October 25 Daily Briefing: COD settlement, remembering Jack Jones, historic designation, and more

TGIF, everyone, and the start of what promises to be a very busy weekend. From Modernism Week October and Leather Pride to the annual Health Equity Walk and some Halloween events, there’s likely something for everyone’s taste happening in the city. Make sure to peruse our curated list of events below, but note that it’s only a fraction of what’s contained on our online community calendar. Have a great weekend!

🎶 Setting the mood: “The Love Boat” by Jack Jones

LEADING OFF

City, COD reach settlement in dispute

Palm Springs and College of the Desert (COD) have reached a settlement agreement in a dispute dating back to 2022. The agreement involves land in the northern section of the city that was once intended to house a planned satellite campus.

Driving the news: During a closed session following its regular meeting Thursday evening, the Palm Springs City Council voted 4-0 — with Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein absent — to approve the settlement. 

Zoom in: Under terms of the agreement, COD commits to constructing the Palm Springs campus as planned at the former mall site on East Tahquitz Canyon Way and South Farrell Drive. 

• If COD defaults on the commitment, the city can acquire more than 100 acres of Tramview Road property it previously gave to the college at no cost.

Looking back: The dispute began in late 2021 when the city pressed COD for answers about delays in constructing the new campus. City and civic leaders claimed that new college leadership was attempting to scale back the Palm Springs plans in favor of East Valley campuses.

• In September 2022, Palm Springs filed a lawsuit against the Desert Community College District Board of Trustees, alleging college officials had delayed providing records to the city in violation of the state’s public records act.

The latest: The settlement resolves the Public Records Act lawsuit, with the city dismissing the lawsuit without prejudice and COD paying $200,000 to cover the city’s attorney’s fees. 

• The city also agrees to remove the deed restriction on the Tramview Road property, potentially allowing for housing development.

What’s next: The settlement documents are expected to be signed and made available to the public on Friday. A groundbreaking for the Palm Springs campus is currently scheduled for next month.

Dive deeper with our complete story

---

BRIEFLY

🏛️ City grants historic status to Merrill Lynch Building

The Palm Springs City Council approved Class I historic site designation for the former Merrill Lynch Building at 415 South Palm Canyon Drive on Thursday evening. 

• The 1971 structure, designed by renowned architect Donald Wexler, was recognized for its exceptional historic significance and architectural value in the New Formalism style. 
  
  
• The designation was recommended unanimously by the Historic Site Preservation Board and city staff and initiated by the building’s current occupant, Eisenhower Health. It includes not just the building but also vehicular access, the parking lot, and surrounding landscape features, such as olive and palm trees.
  
  
• Yes, but: Concerns were raised by Councilmember Christy Holstege regarding the inclusion of the parking lot and curbs in the designation. She cited future needs for urban tree planning in response to climate change before abstaining from the vote. 

Read our complete story

⚕️ City to launch mental health response team

Palm Springs is launching a Community Behavioral Assessment Team to handle addiction and mental health-related calls, funded by $140,000 per year from the city’s opioid settlement funds for three years.

• The team, consisting of a clinical therapist and a police officer, will respond to crisis calls related to addiction and mental health issues, following similar programs in Riverside and Indio.
  
  
• The city has received $324,000 in opioid settlement funds so far and will continue to receive payments through 2038, with a workgroup researching how best to use these funds.
  
  
• Bottom line: The city is exploring other ways to use the remaining settlement funds, including stipends for rehab facilities, rental assistance for sober living facilities, education programs, and funding for the Desert AIDS Project’s harm reduction program.

Read our complete story

---

YOUR WEEKEND

MULTIPLE DAYS

• Modernism Week October at many locations
  
  
• Palm Springs Modernism Show at Palm Springs Convention Center 
  
  
• Mid-Century Moderns at Revolution Stage Company
  
  
• An Intimate Evening With Lucie Arnaz at Purple Room Supper Club
  
  
• Palm Springs Leather Pride at multiple locations
  
  
• Tom of Finland: Visions of Desire at Palm Springs Cultural Center

TODAY

• Miralon Blood Drive at MiraBar in the Miralon neighborhood from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
  
  
• Art Walk on Perez Road from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.
  
  
• The crushedvelvets and Alyssandra at Gre Recrods & Coffee from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. ($5)
  
  
• PSHS homecoming football at Ralph Watt Stadium at 7 p.m. ($7-$10)
  
  
• Bruce Vilanch at Oscar’s Downtown Palm Springs at 7 p.m. ($40-$55)
  
  
• Country Western Dancing at Dance Ranch Palm Springs at 7:30 p.m. ($5)
  
  
• Comedy Night at Hotel Zoso at 8 p.m. ($15)

SATURDAY

• 2024 DAP Health Equity Walk at Ruth Hardy Park starting at 7:30 a.m.
  
  
• Trunk or Treat and the Certified Farmers’ Market at Palm Springs Cultural Center  from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.
  
  
• Alcorn Adaptive Bike and Mobility Shop Open House at 3800 East Vista Chino from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.
  
  
• Friends of the Palm Springs Library Modernism Book Sale at the main library from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
  
  
• Advocates for Better Community Development (ABCD) meeting at Demuth Community Center at 11 a.m.
  
  
• Cigar Social for Tom of Finland Foundation at Tool Shed from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. ($10)
  
  
• Alohana Celebration of Tiki Culture at Palm Springs Cultural Center starting at 3 p.m.
  
  
• Learn to play water polo at Palm Springs Swim Center at 4 p.m.
  
  
• Be A Hero for Kids Halloween Bash at Hilton Palm Springs at 4:30 p.m. ($150)
  
  
• Festival of Frights at Sunrise Park from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. (Free)

SUNDAY

• Día de los Muertos at Palm Springs Art Museum from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m.
  
  
• Doggie Costume Contest at Play Lounge & Cafe at 12 p.m.
  
  
• Iced Tea Dance at Toucan’s Tiki Lounge from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m.
  
  
• Halloween Palm Springs in The Arenas District from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m.
  
  
• Surf’s Up Spooktacular at Palm Springs Surf Club from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. ($10-$20)

---

AND FINALLY …

Jack Jones, known for hits like “The Love Boat” theme and “Wives and Lovers,” passed away this week at Eisenhower Medical Center. He was a beloved figure in the Coachella Valley, performing at the McCallum Theatre for over three decades.

His legacy: Jones was praised by music legends like Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Mel Torme for his exceptional vocal abilities. He toured with Bob Hope during the Vietnam War and amazed audiences with his jazz prowess.

Looking back: Veteran entertainment writer Bruce Fessier reports that Jones grew up in a show business family, with his parents Irene Hervey and Allan Jones both successful actors. 

• He attended school in Hollywood and Palm Springs, forming a lifelong friendship with Nancy Sinatra.

Community impact: Beyond his musical achievements, Jones was known for his deep connection to the Coachella Valley, playing a pivotal role in the McCallum Theatre’s early success. 

• His efforts helped the McCallum Theatre overcome financial challenges in the 1990s, establishing it as a cultural landmark.

The latest: In recent years, Jones focused on his love for jazz, releasing a blues album in 2021 called “Every Other Day I Have the Blues.” He found happiness in the desert with his wife Eleonora and their family.

Read Bruce Fessier’s complete story on the life of Jack Jones online