The City of Palm Springs is the host city once again to five premier film festivals in 2012. Included is the star-studded Palm Springs International Film Festival, Festival of Native Film & Culture, Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival, Palm Springs International ShortFest and Cinema Diverse, the LGBT film spectacular.

• In 2012, Palm Springs is rolling out the red carpet for the likes of Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Glenn Close and Michelle Williams to name a few as well as many other Hollywood movers and shakers. The 23rd annual Palm Springs International Film Festival scheduled for January 5-16, 2012 has taken its place as a world-renowned film festival and will include over 200 films from more than 60 countries, plus it will offer special events and a black-tie awards gala scheduled for January 7, 2012 at the Palm Springs Convention Center. Tickets and festival information are available online at www.psfilmfest.org.

• The highly regarded Agua Caliente Cultural Museum will present its 11th annual Festival of Native Film & Culture February 29-March 4, 2012, at the Camelot Theatres. The event features the best in Native American films and will feature guest programmer Elizabeth Weatherford, the founding director of the Film and Video Center at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. Tickets and festival information are available online at www.accmuseum.org or call (760) 778-1079.

• The Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival taking place in early May is the 12th appearance for this annual event. In 2012, it will feature an eclectic mixture of films from the classic Film Noir era. Scheduled are 12 film screenings at Camelot Theatres and in addition the festival will include special appearances by some of Hollywood’s greatest Film Noir stars and special receptions. Ticket and festival information are available online at www.arthurlyonsfilmnoir.ning.com or call (760) 325-6565.

• The Palm Springs International ShortFest returns to the Camelot Theatres June 19-25, 2012. Recognized as one of the world’s premier short film festivals, it will feature hundreds of short films, special programs, seminars and more. Tickets and festival information are available online at www.psfilmfest.org.

• Finally in September 2012, Cinema Diverse, THE gay and lesbian film festival, will showcase the best in LGBT filmmaking including features, documentaries and shorts. The festival takes place at the Camelot Theatres in Palm Springs. Tickets and festival information are available online at www.cinemadiverse.ning.com or call (760) 325-6565.

For more information, please visit the websites in each section or call us at 760-322-7822. In many cases, we can assist in hotel room specials or help with travel advice.

The City Of Palm Springs Is Taking Off!

We are moving forward with revitalization plans for downtown and the area in general is seeing a huge uptick in business in general. Both the Uptown Design District and the Downtown Area are alive experiencing growth, increased sales and plans for a whole new Downtown experience under way.

Be a part of a building demolition!

Back in November, the citizens of Palm Springs passed the Measure J sales tax (with no net increase in sales taxes) to finance infrastructure work throughout the city for the next 25 years and to also finance the tear-down of Desert Fashion Plaza with a later redevelopment of that entire section of downtown.

It all kicks off January 26th!

Demo of the former BofA building will begin with a public ceremony on January 26th at the site. Stay tuned for details or call us at 760-322-7822 for information. The city is moving along very fast with plans for the sale of financing bonds with that will complete in April. At that time, the city will take deed to the public properties, streets, and the parking garage.

The former bank lot will soon be a public plaza right away as a signal to the beginning of this very exciting project. And immediate steps increasing public parking to help all businesses in the area. By mid-2013, the entire old mall will be gone and the new neighborhood will begin to rise out of the rubble.

Look for courtyards of shops, a new movie complex, restaurants and public areas. Features of this pedestrian friendly area will include outdoor areas with shade structures and natural convection cooling for year round comfort.

In other news

The Coachella Valley Association reported increases in hotel bookings for events this year (at 137,000 room nights already) and they are talking to Westjet, Alaska Airlines and Virgin Air on promoting the valley as a tourist and sporting destination. Look for special fares from all over Canada and the US.

The Coachella Valley is the #1 Golf destination in North America! What? Yes, we are tops when it comes to golf and a look outside at the weather, a balmy 75 degrees, will tell you why our 125 golf courses do so well. Check out the video below.

