🌱 Mecca Brush Fire + More Money For Police, Fire + Campus Update

Hey, Palm Springs! Today’s the International Day of Light; did you know it commemorates the first successful laser use in 1960? I'm here with your fresh copy of the Palm Springs Patch newsletter, filled with news on...

• 🌞 Summer hours for the Aerial Tramway.
• 🚘 Busy travel weekend coming up.
• 💰 Financial insights from city hall.

☀️ But first, today's weather: Partly sunny and hot. High: 102 Low: 75.

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⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Around Palm Springs

• ARCO at 3689 North Indian Canyon Drive, $4.35
• Circle K at 2796 North Palm Canyon Drive, $4.49
• ARCO at 1717 East 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? We have some preliminary results.

• 20.7 percent - traveling
• 9.3 percent - flying
• 6.9 percent - ballroom dancing
• 3.4 percent - fly-fishing, crocheting, Mahjong, basket making, dog training & showing, surfing, watercolor, pickleball, line dancing, pottery, reading, horseback riding, wine collecting, car collecting, playing guitar, kickboxing, golf, roller skating

📰 Here are the top stories today in Palm Springs:

1. Although a little more than a stone’s throw down the street from Palm Springs, Mecca serves as the warning sign that fire season has begun. On Monday afternoon, a three-acre brush fire grew to 50 acres in a short time, leading fire officials to close Avenue 66 near Filmore Street. Officials warn that it might spread to 200 acres because “firefighting operations (are) being hampered by winds.” (KESQ)
2. Where is city hall planning on spending our money? Officials went over various spreadsheets earlier this month to find a way of allocating tax dollars. At this time, officials are favoring “improvements to parks and roads and increased efforts to address homelessness and public safety.” For example, the budget for the police department is likely to grow by about three percent; the fire department can look forward to an additional 13 percent. (The Palm Springs Post)
3. It’s about to get busy! The Automobile Club of Southern California expects Memorial Day Weekend to be busy on the roads. Compared to last year, 7 percent more will hit the road beginning May 25. Palm Springs is among the top destinations, next to Santa Barbara and Las Vegas. (Spectrum News 1)
4. In related news, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will switch to its summer hour schedule on Memorial Day weekend. One of the favorite activities to undertake for visitors — and locals — is to “have dinner and enjoy seeing the city lights across the Coachella Valley from 8,516 feet.” (Patch)
5. How is the College of the Desert’s Palm Springs campus coming along? The project management team is meeting on Wednesday. The goal is to finish the design plans for the first phase. Although they were already approved, the Desert Community College District’s Board of Trustees requested several changes. (Uken Report)

From our sponsor:

Today’s Palm Springs Patch newsletter is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. T-Mobile has invested billions to light up their best network ever, covering 99 percent of people in America with LTE, which helps to keep communities like ours informed and connected. We thank T-Mobile for their support and for making today’s Palm Springs Patch newsletter possible.

📆 Today in Palm Springs:

• The Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce hosts a Lead$ Lunch at Casa Blanca (12 PM)
• "1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted A Culture" plays at the Palm Springs Cultural Center (4:30 PM)
• Leanna + The Jazz Collective meet at the Palm Springs Cultural Center (5 PM)
• Jazz Jams at the Ingleside Estate (6 PM)
• The Pollock Theatre hosts "Let Us Sing" Choir Concert (7 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "Prince vs. Michael Jackson Drag Brunch on June 24. Join Epiphany Kali and a talented cast as we pay tribute to these musical legends. Singing and dancing is encouraged." (All Events)
• "We offer historical tours focusing on Palm Springs' historic neighborhoods, distinguished by a combination of the celebrities and local pioneers who called them home and the architects and builders who shaped their development." (Palm Springs Historical Society)
• "Beautiful Angelica is a 1-year-old female waiting patiently for her forever home. She was a bit shy when she first arrived at the shelter, but she warmed up quickly and is doing great with us! Angelica plays well with the dogs she has met so far, and she would love to be in an active home where she gets her playtime and gets to go on new adventures!" (Palm Springs Animal Shelter)
• " Join us on Wednesday, June 28, for Joe Gandelman, Ventriloquist for a fun Show! For youth in Pre-K through grade 5, the show will begin at 10:30 a.m. in the Main Library Atrium. Comic Ventriloquist Joe Gandelman – Family Entertainer, does shows for ALL ages and ALL occasions. He performs all over the U.S. and in Canada. All of Joe’s shows feature a BIG CAST of characters, interaction, and lots of laughs." (City of Palm Springs)
• "Hyelight Fest is a 💦 pool-party hosted at the vibrant Saguaro Palm Springs hotel for ❤️ fun-loving Armenian Americans. Must be 21 or over to participate. Celebrate 🇺🇸 4th 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." (Ticket Tailor)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• The Comedy Show - "Sex Tips For Straight Women From A Gay Man" (May 20)
• Add your event

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with another 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