New Year, New-Look Neighborhoods Newsletter

Palm Springs, CA sent this bulletin at 01/20/2026 02:39 PM PST

Neighborhoods Newsletter

January 2026

New Year, New-Look Newsletter

We’re pleased to introduce a refreshed newsletter design and hope you enjoy the updated look and feel!

And as always, I'm looking for story ideas and photos from your neighborhood events! Please email me at: denise.goolsby@palmspringsca.gov

Robert Silberstein, of Andreas Hills Neighborhood, receives his Individual Achievement award, presented by ONE-PS board chair Chris Ruetz and board member Kate Castle. Also pictured is awards emcee Fred Roggin and ASL interpreter Bill Pugin.

Eight Neighborhoods Win First-Ever Neighborhoods of Distinction Awards!

Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs (ONE-PS) celebrated its inaugural Neighborhoods of Distinction Awards On December 9, honoring standout achievements across Palm Springs’ 52 official neighborhoods.

Special thanks to Fred Roggin, host of NBC Palm Springs’ Roggin Report and its Good Neighbor segment, for emceeing the event!

DISTINCTION Award Winners

• Little Beverly Hills – Recognizing Brian Ramos for transforming the neighborhood through exceptional leadership and engagement.

• Baristo – Celebrated for strengthening community ties through National Night Out and traffic-calming improvements on El Segundo.

HONOR Award Winners

Organizational Achievements: Tahquitz Creek Golf, Old Las Palmas, Vista Las Palmas

Individual Achievements: Peter Sipkins (Melody Ranch), Ken Alexander (Upper West Side), Robert Silberstein (Andreas Hills)

This new annual tradition highlights the power of collaboration between ONE-PS, our neighborhoods, and the City of Palm Springs. A “Best Practices” booklet is coming soon to help communities learn from 2025's successes.

Kyle Stjerne promoted to Deputy Chief

Kyle Stjerne was promoted from Captain to Deputy Chief. In a Facebook post announcing the promotion, Chief Andy Mills wrote that Stjerne "has proven to be a solid leader who can hold people accountable to the highest standards of this community and profession." Kyle was previously PSPD Operations Division Commander. We are happy to welcome him as our new PD liaison to ONE-PS.

Gus Araiza rises to rank of Captain

Gus Araiza was promoted from Lieutenant to Captain. Chief Andy Mills said in the joint Facebook post announcing their promotions, that Araiza "has held the LGBTQ liaison position for years and is known as a compassionate leader." He will be leading the new PSPD Special Operations Division. Gus has been a great friend of ONE-PS and has served in the past as PSPD liaison to the organization.

Chief Mills updates ONE-PS on PSPD moves

PSPD command staff members at the ONE-PS Monthly Meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 13. From left, Chief Andy Mills, Deputy Chief Kyle Stjerne, Capt. Gus Araiza, Lt. Mike Villegas and Lt. Mike Torres.

With the promotions of Deputy Chief Stjerne and Captain Araiza, along with some department reorganizations - including the creation of the Special Operations Division which Capt. Araiza will lead - here are the current assignments for the three sectors of operation in the City of Palm Springs:

Mizell Center to host February 10 ONE-PS Meeting

New monthly meeting time is 4:00 p.m.

With the Police Training Center in use the first two weeks of February, the Mizell Center has been kind enough to offer ONE-PS space for its Feb. 10 meeting. Mizell is at 480 S. Sunrise Way. The new meeting time for all ONE-PS monthly meetings going forward is 4:00 p.m.

The ONE-PS Picnic Committee is collecting donations of dog treats and toys for gift baskets to be awarded to winners of the dog costume contest. Please bring items to this meeting and the March 10, 2026 ONE-PS meeting. Thank you!

Bill Pugin, longtime ONE-PS ASL interpreter, shares his life and career in new book

"Fly on the Wall" book signing at The Center draws large crowd, including friend and colleague Marlee Matlin

Bill Pugin, left, signs his book, "Fly on the Wall" for Richard Allegra, while Stan Potrude looks on.

Bill Pugin captivated a standing-room-only crowd during his January 15 book signing at the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert, sharing stories captured in his recently published book, "Fly on the Wall." The book chronicles his five decade career as an ASL interpreter; a journey that took him to film sets - and around the world - in service to the Deaf community. Bill, whose older sister Mary Anne Pugin is Deaf, began learning American Sign Language in his youth. He has been a mainstay at ONE-PS monthly meetings.

The book’s foreword was written by Deaf actress Marlee Matlin (pictured, left, with the author), who described Bill as “a man who gave meaning to silence and whose work continues to speak far beyond the boundaries of words.”

Marlee received an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 1987 for "Children of a Lesser God," becoming the first deaf actress to win an Oscar.

WestGatePS NOrg's Smurfette and Daniel Tiger win "Most Animated Balloon" Awards at Festival of Lights Parade

The WestGatePS Neighborhood Organization wrangled the parade’s largest balloon - requiring an impressive 32 wranglers - and walked away with one of the Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade’s Most Animated Balloon Awards.

