🌱 Kirkwood Collection Buys Hotels + R.I.S.E. + Check The Strawberries

Hello all! Today’s National Megalodon Day; did you know that the huge fish existed for around 13 million years before going extinct almost four million years ago? I'm back with your fresh edition of the Palm Springs Patch newsletter, fresh off the presses. Today's briefing includes news about:

• 🎥 A "Dallas" partial cast reunion.
• 🎨 A call for artists.
• 💡 A new focus on unhoused neighbors.

💗 Please help us grow! Send a friend or neighbor this link, so they can be in the know, like you!

☀️ But first, today's weather: Sunny; breezy in the p.m. High: 94 Low: 71.

From our sponsor:

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⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Around Palm Springs

• Vons at 4701 E. Palm Canyon Drive, $4.39
• 76 at 166 N. Sunrise Way, $4.75
• ARCO at 68500 Ramon Road, $4.75

🏖️ Vacation Poll!
Are you traveling this summer? What is your favorite type of vacation? So far:

• 22.2 percent want to go on a road trip
• 16.7 percent each choose a camping trip or cruise
• 11.1 percent each remain here for a staycation or head out for an island vacation
• 5.6 percent each opt for a local outing, a national park trip, a Jeep trip, or a solo trip to Europe

📰 Here are the top stories today in Palm Springs:

1. Kirkwood Collection, which co-owns the Palm Springs Hotel, paid around $29 million to buy The Three Fifty Hotel, La Serena Villas, and the Del Marcos Hotel. Lars and Kelly Viklund had owned the properties for about 20 years. We don’t know yet what changes the new owners will make — other than integrating “champagne at check-in, and contactless and text concierge services.” (Yahoo!)
2. R.I.S.E. or “Resilience, Inclusion, and Support for Ending Homelessness” is the city’s newest outreach program. It operates alongside the police department’s Operation Relentless Sun. Primary focus areas will be “the Gene Autry Wash and the Flood Control Channel along Dinah Shore.” (KESQ)
3. The city is looking for artists! The Public Arts Commission received funding for six new works of art. “We’re open to all concepts, formats, and materials that you might propose.” The only requirement is that a pillar identifier of Palm Springs — creativity, equality, serenity, diversity, civility, and community — is visible. Submit your application by July 18. (City of Palm Springs)
4. Do you remember “Dallas?” On Tuesday, several of the actors reunited at Oscar’s. Director Michael Preece reconnected with Patrick Duffy, Linda Gray (would you believe she’s 82?), Steve Kanaly, Audrey Landers, Cathy Podewell, Charlene Tilton, Joan Van Ark, and Sheree Wilson. They talked about the show’s legacy and absent friends. (People)
5. Check your freezer! If you bought frozen fruit “containing strawberries grown in Mexico and sold in California Walmart and Costco” stores, it might harbor Hepatitis A. The affected packages, Walmart’s “Great Value Sliced Strawberries, Great Value Mixed Fruit, and Great Value Antioxidant Blend” and Costco’s “Rader Farms Organic Fresh Start Smoothie Blend,” were sold between October and June. (Patch)

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📆 Today in Palm Springs:

Thursday, June 15

• The Stephen Baumbach Gallery presents "Creative Sizzle" (10 AM)
• Find Your Voice Summer Crafts for kids from PreK to 5th grade at the Palm Springs Public Library (3:30 PM)
• Mosaic Spirit Youth Space at The Center is open to all queer, trans and allied youth between the age of 11 and 19 (4:30 PM)
• "Queen & Slim" plays at the Annenberg Theater (6 PM)
• The Chulita Vinyl Club meets at the Amigo Room (7 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "A 33-year-old pedestrian was fatally struck by a pickup truck while trying to cross Highway 74 in Homeland." (NBC)
• "Our COO, Brian Williams, VP of Programs, Joanna Jackson, and our CEO Miguel Santana at the Decolonizing Wealth conference by Decoloniz Wealth; proud to support reparation efforts like the California Commission on Reparations and the work of the Palm Springs Section 14 project." (Weingart Foundation)
• "In 2022, the tourism industry generated $8.7 billion in total economic impact to Greater Palm Springs, surpassing tourism’s economic impact in 2019 by 16 percent and in 2021 by 28 percent." (Coachella Valley)
• "Hyelight Fest is a 💦 pool-party hosted at the vibrant Saguaro Palm Springs hotel for ❤️ fun-loving Armenian Americans. Celebrate 🇺🇸 Fourth of July weekend under the warm desert sun with sounds inspired by Reggae, Latin, Mediterranean, House, and Dance music. Our performers are here to create unforgettable vibes on this weekend." (Hyelight Fest 2023)
• "WATCH how Sgt. Jon Cabrera's personal experience sheds light on the realities of addiction, homelessness, and the strength of a father's love." (Palm Springs PD)

You're officially in the loop for today! See you all Saturday morning for your next update.

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Christ follower. Wife. Book dragon. Proud supporter of the Oxford comma.

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