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Monday, Feb. 16 | 🌦️ 59°/46°
Welcome to Monday, and happy Presidents’ Day, which is not just about appliance sales. Still, you can thank retailers for the name that seems to have stuck. The holiday is still officially called Washington's Birthday by the federal government, even though it doesn’t fall on his birthday (Feb. 22). While the name was proposed for a Monday holiday in 1951, it was never officially changed. In the 1980s, thanks to advertising campaigns for holiday sales, the term became popularized and largely accepted.
🎶 Setting the mood: "Six O’Clock News Report" by The Bar-Kays
Leading Off
Palm Springs City Council Chambers. (File photo)
Palm Springs council signals support for examining mayoral structure
The Palm Springs City Council is expected to formally examine whether to keep its rotating mayor system or shift to a directly elected mayor after councilmembers signaled support for placing the issue on a future agenda.
Driving the news: Councilmember Grace Garner raised the question during a regular meeting last week, noting the city adopted district elections with a rotating mayor in 2019 and that councilmembers have "amicably rotated through the position each year" since then.
Garner said there has been more public discussion in recent months about whether the rotating system remains the best approach.
What she's saying: Garner acknowledged the rotating system "provides each district an opportunity to have representation" and "decentralizes the role of the mayor," while noting that "some folks … just have a preference for a directly elected mayor."
The response: Councilmember Ron deHarte, who broached the subject last year during his tenure as mayor, voiced support for revisiting the issue. Other councilmembers also expressed support for placing the matter on a future agenda.
What's next: No formal action was taken at the meeting. Staff is expected to review the issues raised before returning to the council with additional information.
Any change to the mayoral structure would likely require further legal analysis and could ultimately require voter approval.
Briefly
A rendering of a planned mini storage facility as it would be seen from PSUSD headquarters off Gene Autry Trail.
🏛️ What to watch for at City Hall and beyond this week
Palm Springs city government will hold meetings across six boards and commissions this week, with topics including affordable housing, airport noise, a code enforcement appeal and sustainability initiatives.
The Sustainability Commission meets Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. The Administrative Appeals Board, Airport Commission and Architectural Review Committee all meet Wednesday. The Measure J Oversight Commission and Finance Subcommittee meet Thursday.
Details: Most meetings are held at City Hall at 3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way and are available via Zoom. The Airport Commission meets at the airport conference room, 3400 East Tahquitz Canyon Way.
⚾ Blue Sox win second straight CWL title
The Washington Blue Sox claimed their second consecutive California Winter League championship with a 14-3 victory over the British Columbia Bombers on Sunday at Palm Springs Stadium, finishing the season 16-3.
Shortstop Bubba Thompson drove in six runs, including a bases-clearing double in the third inning. Former Grinnell standout Ethan Crawford added two hits and three RBI. Reliever AJ Moreno pitched four innings, allowing just two runs.
Bottom line: The 2026 CWL season wrapped up after three weeks in the city, with more than 30 players signed to independent baseball leagues across the country as of Sunday.
A MESSAGE FROM DAP HEALTH
“A Checkup Is a Checkup” is DAP Health’s new preventive care campaign, which seeks to remove the fear and anxiety surrounding screenings for such diseases as cancer, STIs, diabetes, and more. By making such tests routine, more people can detect problems sooner, which yields better health outcomes!
📆 Featured Events
Modernism Week 2026
All day | Various Locations
Modernism Week continues today, celebrating and fostering midcentury and modern architecture, interior and landscape design, and historic preservation. Events are happening across Palm Springs.
Palm Springs Modernism Show
10 a.m. | Convention Center
140 National and International Exhibitors offering the BEST of Midcentury and Modern Design, all for sale under one roof at the Palm Springs Convention Center. ($35)
Gio Ponti: From Milan to the World
3 p.m. | Palm Springs Art Museum
Delve into the extraordinary work and enduring legacy of Gio Ponti, known as the ‘Father of Italian Modernism.’ ($23)
Intersect Palm Springs
4 p.m. | Convention Center
One of the region's largest gatherings of art, design, and architecture, presenting leading galleries from around the world and fostering dialogue. ($35)
HangingOUT! - Men’s Monday Coffee
4:30 p.m. | Social Cafe & Play Lounge
Join the group for coffee, chat, and chew! No RSVPs necessary.
Monday Night Dance Party with Leanna and Miguel
5 p.m.| V Wine Lounge and Martini Bar
Join Leanna and Miguel for a night of dancing to jazz, Latin, pop, disco, and more. ($5)
📌 Save the Date
Palm Springs International Jazz Festival from Thursday through Sunday
Wag & Shag benefitting Palm Springs Animal Shelter on Friday
An evening with Father Jim Martin at The Church of St. Paul in The Desert on Sunday
Tramview Heights Specific Plan community workshop on Feb. 23 from 5:30-7 p.m.
Fire Station 1 open house on Feb. 23 from 4-6 p.m.
Fraud Prevention Seminar at PSPD on Feb. 24
Palm Springs Pathfinders "Rock the Yacht" annual gala on Feb. 28
Fantasy Prom hosted by Desert Sparkles Fund on March 7
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📰 In Other News …
The newly-opened Palm Canyon Axe Club at 320 North Palm Canyon Dr. (Photo: Palm Canyon Axe Club via Facebook)
🪓 Palm Canyon Axe Club has opened in Palm Springs offering eight throwing lanes, a lounge, free arcade, and rage room for recreational entertainment. [NBC Palm Springs]
🚧 Construction on South Palm Canyon Drive resumes Wednesday with paving and signal repairs, and a traffic flip onto the new western bridge span is tentatively set for Feb. 24. [City of Palm Springs]
🎭 John Bolton, general manager of the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre, is being honored for his four-decade career and his role in launching the unique new venue. [The Desert Sun] 💰
In Case You Missed It
Recently published stories
☕️ Kendall loves coffee but isn’t a coffee snob. She’ll drink pretty much anything!
❄️ Mark still thinks we could have measurable snow in the city this year. It has been such a weird winter.
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