Category: Deserts

As an only child in 1960’s Detroit, Jeff Hobson taught himself magic. It was an emotional escape. Les Arnold was on a parallel path. He was a magician who liked to build things. So he became a shop teacher, constructing props in his free time. Vikki Vargas investigates the magic both men have created over their captivating lives. This story was written and reported by Vikki Vargas. 

Our Manny the Movie Guy recently was out and about in the community. He visited the Atria Senior Center who presented a behind the scenes look on how the business of news work. So a fun day for both Manny and the community!

The Morongo Band of Mission Indians have made donations to nearly 80 community organizations equaling about $500,000 dollars. These community-based non-profit organizations were awarded grants of up to $5,000. Each through Morongo’s Annual Outreach Program.

California’s Water Resources Control Board unanimously approved the nation’s first drinking water standard for Hexavalent Chromium otherwise known as Chrome Six. This chemical is found naturally in some California groundwater. The new standard requires less than ten parts per billion of the chemical, which according to Coachella City Councilmember, Frank Figueroa, would cost the city $90 million to install. With this cost, comes a spike in monthly bills for residents. Raising an average monthly bill from about eight to twenty dollars, now to $135 a month. For cities like Coachella, this huge price tag could be an issue. Ten years ago, when the first maximum contaminant level for Hexavalent Chromium was passed, Coachella spent $400,000 on a study on what installing a treatment to limit the chemical in the water would cost. Back then, it was estimated to cost $36.2 million, but with a spike in prices, ten years later, it’s now set to cost $90 million.  “We live in the desert and it gets 120 degrees and you can’t be in this mix of, you know, people can’t drink water. So it’s a very

The award-winning hospital completed its one-thousandth ‘Trans-Catheter Aortic Valve” replacement procedure. Better known as TAV-VER. It’s an alternative to open-heart surgery. During the procedure, a small incision is made in the groin and an artifical valve is wedged into the opening, pushing the damaged valve out of the way, and taking over it’s function.

The City of Indio invited the public last night to a free concert. It’s called ‘Sonidos’ and featured several local artists. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held at 5pm after the concert at Indio’s new entertainment venue on Miles Avenue in the downtown area. There was also a giveaway to win a pair of tickets for the Coachella Fest this weekend.

It is a celebration of the importance of literacy for children from all cultural and linguistic backgrounds. This event will take place on Saturday April 20th from 10am to 2pm and is free. It will feature a fair complete with cultural booths, crafts, a story-walk throughout the Civic Center Park, carnival-style games and other big surprises.

Local drag legend Patsi Kocan passed her red hat around for charity this evening. Cathedral City eatery Bubba’s Bones and Brews hosted the monthly dinner. Proceeds from the benefit go to the Cathedral City High School Performing Arts Department. Non-perishable food items were also collected for the Cathedral City Senior Center Food Bank.

This is the first time the Palm Springs International Film Society is widening its education programs across the desert. The society expanded it’s “Filmmaker in the Classroom” workshops and Youth Jury program to schools throughout the valley. Wednesday, students at Indio High School had the chance to meet with an Oscar-nominated short filmmaker and ask him questions about his journey in the world of cinema.

A coalition of conservationists and tribes presented and 800,000 signature petition today. The petition asks the president to protect land and historic sites, including the proposed Chuckwalla National Monument and a potential expansion of Joshua Tree National Park.

The project was initially set to open in 2019. It is planned to feature two luxury hotels, a conference center, and 84 turn-key single family homes and condos. Located off Avenue 52, just west of Jefferson Street at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains. The problem lies mainly with the securing of construction financing.

The Coachella Valley Firebirds have a lot to celebrate and they held a big bash today. Party on Plaza was held today at the arena from 10am to 2pm and celebrated the Firebirds second consecutive trip to the Calder Cup Playoffs.

