Nov. 24 Daily Briefing: Infrastructure push, lawsuit filed, honoring icons, and more

Welcome to Monday and what we hope is a short week for most of you. It is for us, as we’ll be off Thursday and Friday to spend time with our loved ones (and even the not-so-loved ones! 😄). That means this email won’t be sent on those days, which we hope you will remember in your Tryptophan haze.

🎶 Setting the mood: “David” by The Radio Dept. 

LEADING OFF

With CV Link open, residents push for better infrastructure for cyclists, pedestrians

With the CV Link 40-mile path now officially open, an informal group of Palm Springs residents is calling attention to gaps in the city’s bicycle and pedestrian network. They want the city to catch up with surrounding communities that have active transportation plans.

Driving the news: Fred Ross and John Siegel, members of an Active Transportation Committee that’s been meeting for over a year, presented their concerns to the Sustainability Commission last week. They’re advocating for a connected network of safe walking and biking routes.

• “Palm Springs was kind of doing really well with active transportation bike lanes” about a decade ago, Ross said, noting that progress has stalled while cities like Coachella and Cathedral City have moved ahead.

What they want: The committee identified several priority projects, including a connector between the Desert Highland neighborhood and CV Link that “sort of fell through the cracks,” according to Siegel.

• They’re also pushing for bicycle lanes on both sides of South Palm Canyon Drive during an upcoming road diet project, after discovering engineering plans showed no connection to Belardo Road despite the streets being “literally feet between them.”

Why it matters: Chair Bernard Rottner was supportive of the committee and said improved active transportation infrastructure can have wide–ranging benefits especially for lower-income communities by ensuring access to jobs and grocery stores.

What’s next: Commissioner Michael Frick will attend the committee’s upcoming meetings and report back to the commission in January on potential next steps.

Dive deeper with our complete story

BRIEFLY

🚔 Fifteen injured in parade crash sue Palm Springs

• Fifteen people injured when a Palm Springs police motorcycle officer lost control during a wheelie at the Dec. 7, 2024 Festival of Lights Parade have filed a lawsuit against the city, police department and the officer, according to the Los Angeles-based Formica Law Group. The bike careened into spectators along Palm Canyon Drive, injuring several people including children.
  
• The lawsuit, filed in Riverside County Superior Court, alleges negligence, inadequate planning and failures in supervision. After the incident, the police department shut down its motorcycle unit while conducting an internal review and implemented policy changes including new communication protocols and speed limits for non-emergency situations.
  
• Bottom line: The California Highway Patrol conducted an independent investigation, and the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office declined to file criminal charges. The officer has not returned to duty.

Dive deeper with our complete story

🏈 Palm Springs falls to Barstow in CIF semifinals

• Palm Springs lost to Barstow 28-7 in a CIF Southern Section Football Championship Division 7 semifinal matchup Friday evening, ending its strong season.
  
• The Indians took an early 7-0 lead on a touchdown pass from Bishop Miller, but failed to capitalize on multiple scoring opportunities inside the Barstow 20 yard line. Barstow scored 28 unanswered points in the second quarter, after the Indians’ missed chances.
  
• Bottom line: Despite being out of the playoffs, Palm Springs finished with an 11-2 record that included a share of the Desert Empire League title with Palm Desert, which lost its semifinal matchup in Division 8 to Beckman 28-14.

TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Mid-Century Magic
10 a.m. | Rubine Red Gallery
Master realist painter Geoffrey Gersten mounts his first solo show at Rubine Red Gallery with his very own “Mid-Century Magic”.

Mahjong Monday
1 p.m. | Social Cafe & Play Lounge
Come play the American version of Mahjong with others. Play Lounge has two mats and sets, but feel free to bring your own. 

California Community of Men’s Monday Coffee
4:30 p.m. | Social Cafe & Play Lounge
Join the group for coffee, chat, and chew! No RSVPs necessary.

Monday Night Dance Party with Leanna and Miguel
5 p.m. | V Wine Lounge and Martini Bar
Join Leanna and Miguel for a night of dancing to jazz, latin, pop, disco, and more. ($5)

City Council Study Session
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
Councilmembers will review a draft Economic Development Strategic Framework during this meeting.

Parks and Recreation Commission
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
The commission advises the City Council on everything related to the planning and monitoring of the city’s 11 parks and rec services, and facilities.

Adult Tap Dance Class
6:30 p.m. | Leisure Center Dance Studio
Adult intermediate tap starts at 6:30 p.m., and “absolute beginners” adult tap is at 7:30 p.m. (“Two left feet are optional.”) ($20)

See all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• Palm Springs Wild Turkey Trot at 8 a.m. Thursday at the corner of Tahquitz and Palm Canyon.
  
• Community Thanksgiving Lunch Celebration at Christ Citadel International Church from 12 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Thursday.
  
• Holiday Lighting of the Visitor Center with Charles Phoenix at 4:30 p.m. Friday at 2901 North Palm Canyon Dr.
  
• Art in the Park in the Dark on Saturday.
  
• AIDS Memorial ceremonial groundbreaking on Dec. 1 at Downtown Park.
  
• State of the City address on Dec. 2 at the Palm Springs Convention Center.

Submit your event here

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AND FINALLY …

You can celebrate the grand reopening of the historic Plaza Theatre with a tribute that honors Palm Springs’ entertainment legacy all while raising money for the next generation of local artists.

Driving the news: The Plaza Theatre’s grand reopening features Palm Springs Icons, a one-night tribute event recognizing eight legends who shaped the city’s cultural identity, from Frank Sinatra to drag superstar Trixie Mattel.

Why it matters: Proceeds support Arts Teach Kids, which provides arts education access throughout the Coachella Valley.

• The Plaza Theatre is set to launch the Arts Teach Kids program soon, and it includes educational live theater shows at lower prices and earlier times for kids.

The honorees: The inaugural class spans generations and genres — actress Lucie Arnaz, photographer Michael Childers, director Paul Feig, entertainer Michael Holmes (The Judy Show), actor Larry Luckinbill, drag queen and local motel-owner Trixie Mattel, guitarist Brian Ray, and the late Frank Sinatra.

The details: Composer and jazz pianist Billy Stritch hosts the evening, featuring live performances, video presentations, and special appearances. 

Tickets range from $80 to $116 and are available at the Plaza Theatre box office and online on Ticketmaster.