News

Palm Springs, CA

Palm Springs will celebrate the 100th birthday of Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe with a special downtown fundraising event later this month at the Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel.

The “Marilyn 100” Martini Festival is scheduled for May 30, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the hotel’s breezeway area near the city’s famous Forever Marilyn statue. Organizers describe the one-night-only event as a blend of mid-century Palm Springs glamour, craft cocktails, live music, and public art.

Presented by Palm Springs Pride, the Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel, and GRIT Development, the festival will feature tastings from several major beverage brands, including Ketel One, Teremana, Jägermeister, G.H. Mumm, and Absolut Vodka.

Guests will also experience a music set from DJ MODgirl while exploring the hotel’s surrounding art installations, including works by J.D. Hansen and Julian Voss-Andreae, along with the popular Angel Wings mural by Colette Miller and the “Love Letters” sculpture. Organizers are also encouraging attendees to spot one of David Černý’s well-known “Babies” sculptures during the event.

A portion of proceeds from the festival will benefit Palm Springs Pride and support the organization’s annual Pride celebration held each November in downtown Palm Springs. Organizers say the event also recognizes Monroe’s legacy as an advocate for compassion, authenticity, and inclusion.

Advance tickets are priced at $25 and include four martini sample tickets. Day-of admission will be $30. Organizers say attendance is limited and encourage guests to purchase tickets early through Palm Springs Pride.

The event will take place at the Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel, located at 100 W. Tahquitz Canyon Way in downtown Palm Springs.

Pictured Rowan Hotel

Also Read

Palm Springs, CA

Three influential women shaping the future of the Coachella Valley will be recognized later this month during the annual Women Who Lead luncheon.

The event will take place May 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage and will celebrate women whose leadership and service are making a lasting impact across the region.

Former U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, now a Coachella Valley resident, will deliver the keynote address. Organizers say Boxer will share perspectives on leadership, perseverance, and empowering women in public life and professional careers.

Since launching in 2013, Women Who Lead has highlighted women who are helping strengthen their communities through innovation, philanthropy, and professional achievement. This year’s honorees include:

• Business Leader: Julie Bloom
• Nonprofit Leader: Cindy Burreson
• Rising Star: Priscilla Zamarron

Emily Chavous Foster, editor-in-chief of Palm Springs Life, said this year’s honorees exemplify the power of leadership and community service throughout the Coachella Valley.

“I’m so inspired by this year’s Women Who Lead honorees,” Foster said in a statement. “Through their professional achievements, philanthropic efforts, and personal example, they make the Coachella Valley stronger in meaningful ways.”

Valerie Powers Smith, partner at SBEMP Attorneys, said the law firm has supported the initiative since its inception because of the important role women leaders play in the region’s economic and social success.

Proceeds from the luncheon will benefit the IECF Women’s Giving Fund and Do The Right Thing Greater Palm Springs. Sponsors include California Bank & Trust, Diamond Wish, Desert Hills Premium Outlets, Agim Salon, Lotus Garden Center, La Fe Wine Bar, and The Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage.

Tickets and additional information are available at Palm Springs Life Women Who Lead Event Page.

Palm Springs, CA

The Palm Springs City Council is set to discuss several high-profile community issues during its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 12, including the completion of the Downtown Park Splashpad Renovation Project, a public hearing regarding the Palm Springs Tourism Infrastructure District, and a report from an AD HOC subcommittee examining the future direction of the mayoral position.

The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. inside the Council Chamber at Palm Springs City Hall, located at 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way.

Among the agenda items is an update tied to the Downtown Park Splashpad Renovation Project, a feature that has become a popular attraction for local families and visitors, particularly during the warmer months. City leaders are expected to formally acknowledge the project’s completion and discuss next steps related to downtown public amenities.

Councilmembers will also hold a public hearing concerning the Palm Springs Tourism Infrastructure District, an economic mechanism often used by cities to support tourism-related marketing, services, and infrastructure improvements funded through assessments on lodging businesses. Tourism continues to serve as one of Palm Springs’ primary economic drivers, making the discussion particularly significant for local hotels, businesses, and residents.

Another closely watched item involves a report from the City Council’s AD HOC Subcommittee regarding the direction of the mayoral position. While details of the report are expected to be presented during the meeting, the discussion could potentially shape future governance structure conversations within the city.

Residents may attend the meeting in person, stream it live through the City’s official YouTube channel, or watch via Palm Springs Community Television Channel 17. The full agenda is available through the City of Palm Springs website.

Palm Springs, CA

A once-neglected dog from the Palm Springs Animal Shelter is now competing on a national stage after a dramatic grooming transformation helped turn heartbreak into hope.

Dominic, a dog rescued after his owner was found deceased, has been named one of three finalists in the 15th annual Wahl® Dirty Dogs Contest, a nationwide campaign highlighting shelter dogs whose lives were transformed through grooming and rescue efforts.

Watch a video about the dog’s transformation.

The contest, organized by Wahl in partnership with Greater Good Charities, is designed to raise awareness about pet adoption and the importance of grooming neglected shelter animals. Public voting throughout May, which is National Pet Month, will determine the winner.

Dominic arrived at the Palm Springs shelter severely matted and in poor condition, with thick fur covering much of his body, including his paws and ears. Groomers Jasmina and Stephanie worked together to carefully remove years of neglect and reveal what organizers described as a “gentle dog” underneath the tangled coat.

The transformation not only improved Dominic’s health and comfort but also increased his chances of finding a permanent home.

If Dominic wins the competition, the Palm Springs Animal Shelter and his groomers would receive a combined $10,000 to support continued adoption and grooming efforts. First place awards $5,000 to the shelter and $5,000 to the groomer. Second and third place finalists also receive financial support.

