Nov. 21 Daily Briefing: Holstege concedes, energy ordinance, remembering our ‘Founding Mother,’ and more

Welcome to Thursday, where after nearly four years, being a small staff finally bit us a little. You may have noticed there was no newsletter yesterday. It was entirely on purpose. With Kendall out recovering from a kidney transplant, Mark has been holding down the fort alone for a few months. Unfortunately, he suffered a death in his family early Tuesday (more on that below) and took the advice of others to put family and himself first. We appreciate your understanding and promise to keep unplanned gaps in our coverage to a minimum.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Thanks For The Boogie Ride” by Anita O’Day

LEADING OFF

Proposed energy efficiency ordinance for older homes moves ahead

The Palm Springs Sustainability Commission approved an energy efficiency upgrade ordinance for homes built before 2011 on Tuesday, moving it forward to the City Council for possible final approval in January.

Driving the news: The ordinance targets residential buildings, which contribute about 23% of the city’s total greenhouse gas emissions, and focuses on cost-effective upgrades like insulation, LED lighting, and electric-ready appliance installations.

• Homes with existing solar panels and low-income residents receiving utility rate discounts are currently exempted from the measure’s requirements.

Looking ahead: The commission plans to develop user guides and fact sheets to help homeowners navigate the new requirements and is exploring potential incentives and funding options to assist with compliance costs.

• About 30% of Palm Springs residents receive a utility rate discount, which would exempt them from the ordinance.

Zoom in: The ordinance includes exceptions for historically designated buildings and medically necessary home upgrades, and buildings constructed before 1978 could undergo a historic investigation when certain types of work are proposed.

• The ordinance’s triggers are based on project cost and building age, rather than square footage, to align with equity goals and avoid disproportionately impacting lower-cost projects.

Bottom line: In crafting the ordinance — the first of its type aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions — commission members emphasized the importance of balancing emissions reduction goals with equity concerns.

• “We want to make sure everyone has an equal opportunity to get the benefits of energy efficiency,” said Sustainability Director LP McCloy

Dive deeper with our complete story

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BRIEFLY

🏛️ What to watch for at tonight’s City Council meeting

The Palm Springs City Council is scheduled to meet meeting this evening in regular session, focusing on development projects, financial updates, and community initiatives. The agenda is available here.

• Among the agenda items is a public hearing regarding the possible use of eminent domain to acquire a piece of property between Kalura Trattoria and Brandini Toffee needed for part of the Plaza Theatre improvements. 
  
  
• Also on the agenda is discussion of changes to the way the Palm Springs Human Rights Commission operates.
  
  
• Details: You can speak during the meeting or send comments by emailing cityclerk@palmspringsca.gov. You can watch the live stream on the city’s website, YouTube channel, or Spectrum Channel 17.

🗳️ Holstege concedes Assembly race

Palm Springs City Councilmember Christy Holstege has conceded to incumbent Greg Wallis in the race for California’s 47th Assembly District, marking her second defeat for the same seat. 

• Despite a more significant loss margin this year of nearly 5,000 votes as of Wednesday evening, compared to just 85 votes in 2022, Holstege remained hopeful about the district’s future and highlighted the Democratic efforts in the region as “historic” in a statement released Wednesday.
  
  
• Holstege, an attorney who at one time served as mayor will vacate her council seat in December. Another councilmember and former mayor, Lisa Middleton, will also vacate her seat after losing the 19th District State Senate race to incumbent Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh.
  
  
• Next steps: Naomi Soto will replace Holstege in District 4 and David Ready will replace Middleton in District 5 in December.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Animal Vaccine Clinic
9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Animal Shelter  
You do not need to be a Palm Springs resident to attend, but you do need to make an appointment. To do that, please call (760) 416-5718.  

Nonesuch Nonfiction Book Club
2 p.m. | Library Learning Center  
This book club group meets the third Thursday of the month September through May in The Learning Center at the Palm Springs Public Library from 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.  

Art Museum Free Admission
5 p.m. | Palm Springs Art Museum 
From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., enjoy free admission to galleries and exhibitions, and explore the collection at your own pace. Then, head outside to the sculpture garden, where a DJ will set the mood with a carefully curated playlist that blends genres and eras. 

City Council
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
The Palm Springs City Council meets in closed and regular session today. The regular session begins at approximately 5:30 p.m. An agenda can be found here.

‘Greatest Showman’ Interactive Movie
6 p.m. | Palm Springs Cultural Center  
Get ready for an epic interactive event where you can be the greatest showman among friends! There will be tailgating prior to the movie at 5:15 p.m. and then cocktails at 6 p.m. ($20)

VillageFest
6 p.m. | Downtown Palm Springs  
The street fair features art, entertainment, shopping, and food.

Sammy’s Circle Pet Bereavement
6 p.m. | Animal Shelter  
Sammy’s Circle is a safe place to share our grief and to share the stories of our beloved pets, both those who have recently left us, as well as those whose memories have long lingered in our hearts.

‘Next to Normal’
7 p.m. | Coachella Valley Repertory  
Join CVRep for this cathartic and empathetic modern-day musical masterpiece with soaring rock music and unforgettable characters. ($90)

SAVE THE DATE

• “Paddles for a Cause” Pickleball Tournament on Saturday.
  
  
• 2024 Wild Turkey Trot in Downtown Palm Springs on Nov. 28.
  
  
• Martha’s Village & Kitchen’s Thanksgiving Day 5K in Palm Desert on Nov. 28.
  
  
• Friendsgiving at Play Lounge & Cafe on Nov. 28.
  
  
• WildLights at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens starts on Nov. 29.
  
  
• Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus: Disney Pride In Concert starts on Nov. 30.
  
  
• 2024 Dance with Miss Lindsay at Annenberg Theater on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.
  
  
• Mary Poppins at Palm Canyon Theatre starts on Dec. 1.

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AND FINALLY …

We’re taking time today to celebrate the life of the woman affectionately known as “The Founding Mother” of The Palm Springs Post.

Driving the news: Linda Talkington, mother of Post founder and publisher Mark Talkington, died near her home in the Seattle area Tuesday after valiantly battling lung disease for several years. She was 84.

Looking back: Linda was born and raised in Oregon before joining the Navy in the late 1950s. It was while serving her country that she met her husband, also a Navy veteran, and began a marriage that spanned more than six decades.

• She was a proud Navy wife, raising three children while her husband did multiple tours of duty in Vietnam and was away at sea. She was also an artist, writer, successful breeder of champion Great Danes, a horse racing fan, and much more.

Zoom in: In 2021, Linda made a small investment in The Post that allowed it to expand from an upstart newsletter to a full-fledged community news operation. She was very much a news junkie and believed in the power of independent, local news. More importantly, she believed in her son.

Bottom line: Linda Talkington is survived by her husband Stephen and her children — Lorrie, Catherine, and Mark — and their spouses; her grandchildren Tony, Victoria, Brianna, Nimh, and Noah; and numerous siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews.

•  The family plans to gather in Seaside, Ore., for a memorial in the future.