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Council adopts 2026 social‑media commemoration list with additions for tortoise and health awareness
Summary
Council adopted the city's proposed list of social media commemorations for 2026 and added items including a Celebrate Palm Desert day, tortoise (local species) recognition, and disability/mental‑health/epilepsy awareness observances. Motion passed 5‑0.
City public affairs staff presented the proposed 2026 list of social media commemorations intended to guide messaging around cultural, civic and environmental observances. Thomas Sowell, public affairs manager, said staff began with the 2025 framework and added environmental observances at the suggestion of the environmental resources committee.
Councilmembers debated whether to retain Groundhog Day, add a tortoise or turtle observance to recognize a local endangered species, and include disability, mental health and epilepsy awareness months. One councilmember suggested substituting a local Tortoise Day for Groundhog Day to reflect local ecology and outreach partnerships with the Living Desert.
Council approved a substitute motion that accepted staff recommendations and added recognition for tortoise day, a Celebrate Palm Desert day (tied to the city’s November anniversary), and disability/mental‑health/epilepsy awareness observances. The motion passed unanimously 5‑0.
