Oct. 22 Daily Briefing: Matzner celebrated, airline leaving PSP, Pride run scheduled, and more

Welcome to Wednesday! If you’ve ever tried to sell your car by parking it on the street with a sign in the window, and hope to do it again, you may be in for a surprise in the future. Tonight, the City Council is scheduled to weigh how to address residents’ complaints about the practice, ranging from reduced parking availability to neighborhood aesthetics and safety hazards. Staff has presented five potential regulatory options, from banning “For Sale” signage (risky under First Amendment challenges) to implementing residential parking permits or time-limited parking zones. 

🎶 Setting the mood: “You’ve Got a Friend In Me” by Randy Newman

LEADING OFF

Matzner remembered as transformative community leader at celebration of life

Harold Matzner, who rose from humble beginnings in Newark to become Palm Springs’ most influential philanthropist, was remembered Tuesday at The McCallum Theatre as a visionary whose impact shaped the entire Coachella Valley.

Driving the news: Community leaders gathered to honor “Mr. Palm Springs,” whose philanthropic touch reached virtually every institution in the valley, from public safety to cultural venues to Native American education.

• The businessman, who died Sept. 4 at age 88, built his fortune through innovative advertising before dedicating decades to civic leadership.

Looking back: Matzner delivered newspapers as a boy in Newark, New Jersey, overcoming dyslexia and financial struggles while failing at careers in sports journalism and law before discovering his business gift. 

• He founded CBA Industries in the early 1970s with a revolutionary free weekly newspaper concept, retiring wealthy at just 35 and spending 11 years in Acapulco before finding his true calling in Palm Springs.

Why it matters: His business philosophy of collective success over zero-sum competition transformed local institutions, including the deteriorating tennis club he turned into a community gathering place and The McCallum Theatre he championed.

• Even his restaurant, Spencer’s, reflected his quirky compassion — he added a feral cat to the payroll for pest control services.

His legacy: Matzner’s civic achievements included leading the effort for the 2011 passage of Measure J, increasing sales tax to fund downtown revitalization, while his support for public safety included immediately funding the police department’s armored response vehicle after two officers died in a hostage situation.

• “I’ve known a lot of amazing people and tough guys in my time, but very few who balance that with sensitivity, compassion and caring about other people,” said Police Chief Andy Mills.

The personal touch: Tribal Chairman Reid D. Milanovich revealed Matzner became a father figure to his family after his own father’s death, fulfilling a deathbed promise to protect Milanovich’s sister.

• “He treated Tristan like she was his own flesh and blood,” Milanovich said, noting Matzner’s consistent support of Native American education through the Richard M. Milanovich Legacy Hike.

The bottom line: From humble beginnings, Matzner built an empire based on lifting others up, with his granddaughter Elizabeth noting his final wish was to “cast a blanket of kindness” inspiring continued community service.

Dive deeper with our complete story

BRIEFLY

🏛️ What to watch for at tonight’s City Council meeting

• According to the agenda, the Palm Springs City Council is expected to consider changes to vacation rental regulations — possibly modifying the annual cap on vacation rentals in residential areas — and award an exclusive negotiation agreement for 203 affordable housing units at tonight’s meeting. 
  
• Additional agenda items include approving a cooperative agreement with Riverside County for a first-time homebuyer assistance program and discussing regulations for vehicles parked for sale on city streets.
  
• Details: Residents may attend in-person, view the meeting live online on the city’s YouTube channel or at palmspringsca.gov — or watch on Palm Springs Community Television Channel 17. Comments can be submitted online at this web page.

🛫 Frontier pausing service at PSP

• Frontier Airlines will stop operating at Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) on Nov. 29, citing market demand. The airline currently offers nonstop flights to Denver and San Francisco.
  
• Airport officials said no destinations will be lost since United and Southwest continue to serve Denver, while United and Alaska serve San Francisco. The airport has seen nearly 5% passenger growth year-to-date compared to last year.
  
• Details: Frontier returned to Palm Springs last year after a temporary pause in services. The airline said it will continue to monitor conditions for opportunities to resume services in the future.

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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)

Chinese Mah Jong Open Play
2 p.m. | Mizell Center
Practice your skills and play with others. This is a FREE library program and you do not have to be a member of Mizell Center to attend. participants are encouraged to bring their own sets as a limited number of sets will be provided to use. 

Cocktails & Cabaret with Francesca Amari & Jeff Lantz
5 p.m. | Cultural Center
With a fizzy mix of mod pop, yacht rock, Broadway show tunes, classic Rat Pack gems, and interactive fun, this swinging night out is equal parts music and laughter. ($22)

Palm Springs City Council
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
Residents may attend in-person, view the meeting live online on the city’s YouTube channel or at palmspringsca.gov — or watch on Palm Springs Community Television Channel 17. The agenda can be found here.

Demystifying Hypnotherapy
5:30 p.m. | Mizell Center
Discover the truth and common misconceptions about hypnotherapy, as well as experience firsthand with a 45 minute guided hypnosis session. ($15)

Len Rainey and the Midnight Players
7 p.m. | Agua Caliente Casino
With their killer music and charismatic stage presence, Len Rainey & The Midnight Players are sure to get any crowd dancing and singing along to their soulful tunes. ($20)

See all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• Wet + Wild Party benefiting Palm Springs police and fire at Desert Hand Car Wash on Thursday
  
• Reel Women’s Film Festival supporting Planned Parenthood on Sunday
  
• “Be a Hero For Kids” Halloween Bash on Sunday supporting Palm Springs Boys & Girls Club
  
• Rocky Horror Picture Show Sing Along at Quadz on Oct. 28
  
• Pride on the Page, an LGBTQ book festival, on Nov. 1
  
• Palm Springs Pride Nov. 6 through 9
  
• Palm Springs Pride 5K Run & Walk on Nov. 8
  
• West Side Story in Concert benefit for Dezart Performs Nov. 13-15
  
• Palm Springs Hospitality Golf Tournament on Nov. 14

Submit your event here

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AND FINALLY …

While a walking event scheduled for this weekend may have been postponed, there’s still plenty of opportunity to get moving for a good cause during Pride Weekend in November.

Zoom in: If you’ve ever wanted to run through the same neighborhoods where Hollywood legends once strolled to their citrus groves, you’ve got a chance do it while supporting several local LGBTQ+ organizations. 

• The Palm Springs Pride 5K Run & Walk returns Saturday, Nov. 8, at 8 a.m., welcoming speedsters and strollers alike, helping to raise funds for local nonprofits.

Driving the news: Registration is still open for the event, which last year drew nearly 950 participants and raised more than $40,000 for community organizations.

• Since its inception, the race has donated over $240,000 to local nonprofits.

What to expect: The 3.1-mile course winds through the historic Old Las Palmas and Vista Las Palmas neighborhoods, starting at West Chino Drive and Belardo Road behind the Corridor Shops.

• Registration, which is available here, costs $50 (with fees) for adults through Nov. 7 ($29 for youth under 18 with fees), with no race-day registration available.

But wait: Can’t make it to Palm Springs? Virtual participants can complete their 5K anytime before Nov. 9 and share photos with the #pspriderun hashtag.

Details: Whether you’re aiming for an age-group medal or just want to dress up with your team for the costume competition, packet pickup is Friday, Nov. 7, at the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert from noon to 4 p.m., and also starting at 7 a.m. on the day of the event.