Nov. 13 Daily Briefing: Meaningful mural dedicated, lip sync contest heats up stage, veterans honored, and more

🎄 Welcome to Monday, where we’d like to once again thank you for your generosity and let you know that you continue to make a difference. A few weeks ago, we told you that the PSHS Band Boosters were switching from a first-come, first-serve holiday tree lot to online orders. Thanks in part to our readers, they’ve nearly met their delivery benchmark. Still want to order a tree or wreath? You’re in luck. Today is the last day for orders, which you can place here.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee

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LEADING OFF

Mural offers public reminder of Palm Springs’ ties to sister city

Artist Alejandro Olmo never imagined when he was commissioned to help transform the walls of a building in a hidden courtyard off North Palm Canyon Drive that he would one day help strengthen the ties between Palm Springs and its newest sister city. last Friday evening, that’s exactly what happened.

Looking back: In 2003, Olmo was commissioned by developer Shaul Mizrahi to create a Mexican street scene mural on an interior wall of a private building in The Corridor.

• The mural, titled “Calle de San Miguel,” has been an inspiration to staff and patients at Michael’s House, a local addiction treatment center, but was largely hidden from public view.

Driving the news: On Nov. 10, a new mural, “La Casa de Miguel,” was unveiled on the public-facing wall of the building, marking 20 years since Olmo first created the original piece.

Why it matters: Mizrahi drew inspiration for the property from a trip to the Mexican city of San Miguel de Allende, which he likened to stumbling upon the lost city of Atlantis.

• Fast forward 20 years, and San Miguel de Allende was chosen as the first partner under the revamped Palm Springs Sister Cities initiative in June 2022.

What they’re saying: Olmo, who has called Palm Springs home since first being commissioned by Mizrahi, was delighted to learn of the formal ties between Palm Springs and the city that inspired his artwork. 

• “I’m so proud of the little houses that are on the inside, private wall,” Olmo said. “I made all these little facades inside, and I recreated those little houses and brought them outside.”

Dive deeper with our complete story online.

BRIEFLY

👩‍🎤 PSUSD performers wow audience, claim top prize

A dynamic duo representing Palm Springs Unified School District took home the top trophy at an event Sunday that saw more than two dozen people take the stage, performing everything from solo acts to full-on ensembles in an effort to raise funds for youth in the city. 

• Carla Culbertson and Jody Diaz, performing to the song “Lady Marmalade,” outscored seven other acts at a lip sync contest put on by the Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs (ONE-PS) at the city’s Cultural Center Sunday afternoon.
  
  
• Kitty Alvarado, with help from Palm Springs Fire Chief Paul Alvarado, her husband, was named second runner-up after performing “Burning Up” by Madonna; An ensemble from the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert was first runner-up after performing “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga. 
  
  
• Bottom line: Roughly 200 people attended the event, with funds from ticket sales helping ONE-PS support youth engagement programs put on by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.

📋 Restaurant ordered closed after continued issues noted

The Palm Springs location of Wilma & Frieda has been shut down for the second time in two months due to noncompliance issues and failed inspections

• The restaurant received a score of 87 out of 100 on an inspection conducted on Nov. 9. Inspectors cited improper cooling methods and several minor violations.
  
  
• Bottom line: Due to on-going non-compliance and failed
  inspections dating back to September, the restaurant was ordered closed until all issues are addressed, it passes re-inspection, and secures a new operating permit.

📺 Palm Springs resident advances on game show

Dennis Chase, a two-time ‘Jeopardy!’ champion in 2021 and Palm Springs resident, is once again poised for success.

• Chase won in the Final Jeopardy round, which was taped earlier but aired aired last Friday evening. He now advances to the quarterfinals of the champions tournament.
  
  
• A biotech project manager and president of the Modern Men chorus, Chase correctly answered the clue about Joan of Arc in the category “the Catholic Church.”
  
  
• Bottom line: In an interview with The Desert Sun before the show aired, Chase said his lifelong curiosity and passion for learning eventually landed him on the game show. 

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FEATURED EVENTS

Mimosas, Martinis & Music
2 p.m. – 4 p.m. | Spa Resort and Casino
Sit back and enjoy the start of your week with cocktails, music, and dining and drink specials at this event hosted by Don Wardell.

Mon Petit Salon
5 p.m. until 7 p.m. | PS Cultural Center 
Each week features unique arrangements and renditions of French Swing, Classical, Eastern European, and Jazz Manouche genres.

Human Rights Commission
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
The monthly meeting of the commission takes place int he large conference room at City Hall. See the posted agenda here. 

Premium Bourbon Tasting
6 p.m. | Purple Room
The first tasting of the season is hosted by the official Buffalo Trace Ambassador Katy O’Donnell. ($75)

SAVE THE DATE

• Jews do the Blues benefit concert on Wednesday.
  
  
• Palm Springs Speaks series with Temple Grandin on Friday.
  
  
• McCormick’s 75th Car Auction from Nov. 17 through 19.
  
  
• 2023 Props and Hops Craft Beer Festival on Nov. 18.
  
  
• Desert Winds Freedom Band Music in Motion Concert on Nov. 19

AND FINALLY …

For more than two decades Palm Springs has been honoring veterans from the city and beyond at its annual Veterans Day Parade. Saturday afternoon it was time to do it again.

Driving the news: Picture-perfect weather helped bring out a crowd both young and old. packing Palm Canyon Drive to hear bands, watch floats, and salute members of the military (and future members from area schools) that marched int he parade.

Zoom in: The event is the latest in a series of parades that started with the Palm Springs High School Homecoming Parade on Oct. 18 and continued with the Nov. 5 Pride Parade.

• Next up is the Festival of Lights on Dec. 2, with the annual Black History Parade to follow in February.