The city is working on several fronts to capitalize on the many things happening now:

• The needs of downtown and uptown merchants in working with the city will provide for the success of business and comfort of tourists. The Merchants Association and the city work very closely to this end with a common goal of giving business the tools to grow and visitors a fun and rewarding experience.
• Promoting business and tourist access as we move into a new era with the Downtown redevelopment projects. Their lists include everything from new newspaper racks to new bike racks, additional crosswalks, lighting, billboard advertising, and radio ads and around the area.
• The plan is to promote the entire Downtown and Uptown area at a time when we have the attention of so many around the country and the world with the work happening to revitalize Palm Canyon and Indian Canyon Drive from end to end. The demo of BofA will be the catalyst to set that in motion.

If you would like to stay connected and informed, attending this meeting once a month and joining as a business or as an interested citizen is a great way to stay in the know. And being a member is not required...... meetings are open to the public.

Be a part of the Palm Springs phenomenon: Live-Work-Play-Vacation-Retire

Palm Springs International Film Festival and Other Film Festival Information

If you've ever visited Palm Springs or read about our history, you know that at every turn, you'll find a street named after a famous Hollywood actor. This tradition dates way back so this article will give you some background of the stars who have immortalized in the street names and their impact on the Coachella Valley.

• Gene Autry Trail- while filming movies up in Pioneer Town in the High Desert, Gene Autry would venture down to Palm Springs for a break. He bought his first home here in 1940. The location now known as The Parker Hotel used to bear his name and he was instrumental in establishing Eisenhower Medical Center. His wife Jackie still lives in Palm Springs and remains active on his behalf.

• Jack Benny Rd- Jack Benny was a long time resident in the Valley and a founder of Tamarisk CC in Rancho Mirage. He also would originate his radio show from the landmark Plaza Theater in Palm Springs. Known for his comedy routines and TV shows, he was a source of joy to all who knew him

• Burns And Allen Rd- George and Gracie, one of TV's most loved husband and wife comedy duos. Their TV show was a hit and their personal and professional partnership lasted 38 years. George went on to live to 100 and was honored as the oldest Oscar recipient when he won his award at the age of 80 for The Sunshine Boys. It was after that he went on to make Oh God!

• Bing Crosby Drive- Located in Rancho Mirage. Bing is known for his many recordings (including White Christmas), countless movies and TV shows. His real estate holdings here included the Blue Skies Mobile Home Park that had as residents many of his show-biz pals.

• Farrell Drive- Charles Farrell, known as co-founder of The Racquet Club which was a playground for the stars, starred in My Little Margie and The Charlie Farrell Show. He was also the dashing lead in many movies and he served as a city Councilman and was the fifth Mayor of Palm Springs.

• Gerald Ford Drive- runs from Date Palm Drive in Cathedral City clear to Frank Sinatra Drive in Rancho Mirage. The Fords have a place in history here in the desert having resided here after moving from DC but especially with his wife Betty establishing The Betty Ford Center at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage.

• Monty Hall- Who doesn't know Monty (Let's Make A Deal) Hall? His street can be found in Cathedral City. Hall's role as fund-raiser extrodinaire (OVER one Billion dollars!) and his awards for humanitarianism have given Hall the reputation of being a great citizen of the world.

• Bob Hope Drive- one of the most famous of all the desert streets. He and his wife Delores did much to make the desert a far better place to live. Aside from the Hope golf classic (will soon be renamed The Humana Challenge), his accomplishments also include establishing the Palm Springs Air Museum.

• Dinah Shore Drive- also known as the Mid-Valley Parkway, one of the east-west thoroughfares used by the locals during season as a way to stay out of traffic. The Kraft-Nabisco Golf Tourney still bears her name as "The Dinah" having been established in 1972. The street runs from Palm Springs clear to Palm Desert.

• Frank Sinatra Drive- located in Rancho Mirage. "One of the best things that ever happened to Palm Springs" is Frank Sinatra having called this place home. For much of his life Frank and his wife Barbara (who still resides here) were the movers and shakers of Palm Springs lifestyle bringing enrichment to the social and charity scene in Palm Springs. One of the highlights of the area is the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center in Rancho Mirage and a wing at the Desert Regional Hospital also bears their name.

