CV Weekly: Firebirds Advance to Division Finals & DSRT Surf Nears Grand Opening
✨ Last Week Around the Valley
🌡️ Heat & Safety Alerts
The valley wrapped up the week under an extreme heat warning, with temperatures topping 107°F. Residents are reminded to stay hydrated, check on neighbors, and use cooling centers. On May 9, an earthquake swarm near the Salton Sea — including a 4.05-magnitude quake — rattled nerves about 60 miles from Indio. No major damage was reported, but it's a good reminder to review your emergency preparedness kit. (NBC Palm Springs)
🏄 DSRT Surf Job Fair — July Opening Approaching
Palm Desert's much-anticipated DSRT Surf lagoon project held a job fair this week as it gears up for a July grand opening. The 9-million-gallon surf lagoon is designed to achieve net-zero water usage and will bring hundreds of jobs to the area. (NBC Palm Springs)
🏒 Firebirds Advance to Pacific Division Finals!
The Coachella Valley Firebirds delivered a thrilling double-overtime victory over the Ontario Reign, punching their ticket to the AHL Pacific Division Finals. The valley is rallying behind the team — catch the action and cheer them on! (NewsBreak)
⛳ College of the Desert Golf Champions
The College of the Desert men's golf team won the Southern Regional title and hosted the 3C2A State Championship at SilverRock Resort in La Quinta — a proud moment for local collegiate athletics. (NewsBreak)
🎬 Arts & Culture Highlights
- The Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival ran May 7–10 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, celebrating classic and contemporary noir cinema. (Desert Sun)
- Palm Canyon Theatre premiered The Ritz, a comedy set in a bathhouse — a fun night out for theater lovers. (Coachella Valley Weekly)
- Indio hosted the second annual Asada Fest and the Expedition EDM Festival on May 9, drawing crowds for food, music, and family fun. (Desert Sun)
🏗️ Development & Infrastructure
- Palm Springs: Ground was broken for a new American Reproductive Centers building, expected to be operational in 2027. (CV Independent)
- Indio: The new Indio Sports Park grand opening celebration is set for May 16 — see the events section below! (Coachella Valley Weekly)
- Indio High School's Agriculture Program, nearly 50 years old, is slated for termination at year's end due to declining enrollment. Students and ag leaders plan to address the school board. (KESQ)
📅 Coming Up This Week
Here's what's happening across the Coachella Valley, May 11–17, 2026:
- Mon, May 11 | 6:00 PM — Open Mic Mondays at The Roost Lounge — The Roost Lounge, Cathedral City
- Tue, May 12 | 5:00 PM — Tastes & Sounds of Cathedral City — Cathedral City Community Amphitheater, Cathedral City
- Tue, May 12 | 6:00 PM — Karaoke Tuesdays at The Roost Lounge — The Roost Lounge, Cathedral City
- Tue, May 12 | 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM — Happy Hour at IW Live — Indian Wells Resort Hotel, Indian Wells
- Tue, May 12 | 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM — 2026 Cathedral City State of the City — Cathedral City Takes Flight — DoubleTree by Hilton Golf Resort, 67967 Vista Chino, Cathedral City, CA
- Thu, May 14 | 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM — Free Thursday Nights at Palm Springs Art Museum — Palm Springs Art Museum, 101 Museum Dr, Palm Springs
- Thu, May 14 | 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM — Palm Springs VillageFest — Palm Canyon Drive, Downtown Palm Springs
- Thu, May 14 | 8:00 am- 2:00 pm — INDIAN WELLS CERTIFIED FARMERS MARKET — 44-175 Washington St Indian Wells, CA 92210
- Thu, May 14 | 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM — Poolside BBQ at Indian Wells Resort — Indian Wells Resort Hotel, Indian Wells
- Thu, May 14 | 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM — Daytime Observatory Tour — Rancho Mirage Library & Observatory, near Indian Wells
- Thu, May 14 | 7:00 PM — Concerts in the Park - Palm Desert — Palm Desert Civic Center Park, 43900 San Pablo Ave, Palm Desert
- Fri, May 15 | 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM — Rancho Mirage Certified Farmers Market — Rancho Mirage Community Park, 71-560 San Jacinto Dr, Rancho Mirage
- Fri, May 15 | 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM — Indio Night Market — Riverside County Fairgrounds, Indio
- Fri, May 15 | 7:00 AM — PGA West Golf Tournament — PGA West, La Quinta
- Fri, May 15 | 8:00 PM — John Waite + John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band — The Show - Agua Caliente Casino, 32-250 Bob Hope Dr, Rancho Mirage, CA
- Sat, May 16 | 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM — Palm Springs Certified Farmers Market — Palm Springs Pavilion, 401 S Pavilion Way, Palm Springs
- Sat, May 16 | 9:30 am - Noon — Coachella Valley Healing Rooms - Check-in 9:30-11am — 39001 Monterey Ave, Rancho Mirage, CA
- Sat, May 16 | 9:00 AM — Indio Farmer's Market — Corner of Towne Street and Bliss Avenue, Indio, CA
- Sat, May 16 | 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM — SHIELD Community BBQ & Fundraiser — Miles Avenue Park, Indio
- Sat, May 16 | 8:00 PM — Lady A — Special Events Center, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Pkwy, Indio, CA
- Sun, May 17 | 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. — La Quinta Certified Farmers Market — 78100 Main St, La Quinta, CA 92253
- Sun, May 17 | 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM — Old Town La Quinta Art & Farmers Market — 78100 Main St, Old Town La Quinta
- Sun, May 17 | 9:00 AM — Indio Certified Farmer's Market — 45235 Towne Street, Indio, CA 92201
- Sun, May 17 | 8:00am-2:00pm — Palm Desert Certified Farmers Market — 72559 Highway 111 Palm Desert, CA 92260
📌 Don't miss: The 2026 Cathedral City State of the City — Cathedral City Takes Flight luncheon is Tuesday, May 12 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Golf Resort. And on Saturday, May 16, the SHIELD Community BBQ & Fundraiser takes place at Miles Avenue Park in Indio — a great way to connect with neighbors and support the community.
