PSILOVEYOU Winter 2021

PALM SPRINGS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

FALL 2021

At Home With DeeAnn McCoy and Jackie Thomas of Thomboy Properties

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Chamber CEO Nona Watson and Chamber President Gabe Terrado

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The Women of Thomboy Properties

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Your Chamber Forever Hard at Work For Our Community

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A Message From City Manager Justin Clifton Santa Cruz Police Chief Andrew Mills Named Palm Springs Chief of Police / PSPD Employees Complete Intensive Training in Implicit Bias Measure J Commission Seeking Proposals for Community-initiated Project Funding / Introducing the New Palm Springs Access Center

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Lani Garfield

Contents

Palm Springs VillageFest Swings Into Fall! / Annual Festival of Lights Parade and Holiday Tree Lighting Anticipated to Return in December

20 Time is Money: Volunteering in Palm Springs

2021/22 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Gabriel Terrado, President Lulu California Bistro Wendy Beerbower Eisenhower Health Todd Burke Desert Care Network Kristin Bloomer Palm Springs International Film Society Aftab Dada Hilton Palm Springs Dax Davis Alpha Media Mary Flores Grit Development John Fritch Elevated Experiences George Holliday Maryanov, Madsen, Gordon & Campbell Jenny McLean McLean Company Reid Milanovich Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Shannon Miller Coach Shannon Miller Julie Montante PSA Organica Kim Roznoski Grocery Outlet Brady Sandahl Brady Sandahl Real Estate Jen Seymour Hunters CHAMBER STAFF Nona Watson CEO Brittne Meier Executive Assistant David White Business Development Director Michael Ellis Community Relations Director Jen Banford Special Events Manager EDITOR Daniel Vaillancourt

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Coffee, Kitties, Cuddles, & More!

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Think Local: Gift-Giving

ART DIRECTOR Maru Palmersheim

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New Chamber Members

PHOTOGRAPHERS Lani Garfield David A. Lee

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Community Information

COVER PHOTOGRAPHER Lani Garfield

EXECUTIVE EDITORS Nona Watson and Amy Blaisdell

©2021 Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce and city of Palm Springs. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. Information in this publication is gathered from various sources and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. The publisher assumes no responsibility for omissions, errors, or misinformation. Please contact the publisher at the address below with any additions or corrections.

190 W. Amado Road Palm Springs, CA 92262 | (760) 325-1577 www.pschamber.org

Mark Davidson

Gabe Terrado Chamber President

During the holiday season, and especially this year, I think it’s important to note how far we’ve come as a community and as a chamber of commerce in the last 12 months.

We’ve managed our way through the pandemic, pivoting whenever it was needed, to support the local business community and the health and safety needs of our workers, residents, and visitors. The progress we’ve made is easy to measure: the return of in-store shopping and indoor dining, public events, and inperson meetings, to begin with. Your chamber will continue to transition and seek opportunities that support the healthiest business environment for all of its members in the new year.

The holidays are also a time to reflect on what makes Palm Springs a strong and resilient business community. The Chamber’s membership is comprised of businesses large and small, locally owned and national brands, retailers, restaurants, professional services, and more. It’s the diversity within the Palm Springs business community that makes us stronger.

I hope you’ll support all of the businesses here in Palm Springs during the holidays, whether that’s purchasing gifts or gift cards for family and friends or just enjoying dining out. At Lulu California Bistro, we’re thrilled to be welcoming guests back into the restaurant for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve dinners. We’ve made tremendous progress over the past year, so let’s celebrate!

Nona Watson Chamber CEO

Hot on the heels of 2020, 2021—the year we once thought would never end—has gone by in a flash, paving the way for a hopefully brighter 2022.

My Chamber staffers, our board of directors, and I are much looking forward to turning a new (autumn) leaf, letting go of the old, and ringing in the new!

As this year comes to a close, we want to take the best of what we’ve experienced and learned and apply it all to becoming an even stronger organization. At the top of our list of priorities is an overall focus on membership—especially retention.

We are committed to moving forward with creative ideas that will add value to our existing programs and services while continuing to focus on fashioning opportunities for our members to connect with peers, current and prospective clients, and potential business partners.

We also want to continue to be the channel for connecting members to invaluable resources. We maintain an extensive list of organizations that can address most any business's needs, and we foster relationships with community and social entities that can be instrumental in solving many entrepreneurial issues.

Our challenge will be to accomplish all this in a manner that makes everyone feel safe.

Please enjoy the magazine and I’ll see you around town.

I can also promise you we are determined to design more affordable advertising opportunities for our members. Working with our local media partners, we plan to have a much bigger presence on all platforms promoting our membership.

—Gabe Terrado Board President Lulu California Bistro

We look forward to forging ahead with these objectives and accomplishing our new goals in 2022. Most of all, we look forward to providing all the tools your business will need to grow for many years to come.

Happy holidays to all of you from all of us at your Chamber.

Best, —Nona PSILOVEYOU | Fall 2021 3

IN THE NAME

of Love ision without execution is just hallucination,” famously claimed Thomas Edison, the legendary businessman routinely referred to as America’s greatest inventor.

Not only is this quote so beloved by Jackie Thomas and DeeAnn McCoy—the female dynamic duo behind Palm Springs home renovation powerhouse Thomboy Properties—that the pair put it right on their website’s homepage, it’s a dictum the married couple live and work by. Never a grand illusion here. When lightning

strikes, Thomas and McCoy spring into action, turning dreams into concrete, glass, metal, and more.

