Nov. 18 Daily Briefing: Grand marshals, Tram contest winners, nighttime art event is back, and more

Welcome to Tuesday, everyone, where, unlike Mark, we hope you paid attention to a little blurb we had recently that told of a closure to North Indian Canyon Drive this week. If, like Mark, you headed out to the freeway yesterday only to be turned around at Sunrise Way, you’ll want to remember that the road is closed as part of an ongoing widening and bridge replacement project. Officials hope to reopen the road by 6 p.m. Thursday (or earlier). To recap: Don’t be like Mark, and don’t try to take North Indian Canyon for a few days.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Spellbound” by Siouxsie And The Banshees

LEADING OFF

Grand marshals announced for 33rd Festival of Lights Parade

Jada McLean from Netflix , Bravo’s Scheana Shay, and others will lead as Grand Marshals of Palm Springs’ 33rd annual Festival of Lights Parade on Dec. 6. The parade steps off at 5:45 p.m. along Palm Canyon Drive.

Driving the news: The city announced a lineup of grand marshals including McLean, a PSHS graduate who stars in Netflix’s “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders”; Shay from “Vanderpump Rules”; Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Matt Sorum of Guns N’ Roses; actress Mädchen Amick from “Twin Peaks”; and Nelda Linsk, known as the First Lady of Modernism Week.

• Grammy Award-winning singer Thelma Houston will participate as a special guest star.

What to expect: The parade will feature floats, marching bands from throughout the western U.S. and Southern California, and giant inflatable balloons including Smurfette, Daniel Tiger, the Cat in the Hat and Mr. Potato Head.

• NBC Palm Springs will broadcast the parade live starting at 6 p.m., with an appearance by actor John Stamos.

Before the parade: The official holiday tree lighting ceremony takes place Friday, Dec. 5, at 5:15 p.m. with Mayor Ron deHarte, city councilmembers and Santa Claus.

• The event will include a meet-and-greet with Santa, cookies and cocoa, and arts and crafts activities.

Dive deeper with our complete story

BRIEFLY

🎨 Art in the Park in the Dark returning

• Palm Springs’ free, hands-on community art party returns to Demuth Park next weekend on Saturday, Nov. 29, featuring interactive glow art, laser displays, live art, and a Glow & Go Parade at 7:30 p.m. for bikes, strollers, skates and wheelchairs.
  
• The event, produced by comedian Shann Carr, offers free booths for artists to create light installations, blacklight flashlights for the first 100 attendees, and performances by the Desert Flaggers. 
  
• Details: The all-ages event at Demuth Park is totally free and runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to wear black or white clothing to become “walking canvases” and participate in creative activities at every booth.

❄️ Seven win Tramway snow guessing contest

• The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway’s Annual Snow Guessing Contest ended Sunday when one inch of measurable snow fell at the Mountain Station. Seven contestants correctly predicted the Nov. 16 date and will each receive four regular Tramway admission tickets valid for one year plus a special gift.
  
• The contest ran from Oct. 1 through Nov. 16 and received 519 entries total. Winners include Carolyn Kirner-Schmidt of San Diego, Sharon Lee Jones of Rancho Mirage, Daisy Sandoval Mendez, Stephanie Smith of Desert Hot Springs, Martina Jimenez of Hemet, Rick Bauer of Herald and Shelley Gleasm of Cathedral City.
  
• Details: The Aerial Tramway is the world’s largest rotating tram car. Opened in 1963, the 80-passenger cars travel along the cliffs of Chino Canyon from the Valley Station at 2,643 feet elevation to the Mountain Station at 8,516 feet in approximately 10 minutes.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Desert Water Agency Board Meeting
8 a.m. | DWA Office
According to the, meeting agenda the board will consider approval of the next five-year strategic plan and other items.

Darkstar On View
10 a.m. | Palm Springs Air Museum
Now through Nov. 30, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works’ DARKSTAR is on display for visitors to the Palm Springs Air Museum. Included with regular museum admission during regular museum hours. ($25)

Yoga with Mariana
10 a.m. / 2 p.m. | Palm Springs Leisure Center
These affordable community yoga classes are the perfect way to recharge your body, mind, and spirit for much less than the big studios. ($12)

Leads Lunch
12 p.m. | Hair of the Dog
Join the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce at Hair of the Dog. There’s no admission fee—just cover the cost of your lunch. 

Queer Colon Care Collective
5 p.m. | Virtual
This support group is open to LGBTQ+ colorectal cancer patients, survivors, or caregivers. Organizers will offer resources and a sense of community in a safe place to share experiences. 

Planning Commission 
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
The city’s Planning Commission meets in regular session this evening and you can view it live on YouTube or in person at City Hall. View the agenda here.

Sustainability Commission
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
The Commission reviews and makes recommendations to the City Council on issues relating to energy and natural resources conservation, including water conservation, air pollution, waste management and recycling. 

Melba Miller’s Jazz Oasis
5:30 p.m. | Cultural Center
Join songstress Melba Miller and special guests for an evening dedicated to serious listeners and lovers of Jazz. ($22)

PSUSD Board of Education Meeting
6 p.m. | PSUSD Headquarters
The Board of Education meeting is tonight. Check out the agenda here.

“Wicked” (Part 1) Sing-Along
7 p.m. | Quadz Video Bar
See Part 1 one more time before the premiere of “Wicked: For Good” this weekend!

See all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• McCormick’s 79th Auto Auction starts Friday at Palm Springs Convention Center.
  
• Coachella Valley Filipino Festival on Saturday.
  
• Plaza Theatre Community Open House and Block Party on Saturday.
  
• For the Heroic, Bright and Beautiful Desert Winds Freedom Band concert at Jewish Community Center on Saturday and Sunday.
  
• AIDS Memorial ceremonial groundbreaking on Dec. 1 at Downtown Park.

Submit your event here

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AND FINALLY …

🐾 Each week, The Post partners with a local animal shelter to feature one or more of the many animal companions ready for a new home in our community. 

Today, we invite you to meet this lovable senior named Shawn. Although this Domestic Medium hair is around nine-years-old, he is fairly new to the shelter. Staff at the shelter say he’s a very friendly guy who likes to give  gentle headbutts to say hello.

• Staff also said he loves to play and snuggle

Why it matters: The shelter is overcapacity, with more than 240 cats in its care. To help, it lowered cat adoption fees to just $25, which includes spay and neuter surgery, microchipping, and updated vaccinations. 

If you’re interested: You can visit the shelter at 4575 E. Mesquite Ave. Hours are 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on all days except for Mondays (open for intake only) and Thursdays (1 p.m. until 7 p.m.). You can always call the shelter at (760) 416-5718.

Make sure to check out all the other pets at the shelter here.