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Win a Trip to Palm Springs - www.WeKnowWhatYouNeed.com

Win a free trip for 2 to Palm Springs!

Send in a 2 minute video or write in 500 words or less and tell us why you think Palm Springs is exactly what you need. Entries can be humorous, poetic, dramatic, or anything that gets your point across.

The best submission will be chosen for the grand prize. Log-on to www.WeKnowWhatYouNeed.com to submit your entry, view and comment on other entries, and blog with other contestants. All submissions must be in by 5:00pm (PST) February 6th 2009 and the winner will be announced February 11th, 2009.

New Shuttle Service in Palm Springs

Palm Springs Carriages now offers Saturday Afternoon Shuttle Service.

The large 12-passenger surrey will be available from 2 pm to 5 pm running a continuous loop around the Palm Canyon Strip and Indian Canyon from Baristo to Alejo. This is approximately a 45 min. loop. The carriage will be stopping along the route to pick up & drop off passengers.

The Cost:
$5.00 per person, per loop...$10.00 per person for unlimited on-off privileges.$25.00 for a family pass for unlimited on-off privileges. A monthly pass will begin in February.

Also for those passengers supporting Palm Springs’ Green Fridays, any passenger wearing green on Fridays will receive $5.00 off any ride of 20 minutes or more.

Palm Springs CarriagesOffice 760-364-4430 website: http://www.palmspringscarriages.com/

New Ace Hotel Opening Feb 12

The highly anticipated Ace Hotel and Swim Club (www.acehotel.com) will open on February 12, 2009. The 180-room property features a mid-century desert aesthetic blended with bohemian, folk-modern interiors. The hip hotel has two large pools and poolside bar, indoor spa salon, stargazing platform, and fresh and organic menus, including juices made fresh daily from the garden.

For eco-conscious travelers, the Ace Hotel will have solar power and fuel cells, as well as vintage bicycles to cruise throughout the city. A “magic bus,” will be available to shuttle guests to and from downtown Palm Springs.

Very cool place... make your reservation today.

Las Casuelas Terraza - Popular Restaurant in Palm Springs Turns 30!

One of the city's most popular mexican food restaurants - Las Casuelas Terraza is celebrating its 30th Anniversary on January 27. As part of the festivities, Mayor Pougnet proclaims Jan. 27, "Las Casuelas Terraza Day," during the 11:30 a.m. ceremony.

Great food, Tequila Wall of Fame and live entertainment! Congrats La Casuelas!

More Restaurants in Palm Springs

Farmers Market - A Favorite Saturday Activity

Every Saturday morning in Palm Springs, visitors and residents stroll the Certified Farmers Market for the freshest, best-tasting produce.

Cool things are happening:

• Did you know there is free dog sitting service offered for shoppers from 9:00 am to 10:30 am?
• Bring your recycling and help the city with its sustainable plan
• Weekly musical entertainment will provide a lively backdrop
• “Market Chef” Tanya Petrovna of Native Foods Restaurants demonstrates cooking tips and recipes using fresh produce from the Market. Other ‘guest chefs’ from around the valley will be featured throughout the season as well.

Palm Springs location: Adjacent to the Camelot Theatres in the Palm Springs Mall parking lot at 2300 E. Baristo Road at Farrell. http://psculturalcenter.org/certified-farmers-market/

Local Painter James Jensen, Debuts New Collection in Palm Springs

James Jensen will present his new collection in the recently redesigned El Paseo building at 800 North Palm Canyon Drive. The solo exhibition of James’ new collection will be open to the public on Friday, February 6, with a reception from 6-9:00 pm.

The exhibition will run from Friday, February 6 through March 5, and is open to the public Wednesday through Saturday from 11:00-5:00 pm or by appointment. James Jensen Studios is located at 800 North Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA.

Recognized for his strong, sensual abstractions, and a delicacy of classicism, James Jensen unveils an exhibition to the public that is a return to experience works of art that are original in both theme and presentation. An abundant, use of the master color palette with the fresh infusion of rich texture, and the opulence of gold leaf often observed throughout the collection, invites explanation. A classic training and individualism in spirit is evidenced in the vitality of the specifically driven inspiration in each piece that originates in a vibrant interior to express it, which brings this collection, each canvas to life.

Book Festival in Palm Springs

Casitas Laquita Resort and Bold Strokes Books are pleased to announce
their continued partnership in presenting the Third Annual Lesbian
Book Festival in Palm Springs California.

This year's festival is scheduled for March 5th – 8th, 2009 and will
feature over twenty authors of fiction, non-fiction, sci-fi, poetry
and erotica with lesbian themes and characters.

