Nov. 17 Daily Briefing: More developments in Marilyn statue debate, an honor for Emma Stone, museum plane at ceremony, and more

Welcome to Friday, where we can see the holidays fast approaching. If you’re like us, you look back fondly at the kooky, kitschy collection of oddities that was Robolights. The holiday tradition arranged by artist Kenny Irwin Jr. — much to some of his neighbors’ chagrin, and the frustration of city code enforcement — hasn’t been open to the public since 2018. Still, around this time each year we wonder if it will ever come back. The answer, as reported by The Desert Sun’s Bryan Blueskye this week, is no. “I’m still pursuing my dreams,” Irwin said, and those include building an art amusement park (but probably not at his Movie Colony home).

🎶 Setting the mood: “Feels Like We Only Go Backwards” by Tame Impala

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LEADING OFF

Recusals, special meeting are latest developments in fight over Marilyn statue

The battle over the 26-foot-tall “Forever Marilyn” statue in downtown Palm Springs just got more complicated.

Driving the news: As the Palm Springs City Council went into closed session on Nov. 9, discussion of a lawsuit involving the statue’s temporary location on Museum Way was on the agenda. But council members Lisa Middleton and Christy Holstege were recused from any discussions or votes on the matter due to state campaign finance laws. 

At issue: Within the past year, Middleton and Holstege received $2,500 and $5,500, respectively, from local hotelier and statue supporter Aftab Dada for their 2024 state-level campaigns for the California State Senate and California State Assembly. 

• Senate Bill 1439 states that local elected officials cannot vote on issues with financial effects on interests that have contributed $250 or more to the officials’ campaign in the previous year.

In context: Dada is chairman of PS Resorts, a group that purchased the statue in 2020 and brought it back to the city after an eight-year absence.

• The city council approved a temporary closure of Museum Way to pave the way for the statue’s installation. That closure expires 2024.

Yes, but: The Committee to Relocate Marilyn (CReMa), which is against the statue’s location in front of the Palm Springs Art Museum, filed a lawsuit against the city, saying the council’s approval of the temporary street closure violated local and state laws. 

In the background: Dada and others, through a committee named Protect Our Marilyn, have gathered the necessary signatures to take the street vacation issue to voters on March 5.

• Their ballot measure would ask residents to decide whether the closure of Museum Way where the statue sits should be permanent. 

Next up: Palm Springs City Attorney Jeff Ballinger said this week that city officials believe both the lawsuit and ballot measure would become irrelevant if city council members decide to permanently vacate the street on their own. 

• The process to do that is scheduled to kick off during a special council meeting on Dec. 4. However, Ballinger cautioned that the public would have a chance to weigh in before any final vote was scheduled. 

Bottom line: Middleton and Holstege said Thursday that their campaigns had returned Dada’s monetary contributions, making them eligible to deliberate on the issue during the special meeting or any future sessions.

Dive deeper with our complete story here. 

BRIEFLY

⛈️ Realtor group extends deadline to apply for assistance

Greater Palm Springs Realtors announced this week that anyone in the nine cities and unincorporated areas of the Coachella Valley whose housing was impacted by Tropical Storm Hilary can apply for up to $2,500 in assistance.

• Who should apply: Residents who faced displacement or whose homes were damaged or destroyed.
  
  
• Details: The assistance can be used for mortgage payments, rental costs, and hotel reimbursements. Apply online here.

🏆 Emma Stone to receive award at PSIFF

Actor Emma Stone will receive the Desert Palm Achievement Award at this year’s Palm Springs International Film Fest on Jan. 4, it was announced Thursday.

• Stone will be honored for her work in “Poor Things” during a ceremony at the Palm Springs Convention Center. She previously received the festival’s Vanguard Award in 2016 alongside La La Land costar Ryan Gosling and director Damien Chazelle.
  
  
• “Emma Stone continues to exert influence as one of the most important actresses of this generation, whose performances are always exceptional no matter the role,” said Nachhattar Singh Chandi, festival chair. “In her latest film Poor Things, Emma delivers a burning intensity and character bound for liberation.” 
  
  
• Details: The festival runs through Jan. 15. For more information, turn here.

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YOUR WEEKEND

ALL WEEKEND

McCormick’s Classic Car Show & Auction
Today through Sunday | Palm Springs Convention Center
Hundreds of classic, sports, antique and special interest autos are auctioned. The auction takes place in the Palm Springs Convention Center parking lot.

Desert Winds Freedom Band Music in Motion
Saturday & Sunday | Temple Isaiah
Enjoy a night of music featuring music both new and old, from a variety of different genres. ($30)

TODAY

The Roundtable: HIV/AIDS survivors
5:30 p.m. | Ken Seeley Community Room
A weekly discussion group for long-term HIV/AIDS survivors in the Coachella Valley. 

Palm Springs Speaks: Temple Grandin
7:30 p.m. | Cultural Center
The first Palm Springs Speaks speaker for Season Five will feature an appearance by animal scientist and autism self-advocate, Temple Grandin. ($35)

SATURDAY

Certified Farmers’ Market
8 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Camelot Theatre
The market returns to its outdoor location, with local farmers and vendors offering fresh agri­cul­tural and related products.

Tahquitz Creek Cleanup
8 a.m. | Tahquitz Creek Foot Bridge
Gloves and trash bags will be provided for this monthly clean up effort. Meet at the south side of the pedestrian bridge.

2023 Props and Hops Craft Beer Festival
1 p.m. | Palm Springs Air Museum
The festival features great breweries, food, entertainment, and warbird rides. ($65)

Ed Begley, Jr. Book Signing
2 p.m. | Just Fabulous
Television and film icon Ed Begley, Jr. will sign his new memoir, “To The Temple Of Tranquility…And Step On it!”

SUNDAY

Family+
12 p.m. | Palm Springs Art Museum
Once a month, the museum transforms into a creative hub for artists, makers, and musicians to offer free activities for kids, teens, and families.

SAVE THE DATE

• Palm Springs Wild Turkey Trot 5k on Nov. 23.
  
  
• The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Nov. 24 and 25.
  
  
• Coffee with a Cop on Nov. 28.
  
  
• PSPD Pickleball Fundraiser on Nov. 30.

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AND FINALLY …

A small plane from the Palm Springs Air Museum is getting a big moment. 

Driving the news: The museum’s P-51D Mustang, named “Bunny,” will participate in USAF General Charles Q. Brown’s swearing-in ceremony as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff today. 

• Bunny departed Palm Springs International Airport on Monday, making two stops along the journey back East.

Context: Bunny is a historic aircraft commemorating the late Tuskegee Airman, Lt. Colonel Robert Friend, who flew over 140 combat missions in WWII. He also contributed to its restoration. 

• Gen. Brown personally requested the presence of the aircraft during the ceremony at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.

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