The two met in Portland in 1999. Thomas, a native of Kingston, Jamaica who emigrated to Chicago with her family at the age of nine, was in brand marketing at Nike. McCoy—Oregon born-and-bred—ran her own advertising agency. “When we decided to leave our corporate jobs in search of a better work/life balance in 2010, we decided the one place that best suited our lifestyles was Palm Springs,” says Thomas.

“We’d been coming here separately as far back as

Jackie Thomas and DeeAnn McCoy at the entrance to their residence in the Indian Canyons neighborhood of Palm Springs.

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David A. Lee

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BY DANIEL VAILLANCOURT

For the two women of Thomboy Properties, giving back is all in a day’s—and night’s—work the ’80s and both appreciated all the desert has to offer. We also shared a love for midcentury architecture/design and remodeling, which we had tackled personally with numerous primary and vacation homes.

It just made sense to combine all those passions into our next chapter.”

And what an enchanting adventure it’s been. Each of their projects so far has been in Palm Springs proper, and at press time they’re working on number 27. Ardent preservationists, their philosophy is to respect the beauty and simplicity of design from the past while re-imagining it for the way we live today, ensuring that what was authentic then remains authentic now.

“What’s not to love about our work?” asks McCoy, rhetorically. “We get to do it in a beautiful place with beautiful people, restoring beautiful homes with amazing bones. While most of the houses we touch have been neglected, the fact that we get to bring them back to their former glory

while making them relevant to today’s consumers and lifestyles is a dream come true. The best part is that we get to do it together.”

Giving back is an important facet of the couple’s mission, be it by contracting with between 40-50 local laborers and artisans on any given project or volunteering on various boards and for myriad causes close to their hearts. McCoy is a board member of the Indian Canyons Neighborhood Organization (ICNO), one of 48 neighborhood associations under the ONEPS umbrella. Thomas is president of the board of directors of the Equality California Institute, the largest LGBTQ civil rights/ social justice organizations in the state.

“We strongly believe in civic engagement, so we jump in and try to help wherever and whenever we can,” says Thomas, counting racial justice and equity—not to mention the rights of women, immigrants, and animals— as other issues that matter most to them.

Patrick Ketchum Photography

David Blank

Thomboy Properties' Lilliana Glass House project, the first custom home designed by Donald Wexler and his partner Rick Harrison.

Thomboy Properties' "Yosemite" project, also known by its Instagram handle #thatyellowdoor.

“We’ve hosted a number of fundraisers at our personal residence and have opened many of our residential makeovers to the public during Modernism Week. You can also find us out and about at benefit galas such as DAP Health’s Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards, Evening Under the Stars for AIDS Assistance Program/Food Samaritans, and the Palm Springs Animal Shelter’s Fur Ball, but to name a few.”

Adds McCoy: “We feel very fortunate to be able to live the lives we have, and we know there are many people who’ve contributed to our success, so it’s incumbent upon us to do what we can to pay it forward.”

If that’s not a viewpoint to espouse not just at the holidays but year-round, we don’t know what is. And so, let’s all join in raising the roof for Jackie Thomas, DeeAnn McCoy, and their galvanizing Thomboy Properties. thomboyinc.com PSILOVEYOU | Fall 2021 5

Your Chamber A

Forever Hard at Work For Our Community

s it has been since the very beginning of the global pandemic that started almost two years ago, the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce remains committed to focusing all of its energy and resources on concerted efforts to help member businesses stay afloat, and to assist them in continuing efforts for a safe, successful, and sustainable reboot of the economy. We’re also acting diligently to elevate public awareness of—and support for—small local businesses. Just some of the ways we have been doing this include:

The September hosting of the Business Expo & Taste of Palm Springs at Indian Canyons Golf Resort. This amazing event brings together businesses, residents, and visitors to showcase what the Palm Springs business community has to offer. It was one of our most successful expos to date, with more than 2,000 participants and attendees.

In addition to the hosting of several ribbon-cuttings and grand openings in the past few months—a great sign that businesses are opening and getting back to business—our participation in the ribboncutting and grand opening of the Access Center, a homeless services facility at the former boxing club location. Martha’s Village started the wraparound services for homeless individuals in September.

Our organization of and participation in the grand opening of the city’s new 6 PSILOVEYOU | Fall 2021

Downtown Park in October. This two-acre public open space is in the heart of our city and offers a shady oasis for residents and visitors near the Palm Springs Art Museum and the vibrant retail hub along Palm Canyon Drive.

Our hosting of a mixer at Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs, which was a huge success. This is the brand’s first resort on the West Coast, combining midcentury Palm Springs with Margaritaville’s casual-luxe island feel.

The recent appearance of Chamber CEO Nona Watson on many local TV and radio shows to market the programs and services we have to offer. As always, the showcasing of the Palm Springs business community is the Chamber’s chief mission.

The continued at-capacity operation of both of the Chamber’s co-work spaces,

proof positive not only that working remotely is the wave of the future, but that the Chamber was far ahead of the game when it built its spaces for such use four years ago.

Our continued communication with members of the business community to keep them informed on all current state, federal, and municipal ordinances. The dissemination of current loan and grant information is especially vital to our smaller businesses.

No matter what circumstances are upon us, the entire community is only as strong as its weakest member. Our mission here at the Chamber is to help the Coachella Valley weather these still-unprecedented times.

We know that, together, we shall prevail and emerge greater and more resilient than ever!

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A Message from City Manager Justin Clifton Dear Palm Springs: Welcome to our latest edition of PSILOVEYOU, a joint venture between the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce and City Hall.