Three times a day, six days a week, Brook Sibrian is going through meat grinder workouts preparing for the literal fight of her life. “Boxing to me is a way of life,” she said. “I’m currently getting ready to fight on April 20th at The Commerce Casino in Los Angeles. It will be under 360 Promotions, and it will be streamed on UFC Fight Pass. Known as “Mighty”, Sibrian packs quite the punch as a professional boxer. Fighting out of the Coachella Valley, she sharpens her skills at the Lee Espinoza Boxing Club in Coachella. “We moved out here four years ago, it’s been such an amazing community,” she said. We are so proud to be residents and raise the Coachella Valley flag.” After training her body, Sibrian often goes to Restore Hyper Wellness in Palm Desert for treatments she says deliver a winning combination that helps her recover physically, emotionally, and mentally. “I’m constantly focused on getting better and reaching my potential,” she said. “We’re going to be chasing those rounds and we want to fight the best.” Inside the ring, Sibrian fights at flyweight. Outside

At Hotel Paseo in Palm Desert, nearly every room is booked for the next three weekends with customers checking in from across the country and attending music festivals like Coachella and Stagecoach. “I’m from Atlanta, Georgia and I’m here for Coachella,” said festival goer Drew. “We’re both from New York and we’re here to celebrate Coachella,” said another festival attendee. During their stay in our desert, these festival goers are spending big bucks. “I’d say like 4k,” said the New Yorker. “Rough estimate, I’d say like 10 to 15k,” Drew said. “It’s a pretty expensive weekend if you want to do it right.” During music festival season, Hotel Paseo sees a major boom in business. “This weekend and Stagecoach weekends we’re expecting a full sell out; all 149 rooms are full,” said Ryan Thomas, Hotel Paseo director of sales and marketing. Thomas says his team is fully staffed to keep up with the extra demand during these concerts. “You can see the smile on my face, it’s an actual genuine smile, because that’s what we’re here for,” he said. “This is the time of year

For those not making it out to the Coachella Music Festival, a local skin care store is bringing the event right to you. In The Body Deli is a music festival-themed vintage Barbie Doll exhibit and that’s where our Kai Beech has more on the showcase of creativity and style. This story was written and reported by Kai Beech. 

If you’re in the mood for a tasty treat tomorrow, it’s Free Cone Day at The River! You’ll find Mary Strong, Jerry Steffen, and Manny the Movie Guy at the Ben & Jerry’s. It’s Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry’s tomorrow from noon to 8pm with the company giving out free scoops, prizes, giveaways and more. Mary and Manny will be there from 12pm to 1pm, with Jerry serving some scoops from 2pm – 3pm. Tim’s favorite, Fuego, will also make an appearance at 5pm.

The City says they were only involved in the demolition and burning of no more than 145 homes following the eviction by the landlords, according to public records. Back in March when the two sides met, Section 14 attorneys said they believed over 18,000 homes were destroyed. But for the sake of the settlement, they were willing to agree to only 350 homes. This story was written and reported by Carmela Karcher. 

In honor of “World Art Day” the City of Palm Springs unveiled a new public art display today. It’s titled the “Pillars of Palm Springs”. The six pillars were each created by different artists representing serenity, diversity, civility, and community, creativity and equality. The piece was revealed at 10am this morning in front of City Hall.

With all that’s going on and what will be going on over the weekend, the City of Indio has warned people ahead of time of expected heavy traffic. Additionally the following road closures are expected Friday through Monday during the festivities.

Pickleball courts are in the baby pit in Palm Springs now. That sentence may sound strange to some, but Palm Springs residents will know. The babies statues created by Czech artist David Cerny occupied the nearby Kimpton Rowan Hotel. Michael Braun of Grit Developments says the new courts will be an amenity of the hotel and sometimes open to non-hotel guests.

And also in Palm Springs, no doubt residents have noticed the heavy construction on Ramon Road between Palm Springs High School and El Cielo. The road closures are due to two major construction projects, one being a new storm drain. The other is a Desert Water Agency project to replace aging pipes along north of Ramon Road. The storm drain project began in February and is expected to take 10 months. The Water Agency project began in March and is expected to take about a month with major work already completed.