Voting is taking place throughout the month of May on TikTok. Supporters can vote by visiting the @WahlPets or @WahlAnimal TikTok pages and commenting “#WahlDirtyDogsContest” on Dominic’s video. There is no limit to the number of comments allowed.

According to Wahl, millions of shelter dogs nationwide lack access to grooming services, which can make it harder for them to attract potential adopters. The company says it has spent the last 15 years donating grooming supplies to shelters and rescue organizations across the country.

Dominic is competing against two other rescue dogs selected as finalists this year.

Lucy, rescued in New Jersey after being abandoned in a crate during freezing temperatures, was rehabilitated through EASEL Animal Rescue League and Sosa’s Spa Paws before eventually being adopted into a new home.

Kailey, a dog surrendered after years without grooming, was rescued by the SPCA of Anne Arundel County in Maryland. Groomer Patrice McCarron helped remove severe matting that had left the dog struggling to eat comfortably. Kailey has since been adopted.

Kailey

For more information about the contest, official rules, and pet grooming resources, visit DirtyDogsContest.com or WahlUSA.com.

Palm Springs, CA

California’s 2026 gubernatorial race is entering a new phase as recent polling shows a highly competitive and unpredictable contest to replace termed-out Gov. Gavin Newsom.

With the June 2 primary approaching and mail ballots now arriving in voters’ homes, several new statewide surveys suggest the race remains fluid, with no dominant frontrunner emerging in California’s unique “top-two” primary system.

Recent polling released by the California Democratic Party’s VOTER Index tracking survey shows former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra tied with Republican former Fox News host Steve Hilton at 18% support statewide. The same poll found undecided voters shrinking from 24% in March to 14%, signaling voters are beginning to lock in their choices.

Another recent Emerson College Polling survey showed Hilton leading at 17%, followed by Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and billionaire environmental activist Tom Steyer tied at 14%. Becerra and former Orange County congresswoman Katie Porter each polled at 10%, while 23% of voters remained undecided at the time of that survey.

Political analysts say the crowded Democratic field is creating a realistic possibility that two Republicans could advance to the November general election, despite California’s strong Democratic voter registration advantage. Under California’s open primary system, the top two vote-getters advance regardless of party affiliation.

That concern has reportedly sparked internal discussions among Democratic leaders about whether the current primary system is unintentionally benefiting Republicans in races with multiple Democratic contenders splitting the vote.

The race also shifted significantly after Congressman Eric Swalwell exited the contest earlier this spring. Several polls since then show Becerra gaining momentum, with some analysts suggesting he absorbed a sizable share of Swalwell’s former support base.

Key issues dominating the campaign include California’s high cost of living, housing affordability, gas prices, homelessness, insurance costs, and public safety. According to a recent CBS News poll, many voters say the “California Dream” feels increasingly out of reach financially.

The candidates clashed sharply during a recent statewide televised debate, where Republicans criticized years of Democratic leadership while Democratic contenders debated healthcare policy, taxation, and housing affordability.

Among the most watched Republican candidates are Hilton and Bianco, both campaigning heavily on affordability and crime issues. Hilton has proposed reducing taxes and environmental regulations, while Bianco has called for major changes to California’s sanctuary state laws and environmental policies.

Meanwhile, Democrats including Becerra, Porter, and Steyer are positioning themselves as candidates capable of protecting California from policies associated with President Donald Trump while also addressing voter frustration over rising living costs.

The race is widely viewed as one of the most important governor’s contests in the country, given California’s economic size and political influence nationwide.

Palm Springs, CA

A planned June 3 joint meeting between the Palm Springs City Council and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians has been postponed, as both parties allow additional time for review of a large-scale warehouse proposal along Highway 111 at Tipton Road.

According to city and tribal officials, the delay will give the project’s developer more time to respond to public comments submitted on the Draft Tribal Environmental Impact Statement, as well as to further evaluate several outstanding technical issues tied to the project.

The meeting, which was expected to provide a key public forum for discussion, will now be rescheduled to a mutually agreed upon date later this fall.

Background on the Proposed Project

The postponed meeting centers on the proposed Desert Mountain View Business Park, a major industrial development planned on approximately 217 acres of tribal trust land in north Palm Springs.

Plans for the project include four large warehouse and logistics buildings ranging from roughly 248,000 square feet to more than 1.1 million square feet, totaling about 2.85 million square feet of industrial space.

The site is located west of Tipton Road, between Interstate 10 and Highway 111, an area that has seen increasing industrial development activity in recent years.

Because the land is held in federal trust for the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, the Tribe serves as the lead decision-making authority. The City of Palm Springs does not have the power to approve or deny the project, but instead provides a “conformity report” and recommendations related to impacts such as traffic, infrastructure, and public safety.

Environmental and Community Concerns

The project has drawn significant public attention and, at times, opposition. Environmental review findings have identified “significant and unavoidable” air quality impacts, a common concern associated with large warehouse and logistics developments.

Community members and advocacy groups have also raised concerns about increased truck traffic, congestion at a key gateway into Palm Springs, and potential impacts to wildlife and surrounding desert habitat.

The scale of the development has further amplified debate, as it would become one of the largest industrial projects in the area and contribute to a growing cluster of warehouse facilities in the city’s northern corridor.

Role of the Joint Meeting

The now-postponed joint meeting was intended to serve as a rare opportunity for residents to directly address both City Council members and the Tribal Council. While advisory in nature, the meeting plays an important role in shaping public dialogue and allowing concerns to be formally presented before a final decision is made.

Officials indicated that postponing the meeting will allow for a more informed and productive discussion once updated technical analysis and responses to public feedback are completed.

A new date for the joint meeting has not yet been announced, but it is expected to take place later this fall.

Also Read