September 19 Daily Briefing: Art for parks, more land saved, Taste of Palm Springs, and more

Welcome to Thursday, where if you’re in the mood from some culture, today is definitely your day. Not only is it the opening night for Cinema Diverse — the Palm Springs LGBTQ Film Festival at the Cultural Center — but at the Richards Center of the Arts at Palm Springs High School, you can catch a Hispanic Heritage Month extravaganza titled “Colores de la Hispanidad.” And if those weren’t enough options, Palm Canyon Theatre is staging “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.” The first film for Cinema Diverse — Big Rage — will be shown at 7 p.m.; the doors open for vibrant performances at the high school at 6 p.m.; and the theater performance begins at 7 p.m. We’ll see you there!

🎶 Setting the mood: “Pillowcase” by Palm Springs’s own Lance Conrad

LEADING OFF

Commission selects its choices for new park art

The Palm Springs Public Arts Commission has chosen proposals for new public art installations in four city parks. The selections come after reviewing 40 qualified submissions, with a total investment potentially reaching $200,000.

Driving the news: During a meeting Tuesday, commission members selected sculptures for Desert Highland Park, Victoria Park, Gateway Park, and Baristo Park, focusing on family-friendly and visually striking pieces.

• The next step involves seeking community input on the chosen artworks.

The selections: For Desert Highland Park, “Guardians” by Amir Fallah was chosen as the top pick. Victoria Park will feature “Rover,” a large-scale dog sculpture by Jeff Zischke. “Dancer Six” by Lyle London was selected for Gateway Park, while “Spegody” by Jack Howard-Potter was chosen for Baristo Park.

What’s next: The commission plans to present each community with their selected piece and a runner-up, asking which best represents their preferences.

• Final approvals for funding are still needed for Gateway Park and Baristo Park installations.

The big picture: The project is part of an ongoing initiative to enhance public spaces in Palm Springs through art.

• Commissioners were also encouraged to review all submissions again, considering potential future projects in the city.

Dive deeper with our complete story

---

BRIEFLY

🦉 Oswit Land Trust secures 165 more acres

Oswit Land Trust (OLT) has acquired 165 acres of wildlife habitat in Western Riverside County for $2 million. The “Santa Rosa Hills” purchase is part of a larger project to create a wildlife corridor connecting to the San Bernardino National Forest.

• The acquisition helps protect ecosystems home to threatened and endangered species, aligning with California’s 30×30 initiative to conserve 30% of land and water resources by 2030.
  
  
• The property includes various habitats such as Riversidian sage scrub, Diegan coastal sage scrub, coast live oak woodland, and oak riparian woodland.
  
  
• Bottom line: The Palm Springs-based conservation organization has preserved more 10,000 acres in four years after forming to help prevent development in Oswit Canyon.

Dive deeper with our complete story

🐾 County hires consultant to improve animal services

Riverside County’s Board of Supervisors has voted to hire Outcomes for Pets Consulting, LLC to evaluate and develop a strategic plan for the Department of Animal Services. The decision aims to address ongoing challenges including shelter overcrowding, veterinary care access, and staff recruitment.

• The initiative, announced on Wednesday, stems from recommendations made by the Board’s ad hoc committee on animal services. It focuses on prevention, education, community engagement, workforce development, and partnerships.

• Bottom line:  Supervisors emphasize the broader impact of this move, aiming to improve shelter conditions and foster positive community connections. Going forward, the county plans to share updates, maintaining transparency and encouraging public participation in animal welfare initiatives.

---

---

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.

Cinema Diverse
Times vary | Palm Springs Cultural Center
This film festival runs through Sunday and features an exciting and varied combination of feature films and short films from around the world celebrating LGBTQ+ cinema.

Free Vaccine Clinic
11 a.m. until 3 p.m. | Demuth Community Center
Vaccines for COVID-19, shingles, RSV, Mpox and more are provided at no charge (based on availability and eligibility), and no appointment is needed. Just stop by, and staff will take care of the rest.

Pet Bereavement Group
6 p.m. | Palm Springs Animal Shelter
Sammy’s Circle is a safe place to share grief and stories of beloved pets, both those who have recently left us, as well as those whose memories have long lingered in our hearts.

Colores de la Hispanidad
6:30 p.m. | Richards Center at PSHS
This event celebrates Hispanic culture with vibrant performances. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the show starting at 6:30 p.m.. Don’t miss this ultimate cultural showcase! ($6)

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
7 p.m. | Palm Canyon Theatre
Come watch this performance of a 1961 musical by Frank Loesser, based on Shepherd Mead’s 1952 book of the same name. ($17-$38)

VillageFest
7 p.m. | Downtown Palm Springs
The weekly street fair featuring art, entertainment, shopping, and food, starts at 7 p.m. in the summer. The Palm Springs Art Museum also has free admission tonight starting at 5 p.m.

SAVE THE DATE

• Healthy Desert, Healthy You summit on Friday and Saturday.
  
  
• Palm Springs Police Department open house on Sept. 28.
  
  
• Boo2Bullying Wellness Festival at Palm Springs Stadium on Sept. 28. 
  
  
• City Council Candidate Forum at Demuth Community Center on Oct. 5.
  
  
• One Night Out Rio benefiting The Foundation for PSUSD on Oct. 5.
  
  
• Evening Under The Stars benefit for AAP – Food Samaritans on Oct. 13.
  
  
• Center Stage benefiting LQBTQ+ Center of the Desert on Oct. 19.
  
  
• Pride on the Page Book Festival on Oct. 20.
  
  
• Palm Springs Speaks first speaker on Oct. 22.

---

AND FINALLY …

Take several thousand neighbors, mix them with great food and beverages from local restaurants, add in some of the area’s best businesses, and top it off with tunes from a Bruno Mars tribute band, and you’ve got the makings of a great party. That was certainly the case Wednesday evening.

Driving the news: Under clear skies and delightful temperatures, the 13th annual Business Expo & Taste of Palm Springs went off without a hitch at Indian Canyons Golf Resort, with 54 restaurants serving up their delicious offerings to 2,000 people.

• The event is put on by the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce, which could not have picked a better night to invite the community to mingle with not only restaurants, but area businesses, service clubs, nonprofits, and others.

What they’re saying: Chamber CEO Nona Watson said this year’s event was easily the largest ever — a testament to its growing popularity and the expanding food options throughout the entire Coachella Valley. 

• “There are more and more restaurants valley-wide,” Watson said Wednesday evening, adding that while the event started as an opportunity for Palm Springs restaurant owners to expose themselves to the community, “They are now coming from Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, and Palm Desert. It’s become a valley-wide event.”

Why it matters: The chance to gather on a golf course, dine outdoors, and enjoy some entertainment with your neighbors — all for only $30 — is pretty rare, Watson said. Being able to tune out the news and forget about the polarized times we live in  — even for just a few hours — is even more rare.

• “I like helping people learn that Palm Springs is a welcoming place,” Watson said. “And events like this help give you a good feeling about being a resident of the Coachella Valley. … You get to talk to your neighbors, and you get a night out. Who doesn’t like that?”