Sept. 18 Weekly Briefing: No smoking rules move forward, new music venue planned, ‘Ghostbusters’ at work in city, and more

Happy Thursday, everyone! When those rare but intense rains hit the desert, like they are doing today, remember that roads can become surprisingly treacherous—oil buildup from dry spells makes surfaces extra slippery, and those familiar dips and washes can turn into dangerous flash flood zones faster than you’d expect. Stay safe out there by slowing down, keeping your headlights on, and … have we mentioned slowing down??

🎶 Setting the mood: “I Wish It Would Rain” by The Temptations

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LEADING OFF

Indio approves new music venue and vendor market for downtown revitalization

The City of Indio approved two significant additions to its downtown district Wednesday, backing a new entertainment venue to replace the shuttered Little Street Music Hall and separately a curated outdoor vendor market.

Driving the news: The Desert Rat will operate at 82707 Miles Avenue, the former location of Little Street Music Hall, which closed in July after owners couldn’t reach a lease agreement with the city.

What it is: The venue will combine a Brooklyn-style soda fountain and bagel shop with an intimate live music space, operated by Ron Mesh, who also runs Studio B mixing facility in Downtown Indio.

By the numbers: The city agreed to provide $180,000 in tenant improvement funding for the 5,357-square-foot space, and the tenant will pay $2,678.50 per month in rent starting April 2027, with an 18-month rent-free period for construction and setup under a five-year lease with extension options.

• No opening date has been specified.

But wait, there’s more: The city also licensed Brenda Beltran to operate Mercado Indio, a weekly vendor market at the corner of Bliss Avenue and Towne Street, paying her $1,000 monthly with a budget not to exceed $12,000.

• Beltran has served as retail director for Market Market and Mojave Flea Trading Post, both in Palm Springs, and as the retail and art director of the newly opened The Place market in Downtown Indio.

The big picture: Both initiatives align with the Downtown Specific Plan encouraging pedestrian-oriented retail. Downtown Indio has seen over $200 million in recent public and private investments, including new businesses like Rosemary HiFi and Indio Taphouse.

Dive deeper with the complete story

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BRIEFLY

🚭 City moves forward with smoke-free ordinance for parks, dining areas

The Indio City Council unanimously approved the first reading of a smoke-free ordinance Wednesday that bans smoking, vaping, and cannabis use in outdoor dining areas, parks, playgrounds and within 25 feet of building entrances.

• The measure, which also applies to multi-unit residential properties starting Jan. 1, 2026, came after months of advocacy by Shadow Hills High School students and the American Cancer Society. Local survey data presented at previous council meetings by recent graduate Savannah Vela showed 86% of Indio residents are bothered by secondhand smoke in outdoor areas.
  
• The ordinance includes exceptions for private residences, moving vehicles, traditional indigenous ceremonies, and golf course grounds. Violations will result in fines of $100 for first offenses, $200 for second violations within 12 months, and $500 for additional violations in the same period.
  
• What to watch for: Council members requested an amendment to allow special smoking events related to cannabis or cigars with prior approval, which will be included in the second reading at the next council meeting before the ordinance takes effect 30 days after final adoption.

Dive deeper with our complete story

🍽️ Food bank reports serving 289,000 clients in Indio amid 13% food insecurity rate

Find Food Bank President Debbie Espinosa told Indio city councilmembers at Wednesday’s meeting that though the city has made strides, it still faces 13.1% food insecurity.

• The organization distributed over 5 million pounds of food to residents in the past 12 months through 289,000 client interactions.
  
• Espinosa told councilmembers it is a misconception that the people they serve are homeless, and that “97% of the people that find food bank interacts with on an annual basis are people that are actually working, that are just struggling to make ends meet with the continual high cost of living.”
  
  • She said many are fixed income seniors, retired grandparents taking care of grandchildren or other extended family members. 
    
• Coming soon: The organization will open its Food Security Campus next week on Sept. 26. The campus will feature an expanded warehouse supply, allowing FIND to accept and store more food and donations.

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YOUR WEEKEND

Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez Community Coffee
Today | 8 a.m. | Everbloom Coffee (Highway 111 location)
Sip on some local coffee, share your thoughts, and learn more about what’s going on at the state level from Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez. RSVP by emailing assemblymember.jeffgonzalez@assembly.ca.gov

Southbound & Company (Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute)
Friday | 7 p.m. | Fantasy Springs Casino
Southbound & Company with The Refills will perform at the Rock Yard – always free, always live, and always outdoors.

Indio High School vs. San Gorgonio
Friday | 7 p.m. | Indio High School, Ed White Stadium
Cheer on the Rajahs during this season’s Desert Valley League action. ($11)

Tap Into Wellness
Saturday | 8 a.m. | Indio Taphouse
Start your weekend with a morning that blends movement, music, and mindful living. Come together for a 5k run/walk, yoga, wellness market, and DJ to celebrate and learn more about wellness.

Hispanic Heritage Block Party
Saturday | 10 a.m. | St. John’s Community Health
The Hispanic Heritage Block Party will be an inclusive community celebration dedicated to honoring Hispanic culture, hosted by St. John’s Community Health clinic. The event will showcase live folklórico performances, ice cream, food, and giveaways. It’s not all fun and games, people will be on site to help folks sign up for Medi-Cal.

Check out more events in our community calendar

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AND FINALLY …

When your city’s economic development director compares the graffiti abatement team to the Ghostbusters, you know they’re doing something right. Instead of busting ghosts, however, this proactive crew patrols the community daily, often removing tagging before residents even spot it.

Driving the news: The city’s graffiti team conducts self-initiated daily patrols throughout the community, supplementing citizen reports and police observations to quickly address vandalism in a city where 300 staff members serve more than 95,000 residents.

Meet Tony: Team member Antonio “Tony” Munoz has become locally beloved for his color-matching skills and impressive speed.

Modern marvels: Officials have incorporated drone technology to locate graffiti in hard-to-reach areas, allowing crews to assess situations before returning with appropriate materials.

Did you know: While taggers may deface buildings and walls throughout the city, they typically follow an unwritten code against vandalizing murals, believing it brings bad luck.

Looking ahead: At Wednesday’s City Council meeting, Councilmember Waymond Fermon suggested creating a sanctioned graffiti space, similar to the Graffiti Yard in Downtown Palm Springs, to “assist in keeping their artwork off our buildings and residential areas.”

Dive deeper with our complete storyand exhibitions aim to represent the various cultures and stories that have shaped the Coachella Valley into its current form.