Since the last edition, I am happy to report there has been a plethora of very good news in Palm Springs. First and foremost, thanks to an important partnership with Martha’s Village and Kitchen, we successfully opened the new Palm Springs Access Center, a daytime dropin center for unhoused individuals across from Palm Springs International Airport. Since its opening in August, I’m happy to report the center has assisted hundreds of homeless residents with much-needed wraparound services. Martha’s has a long and successful history on the eastern end of the Coachella Valley and is well-known as one of the largest and most respected providers of homeless services in Riverside County. We hope this is the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship.

In October, the City officially opened the muchanticipated Downtown Park to the public, thanks in large part to your Measure J tax dollars. The 1.5-acre park has been a huge hit with residents and visitors alike, and features shady palm trees, benches, a new amphitheatre for live music and performances, public restrooms, and a new downtown PSPD substation. It’s been terrific to see our community using and loving this great new amenity located in the heart of downtown.

Finally, the holidays are upon us—and as our COVID cases continue to decline, I am delighted to announce that we anticipate the City’s signature holiday event, the 29th Annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade, to return on Saturday, December 4 along Palm Canyon Drive. In addition, you won’t want to miss the Holiday Tree Lighting on Friday, December 3 at 5:15 p.m. in Frances Stevens Park. By the way, keep an eye out for the wildly popular holiday street banners, created by local students, that line Palm Canyon Drive every year during the holiday season. It’s all part of the magic that makes Palm Springs like no place else!

Lani Garfield

Happy Holidays, Justin Clifton

PSILOVEYOU | Fall 2021 9

Santa Cruz Police Chief Andrew Mills Named Palm Springs Chief of Police four separate panels conducted by city staff and Ralph Anderson and Associates that were comprised of several chiefs of police, sworn and unsworn members of the PSPD, an executive department head panel, and a panel comprised of members of the community selected by a councilmember in each of the City’s five districts, plus other selected stakeholders. The City Council Selection Committee included Mayor Pro Tem Lisa Middleton, and councilmembers Geoff Kors and Dennis Woods.

Following an extensive, nationwide search and a selection process that included significant stakeholder input, Andrew Mills, the chief of police of Santa Cruz, California, a city of 63,000 residents, has been chosen to be the new leader of the Palm Springs Police Department.

Mills has led the SCPD since 2017.

Prior to Santa Cruz, Mills served four years as chief of police in Eureka, California. He began his career in 1983 as a patrol officer with the San Diego Police Department and worked his way up to commanding officer of gang investigations and criminal intelligence/counter terrorism, rising to the rank of police captain and commanding officer in 2011, overseeing the San Diego Police Department’s Western and Eastern divisions. Chief Mills began his new position in Palm Springs in early November.

In Santa Cruz, Mills was hired as a change agent to help move the department toward a culture of community policing and problem-solving while bringing greater transparency and community collaboration.

The selection process started with review of resumes, a significant screening of more than 50 applicants, and two surveys that queried residents and PSPD employees about attributes they were looking for in the next chief of police. The process concluded with 10 PSILOVEYOU | Fall 2021

A graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University, Mills also graduated from the FBI National Academy Session 250, Quantico Virginia, and California P.O.S.T Management School. Appointed by former Governor Jerry Brown to serve on the Board of State and Community Corrections, Mills also serves as executive chair of the California Violence Prevention Grant and on the board of the Herman Goldstein Award for Excellence in Problem-Oriented Policing. He is also a member of the Major Cities Chiefs Intelligence Commanders Group.

“I am very excited to see Chief Mills join our team. We have had an extensive process where the candidates were tested on their values, knowledge, skills, and abilities with a broad cross-section of stakeholders serving as evaluators,” said City Manager Justin Clifton. “Chief Mills was clearly the top performer in the process.

I think he will be able to integrate with our team and community seamlessly.

He brings a wealth of experience and leadership that, with help from the rest of our team, can take us to the next level.”

“The Palm Springs Police Department has a longstanding tradition of inclusive community policing and building important neighborhood and stakeholder relationships,” said Chief Mills. “I am honored to be chosen to serve as the next Palm Springs police chief, and I look forward to working with our officers, the community, City Manager Clifton, and the Council to continue providing an exceptional level of public safety service to the Palm Springs community.”

PSPD Employees Complete Intensive Training in Implicit Bias

In an effort to strengthen community policing and strategies, every employee of the Palm Springs Police Department recently participated in a week of intensive, eight-hour daily training in Principled Policing, Procedural Justice, and Implicit Bias.

A total of four PSPD employees were selected as implicit bias instructors and received training and certification from California Peace Officer Standards and Training.

According to TrustandJustice.org, implicit bias is defined as the automatic association people make between groups of people and stereotypes about those groups. Under certain conditions, those automatic associations can influence behavior—making people respond in biased ways even when they are not explicitly prejudiced.

The course is broken down into small groups. The training consists of six areas that focus on policing approaches that emphasize respect, listening, neutrality, and trust, while recognizing and addressing biases that can be barriers to these approaches. As a result, the training helps to create a broader awareness of both procedural justice and implicit bias to build trust, as well as to improve the safety of officers and the public they serve.

“Reducing the influence of implicit bias is vitally important to strengthening relationships between the police and our community at large,” said Acting Chief of Police Melissa Desmarais. “The Palm Springs Police Department is committed to providing advanced officer training in this subject that is not only engaging and relevant, but also evaluated and measured in a way that creates a significant positive impact on our organization.”

In addition, Desmarais noted Palm Springs has one of the best-trained police forces in the state, and that the department has developed numerous courses certified by the State of California Peace Officers Standards and Training that exceed minimum state requirements, with more than 18,000 hours of training to staff every year in a robust, state-of-the-art facility.

