Nov. 11 Daily Briefing: Service awards changes, art museum controversy, our pet of the week, and more

Welcome to Tuesday and to Veterans Day, a day set aside to honor all who have served our nation in the military. We’re grateful for all our veterans, including Mark’s dad, Steve, who served in Vietnam in the Navy. If you’d like to show your appreciation for our local veterans, head down to Downtown Palm Springs for the city’s annual Veterans Day Parade. It starts at 3:30 p.m. and runs along Palm Canyon Drive from Ramon Road to Alejo Road.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Piledriver Waltz” by Arctic Monkeys

LEADING OFF

Commission works to revamp controversial community service awards

The Palm Springs Human Rights Commission is overhauling its community service awards program following a controversy that led to a nine-month hiatus and raised questions about potential Brown Act violations.

Driving the news: On Monday, commissioners discussed proposed changes including measurable selection criteria and stronger vetting procedures. 

• The reforms come after some commissioners privately decided to rescind one recipient’s 2024 award without public discussion, potentially violating California’s open-meeting law.

Looking back: The awards have been a commission tradition since its founding in 1992. Last year, seven individuals and two organizations were honored in February.

Yes, but: Reporting by The Post revealed that one 2024 award was withdrawn after complaints about the recipient were made to the commission chair, who along with others decided to rescind it without public discussion.

What’s changing: Commissioners Carlotta Rinke and Michael Horne have drafted a five-point scoring system to evaluate nominees based on their human rights work, community impact, and vision for Palm Springs. The proposal clarifies that the City Council — not the commission — makes final award decisions.

• During Monday’s meeting, Rinke suggested closed-session evaluations, but Loyola reminded commissioners that deliberations must occur publicly.

What’s next: The commission disbanded its three-member executive committee in March amid similar transparency concerns. Deputy City Manager Jeremy Hammond said city staff will now review nominees after the commission’s selection, though details are still being finalized.

• The commission expects to revisit the awards process at its December meeting. Awards could be presented in March, April or May instead of the traditional February timeline.

Dive deeper with our complete story

BRIEFLY

🥕 Cultural Center expanding certified farmers market to DHS

• The Palm Springs Cultural Center will open a new Certified Farmers Market in Desert Hot Springs on Sunday at 66070 Pierson Blvd., operating every other Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for 9 a.m. on opening day.
  
• The market aims to increase access to fresh, affordable produce in an area with historically limited healthy food options, focusing on low-income residents, seniors and SNAP/CalFresh recipients. The market will accept EBT/SNAP and offer locally grown fruits and vegetables, prepared foods and pantry essentials.
  
• What they’re saying: “I have deep roots in Desert Hot Springs — I was born and raised here — and opening this market has long been a dream of mine,” said Lindsay Jordan, Palm Springs Cultural Center Farmers Market Manager. The Barker Foundation and the city of Desert Hot Springs are sponsoring the project.

Dive deeper with our complete story

🖼️ LA Times: Art Museum trustees resign over director hire

• Three trustees have resigned from the Palm Springs Art Museum board following the appointment of Christine Vendredi as director, a move criticized for allegedly bypassing standard hiring procedures and excluding outside candidates, according to reporting by the Los Angeles Times.
  
• As detailed in a commentary published Monday, trustee Patsy Marino, who chaired the search committee, said the museum’s executive committee interfered with the process and failed to post the job for four months. Vendredi, the museum’s chief curator, was promoted reportedly without interviews of other applicants, despite two external candidates being identified.
  
• Details: Vendredi holds dual PhDs and joined the museum last year with no prior nonprofit museum experience. The museum has had four directors since 2018 and faces financial challenges, including scrutiny over the use of funds from a $4.7 million art sale during the pandemic.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Yoga with Mariana
10 a.m. / 2 p.m. | Leisure Center
Our affordable community yoga classes are the perfect way to recharge your body, mind, and spirit for much less than the big studios. ($12)

Leads Lunch
12 p.m. | Hair of the Dog
Connect, collaborate, and grow your business at the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce Leads Lunch, hosted every Tuesday in November at Hair of the Dog in Palm Springs. Bring your business cards, your appetite, and your best elevator pitch for an afternoon of lively networking.

Prostate Cancer Support Group
3 p.m. | The Center
This is a men’s group for those facing the fight at every stage, whether you are recently diagnosed or a survivor. The group is facilitated by a Prostate Cancer survivor himself.

Palm Springs Veterans Day Parade
3:30 p.m. | Palm Canyon Drive
“Honoring All Who Served” – This year is the 28th Annual Palm Springs Veterans Day Parade. Join the community in downtown Palm Springs as they proudly salute our nation’s heroes. The parade kicks off at 3:30 P.M. along Palm Canyon Drive.

Melba Miller’s Jazz Oasis
5:30 p.m. | Cultural Center
Join songstress Melba Miller and special guests for an evening dedicated to serious listeners and lovers of Jazz. ($22)

See all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• West Side Story in Concert benefit for Dezart Performs starting Thursday.
  
• Palm Springs Hospitality Golf Tournament on Friday.
  
• Rotary Club of Palm Springs Sunup Holiday Blood Drive on Saturday.
  
• Section 14 Survivors Anniversary Summit at St. Paul in the Desert Church on Saturday.
  
• Coachella Valley Filipino Festival on Saturday.
  
• Gregory Douglass Live at Revolution Stage Company on Sunday.
  
• McCormick’s 79th Auto Auction Nov. 21 through 23 at Palm Springs Convention Center.
  
• Plaza Theatre Community Open House and Block Party on Nov. 22.
  
• For the Heroic, Bright and Beautiful Desert Winds Freedom Band concert at Jewish Community Center on Nov. 22 and 23

Submit your event here

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AND FINALLY …

🐾 Each week, The Post partners with a local animal shelter to feature one or more of the many animal companions ready for a new home in our community. 

Just in time for Veterans Day, we introduce you to Sergeant, a 1-year-old German Shepherd who has been at the shelter for a short while. Staff at the shelter say he is very affectionate with familiar people and also great at meeting strangers.

• Staff also said he is house-trained and good on leash.

Don’t forget: Large dogs are often overlooked at shelters, so if you can open your heart to Sergeant, we’re sure he’ll be a great fit in your platoon. 

If you’re interested: You can visit the shelter at 4575 E. Mesquite Ave. Hours are 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on all days except for Mondays (open for intake only) and Thursdays (1 p.m. until 7 p.m.). You can always call the shelter at (760) 416-5718.

• Make sure to check out all the other pets at the shelter here.