For more information call Toll Free 1-877-203-3410 or locally at 760-416-9999 or log on to www.casitaslaquita.com

Improv Show at Dezert One Gallery in Palm Springs

Dezart One Gallery will host an improv show featuring Joe & Mustard (not two people - eight people). The oddball improvisational octet kicks off 2009 with a one-night-only performance.

Showtime is 8 p.m. Friday, January 30 at Dezart One Gallery (doors open at 7:30). This event is part of the Dezart Performs entertainment series. The gallery will stay open after the show so patrons can browse the artwork. Admission is $5. http://www.dezart.imagine99.com/events.html

85 year old showgirl honored at Palm Springs Follies

Today... "The World's Oldest Still Performing Showgirl" received a special proclamation from Mayor Steve Pougnet at the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies!

The 85-year-old hoofer, Dorothy Closs, is with the "Fabulous Palm Springs Follies" and she began performing with the "Follies", the City’s signature Downtown theatrical production featuring a cast that ranges in age from 55 to 85 -- some 14 years ago.

She began her career as a precocious teenager in Chicago, where she taught famed choreographer Bob Fosse how to tap dance – won a tap dance contest herself and catapulted to stardom with her own show at the Empire Room in the Palmer House Hotel.



She later went on to perform with the renowned Eddie Duchin Orchestra and with some of the biggest Hollywood stars in nightclubs throughout America – including Liberace, Mel Torme, Howard Keel, Kay Starr, Frankie Laine and many more.





The Follies is a great show -- For tickets & information visit http://www.psfollies.com/

Freezing in MN --- Sunny & Warm in Palm Springs

Just a reminder... it is currently 85 degrees in Palm Springs - Sunny & Blue Sky Sunshine


Weather for Saint Paul, MN
-1°F
Current: ClearWind: NW at 16 mphHumidity: 49%
Wed-6°F -15°F
Thu-4°F -19°F
Fri 4°F 0°F

Weather for Palm Springs, CA
85°F
Current: Clear
Wind: NE at 16 mph
Humidity: 5%

Warm in Palm Springs - Cold in the Mid West

It is freezing weather in the Mid West! It is 81 degrees in Palm Springs today!

Gay & Lesbian Films at PS Int'l Film Festival

Last week, top filmmakers and stars kicked off the 20th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival. More than 200 films will be screened during the festival, including 18 gay and lesbian films six of which will be World and U.S. premieres. The following films will be screened at the Festival, held from January 6-19, 2009:

World Premieres:
American Primitive (USA)
ShowGirls, Provincetown, MA (USA)
Eugene (USA)

U.S. Premieres:
Baby Love (France)
Pedro (USA)
Woman’s Hearts (Italy)

Film Features:
Born in 68 (France)
Chef’s Special (Spain)
Clapham Junction (UK)
I Can't Think Straight (UK)
Patrik Age 1.5 (Sweden)
Ready? OK! (USA)
Be Like Others (UK)
For My Wife (USA)
Of Time and the City (UK)
Prodigal Sons (USA)
Suddenly, Last Winter (Italy)
Valentino: The Last Emperor (USA)

Film Fest Gala Was Amazing

The Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala was truly amazing. Congratulations to the Film Festival organizers, the City of Palm Springs and the Convention Center for hosting a wonderful event. The Palm Springs Convention Center was filled with beautiful people dressed in their gowns and tuxedos chatting about what celebrity they wanted to see and what films they will see during the festival.

Honorees included: Clint Eastwood, Sean Penn, Dustin Hoffman, Ron Howard, Anne Hathaway and more. Photos of the gala available on The Desert Sun website: http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=PERMGALL

Film Festival Schedule: http://www.psfilmfest.org/festival/calendar/index.aspx?FID=36

Film Festival Lodging Specials

Antique Roadshow Features Palm Springs

Earlier this year, over 5,000 people gathered with heirlooms and estate treasures at the Palm Springs Convention Center to attend a taping of Antiques Roadshow on June 7, 2008.

The stop in Palm Springs had record-breaking appraisals. Three episodes will air January 5, January 12 and January 19 on PBS.

January 5, 2009
Episode will feature the most valuable object ever appraised on Roadshow – a 1937 oil painting by noted American abstract expressionist Clyfford Still, received by the guest as a housewarming gift, and conservatively estimated to be worth $500,000.

January 12, 2009
Episode will feature the ultimate little black dress, literally sewn onto Marilyn Monroe for the classic 1959 comedy “Some Like It Hot,” valued at $150,000 to $250,000.

January 19, 2009
Episode will feature a circa 1922 oil painting of a colorful fish by Modernist painter Joseph Stella, given in lieu of rent by the artist to the owner’s Great Uncle and valued at $250,000.