Nov. 3 Daily Briefing: Funds distributed, library pop-ups, next sidewalk star, and more

Welcome to Monday and the start of Pride Week! If you’re new here, we do things a little different, celebrating Pride in the fall instead of the summer due to the extreme heat. But we certainly don’t skimp when it comes to the celebration. From the unfurling of the Rainbow Flag on Wednesday to the start of live music on Thursday, the 5K Run and Walk on Saturday and then the annual Pride Parade on Sunday morning, the city will be a busy, buzzing hot spot. We hope to see you out there!

🎶 Setting the mood: “Early Autumn” by Ella Fitzgerald

LEADING OFF

Rebuild Palm Springs distributes $82K to bombing-affected businesses so far

More than half the funds raised after the May 17 fertility clinic bombing have been distributed to businesses, with the remainder earmarked for boutique hotels dealing with insurance claims, Mayor Ron deHarte announced Monday.

Driving the news: The community fundraising effort raised $159,000, and organizers have made 10 distributions to seven entities, totaling $82,008. The remaining $77,000 is expected to go to several boutique hotel businesses currently navigating complex insurance and funding processes.

• The announcement follows calls for transparency in the community about how the funds have been distributed.

Why it matters: Small businesses in the blast zone surrounding the American Reproductive Center clinic in the 1100 block of North Indian Canyon Drive faced more than half a million dollars in uninsured damages due to a significant gap in terrorism insurance coverage.

By the numbers: Recipients include boutique hotels, a retail complex, a multi-tenant business and a retail store employee whose car was totaled during the blast. Payments have so far ranged from $7,500 to $20,000. 

What’s next: American Reproductive Centers plans to rebuild its clinic at the original location, with a groundbreaking planned for December. Estimates to rebuild are around $17.5 million.

Explore more in our online story

BRIEFLY

⭐ Mark Hunter Seymour next up for Walk of The Stars honor

• Mark Hunter Seymour, founder of Hunters Nightclubs and a leader in LGBTQ+ nightlife for over four decades, will receive the 481st star on the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars on Friday at 11 a.m. at 302 East Arenas Rd. The public is invited to attend the ceremony honoring Seymour in the Entertainment and Civic/Pioneer categories.
  
• Seymour opened Hunters Palm Springs in 1998, creating one of the city’s first gay-owned and operated full-service nightclubs. For 27 years, the venue has supported nonprofits including The LGBTQ Center of the Desert, Desert AIDS Project, AIDS Assistance Program and the Palm Springs Animal Shelter.
  
• Details: Seymour’s community impact has earned him several honors, including the Steve Chase Humanitarian Award in 2002, Businessman of the Year from the Desert Business Association, the Diversity Honors Award in 2024, and recognition as a Community Grand Marshal for the Palm Springs Pride Parade in 2015.

🏈 Palm Springs hosts playoff opener Friday

• Palm Springs will host Claremont in a game currently scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Football Championships after earning an automatic playoff berth with a 9-1 regular season record.
  
• The Indians tied for first in the Desert Empire League, while Claremont finished the regular season 7-3.
  
• Details: Palm Springs was one of eight area teams to make the playoffs when pairings were released Sunday. Complete pairings can be seen here.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Water Aerobics
10 a.m. | Swim Center
Get some low-impact exercise at the swim center every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday with instructor Donna Newton! ($5)

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)

Architectural Review Committee (ARC)
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
The ARC typically holds regular meetings at 5:30 pm on the first and third Monday of each month to review and make recommendations on building and landscape design to the Planning Commission, City Council and City staff.

Bible Study
6 p.m. | Mizell Center
Come out and join others as they explore the teachings of Jesus through the Gospel according to Mark in the Bible.

Fabulous Bingo with Bella Da Ball
7 p.m. | Kings Highway
Kick off Pride Week with the lovely Bella da Ball as she hosts, calls numbers and gives away prizes. Reservations are strongly recommended as space is limited; $35 spend per person to participate. Kings Highway is a cashless operation.

See all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• The Last Hug projection photography installation at Steven Richard Baumbach Gallery Wednesday through Saturday
  
• Palm Springs Pride from Thursday through Sunday
  
• Kevin McDermott Human/Nature exhibit at Janssen Artspace on Friday
  
• Interfaith Pride Kabbalat Shabbat on Friday at 6:30 p.m.
  
• Palm Springs Pride 5K Run & Walk on Saturday
  
• West Side Story in Concert benefit for Dezart Performs Nov. 13-15
  
• Palm Springs Hospitality Golf Tournament on Nov. 14
  
• Coachella Valley Filipino Festival on Nov. 15
  
• Gregory Douglass LIVE at Revolution Stage Company on Nov. 16

Submit your event here

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AND FINALLY …

If your library card has been gathering dust while the main Palm Springs Public Library undergoes its renovation, getting back into the reading habit just got a whole lot easier — the library is coming to you.

Driving the news: Starting this week, library staff will set up shop at two community centers twice a month, bringing books, materials, and services directly to residents.

• The pop-ups will be held on the first Thursday of each month at the James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center from 4 p.m.-6 p.m., and on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Mizell Center from 10 a.m.-noon.

What’s available: Staff will accept returned materials, issue new library cards, offer a small selection of books for checkout, and help residents access Libby, the library’s digital platform with thousands of eBooks, audiobooks, and magazines.

The big picture: With the main library temporarily relocated to Rimrock Plaza during its two-to-three-year renovation, library staff said the pop-up services aim to keep library access convenient for the community.

More info: Visit palmspringslibrary.org or call 760-322-7323.