June 4 Daily Briefing: Home near ruins, superintendent candidate, reading program, and more

Welcome to Wednesday, folks. With summer heat rising, we want to remind you that Palm Springs’ cooling centers are now open through September to provide relief for those without air conditioning or who are unhoused. The James O. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; the Public Library is open Monday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and the Access Center near the airport is open daily for unhoused individuals. If you know somebody who might need these services, please pass this along.

🎶 Setting the mood:  “Carry On” by Crosby, Stills & Nash

LEADING OFF

Board approves of new home near historic ruins, with conditions, suggestions

The Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board voted 6-1 Tuesday to approve construction of a nearly 5,000-square-foot home near the city’s only designated historic ruins. Board members attached extensive conditions addressing community concerns about the project’s impact on the landmark site.

Driving the news: The single-family residence will be built approximately 65 feet from the ruins of a cabin constructed in the 1910s by commercial photographer Avery Edward Field at the western terminus of Santa Rosa Drive.

• The ruins were designated as a Class 1 landmark in 2019 and sit on a 1.56-acre hillside property.

Why it matters: One board member called the project “one of the largest single-family residences in the immediate area” and warned it could permanently alter the historic setting’s character.

• The proposed structure would sit on a building pad eight feet above street grade, with the 24-foot tall building creating a total height of 32 feet.

The opposition: Several community members spoke out against the project as currently designed during a public comment period. One person representing the neighborhood called it “a massive building” that “dwarfs the scale of the historic site.”

What’s next: The project now proceeds to the Architectural Review Committee for design review before construction can begin.

• The board’s conditions include recommendations to reduce building height and massing, change exterior materials to complement the natural setting better, and restrict non-native landscaping outside the development’s perimeter wall.

Read more in our complete story

BRIEFLY

🎓 School district selects superintendent finalist

The Palm Springs Unified School District Board of Education has identified Dr. Marcus Funchess as a finalist to serve as the next superintendent after reviewing more than 30 candidates. The board will vote on Funchess’s appointment at its June 10 meeting, with a potential July 1 start date following Dr. Tony Signoret’s retirement on June 30.

• Funchess currently serves as assistant superintendent of human resources at San Bernardino City Unified School District, where his career has included roles as director of human resources, elementary principal, assistant principal and teacher.
  
• “Dr. Funchess has an impeccable reputation for integrity, advancing equitable outcomes for all students, fostering positive labor relations, and building strong community partnerships,” said PSUSD Board President Sergio Espericueta.
  
• Next steps: If approved, the board will consider his employment agreement at its June 24 meeting. 

Read our complete story online

🎬ShortFest unveils lineup for 31st edition

The Palm Springs International Film Society announced the lineup for the 31st Palm Springs International ShortFest Tuesday, with the event scheduled to run June 24 through 30 at Festival Theaters. The festival will screen 311 films from 64 countries across 51 curated programs.

• Several films feature notable actors including Sir Ian McKellen and Divina De Campo in “Dragfox,” Haley Joel Osment, Finn Wittrock, and Jenny Yang in “Main Man,” and Bella Ramsey in “Matilda and the Brave Escape.”
  
• Bottom line: The festival offers Oscar Qualifying Awards including Best of the Festival Award, Best Animated Short, Best Documentary Short, Best Live-Action Short Over 15 Minutes, and Best Live-Action Short 15 Minutes and Under. Over 100 past ShortFest films have received Academy Award nominations. More information is available here.

Read our complete story online

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Core & More
9 a.m. | The Center
Looking to help you achieve your fitness goals and better your balance, this class at The Center is designed to improve stability, prevent falls, and bring fun to your workout routine. ($15)

First Wednesday Art Walk
5 p.m. | Backstreet Art District
Tour galleries and meet artists at this monthly event that happens rain or shine. Check with galleries’ individual websites to find out about their hours of operation and special events.

Palm Springs Library Board
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
The Board reviews and amends library policy, reviews progress reports, discusses immediate and long-range library planning, and prepares an annual budget. Check out the agenda here.

Palm Springs Power
7 p.m. | Palm Springs Stadium
Your Palm Springs Power continue their opening week in town by taking on the Southern Nevada Coyotes! Wednesday night games throughout the season will feature $5 margaritas. ($10)

See all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• Silent Auction & Snowsports Trade Show at The Riviera Resort & Spa on Friday.
  
• Palm Springs Firefighters Fish Fry on Saturday.
  
• Palm Springs Equality Wine & Food Fest on Saturday.
  
• Palm Springs Young Playwrights Festival Sunday at the Cultural Center.
  
• Second Annual “She Is” Women’s Conference on June 14 at Mizell Center.
  
• Juneteenth Freedom Weekend from June 19 through 21. 
  
• Palm Springs AI & Creativity Expo on June 23 at the convention center.
  
• 2025 All American 4th of July Weekend July 3-5 in Palm Springs.

Submit your event here

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AND FINALLY …

If you’re anything like us, you’re looking for any excuse to avoid going out in the triple-digit heat. You could also be a parent with a child fresh out of school, looking to keep them academically engaged. To both of those problems, the Palm Springs Public Library has the answer!

Driving the news: The library is bringing back its annual Summer Reading Program with the theme “Level Up @ Your Library.” It starts Monday, June 9, and continues through July 18.

• For children, the library will be offering free books thanks to the support of the Friends of the Palm Springs Library.
  Adults will receive “book bucks” for checking in each week that can be redeemed at the Friends’ bookstore.
  
• Participants of all ages will receive a B-I-N-G-O card with challenges to complete each week. Completing challenges on that card will earn you entries for several prizes, including but not limited to a Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, or a $100 Amazon Gift Card. 
  
• One of the prizes includes a pickleball match or lesson with Palm Springs Chief of Police Andy Mills!

What they’re saying: “The purpose of Summer Reading is to help combat reading loss sometimes experienced over the summer. Studies indicate that students who read recreationally outperform those who do not, and Summer Reading makes it fun for them to do just that!” said Jeannie Kays, Director of Library Services. 

Details: You can learn more about the 2025 Summer Reading Program by going to the library in person or by visiting palmspringslibrary.org