PSPD serves a community of 48,000 residents and more than 5 million annual visitors. “In today’s world, our officers must be prepared to deal with any problem they encounter,” said Desmarais. “With that in mind, the department places significant emphasis on quality training, and prides itself on having the best-trained staff in several fields of expertise so that we can offer the high level of service our community demands.”

Measure J Commission Seeking Proposals for Community-initiated Project Funding The City of Palm Springs Measure J Commission is encouraging residents, neighborhood organizations, businesses, and non-profits in Palm Springs to submit proposals in order to receive a portion of $1 million set aside for community projects to be paid for from the City’s Measure J tax dollars.

Measure J is a one-cent sales tax increase approved by Palm Springs voters in 2011 to provide a source of revenue to maintain local community services and to help economically revitalize the City’s downtown core. Over the last 10 years, Measure J tax dollars have helped fund a wide variety of important community projects that have transformed Palm Springs, including citywide street paving, upgrades, and renovations to the police department and fire stations; restoration of historic buildings such as the Welwood Murray Memorial Library; a plethora of upgrades to parks and recreational facilities; and the construction of the new Downtown Park.

Download an application at PSMeasureJ.com.

Hard copies of the application will be made available for pick-up at various city locations, including City Hall, the Palm Springs Public Library, Welwood Murray Memorial Library, Demuth Park Community Center, James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center, and the Leisure Center at Palm Springs Parks and Recreation.

Applications are due by 6:00 p.m. on December 2, 2021 and must be submitted via email to Evelyn.Beltran@PalmSpringsCA.gov —or by mail or in person to: City of Palm Springs, Attn: Evelyn Beltran, Executive Administrative Assistant, Department of Finance & Treasury, 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262.

Applications that meet the Commission’s criteria will be considered for recommendation to the City Council for final approval.

to fruition,” said City Manager Justin Clifton.

“The City Council encourages anyone interested in obtaining Measure J community funding to get creative, think out of the box, and submit proposals that will further enhance the quality of life in our city.”

“This is a tremendous opportunity for new and innovative community projects to come

For more information about Measure J funding and projects, visit PSMeasureJ.com.

Introducing the New Palm Springs Access Center The Palm Springs Access Center, the City’s new daytime drop-in center for homeless individuals, operated by Martha’s Village and Kitchen, is now officially open and serving those in need.

For many years, the City of Palm Springs has needed a professional provider of Martha’s caliber in order to assist our homeless residents transition from the streets to a permanent roof over their heads. The organization has had a long and successful history on the eastern end of the Coachella Valley, and is wellknown as one of the largest and most respected providers of homeless services in Riverside County.

Since August 31, when the center initially opened with limited services, Martha’s staff has served hundreds of unduplicated clients, managed more than 300 individual cases, and provided nearly 100 bus passes, more than 200 showers, nearly 50 clothing vouchers, and more than 500 snacks.

“These are terrific results—and on behalf of the citizens of Palm Springs, we thank

Martha’s CEO Linda Barrack and her incredible staff for working tirelessly to get the center open—and for bringing the kind of outstanding services and results that they are so well-known for to our Palm Springs community,” said City Manager Justin Clifton. “We hope this is the beginning of a long and successful relationship.”

Founded in 1990, Martha’s Village and Kitchen provides homeless wraparound services at the new access center as well as other assistance that includes case management, helping individuals obtain permanent and supportive housing, health, disability, Social Security, and other benefits, along with computer training and assistance filling out job applications. Showers and laundry service are also available. In addition, staff at Martha’s is responsible for monitoring and evaluating the program’s activities, including collecting and analyzing statistical records, client intake data, program participation, and demographic profiles.

For more information, visit palmspringsca.gov.

PSILOVEYOU | Fall 2021 11

Palm Springs VillageFest Swings Into Fall!

VillageFest fall hours are in effect as of October! The popular weekly street fair held every Thursday night along Palm Canyon Drive now begins one hour earlier at 6:00 p.m. and concludes at 10:00 p.m.

Additionally, VillageFest has returned to its regular pre-COVID layout from Amado Road to Baristo Road on Palm Canyon Drive.

Consistently voted one of the best weekly street fairs in the Coachella Valley, VillageFest attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world and offers more than 200 booths featuring eclectic art, handcrafted items, and unique food. Shops, restaurants, and galleries stay open late. For more information, visit VillageFest.org.

Annual Festival of Lights Parade and Holiday Tree Lighting Anticipated to Return in December Come celebrate the holidays in downtown Palm Springs at the 29th Annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade, the City’s signature holiday event, anticipated to return this year on Saturday, December 4 at 5:45 p.m. along Palm Canyon Drive.

This year’s holiday lights spectacular, which in years past has brought as many as 100,000 residents and visitors to downtown, will once again be broadcast live on NBC Palm Springs.

Coverage begins at 6:00 p.m.

Featuring twinkling floats, magnificent marching bands, huge Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade-style holiday balloons—and Santa Claus, of course—the parade is a much-loved tradition not to be missed.

You also won’t want to miss the City’s spectacular Holiday Tree Lighting, which is anticipated to return on Friday, December 3 at 5:15 p.m. in Frances Stevens Park.

For more information, visit psfestivaloflights.com.

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Time is

Money

BY DANIEL VAILLANCOURT

It’s not just fortune-laden philanthropists who can aid local non-profits. Volunteers who donate of their free hours can, too.

The desert is a unique place where countless non-profits that work tirelessly on behalf of those less fortunate are thankfully able to count on local philanthropists—whether they be year-round residents, snowbirds, or visitors—to provide vital funds via periodic monetary gifts, the purchasing of tickets to glamorous benefit galas, or planned estate bequests. For those of us whose hearts are in the right place but whose bank accounts may not be as plentiful, using one’s free time as currency is the perfect way to give back.

