Oct. 16 Daily Briefing: ‘Bright star’ in city passes, big speech coming, gunfire leads to arrest, and more

Welcome to Monday, everyone. If you didn’t catch a view of the “annular” solar eclipse over the weekend, you for sure saw several of your neighbors posting their images on social media. This type of eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, but when it is at or near its farthest point from Earth, creating a viewable “ring of fire” in some states (but not here). Didn’t get enough of the cool pictures? Check out some that Space.com posted here.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Dracula“ by Gorillaz 

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IN THE NEWS

❤️ Somers dies peacefully here at 76

Suzanne Somers, a fixture in the Palm Springs philanthropy scene who was initially known for her role in “Three’s Company” before going on to business success, passed away at her home here at the age of 76 on Sunday, just a day before her 77th birthday.

• The actress, alternative medicine advocate, and author battled aggressive breast cancer for more than two decades. A statement released by longtime publicist R. Couri Hay noted that she died peacefully with loved ones nearby.
  
  
• “A bright star in our city has left us, but we are forever thankful to Suzanne for always supporting Palm Springs and sharing her love for our uniquely special city with the world,” Palm Springs Mayor Grace Garner in a statement released Sunday afternoon.
  
  
• Somers and husband Alan Hamel owned an estate in the Mesa neighborhood of South Palm Springs for decades before selling the property in 2021 and moving to the Southridge neighborhood. 
  
  
• More information: A private family burial is set to take place this week, with a memorial scheduled for November.

🚓 Suspect arrested after reports of gunfire 

A man was arrested late Friday night on multiple gun-related charges after the Palm Springs Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) responded to a shots fired call in the area of Avenida Palmera and Via Soledad.

• SEU detectives conducting an occupied vehicle check around 10:40 p.m. found a female driver and a male passenger inside.
  
  
• Bottom line: The male passenger was subsequently arrested following the discovery of the firearm and spent casings. The female driver’s involvement is currently unclear.

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TODAY’S EVENTS

Architectural Review Committee
5:30 p.m. | City Hall and online
The committee reviews and makes recommendations on building and landscape design to the Planning Commission and City Council. Find tonight’s agenda here.

Sandra Bernhard
5:30 p.m. | Oscar’s
Bernhard returns to Palm Springs, bringing her all new show: “Lady of The Canyon.” Seating begins at 5:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m.

SAVE THE DATE

• Alzheimer’s at the Opera: A Conversation & Recital on Wednesday, Oct. 18, starting at 6 p.m.
  
  
• Coachella Valley Garden Day on Oct. 21 at UCR Palm Desert.
  
  
• Palm Springs Leather Pride from Oct. 26 through Oct. 28.
  
  
• Halloween Palm Springs on Oct. 29 in the Arenas District.
  
  
• Palm Springs Pride Festival from Nov. 3 through 5.
  
  
• Palm Springs Pride 5K Run & Walk on Nov. 4 ($40 through Nov. 1).
  
  
• ONE-PS Lip-Sync Battle on Nov. 12.
  

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AND FINALLY …

🎤 Elected leaders will deliver the annual State of the City address tomorrow evening, Tuesday, Oct. 17, at the Palm Springs Art Museum’s Annenberg Theatre. The event will also see four community leaders receive awards.

Driving the news: The annual speech is hosted by the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce. It begin at 6 p.m. and will feature a video and update from Garner and the Palm Springs City Council on the city’s accomplishments over the past year. 

• Tickets for a 5 p.m. reception are $80 (available here). free seats for the presentation will be available for residents who choose not to attend the reception.

Details: The chamber will present awards to former Councilmember J.R. Roberts, Palm Springs Chief of Police Andy Mills, the Oak View Group, and Lili Rodriguez, artistic director of the Palm Springs International Film Festival.