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Friday, Aug. 14 | ☀️ 100°/79°
TGIF, folks, where we are happy to be back after our annual one-week summer break! Earlier this week, firefighters and a Riverside County Sheriff's helicopter crew teamed up to rescue a hiker who was struggling with general weakness on the Bump and Grind Trail. That’s a good reminder that this popular but rugged trail gets even tougher when the heat is on. So before you hit the trails this weekend, take it from fire officials: start early, bring plenty of water, never hike alone, and turn back if things start to feel like too much — no hike is worth risking your life.
🎶 Setting the mood: "I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)" by The Proclaimers
Leading Off
Hiking trail connectivity enhancements will be among the priorities of the city’s Parks and Recreation Committee in the next year. (File photo)
Palm Desert parks panel sets trails, playgrounds and shade as top priorities
The Palm Desert Parks and Recreation Committee unanimously approved its 2026-2027 work plan, putting trail connectivity, playground upgrades and heat-mitigation efforts at the top of the list. The plan now heads to the City Council for consideration in September.
Driving the news: The committee adopted the plan Aug. 4 after staff distributed a survey July 6 asking members to rank six service categories. Trail connectivity enhancement came in first, followed by a tie between playground assessment and improvements and a shade and resilience initiative.
Trail connectivity focuses on linking neighborhoods, civic facilities and recreational destinations to existing trails; playground work targets inclusive play features and maintenance needs; and the shade initiative pushes cooling measures like cool pavement and coatings at bus stops.
What's next: If the council adopts the plan, it will guide the committee's project priorities for the coming year.
Zoom in: Trail work is already underway. A design firm has been hired to plan trailhead improvements and a connector trail between Homme-Adams Park and Cahuilla Hills Park along an existing path next to a stormwater conveyance area.
The trail needs an easement from the local water district, which wants to review the design first, and must be added to a regional trails plan overseen by the Coachella Valley Conservation Commission — a process that hasn't started.
What they're saying: "The trail improvements would be rather minimal because it is already an existing trail," Community Services Manager Shawn Muir told the committee, citing possible benches, waste bins and drinking fountains.
A committee member asked whether a sandy, hard-to-navigate stretch could be fixed in one phase rather than several. Muir said the priority designation could help make that happen.
Briefly
The location is just east of Freedom Park, and located near light industrial zoned buildings.
🌴 Architectural commission OKs cell tower, says no to fake ivy
The Palm Desert Architectural Review Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a 59-foot-4-inch monopalm communication tower at 77530 Enfield Lane, but rejected the applicant's proposed faux ivy screening.
The tower will replace an existing 54-foot monopole to support upgraded T-Mobile equipment, after a representative for the applicant said the current pole could no longer structurally handle the carrier's equipment. Commissioners required screening made of a concrete block wall, metal fence or wrought iron fence with live plants instead, covering only the ground equipment, along with a California fan palm at least 12 feet tall in place of a proposed Mediterranean fan palm.
Bottom line: One commissioners said the fake ivy drew unwanted attention and seemed "inappropriate for the desert." The applicant agreed to work with staff on an alternative screening design.
📅 Featured Events
TODAY
HangingOUT! GBT Men's Friday Breakfast at Si Bon at 10 a.m.
Powerhouse Percussive Dance at Palm Desert Library at 12 p.m.
NOURISH + NURTURE: ROOTED TOGETHER - A Gathering for Connected Well-Being at a private residence at 5:30 p.m. ($93)
ChatGPT for Business: Getting Started on Zoom, presented by Coachella Valley Women's Business Center at 6 p.m.
SATURDAY
Self Defense for Women at Palm Desert Community Center at 10 a.m. ($40-$50)
Teens: Dungeons and Dragons at 2 p.m.
Rat Pack Duo at Hotel Paseo at 6 p.m.
Observatory Public Exploration Night at the Rancho Mirage Observatory at 9 p.m.
MONDAY
Tai Chi For Your Health at Palm Desert Community Center at 12 p.m. ($57-$67)
TUESDAY
Career Coach at Palm Desert Library at 10 a.m.
K9 Nose Work, Basic to Intermediate at 45480 Portola Ave at 10 a.m. ($150-$170)
Chinese Mahjong at Palm Desert Library at 1 p.m.
Ambassador Meeting at PDACC at 3 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
QiGong for Active Adults at Palm Desert Community Center at 11 a.m. ($55-$65)
Poet's Oasis Summer Sessions at Palm Desert Library at 5:30 p.m.
Beginning Guitar at Palm Desert Community Center at 6 p.m. ($80)
THURSDAY
Ribbon Cutting - Senior Helpers Coachella Valley at 74063 Highway 111 at 9:30 a.m.
Desert YPN Scoop of Support - Month of Giving at Cambria Gallery at 3 p.m.
Board Game Night at The Dragon Den at 5 p.m. ($10-$20)
✨ And Finally …
Shutterstock graphic
Nominations are now open for area veterans to be honored during a Veterans Day Eve Celebration hosted by the city of Palm Desert and McCallum Theatre.
Driving the news: The city and theater are seeking nominations of local veterans whose military service, leadership or community contributions merit recognition. Selected veterans will be featured during the event's tribute to local heroes.
Nominations must be submitted through this online form by Tuesday, Sept. 15.
The event: The celebration begins with a 5:30 p.m. block party featuring food, activities and an ice cream social on the plaza. At 7 p.m., it moves inside the theatre for a classic rock concert and the veterans tribute.
Who's playing: The Hit Men, a group of musicians who've performed, toured or recorded with Foreigner, Journey, Billy Joel, Elton John, Cheap Trick, Wings, The Who and Tommy James, will headline.
The 90-minute set includes more than 20 classic rock hits, behind-the-scenes stories and audience participation.
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