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Friday, April 10 | ☀️ 82°/60°
Happy Friday, Palm Desert. Did you know the city is home to more than 12,000 trees? It is, and you can help celebrate all of them at Palm Desert's free annual Arbor Day Celebration next Thursday (April 16) from 10 a.m. to noon at Freedom Park, 77400 Country Club Drive. The event features arborist demonstrations, giveaways, and a tree planting. Mark your calendars!
🎶 Setting the mood: "Espresso" by Sabrina Carpenter (Fun fact, she debuted this hit song back in 2024 at Coachella, now she’s headlining!)
Leading Off
An updated ordinance puts the city in line with a 2024 Supreme Court decision. (Photo: File)
Council backs stricter homelessness enforcement, dissolves task force
Palm Desert moved Thursday to close the remaining loopholes in its outdoor camping ban while simultaneously weighing the future of the city body tasked with addressing homelessness.
Driving the news: The City Council voted 5-0 to update its camping ordinance, eliminating exceptions that had previously shielded some people from fines — including 72-hour RV permits and an appeals process tied to a lack of alternatives. Under the revised language, officers will offer resources upon first contact with a homeless individual, then issue penalties if those resources are refused.
Why it matters: The move comes as state funding for homeless services is expected to decline. Homeless and Supportive Services Manager Ivan Tenorio told the city's Homeless Task Force in November that he anticipated having to reduce the city's $170,000 in annual commitments to Coachella Valley homeless programs — all of which is state-funded.
The task force also recommended reducing city-provided shelter beds from five to three, consistent with observed usage.
The backdrop: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2024 that cities may enforce camping bans even when a person has no alternative shelter, as long as the ban applies universally — reversing an earlier standard that had treated such enforcement as cruel and unusual punishment.
What else: The council also studied the continued utility of the Homeless Task Force and Environmental Task Force, both of which are slated for closure at a future meeting. Councilmember Karina Moreno supported ending the homelessness panel but pushed back on eliminating the environmental committee, warning against cutting residents off from direct civic engagement.
In other news: The council postponed a ruling on an appeal of the 156-home Portola Springs development, and separately voted to adopt a state law allowing the city to pull listing data from short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO.
Briefly
The city’s first public art commission, Desert Dessert by Michael Anderson, was placed in Civic Center Park in 1990.
🎨 Palm Desert committee backs multi-year public art plan
The Palm Desert Cultural Arts Committee on Wednesday unanimously recommended that the City Council approve a multi-year public art plan that would bring new sculptures and murals to fire stations, a new library, a community park and major entry corridors throughout the city.
The plan focuses on North Palm Desert and primary city entry points. Priority locations include Fire Station 102 at Gerald Ford Drive, Fire Stations 33 and 71, the new Palm Desert library, Dave Erwin Community Park and entry corridors along Washington Street, Monterey Avenue and Cook Street.
Details: Funding has not yet been allocated; costs will be considered during the city's fiscal year 2026-27 budget process. Community engagement will include collaboration with Cal Fire, stakeholder input and public participation through EngagePalmDesert.com.
📅 Featured Events
Women for the Wild Luncheon
Today | 12:30 p.m. | The Living Desert
Celebrate wildlife and the women who protect it with a meet-and-greet with behind-the-scenes animal ambassadors followed by a luncheon in the Palm Garden hosted by Angela Chen. The afternoon includes a silent auction benefiting The Living Desert's mission. ($100)
Beginner's Warhammer
Saturday | 12 p.m. | The Dragon Den
Learn about Warhammer 40,000, the world's most popular miniature wargame — ask questions, get practice, and meet other players at this monthly beginner's event held the second Saturday of each month. Tables, game mats, terrain, and dice are available. ($10–$20)
Scrub-a-Pup Fundraiser
Sunday | 8 a.m.-1 p.m. | Waggin’ Oasis
Waggin' Oasis and Ruff Life Grooming host a dog grooming fundraiser benefiting Desert Paw Sanctuary. Services include bath, nail clipping, ear cleaning, brush out, and blow dry. Walk-ins welcome. ($20–$50 depending on dog size)
Trail Run
Wednesday | 5:45 a.m. | Edgehill Dr
Join the Coachella Moves movement group for a trail run at the Herb Jeffries Trailhead.
Rat Pack Duo
Wednesday | 6 p.m. | Hotel Paseo
Slim Man brings his Rat Pack-styled sound to Hotel Paseo for an evening of live music.
Author Talk: Bill Pugin
Thursday | 3 p.m. | Palm Desert Library
The library hosts author Bill Pugin discussing his memoir Fly on the Wall, tracing his journey from a hearing child with a deaf sister to a sign language interpreter working in theater, entertainment, and advocacy. The event is ASL accessible. Registration required.
A Hole Lot of Fun - Putting Event
Thursday | 4 p.m. | Shadow Mountain
Teams of four compete in a lighthearted 18-hole putting tournament at Shadow Mountain — no golf experience needed. Enjoy barbecue, music, and networking hosted by the Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce. ($159)
Board Game Night
Thursday | 5 p.m. | The Dragon Den
Bring your own games or try rental options spanning strategy, area-control, and cooperative titles. Come solo and meet new friends, bring a group, or make it a date night — and check out discounts in the Used Games section. ($10–$20)
✨ And Finally …
“Cactus Blossom” by Gordon Huther was the overwhelming favorite in a poll used to select a sculpture for a roundabout on San Pablo Avenue.
A monthlong public vote on competing sculptures for a Palm Desert roundabout has a winner — and it wasn't particularly close.
Driving the news: Artist Gordon Huther received 729 votes — 74.5% of the total — in a public poll conducted through the city’s website to determine which sculpture will be installed on San Pablo Avenue. Artist DeWitt Godfrey received 249 votes, or 25.5%.
Zoom in: Huether, who lives and works in Napa, presented a proposal called "Cactus Blossom," featuring Corten steel elements topped with a mirror-finished stainless steel sphere.
He told the committee the sculpture would stand just under 17 feet tall and could be completed in as little as six months.
How they got the word out: The city reached out to Desert Sands schools within Palm Desert, art galleries, and the Artist Center, which distributed the voting opportunity to its network. The campaign also included an art event at Washington Charter Elementary and promotion on television.
We covered the vote in an article in February.
Up next: The selection goes to the City Council for final approval on April 23, along with sculpture selections for a second roundabout. The installation is anticipated for late spring 2027.
But wait: City staff will present Godfrey's piece as an option for a secondary site — meaning the runner-up may not be out of the running entirely.
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