Courtesy of Veltre & Cicatiello

Married couple Jeff Veltre and Joe Cicatiello—former New Jersey residents who will celebrate an astounding 50 years together early next year—discovered Palm Springs in 1985, making annual pilgrimages during the winter months. When they relocated here full-time three years ago after retirement, volunteering was at the top of their to do list. “We’ve both had people-oriented careers,” says Cicatiello.

Jeff Veltre and Joe Cicatiello volunteer as navigators at Palm Springs International Airport.

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It was important for us to give back, and donating our time was one of the perfect ways to do that.”

“It was important for us to give back, and donating our time was one of the perfect ways to do that.”

Both men have volunteered at Desert Regional Medical Center at the front desk, as navigators at the Palm Springs International Airport information desk,

and in theater operations for Palm Springs International Film Festival screenings.

Veltre has also been a celebrity escort for the festival’s starry Film Awards Gala. “Not to sound too cliché, but it’s really been a win-win situation,” he says. “Joe and I have made so many new and dear friends, which has enriched our lives.”

Edie Groesbeck—who at 87 is arguably the most senior volunteer in all of Palm Springs—began dedicating some of her free time to the Palm Springs Art Museum shortly after relocating here from Marin County nearly three decades ago. Since then, she estimates she’s “worked” a total of more than 25,000 hours for DAP Health, Well in the Desert, the Palm Springs International Film Festival, Modernism Week, CVRep, the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center, and Greater Palm Springs Pride, to name but a precious few.

For her selflessness, she received DAP Health’s 2018 Everyday Heroes Award, and was one of two finalists for the 2020 Best of the Valley Ultimate Pride List. “Those

Dale Maguire

acknowledgments were wonderful and much appreciated, but I don’t need trophies or thank yous,” she says, adding that, at the age most people would be winding down, she’s determined to keep going strong. “Number one, I feel great physically. In my head, I’ll be here for 20 more years, and if so, I want to give as much as possible back to my community. Not to mention that many of these non-profits couldn’t survive without their large armies of volunteers.”

A happy group from Volunteer Palm Springs at the annual National Night Out event—sponsored by the Palm Springs Police Department—in October 2020 at the Palm Springs Stadium.

which local organizations could use a little helping hand while they’re here.”

Lani Gar

field

Edie Groesbeck during off hours.

VPS—which began with 30 people and has worked with more than two dozen local non-profits since its inception— now boasts a membership of some 1,400 people from all over the world who have signed up on its website (volunteerpalmsprings.org) to receive information about various events seeking free help. “Our members can pick and choose which organizations they’d like

to support,” stresses Carden. “It’s this flexibility—with no requirement of time donated—that’s enabled us to not only sustain our membership but to thrive.”

To the men and women who may still be on the fence, Groesbeck has this to say: “If you’re retired, have an income, and are in pretty good shape, go ahead and give back for all you’ve received in your life. I can’t tell you how much I get out of this. I get much, much more out of it than I give.”

It’s been so gratifying to be able to create an environment where people can truly make a difference through volunteerism—or voluntourism, as I call it. That’s when outof-towners reach out while on vacation to find out which local organizations could use a little helping hand while they’re here."

For those who feel the desire but have no clue where to begin, Volunteer Palm Springs— founded in 2010 by David Carden jr.—is the perfect place to start. “I’ve been a community activist, volunteer, and leader since I was 16,” says Carden. “A few years after my husband and I moved here, I came to realize there were hundreds of people who wanted to contribute to the community. It’s been so gratifying to be able to create an environment where people can truly make a difference through volunteerism—or voluntourism, as I call it. That’s when out-oftowners reach out while on vacation to find out PSILOVEYOU | Fall 2021 21

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Coffee, Kitties, Cuddles, & More!

With her Frisky Business Cat Café, Claire Rogers brings felines and their fans together in Palm Springs A cat café is a public place where one can come indulge in the companionship of our feline friends while also enjoying a beverage, a snack, or both,” says Frisky Business Cat Café owner Claire Rogers. “You can adopt a kitty while you’re there if you’d like, but if you don’t want to, that’s OK, too. Basically, it’s about giving cats both shelter and visibility so that they can have a greater chance of being adopted.”

So goes the elevator pitch as delivered by this inveterate animal lover—born in Britain, raised in Canada—who, done with corporate life after serving 20 years in top-level executive positions while living in London, decided to combine her passions for cats and community in a beloved place that’s a haven for both: Palm Springs.

The concept is nothing new. There are cat cafés all over the globe—125 in the U.S., a dozen of them in California alone. There’s one in Los Angeles, two in San Diego, three in San Francisco. But seeing that none yet existed in the Coachella Valley, Rogers—the proud owner of a quartet of rescues—made a beeline for the desert, a vacation spot she’s regularly frequented for decades.

Working not only with the Palm Springs Animal Shelter but with other such organizations throughout the valley, at any given time, Rogers foresees fostering a dozen or so happy, healthy cats immediately available for adoption. They’ll live at Frisky Business—whose precise location has yet to be nailed down at press time—alongside other felines deemed “unadoptable” due to health or age reasons.

“These latter kitties will have been legally adopted by me so that they can live out the rest of their days in a safe, loving environment as official Frisky Business mascots,” says 24 PSILOVEYOU | Fall 2021

I want Frisky Business to be an integral part of the community because I love and cherish Palm Springs and its residents.”

Rogers. “All cats will be kept separate from where food and beverages are prepared and served, but patrons will absolutely be able to take their beer, wine, coffee, or goodies into the cat lounge for some cat love.”

