Sept. 30 Daily Briefing: Tree troubles, restaurants close, Thompson opens, and more

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🎶 Setting the mood: “There’s Your Trouble” by The Chicks (formerly The Dixie Chicks)

LEADING OFF

City faces tree crisis during lingering heat

Palm Springs is facing a crisis of widespread tree deaths in city parks and facilities following a summer of record-breaking temperatures. 

Driving the news: Dead limbs and trees are visible throughout Palm Springs, the Parks and Recreation Commission heard last week, but a plan is being developed to address the issue.

At issue: The tree deaths impact the city’s landscape and require careful management to prevent further stress on surviving trees, explained Interim Parks and Recreation Director Lauri Aylaian.

• However, she explained, removal and pruning efforts are delayed to avoid additional stress during high temperatures.

What they’re saying: “It was really hot,” said Aylaian. “We hit an all-time high and it’s been very hard on our trees. It’s taken its toll.”

What’s next: Residents can expect to see improvements in the next two months as the city implements its tree management plan.

Dive deeper with our complete story

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IN OTHER NEWS

🍽️ Two Palm Springs restaurants, I Heart Mac and Cheese and Impala Bar and Grill, have closed, Charles Drabkin writes in his latest Restaurant News Bites column. [CV Independent]

🚨 Palm Springs police arrested six suspects early Saturday for allegedly assaulting and robbing multiple people in a parking lot off East Ramon Road. [Desert Sun] 

🏘️🚗 The city’s homes and cars are featured prominently in “Carchitecture USA — American Houses with Horsepower,” a 192-page book that explores the connection between architecture and automobiles. [Robb Report]

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

CalComMen’s Monday Coffee
10 a.m. | Play Lounge & Cafe
Join us for coffee, chat & chew! Drop in…no RSVPs. Play Lounge & cafe has a drink and snack Happy Hour menu.

PALS Circle
11 a.m. | Zoom
PALS (Planning Ahead for LGBTQ+ Seniors) Circle is an informal weekly Zoom drop-in for connection and support. Reach out to the organizer at billymoss.pals@gmail.com for Zoom instructions.

Desert Healthcare Board Meeting
5:30 p.m. | Palm Desert
The Desert Healthcare District and Foundation Board of Directors will gather this evening for special meetings that were earlier planned for last week. Agendas that include online viewing instructions are available here.

Fabulous Bingo
7 p.m. | Kings Highway at Ace Hotel
Enjoy a night of fabulous bingo hosted by Bella Da Ball.

SAVE THE DATE

• City Council Candidate Forum at Demuth Community Center on 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.
  
  
• Human Rights Campaign Palm Springs Garden Party on Nov. 2.
  
  
• Palm Springs Pride 5K Run & Walk on Nov. 2.

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AND FINALLY …

After nearly two decades, a major development has opened at the intersection of North Palm Canyon Drive and East Alejo Road, occupying half a city block.

Driving the news: Last Friday, city officials, developers, and others gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of The Thompson Hotel.

• The hotel will eventually feature more than 160 rooms, joining existing pools, restaurants, a wine-tasting room, a spa, ballrooms, and retail stores.
• The signature restaurant, Lola Rose, will open today, coinciding with the hotel’s first guests, and the wine tasting room will follow later this fall.

Looking back: Originally approved by the city in 2006, the project has had many twists and turns and different names, facing delays due to the 2008 recession and later construction challenges.

What they’re saying: At the ceremony, City Councilmember Lisa Middleton declared, “Palm Springs has a new gem,” while developer Craig Hall (seen in the third picture) thanked the community for its patience as the former “eyesore” transformed into a luxury property.

• As Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein concluded: “Good things come to those who wait. In this case, it’s a great thing!”