Oct. 12 Daily Briefing: Project aims to recognize LGBTQ+ stars, it’s Fire Prevention Week, and more

Happy Thursday, where we are exactly one month away from what could be one of the greatest musical events in city history. OK, maybe not. But now that we have your attention, we’d like you to know about a citywide lip-sync battle being planned for Nov. 12! Contestants (touted as “a who’s who of Palm Springs royalty”) will take to the Cultural Center stage from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. on that Sunday to raise funds for worthy causes. Organizers promise it will be a “hilarious high-energy event” featuring not only great musical acts but also well-known local judges (our not-so-well-known founder, Mark, is one of them). Tickets start at $35 and are available here. 

🎶 Setting the mood: “Hollywood Forever Cemetery” by Allison Ponthier

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LEADING OFF

Stars are now ‘out’ on Palm Springs streets

Thanks to a collaboration between the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce, LGBTQ+ History & Archives of the Desert, and the city of Palm Springs, the “Out on the Walk” project is now up and running.

Driving the news: The project is twofold. First, the chamber’s Walk of The Stars app has been updated to display a Pride flag beside the names of the dozens of honorees who are members of the LGBTQ+ community. The other half of the project is an exhibit on view for the next month at the Village Green.

Looking back: During the past two years, the exhibit has been on display elsewhere in the community and has garnered much interest. Recognizing LGBTQ+ star recipients has been discussed for at least the past five years.

In context: The dedication event for the project on Wednesday coincided with the 35th anniversary of National Coming Out Day, which was established to push for visibility amid the national AIDS crisis.

What they’re saying: Mike Thompson, CEO and director of The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert, explained the project could serve a particular purpose for some visitors.

• “These stars are beacons for people who visit our city who don’t live in places where LGBTQ+ people are celebrated,” Thompson said during the dedication ceremony.

Help wanted: David Gray, who co-founded and co-directs the LGBTQ+ History & Archives of the Desert with Julie Warren, said volunteers are still needed to staff the exhibit. To step up, contact him or Warren at lgbtqpshistory@gmail.com or visit lgbtqpshistory.org.

Details: The “Out on the Walk” exhibition runs through Nov. 12 at Village Green Heritage Center, 217 S. Palm Canyon Dr., on Thursdays from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. and Fridays through Sundays from 12 p.m. until 6 p.m. 

Read our complete story online here.

BRIEFLY

📸 Council to once again consider license plate recognition cameras

The Palm Springs City Council will meet in closed and regular sessions today. According to the agenda, they could vote tonight on whether to approve using 15 Flock Safety cameras.

• At the last meeting, city councilmembers decided not to vote and sought more information on data privacy from the company. According to the staff report, city staff recommend that the council approve the cameras’ implementation.
  
  
• Also on the agenda is a decision on third-party food delivery fees and an appeal from a cannabis company over its permit expiration. 
  
  
• Details: The regular meeting is open to the public in council chambers at City Hall. You can submit comments via an online public comment form, in person, or by calling the city clerk’s office at (760) 323-8204 at any time prior to the end of the public comment period. View the meeting live on the city’s website, YouTube or Spectrum channel 17.

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TODAY’S EVENTS

Amy’s Purpose Fashion Show & Luncheon
11 a.m. | Agua Caliente Casino, Rancho Mirage
In addition to the fashion show (with owners and pets!) and luncheon, there will also be a silent auction. ($100)

Out on the Walk
2 p.m. | Village Green
An exhibition honoring LGBTQ+ recipients of stars on the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars opens to the public today. The exhibition runs through Nov. 12.

City Council 
5:30 p.m. | In-person and online
City councilmembers meet in regular and closed sessions.

Black History Committee Annual Mixer
6 p.m. | Las Casuelas Terraza
Enjoy free food, networking, and raffle prizes at this annual mixer

Wine & Dine Around The World
6 p.m. | Air Museum
This benefit will support several Coachella Valley nonprofits, including the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus. ($75)

VillageFest
6 p.m. | Downtown Palm Springs
The weekly street fair features art, entertainment, shopping, and food. The Palm Springs Art Museum also has free admission tonight starting at 5 p.m.

Machine Dreams: “Ex Machina”
7 p.m. | Cultural Center
The Cultural Center continues its cinematic voyage into the world of artificial intelligence with 2014’s “Ex Machina,” about a self-aware robot that’s more than meets the eye. ($12)

SAVE THE DATE

• Battle in the Desert boxing event featuring PSPD Sgt. Mike Torres on Oct. 14. ($40)
  
  
• Lesley Zerebny Memorial Softball Game at Big League Dreams on Oct. 14.
  
  
• Modernism Week October from Oct. 19-22.
  
  
• Coachella Valley Garden Day on Oct. 21 at UCR Palm Desert.
  
  
• Halloween Palm Springs in the Arenas District on Oct. 29.
  
  
• Palm Springs Pride 5K Run & Walkon Nov. 4 ($40 registration through Nov. 1)

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AND FINALLY …

🚒 Personnel from Palm Springs Fire Department have been busy all week helping educate area youth about fire safety, and there’s an event this weekend aimed at assisting some of the city’s older residents.

Driving the news: Firefighter / paramedics from all stations are observing Fire Prevention Week by visiting local elementary schools this week. Not only are they showing off firefighting equipment, but they’re also teaching students how to escape from a home fire and the importance of having smoke detectors.

• This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme is “Cooking safety starts with YOU,” so extra attention has been paid to tips to avoid cooking fires, which are the leading cause of home fires and fire injuries.

Looking ahead: The week’s activities will conclude on Saturday when volunteers are needed to help install smoke detectors at Parkview Mobile Estates.

• Volunteers will be assigned one of three jobs — educator, installer, or documenter. So, if you’re not handy, there’s still work for you.
  
  
• To help, show up from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the mobile home park at 393 West Mesquite Ave. Snacks and water will be provided for all volunteers.

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