Oct. 24 Daily Briefing: DAP Health lands major state funding, your chance to help shape library renovations, and more

Welcome to Tuesday, and heads up to all would-be pool owners: In two years there will be new standards in place. Starting in September 2025, anyone building a new pool must have internet-connected smart pool pumps that can adjust their operations during non-peak energy hours. Why? Because the state says we have a lot of pools and they use a lot of energy. To combat that, the California Energy Commission hopes smart meters will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save money on energy for pool owners. Win-win?

🎶 Setting the mood: “The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac

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LEADING OFF

DAP Health receives $1 Million from state lawmakers

California State Assemblymembers Greg Wallis and Eduardo Garcia presented Palm Springs-based nonprofit DAP Health with a $1 million check Monday morning. 

Driving the news: The funds, allocated through Gov. Gavin Newsom’s 2023-2024 state budget, will be used for the expansion of DAP Health’s Sunrise campus in Palm Springs and the hiring and training of additional healthcare providers.

In context: The goal of DAP Health is to provide comprehensive healthcare to over 100,000 residents throughout Southern California at 25 clinics.

• The organization offers a patient-centered approach and a range of wraparound services.

What they’re saying: “It’s been proven time and time again that DAP Health cannot do what it does best without the tremendous support of our communities’ philanthropists and elected officials, and we look forward to working with our assemblymembers again soon to close the funding gap that remains,” said CEO David Brinkman. 

Up next: The funding will support the hiring of more than two dozen new physicians and the training of healthcare providers at the Sunrise campus.

Looking ahead: Brinkman said he and the rest of DAP Health are eager for the day that the Sunrise campus is the place where hundreds are trained to bring whole patient care to all of their clinics, “from the Salton Sea to San Diego.”

BRIEFLY

📚 City seeks input on library renovations

The city is soliciting the community’s help in deciding priorities for the upcoming renovation of Palm Springs Public Library.

• To provide feedback, residents can fill out this community survey, which will be available until Nov. 2, and they can attend an in-person public forum this Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the library. 
  
  
• “We want to hear from our users to learn what is important to them,” said  Jeannie Kays, director of library services. “We invite the public to share their ideas so that we can move forward with a plan that will benefit our community.”
  
  
• Bottom line: Library officials hopes residents will provide feedback, ideas, and ask questions about the renovation project, which will be ongoing over the next few years.

📝 COD needs Bond Oversight Committee applicants

The Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC) at College of the Desert (COD) is looking for applicants for business representative or member-at-large positions.

• The CBOC conducts annual audits of local bonds ensure proper use of funds. Bond funds are allocated for land acquisition, construction, and equipment.
  
  
• Business representatives must be actively involved in a business within the Desert Community College District’s service area. Member-at-large applicants must be 18 years old and reside in California. Appointees will serve a two-year term, renewable for a maximum of three terms.
  
  
• Details: Interested applicants can apply by mail to the Bond Program and Facilities Planning Office by Nov. 28. Learn more about the position and find an application online here.

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TODAY’S EVENTS

Palm Springs Airport Job Fair
10 a.m. | Palm Springs Convention Center
The Palm Springs International Airport is looking to fill about 100 open positions in ten companies ranging from airlines to restaurants. Airport officials advise participants to arrive early and bring several copies of their resumé.

Drag Story Hour
6 p.m. | Palm Springs Public Library
Bella da Ball hosts drag story hour featuring crafts and a dance party.

PSUSD Board of Education meeting
6 p.m. | District Headquarters
The board will meet in regular and closed session this evening, check out the agenda online here.

Rocky Horror Picture Show Sing Along
7 p.m. | Quadz Video Bar
Enjoy the sing-a-long tradition and come dressed as your favorite character for a chance to win a $100 bar tab.

Terror Tuesdays: “Poltergeist”
7 p.m. | Cultural Center
For the third installment of Terror Tuesdays, the PSCC presents the iconic spooky film, “Poltergeist” from 1982. ($12)

SAVE THE DATE

• Wine & Design Benefiting Alzheimer’s Association on Oct. 25 at the Cambria Gallery
  
  
• Halloween Palm Springs on Oct. 29 in the Arenas District.
  
  
• Halloween Carnival Haunted House on Oct. 31 at James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center.
  
  
• Dia de los Muertoson Nov. 1 at Demuth Community Center.
  
  
• Palm Springs Pride 5K run and walk on Nov. 4.
  
  
• Native American Learning Day & Market on Nov. 4 at PSHS.
  
  
• Love, Loss and What I Weighed on Nov. 4 at The Neurovitality Center.
  

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AND FINALLY …

The Palm Springs Public Arts Commission is searching for a solution after several painted utility boxes were unceremoniously covered up.

Driving the news: At last week’s meeting, the commission discussed solutions to large grey boxes that were installed on painted utility boxes throughout the city.

Context: Six of the utility boxes are affected, some more than others. The most egregious is the utility box featuring Lucille Ball on Palm Canyon Drive and Tahquitz, where Ball’s face is almost entirely obscured. 

How it happened: Commissioners said city engineering staff installed the new equipment without informing the commission. 

• Since then, engineering told commissioners that the new equipment cannot be painted over because it is at risk of overheating. 

Next steps: The commission said the artists will be informed, and they can decide if they want to keep their work the same, alter it, or remove it altogether.