Feb. 1 Daily Briefing: City flag flies under the radar, Black History Month events, who’s coming to AmDocs, and more

Welcome to February, everybody, which means it’s apparently time to staff up for Burrito Season. That’s right — according to this article, Chipotle is planning to hire 19,000 people to prepare for its busiest period of the year — March to May — which it refers to as “burrito season.” According to a spokesperson, the company sees the most sales in spring due to seasonal factors like weather and extra daylight. Restaurants near colleges tend to do particularly well during this time. Go figure!

🎶 Setting the mood: “LOSING YOU” by Solange

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LEADING OFF

Palm Springs flag flies under the radar

Did you know Palm Springs has a city flag? If you answered “no,” you’re not alone. Several members of the city’s own Public Arts Commission reacted with surprise when the topic came up during a recent meeting.

Driving the news: The flag, showing a colorful desert sunset, was designed by the late flag enthusiast Henry Untermeyer and was adopted in 1984.

Background: The three-year journey to approval had its challenges. Untermeyer’s first design was rejected by the City Council. Undeterred, he came back with a revision and ultimately won the council over.

Looking back: Untermeyer retired in Palm Springs after living in San Francisco. He spent several spring breaks with his family in Palm Springs before making it his permanent home.

• The flag-buff knew that a Palm Springs flag would bring pride to the city, not to mention merchandising possibilities.

Dive deeper: Untermeyer was an active resident, appearing in the society pages with his wife, hosting outdoor cookouts, and riding horses. Desert Sun readers would also spot tiny advertisements for his business, Desert Flag & Spa Products, accompanied by the slogan, “Our flags fly longer.”

Bottom line: Untermeyer considered the flag a unifying symbol and a personal gift, encapsulating his love both for his adopted home and for vexillology.

Dive deeper with our complete story here.

BRIEFLY

🎬 Sean Penn to open AmDocs with ‘Superpower’

Oscar winner Sean Penn will premiere his documentary “Superpower” at the American Documentary and Animation Film Festival (AmDocs).

• The documentary, which started as a feature on Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and evolved amidst the Russian invasion, is among over 200 films to screen at the West Coast’s largest festival of its kind.
  
  
• Penn, also set to receive AmDocs’ “Seeing The Bigger Picture” award, crafted a close-up narrative of the Ukrainian leader during a critical time in history.
  
  
• Details: The Palm Springs Cultural Center will host the festival, which celebrates its 13th year with a diverse lineup, including two Oscar shortlisted films. The festival runs from March 21 through 25. Tickets are available here.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Subcommittee on Waste and Recycling
2:30 p.m. | City Hall
According to the agenda, members of the subcommittee will discuss updates on Tahquitz cleanup and the possibility of expanding battery recycling. 

Public Arts Commission
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
Commissioners will discuss approving the budget for several projects, including art in Victoria and James O. Jessie parks. According to the agenda, there will also be an update on the Richard Wyatt Jr. mural at the James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center. 

VillageFest
6 p.m. | Downtown Palm Springs
The weekly street fair features art, entertainment, shopping, and food. 

Black History Month Kick-Off
5:30 p.m. | Palm Springs Art Museum
Join others at the art museum for a memorable kick-off of Black History Month with musical performances from the Palm Springs High School Choir, the James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center drumline and drill team, and poems and melodies from Shanti Lalita.

Cinema on Ice: “Groundhog Day”
6 p.m. | Palm Springs Cultural Center
Deserted Films continues its Cinema on Ice series with 1993’s “Groundhog Day,” starring Bill Murray, who relives the same wintery day over and over. Get there early to try the themed drink. Check out the rest of the movies in the series here. ($12)

SAVE THE DATE

• Palm Springs Readers’ Festival from Feb. 2 through 4.
  
  
• PS Woman’s Club Annual Patio Sale on Feb. 3.
  
  
• “An Article of Hope” movie showing with guest speaker on Feb. 4.
  
  
• Palm Springs International Jazz Festival on Feb. 24 and 25.
  
  
• Palm Springs Woman’s Club Scholarship Luncheon at the Hilton on March 27.

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AND FINALLY …

Black History Month starts today, and the city of Palm Springs has a huge lineup of events planned all month long. Check them out below and be sure to mark your calendars!

• Black History Month Kick-Off | Tonight | 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m. | Palm Springs Art Museum
  The event celebrates African American culture, arts, and the Harlem Renaissance. The Palm Springs High School Choir and James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center drumline and drill team will perform.
  
  
  
• 14th Annual Black History Month Awards Gala | Saturday, Feb. 3 | 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. Margaritaville Palm Springs
  The gala will recognize individuals and organizations in the community who have allied or contributed to the success of African American achievements in Palm Springs. (Tickets for this event can no longer be bought online.)
  
  
• Sugarshack: A Jazz Inspired Night of Music | Thursday, Feb. 8, | 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Palm Springs Art Museum
  Featuring Hope Diamond and her jazz band.
  
  
• Men’s Basketball Tournament | Saturday, Feb. 17 | 9 a.m. | James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center
  
  

• Rhythm & Hues | Thursday, Feb. 15 | 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. | Palm Springs Art Museum
  The evening event will showcase the talent of local fashion designer Aneka Brown and feature jazz melodies from Wayne Cobham.
  
  
• Palm Springs Black History Tour | Monday, Feb. 19 | 11 a.m. | James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center
  Departing from the parking lot of the James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center, the tour will introduce passengers to the city’s Black pioneers and educate them on Black history in the city. (Tickets can be purchased online for $25) 
  
  
• Sugar Shack: Blues and Soul | Thursday, Feb. 22 | 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. | Palm Springs Art Museum
  Join Norman Carter, former lead singer of Iconic Delphonics, for Blues and Soul-inspired night sessions at the museum.
  
  
• 37th annual Palm Springs Black History Month Parade & Town Fair | Saturday, Feb. 24. | 11 a.m. | Downtown Palm Springs
  The parade keeps getting bigger and bigger every year. The parade starts at 11 a.m., followed by the Town Fair from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Downtown Park.
  
  
• Black History Month Block Party: Celebrating 50 Years of Hip Hop | Thursday, Feb. 29 |  5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. | Palm Springs Art Museum
  Celebrate the culture and music that originated and has been shaped by Black America for decades. Attendees will be able to participate in interactive activities such as graffiti art, hip-hop dancing, and more.