Feb. 26 Daily Briefing: Community mourns passing of hiker, charitable neighbors help students, and more

Welcome to Monday, everyone. Unlike past years, we didn’t get a chance to catch the Palm Springs Black History Parade and Town Fair on Saturday. From the photos and video we’re seeing, however, it looks like the 37th annual event was once again a huge success. Congrats to all involved! Note that the parade is not the last event in the city celebrating Black History Month this month, including what promises to be an insightful lecture on both Black history and Black media, coming up Wednesday evening at the main library. Find details about that event here.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd

LEADING OFF

Charitable neighbors help open ‘Shag House’ to young designers

The “Shag House,” a renovated midcentury modern home in Little Beverly Hills that drew thousands of visitors during Modernism Week, welcomed four students and their guests Sunday for a special tour made possible by generous neighbors of the property. 

Driving the news: The students all study mid-century architecture and design through the Building Educational Architectural Models (BEAM). 

• They were given the opportunity to tour the house thanks to ticket donations from Shag House neighbors David Hyams and Brian Ramos.

Why it matters: The BEAM program, run by volunteers from the Palm Springs Modern Committee, culminates in students designing and building their own mid-century modern home or painting a midcentury building. The Shag House, a 1958 home designed by Dan Palmer and William Krisel, was purchased by Brandon McBurney in 2019 and designed by artist Josh Agle, or Shag. 

• The house is envisioned as a potential venue for charitable events, and the ticket donations were inspired by this goal.

Behind the scenes: The students, three from St. Theresa Catholic School and one from Raymond Cree Middle School, had previously built architectural models of midcentury modern homes and painted Albert Frey-designed buildings. 

• During the Shag House tour, they were able to see how 2D art inspired the 3D space of the house.

Bigger picture: The ticket donors said they hope to make modernism more accessible to those who might not otherwise be able to afford it, reflecting architect William Krisel’s goal of bringing “modernism to the masses.” 

• “We need to do better to get access [to these homes] to the greater community,” said Hyams.

Dive deeper with our complete story online.

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BRIEFLY

🫶 Hiker who died on Palm Springs trail left lasting impression on students, friends

A 73-year-old Palm Springs man who died on a local trail Saturday morning is being recalled today as an influential teacher and coach, talented photographer, avid outdoors enthusiast, and more.

• Andy Hollinger, who taught and coached at Palm Springs High School and could often be found hiking with friends in hills surrounding the city, died shortly before 8 a.m. Saturday on the Skyline Trail. 
  
  
• Palm Springs police said that a medical emergency was a potential factor in Hollinger’s death.
  
  
• The Skyline Trail features a sign dedicated to Hollinger’s father, John Hollinger, a founding member of the Palm Springs Mounted Police. Hollinger’s wife, Taina Hollinger, who had previously passed away, was also an avid hiker with a sign dedicated to her on the Shannon Trail.
  
  
• What they’re saying: “He was the kindest man I’ve ever met,” said Debbie Miller, a friend who called Hollinger an ‘awesome hiking buddy.’ “I will miss him dearly.”

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

PSPD Neighborhood Meeting (North District)
4:30 p.m. | Raymond Cree Middle School
Join PSPD officers at the Raymond Cree Middle School Cafeteria for a town hall that officers hope will encourage community engagement and public safety strategizing. 

Parks and Recreation Commission
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
According to the agenda, commissioners will listen to presentations about several projects, including the master plan update and Demuth Park pickleball expansion. 

Monday Men’s Coffee
6 p.m. | Gre Coffeehouse
Come have coffee and chat with other men about issues that are on your mind. No RSVP required — just drop in!

“Monday Monday”
7 p.m. | Revolution Stage Company
Joe Croyle has seen it all and now tells all in the melodic, humorous, and ofttimes bittersweet “Monday Monday.” ($25)

SAVE THE DATE

• Mizell Center Third Wednesday Speaker Series on Wednesday.
  
  
• An evening with PSIPC and Friends on Thursday.
  
  
• 26th Annual Hike 4 Hope at the Art Smith Trailhead on March 3.
  
  
• Movies in the Park: “The Goonies” at the Downtown Park on March 5.
  
  
• Rock the Park: AbbaFab-a Tribute to Abba at the Downtown Park on March 6.
  
  
• 2024 Palm Spring Philharmonic Series at the McCallum Theatre on March 6.
  
  
• Palm Springs Art Festival at Frances Stevens Park on March 9.

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AND FINALLY …

Acclaimed interior designer Dann Foley and his business partner Beau Stinnette launched their first-ever pop-up shop at DAP Health’s Revivals Palm Springs thrift store on Saturday, offering a range of home décor items from their collection.

Driving the news: The pop-up shop, which will remain open until May 1, features sofas, armchairs, tables, lamps, decorative pillows, and art from the Dann Foley Lifestyle collection. The duo attended the kickoff, providing insights into transitional design, a blend of old and new, modern and traditional styles.

• The pop-up shop is the only event during Modernism Week that benefits a local healthcare organization. 

Why it matters: Foley and Stinnette established their firm over 25 years ago. They said Revivals is the ideal venue for the pop-up shop because it not only offers a diverse mix of high-quality pre-loved items but also its own Mode line of brand-new furniture and accessories, making it a prime location for mixing and matching styles and eras.

• Revivals Palm Springs, like its sister stores in Cathedral City, Palm Desert, and Indio, donates 100% of its profits to DAP Health.