Jan. 25 Daily Briefing: Remarkable golfing achievement, PSPD hosts law enforcement from Costa Rica, the latest star honoree, and more

🚁 Happy Thursday, everyone, where we have a heads up for you. SoCalGas will be using a helicopter to perform aerial surveys of methane pipelines in and around our city on Friday (tomorrow) between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. It’s part of their routine maintenance and inspection process. So, if you spot a chopper flying about 500 feet above ground in a lawn mower pattern, you’ll know what’s happening.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Take Five” by The Dave Brubeck Quartet

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LEADING OFF

Local golfer beats 67 million-to-1 odds

68-year-old Brenda Lemky, a recreational golfer for 50 years, achieved a rare feat by scoring two holes-in-one during a single round at Indian Canyons Golf Resort North Course in Palm Springs on Jan. 15.

Driving the news: Lemky scored her first hole-in-one on the fourth hole and her second on the seventh hole. The odds of an average golfer scoring two holes-in-one in the same round are about 67 million-to-one, according to Laurie Martinez, the golf shop supervisor at Indian Canyons Golf Resort.

• Lemky’s accomplishment was celebrated with two different colored flags and she will receive two engraved plaques that will hang in the clubhouse at the South Course.

The reaction: Lemky was overwhelmed with emotion after her achievement, admitting she was “shaken” and shed “a few tears” after the first hole-in-one. After the second, she said she “nearly had a nervous breakdown.”

• Word of Lemky’s feat reached the North Course clubhouse, and she was greeted with congratulations upon her return. As per tradition, a round of drinks was on her tab.

Looking forward: Despite her monumental achievement, Lemky, who rarely misses a day of golfing, was back on the course the next day. She admits that her performance was affected by the nerves and memories of her accomplishment, but she continues to play.

• Lemky and her husband are part-time residents of Palm Springs, spending the other half of the year in Calgary, Alberta. Since retiring eight years ago, she has devoted more of her time to golfing.

Read our complete story online here

BRIEFLY

🌟 Modernism pioneer Jacques Caussin to receive star

Jacques Caussin, a prominent figure in modernism, is being honored with the 466th star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars for his contributions as a Civic/Pioneer.

• Caussin is credited with the success of the Palm Springs Modernism Show, which he launched in 2001 and has evolved into a key event for collectors and aficionados. Following the Show’s success, he was instrumental in founding the internationally celebrated Modernism Week festival in 2006, helping to cultivate it into an engaging celebration of 20th-century design.
  
  
• Nona Watson, CEO of the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce, expressed pride in honoring Caussin’s significant influence on Palm Springs as a modernist landmark. The dedication event will recognize Caussin’s role in positioning the city as a noteworthy destination.
  
  
• Details: The star will be unveiled at the Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center, with a public dedication ceremony on Wednesday, Feb. 14.

💰 County comes through with more Navigation Center funds

Riverside County Board of Supervisors has greenlit $7.5 million in funding to complete the Palm Springs Navigation Center, a facility aimed at addressing homelessness.

• The county announced Tuesday that a $7.5 million funding gap will be filled by an allocation from the Inland Empire Health Plan. 
  
  
• In total, more than $40 million has been secured for the creation and operation of the campus. This includes contributions from the county, the city, and the state.
  
  
• Bottom line: The center, located on McCarthy Road, will provide 80 interim housing units and comprehensive services to the homeless population. The campus is currently under construction, and slated to fully open this summer, as we first reported last September.

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FEATURED EVENTS

Immunization Clinic
12 p.m. – 4 p.m. | Palm Springs Public Library
The library offers a free immunization clinic and will provide adults and children with the covid vaccine (both Pfizer and Moderna), flu vaccine, and monkeypox vaccine. No insurance required.

Palm Springs City Council Meeting
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
According to the agenda, councilmembers will consider approving new terminal design alternatives for the Palm Springs International Airport and discuss security cameras and automated license plate readers. 

VillageFest
6 p.m. | Downtown Palm Springs
The weekly street fair features art, entertainment, shopping, and food. The Palm Springs Art Museum also has free admission tonight starting at 5 p.m.

Argentine Tango Class
7:30 p.m. | Step By Step Dance Studio
Learn how to dance the most passionate social dance in the world. Instructors will help you to develop strong technique and footwork. No experience, no partner, no problem! ($10)

SAVE THE DATE

• Palm Springs Health Run & Wellness Festival at Ruth Hardy Park on Jan. 27.
  
  
• PS Woman’s Club Annual Patio Sale on Feb. 3.
  
  
• Black History Committee 14th Annual Awards Gala on Feb. 3.
  
  
• “An Article of Hope” movie showing with guest speaker on Feb. 4.
  
  
• Palm Springs Woman’s Club Scholarship Luncheon at the Hilton on March 27.

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AND FINALLY …

Palm Springs police have been hosting some special visitors this week as part of a program aimed at exchanging knowledge between law enforcement agencies across borders. 

Driving the news: 16 top-ranking Costa Rican law enforcement officials are in town as part of the “Sembremos Seguridad (We Grow Security) Program.” 

• The delegation includes the country’s vice minister of public security and the director of the National Police Academy. 

Why it matters: The program focuses on knowledge exchange and collaboration, with presentations on community policing, crime prevention, narcotics investigations, and a SWAT class.

But wait: Palm Springs Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein and City Manager Scott Stiles welcomed the Costa Rican representatives Wednesday, receiving authentic Costa Rican coffee as a token of appreciation.