Rogers is quick to clarify that those allergic to cats can still frequent the café to simply eat and drink, while individuals not looking to adopt but nonetheless in need of kitty cuddles are always welcome. “Some people may live in places that don’t allow pets, for instance. Those folks may appreciate the opportunity to spend an hour or so giving and receiving love.”

The $20 per hour cat lounge admittance fee will include a complimentary beverage and treat. “The reason,” says Rogers, “is to help defray the cost of food, litter, and medical care.”

Rogers maintains that, in addition to devising reduced pricing for locals, she’ll collaborate on special events with area charities. There will also be times reserved for children or seniors, where the price of admission will be waived.

“Frisky Business is all about helping our feline friends while also allowing people to come together in a relaxed, fun, unique setting” concludes Rogers.

“I want Frisky Business to be an integral part of the community because I love and cherish Palm Springs and its residents.”

To learn more, please visit friskybusinesscatcafé.com or use this QR code.

POWERED BY

Every time we sell a home we keep our local economy moving forward.

PUT THE TOP SALES TEAM IN COACHELLA VALLEY TO WORK FOR YOU!

CONNECT WITH US

760.656.6055 Info@BradySandahl.com BradySandahl.com DRE # 01416687

Each Office Independently Owned and Operated. If your property is listed with another Broker, this is not a solicitation. Keller Williams Realty does not guarantee the accuracy of square footage, lot size, or other information concerning the condition or features of the property provided by the seller or obtained from public records or other sources and the buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information through personal inspection with appropriate licensed professionals. KW DRE# 01417409

PSILOVEYOU | Fall 2021 27

Local THINK

Coutesy of The Shag Store

Daniel Vaillancourt

As your mind turns to holiday giftgiving, why not support a few local merchants rather than just shopping at big chain stores or online retailers?

And think outside that beautifully giftwrapped box this year. Below you’ll find something for each of your loved ones—or for yourself—no matter who’s been naughty or nice.

And remember: Gift certificates are always a great way to go. Happy spending!

The Shag Store We offer amazing fine art prints, high-quality merchandise, and gifts by JoSH AGle—the celebrated artist better known as Shag—to suit your midcentury-inspired Palm Springs lifestyle. Signing events occur regularly, rivaling some of the desert’s best parties, so please visit us soon. shagstore.com

Bones-n-Scones With three locations throughout the desert, we at Bones-n-Scones are happy to say we beat online retailers for carefully curated foods and pet supplies for all families with paws. Shop in-store, or take advantage of our same-day home delivery. We’re your ever-local, everlove, one-stop-everything for paws. bonesnscones.com

Courtesy of Skinny Leaf

Stinky Leaf

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We may be a little quirky, but we’re a lot of fun! Come on by and get a whiff of our wide range of cannabis products, including all-natural flower, vapes, edibles, CBD, accessories, travel-friendly tidbit cannabis products, and much more.

Can’t make it to the party? No worries.

We are so stinkin’ happy to also offer cannabis delivery services to Palm Springs! shopstinkyleaf.com

Our visitors are impressed by clothing and other accessories whose sizes (XS-9XL) can’t be found anywhere else on Arenas Road. What makes Bear Wear the best place to shop? Great customer service and laughter! All we ask is that, when visiting our small fun business, you treat us with the same kindness we extend to you. psbearwear.com

Courtesy of Bear Wear

Bear Wear

Courtesy of Revivals

Revivals Shopping, donating, or volunteering at Revivals supports access to comprehensive health care for more than 10,000 of your neighbors because 100% of profits fund services at DAP Health. Locals who experience “the thrill of the save” voted us best thrift store and best new furniture store because they can find brand new Mode Furniture (exclusively here) alongside an exciting assortment of gently used furniture, home goods, and apparel. revivalsstores.com

preLoved Palm Springs is a collection of beautiful resale clothing for the fashionably conscious. With deep consideration for how fashion impacts world waste, we created our reusable “green bag” that not only benefits returning customers (10% off forever bag in-hand) but is also a way to pledge less harm to Mother Earth—one bag at a time. prelovedpalmsprings.com

Courtesy of preLoved Palm Springs

preLoved Palm Springs

PSILOVEYOU | Fall 2021 29

Courtesy of Peepa's Palm Springs

Courtesy of Palm Canyon Theatre

Palm Canyon Theatre

When you’re shopping at Peepa’s, you’ll be drawn in by our fun dance music, colorful store, and product by local designers. We’ve become the destination for Palm Springs fashion—especially caftans, which fit all shapes and sizes! We also carry a diverse collection of wall art, last-minute gifts, candles, coffee table books, and hilarious greeting cards. peepasps.com

T A LAVER A P A LM S PR I N GS.COM

Celebrating its 25th season, PCT continues to produce dynamic musicals and inspirational plays. The nonprofit surely has a show to delight anyone on your gift list. Popular classic "The Sound of Music" runs December 3-19. Tickets are $15-$36. We’re located at Palm Canyon Drive and Alejo Road. palmcanyontheatre.org

Peepa’s Palm Springs

An instant retreat

Your Retreat

TO A BOHEMIAN PARADISE

( 833) 2 83- 0 01 0

30 PSILOVEYOU | Fall 2021

R E S E RV E TO DAY !

PSILOVEYOU | Fall 2021 31

PALM SPRINGS

CHALK ART FESTIVAL 2022 Presented by The Palm Springs Sunup Rotary Club

T

he Palm Springs Sunup Rotary Club presents it’s 10th Annual Palm Springs Chalk Art Festival in Downtown Palm Springs. Over the past 10 years, this festival has grown in size, starting out in the parking lot of Jensen’s Supermarket, several downtown parking lot locations, the Palm Springs High School and in 2019 on Museum Way. We are excited to be back on Museum Way across from the Palm Springs Art Museum.