Daniel Tiger also earned a Most Animated Balloon award, no small feat considering the massive inflatable nearly stayed grounded. Thanks to some last-minute volunteer “wrangling” - including Palm Springs Unified School District staff who answered the call, along with extra help from the Oasis del Sol Neighborhood - Daniel and his stuffed animal friend Tigey made it into the air, much to the delight of children lining the parade route.

Thank you to all who participated and helped make the parade such a success!

Parks & Rec Launches P.L.A.Y. Digital Brochure

Palm Springs Parks & Recreation Department recently announced the launch of P.L.A.Y., Parks, Leisure, and Activities for YOU!, a new, informative, online activities guide designed to connect residents and visitors with the wide range of recreational opportunities available throughout the City.

WINTER 2025-26 ISSUE OF P.L.A.Y.

Upcoming Events

Palm Springs Black History Committee Calendar of Events

For a complete list of events scheduled in January and February 2026, please visit: https://palmspringsblackhistory.org/event-calendar

Palm Springs Health Run & Wellness Festival

Saturday, Jan. 24, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Ruth Hardy Park, 700 Tamarisk Road. See flyer below for more information.

ZONE Palm Springs Community Open House

Monday, Jan. 26, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Palm Springs Convention Center, 277 N. Avenida Caballeros. Learn more about proposed updates to the City's Zoning Code and help shape the future of Palm Springs. See flyer below for more information.

El Dorado Palms Neighborhood Annual Meeting

Tuesday, Jan. 27, 3 p.m., El Dorado Palms Clubhouse. For more information, contact Cathy Liss at tdk1523@icloud.com

El Mirador Neighborhood Annual Meeting

Saturday, Jan. 31, 9 a.m. - noon, Hanson House Foundation, 380 E Paseo El Mirador. For more information, contact: leeanne.barham@gmail.com

Deepwell Estates Neighborhood Annual Meeting

Saturday, Jan. 31, 11:30 a.m., Demuth Community Center, 3601 E. Mesquite Ave. For more information, contact: tamara.hedges@gmail.com

ONE-PS Board of Directors Meeting

Monday, Feb. 2, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m., Large Conference Room, City Hall

ZONE Palm Springs Community Open House (Zoom Meeting)

Wednesday, Feb, 4, 2 - 3:30 p.m., Zoom Link: https://bit.ly/ZonePSopenhouse

1st Annual Palm Springs Fire Foundation Golf Tournament

Friday, Feb. 6. Indian Canyons Golf Resort, North Course. Please see flyer below for more information. To sign up, email j.banford@palmspringspoa.com

Tour de Palm Springs

Saturday, Feb. 7, Downtown Palm Springs. For more information: https://tourdepalmsprings.com/

Palm Springs Black History Annual Awards Gala

Saturday, Feb. 7, 6 p.m., Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, 67967 Vista Chino, Cathedral City. Please see flyer below for more information.

ONE-PS Monthly Membership Meeting

Tuesday, Feb. 10, 4:00 p.m., Mizell Center, 480 S. Sunrise Way

Modernism Week 2026

Feb. 12 - 22. For more information: https://modernismweek.com/

Upper West Side Neighborhood Annual Meeting

Saturday, Feb. 21, 10 a.m. - 11 a.m., Miralon Amenity Center, 4097 N. Miralon Way. For more information: gobananasnet@gmail.com

Palm Springs Black History Committee Annual Black History Parade & Town Fair

Saturday, Feb. 28, the parade begins at 11:00 AM, starting on Baristo Road and ending at Alejo Road. Immediately following the parade, head over to the Town Fair at the Downtown Park, located directly across from the Palm Springs Art Museum.

2nd Annual PSPD Open House "Behind the Badge"

Saturday Feb. 28, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m., Palm Springs Police Department, 200 S. Civic Drive

ONE-PS Board of Directors Meeting

Monday, March 2, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., Large Conference Room, City Hall

Palm Springs Police Officer's Association Gil Vega Memorial Golf Tournament

Friday, March 6, Indian Canyons Golf Resort. For more information, please see flyer below and email Jen Banford at: j.banford@palmspringspoa.com

Rimrock Neighborhood Annual Meeting

Saturday, March 7, 1 p.m. For more information, contact Carlene Hart at hokuokalani@yahoo.com

ONE-PS Monthly Membership Meeting

Tuesday, March 10, 4:00 p.m., Police Training Center, 200 S. Civic Drive.

Sunrise Park Neighborhood Annual Meeting

Saturday, March 14, 8:30 a.m. breakfast, 9 - 10 a.m. meeting, Palm Springs Leisure Center, 401 S. Pavilion Way. For more information: kccohn45@gmail.com

Baristo Neighborhood Annual Meeting

Saturday, March 14, 10 a.m. (location TBD). For more information, contact Patrick Vincent at patricksvincent@mac.com

17th Annual ONE-PS Picnic & Community Expo

Saturday, March 21, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., Ruth Hardy Park, 700 Tamarisk Road. See flyer below for more information. Visit https://ONE-PS.org to sign up as a vendor, neighborhood organization and sponsor.