May 3 Daily Briefing: Progress on preserving mural, popular road reopening, air museum honor, and more

Happy Friday! One of the most popular parts of our newsletter is the calendar, and we put a lot of effort into it! But on Fridays, when we highlight events over three days, the newsletter gets a little long, and certain email clients will cut off a portion of the rest of the newsletter. This week, we’re testing out a new format for the weekend calendar and leaving out the description of events, which allows us to squeeze in even more options! Let us know what you think.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Como La Flor” by Selena

LEADING OFF

Public Arts Commission approves funds to restore George Floyd mural

As the anniversary of George Floyd’s murder approaches on May 25, the Palm Springs Public Arts Commission has decided to repair and document the vandalized mural honoring Floyd on North Indian Canyon Drive.

Driving the news: The commission voted Thursday to allocate $3,500 for the repair and restoration of the George Floyd mural located on a storefront along North Indian Canyon Drive and an additional $500 for professional photography and documentation of the mural.

How we got here: The Floyd mural was commissioned in 2020 by the Public Arts Commission from LA artist MisterAlek. It is painted mainly on pieces of plywood, but about a third of the design is on the building at the location. 

Looking back: The mural was installed without prior approval from the property owner, and the city did not follow some proper protocols when commissioning the piece. The mural is also not legally part of the public arts collection.

At issue: Commissioners expressed concerns about the longevity of the mural, given the low-grade plywood used as a canvas. They agreed that the message and significance of the mural should be preserved and documented.

What they’re saying: “I definitely agree about preserving the significance and ensuring it is documented,” Commissioner Christopher Ramirez said Thursday evening. “I drive by it every day, and right now, it does a disservice and is disrespectful to George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement.”

What’s next: Once the mural is repaired and documented, commission members will discuss the next steps for the artwork at their June meeting. Commissioners discussed the possibility of creating a more permanent installation in the future, potentially in a different form or location.

BRIEFLY

🚧 North Indian Canyon Drive in DHS to reopen today

It’s not in Palm Springs, but many motorists here will be happy to know that North Indian Canyon Drive in Desert Hot Springs is set to reopen to traffic tonight at 5 p.m. 

• The destruction of the roadway at the Mission Creek Crossing was part of the widespread damage caused by Tropical Storm Hilary in August. The storm’s impact was so severe that it obliterated the crossing, doubling its depth and widening it by two to six times, according to DHS officials.
  
  
• The roadway underwent a full replacement from Mission Lake Boulevard to Scenic Drive to restore access. This project was critical for motorists, as North Indian Canyon Drive serves as a major artery for residents and visitors alike.
  
  
• Bottom line: The storm also caused damage to two other key roadways in the area — Little Morongo Road and Dillon Road. While Little Morongo Road reopened in January, Dillon Road’s reopening has been delayed, with no tentative date currently set.

🚨 Pedestrian Struck by vehicle, expected to survive

A pedestrian was hit by a vehicle in Palm Springs early Thursday morning and is expected to survive, according to police. The incident caused significant road closures.

• The collision occurred at 8:14 a.m. at the intersection of East Vista Chino and South Sunrise Way, prompting emergency response teams to rush to the scene. The eastbound lanes on Vista Chino and northbound lanes on Sunrise were temporarily closed during the investigation.
  
  
• Bottom line: There was no report on the severity of the pedestrian’s injuries, but they were transported to the hospital for treatment. Police continue to investigate the cause of the crash to determine the circumstances leading up to the incident.

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YOUR WEEKEND

Multiple Days

• River of Hope Lutheran Garage Sale at a private residence on Friday and Saturday at 8 a.m.
  
  
• The Lincoln Debate at the Palm Springs Cultural Center all weekend. ($40)

Today

• Move & Groove at The Center at 8:30 a.m.
  
  
• Hitchcock Retrospective: “Rope” at the Camelot Theatre at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 7 p.m. ($12)

Saturday

• Palm Springs Certified Farmers’ Market at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 8 a.m.
  
  
• American Sign Language for Beginners at The Center at 9 a.m. ($100 for the whole eight-week course)
  
  
• Palm Springs Entertainment Convention at the Palm Springs Convention Center at 12 p.m. ($40)
  
  
• Desert Winds Freedom Band: Beethoven & Friends at the Jewish Community Center at 2 p.m. ($25)
  
  
• PSUSD Multicultural Festival at the Palm Springs Air Museum at 5 p.m.

Sunday

• Palm Springs Vintage Market at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 7 a.m. (early entry) and 8 a.m. ($5-$10)
  
  
• Brasilnova at Revolution Stage Company at 2 p.m. ($40)
  
  
• Screwball Sundays: “Holiday” on 34mm film at the Camelot Theatre at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 3 p.m. ($12)

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AND FINALLY …

The Palm Springs Air Museum has been chosen as a 2024 California Nonprofit of the Year by State Assemblyman Greg Wallis, recognizing its significant contributions to community education and veteran honor.

Driving the news: The museum, celebrated for its extensive collection of more than 75 static and flying aircraft, is among over a hundred nonprofits acknowledged by state legislators for their impactful work across California communities.

• The award underscores the museum’s role in educational programming and its commitment to honoring veterans through its exhibits and docent interactions.

By the numbers: As highlighted by the California Association of Nonprofits, the nonprofit sector in California employs more than 1.2 million people, making it the state’s 4th largest industry.

• Nonprofits in California generate over $273 billion in revenue annually, with volunteer contributions equaling the labor of 330,000 full-time jobs each year.

What they’re saying: “We are so honored to receive this recognition,” said the museum’s Vice Chairman Fred Bell. “We share this with our staff  and 300 dedicated volunteer docents who interact with our visitors on a daily basis.”