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Thursday, Feb. 19 | 🌦️ 57°/42°
Happy Thursday, folks! You may have noticed a text or an email (or both) from SCE this week. Since the the windy, stormy weather was also causing power outages, the communication was perfect timing. SCE is making sure it’s able to communicate with customers, so the messages were just tests. But in the event of an outage in your area, remaining opted in to receive those message might come in very handy. Didn’t get the messages but want them in case of an outage? Go here to sign up.
🎶 Setting the mood: "Wild Is The Wind" by Nina Simone
Leading Off
Noise issues at Palm Springs International Airport have been reported more frequently since the FAA changed the approach path to the airport in 2025. (File photo)
Officials: FAA path change likely behind valley airplane noise surge
Palm Springs International Airport officials said Wednesday that a Federal Aviation Administration change to aircraft approach paths — made without notifying the airport — is likely behind a surge in noise complaints from communities across the Coachella Valley.
Driving the news: Airport Commission Chair Kevin Corcoran told those attending a regular meeting of the commission that the FAA changed the approach path to the airport around June 2025 without notifying the airport.
Complaints began arriving in January, initially from Indian Wells and Indio residents, and have since spread to Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage and other valley communities.
Why it matters: Airport communications team member Jake Ingrassia told commissioners that under the Aircraft Noise and Capacity Act of 1990, the airport is legally prohibited from imposing curfews, limiting flights, restricting aircraft by noise level, or altering flight paths.
"Those decisions lay squarely with the FAA," Ingrassia said.
At the meeting: Residents described significant disruptions, with one Escena neighborhood resident reporting aircraft noise as early as 3 or 4 a.m. and engine idling at high settings for up to 30 minutes.
A Sagewood condominium resident said aircraft taking off six to eight times per hour force residents to pause patio conversations for roughly 45 seconds at a time.
By the numbers: Ingrassia said total flights at the airport have actually declined, with roughly 3,800 fewer flights in 2024 than in 2019, even as the airport set a passenger record of 3.3 million travelers.
Newer, larger mainline aircraft replacing regional jets are generally quieter, he said.
What's next: Airport Executive Director Harry Barrett said the airport plans to hold a large Zoom session in the coming weeks to educate residents who have submitted noise concerns. He and Corcoran encouraged residents to also contact their congressional representatives and the FAA directly.
Residents can submit noise comments at flypsp.com/noise.
Briefly
A revised rendering of what an affordable housing project along West San Rafael Drive might look like when finished.
🏗️ Affordable apartment complex clears architectural review
The Palm Springs Architectural Review Committee on Wednesday approved the design for an 82-unit, 100% affordable apartment complex at 305 West San Rafael Drive.
The updated design features varied building heights, a mostly white color scheme, and green and yellow accents — a revision from earlier plans following direction from the Planning Commission, which approved the project in November. The Palm Springs City Council upheld that approval in January after two nearby homeowners appealed.
Details: The committee added conditions requiring trees be relocated to the project's south side, stairwell screening, and repositioning of the trash enclosure. The complex will carry a 55-year deed restriction keeping all units affordable for extremely low- to moderate-income residents, with one-, two- and three-bedroom units and amenities including a dog park and playground.
A MESSAGE FROM PALM SPRINGS CULTURAL CENTER
Continuing our year-round commitment to LGBTQ+ film, the Palm Springs Cultural Center proudly launches Cinema Diverse: Big Gay Movies—a bold, ongoing celebration of queer stories on the big screen. Feb 20–March 5 features daily screenings of Oscar Wilde About America at 4:30 PM (matinee) and 6 PM. Upcoming: The Activist and Accidental Friends. Each screening includes selections from Rank and File- our ongoing LGBTQ+ storytelling video project featuring fellow community members!
📆 Featured Events
Modernism Week
All day | Various Locations
Modernism Week returns today, celebrating and fostering midcentury and modern architecture, interior and landscape design, and historic preservation. Events are happening across Palm Springs.
Palm Springs International Jazz Festival
All day | Various Locations
The iconic four-day jazz festival returns to Palm Springs, bringing together world-renowned artists for an unforgettable blend of music, culture, and place. Venues include the Annenberg Theater and Plaza Theatre
Eyeball Palm Springs 2026
9 a.m. | Ace Hotel & Swim Club
Join us at the iconic Ace Hotel & Swim Club for a 4-day gathering celebrating the best in design, craftsmanship, and optical innovation. Discover new collections from top independent brands. Learn hands-on skills from master frame makers, polish masters, and leaders in continuing education.
Preschool and Baby Story Times
10 a.m. | Library at Rimrock Plaza
Children's Librarian Nancy reads stories, sings songs, and shares early learning concepts. Preschool story time is from 10-11 a.m., and baby story time is at 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. each Thursday morning, unless otherwise noted.
Irish Set Dancing for Parkinsons
11:45 a.m. | Mizell Center
Held the first and third Thursdays of each month. Interested applicants must contact the Mizell Center directly. ($10)
Measure J Commission
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
The Commission was created to review and make recommendations to the City Council on the use of funds generated by the implementation of Measure "J," a 1% transactions, sales, and use tax.
Sammy's Circle Pet Bereavement
6 p.m. | Palm Springs 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.
In The Wake
7 p.m. | Cultural Center
Set against the presidential election and political turmoil of 2000, Ellen unapologetically weaves her complex passions through the lives of her family and friends in this funny, intelligent, and searing play. ($42)
📌 Save the Date
Wag & Shag benefiting 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
Richard M. Milanovich Legacy Hike & 5K Run on March 7
Fantasy Prom hosted by Desert Sparkles Fund on March 7
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🚠 And Finally …
Billy Steinberg performing at the Amy’s Purpose benefit concert in 2022 at Annenberg Theatre at Palm Springs Art Museum. (Photo: Bruce Fessier)
Billy Steinberg, the Palm Springs-raised lyricist behind some of the biggest pop hits of the 1980s and '90s, died Monday from cancer, 10 days before his 76th birthday.
Beyond the hits: While national obituaries have focused on his Grammy-winning songwriting catalog — Madonna's "Like a Virgin," Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors," the Bangles' "Eternal Flame" — desert residents knew him as something more: a Coachella Valley son whose roots here ran as deep as his fame.
The local connection: Steinberg's family moved to Palm Springs from Fresno in 1958, and he formed his first rock band in 1964, inspired by The Beatles. His father, Lionel, owned the largest grape farm in the Coachella Valley and served on the state Board of Agriculture. His mother, Louise, was a prominent art collector and socialite whose circle included the Kennedy family.
Steinberg was inducted into the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars in 2008 and, in 2021, donated a mural celebrating farmworkers to the City of Coachella.
Worth reading: Longtime desert journalist Bruce Fessier, who knew Steinberg for 45 years, has written a rich and personal tribute that captures the man behind the hits — and his extraordinary ties to the valley he never really left. Click the link below to read the tribute.
In Case You Missed It
Recently published stories
🍃 Kendall thought there was an earthquake, but it turned out to just be the wind!
🌬️ Mark’s trash and recyclable bins have Wahoo’s Fish Taco stickers on them so they are easily identifiable. If you see them blowing around the streets of La Quinta, please reach out.
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