🌱 Beware Of Romance Scams + Reparations + Rocco's Desert Landscape

Hi all! Today’s National Teacher Appreciation Day; did you know that Eleanor Roosevelt initially got Congress to declare a day in 1953, but the National PTA turned it into a full week of appreciation in 1985? Sylvia here, your new writer of the Palm Springs Patch newsletter. Let's get this day started off right with news on:

• 🚧 State Route 111 construction.
• 🎶 And end to the Tribute Concert Series.
• 💰 A demand for $2 billion.

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🌤️ But first, today's weather: Sunshine and patchy clouds. High: 79 Low: 56.

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⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Around Palm Springs

• Vons at 4701 E Palm Canyon Drive, $4.29
• ARCO at 3689 N Indian Canyon Drive, $4.39
• ARCO at 1717 E Vista Chino, $4.59

🍷 Hobby Poll!
Everybody has hobbies. If time and money were no object this summer, which new hobby would you like to learn or take up?

📰 Here are the top stories in Palm Springs today:

1. If you’re looking for love online, be careful! The Palm Springs Police Department warns crime locally typically happens “after the initial meeting.” Couching it in delicate terms, Lt. Gustavo Araiza noted over the weekend that after a one-night hook-up, “the victim will wake up to find their partner gone and some of their property missing, too.” And even if you think you’re internet-savvy, tread lightly! (The Palm Springs Post)
2. In the 1940s and 50s, Latino and Black Palm Springs residents were pushed out of the area. Initially not of great interest to developers, the area eventually became coveted real estate. Reportedly, it happened that people were “leaving home for work only to return and see (their) house has been bulldozed away.” Descendants of these minority residents are now looking for reparations. Palm Springs has looked back with shame on these actions and extended an official apology in 2021. However, descendants have filed claims asking for more than $2 billion for “robbing nearly 2,000 families of political power and generational wealth.” The city is currently working with a reparations consultant. (Travel Noire)
3. The popular Tribute Concert Series is coming to an end. Wednesday marks the final event at Palm Springs Downtown Park. Bring beach chairs or blankets, and enjoy the music of Journey beginning at 7 p.m. “Our goal is to bring visitors and residents from throughout the Coachella Valley to downtown Palm Springs during the middle of the week so as to provide a boost to our local bars, restaurants, and retail businesses,” the Chamber of Commerce explained. (NBC)
4. A shoutout to Rocco's Desert Landscape! The Palm Springs Boys and Girls Club needed an overhaul of its entryway landscaping. Mark Morocco will make it happen with “new sprinkler lines and drought-resistant plants.” "Now that the landscape is going to be getting remodeled, it should make it a lot more presentable for the kids and families to bring their kids," he said. It’s noteworthy that Morocco himself used to go to the Club. (KESQ)
5. Traveling on State Route 111 is going to come with headaches over the next few days. Until May 5, you’ll have to deal with daily closures between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. They mostly affect lanes two and three. “Crews continue work at various locations on SR-111 from Lawrence Crossley Road to West Gateway Drive.” You have been warned! (Caltrans)

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📆 Today in Palm Springs:

• Come to The Center McDonald/Wright Building for Knit Together (10 AM)
• The Palm Springs Animal Shelter holds a Dog Adoption Event at the AIM Mail Center (11 AM)
• Attend the Lead$ Lunch held at Casa Blanca Restaurant (12 PM)
• Hear Abbie Perkins perform live at the Lavender Bistro's Fireside Lounge (5 PM)
• Munch on free popcorn during Movie Night at the Bouschet & PS Air Bar (7 PM)

In partnership with T-Mobile:

Do you know an incredible mom you'd like the rest of Palm Springs to know about, too? Maybe it's your mom — or your daughter, a friend who's a mom or someone who steps up like a mom for the people in her life. Whoever it is, we want to hear about her! Just fill out this simple form and we'll do the rest.

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "Ribbon Cutting for Chartwell Escrow; May 17 at 4-4:30 p.m. Everyone is invited. No RSVP required." (Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce)
• "May is Mental Health Awareness Month. In our first week of Mental Health Awareness, we are focusing on creating awareness by wearing the color GREEN. We encourage you to share with someone why you are wearing green and why it matters to you. Padlet: https://bit.ly/psusdmhmonth23." (Palm Springs USD)
• "Congratulations to our NCMS scholar Melisa for receiving the Daughters of the American Revolution Youth Citizenship Award. Congrats!" (Nellie N. Coffman Middle School)
• "Palm Springs Speaks presents Dave Barry! Dave Barry VIP Meet and Greet Reception: 6 p.m. (VIP Ticketholders only) 7:30 p.m. main event will start." (Palm Springs Cultural Center)
• "Join us May 27 from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. for the Friends of the Palm Springs Library Book Sale in the Frey Building across the Library's parking lot. Books will be sold for $3 a bag and $5 a box." (City of Palm Springs)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Academy of Musical Performance at The River! (May 6)
• Add your event

That's it for today. I'll catch up with you bright and early Thursday morning with another update!

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Sylvia Cochran works out of sunny Southern California and has been freelance writing full-time since 2005. She loves dogs, cats, books, plays Bee Swarm Simulator (don't judge), embraces social justice, and tries to live out Micah 6:8.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Palm Springs Patch newsletter? Contact me at palmsprings-ca@patch.com