Indy Digest: May 20, 2024
Most of the time, our beautiful Coachella Valley doesn’t seem very unified.
We’re all neighbors, living in the same area—yet our nine cities often feel very much … separate. Some of my Palm Springs friends make jokes about needing passports to venture east into other valley cities. Some of my east valley friends look at me quizzically when I mention something happening near my Palm Springs home.
But on occasion, something brings us together—happily, if temporarily. Last year around this time, it was, of all things, hockey. (This may be on the verge of happening again, as the Coachella Valley Firebirds have reached the Western Conference Finals of the American Hockey League 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs—in other words, they’re one of the final four teams.)
Today, it’s a performer—the amazing Abi Carter.
On the off chance you’ve been living on Mars for the last several weeks, and you just returned, let me fill you in: Abi Carter, of Indio, became this year’s American Idol winner last night, following in the footsteps of greats like Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood (as well as other singers who didn’t make it quite as big).
Abi Carter is not only an amazing local talent; she’s a great representation of how our nine valley cities really are one community. She’s an Indio native. In Palm Desert, she participated in the McCallum Theatre’s Open Call competition multiple times. She was a frequent performer at Palm Springs VillageFest. She attended La Quinta High School (briefly; otherwise, she was homeschooled).
She’s truly a citizen of the Coachella Valley … and now she’s a champion. Our champion.
—Jimmy Boegle
From the Independent
A Neighborhood Torn: Battles Over a La Quinta Estate’s Events Lead to Animosity, Arrests and Accusations of City Favoritism
By Cat Makino
May 17th, 2024
La Quinta’s Dupont Estate has a city permit to host up to three events per year. Some neighbors say the property is hosting more—and disrupting the neighborhood.
Vine Social: Does Wine Affect You Differently When You’re on Vacation? There’s a Reason for That—and It’s Not the Wine
By Katie Finn
May 19th, 2024
Many people believe that the wine we drink in other countries is somehow different that the wine we’re consuming here in the U.S. It’s not.
A Complicated Love Story: Zendaya Shines Onscreen and on the Tennis Court in ‘Challengers’
By Bob Grimm
May 20th, 2024
Challengers works well as both a fascinating study of the sport and a complicated love story. Make that a VERY complicated love story.
Weird and Wonderful: Apple TV+’s ‘Dark Matter’ Entertains by Offering a Dark Take on the Multiverse
By Bob Grimm
May 20th, 2024
Start watching Apple TV+’s Dark Matter before people spoil the surprises—and don’t watch the damn trailer.
More News
• A man caused havoc in downtown Palm Springs Friday night—including driving through a clothing store. News Channel 3 reports: “A 30-year old man was accused of driving his vehicle through multiple Palm Springs businesses Friday night—including Sunny Days and Destination PSP. According to the Palm Springs Police Department, the driver was booked on several charges for hit and run, vandalism, and DUI. In a press release, PSPD says the incident first happened around 10:17 p.m. on Friday. Officers say they responded to calls of a maroon SUV trying to ram into the ‘Forever Marilyn’ statue on Museum Way. The man reportedly wasn’t able to reach the statue, because his SUV was stopped by the barricades. Investigators said the man then drove down N. Palm Canyon Drive and along a walkway between several businesses in the area. According to PSPD:” After that, he drove in the back of Sunny Days and out the front. Watch the video … it’s incredible.
• Someone shot a pellet gun at several LGBTQ+ bars and clubs in San Diego in the late-night hours of Friday night/Saturday morning. The Los Angeles Blade says: “According to the San Diego Police Department, they received reports of a pellet gun being fired out of a vehicle just after 1 a.m. Saturday morning. As of Sunday evening, the locations police could confirm were shot by the assailant were Rich’s, The Rail, #1 on Fifth Avenue and PECS in the Hillcrest and North Park neighborhoods. SDPD confirmed that one of these incidents struck three people outside Rich’s Nightclub and hospitalized one. Witnesses told San Diego CBS affiliate KFMB-TV8 it appeared to be a BMW, but police have not released an official suspect or vehicle description.” Yikes.
• Our partners at Calmatters report on the fact that the Legislature makes a lot of budget decisions based on politics … and not necessarily facts: “Frustration came through loud and clear as legislators hurled question after question at the head of the state’s homelessness interagency council: Why, after years of planning and billions of dollars invested, is there so little to show for the effort? … But even without a full picture of how well the homelessness spending is working, Gov. Gavin Newsom is proposing cuts to cover the state’s budget deficit. That’s just one example of how the state budget gets put together, often without fully knowing if a program is paying off. Revenue dictates decisions, and voter-passed initiatives direct some spending. After that, legislators use any data that’s available, but they also negotiate with other officials and listen to their constituents. They’re also lobbied by advocates and interest groups. (More than 650 organizations spent money lobbying on the budget, as well as other issues.)”
• Meanwhile, an economic expert, writing for The Conversation, examines a new California tax on guns and ammunition: “Starting in July 2024, California will be the first state to charge an excise tax on guns and ammunition. The new tax—an 11% levy on each sale—will come on top of federal excise taxes of 10% or 11% for firearms and California’s 6% sales tax. The National Rifle Association has characterized California’s Gun Violence Prevention and School Safety Act as an affront to the Constitution. But the reaction from the gun lobby and firearms manufactures may hint at something else: the impact that the measure, which is aimed at reducing gun violence, may have on sales. … One way to think about it is to compare state tax policies on firearms with those on alcohol and tobacco products. It’s not for nothing that these all appear in the name of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, also known as ATF.”
• Today’s recall news involves … old stoves! CBS News reports: “Electrolux Group is urging consumers to stop using older model Frigidaire and Kenmore electric ranges following recent reports that the appliances can cause fires and burn injuries. A notice posted Thursday by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns that heating elements on the recalled ranges, which date from 2009, can spontaneously turn on by themselves; fail to turn off when switched off by the consumer; and heat to different temperatures than selected, posing fire risks and burn hazards. About 203,000 ranges are affected by the recall, which includes Frigidaire, Frigidaire Gallery, Frigidaire Professional, and Kenmore Elite smooth-top electric ranges sold in various colors, including white, bisque, black and stainless steel. … The affected ranges, which were sold nationwide from June 2001 through August 2009 at Sears and independent appliance stores, were originally recalled in 2009. Since then, there have been at least 212 complaints, including 14 reports of fires and eight reports of burn injuries on the hands or arms, as well as smoke inhalation.”
• And finally … the operators of the Mary Pickford Theater in Cathedral City are introducing a brand-new way to take in a movie. From a news release: “The iconic state-of-the-art Mary Pickford Theater located in downtown Cathedral City announced it plans to open its new immersive viewing experience “ScreenX” to the public on May 24 with the release of the new Furiousa movie. … ScreenX reimagines the way movies are experienced. The revolutionary format seamlessly extends the screens onto the surrounding walls of the auditorium, delivering a 270-degree panoramic viewing adventure. Through its unique presentation of key scenes and exclusive elements, ScreenX immerses audiences in an unparalleled visual environment. The new ScreenX auditorium will boast a 50-foot-wide screen and luxury recliner seat. Besides Warner Brothers’ Furiosa, other upcoming ScreenX films include Illumination’s Despicable Me 4, Universal Pictures’ Twisters, and Marvel Studios’ Deadpool & Wolverine.” Get details here.
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