive deeper with our complete story here.

BRIEFLY

💻 City accepts grant to help boost public Internet access

The Palm Springs City Council has approved acceptance of a $51,000 grant from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to transform the Demuth Community Center into a public internet hub.

• The grant will fund installation of two ADA accessible terminals and eight additional computer stations, providing free internet access to the community.
  
  
• The project is designed to support a range of needs, including job searching, homework assistance, and general computing tasks.
  
  
• Up next: Under terms of the grant, the city has 24 months to complete the project. The funding is also contingent upon the city meeting certain requirements, including providing digital literacy training and maintaining the new facilities.

🏆 Hammond to receive Senior Inspiration Award

Lynn Hammond, a dedicated volunteer for organizations such as DAP Health and the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert, will be honored at the 32nd Annual Senior Inspiration Awards Luncheon on March 28.

• The event, hosted by the County of Riverside and the nine cities in Coachella Valley, recognizes seniors aged 60 and above who inspire others through their volunteer work and community involvement.
  
  
• Details: Tickets and more information about the event, held at the Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage, are available at this website.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Sustainability Subcommittee on Waste and Recycling
2:30 p.m. | City Hall
According to the agenda, committee members will discuss recycling signage, a grant for edible food recovery, and planning for the ONE-PS picnic.

Lez Out Loud Comedy Night
7 p.m. | Revolution Stage Company
Comedian Mina Hartong is joined by host Max Mitchell and LA comedian Amanda Michelle for a hilarious night of comedy. Come for the laughs, stay for the revolution. ($30)

“POTUS”
2 p.m. and 7 p.m. | Coachella Valley Repertory
Enjoy a hilarious modern-day political farce fresh from Broadway and just in time for election season. ($50)

Palm Springs Speaks: Billy Dee Williams
7:30 p.m. | Palm Springs Cultural Center
Williams will discuss his 2024 memoir, “What Have We Here?” during tonight’s event. A VIP Meet and Greet reception kicks off at 6 p.m. and the main author talk begins at 7:30 p.m. complete with a brief Q & A session. ($35)

SAVE THE DATE

• Palm Springs Art Festival at Frances Stevens Park on Saturday.
  
  
• Amy’s Purpose 2nd Annual Mixer at Willie’s Modern Fare on March 12.
  
  
• The AI Revolution at Agua Caliente Cultural Museum on March 13.
  
  
• “The Wizard of Oz” March 15 – March 17 at Palm Springs High School.
  
  
• Richard M. Milanovich Legacy Hike and 5K Run on March 16 at South Palm Canyon Drive and Acanto Drive.
  
  
• Darkstar Rising Experience March 20 and March 27 at the Palm Springs Air Museum.

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AND FINALLY …

One of the city’s most talked-about projects may have little activity on site, but a Planning Services official said this week that plenty is happening behind the scenes.

Looking back: The Dream Hotel, at 450 South Calle Alvarado, has been in the works for over a decade. Plans shifted from a 200-unit hotel with 143 condominiums in 2007 to 156 hotel rooms and 40 condos in 2019. Some construction started then, but it has languished ever since.

• Last June, the Palm Springs City Council approved a plan for 156 hotel rooms and 69 condominiums. According to the developer, the housing will help pay for the cost of building the hotel.

Catch up: Speaking to business and community leaders Tuesday, Development Director Christopher Hadwin said that while all involved hoped construction would begin again by the end of 2023, financing is taking longer than expected and continues to delay the resumption of construction.

Yes, but: “I know it looks like the site is sitting there without activity, but there is lots going on behind the scenes,” Hadwin said. “Since last summer, they have been working with various city departments to get permits.”

• While some plans are still subject to review by the city’s Architectural Review Committee, Hadwin said developers “Should be pulling permits and starting work later this year.”