Desert Dispatch

04/09/2026

Two of our favorite lunch spots are back open for the season: Tyler’s Burgers

31/08/2026

⭐ Jonathan Bennett ⭐
You probably first knew him as Aaron Samuels in Mean Girls. But these days, Jonathan Bennett is just as much a part of Palm Springs as he is Hollywood.
In November 2025, Bennett was honored with the 483rd star on the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars, recognizing his more than 20-year career as an actor, television host and producer as well as his work as an LGBTQ+ advocate. His star is at 100 S. Palm Canyon Drive, right in the heart of downtown.
Since Mean Girls, Bennett’s career has taken him from Broadway’s Spamalot to Food Network’s Halloween Wars and a string of Hallmark projects. He starred in The Holiday Sitter, Hallmark’s first Christmas movie centered on a gay couple, and created, executive produces and hosts the network’s Finding Mr. Christmas.
But there’s another reason he belongs on the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars: he’s a local. Bennett and his husband, television host and singer Jaymes Vaughan, call Palm Springs home and have become enthusiastic ambassadors for the city and its LGBTQ+ community.
📸 We were there for the star dedication and caught Jaymes sitting proudly beside Jonathan during the ceremony.
Next time you’re strolling downtown, look down. You never know whose star you’ll discover.
⭐ Jonathan Bennett�🎬 Actor / TV Host�📍 100 S. Palm Canyon Drive�🌴 Palm Springs Walk of the Stars
See more star profiles here: https://desertdispatch.beehiiv.com/p/star-profiles-the-palm-springs-walk-of-stars
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23/07/2026

Burned-Out Church Shows Signs of New Life

https://desertdispatch.beehiiv.com/p/burned-out-church-may-finally-be-replaced-as-orchid-tree-project-shows-new-signs-of-life

17/07/2026

Sorry to see him go!

Mills described Palm Springs as the “crown jewel” of his career and said he and his wife, Cathy, plan to move to the Sacramento area to be closer to his mother.

14/07/2026

Hello neighbors!

12/07/2026

Did you know Peggy Lee’s trademark sultry singing style was invented right here in Palm Springs? 🎤✨
In 1941, a young Peggy was struggling to be heard over a raucous, glass-clinking crowd at The Doll House nightclub on North Palm Canyon Drive. Instead of yelling over the noise, she made a bold move: she lowered her voice and sang softer.
The noisy crowd went dead silent, completely spellbound by her velvet purr and a legendary musical style was born.
Decades after being discovered in our desert oasis, she was officially cemented into local history.
🌟 The Details:
* Honoree: Peggy Lee (Star #467)
* Location: 100 S. Palm Canyon Dr. (right outside the Welwood Murray Library)
* Dedicated: March 8, 2024
Drop a 🤍 if you love her music, and save this post for your next downtown Walk of Stars stroll!
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07/07/2026

The ancient history of Palm Springs' award-winning Spa at Sec-he

The history of Palm Springs' award-winning spa starts when Cahuilla oral literature refers to the spring as Sec-he, meaning "the sound of boiling water."

07/07/2026

🛍️ Get the Backstory on Backstory: Downtown’s Newest Boutique

Backstory may be one of downtown Palm Springs' newest shops, but it already feels like the kind of place you'll want to return to again and again. Owned by wife-and-wife team Mary Hennesy and Amy Schafer, the boutique is filled with beautifully curated gifts, home décor, locally made finds and plen...

03/07/2026

🇺🇸🌴 The desert knows how to celebrate summer.
Whether you’re spending the holiday poolside, catching fireworks, exploring downtown Palm Springs, or simply soaking up a beautiful desert sunset, we hope your Fourth of July weekend is filled with fun, relaxation, and great memories.
From all of us at Desert Dispatch, have a safe and happy Independence Day! ❤️🤍💙
We’ll be back soon with more local stories, insider tips, and everything that makes life in the Coachella Valley so special.
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