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elcome to Thursday, where we're urging you to stay indoors if possible. The extreme heat warning is expected to reach 115 degrees today, and the smoke from nearby fires makes it hazardous to be outside for extended periods. If you don't have a cool place or air conditioning, note that the city offers cooling shelters at locations listed online. Additionally, SCE provides assistance with AC costs, explained on their website.
A local advocacy group in Palm Springs is pushing for the city to decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms and plants. The Palm Springs Psychedelic Society will host a free event Saturday at the Mizell Center to discuss the proposal. If successful, Palm Springs would be the first Southern California city to take this step. Six other California cities have already decriminalized psychedelics since Oakland did so in 2019.
The society plans to build support for a city council discussion on decriminalization following Saturday's event. "We're saying let's remove these criminal penalties, or at least stop arresting people for doing something that's been going on for millennia," said Larry Norris, co-founder of Decriminalize Nature.
The James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center recently received a $56,000 grant to upgrade its technology infrastructure. The new equipment includes 16 computer workstations and expanded Wi-Fi coverage throughout the facility.
Today's featured events include a Women's Chat Group, Better Brain & Balance class, Game Night at Starbase 505, Art Museum Free Admission, VillageFest in Downtown Palm Springs, and Melancholy Babies performing at Agua Caliente Palm Springs.
Upcoming events include Retreat to the Heat presented by The Palm Springs Writers' Guild, Resident Discount Day at the Palm Springs Surf Club, Pool Party for a Cause benefiting Palm Springs Animal Shelter, Rotary Club of Palm Springs Sunup Blood Drive, and Fix-It-Fair at the Mizell Center.
A Palm Springs property that sold for $1.35 million in May is now heading to foreclosure at less than half that price, listed for $665,500. This isn't an isolated case, as Palm Springs has the highest inventory in the Coachella Valley with 754 homes for sale, and sellers are taking a significant hit on prices, accepting an average of 4.1% below their asking price.