Professional artists from across Southern California and students from the Palm Springs Unified School District, Desert Sands Unified School District and the Coachella Valley School District, compete for cash

prizes and student honor awards. Monies raised from this event are donated to the Palm Springs Sunup Rotary Foundation for Rotary student leadership programs, charitable organizations in the Coachella Valley and many other projects.

For the first time, The Palm Springs Chalk Art Festival, will be a two day event. The artist’s contest drawings will be on Saturday, March 19th with judging of both professional and students. Additional student artists will be invited to create their works of art on Sunday, March 20th.

This event is free to the public, with hours of 7:00am to 5:00pm.

PSILOVEYOU | Fall 2021 33

INFUSION THERAPY

MYIV INFUSIONS

FOR EVERY LIFESTYLE

CONTACT US Phone: 760-318-7478 Email: info@myinvinfusion.com

location

Book Your Appointment

TODAY

901 Tahquitz Canyon Way #A101 Palms Springs CA 92262

INSTAGRAM @myivinfusions

Open Tues to Sat 10 - 7PM

w w w. m y i v i n f u s i o n . c o m

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Members

PS CHAMBER

New

Mello Mallo 2408 N Vista Drive Palm Springs, CA, 92262 (760) 904-7483 themellomallo.com

Deania Thorne - Bill Proctor & Associates 57353 29 Palms Hwy Suite A Yucca Valley, CA, 92284 (760) 406-4121 proctorins.com

Content Solutions Consulting Jeremy Proctor - Bill Proctor 7 Evensen, Irvine, CA, 92602 57353 29 Palms Hwy Suite A (310) 569-7880 Yucca Valley, CA, 92284 cscink.com (760) 406-4121 proctorins.com I heart Mac and Cheese 190 S Indain Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA, 92262 (415) 335-2415 iheartmacandcheese.com 120% Lino 73-585 El Paseo #A1118 Palm Desert, CA, 92260 (442) 666-3053 120percento.com

Mosaic Wine Alliance 1387 E San Jacinto Way Palm Springs, CA, 92262 (760) 322-0905 mosaicwinealliance.com

Grand Central Palm Springs 160 La Plaza, Palm Springs, CA, 92262 (760) 832-6169 grandcentralpalmsprings.com

Pete’s Hideaway 665 S Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA, 92264 (760) 322-6500 peteshideawayps.com

The Palm Springs Post 3554 Penny Lane Palm Springs, CA, 92262 (206) 851-9516 thepalmspringsspot.com

Monkey Tree Hotel, The 2388 E Raquet Club Drive, Palm Springs, CA, 92262 (760) 322-6059 themonkeytreehotel.com

Benchmark Realtors Palm Springs 777 E Tahquitz Way Palm Springs, CA, 92262 (760) 810-5888 benchmarkrealtorsca.com

Keller Williams 451 Broadshaw Lane Palm Springs, CA, 92262 (909) 631-0534 Eric Yoshimura ericyoshimura.com

PS Domain Sales 45 Lincoln Place, Rancho Mirage, CA, 92270 (918) 261-2268

DP Human Capital Management Palm Springs, CA, 92264 (562) 481-8551 delpeeples.com Body By Queen Skin Care 1111 E Tahquitz Canyon Road Palm Springs, CA, 92262 (951) 446-4834 bodybyqueenskincare.com Tara Tours Ireland PO Box 3237 Palm Springs, CA, 92262 (442) 342-5317 Bean Counter Bookkeeping 333 N. Palm Canyon Drive Suite 212 Palm Springs, CA, 92262 (760) 322-4011 bc-bookeeping.com Cookies Palm Springs 777 N Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA, 92262 (760) 832-8422 cookiespalmsprings.com

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Brian Denphey Psychotherapy 501 Desert Lakes, Palm Springs, CA, 92264 (949) 293-6725 The Thirsty Palms Restaurant & Bar 134 South Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA, 92262 (760) 904-4222 thethirstypalms.com Timeless Valkyries 333 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA, 92262 (951) 287-7490 PS Homeboys 108 S Indian Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA, 92262 (760) 459-2925 pshomeboys.com GW Travel and Cruise 1309 E Caleta Way, Palm Springs, CA, 92262 (425) 736-3106 gwtravelandcruise.com PNC Bank 420 S Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA, 92262 (724) 594-7625 darren-miller.com

Stinky Leaf 290 San Rafael Place, Palm Springs, CA, 92262 (760) 464-0199 shopstinkyleaf.com

Altform Gallery 122 La Plaza, Palm Springs, CA, 92262 (206) 779-9752 altformgallery.com

Mojave Flea Trading Post 2565 Cheryl Lane, Palm Springs, CA, 92262 (310) 867-0520 shoptradingpost.com

MYIV Infusions 901 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA, 92262 (760) 318-7478 myivinfusion.com

Casitas Del Monte 2700 S Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA, 92262 (760) 320-6589 casitasdelmonte.com

Optimal Wellness Living 777 E Tahquitz Canyon Way 200-44, Palm Springs, CA, 92262 (760) 209-3098

Palm Sprigns Celeberity Golf 800 E Cottonwood Road, Palm Springs, CA, 92262 (760) 567-9968 palmspringscelebritygolfclassic.com

Audacy Operation Inc 401 City Line Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19103 (877) 585-3855 audacyinc.com

Palm Springs American Legion Post 519 400 N Belardo Road, Palm Springs, CA, 92262 (760) 413-0218 pslegion.org

