Oct. 18 Daily Briefing: Tireless advocate passes, star recipient named, city leaders tout success, and more

Welcome to Wednesday. Last week we told you that we had heard from many people who were upset that smoking was once again allowed at the tribal casino in the city, and that the tribe probably wouldn’t have much to say. Turns out we were right. The Desert Sun reported yesterday that the tribe would only confirm that smoking is allowed again due to customer demand. The paper also reported that some people continue to voice concerns over the decision on social media. So there you go — case closed? 

🎶 Setting the mood: “Ghostbusters” by Ray Parker, Jr.

---

LEADING OFF

City officials, civic leaders tout success at event

Palm Springs government, civic, and business leaders gathered Tuesday night for a pep rally of sorts, celebrating the city’s achievements so far this year while looking ahead to what residents and visitors alike can expect in the future.

Driving the news: The annual State of the City event, last held in May 2022, saw the Chamber of Commerce host a who’s who of dignitaries at the Palm Springs Art Museum’s Annenberg Theater.

• The event kicked off with an inspiring performance by the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus and concluded roughly 90 minutes later with a tribute to Suzanne Somers after Mayor Grace Garner finished her remarks.

Zoom in: Tourism officials pointed to benchmarks that were surpassed at the Convention Center — which hosted 122 meetings and events attended by 141,000 people last year — as well as the nearly $150 million in economic impact those visitors had.

• City councilmembers also touted the benefits of a robust tourism industry — with a tourist season that now lasts all year — while boasting about Palm Springs’ diverse population.

What they’re saying: “When I was growing up in Palm Springs, it didn’t always feel like it was a welcoming city,” Garner said during the video shown Tuesday evening. “But now it’s very welcoming.”

• Added Councilmember Lisa Middleton: “Palm Springs must always be a place of welcome.”

Bigger picture: In addition to lauding city staff for their storm response, Garner noted that during her term, the city has added additional police and fire staff, helped move forward the restoration of The Plaza Theatre, and continued to push to fund a much-needed bridge over the Indian Canyon wash.

• Garner also pointed to the planned 2024 opening of a homeless navigation center in the northern part of the city and nearly 200 units of affordable housing under construction or nearing construction as examples of how city leaders are addressing urgent issues.

Dive deeper with our full story. 

BRIEFLY

⭐ Paul Reed Yinger to receive 463rd star

Paul Reed Yinger will receive the 463rd star on the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars on Oct. 27, it was announced this week. He will be recognized for his humanitarian and entertainment contributions.

• Yinger began his career in healthcare as a respiratory therapist and later became a registered nurse, and was a participant in hepatitis vaccination trials and the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study in Chicago, focusing on HIV infection. He remained involved in the Los Angeles men’s study for over 25 years.
  
  
• Despite health challenges that ended his tenure as an intensive care RN at Desert Regional Medical Center, Yinger remained committed to community service. He volunteered at the Desert AIDS Project for over two decades, dedicating nearly 10,000 hours to counseling, educating, and advocating for HIV testing.
  
  
• Known in the entertainment industry as “Steve Hurley,” he worked to promote inclusivity and body positivity for gay men. He also spent two decades volunteering at the Desert AIDS Project, counseling and advocating for HIV testing.
  
  
• Details: Yinger, who faced and survived two separate cancer diagnoses, becoming a beacon of hope for others, will be honored with the star at 12 p.m. on Oct. 27. The ceremony will take place at 100 East Arenas Rd.

💰 County has funding for parts of CARE Court

Riverside County Office of the Public Defender will receive $4.98 million from the California State Bar to cover costs related to the Community Assistance, Recovery & Empowerment (CARE) Act program.

• The CARE Act program aims to treat mentally ill individuals who are at risk of homelessness or likely to end up in the criminal justice system.
  
  
• The funding will be used to hire positions in the Office of the Public Defender to provide legal aid to CARE Court recipients throughout the legal process. Riverside County is one of seven counties trialing the new program.
  
  
• Bottom line: Before CARE Court went into effect, county leaders were worried the initiative would become an unfunded mandate and leave counties without funding. But so far, money from the state has flowed in to support the program.

---

TODAY’S EVENTS

Palm Springs Sunshine Sisters Breakfast
Elmer’s | 7:50 a.m.
Join the Sunshine Sisters for breakfast and conversation to start the day off right.

Morning Coffee Book Club
Welwood Murray Memorial Library | 10:30 a.m.
This month, the club discusses “Her Body and Other Parties” by Carmen Maria Machado.

Homecoming Parade
3:30 p.m. | Baristo Road to Alejo Road
Palm Springs High School’s homecoming parade theme this year is “Viva Las Vegas.” The parade begins on Baristo Road and heads north along Palm Canyon Drive, ending at Alejo Road. Take note of street closures!

Public Arts Commission
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
At this regularly scheduled meeting, commissioners will discuss a new mural application and give updates on the Pillars of Palm Springs project. Check out the rest of the agenda online here.

SAVE THE DATE

• 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.
  
  
• ONE-PS Lip-Sync Battle on Nov. 12.

---

AND FINALLY …

Arlene Rosenthal, described by many as an indefatigable advocate for the most fragile among us, passed peacefully Tuesday evening, according to friends. She was 79. 

Looking back: Rosenthal, a graduate of UCLA who moved to the desert in 1973, had many roles in her life. They included teacher, women’s rights and LGBTQ+ advocate, small business owner, and more. But her work as president of Well in the Desert will be what she is most remembered for here.

• Initially serving as a board member, she was eventually at the nonprofit’s helm for 21 years, directing its efforts to feed and care for thousands of underprivileged and unhoused residents in Palm Springs and the surrounding communities.
  
• In July, she stepped down from her role at the organization, choosing to spend time focusing on her health and family.

Bigger picture: Rosenthal also served on several other local boards, including the Stroke Activities Center, Mizell Center, Desert Aids Foundation, and Opera Guild, helping to create Opera Under the Stars,

What they’re saying: In a tribute written on his Facebook page Tuesday evening, veteran valley journalist Bruce Fessier recalled that Rosenthal “was a voice for the homeless, the LGBTQ+ community, women willing to lead, children needing a helping hand, and opera vocalists struggling to hone the beauty of their voices.”

• “(S)he was not the face that Visit Greater Palm Springs would put on a tourism billboard,” Fessier noted. “She was a representation of all the people in the Coachella Valley that had a different kind of beauty — the kind that radiated after a shower, a warm meal or the sight of a giant Christmas tree.”