March 17 Daily Briefing: Wright remembered, shade study, city needs you, and more

Welcome to Monday, and Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Over the weekend, family, friends, and former colleagues gathered at PSHS to celebrate the life of the school’s former principal, Ricky Wright, who passed away earlier this month. Current Principal Michael Ventura praised him for ensuring “every student counted, not just the best athletes or achievers,” while former students said he had an infectious energy and made a huge impact on their lives, instilling valuable lessons they carried into adulthood. To honor his legacy, the school plans to place a headstone and plant a tree at the football field, commemorating his tradition of barbecuing ribs for staff at home games.

🎶 Setting the mood:  “You Don’t Own Me” by Lesley Gore

LEADING OFF

Heat’s impact on city transportation system to be studied

Palm Springs officials are hope to perform a comprehensive study to examine how extreme heat affects the city’s transportation system. The initiative will aim to identify hot spots and develop strategies to mitigate heat-related challenges for residents using public transit and other transportation methods.

Driving the news: The study was discussed during a Sustainability Commission Climate Action Subcommittee meeting last week, where Sustainability Director LP McCloy outlined plans to analyze existing conditions and create a baseline that includes a shade equity analysis. 

• The study will identify transportation hot spots and review historical geographic trends throughout the city.

Why it matters: The initiative will specifically focus on transportation infrastructure due to funding constraints, but officials noted its broader implications for urban planning. 

• “Transportation is a huge nexus throughout our city,” McCloy said. “There will be overlaps with how we think about planting trees in parks and zoning code guidelines.”

The details: Community engagement will be a key component, as city officials seek to understand how residents experience heat while using transportation infrastructure. 

• McCloy emphasized that perceived heat is as important as measured temperature: “Just because a space is, temperature-wise, the hottest or not that hot, doesn’t mean it doesn’t feel really hot when you’re standing in that spot.”

What’s next: The request for proposals for consultants is being prepared and is expected to be released this summer, with officials anticipating approximately six weeks to finalize the RFP. 

• The city hopes to assemble experts in community engagement, modeling and analysis, and urban climate design, particularly those with Coachella Valley experience.

The big picture: The study aims to incorporate heat-smart planning into Palm Springs’ transportation decarbonization goals and could lead to updates in existing transportation policies.

BRIEFLY

🏆 Atkins to be honored at Harvey Milk event

Former California State Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins will receive the Harvey Milk Leadership Award at the upcoming Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast in Palm Springs on May 8, the event’s coalition announced.

• Atkins made history as the first woman to lead both California’s State Senate and Assembly and the first person in 150 years to lead both houses of the California Legislature after beginning her career at a women’s health clinic.
  
• Details: The breakfast will take place at the Palm Springs Convention Center. It will start with a networking hour at 8:30 a.m. and conclude with the program at 9:30 a.m., with proceeds benefiting LGBTQ+ programs in the Coachella Valley. Tickets and additional information are available here.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Desert X
The fifth edition of Desert X, the recurring site-specific, international art exhibition is open now through May 11. Find the map of installations on the Desert X website.

Mahjong Monday
1 p.m. | Play Lounge and Cafe
Come play the American version of Mahjong with others. Play Lounge has two mats and sets, but feel free to bring your own. 

Palm Springs Opera Guild Presents Hansel and Gretel
4 p.m. | Rancho Mirage Library
Perfect for audiences of all ages—especially young ones—this light-hearted performance is a wonderful introduction to the operatic art form, offering a memorable experience for newcomers and seasoned fans alike.

CalComMen’s Monday Coffee
5 p.m. | Play Lounge & Café
Join the group for coffee, chat, and chew! No RSVPs necessary.

Architectural Review Committee
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
The Architectural Review Committee meets twice a month to issue decisions on major architectural and landscape design applications.

“The Falcon and the Snowman” screening
6:30 p.m. | Palm Springs Cultural Center
As a part of Michael Childers’ “My Husband Makes Movies: A John Schlesinger Film Festival,” the Cultural Center is presenting a screening of 1985’s “The Falcon and the Snowman,” with opening remarks from Turner Classic Movies host Dave Karger and an onstage interview with Childers and Steven Zaillian, screenwriter for the film and for “Schindler’s List.” ($17)

See all events

SAVE THE DATE

• Political Cartoons in America from Ben Franklin to Donald Trump at the Palm Springs Public Library on Tuesday.
  
• Movies in the Park: “Hook” at Downtown Park on Tuesday. 
  
• Tenant Rights Workshop at Palm Springs Public Library on Wednesday.
  
• CVAG Transportation Public Meeting online on Thursday.
  
• Palm Springs Drone Fest at Palm Springs High School starting Friday. ($25)
  
• ONE-PS Picnic and Community Expo on Saturday.
  
• Palm Springs 70mm Film Fest at the Cultural Center starting Saturday. ($18)
  
• Rescheduled: AbbaFab Rock the Park Concert at the Downtown Park on March 26.
  
• Palm Springs Woman’s Club Annual Scholarship Event Dinner at Palm Springs Surf Club on March 26. ($125)
  
• Free Shredding Event at the Palm Springs Convention Center on April 5.
  
• Opera in the Park at Sunrise Park on April 6.
  
• World Art Day at Demuth Park on April 12.
  
• PS Gay Men’s Chorus “Disney Pride In Concert“ starting April 24. ($35)
  
  Submit your event

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AND FINALLY …

If you’ve ever wanted to feel the power and receive the glory that comes with serving on a city board or commission (OK, we may be stretching that a bit), now is your chance. Applications are currently being accepted from residents, business owners, and students interested in serving in various roles.

Driving the news: Palm Springs officials are seeking to fill vacancies across 11 different boards and commissions, offering community members an opportunity to shape the city’s future by participating in decision-making on key issues.

• The application period runs through April 30, with appointments to be made in June.

Who can apply: Eligible applicants must reside, work, or attend school within Palm Springs and cannot be current city employees or have pending job applications with the city.

• The city specifically seeks candidates who reflect the social, ethnic, and cultural diversity of Palm Springs.

The positions: Vacancies are available on the Administrative Appeals Board, Airport Commission, Historic Site Preservation Board, Library Board of Trustees, Measure J Oversight Commission, Parks & Recreation Commission, Public Arts Commission, Sustainability Commission, VillageFest Board, Human Rights Commission, and Architectural Review Committee.

Why it matters: Board and commission members play a vital role in community governance, bringing citizen perspective to local decision-making processes.

How to apply: Interested individuals can submit applications at this city website or contact the Office of the City Clerk at 760-323-8204 for more information.

All applications are subject to public disclosure.