May 30 Daily Briefing: Public weighs in on bridge project, baseball is back, special film event, and more

Welcome to Friday, where we’re wrapping up our summer fundraiser and thanking the 96 readers who have stepped up to support us so far this week. We’re still a few folks short of reaching our goal, so if you can pitch in before midnight we will be forever grateful.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Sunshine Superman” by Donovan

LEADING OFF

Community remains divided on bridge project at public meeting

Palm Springs residents offered conflicting testimony Thursday about a bridge project to replace a flood-prone crossing on South Palm Canyon Drive, with some citing life-threatening emergencies while others questioned its necessity. 

Driving the news: The project near the intersection with Bogert Trail aims to provide flood protection at a crossing that has repeatedly closed during storms, cutting off access to approximately 700 homes. 

• The Palm Springs City Council postponed a decision on the project for 60 days in April and directed staff to hold community meetings before making a final decision.

By the numbers: It’s been 20 years since the bridge was first proposed, and projected costs have now reached $9 to $10 million. As the area’s population grows, so does the urgency — with nearly 590 emergency calls made from nearby neighborhoods in the past year.

• Construction would take approximately 50 weeks if approved. But if it doesn’t start by December 2026, the city risks losing $4.5 million in federal Highway Bridge Program funds.

What they’re saying: During Thursday’s meeting, several residents who support the project shared harrowing experiences from the 2019 Valentine’s Day flood that cut off access to their homes.

• “I don’t care if this (flooding) happens once every five years, once every 10 years, once every 20 years,” one said. “This is a life saving issue for your whole community.”

The other side: A 25-year Bogert Trail resident disputed the severity, saying residents were able to get through during the 2019 flood. 

• “It wasn’t like we were really in bad shape. We weren’t,” she said. “I just want to let you know we do not want or need anything done there.”

Key support: Fire Chief Paul Alvarado strongly backed the project, citing the 2019 flood and Tropical Storm Hilary in 2023 that “put citizens and firefighters in harrowing rescue situations.”

What’s next: A second virtual meeting will be held Monday via Zoom, with feedback compiled for the City Council’s consideration.

Read our complete story online

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BRIEFLY

⚾ Power open 21st season tonight as defending champions

The Palm Springs Power begin their 21st season tonight, hosting Utah Lab at Palm Springs Stadium at 6:30 p.m. as the back-to-back California Premier Collegiate League champions look to defend their title. A fireworks show is scheduled for 9:45 p.m.

• The Power enter 2025 coming off a 35-3 campaign in 2024, with the franchise currently at 678 all-time wins and within reach of the 700-win milestone. Manager Casey Dill begins his eighth season with 575 career victories.
  
• Several key players return, including 2024 CPCL playoff MVP Richie Amavizca of Indio High School and Naun Haro of Palm Desert High School. The infield features multiple returners from previous seasons, including Casey and Cato Kleinman and Mark Kirkland.
  
• Details: Ticket prices are $10 for general admission, $8 for seniors and $5 for youth. The Power Ticket costs $16 and includes admission, a hot dog, soda and commemorative drink koozie. Promotional nights include $3 beer Tuesdays and $5 margarita Wild Wednesdays.

Read our complete story online

🌟 Celebration of Marilyn Monroe’s 99th birthday planned for Sunday

PS Resorts will host a free Forever Marilyn Community Celebration on Sunday from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Palm Springs’ Downtown Park to commemorate what would have been Marilyn Monroe’s 99th birthday and the 26-foot Forever Marilyn statue’s new location in the park.

• The event will be hosted by Vanity Halston, described as one of the city’s most revered Marilyn drag queens, and feature music, birthday treats and a Marilyn Monroe Look-alike Contest with first, second and third place prizes.
  
• Last year, the 26-foot sculpture by artist Seward Johnson moved less than 100 feet from Museum Way to its new Downtown Park location, where visitors can take pictures with the statue that recreates Monroe’s famous subway grate scene from “The Seven Year Itch.”
  
• What they’re saying: “Roughly 1 million visitors seek out Forever Marilyn each year, and she has become a beloved attraction by both residents and tourists alike,” said Peggy Trott, chair of PS Resorts, noting the statue is believed to help generate millions of dollars in local retail sales and media coverage.

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YOUR WEEKEND

MULTIPLE DAYS

• 2025 Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week runs from today until June 8.
  
• Deal With The Dragon: a one-person show at the Palm Springs Cultural Center all weekend ($40)

TODAY

• LifeStream Blood Bank Blood Drive at Miralon starting at 10 a.m.
  
• Foodie Fridays at the Palm Springs Cultural Center starting at 4 p.m.
  
• Palm Springs Power Opening Night against the Utah Labs at Palm Springs Stadium starting at 6:30 p.m. ($5-$10)

SATURDAY

• Palm Springs Certified Farmers’ Market at the Palm Springs Cultural Center from 7 a.m. until 11 a.m.
  
• Kings Circle Silent Auction at Budman Studios starting at 5:30 p.m. 
  
• Palm Springs Power vs. the Utah Labs at Palm Springs Stadium starting at 7 p.m. ($5)

SUNDAY

• Forever Marilyn Community Celebration at Downtown Park starting at 4 p.m.
  
• Home Movies Out of the Closet at the Palm Springs Cultural Center starting at 6:30 p.m. ($45)
  
• “Dazzling Divas” Cabaret Fundraiser at La Cocina at Reforma starting at 7 p.m. ($40)

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AND FINALLY …

If you’ve ever wondered what Hollywood’s golden age looked like behind the scenes, you might get your answer at a Pride Month celebration that promises to dust off some rarely seen footage from both Tinseltown’s archives and the local LGBTQ+ community.

Driving the news: Three Palm Springs organizations will present a unique event this Sunday (June 1), featuring rare LGBTQ+ home movies and Hollywood footage at the Palm Springs Cultural Center.

The event: The LGBTQ+ History & Archives of the Desert, Deserted Films, and the Palm Springs Cultural Center will offer a free home movie assessment service from 3-5:30 p.m., followed by a ticketed screening and reception.

• During the afternoon session, preservation experts will assess attendees’ home movies and provide storage and digitization recommendations on a first-come, first-served basis.

What you’ll see: The evening screening will feature family-friendly footage including never-before-seen LGBTQ+ clips from local collections and historic works from UCLA’s Film & Television Archive, plus home movies of Hollywood stars from the golden age of cinema.

Why it matters: “These films are a glimpse into the lives of LGBTQ people with their friends, and families, on vacation, and in their homes,” said David Gray, co-founder of the Archives, noting the importance of showing how these stories are part of society’s bigger narrative.

The details: The screening runs from 6:30-8 p.m., followed by a reception until 9 p.m. Tickets are listed at $50 and include one drink, with proceeds benefiting all three organizations equally. The venue is located at 2300 East Baristo Road with free parking available.

• Online tickets are available through Eventbrite, and donations are accepted for those unable to attend.