View the full events calendar at desertbiz.net/events.
🏪 Newly Added to Our Directory
These local businesses recently added their listings to Desert Biz Connect. If you're looking for trusted local services, check them out:
- Hammer ‘N Nails — Home Services, Palm Springs. Hammer ‘N Nails recently added their listing to our directory.
- Millers Glass Tinting Solutions, Inc — Construction & Contractors, Palm Springs. Millers Glass Tinting Solutions, Inc recently added their listing to our directory.
- Desert Elite Implant — Dental Services, Palm Desert. Desert Elite Implant recently added their listing to our directory.
- Diamond Demolition — Construction & Contractors, Palm Springs. Diamond Demolition recently added their listing to our directory.
- JPL Church — Church, Rancho Mirage. JPL Church recently added their listing to our directory.
Explore all local businesses at desertbiz.net/directory. Is your business listed? Add your listing today — it's free!
🆕 New to the Valley
The following businesses celebrated openings, milestones, or expansions in the Coachella Valley this week:
H & H Bagels — Palm Desert
This New York-based bagel brand held a ribbon-cutting celebration on May 5 for its new Palm Desert location. Welcome to the desert!
(Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce)
Toll Brothers at Griffin Ranch — La Quinta
The luxury home builder held a model home grand opening on May 2 for its new gated community of estate-sized homes at Griffin Ranch, priced from $2.27 million.
(Business Insider)
Mendez Air Conditioning & Heating — Thousand Palms
This long-standing local business is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for May 20 — a testament to 25 years of serving the valley.
(Greater Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce)
Know of a new business opening or milestone in the Valley? Let us know at desertbiz.net/submit!
🤝 Ways to Serve the Community
Looking to give back? According to their websites, the following Coachella Valley organizations are currently welcoming volunteers:
Coachella Valley Rescue Mission (CVRM) — According to their website, CVRM is currently welcoming volunteers to support their programs serving individuals experiencing homelessness.
Boys & Girls Club of Cathedral City — According to their website, the Boys & Girls Club of Cathedral City is currently welcoming volunteers to mentor and support local youth.
Coachella Valley Repertory (CVRep) — According to their website, CVRep is currently welcoming volunteers to support their theater productions and community arts programs.
Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory — According to their website, the Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory is currently welcoming volunteers to assist with library services and observatory programs.
Coachella Valley Housing Coalition — According to their website, CVHC is currently welcoming volunteers to support affordable housing initiatives across the valley.
FIND Food Bank — According to their website, FIND Food Bank is currently welcoming volunteers to help fight food insecurity across the Coachella Valley. Learn more at Visit Greater Palm Springs.
Martha's Village & Kitchen — According to their website, Martha's Village & Kitchen is currently welcoming volunteers to support their programs serving those in need. Learn more at Visit Greater Palm Springs.
Desert Hot Springs Senior Center — According to the City of Desert Hot Springs, the Senior Center is currently welcoming volunteers to support programs for local seniors.
For a broader list of volunteer opportunities across Greater Palm Springs, visit Visit Greater Palm Springs – Voluntourism.
📬 Stay Connected with CV Weekly
CV Weekly is your Monday morning roundup of everything happening in the Coachella Valley — from community news and local events to new businesses and ways to give back.
- 📧 Subscribe to our newsletter at desertbiz.net/newsletter so you never miss an issue.
- 📅 Browse upcoming events at desertbiz.net/events.
- 🏪 Discover local businesses in our directory at desertbiz.net/directory.
- ➕ Submit your event or business listing at desertbiz.net/submit — it's free!
Have a story tip, community announcement, or know of a new business opening in the Valley? Reach out to us at desertbiz.net/submit. Together, we keep the Coachella Valley connected. 🌵
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