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Thursday, April 23 | ☀️ 84°/60°
Welcome to Thursday! If you've been following the story of Zoe the kitten — the Palm Springs Animal Shelter resident who went viral for looking like a fluffy little balloon due to a damaged windpipe — here's some good news: "Puff Kitty" is up for adoption! Zoe's $500 adoption fee goes toward care for other animals at the shelter, and if you're interested, you have until 5 p.m. Sunday to apply — with the lucky candidate notified on Tuesday. Interested? Click here.
🎶 Setting the mood: "Call Me" by Blondie
Leading Off
The outside of City Council Chambers at Palm Springs City Hall. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Palm Springs council digs into structure of proposed elected mayor
Palm Springs officials spent time Wednesday examining the legal and structural questions surrounding a proposal to create a directly elected mayor, with the city attorney outlining how the role could work and what risks different versions might carry.
Driving the news: During a regular City Council meeting, City Attorney Jeff Ballinger said a non-voting directly elected mayor would likely reduce the city's exposure under the California Voting Rights Act, pointing to Bakersfield and Long Beach as California cities using similar models. A mayor with veto powers, he said, would carry greater legal risk.
Ballinger described the role as a "bully pulpit" position similar to the presidency, one where the mayor could take positions at odds with the rest of the council with no provision for removal.
The revised proposal: Rich Gordon, chair of Citizens for an Elected Mayor, said during public comment that the group revised its plan after hearing earlier concerns.
The directly elected mayor would be a non-voting council member, preserving each district's representative voice in city decisions.
Complications emerged: Councilmembers raised questions about a scenario in which the ballot measure included both a vote to create the position and a concurrent vote to fill it — effectively asking residents to elect someone to an office that didn't yet exist.
The council discussed a potential ordinance that would bar a mayoral election until after a measure passed.
What's next: Before petition gathering can begin, the city attorney must prepare an official ballot title and summary. As of Wednesday, Citizens for an Elected Mayor had not submitted revised documents the city previously requested to address deficiencies in their initial filing.
Briefly
The First Church of Christ Scientist building as it appeared in 1956. (Photo: Julius Shulman/Getty Research Institute)
🏛️ Landmark status awarded to church building turned theater venue
The Palm Springs City Council on Wednesday designated the former First Church of Christ Scientist at 605 South Riverside Drive as a Class 1 landmark — the city's highest level of historic recognition — protecting a mid-century building converted into a performance venue by Dezart Performs.
The 1956 building was designed by Albert Frey, a principal figure in Desert Modernism. The Historic Site Preservation Board voted 4-0 in March to recommend the upgrade from Class 3 status, finding the structure reflects a key period of local history and the work of a master architect. The property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016.
Details: Dezart Performs purchased the building in December 2024 and has already opened its first production there. Future modifications will require review under Section 8.05 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code.
A MESSAGE FROM
PALM SPRINGS CULTURAL CENTER
April 24–25 — Experience Disney’s most iconic animated films through the vibrant lens of artist Mary Blair. Cinderella (April 24, 6PM), Saludos Amigos FREE (April 25, 1PM), Peter Pan (3PM), Alice in Wonderland (6PM). Includes guest Disney animators, immersive art displays, and creative take-home craft experiences.
📆 Featured Events
Authors Series
12 p.m. | Palm Springs Cultural Center
Monthly series featuring two local authors presenting their work, with books available for purchase. An open mic follows; readers should prepare a piece of approximately five minutes and sign up upon arrival.
Lesbian and Queer Women's Chat
2 p.m. | The Center
A welcoming chat group for queer women to connect, share, and find community, friendship, and support. Register online here.
Free Museum Admission
5 p.m. | Palm Springs Art Museum and Architecture & Design Center
Free Thursday Night opens both museum venues, with a DJ, food, and drinks at Palm Springs Art Museum and exhibitions and community programs at the Architecture & Design Center.
