BROUGHT TO YOU BY
We are grateful for our advertisers. Become one today
TGIF, where we’ve got a couple of housekeeping items for you! First off, we’d like to clear up that if you’re looking for a voucher for free spay or neutering at the city library, you won’t find them just yet. While the city approved spending $50,000 on them, and making them available at the library, the program is yet to start. We’ll for sure let you know when it ramps up. Secondly, we’re taking next week off. Each year we take a whopping two weeks off — one in the summer and another around the holidays — and next week is one of those weeks. We’ll be back in your inbox right after the new year. Happy holidays, everyone!
🎶 Setting the mood: "Vacation" by The Go-Go’s
📰 LEADING OFF
Audience members signify support of a speaker by raising their hands Tuesday at Council Chambers.
Council rejects proposal to remove Pride banners, revisit diversity resolution
The Palm Desert City Council voted 4-1 Tuesday to reject a proposal that would have discontinued displaying Pride banners at City Hall and revised the city's diversity resolution.
Driving the news: Mayor Pro Tem Joe Pradetto introduced the proposal at a Dec. 11 meeting, requesting the council rescind Resolution 2024-038, which formalized how Palm Desert recognizes LGBTQ Pride Month, and update Resolution 2018-09, the city's commitment to diversity.
Why it matters: The proposal sparked intense backlash from the LGBTQ community and other lawmakers. More than 150 people packed Council Chambers Tuesday despite less than a full day's notice, with roughly 200 email submissions and nearly 200 watching on YouTube.
The big picture: Out of more than 50 in-person and Zoom speakers, just five supported rescinding the resolutions — a ratio mirrored in hundreds of emails. Residents and business owners expressed embarrassment and warned of economic consequences if the resolutions were rescinded.
"Think about it. You're going to lose me," said Joe Spinelli, detailing recent spending in Palm Desert totaling more than $1,000.
What they're saying: Every other councilmember and the mayor assured the crowd they supported keeping the banners and diversity resolution. "This is not who Palm Desert is," said Councilmember Jan Harnik.
Pradetto maintained he was "making my decisions on principle and reason, not emotion."
📰 BRIEFLY
Hillside homes were on the agenda of the city’s Planning Commission this week.
🏔️ Commission advances hillside home design rules
The Palm Desert Planning Commission unanimously recommended new residential design standards this week for hillside development, aimed at preserving natural views and blending homes into the rocky slopes overlooking the city.
The wide-ranging standards address grading, vegetation, structure height, lighting and colors. Key requirements include limiting building heights below major ridgelines visible from Highway 74, prohibiting construction on slopes steeper than 20%, and banning tree planting within 150 feet of ridgelines. Compliant projects will receive streamlined approval through the Planning Commission, while non-compliant proposals must go through additional review by the Architectural Review Commission and City Council.
Bottom line: The City Council will make the final decision on adopting the standards, which apply to hillside areas near the Palm Desert Cross Trail and southwest of Ironwood Country Club.
A MESSAGE FROM COD
At College of the Desert, your story is yours to create. We help you turn passion into purpose and give you the tools to make your goals a reality
📅 FEATURED EVENTS
Barry Manilow's A Gift of Love VII
All Weekend | 8 p.m. tonight and Saturday; 7 p.m. Sunday | McCallum Theatre
Manilow’s concert will feature his hit songs and holiday favorites for the seventh time to benefit 25 Coachella Valley charities. ($158 and up)
Desert Community College District Board
Today | 9:30 a.m. | COD
The Board of Trustees meets in the Building C boardroom or may be viewed on the COD YouTube channel here. Public participation is encouraged.
Firebirds vs. Condors
Today | 7 p.m. | Acrisure Arena
The Coachella Valley Firebirds go against the Bakersfield Condors on Teddy Bear Toss Night. Bring a stuffed bear to toss on the ice and also get a fleece blanket while supplies last.
📆 SAVE THE DATE
A Beautiful Noise at the Mccallum Theatre starting Dec. 23 ( $88)
Firebirds vs. Abbotsford Canucks at Acrisure Arena on Dec. 27 ($32)
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
📣 AND FINALLY …
The Furever Tree at Civic Center Park is just outside the dog park’s southeast fence.
If you've ever wanted to publicly celebrate the unconditional love of a four-legged friend who's crossed the Rainbow Bridge, the Civic Center Dog Park has created a special place for exactly that purpose.
Driving the news: Through the end of December, pet parents can honor beloved companions at the park's Furever Tree by hanging laminated photos or small memorial ornaments on its branches.
The details: The tree is located just outside the southeast fence of the dog park at 43900 San Pablo Ave., offering a peaceful spot for reflection and remembrance.
Visitors can add photos with optional inscriptions or messages celebrating pets who have passed.
Why it matters: The Furever Tree provides a meaningful way for the community to share in collective remembrance during the holidays, offering comfort to those who understand the unique bond between people and their pets.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
👏 Want your message to reach our subscribers? Contact us here.
🙋♀️ Want to know what The Post is all about? Read this.