DJ Baby Yoda LLC 54432 Shoal Creek, La Quinta, CA, 92253 (310) 908-8464 DJBabyYoda.com

Celeb Consignment & Gallery 67777 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Cathedral City, CA, 92234 (760) 548-0057 facebook.com/ Celeb-ConsignmentGallery-102840938817575 Scan to view the full directory of Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce members

Selling Point 360 LLC 68630 San Felipe Road, Cathedral City, CA, 92234 (918) 760-1934 sellingpoint360.tours Stripeline Co. 1605 Margarita Drive, Redlands, CA, 92373 (909) 583-7362 Frisky Business Palm Springs Cat Cafe Serving the Coachella Valley Palm Springs, CA, 92264 (760) 902-7580 friskybusinesscatcafe.com Happy Pets Pet Sitters 1717 Vista Chino, Palm Springs, CA, 92262 (760) 854-8800 happypetspetsitters.com Emerald Springs LLC 560 S Williams Road, Palm Springs, CA, 92264 (949) 697-9420 emeraldspringsdispensary.com Data Driven Educators 1111 Tahquitz Canyon #110, Palm Springs, CA, 92262 (951) 440-6220 datadrivenedu.com Foley & Stinnette 1091 N Palm Canyon Drive #3, Palm Springs, CA, 92262 (760) 322-2268 foleystinnette.com PSILOVEYOU | Fall 2021 37

HOME OF PALM SPRINGS GOLD 58645 Old Hwy 60 Whitewater, CA 92282

whitewater-rock.com

760.325.2747

Toll-Free: 1.800.266.2747 Fax: 760.327.5495

38 PSILOVEYOU | Fall 2021

PSILOVEYOU | Fall 2021 39

Community

Information Palm Springs City Hall 3200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way (760) 323-8299 palmspringsca.gov Palm Springs Police Department 200 S. Civic Way Direct Line (760) 323-8116 Public Information (760) 323-8106 pspd.com Palm Springs Fire Department 300 N. El Cielo Road (760) 323-8181

Community and Economic Development (760) 323-8259 Office of Sustainability (760) 323-8214 Planning Services (760) 323-8245 Public Works & Engineering (760) 323-8253 Building & Safety (760) 323-8242 Maintenance & Facilities (760) 323-8167

Office of the City Manager (760) 322-8362

Code Enforcement (760) 323-8177

Office of the Assistant City Manager/City Engineer (760) 323-8202

Parks and Recreation 401 S. Pavilion Way (760) 323-8272

Office of the City Council (760) 322-8385

Demuth Community Center 3601 E. Mesquite Ave. (760) 320-6430

Office of the City Attorney (760) 323-8205 Office of the City Clerk (760) 323-8204 Request public records via email at cityclerk@palmspringsca.gov

James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center 480 Tramview Road (760) 323-8271

Office of Communications/ Public Information (760) 323-8250

Palm Springs Public Library 300 S. Sunrise Way (760) 322-7323 palmspringslibrary.org

Office of Neighborhood Involvement (760) 323-8255 palmspringsneighborhoods.com

Welwood Murray Memorial Public Library & Visitors Center 100 S. Palm Canyon Drive (760) 323-8296

Office of Special Program Compliance/Vacation Rentals & Cannabis (760) 322-8370

Palm Springs International Airport 3400 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way (760) 318-3800 palmspringsairport.com

Information Technology and Palm Springs Community Television (760) 322-8397 Finance Department Direct Line (760) 323-8229 Business Licenses (760) 323-8289

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Palm Springs Animal Control (760) 323-8151 (760) 327-1441 Active animal assistance Palm Springs Animal Shelter 4575 E. Mesquite Avenue (760) 416-5718 psanimalshelter.org

Palm Springs Convention & Bureau of Tourism 277 N. Avenida Caballeros (760) 325-6611 VisitPalmSprings.Com

Volunteer Palm Springs PO Box 5803 Palm Springs, CA 92263 760.902.2297 volunteerpalmsprings.org

Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs, ONE-PS one-ps.org palmspringsneighborhoods@one-ps.org

Well in the Desert 441 S. Calle Encilia (760) 285-7297 wellinthedesert.org

USEFUL CONTACTS FOR OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICES AND ORGANIZATIONS

CITY HOTLINES Code Enforcement (760) 778-8434

Desert Water Agency 1200 Gene Autry Trail South (760) 323-4971 DWA.org LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert 1301 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Ste. 301 (760) 416-7790 thecenterps.org Mizell Center 480 S. Sunrise Way (760) 323-5689 mizell.org Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce 190 W. Amado Road (760) 325-1577 pschamber.org Palm Springs Disposal Services 4690 E. Mesquite Avenue (760) 327-1351 palmspringsdisposal.com Palm Springs Unified School District 150 District Center Drive (760) 883-2700 psusd.us

Graffiti (760) 778-8469 Vacation Rental Compliance (760) 322-8383 ELECTED OFFICIALS Congressman Raul Ruiz, MD, 36th District Coachella Valley District Office 43875 Washington Street, Ste. 4 Palm Desert, CA 92211 (760) 424-8888 Riverside County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez, 4th District Coachella Valley District Office 73710 Fred Waring Drive, Ste. 222 Palm Desert, CA 92260 (760) 863-8211 Assemblyman Chad Mayes, 42nd Assembly District 41608 Indian Trail, Ste. 1 Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 (760) 346-6342 State Senator Melissa Melendez, 28th Senate District 45125 Smurr Street, Ste. B Indio, CA 92201 (760) 398-6442

760.318.3960