Oct. 24 Daily Briefing: Parkinson’s therapies, streetside car sales, tribe gas stations, and more

TGIF, everyone, where we’re inviting you to look up — way up — later today, as the Pride flag is raised for the very first time on a 65-foot flagpole installed at the intersection of East Arenas Road and Indian Canyon Drive. Starting at 5 p.m., you can celebrate the moment with a free block party featuring food, drinks, a live band, and, of course, a few of your favorite drag queens. The event is courtesy of the city and Palm Springs Pride, which just got a boost from the City Council at its meeting Wednesday night as councilmembers approved increasing the city’s annual contribution to Pride from $125,000 to $350,000 for the next few years.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Téir Abhaile Riú” by Celtic Woman

LEADING OFF

From an Irish pub to Palm Springs: Innovative therapies transforming Parkinson’s care

A neurologist watching an elderly man drop his cane to dance an Irish step dance sparked a movement now reaching the Coachella Valley. Multiple innovative programs are bringing dance, boxing, and singing therapy to thousands of local Parkinson’s patients.

Driving the news: Award-winning Irish dance teacher Michael Dillon is offering specialized classes at Step By Step Dance Studio in Palm Springs, part of a growing number of creative movement programs designed specifically for Parkinson’s patients.

• Research shows the rhythm of Irish folk music helps signal patients to move, while the dance’s swinging movements ease their gait.

Why it matters: The Coachella Valley has 8,000 to 10,000 people living with Parkinson’s disease — a higher concentration than many other areas — but only one movement disorder physician serving the entire region.

• Exercise provides neuroprotective benefits and is as critical as medication in slowing symptom progression, said Eileen Lynch, executive director of the Parkinson’s Resource Organization.

The big picture: Parkinson’s is the fastest-growing neurodegenerative condition worldwide, with the valley uniquely impacted due to an aging population and environmental factors.

Getting creative: Rock Steady Boxing – Desert Cities in Palm Desert offers boxing-inspired workouts targeting strength and balance. Fitness Edge in Palm Springs provides Pilates for Parkinson’s and gamified dual-task exercises that increase neuroplasticity.

• SongShine Foundation uses music and drama-based vocal therapy to help patients relearn communication through singing.

What they’re saying: “There are … exercise programs up and down the valley to keep you moving, and we’re happy to be that starting point to help people navigate, ‘What do I need to do next?’” Lynch said. “But first, they need to know they are not alone, and that there are a lot of local resources to help them navigate this challenge.”

Dive deeper with Maggie Miles’s complete story here.

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BRIEFLY

🚗 City considers stricter parking rules to combat possible illegal car sales

• The Palm Springs City Council discussed potential new parking regulations Wednesday to address suspected illegal vehicle sales and commercial parking in residential neighborhoods. 
  
• Several residents spoke during public comment, describing ongoing parking problems in their neighborhoods. One resident at the corner of Sunrise Way and Ramon Road said the issue has persisted for at least 20 years, with some individuals allegedly operating as unlicensed car brokers who regularly rotate vehicles to avoid penalties. 
  
• Staff outlined several enforcement options, including time-limited parking restrictions, residential permit systems and specific rules targeting vehicles parked for sale.
  
• Yes but: Police Chief Andy Mills said enforcement challenges arise from the need to manually mark vehicles and return later to verify whether they’ve moved. He noted violators have become adept at working around the current 72-hour parking limit by moving vehicles short distances to reset the clock.

Dive deeper with our complete story

YOUR WEEKEND

MULTIPLE DAYS

• The Inheritance Part II all weekend at the Palm Springs Cultural Center ($42)
  
• Evil Dead The Musical all weekend at the Revolution Stage Company ($29) 
  
• Noir Con all weekend at the Palm Springs Cultural Center ($17)
  
• WaveFest at the Palm Springs Surf Club Saturday and Sunday ($52)

TODAY

• COD Board of Trustees Meeting at 9:30 a.m. at the Palm Desert Campus
  
• Mah Jongg Friday at the Mizell Center at 1 p.m. 
  
• Inaugural Flag Raising Block Party at the new 65-foot-high flagpole in the Arenas District at 5 p.m.
  
• 29-PSP “Sponsor a Ride” Fundraiser on Deepwell Rd. at 5 p.m.
  
• Foodie Fridays at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 5 p.m. 
  
• Leanna and Miguel Happy Hour & Live Music at the Hyatt Palm Springs Atrium at 6 p.m.

SATURDAY

• Palm Springs Certified Farmers’ Market at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 8 a.m.
  
• Canyon View Estates “Estate Sale” from 8 a.m. until Noon
  
• Militarie Gun at Hotel Zoso at 6 p.m. ($23)
  
• Car Show and Chili Cook-Off at the Palm Springs Aerial Museum at 10 a.m. ($25)
  
• “Girls In Trouble” at the United Methodist Church of Palm Springs at 6:30 p.m. 
  
• Coachella Valley Derby Girls vs. Infinity Roller Derby at the Palm Springs Air Museum at 7:30 p.m. ($13)

SUNDAY

• 12th Annual Reel Women’s Film Festival at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 12:30 p.m. ($25)
  
• “Be A Hero For Kids” Halloween Bash supporting Palm Springs Boys & Girls Club at the Hilton Palm Springs at 4:30 p.m. ($200)
  
• The Judy Show! at The Purple Room Super Club at 5 p.m. ($40)

AND FINALLY …

The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians has revealed details as it moves forward with building two new fuel stations in the Coachella Valley, with both locations expected to debut in mid-2026.

Driving the news: The tribe has released details on facilities planned for East Palm Canyon and Monty Hall Drive in Cathedral City and at Lawrence Crossley Road and Dinah Shore Drive in Palm Springs.

By the numbers: The Palm Springs site spans 3.6 acres and will include a 9,500-square-foot convenience store with 2,900 square feet of gaming space, 24 fueling positions, and 12 Level 3 EV charging stations with solar canopies.

• The Cathedral City location will feature 24 fueling positions.

The latest: Underground fuel tanks have already been installed at the Palm Springs location as part of early site development.