Feb. 7 Daily Briefing: Settlement reached, teachers honored, library display, and more

TGIF, everyone. We’ve been trying our best to inform you about various road closures in recent weeks, and this week is no different. These closures are not for construction, however, but rather for the 27th Annual Tour de Palm Springs cycling event. Closures of note include parts of Palm Canyon Drive on Friday and Saturday for a Vendor Fair and Tahquitz Canyon Way on Saturday as cyclists participating in the event start and finish. Be on the lookout for thousands of cyclists on local roads outside the city as well!  

🎶 Setting the mood: “Training Session” by Dua Lipa

LEADING OFF

City, restaurant reach settlement in Plaza Theatre restoration dispute

A months-long dispute over prime downtown real estate has ended, as Palm Springs agreed to pay Kalura Trattoria $500,000 to acquire part of its outdoor patio, which is needed to complete the historic Plaza Theatre restoration project.

Driving the news: The settlement follows the City Council’s November vote to use eminent domain to widen an existing easement from 10 to 20 feet, a move required by California building codes for the theatre renovation.

Zoom in: The agreement preserves both the theater project and restaurant operations by providing Kalura with a new dining area in the city’s right of way that maintains seating for 60 people.

• The historic venue, opened in 1936 with Greta Garbo’s “Camille,” has been vacant since 2014.

Looking back: Community opposition to the city’s eminent domain action was significant, with more than 600 residents signing a petition to protect the 22-year-old family-owned restaurant’s property rights.

What they’re saying: “We are thrilled to have collaborated with the city to reach this agreement,” said Ignazio Battaglia and Joseph Amodeo, owners of the restaurant. “The city’s commitment to supporting local businesses and enhancing the downtown area is truly commendable.” 

What’s next: The Plaza Theatre renovation is scheduled for completion in December of this year.

Dive deeper with our complete story

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BRIEFLY

🏆 Palm Springs teachers receive district awards

Seven Palm Springs educators were among dozens honored by The Palm Springs Unified School District with Teacher of the Year awards this week. The winners were selected through a peer nomination process at all district schools.

• Recipients in Palm Springs include Kate Ambrose from Cahuilla Elementary, Paula Kadubeck from Cielo Vista Charter, Evan Boomer from Katherine Finchy Elementary, and Grisele Avila from Raymond Cree Middle School.
  
• Additional honorees in the city were Raquel Carla Schieldge from Palm Springs High School, Teddie Rexall-Scott from Desert Learning Academy, and Michael Fergon from Vista Del Monte Elementary.
  
• Next up: Last year’s district winners will select three teachers from among all teachers honored in the district for consideration for a countywide award.

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YOUR WEEKEND

MULTIPLE DAYS

• “The Light in the Piazza” at the Coachella Valley Repertory all weekend.($90)
  
• “Perfect Arrangement” at the Cultural Center all weekend. ($40)
  
• “My Fair Lady” at the Palm Canyon Theatre all weekend. ($40)
  
• PS Woman’s Club Annual Patio Sale at the Palm Springs Woman’s Club today and Saturday.
  
• Cinéma Français at the Cultural Center all weekend. ($15)

TODAY

• The MidMod Show at Desert Art Center at 5 p.m.
  
• TGIF Trivia at Play Lounge & Café at 6:30 p.m.
  
• Comedy Night at Hotel Zoso at 8 p.m. ($15)

SATURDAY

• Certified Farmers’ Market at the Cultural Center at 8 a.m.
  
• Tour de Palm Springs cycling event in Downtown Palm Springs.
  
• Black History Month Adult Basketball Tournament at the James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center at 9 a.m. ($20)
  
• “Radical Harmonies” screening at the Cultural Center at 3 p.m.
  
• Country Western Dancing at their new address at 933 Crossley Road at 7 p.m. ($5)

SUNDAY

• Great American Songbook performance and fundraiser by the Desert Winds Jazz Band at the Cascade Lounge at 10:30 a.m. ($80)
  
• Mah Jong Meetup at Play Lounge & Cafe at 12 p.m.
  
• Art Talk: Midcentury Modern Painters at Desert Art Center at 1 p.m. ($30)

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AND FINALLY …

The Palm Springs Public Library needs your expertise! A new display at the library is calling for book recommendations.

Driving the news: The new “Patron to Patron” book exchange asks library visitors to recommend a book to their fellow library patrons and take a book recommended by someone else.

How it works: Pick a favorite book off the shelf, write your name and a brief blurb, and place it on the display!

Why it matters: Rather than letting Amazon’s soulless algorithm recommend you something, pick up a book (for free!) recommended by your friend, neighbor, or stranger!

💬 Our take: If Kendall were to recommend a book, she’d probably pick “Wolf Hall” by Hilary Mantel. She’s obsessed with the whole trilogy!