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Thursday, April 16 | ☁️ 86°/63°
Happy Thursday and the start of Coachella Weekend 2! How did Weekend 1 go? It depends on who you ask. If you were among the nearly 100 people arrested (the majority were related to drug possession and the use of false identification) or 30 people issued citations tied to the misuse of disabled parking placards, it didn’t go so well. But if you were among the tens of thousands of others who braved the winds to watch the performances, police say it was a pretty positive. If you’re headed out there this weekend, remember to take extra patience. And, if the rumors are true, you might just catch an unscheduled appearance by Madonna with Sabrina Carpenter Friday night.
🎶 Setting the mood: "Taking Care of Business" by Bachman-Turner Overdrive
Leading Off
Though improvements to Miles Park take up the bulk of the funding, $24,000 is planned for the Indio Senior Center’s weekend meal program.
Officials direct grant funds toward park upgrades, senior meals, homeless services
The Indio City Council unanimously approved a plan Wednesday to spend more than $828,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant funds during the coming fiscal year, directing the bulk of the money toward infrastructure improvements at Miles Avenue Park and a smaller portion toward social services.
Driving the news: The spending plan includes a new annual allocation of $740,169 — slightly less than the $750,000 projected — plus $88,000 in unspent funds carried over from the prior year. The plan must be submitted to HUD for approval by May 15.
By the numbers: The single largest expenditure is $514,000 for the Miles Avenue Park Improvement Project, which will fund repaving of the parking lot and demolition of the Berger Building.
Councilmember Glenn Miller raised concerns the demolition budget may not be sufficient, saying the building is "in terrible shape" and urging the city to return for additional funding if needed.
On social services: $112,000 will go toward public services, split among three organizations: the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission ($53,000 for food service and shelter meals), the Inland Fair Housing and Mediation Board ($35,000 for fair housing education and landlord-tenant mediation), and the Indio Senior Center ($24,000 for its weekend meal program).
Worth noting: Several nonprofits that received funding last year were dropped from the new plan, including Martha's Village and Kitchen, FIND Food Bank, and the SAFE Family Justice Center.
An additional $123,000 will be set aside for program administration costs.
Briefly
Assistant City Manager Jonathon Nicks (left) will replace outgoing City Manager Bryan Montgomery (right).
🏛️ Indio names assistant city manager as next city manager
The Indio City Council voted unanimously Wednesday in closed session to offer the city manager post to Jonathan Nicks, who will succeed current City Manager Bryan Montgomery upon his retirement.
Nicks has served as Indio's assistant city manager since September 2024. Before joining Indio, he served as deputy city manager of Menifee and deputy director for Orange County Parks and Community Services, where he managed a $120 million operating budget and nearly 400 employees.
Bottom line: Nicks brings 25 years of local government experience to the role. He holds a bachelor's degree from California State University, Fullerton, and a master's degree in public administration from California State University, Long Beach.
🎖️ Design, budget for veterans memorial at Miles Avenue Park approved
The Indio City Council on Wednesday approved the design and a $500,000 budget for a veterans memorial at Miles Avenue Park, providing the city's veteran community a permanent gathering place.
The memorial will feature seven illuminated pillars representing each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, arranged in a curved layout around a central flagpole at the park's south end, near a planned 9/11 Memorial that incorporates a steel beam from the World Trade Center.
Bottom line: The $500,000 budget will be funded by $350,000 redirected from the Jackie Cochran Dog Park capital project and $150,000 from the City Manager's Contingency Fund. The contract was awarded to Best Signs, which submitted the lowest of three bids at $451,651.
A MESSAGE FROM
PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION
This concert was created as a special benefit in support of PSIPC. From the piano Veneszuelan born artist Marco Antonio Godoy shares his journey of arriving in the US with just two bags - one with clothes and one with a keyboard and the challenges, discipline and hope that shaped his path. Your ticket includes a full evening experience.
📅 Featured events
Doodle on Clay Ceramics Class
Today | 10 a.m. | The Place
A beginner-friendly ceramics class where participants decorate a handmade SMO item. Finished pieces are fired, glazed, and shipped within three to four weeks. ($65)
Indio Cars and Guitars
Today through Saturday | 10 a.m. | Dune Room
This three-day show features classic cars, vintage and collectible guitars, amps, and music culture. It runs April 16–18.
Soul Circle for All
Today | 7 p.m. | 45-110 Oasis Street
This community healing circle includes guided meditation, intention setting, a sound bath, and group connection. Hosted by SoulZenter and True Awakening Studio. ($30-$50)
Food Truck Fridays
Friday | 5–10 p.m. | Downtown Indio (Towne St. & Bliss Ave.)
This weekly downtown event features a rotating lineup of food vendors, family-friendly activities, and live music. Friday’s Festival Night includes DJ Alf Alpha from 6–9 p.m.
"The Crucible"
Friday through Sunday | 7:30 p.m. | Indio Performing Arts Center
Arthur Miller’s drama follows the Salem witch trials as fear and suspicion spiral through a Puritan community. This production runs April 17 through May 3 and has a runtime of 2 hours, 30 minutes with intermission. ($47)
Outdoor Rock Climbing Adventure!
Saturday | 6 a.m. | Indio Community Center
The My Recreation District invites youth ages 10–17 to a four-hour rock climbing trip at Joshua Tree National Park. Transportation, certified guides, and safety gear are included; participants should bring lunch, water, and sun protection.
Mercado Indio | Outdoor Vendor Market
Saturday | 9 a.m. | Mercado Indio
This weekly outdoor market features rotating local vendors offering food, drinks, handmade goods, jewelry, vintage items, and gifts. The event is pet friendly and encourages guests to bring a blanket and hang out in the park.
Café y Rumba
Sunday | 10 a.m. | Dune Room
This Latin day party features reggaeton, dembow, salsa, cumbia, merengue, bachata, and more. All ages are welcome, and the event is pet friendly.
Boots and Brews
Sunday | 7 p.m. | Indio Brewing
This weekly country-music line dancing night is led by Tianna Teran. It takes place every Sunday in April.
📣 And Finally …
Restroom walls at three Indio parks are closer to getting a colorful upgrade — with a side of desert realism.
Driving the news: The Indio Public Arts Commission voted Tuesday to recommend three muralists for park restroom projects, sending the selections to the City Council for final approval.
The commission backed Patrick Barwinski for Dr. Carreon Park, Saul Gonzalez for Miles Avenue Park, and Michelle Guerrero for North Jackson Park, with a total budget of $30,000.
How it happened: The picks came after nine finalists — narrowed down from 26 original proposals — each delivered five-minute presentations followed by brief Q&A.
What stood out: Not all designs passed the “local accuracy” test, with Vice Chair E.J. Neumeyer repeatedly flagging proposals that included non-native elements like saguaro cactus and California quail, noting neither belongs in the Coachella Valley.
Several artists agreed to make changes. One presenter said she would revise her design to feature the Gambel’s quail, which is native to the desert.
The big picture: The selected designs leaned into themes of community, nature and Indio’s identity — from Barwinski’s “Garden of Life” concept to Guerrero’s tortoise-and-bicycle imagery tied to local trails and a nearby school.
What’s next: The City Council will make the final call and approve funding for the murals.
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