Among Friends: Interactive Event and Cocktail Party
6 p.m. | Palm Springs Cultural Center
A fully interactive screening of “Valley of the Dolls” (1967) with a 6 p.m. cocktail party. Audience participation, timed call-backs, and 1960s Hollywood glam attire encouraged. ($25)
Lesbian Visibility Week: Wine Tasting Social
6 p.m. | Palm Springs Bottle Shop
Part of Lesbian Visibility Week this relaxed social gathering at Palm Springs Bottle Shop offers an evening of community and conversation in an inclusive setting.
Palm Springs VillageFest
6 p.m. | Downtown Palm Springs
Weekly Thursday street fair on Palm Canyon Drive featuring local art, live entertainment, shopping, and food vendors from October through May.
"Cockroaches"
7 p.m. | Revolution Stage Company
It’s preview day for the world premiere of Emma Schillage's Southern Gothic dark comedy following three sisters confronting their mother's latest theatrical suicide attempt in their childhood home. ($38)
”Ernest Shackleton Loves Me”
7 p.m. | CVRep
It’s opening night for the critically acclaimed musical comedy about a sleep-deprived single mom who connects across space and time via cell phone with the legendary polar explorer Ernest Shackleton. ($105)
”Kiss of the Spider Woman”
7 p.m. | Palm Canyon Theatre
A musical set in a South American prison where two cellmates — Molina, imprisoned for his sexuality, and Valentín, a political revolutionary — form an unexpected bond. ($46)
”The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe”
7 p.m. | Palm Springs Cultural Center
A staged reading of Jane Wagner's Tony Award-winning play, directed by Kudra Wagner with an ensemble cast. ($12)
📌 Save the Date
Barbra: The Birthday Concert on Friday at the Annenberg Theater at Palm Springs Art Museum
Palm Springs Gay Men's Chorus: Rhinestones & Rainbows from Friday through Sunday at the Plaza Theatre
Earth and Arbor Day Festival at Ruth Hardy Park on Saturday
PSUSD Inaugural Honor Band Concert on Saturday at Richards Center for the Arts at PSHS
FuturePS: AI Tech & Creative event at Agua Caliente Cultural Center on April 28
SoundJourneyPiano — ‘Silent’ Piano Concert with Brent Alan Huffman on April 28 at Ruth Hardy park
Fred Bronson's Star Trek Journey on April 29 at Mizell Center
From Book to Stage pops concert on May 3 at Jewish Community Center
🚠 And Finally …
If your Thursday plans aren't already made, here's a delicious reason to get out of the house. DAP Health is hosting Dining Out For Life today, with dozens of local restaurants, cafés, bars, and bakeries pledging a portion of their day's sales — not just profits — to support HIV services and other health care programs.
Driving the news: Participating establishments across the Coachella Valley will donate between 33% and 100% of their total sales to DAP Health, at no extra cost to diners.
Greater Palm Springs has ranked among the top three fundraising cities in North America in recent years. In fact last year, 65 local joints raised nearly $240,000 from more than 20,000 diners.
Why it matters: Funds support HIV prevention, testing, specialty care, mental health services, dental care, and housing assistance. DAP Health serves nearly 80,000 patients across Riverside and San Diego counties.
How to participate: Dine in or order takeout from any participating restaurant today: breakfast, lunch, happy hour, dinner, or just coffee counts. Supporters are encouraged to visit multiple times and bring friends.
Details: Almost 50 restaurants are participating just in Palm Springs, including Bar Cecil, El Mirasol, Farm, Native Foods, On the Mark, and Trio. Check out the participating restaurants online here.
In Case You Missed It
Recently published stories
🐕 Kendall is glad her dog is showing signs of getting her appetite back!
🐶🍽️ Mark would like to apologize to his dog for doing the math wrong when he weighed him recently. JoJo — you can go back to licking all the plates now!
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Proudly produced in District 1. Typos are intentional.