Small library guide, funding for free art night, shooting incident and more ⋆ The Palm Springs Post

Welcome to Monday, and onto July, and onto what will hopefully be a short week for many of you (it is for us—but more on that later). If you’re traveling this week, it might be a good time to learn about the most effective merging method for our state’s many, many construction zones. The subject, covered in this article by Mark Phelan of the Detroit Free Press, is sure to generate debate, but we find it fascinating. Interesting fact (at least according to this article in How Stuff Works): Because the system uses all available road space for as long as possible, it reduces congestion by 40%. We don’t want to look like idiots on the road, but it’s science!

🎶 Create mood: “Firework” by Katy Perry

LEADING OFF

After debate, the Council continues to fund the free night of the art museum

The Palm Springs City Council on Thursday approved funding to maintain free Thursday admission at the popular Palm Springs Art Museum after a discussion about the cost of the program.

The headlines determine: As part of this year’s continuation of the city’s biennial budget, the allocation of $300,000 to support the museum’s free evenings on Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m. became a central point of contention.

Look back: The night now offers much more than just free admission. There are now also themed activities for children, DJs and live music, special programs such as LGBTQ+ or Black History Month programs, support for local entrepreneurs and film screenings.

In numbers: Museum officials estimate that 53,000 people attended the free Thursday night event last fiscal year. Average attendance has increased over the past few years, with attendance nearly doubling during the summer months.

Related: Luisa Heredia, the museum’s director of education and civic engagement, told council members Thursday that while the idea has been popular with visitors, some museum donors have criticized the program. That’s why the city’s continued support for the program’s existence is so important, she explained.

What you say: “Some of our donors are really questioning the investment in our program and questioning the fact that it’s consistently free for so many people,” she said, noting that some feel the free night limits possible museum memberships. “That part has been quite challenging for us.”

Why it is important: All three council members present at Thursday’s meeting welcomed the program and stressed its necessity, especially at a time of rising living costs.

• “Having a free event in our city that is so great and that you feel like you have to pay a lot of money for is a blessing to so many people,” said City Councilor Grace Garner.

Yes but: Mayor Ron deHarte questioned the cost of the program, claiming it exceeded the original intent when the city first funded the idea decades ago.

• “Just so the community knows, we are not making a $300,000 donation to the museum,” deHarte said. “We need to address some questions to figure out how this investment will impact the benefit to the community.”

Bottom line: At the end of the discussion, all three council members voted to approve the continuing budget, including funds for Thursday free nights.

Dive deeper into our entire story here.

MEAGER

🚨 Three dead in shooting near highway

Palm Springs police are investigating a shooting incident that left three men dead near the Pilot Travel Center on North Indian Canyon Drive Sunday afternoon.

• At approximately 1:15 p.m., the department received a report of possible gunshot victims in the area of ​​North Indian Canyon Drive and Garnet Avenue. Two dead men were found in a white sedan at the intersection, while a third man was discovered with self-inflicted injuries near the Interstate 10 overpass.
• Authorities believe the two crime scenes are related and have no other suspects. The investigation is ongoing and the identities of the dead are being kept secret until next of kin are notified.
• Traffic disruptions included the temporary closure of southbound Indian Canyon Drive south of Interstate 10 and the eastbound Interstate 10 exit ramp to Indian Canyon Drive.

Details: Anyone with information about the investigation is asked to call 760-778-8422 or email here.

TODAY’S SPECIAL EVENTS

Open play bridge
9 am | The Center
Come along, have fun and play bridge in a relaxed and safe environment.

Therapy in motion
5:15 pm | Scott Hines Behavioral Health Clinic
Therapy in Motion is a fun, energetic and motivating dance class for anyone who loves to move. Dance at your own pace to choreographed pop music and nurture your self-esteem and well-being in a fun way. Dress to sweat!

Monday Men’s Coffee
6pm | Play Lounge PS
Come by, have a coffee and talk to other men about topics that concern you. No registration required – just come along!

Tap dance course for adults
6:30 p.m. | Dance studio in the leisure center
Intermediate adult tap dancing begins at 6:30 p.m. and “absolute beginner” adult tap dancing begins at 7:30 p.m. (“Two left feet are optional.”) ($20)

Fabulous Bingo
7pm | Kings Highway at Ace Hotel
Come to Bella Da Ball for a fantastic night of bingo. (To participate you must spend $30 at Kings Highway.)

SAVE THE DATE

AND FINALLY…

When we reported on the grand opening of the little library in the Twin Palms neighborhood in May, we knew it wasn’t the only library of its kind in town. We just didn’t know where the others were. The helpful folks at Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs (ONE-PS) helped us out.

The headlines determine: With the help of Bob Farran and others from ONE-PS and Denise Goolsby from the city, we were able to map the locations of nine miniature libraries stretching from West Yorba Road in the northern part of the city to East Avenida Granada in the southern part of the city.

Why it is important: The book sharing boxes are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are freely accessible to all, removing barriers to accessing books. Better and more equitable access to books strengthens communities and improves literacy.

Zoom in: Many of the small libraries in Palm Springs are registered with the Little Free Library organization. The organization’s map shows over three dozen such libraries registered in the Coachella Valley.

Yes but: We suspect there are other small libraries here in Palm Springs and more will be added. If you know of one that is not on the map, or if you start one in the future, just email us and we will update the map.