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Friday, July 17, 2026 | ☀️ 101°/84°
TGIF folks. Paint El Paseo Pink is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and organizers are putting the word out early that it’s time to gather your friends, family, neighbors or coworkers into a team for the walk on Saturday, Oct. 10, with all proceeds helping local Coachella Valley residents cover the non-medical costs of cancer treatment. The earlier you register, the more time you'll have to grow your team and fundraise, so head over to the registration page now!
🎶 Setting the mood: "Holding Out For A Hero" by Bonnie Tyler
Leading Off
About 50 residents attended the seminar and learned how to protect themselves from sophisticated scammers.
Assemblymember brings state agencies to town for senior scam seminar
Four California agencies joined Assemblymember Greg Wallis in Palm Desert to warn Coachella Valley seniors about increasingly sophisticated financial scams, from romance schemes to contractor fraud.
Driving the news: Wallis hosted the eighth installment of his senior scam awareness seminar series at the Palm Desert Community Center on July 8, drawing about 50 residents. Presenters from the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, the Contractors State License Board, the Department of Insurance and the Privacy Protection Agency covered topics including construction fraud, insurance scams and AI voice-cloning schemes.
Wallis said he started the series after his grandfather nearly wired $15,000 to scammers who convinced him Wallis had been kidnapped in Mexico.
Why it matters: The seminar carried added urgency after Bermuda Dunes resident Karen Whitaker, 79, was targeted by a scammer posing as actor Tom Selleck, resulting in major financial losses before she and her husband died in a suspected murder-suicide in May.
Wallis said financial victimization reflects a predator's manipulation tactics, not a victim's intelligence or education.
By the numbers: Americans over 60 lost $7.7 billion to fraud in 2025, a 30% increase from the previous year, according to FBI crime data.
Starting Aug. 1, the California Delete Act takes effect, letting residents request removal of their data from the state's 585 registered data brokers.
What they're saying: Wallis said prosecuting scammers is difficult because many operate in organized groups overseas, and encouraged residents to contact local elected officials for help navigating resources.
The big picture: Officials said the scams often exploit isolation and loneliness, urging residents to check on loved ones and rebuild real-world connections as a defense against fraud.
Briefly
The new library is facing a longer timeline after initial cost projections ran over budget. City officials have added extra vetting steps to find a cheaper design-build partner.
📚 Palm Desert library timeline slips to late 2028
Palm Desert City Council learned the new library's completion date is being pushed back after cost projections exceeded budget, with a design-build partner recommendation now delayed until September.
City staff told the council at a July 9 study session that after original design-builder Tilden-Coil Constructors' costs ran over budget, the city launched a new competitive process, narrowing six proposals to two finalists now in a second round of interviews before an August options review and September recommendation.
Details: Based on that schedule, design would begin in October and conclude in May, with the library complete by the "very end of 2028, early 2029," according to the city official, compared with earlier estimates of an early 2028 opening.
📅 Featured Events
MULTIPLE DAYS
Palm Desert Soccer Watch Weekend at The Shops at Palm Desert all weekend
TODAY
Tortoise Chat at San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center at 8:30 a.m.
SATURDAY
Star Party at the Monument at Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center at 7:30 p.m.
Observatory Public Exploration Night at Rancho Mirage Observatory 9:30 p.m.
SUNDAY
Summer Series Yoga at lululemon Palm Desert at 8 a.m.
TUESDAY
Happy Hour Hangout 2026 at Hideout Kitchen & Bar at 4:30 p.m.
Gay Agenda Book Club at Palm Desert Library at 6 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
Storytimes - All Ages at Palm Desert Library starting at 10 a.m.
Line Dancing at Civic Center Park at 6:30 p.m. ($17–$68)
THURSDAY
Hey Hey Entertainment Puppet Show at Palm Desert Library at 12 p.m.
Palm Desert City Council at City Hall at 4 p.m.
Board Game Night at The Dragon Den at 5 p.m. ($10–$20)
✨ And Finally …
Image: Shutterstock
Soccer fans won't have to choose between rooting for their favorite squad and sticking close to home this weekend, as The Shops at Palm Desert and the city of Palm Desert team up to bring the World Cup's final two matches to the community.
Driving the news: The "Palm Desert Community Soccer Watch Weekend" serves as the grand finale of the city's "Discover What's Next" summer campaign.
The free, family-friendly event caps off the campaign that has encouraged residents and visitors to explore what Palm Desert has to offer.
The details: A watch party will take place at the Main Court at The Shops at Palm Desert, 72840 Highway 111, featuring a large community viewing screen, a kids craft and hangout zone, an Instagram photo contest, and gift basket giveaways.
Check-in for Saturday's bronze match is at 1 p.m., with kickoff at 2 p.m.; Sunday's championship check-in is at 11 a.m., with kickoff at 12 p.m.
If you go: Admission is free, with seating available first-come, first-served and standing-room and upper-level viewing also available; registered guests get branded giveaway items and bottled water while supplies last.
Also playing: More than 20 local restaurants, breweries and sports bars around Palm Desert will also air the matches for fans who'd rather cheer from their usual booth.
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