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Tuesday, Feb. 17 | 🌤️ 62°/46°
Welcome to Fat Tuesday and Happy Lunar New Year! While Mark did not get his wish and see snow in the city yesterday, it still looked like winter. A storm system that passed through brought .16 inches of rain, enough to cause flooding that closed North Indian Canyon through the wash (It’s still closed as of the time this newsletter was sent). We’ve got a bit of a window of clearer skies this morning before the next system comes roaring in, lasting into early tomorrow. As for the snow? A winter storm warning remains in effect until noon Wednesday for the San Jacinto and San Gorgonio mountains, where up to 3 feet could pile up at higher elevations
🎶 Setting the mood: "Raining in LA" by Franc Moody
Leading Off
Beds at a city facility are seen in the foreground during an event celebrating the 2024 opening of a large homeless services program off McCarthy Road. (File photo)
City leaders still seeking sustainable funding for Navigation Center
Palm Springs officials are continuing efforts to secure sustainable funding for the city’s homeless services program operated by Martha’s Village, the city’s Human Rights Commission was told last week.
Background: The Navigation Center and attached Early Entry shelter off McCarthy Road operate as part of a three-phase system designed to move individuals from emergency shelter into permanent housing.
The program has a roughly $5 million annual budget and serves about 2,000 people each year.
Driving the news: While no specific grant sources, funding commitments or timelines were announced during the commission’s meeting, Councilmember Grace Garner told commissioners, “We want to make sure that we're engaging with the state, with the county and other cities as we move forward in this.”
What’s at stake: Mayor Naomi Soto echoed Garner’s comments. Speaking on Feb. 10 at the Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs (ONE-PS) meeting, she cautioned that long-term funding remains uncertain and the city needs Riverside County to continue to be a partner in this work.
She encouraged residents to weigh in through the county’s online budget survey, saying direct community advocacy goes a long way in securing sustainable support.
The results: Since opening in November 2024, the facility has placed between 20 and 22 individuals into permanent housing. The whole program has served about 2,000 people over one year of operation.
What they’re saying: Commissioner Don Soja, who lives in District 1 near the Navigation Center, said he and his neighbors initially opposed the location, but now they almost forget the center is there.
“Now that it’s established and it’s working, I’m not personally aware of problems in our community from the center, and if it continues that way, I can see that neighborhood giving more support to you. I think you’re proving yourselves.”
Briefly
Adopt the Arts founder Matt Sorum with students at Agua Caliente Elementary School last year. (Photo: Adopt the Arts)
🎸 Rock legends auction memorabilia for music education
Rock icons including Alice Cooper, Sammy Hagar, and Metallica are donating signed guitars, cymbals, and other memorabilia to benefit Adopt the Arts' elementary music education programs through an online auction that started Feb. 14 and runs through March 2.
The auction features Paul Reed Smith guitars signed by multiple artists, fine art by Shepard Fairey, and experiences including Eagles tickets at the Sphere and VIP festival packages. Items will be displayed at Hotel Zoso in Palm Springs from Feb. 26 through March 2, noon to 6 p.m. daily.
Bottom line: Proceeds will fund instruments and music programs for elementary classrooms. "When fans bid on these items, they're not just collecting something incredible, they're helping put instruments into kids' hands," said Matt Sorum, Adopt the Arts founder.
A MESSAGE FROM THE LIVING DESERT
Pride for the Pride is a community-driven initiative uniting LGBTQ+ people and allies to help introduce African lions at The Living Desert. Support for Lion Ridge will create an immersive habitat that inspires learning, connection, and lasting conservation impact in the Coachella Valley.
📆 Featured Events
Modernism Week
All day | Various Locations
Modernism Week continues, celebrating and fostering midcentury and modern architecture, interior and landscape design, and historic preservation. Events are happening across Palm Springs.
Breaking Barriers: Women in Law and Beyond
12 p.m. | Virtual
Join Palm Springs attorney Jana Balik FitzGerald and others in a conversation that brings together accomplished women to share insights on navigating systemic barriers, challenging expectations, and building careers on their own terms.
Tysen Knight Productions Ribbon Cutting
12 p.m. | Tysen Knight Productions
Tysen Knight Productions is a multi-functional creative studio designed to support artistic creation, collaboration, and community engagement. The space serves as a hub for visual art, film, and creative storytelling.
Queer Colon Care Collective
5 p.m. | Virtual
This support group is open to LGBTQ+ colorectal cancer patients, survivors, or caregivers. Organizers will offer resources and a sense of community in a safe place to share experiences.
Sustainability Commission
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
The Commission reviews and makes recommendations to the City Council on issues relating to energy and natural resources conservation, including water conservation, air pollution, waste management and recycling.
Palm Springs Symphony
7:30 p.m. | Plaza Theatre
Celebrate Fat Tuesday with the Palm Springs Symphony’s vibrant concert, From Mozart to Modern – A Symphony Across Time. This one-night-only event promises rich sounds, rhythmic surprises, and a festive atmosphere to match the Mardi Gras spirit! ($38)
📌 Save the Date
Palm Springs International Jazz Festival from Thursday through Sunday
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
Fantasy Prom hosted by Desert Sparkles Fund on March 7
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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.
Today, we invite you to meet Mocha, a two-year-old female mixed pug who is a new addition to the shelter. Staff says she is really affectionate with familiar people and is great at meeting strangers as well.
They also added that she is good with other dogs and great on leash
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.
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In Case You Missed It
Recently published stories
🏒 Kendall has watched so much hockey the past few days she’s started dreaming about it.
🚘 Mark will never complain about local traffic again after driving to LA yesterday (in the rain, as holiday travelers clogged I-10).
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