Dec. 8 Daily Briefing: Bridge money, fast-food fire, city employee earns big honor, and more

Happy Friday, everyone! You may have noticed that it’s already December, and that means the new year is just days away. It also means it’s time for us to take our annual look back at the year that was in Palm Springs and a look ahead to what might make the news in 2024. 

In the coming week, we’ll be analyzing data and speaking with city officials. But our most important task is to hear your thoughts. To help do that, we’ve created a simple form, and we’d love it if you took just a moment to share what you think was the most important story of 2023 and the most important issue the city will face in 2024. Please click here to share your thoughts!

🎶 Setting the mood: “O Tannenbaum” by the Vince Guaraldi Trio

---

LEADING OFF

$50 million approved to help build bridges along Indian Canyon

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) on Thursday approved $50 million to help install bridges over North Indian Canyon Drive at the Whitewater Wash, helping to solve a decades-long transportation weakness that often severed a crucial connection between Palm Springs and the rest of the valley during wind and rain events. 

Driving the news: Funds for the bridge project were awarded to the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) during the second day of a two-day CTC meeting in Riverside. 

• In addition to the two prefabricated bridges, the project includes a two-mile solar-shaded walk and bike path lined with sand fencing.

Behind the scenes: CVAG officials said it is the largest-ever competitive grant secured for a regional transportation project.

• It was one of only two projects given the state’s highest priority ranking, and it received the largest single amount of funding out of all 15 in the running for a total of $309 million. 

By the numbers: The money will cover two-thirds of the estimated $75 million needed to build the two prefabricated bridges, with CVAG supplying the rest.

Why it matters: Indian Canyon Drive was closed 38 times for 85 days during the first half of this year, and data shows extreme wind and rain events will only increase as climate change problems increase.

What they’re saying: “We think that these one-off extreme events are happening just one time in 1,000 years,” CVAG Executive Director Tom Kirk told the Commission Thursday. “But they’re happening more often in our community and in all parts of the state.” 

Up next: With the grant money comes a strict timeline imposed on CVAG by the state. Construction contracts must be awarded within six months. 

• While an exact completion date is hard to predict, CVAG staff estimate the project will be ready to break ground sometime in 2025.

BRIEFLY

🚒 Cause of Carl’s Jr. roof fire under investigation

Palm Springs firefighters responded to a report of a commercial structure fire at the Carl’s Jr. on Sunrise Way and Ramon Road Thursday morning and quickly got the scene under control.

• The fire, which was reported at 7:40 a.m., was contained to the roof. It was extinguished by 8 a.m. The restaurant was briefly closed.
  
  
• Bottom line: No injuries were reported, and the cause of the blaze is under investigation.

🎞️ Danielle Brooks to receive film fest’s Spotlight Award

Actress Danielle Brooks will be honored with the Spotlight Award for her portrayal in “The Color Purple” musical adaptation at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

• The award will be presented during the Film Awards ceremony recognizing her exceptional work. In “The Color Purple” Brooks revisits her Tony-nominated portrayal of Sofia.
  
  
• Festival Chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi praised Brooks for her “scene-stealing performance.”
  
  
• Details: The film festival runs Jan. 4 through Jan. 15. Complete details, including ticket options, can be found here.

---

YOUR WEEKEND

ALL WEEKEND

Holiday performances and events
Evenings and matinees | Multiple locations
Catch one of more than a dozen staged performances, singing events, Santa visits, and more throughout the city. There’s too much happening to list here!

American Legion Toy Giveaway
Various hours | Palm Springs American Legion
The “Parents As Heroes” toy drive culminates with this giveaway, where parents can shop for their children free of charge. This is an adults-only event.

TODAY

Bingo Night with Angelique Va Gorgeous
5 p.m. | The Lounge at Zoso
The Queen of the Desert, Angelique Va Gorgeous makes her much-anticipated return to The Lounge to host an exciting night of Drag Bingo! ($2 per card)

The Roundtable: HIV/AIDS survivors
5:30 p.m. | Ken Seeley Community Room
A weekly discussion group for long-term HIV/AIDS survivors in the Coachella Valley. 

Country Western Dancing
7 p.m. | Dance Ranch
Join in for a great night of country western dancing, including two-step, waltz, shadow, East and West Coast swing and line dances. ($5)

Sand, Stars, and Guitars
8 p.m. | Cultural Center
The Sand, Stars and Guitars Series is back for an all-new season with the very best in Americana, Country, Bluegrass, NewGrass, Country Gospel, American Folk, and even a little bit of ‘ole time Blues.

SATURDAY

Certified Farmers’ Market
8 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Camelot Theatre
The market returns to its outdoor location, with local farmers and vendors offering fresh agri­cul­tural and related products.

Friends of the Palm Springs Library Holiday Bazaar
10 a.m. | Library
Come to the main Library and find special ‘gently-used’ treasures to give as gifts for the holidays; art books, cookbooks, DVDs, CDs, ornaments, gift baskets puzzles, and more.

Santa Visits the Tram
11 a.m. | Tramway Mountain Station
Make a stop to see Santa amongst the trees and mountain air at the top of the tram. (Included in general tram fare admission).

Keep Calm & Carry on: A “Brit’s” Experience of WWII
1 p.m. | Palm Springs Air Museum
Mick Dawson gives a first-person telling of what life was like for a British teenager during WWII.

Sip, Shop, Swim: Holiday Edition
1 p.m. | Drift Palm Springs
Shop small this holiday season at our next Sip, Shop, Swim popup market! 20+ local makers will be offering a variety of items from skincare, vintage clothing, candles, jewelry, tarot readings, desserts, and much more. 

SUNDAY

Sounds of the Holidays
5 p.m. | Tramway Mountain Station
The Tram presents high school choirs singing holiday favorites on the Pines Café stage. (Complimentary with a regular tram ticket).

SAVE THE DATE

• Palm Springs Animal Shelter Tail-A-Thon on Dec. 14.
  
  
• Ed Begley, Jr. book signing (rescheduled) on Dec. 17.
  
  
• Snowtopia at Palm Springs Air Museum starting Dec. 19.
  
  
• “Die Hard” at the Cultural Center on Dec. 24.

---

AND FINALLY …

We’d like to give a huge shoutout to a city employee who recently walked away with a big honor for her work making sure Palm Springs looks its best on film.

Driving the news: Janice Lopez won City Employee of the Year at the Dec. 1 California On Location Awards (COLA), which honors top location managers and public workers in California film production. 

• Lopez was among three nominees for the award. During her time in the city she’s worked with numerous filmmakers making movies in the city, including “A Star is Born” and “Senior Moment.”

Who she is: Lopez runs the city’s film permit program through the Parks and Recreation Department.

• A city spokesperson said her job is to ensure location teams from film sets applying for permits “follow the rules and have an enjoyable experience.”

Why it matters: Riverside County commended her win, saying it signifies her exceptional role in promoting film projects, making the region film-friendly, and boosting local business revenue.

💬 Our take: Next time you see a crew filming in the city, large or small, you know who to thank!