Oct. 3 Daily Briefing: Businesses suffered through summer, students take to streets, and more

Welcome to Thursday, everyone! Below, we have a very abbreviated report about the current state of business in Palm Springs. The long story made short is that it was an unexpectedly rough summer for many. During the two months she spent working on the story, reporter Maggie Miles heard about double-digit declines in both sales and hotel bookings, difficulties getting by for workers, and how it has all impacted the city budget. She also learned what both business owners and the city are doing to turn things around. We’d encourage you to read the entire story online here, and also to support local businesses whenever possible. If it impacts Main Street, it impacts us all!

🎶 Setting the mood: “I’m Lost” by Nat King Cole and George Shearing

LEADING OFF

‘Pain Street’: Brutal summer left businesses, employees reeling

Palm Springs businesses suffered through a tough summer as Covid-era tourism declined and record-breaking heat never let up. As relentless heat continues into fall, city officials and business owners must think of ways to combat the slump as they wait to see whether the tourist season will bring relief.

Driving the news: In interviews with The Post, business owners, employees, and city officials said this summer was unlike any other in recent memory. Many reported significant drops in revenue and customer traffic.

• Tax revenues are also down, with the city’s Measure J tax falling short of predictions and last year’s collections. Overall sales tax revenue has been trending downward since early last year. 

The impact: Hotels reported occupancy rates on some days as low as 15-20%, down from typical 80-85%. Restaurants and bars have seen sales decline by up to 30%. Some business owners have had to cut staff or dip into savings to stay afloat. 

• Employees are struggling as well, with some reporting they had to juggle multiple jobs or leave the area to help make ends meet.

What they’re saying: “The honeymoon we were having with people after and during Covid is now kind of over,” said Joy Meredith, owner of Crystal Fantasy and the head of Main Street Palm Springs. “People are traveling to Europe again. So there’s a lot more choices opening up for people, and it’s just something that we all have to deal with internally in our own way.”

What to do: The city is working on ways to bolster business, including a successful “Love Local” gift card program and investments in education and economic diversification. 

• Store owners are getting creative, too, by adjusting their business models and offering unique events to help draw customers into restaurants, hotels, and stores.

Dive deeper with our complete story here

---

BRIEFLY

🎺 Parade season around the corner

Palm Springs is gearing up for a festive parade season with four major events scheduled from October to December on downtown streets. The lineup includes the Palm Springs High School Homecoming Parade, Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade, Veterans Day Parade, and Festival of Lights Parade.

• First up is the PSHS Homecoming Parade on Oct. 23 at 3:30 p.m., along Palm Canyon Drive from Baristo to Alejo Roads.
  
  
• The Greater Palm Springs Pride Parade is next on Nov. 3 at 10 a.m., followed by the annual Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11 at 3:30 p.m.
  
  
• The Festival of Lights Parade on Dec. 7 at 5:45 p.m. concludes the season with twinkling lights, marching bands, and floats. Grant Fuhr and Gino Lamont from the Coachella Valley Firebirds will serve as Community Grand Marshals.
  
  
• Details: All parades are free to attend. More information about the events is available via the city’s website here.

⚕️ Free mammograms offered

DAP Health is providing free mobile health screening mammograms at six locations across 13 days from today to Dec. 19 to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.

• The service is open to those insured by CHG, Molina, and IEHP, as well as uninsured and underinsured individuals. Asymptomatic individuals without breast lumps or breast/chest symptoms qualify for the screening.
  
  
• The screening process takes approximately 10 minutes, with results available within three weeks. If results are abnormal, the breast cancer navigator will assist in scheduling additional imaging.
  
  
• More information: Interested individuals can call 760-507-7352 to sign up for one of the mobile screening mammogram events. You can also visit this page for a list of dates and times and to sign up online.

---

---

TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Pet Vaccine Clinic
9:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. | Palm Springs Animal Shelter
The shelter provides low-cost vaccines every Thursday, excluding holidays. You do not need to be a Palm Springs resident to attend. These services are by appointment only. To make an appointment, please call 760-416-5718.

PALS Death Cafe
2 p.m. | Virtual
PALS (Planning Ahead for LGBTQ+ Seniors) Death Cafe is a group-led open conversation about death and dying. It is not counseling or a bereavement group; there is no agenda or specified outcomes.

Indians vs Blackhawks volleyball
4 p.m. | Paul Summers Gym at PSHS
This is a Desert Empire League match between Palm Springs High School and La Quinta. ($5-$7)

Food Distribution
5 p.m. | The Center
Every Thursday evening, The Center provides FREE groceries for local families and residents without fear of discrimination. It operates under a drive-thru model and services are provided on a first come-first serve basis until supplies last.

VillageFest
6 p.m. | Downtown Palm Springs
Palm Springs VillageFest takes place every Thursday on Palm Canyon Drive downtown. The street fair features art, entertainment, shopping, and food. The Palm Springs Art Museum also has free admission tonight starting at 5 p.m.

Director’s choice: Spaceballs
6 p.m. | Camelot Theatres
This fall, celebrate the artistry of three legendary filmmakers: Mel Brooks, Billy Wilder, and Howard Hawks – on the big screen! ($14)

An Evening with Stormy Daniels (SOLD OUT)
7 p.m. | Oscar’s
Listen in as a moderator conducts an in-depth interview with Stormy Daniels live on stage along with clips, conversations and stories.

SAVE THE DATE

• Palm Springs Car Show & Festival from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday.
  
  
• City Council Candidate Forum at Demuth Community Center at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
  
  
• Envision Fine Art Grand Opening Celebration from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. Saturday.
  
  
• One Night Out Rio benefiting The Foundation for PSUSD on Saturday.
  
  
• Amy’s Purpose non-profit fundraiser celebrating the legacy of Liberace on Oct. 13.
  
  
• Evening Under The Stars benefit for AAP – Food Samaritans on Oct. 13.
  
  
• Center Stage benefiting LGBTQ+ Center of the Desert on Oct. 19.
  
  
• Pride on the Page Book Festival on Oct. 20.
  
  
• Palm Springs Speaks first speaker on Oct. 22.
  
  
• Durk Dehner in conversation with Jamison Rockmore at Mizell Center on Oct. 23.
  
  
• Be A Hero for Kids Halloween Bash on Oct. 27.
  
  
• Palm Springs Pride 5K Run & Walk on Nov. 2.
  

---

AND FINALLY …

Drivers along Via Escuela are used to seeing students in the morning hours, but Wednesday morning they got more than they bargained for.

Driving the news: Just after 7 a.m., roughly 80 students from Vista Del Monte Elementary could be seen making the one-mile trek from the Albertson’s parking lot to their school. they were taking part in International Walk to School Day.

•  They received an escort from a Palm Springs Police Department motorcycle officer, who joined other officers in blocking traffic at intersections for their safety.

Why it matters: Walk to School Day events work to create safer routes for walking and bicycling and emphasize the importance of issues such as increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion, concern for the environment and building connections between families, schools and the broader community.

• Ten schools from the Palm Springs Unified School District participated in this year’s walk, joining children from the United States and 40 other countries.

Details: Locally, the event was sponsored by Riverside County Safe Routes to School Program. You can find out more about that program here. And be sure to check out what the day was all about here.