BROUGHT TO YOU BY
We are grateful for our advertisers. Become one today
Happy Friday! It’s always a good reminder to drive safely, but now is an especially good time to keep an eye on those speed limits and pick out a designated driver because the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department announced they’re starting their “Winter Enforcement Mobilization” effort in Palm Desert today. That means more officers on patrol and they’re specifically looking out for impaired driving, so stay safe!
🎶 Setting the mood: "Gust of Wind" by Pharrell
📰 LEADING OFF
Other valley cities could implement a similar program after seeing Palm Desert’s success.
Palm Desert will make pet spay, neuter services free with voucher program
Palm Desert is eliminating out-of-pocket costs for residents to spay or neuter their pets after a voucher pilot program saw 90 times more participation than the city's previous reimbursement system.
Driving the news: The City Council unanimously approved allocating $50,000 annually to provide free spay and neuter services for up to four animals per household.
How it works: When the program launches, residents will be automatically eligible and will be able to pick up vouchers at the Palm Desert Library by simply showing proof of residency.
Why it matters: The old reimbursement model — which required residents to pay upfront and submit documentation — averaged only 10 users per year since 2020. When the city tested direct vouchers in August, all 90 were claimed within one week.
What they’re saying: "The reimbursement process, submitting receipts, forms and proof, is cumbersome and discouraging," said Daniel Hurtado, the city's public safety analyst.
The details: Residents present vouchers to Animal Samaritans at the time of service. The nonprofit then bills the city monthly for completed procedures. Vouchers are valid for 60 days and cover surgical labor, anesthesia, medications, pain management and microchipping — averaging $220 per animal.
What's next: Mayor Evan Trubee, the city’s representative on the Coachella Valley Animal Campus Commission, said news of the program’s success was so well-received by other city representatives that the idea might soon catch on in neighboring cities.
📰 BRIEFLY
A rendering of what the exterior of a planned Restoration Hardware might look like on El Paseo.
🏛️ Commission approves changes for multiple projects
Palm Desert's Architectural Review Commission unanimously approved facade modifications and new signage for Restoration Hardware's El Paseo store during a Tuesday meeting. The updated design includes pilasters, reduced windows, a skylight, sconces, chandelier, and illuminated signs after the CEO decided to align the store with new brand standards in Palo Alto and Newport Beach.
The commission also approved in a 5-1 vote a request from White House Black Market to waive a granite tile requirement, allowing existing slate gray paving to remain. A separate 5-0 vote approved revised landscape plans for Stella at University Park, a Toll Brothers development with homes ranging from 2,500 to 3,500 square feet starting at $959,000.
Bottom line: Construction of the Restoration Hardware store is delayed from its original opening timeline to accommodate the design enhancements, which building landlord David Fletcher said will better serve Palm Desert clientele.
A MESSAGE FROM COD
At College of the Desert, your story is yours to create. We help you turn passion into purpose and give you the tools to make your goals a reality.
📅 FEATURED EVENTS
“Moulin Rouge! The Musical!”
Today through Sunday | The McCallum Theatre
If the double exclamation points in the title weren’t enough to get excited, what about this: The musical won 10 Tony Awards including Best Musical. The Sunday matinée is the last chance to catch this musical on tour. ($98)
The Palm Springs Book Festival
Saturday | 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory
Okay so it’s the Palm Springs Book Festival … being held in Rancho Mirage … and we’re talking about it in our Palm Desert newsletter? What can we say — we’re book lovers! Meet authors, learn from panels like “Historical Fiction: Facts v. Liberties Taken”, and get some books signed at this free event.
Santa Paws
Saturday | 9 a.m. | The Gardens on El Paseo between Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co.
Bring your well-behaved and vaccinated furry friend to meet Santa at the Gardens on El Paseo. It costs $25 for a photo with St. Nick…but come on, if you’re shopping at Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co., you can probably spare $25.
Winter Wonderland
Saturday | 12 p.m. | Palm Desert Library
There’s a packed schedule at the library this weekend, families can enjoy a craft workshop, games, a photo station, and goodie bag all for free!
📆 SAVE THE DATE
Barry Manilow's A Gift of Love VII at the McCallum Theatre on Tuesday and Wednesday. (Tickets starting from $107)
Monthly Warhammer tournament at the Dragon’s Den on Dec. 21. ($20)
Duran Duran at Acrisure Arena on Dec. 30. (Tickets starting from $100)
📣 AND FINALLY …
Palm Desert Mayor Evan Trubee at the recent dedication of a housing project. (Photo: City of Palm Desert)
Palm Desert welcomed new leadership Thursday evening as the City Council unanimously selected Evan Trubee to serve as mayor for 2026, but selecting the mayor pro tem proved more dramatic — ultimately requiring councilmembers to draw straws after attempts to avoid the traditional tie-breaker failed.
Driving the news: With three councilmembers tied in the rotation for mayor pro tem, Councilmembers Karina Quintanilla and Joe Pradetto proposed voluntarily deferring their eligibility to create a clearer leadership progression for Councilmember Gina Nestande and avoid leaving the decision to chance.
Yes, but: Nestande said that she thought the matter was already settled in October for the three to draw straws.
How we got here: Quintanilla was instrumental in getting Palm Desert to transition to district-based voting. In 2019, she sued the city, saying its at-large mayoral system was not in compliance with the state’s Voting Rights Act.
What they’re saying: “Part of my priorities in switching to districts was to allow the city to have different voices,” she said, explaining why she was deferring her eligibility.
The outcome: The city clerk conducted the official tie-breaker using three straws. Pradetto drew the longest straw and was appointed mayor pro tem for 2026.
Meet the new mayor: Trubee, owner of Big Wheel Tours and a longtime community advocate, was first elected to the council in 2022 after serving on city committees. The New Jersey transplant moved to Palm Desert with his wife Kristen after falling in love with the area's quality of life and mountain views.
“Without a doubt, this is the biggest honor of my life,” Trubee said Thursday evening. “… (A)bsolutely without a doubt, this is the biggest honor of my life that's been bestowed upon me.”
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
👏 Want your message to reach our subscribers? Contact us here.
🙋♀️ Want to know what The Post is all about? Read this.