Nov. 30 Daily Briefing: Culture, college combine in tours, nurse program gets grant, PSPD plans pickleball fundraiser, and more

Happy Thursday, everyone, where we’re in the final 48 hours of our fundraising campaign. What we’re able to raise from our community will carry us into 2024 so we can do more of the hyperlocal journalism you’ve come to expect from The Post.

To all who have pitched in, thank you for your amazing support so far. If you’re wondering how you can help, please consider a small monthly gift — it goes a long way for our newsroom!

LEADING OFF

Breaking barriers: PSUSD students preparing for next college tour

Palm Springs Unified School District’s African American Parent Advisory Council (AAPAC) broke the mold in 2022, offering students a unique, firsthand look at the culture and community of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) through annual tours. The district is now preparing to do it for the third straight year.

Driving the news: The college tour will take 24 students to tour HBCUs and other landmarks in and around Washington, D.C., and another 24 students to Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) in Austin, Texas.

How it works: The transportation, lodging, and meals are all paid for thanks to the district and generous local organizations and individuals.

• Jarvis Williams, coordinator of family community engagement for the district, said it’s important that they eliminate every possible barrier for students because 97% of PSUSD families are economically challenged.

Why it matters: Beyond the academic exposure, the tours help form lasting bonds among students. Some participants are first-generation college students who decide to apply to some of the universities they toured.

Looking ahead: Williams hopes they can expand the trip to include more students or more tours so every student who wants to attend will be able to. He said other school districts are contacting PSUSD to learn how to start a similar tour in their district.

• To donate and help make the tour possible, visit this link.

Dive deeper with our complete story online here.

BRIEFLY

🧑‍⚕️ Local street medicine program receives grant to continue work

Desert Healthcare District and Foundation has awarded more than $73,000 to a program working to serve the needs of homeless and vulnerable populations, including those in Palm Springs.

• The grant will support nurse and medical clinics staffed by participants in the Nursing Street Medicine program at Cal State San Bernardino Palm Desert. The program offers free healthcare services with the goal of reducing emergency room visits for non-urgent issues.
  
  
• Bottom line: It’s also designed to increase the number of registered nurses with experience serving vulnerable populations. To that end, the funding will provide practical experience and course credit for 32 BSN nursing students and six nursing student assistants.

📚 Public Library planning author events

The Palm Springs Public Library is set to welcome acclaimed authors at two distinct events this December. Poet Brian Sonia-Wallace will perform live poetry, and bestselling author Wade Rouse will discuss his latest novel.

• On Dec. 3 at 2:30 p.m., Sonia-Wallace, founder of Pride Poets, will appear at the downtown Welwood Murray Memorial Library to share his experiences from the book “The Poetry of Strangers” and offer live poetry performances for attendees. 
  
  
• Rouse, who writes under the pen name Viola Shipman, will present his humorous and heartwarming holiday novel, “The Wishing Bridge,” at the main library on Dec. 5 at 6 p.m.
  
  
• But wait: You can pick up a copy of each of these authors’ books at the events courtesy of The Best Bookstore In Palm Springs.

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FEATURED EVENTS

Sounds of the Holidays
5 p.m. | Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Mountain Station
Starting tonight, the tram presents high school choirs singing holiday favorites on the Pines Café stage. (Complimentary with a regular tram ticket).

VillageFest
6 p.m. | Downtown Palm Springs
The weekly street fair features several fun holiday activities; you can pick up free jingle bells at the VillageFest booth on Tahquitz and Palm Canyon Drive while shopping for a unique gift, or play pickleball on Arenas and Palm Canyon Drive with PSPD Chief Andy Mills for the police department’s Shop with a Cop fundraiser. 

It’s Only A Play
7 p.m. | Cultural Center
Terrence McNally’s comedy, “It’s Only a Play” follows a first-time Broadway producer and a hilarious cast of characters who are all waiting for opening night reviews to come in. ($40)

Christmas with the Crawfords
7:30 p.m. | Margaritaville Palm Springs
The holiday musical comedy is performed by Desert Theatreworks and features a mashup of silver screen icons including Judy Garland, Carmen Miranda, and Gloria Swanson. ($50)

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.
  
  
• American Legion toy giveaway starting on Dec. 7.
  
  
• Friends of the Palm Springs Library Holiday Bazaar on Dec. 9.

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AND FINALLY …

With the holiday season kicking into high gear, there’s no lack of choice for fundraisers and activities. But one unique fundraising opportunity feels tailor-made for Palm Springs.

Driving the news: ThePalm Springs Police Department will be out at VillageFest tonight for a pickleball fundraiser to raise money for their annual Shop with a Cop event. 

How it works: For $20, anyone can learn to play or practice with PSPD, and all donations go towards holiday gifts for children. 

In addition: Chief Andy Mills has been training hard for the fundraiser because anyone who donates $25 will get the chance to play the chief and win a PSPD baseball cap. 

Why it matters: PSPD’s annual Shop with a Cop program takes kids out one-on-one to shop for a special gift. 

Details: PSPD will be at VillageFest starting at 6 p.m. on Arenas Drive and Palm Canyon Drive near Lulu.

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