May 31 Daily Briefing: Commission concerns, first pitch for Power, it’s Restaurant Week, and more

Happy Friday! A couple weeks ago we told you the owner of a local restaurant in Palm Springs was competing on the Food Network challenge show “Chopped: Battle Italiano.” Well, Chef Antonello Zito of Palmina by Puglia is now the champion of the Battle Italiano after competing against 15 other chefs specializing in the cuisine of Italy’s different regions. “Chopped” fans will know the show is not like a regular cooking show. The competitors for the Battle Italiano were tasked with creating a dish using mystery ingredients like Mortadella Ice Cream, Gin Mayonnaise, Pizza in a Tube, and Olive Oil Frosting. Yum?

🎶 Setting the mood: “That’s Amore” by Dean Martin (Kendall always thinks of “Moonstruck” when she hears this song.)

LEADING OFF

Councilmember calls for hiatus of a city commission amidst concerns

Palm Springs City Councilmember Christy Holstege proposed a temporary suspension of the city’s Human Rights Commission (HRC) due to concerns over potential legal violations and confusion about its function.

Driving the news: Holstege raised issues during the May 23 council meeting about possible Brown Act violations within the HRC and unclear definitions of the commission’s responsibilities.

• These concerns follow a report on unauthorized decision-making by some HRC members, prompting calls for clearer guidance and possibly redefining the commission’s role.

At issue: Top of mind for Holstege and others is a Feb. 13 story by The Post detailing what allegedly happened behind closed doors when some members of the HRC elected to rescind a Community Service Award that the entire commission had earlier approved awarding.

• Following the report, the HRC agreed to reevaluate how it hands out awards and disband its executive committee.

Scope creep: Holstege, who herself had served on the HRC, highlighted a significant mismatch between the commission’s activities and its intended purpose.

• The council’s discussion included the need to redefine and possibly rebrand the commission, suggesting its merger with other task forces or its re-establishment as a social justice body.

What they’re saying: “I just think that there’s a lot more work to do to understand the role of the Human Rights Commission,” Holstege said. “I’ve said publicly many times, I ran for council because I was serving on the Human Rights Commission, and it was impossible or very difficult to get any work done because of the lack of clarity around the role for the commission.”

What’s next: The council agreed to Holstege’s request for a hiatus and directed city staff to develop recommendations for the HRC’s roles and responsibilities. City Manager Scott Stiles said that staff can bring back recommendations for the first meeting in June. 

Dive deeper with our complete story here.

BRIEFLY

⚾ Power start summer baseball season tonight

The Palm Springs Power opens its season this evening at 6:30 p.m, facing the SoCal Mavericks. After the game, plan to stay for a fireworks show.

• During the roughly 10-week season, The Power have home games scheduled every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night. All games are scheduled for 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Gates open daily an hour before first pitch with general admission tickets available every day at the stadium box office.
  
  
• Among the season highlights will be the Power’s annual July 4th game  against the Power Summer Collegiate League All-Stars at 6 p.m. That game is followed by the traditional fireworks spectacular.
  
  
• The Power are playing for their 10th championship in 20 seasons. Last season the team finished 30-1 for the highest winning percentage in team history. Manager Casey Dill returns for his seventh season at the helm. 

Details: For the complete schedule, turn here. For upcoming promotional events, look here.

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YOUR WEEKEND

ALL WEEKEND

• Palm Springs Power Baseball today and Saturday at Palm Springs Stadium.
  
  
• “Baby: The Musical” all weekend at Revolution Stage Company.
  
  
• Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week all weekend at participating restaurants.
  
  
• Palm Springs Card Show Saturday and Sunday at the Palm Springs Convention Center.

TODAY

• Dusty Strings Collective performance and open mic at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 5:30 p.m.
  
  
• Country Western Dancing at Dance Ranch Palm Springs at 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY

• Friends of the Palm Springs Library Book Sale in the JC Frey Building at the Palm Springs Library starting at 10 a.m.
  
  
• Piano Riot at Revolution Stage Company at 5 p.m.
  
  
• Palm Springs Firefighters 91st Annual Fish Fry at Ruth Hardy Park at 6 p.m.
  
  
• Rocky Horror Picture Show screening with shadow cast at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 9 p.m.

SUNDAY

• “Love is in the Air” Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus Cabaret at Reforma Palm Springs at 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
  
  
• “Immediate Family” documentary screening at Ace Hotel & Swim Club at 4 p.m.

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AND FINALLY …

Clear your breakfast and lunch plans for the week, the Annual Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week starts today.

Driving the news: Running through June 9, Restaurant Week is an opportunity for locals and visitors to participate in a gourmet journey throughout the Coachella Valley.

Why it matters: The event is more than just some discounts on local favorites, it’s designed to be a boost for local restaurateurs as we head into the hot summer months when most of the tourists have left town.

What to expect: Like previous years, restaurants participating in the event will offer breakfast and lunch packages that include two or more items priced at $15, $25, or $35, and dinner menus that include three or more items priced at $39, $49, or $59. A portion of each reservation made through this page will go to support FIND Food Bank.

What’s changed: Davis Meyer, a spokesperson for Greater Palm Springs, says the organization made changes this past year “to start allowing restaurants to not just offer a prix fixe menu but also to include a special offer to participate in Restaurant Week.”

What they’re saying: Past restaurant weeks were “really for special occasion higher price point restaurants,” says Meyer, “but with stuff like this, we’re starting to see more places that maybe don’t hit that prix fixe menu price point.”

Details: Guests do not need passes, tickets, or coupons. Instead, diners may call restaurants directly to make reservations or do so here.