Local bartender says Palm Springs bar community was “instrumental” in recovery after stroke 

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) - A local bartender, Paul Whiteley, says that the community at Streetbar in Palm Springs was instrumental in his recovery after he was paralyzed by a stroke three years ago at the age of 54. A CDC study finds that the rates of stroke among adults under the age of 65 is increasing.

"I still remember the first day he walked back in here after the stroke, he came in with his walker, and the whole bar started cheering the minute he walked in," says Tony Mora, who owns Streetbar.

Every year, Whiteley decorates the chandelier at Streetbar to spread holiday cheer.

"I just do it just because it puts a smile on people's faces," he says.

Whiteley has been working at Streetbar for 20 years and says he decorates the chandelier 14 times a year, for every major holiday.

Customers at the bar say that the community is like a second family. "They come in by themselves and they leave with friends," says Lorne Zilkie.

Streetbar will be open on Christmas Day. "During the holidays, there’s a lot of people that don’t have anywhere to go. Family isn’t around anymore, so this becomes a second family for a lot of people," says Mora.