Nov. 22 Daily Briefing: Arrest in deadly collision, parade leader named, our Thanksgiving guide, and more

Happy Wednesday, everyone, where we’re pleased to announce that Post readers Keith and Scott have each won two tickets to The Rocky Horror Picture Show this weekend, put on by Palm Springs Cultural Center!

If you count yourself in that group of neighbors who appreciate and value independent journalism in our city, will you chip in by clicking here?

🎶 Setting the mood: “The Thanksgiving Song” by Adam Sandler

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LEADING OFF

🚨 Arrest made in deadly collision

Palm Springs police announced Tuesday they had made an arrest in a collision that claimed the lives of three people along Gene Autry Trail at the Whitewater Wash two months ago.

• At around 2:48 p.m. on Sept. 3 three vehicles, all traveling northbound, were involved in a collision due in part to blowing sand that reduced visibility. Two of the vehicles had slowed, but a third vehicle failed to decelerate, resulting in a rear-end collision. 
  
  
• The driver and two rear-seat passengers of one of the vehicles were killed, while others involved in the collision sustained minor to moderate injuries and were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
  
  
• After an investigation by the PSPD Traffic Division, the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office approved filing charges in October. The driver of the vehicle that failed to slow, a 52-year-old Cathedral City man, was arrested on Nov. 16.
  
  
• Up next: The suspect is being help in jail in Indio and faces multiple felony charges ranging from manslaughter to DUI. His next scheduled court appearance is set for Jan. 4, 2024.

🎅🏽 Roggin to lead Festival of Lights Parade

Renowned sports broadcaster Fred Roggin will serve as Celebrity Grand Marshal, guiding the 31st Annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade along Palm Canyon Drive on Saturday, Dec. 2.

• City officials announced Tuesday that Roggin, along with Canine Mayor Buddy Holly and local dignitaries, will be honored in the parade which is expected to attract 100,000 attendees.
  
  
• Roggin, who retired from NBC4 after a 43-year career, will partake in the city’s Holiday Tree lighting on December 1 and is celebrated for his decades-spanning prime-time presence alongside weathercaster Fritz Coleman.
  
  
• Bottom line: The parade will showcase brilliant floats, marching bands, and a visit from Santa, starting at 5:45 p.m. and will be broadcast live on NBC Palm Springs.

IN OTHER NEWS

🧑‍🚒 Former Palm Springs Fire Chief Kevin Nalder is among four finalists for a similar position in Washington state. 

⭐ The late Timothy Ray Brown, who was the first person successfully cured of HIV/AIDS, will be honored with a star on the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars next month, The Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce announced Tuesday.

🎾 The Desert Tennis Association’s Palm Springs Open is this weekend. Proceeds go to help support the work done by AAP-Food Samaritans.

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FEATURED EVENTS

TODAY

Harvest Auction
8 a.m. | Mizell Center
Greater Palm Springs Realtors will hold its annual auction benefiting The Center food bank and Martha’s Village & Kitchen. Doors open at 7:30 a.m.

The Mod Squad Variety Show
5 p.m. | Cultural Center
Tickle your musical senses with fun and unique arrangements of Mid-Century Pop Music, Rat Pack-era music, classic oldies & a whole lot more. ($10)

Cabaret 6: Desert Stars
6 p.m. | Revolution Stage Company
Rarely seen cabaret shows from Coachella Valley’s finest entertainers take the stage on select Wednesdays. ($45)

THURSDAY

Wild Turkey Trot
8 a.m. | Downtown Palm Springs
Join runners and walkers on Thanksgiving morning and start out the season of gratitude with a 5K! ($40)

Musical Magic: Funny Lady
3 p.m. | Cultural Center
In this sequel to “Funny Girl,” Fanny Brice (Barbra Streisand) is now a huge star on Broadway whose fortunes have taken a hit from the Great Depression. ($12)

THIS WEEKEND

Thanksgiving Weekend at The Tram
All weekend | Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Enjoy extended hours and special dining experiences after riding the world’s largest rotating tram car.

The Bent: It’s Only a Play
All weekend | Cultural Center
Enjoy this deliciously hilarious comedy by iconic gay playwright Terrence McNally. ($40)

Christmas With The Crawfords
All weekend | Margaritaville Resort
This riotous camp classic performed by Desert Theatreworks is based on the actual Christmas Eve live radio broadcast from the Crawford family’s Brentwood mansion in 1949. ($50)

Mid-Century Moderns
All weekend | Revolution Stage Company
The musical hits of the 1960s come to life in this delightful tale of a plucky Wisconsin widow who transforms from frump to fabulous when she finds herself at the center of modernity in Palm Springs! ($45-$65)

Certified Farmers’ Market
Saturday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. | Camelot Theatre
More than half of the ven­dors who set up shop at this weekly event are cer­ti­fied farmers, bringing their produce straight to you.

A Dirty Little Christmas
Sunday at 2 p.m. | Dietl Art Gallery
oin the festive trio of Skyler Gentry, Deven Green & Handsome Ned for an ALL-NEW holiday comedy and music show to get you in the mood! ($30)

SAVE THE DATE

• Toy Drive benefitting Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs starting Nov. 29.
  
  
• Sounds of the Holidays chorus performance at the Tram starting Nov. 30.
  
  
• Tree lighting and banner awards on Dec. 1 at Frances Stevens Park.
  
  
• Wine ‘n’ Wags benefit event on Dec. 2.
  
  
• Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade on Dec. 2 along Palm Canyon Drive.
  
  
• American Legion toy giveaway from Dec. 7 through 11. Donate toys now at The American Legion and The Purple Room.

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AND FINALLY …

We’re taking Thursday and Friday off and will see you back here on Monday. You can probably find us downtown, however, trying our best to decide which restaurant to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal.

Driving the news: Dozens of restaurants in the city — and even the dining establishment at the top of the Tram — are serving up some of the finest meals in the desert on Thursday, and we encourage you to make your reservations early.

Zoom in: We’ve tried our best to gather all of them in a collection on our community calendar. But from the Colorado lamb leg at Trio to the squash soup at Spencer’s, we’re going to have a difficult time choosing where to settle in.

Bottom line: If you’d like to be in a similar dilemma, check out our Thanksgiving event and restaurant roundup here, or peruse this list from Visit Palm Springs.

Have a very happy holiday!