Nov. 29 Daily Briefing: Assurances for nurses, pickleball discussion, our pet of the week, and more

Happy Wednesday, Palm Springs, where we are taking a break from bombarding you with pitches to support us (you can still do that here, though) with some other news about us:

🎉 We just turned the odometer on 15,000 subscribers! 🎉

Does that make us the fastest-growing media in the Coachella Valley? Maybe. Are we the most-read news in Palm Springs? Possibly. All we know is that each and every day we grow bigger and bigger and more thankful that you, our readers, joined us on this journey. We’re also thankful that our advertising partners trust that we’re the best way to deliver their messages to you.

We cannot possibly thank each of you in person, so just know that if you’re reading this, we love you and are grateful for you 💖

🎶 Setting the mood:  “Warm in December” by Julie London

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LEADING OFF

Public gets ultimate say in possible sale of hospital, nurses assured

Nurses from Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs who voiced concerns about Tenet’s proposed hospital purchase at a Tuesday evening meeting were assured those concerns were heard and that the public would have the opportunity to make the final decision.

State of play: Tenet’s current lease expires in 2027, and the company hopes to get a new 30-year lease. The deal currently on the table includes terms that would see it eventually purchase the hospital.

Context: Tenet, a national for-profit company based in Dallas, has leased Desert Regional from Desert Healthcare District, a public entity whose board of directors is elected by voters, since 1997. 

By the numbers: One of the proposed lease terms is an initial $75 million payment by Tenet next year to support district priorities, with annual lease payments beginning in 2027 resulting in $677 million in total payments.

Driving the news: About half of the 10 people who spoke during the public comment portion of a Desert Healthcare District Board of Directors meeting Tuesday evening raised concerns about the proposed deal. 

What they’re saying: Among them was Rachel Garcia, an ICU nurse at Desert Regional, who noted, “A lot of us have significant concerns about the constant and recurring state of disrepair at Desert Regional,” a reference to several issues that have been brought up over the last few years.

• Others said they wanted transparency and the public to be involved in decision-making. 

In response: The healthcare district’s attorney, Jeff Scott, reminded the room that the board could only legally enter into a transaction like the one being discussed with public input and a public vote. 

What we’re watching: A special meeting where the proposal will be discussed is planned for Dec. 6 at 5:30 p.m.

View complete coverage online

BRIEFLY

🏓 Commission considers pickleball priorities

During Monday night’s Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, the contractor working with the city to update the pickleball courts at Demuth Park shared his summary of the well-attended community meeting (which we covered here).

• Michael Madsen, from the firm Kimley-Horn, summarized for the commission some of the biggest priorities related to the court’s layout, rotation, and amenities. He said some of the key talking points were parking, lighting, shade, water stations, and windscreens. 
  
  
• No action was taken at the meeting, but the bulk of the commissioners’ discussion related to an increase in parking and the benefits and drawbacks of the two plans under consideration. One option would increase the number of courts from 12 to 20, the other to 24.
  
  
•  Looking ahead: There will be another community meeting in the city, but a date has not yet been decided. The commission said it hoped the meeting would be sometime in December.

🚧 Indian Canyon Drive closure coming 

Indian Canyon Drive will be closed between Garnet Avenue and Sunrise Parkway overnight on Thursday for more work that’s part of a widening project.

• The closure will begin at 9 p.m. Thursday and the road will reopen at 5 a.m. Friday. Crews will be restriping and realigning the roadway as part of Stage 1 of the Indian Canyon Drive Widening Project.
  
  
• Details: For more information about the project, visit this website.

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FEATURED EVENTS

Chinese Mah Jong Open Play
2 p.m. | Public Library
Practice your Mah Jong skills against others. There will be one game set provided, but attendees are welcome to bring their own.

The Mod Squad Variety Show
5 p.m. | Cultural Center
Enjoy an evening of live music at the valley’s “Happiest happy hour!” ($10)

Wreath Auction
5:30 p.m. | Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge
This festive event raises funds through beautifully crafted donated wreaths from our community. Money raised benefits The Center and the Palm Springs Animal Shelter.

PALS Circle
6 p.m. | Online
Hosted by Planning Ahead for LGBTQ+ Seniors, this informal drop-in conversation is meant for connection, support, and friendship.

Author Talk: Robin Kobaly
6 p.m. | Public Library
Join botanist, ecologist, and author Robin Kobaly for a discussion of her book “The Desert Underground: Exposing a Valuable Hidden World Under Our Feet,” focusing on the fascinating world of native plants and systems at work beneath the soil.

British Film Invasion: “The English Patient”
7 p.m. | Cultural Center
Experience the epic, romantic war drama “The English Patient” on the big screen as a part of the cultural center’s ongoing showcase of award-winning British films. ($12)

SAVE THE DATE

• Tree lighting and banner awards Friday at Frances Stevens Park.
  
  
• Latin Fire performance and reception on Friday.
  
  
• Wine ‘n’ Wags benefit event on Saturday.
  
  
• Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade on Saturday.
  
  
• Typewriter Poems Around the Country with Brian Sonia-Wallace on Sunday.
  
  
• Swim Center community meeting on Dec. 5.
  
  
• Friends of the Palm Springs Library Holiday Bazaar on Dec. 9.

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AND FINALLY …

🐾 Each week, The Post partners with a local animal shelter to feature one or more of the many animal companions ready for a new home in our community. 

Today we invite you to meet Cappi a six-year-old male chihuahua/terrier mix. Staff at the shelter say Cappi is looking for long walks in the park, playtime in the yard, and snuggles of course.

• Shelter staff note that Cappi gets along with other dogs but prefers female dogs.

If you’re interested: You can visit the shelter at 4575 E. Mesquite Ave. Hours are 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on all days except for Tuesdays (open for intake and clinic only) and Thursdays (1 p.m. until 7 p.m.). You can always call the shelter at (760) 416-5718.

• Make sure to check out all the other pets at the shelter here. And get a jump start on adoption by completing the form here.