Jan. 17 Daily Briefing: Award for key schools employee, HRC’s new rules, MLK events, and more

TGIF, everyone! We told you earlier this week about how locals are opening their arms for people displaced by the LA fires. But we’d be remiss if we didn’t tell you about the efforts being made to help animals that are in a similar situation. As you might expect, your kindhearted neighbors at Palm Springs Animal Shelter have stepped up in a big way (see one example here). “Right now, we’re coordinating an out-of-state transfer to help these LA County pets find their forever homes,” shelter staff wrote in an email Thursday. “Until then, they’re safe, loved, and receiving the care they need here.” Want to help the shelter in its efforts? Donations are being accepted here.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Falling” by Julee Cruise (Check out this amazing video of Angelo Badalamenti describing how he composed the themes for “Twin Peaks.”)

LEADING OFF

PSUSD executive assistant honored for pivotal role

Erika Barragan, executive assistant at Palm Springs Unified School District (PSUS), has been named the 2025 Riverside County Confidential Employee of the Year. The surprise announcement came during a district training session Thursday morning.

Driving the news: Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez, made the surprise announcement as part of a series of visits to honor outstanding educators.

• Barragan is one of seven educators who will be recognized in different categories across the county.

Why it matters: A “confidential employee” handles sensitive labor-related information and aids management in developing and implementing policies. The award highlights Barragan’s pivotal role in district leadership operations and her commitment to her community. 

• Barragan’s work extends beyond administrative duties, including leading the implementation of Assembly Bill 275, which authorized stipends for student board members.

What they’re saying: “I am a product of this district. I graduated from Palm Springs High School and grew up in Desert Hot Springs. I’m really happy to be here at the district giving back to the community that I grew up in,” Barragan said moments after receiving the news.

Up next: Six additional surprise visits are planned to honor other Riverside County Educators of the Year.

• All honorees will be recognized at the Celebrating Educators Luncheon on May 13, 2025, at the Riverside Convention Center.

Read our complete story online

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BRIEFLY

🏛️ Commission advances code revisions, discusses award changes

The Palm Springs Human Rights Commission took several actions at its most recent meeting, including updating its municipal code to narrow the commission’s scope and bring it in line with other similar jurisdictions.

• Commissioners reviewed proposed changes to the municipal code that establishes the commission’s authority and responsibilities.
  
  
• Major changes include the removal of the mediation and reconciliation process, the retention of provisions related to domestic partnerships, and the addition of language making community service awards program a statutory requirement.
  
  
• The commission is working on a new evaluation system for award nominees, including measure to eliminate bias. 
  
  
• Bottom line: The updated code will be presented to the City Council in the coming weeks for review and approval.

Dive deeper with our complete story here

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YOUR WEEKEND

MULTIPLE DAYS

• “Fat Ham” at Dezart Performs. ($57)
  
  
• “A Very Sordid Wedding” at Palm Canyon Theatre. ($32)

TODAY

• Friends of the Palm Springs Library book club at the library at 2 p.m.
  
  
• TGIF Trivia at Play Lounge & Café at 6:30 p.m.
  
  
• An Evening with Frenche Davis and Special Guest Ada Vox at the Cultural Center at 7 p.m. ($40)
  
  
• Country Western Dancing at Step by Step at 7:30 p.m. ($5)
  
  
• Comedy Night at Hotel Zoso at 8 p.m.

SATURDAY

• Tahquitz Creek Cleanup at the Tahquitz Creek Foot Bridge at 8 a.m.
  
  
• Certified Farmers’ Market at the Cultural Center at 8 a.m.
  
  
• Inaugural MLK Basketball Tournament at the Desert Hot Springs Recreation Center at 9 a.m.
  
  
• People’s Rally Palm Springs at the Downtown Park at 10 a.m.
  
  
• Bingo with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence at one eleven bar at 6 p.m.
  
  
• An Evening with Norm Lewis at the Cultural Center at 7 p.m. ($75)

SUNDAY

• Mah Jong Meetup at Play Lounge & Cafe at 1 p.m.
  
  
• Dusty Strings Collective performance and open mic at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 5:30 p.m. ($20)

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AND FINALLY …

As the nation prepares to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, the city of Palm Springs is hosting a pair of weekend events to commemorate his legacy.

Driving the news: The Palm Springs Black History Committee and Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Committee are organizing events on Saturday and Sunday to honor Dr. King’s mission of nonviolence and social justice. The entire community is invited to attend.

• This year’s theme is “Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy in the spirit of Nonviolence365.”

Key events include:

• A 3-on-3 Youth Basketball Classic on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Demuth Community Center.
  
  
• A commemoration celebration on Sunday at 2 p.m. at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Palm Desert.

Who’s involved: Mayor Ron deHarte and members of the Palm Springs City Council will attend the commemoration event.

Details: The basketball classic includes three age divisions: Micro-League (3-6), Little League (7-10), and Junior League (11-14).

Dive deeper: For more information, visit PalmSpringsBlackHistory.org or call 760-323-8271.