Nov. 26 Daily Briefing: Hybrid rental car plan, ‘Love Local’ cards, tribe needs vote, and more

Happy Tuesday, everyone. Many people got to experience what life was like prior to the mid-1990s yesterday as Microsoft experienced a widespread service disruption that impacted users of Outlook, Teams, and other programs. That included some staff at City Hall. So, if you were expecting an email reply from a city employee, and it never came, this could explain why. For its part, Microsoft said it traced the problem to a recent system change, which was reverted. Mark, who worked at the software giant for 22 years, had no comment 🙊

🎶 Setting the mood: “[Do The] Mashed Potatoes” by James Brown

LEADING OFF

Airport Commission eyes hybrid rental car facility plan

The Palm Springs Airport Commission will recommend a newly-proposed hybrid plan for rental car facilities that would split operations between north and south locations, aiming to address concerns about costs, mountain views, and passenger convenience.

Driving the news: Consultants presented the revised proposal at a commission meeting last week, describing it as a phased approach that could reduce initial costs while preserving flexibility for future expansion.

• The first phase of the hybrid plan would cost an estimated $754 million, down from $808 million in previous proposals.

Zoom in: The hybrid plan would reduce the north facility to three levels – two below ground and one above – with rooftop parking, addressing concerns about the scale of previous proposals and potential impacts on mountain views.

• A south facility, to be built in a later phase, would house vehicle storage and ready-return operations.

Looking back: The hybrid proposal emerged following extensive community outreach, with airport staff reporting meetings with 30 stakeholder groups over the past two months and more scheduled through March 2025.

• The public will have several more opportunities to offer feedback as the project works its way toward completion. 

What’s next: The Palm Springs City Council has the ultimate say in the next steps for the facility but will base its decision on recommendations from the Airport Commission.

• The next planned event for public input is Thursday, Dec. 5 at 5:30 p.m. in the Palm Springs Convention Center Oasis Room.

Dive deeper with our complete story

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BRIEFLY

🏆 Lopez to receive Legend & Groundbreaker Award

Jennifer Lopez will be honored with the Legend & Groundbreaker Award at Variety’s Creative Impact Awards during the 2025 Palm Springs International Film Festival for her recent performance in “Unstoppable” as Judy Robles, the mother of a collegiate wrestler born with one leg.

• Lopez’s multi-faceted career spans music, film, and television, with 15 billion streams across platforms, a Super Bowl halftime show, and starring roles in movies like “Out of Sight,” “Maid in Manhattan,” and “Hustlers.”
  
  
• She has also been an executive producer on multiple shows, co-founded Nuyorican Productions, and served as a judge on “American Idol” for five seasons.
  
  
• Details: The Creative Impact Awards will take place on Jan. 4 at the Parker Palm Springs, with the Palm Springs Film Festival running from Jan. 2 to Jan. 13.

🎁 City revives ‘Love Local’ gift cards offer for holidays

Palm Springs is reintroducing its “Love Local” gift cards to encourage holiday shopping within the community, starting Dec. 2. 

• The program, which allows consumers to buy gift cards with the city adding 50% to their value, aims to boost local spending at over 100 participating businesses.
  
  
• The initiative means a $100 purchase will yield a $150 gift card, effectively giving shoppers more bang for their buck while supporting local merchants. This follows a successful similar scheme over the summer designed to aid businesses during slower months.
  
  
• Details: Gift cards are available for purchase at lovelocalps.com, with the city’s contribution only applicable to cards bought from Dec. 2 onwards. The offer is valid until Jan. 6.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Queer Colon Care Collective 
5 p.m. | Virtual
This ongoing virtual session is open to all colorectal cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers.

Melba Miller’s Jazz Oasis
5:30 p.m. | Cultural Center
Join songstress Melba Miller and special guests for an evening dedicated to serious listeners and lovers of Jazz. ($22)

Libros, Té y Más
6 p.m. | Library Story Room
This Spanish book club meets the fourth Tuesday of the month from January to November. You’ll have fun meeting new people and discussing books! Free tea is provided.

SAVE THE DATE

• 2024 Wild Turkey Trot in Downtown Palm Springs on Thursday.
  
  
• Martha’s Village & Kitchen’s Thanksgiving Day 5K in Palm Desert on Thursday.
  
  
• Friendsgiving at Play Lounge & Cafe on Thursday.
  
  
• WildLights at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens starts on Friday.
  
  
• 2024 Dance with Miss Lindsay at Annenberg Theater on Saturday and Sunday.
  
  
• Mary Poppins at Palm Canyon Theatre starts on Sunday.
  
  
• World AIDS Day Celebration at Palm Springs Art Museum on Dec. 1.
  
  
• Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus Holiday Spectacular starts on Dec. 19.

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AND FINALLY …

The Agua Caliente Cultural Museum in Palm Springs has seen its share of honors. Now, tribal members are hoping you can help it earn one more.

Driving the news: The museum has been nominated for Best New Museum in the USA Today 10Best Readers Choice Awards. Voting ends in about four weeks.

Zoom in: The facility opened earlier this year as part of the 5.8-acre Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza. It celebrates the heritage of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and features permanent and rotating exhibitions showcasing the tribe’s history and culture.

• The plaza, one of the country’s largest Indigenous cultural centers, is located on a 12,000-year-old hot mineral spring.

The latest: As of Monday, the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum was ranked fourth among the 16 nominees for Best New Museum.

To vote, visit this website and select the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum from the list of nominees.

The public can support the museum by casting votes daily until the deadline on Dec. 23. The winners will be announced after the voting period concludes.