Local & Community
Sunnylands Celebrates Earth Day Early with Family Fun and Desert Education
Earth Day may officially fall on April 22, but at Sunnylands Center and Gardens, the celebration kicked off a little early this year. Over the weekend, families gathered at the Rancho Mirage estate for a free event filled with art, education, and community spirit.
The “In the Garden Family Day” brought together local artists, environmentalists, and plant experts to guide guests through interactive exhibits and activities designed to foster appreciation for the Coachella Valley’s unique desert landscape.
“This is a super fun event where we have a bunch of local partners that encourage hands-on activities,” said Ritika Seti, Community Program Specialist at Sunnylands. “It’s a family day that encourages our guests to take advantage of our natural desert landscape and to learn about how they can protect it.”
The event drew a mix of returning visitors and newcomers who were eager to explore and engage. “We love it,” said one attendee. “This is our second time coming. We got to bring our little one here, and she got to check out some rattlesnakes and do a lot of art.”
Seti emphasized that the goal is not only to have fun, but also to help guests connect with local environmental efforts and creative minds in the community.
For those who missed it, there are more chances to visit. Sunnylands will host its next Film in the Gardens event this May, and their popular Family Days will return in January with monthly events.
To learn more, visit sunnylands.org.
Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.
By: NBC Palm Springs
April 21, 2025

Latest Instagram Posts
Alice B. has announced its closing its doors. It’s cozy atmosphere and unique seasonal menu made it a must try and even landed it in the Michelin guide. @susanfeniger and @marysuemilliken left their mark on the desert over at Living Out and it will be missed. Here’s a clip from one of our last interviews with Susan.
Cathedral City City Council votes to rename “LGBT+ Days” to “Cathedral City Pride”. The council approved the change in a 5-0 vote during its latest meeting, updating the official name of the city’s annual celebration. Stay tuned with NBC Palm Springs to see what this means to the Coachella Valley Community #CathedralCity #pride #CityCouncil #CoachellaValley #LocalNews
Discover the Coachella Valley with the Everything Palm Springs app. From iconic attractions and hidden gems to local restaurants, shops, entertainment and even filming locations, the map-based app is designed to help both visitors and locals find more of what the desert has to offer. Creator Lindsay Kinkle is also expanding the app with video tours and narrated guides, giving users another way to explore Palm Springs and the surrounding communities. Local businesses like Buena Matcha are also getting a chance to connect with new customers through the platform. As Lindsay says, there’s so much to do and enjoy here — you just have to know where to look. #PalmSprings #CoachellaValley #EverythingPalmSprings #PalmSpringsApp #VisitPalmSprings DesertLife LocalBusiness CoachellaValleyBusiness NBCPalmSprings
Social Time with Thalia & Jerry

What’s next for Palm Desert? Join community leaders, local businesses and regional stakeholders for the 2026 State of the City Address. Topics: • Economic Development • Infrastructure • Public Safety • Community Programs • Palm Desert’s Future CTA: Friday, September 18 | 11:30 AM JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort
Former Silvercrest CEO, William Rodriguez is expected back in court today in connection with the deadly 2024 Cathedral City hit and run that killed a woman. The murder charge was dismissed, but Rodriguez still faces felony hit and run and suspended license charges.
Social Time with Thalia & Jerry
Murder suspect Vicky Kim has once again not been cleared to appear in court. Kim is accused of killing her husband at their Palm Desert condominium complex. Her arraignment has now been delayed three times. Stay tuned with NBC Palm Springs as we track the latest developments in this case. #VickyKim #PalmDesert #CoachellaValley #BreakingNews #CourtUpdate NBCPalmSprings
Palm Springs is mourning the loss of beloved entertainer James “Gypsy” Haake, who has died at 94. Haake began his entertainment career at just 19 years old as a Broadway chorus dancer. After retiring from the stage, he returned to performing at 82, becoming the host of Carnival Cabaret at Oscars in downtown Palm Springs. A longtime friend of our station, Haake was a familiar and beloved figure in the Palm Springs entertainment community — and his contributions were recognized with a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars. His career spanned more than seven decades, proving that the spotlight never truly left him. ❤️ Rest in peace, James “Gypsy” Haake. Your legacy will live on in Palm Springs. #JamesGypsyHaake #PalmSprings #PalmSpringsWalkOfStars #CarnivalCabaret #PalmSpringsEntertainment #OscarsPalmSprings #PalmSpringsHistory
Social Time with Thalia & Jerry