• Fred Waring Drive- Palm Desert is home to Fred Waring Dr that stretches clear to Indio. Waring is well-known for his band that entertained both on the road and on the radio entertaining people the world over including our troops during WW II. And along with his musical talent, he is the inventor of the Waring Blendor that is still on store shelves to this day.

Want more information about the Desert Cities ?

Buying or Selling Palm Springs Real Estate?

Buying or Selling in today’s real estate market is a challenge and a process that is easily accomplished with the help of a Palm Springs real estate agent focusing on the neighboring desert cities. You will need an expert who has lived in the area, knows the lifestyle and the unique housing market.

The market for real estate in the desert is alive and the values are exceptional especially for those who are looking for an ideal investment or a vacation/retirement property. We have many Palm Springs real estate properties available for every need, budget and amenity list.

Buyers: Are you searching for your primary residence? We have a variety of Palm Springs homes for sale and have what it takes to get you settled in the neighborhood of your choice.

Selling your home? Your home selling experience will be one that is easy, friendly and professional. Our mission is to offer outstanding service while utilizing the best practices and Internet technology available. We are totally connected to the Internet and will market your home on every venue available! Results is what you expect and results is what you will get.

If you are planning to buy Palm Springs investment property, or property in the surrounding area, we have the staff partners who will help with any project or property management tasks while you are away. We have helped with the small properties all the way up to the multi-million dollar projects.

The Associates motto: We're not here just to sell you a home. We're here to help you find the dream home you'll love then make it yours!

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Not too long ago, we wrote a post on reining in your holiday spending if you are looking to buy a Palm Springs home soon. It had some great ideas on how to prepare your credit for your impending home purchase. It warned about being careful with holiday gifting and spending to preserve your FICO score in the current loan underwriting environment which is at this time very stringent.

Well, this latest post by my assistant Vic Yepello will give you some great ideas on how to give gifts that are more affordable and will not support foreign sourced manufacturers.

The article is here

And here's the excerpt from the post:

[....It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper? So here goes!

Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.

Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates...]

So the real solution remains is to try to not use credit cards this season; buy things people will actually use in their lives every day and you will be a great gift giver and Scrooge won't be a part of your life at all.

Live home buyer listing data from Palm Desert, CA

A road trip away from a city's bright lights on a clear night will be a treat for anyone who looks up to the skies. Here in Southern California, we're especially lucky to live in a place with some of the best night sky viewing in the continental United States. You just have to venture at least 100 miles away from Los Angeles and Las Vegas which means the desert.

Here are a few spots in our local deserts that offer brilliant views. A link follows with 7 that are a short drive but worth a planned trip.

1. Joshua Tree National Park is a classic stargazing destination and one with plenty of public programs during the winter and spring seasons. Most of the events take place at the Cottonwood Campground amphitheater, which is known as one of the darkest places in the park — only the glow from Palm Springs and a nearby truck stop affect the view.

2. The Mesa- Yucca Valley Man is it dark out there. With little in the way of population and therefore, even less light, the sky is very dark and so alive with the Milky Way.

   

3. Sky Valley Yup- it's earned its name. Head up Palm Drive to Dillon and turn right. Head out into the desert and pull off where its safe and have a look.
4. Whitewater Canyon Up the hill into the canyon you can see stars for days. Its a short drive out of town and has several places to pull off road.
5. Painted Hills- Desert Hot Springs Almost any place in DHS is good for viewing and the Painted Hills area is no exception. It's west of Hwy 62.
6. Your own back yard! Dig it, the skies here are kept dark through lighting restrictions on up lighting. Now it won't be as good as heading out into the desert but it is great in some locations. Try it!

A complete listing of events and locations can be found in the link below.

via The 7 Best SoCal Desert Locations for Night Sky Viewing | Environment | SoCal Connected | Shows | KCET.

Want more information about the Desert Cities ?

Buying or Selling Palm Springs Real Estate?

Buying or Selling in today’s real estate market is a challenge and a process that is easily accomplished with the help of a Palm Springs real estate agent focusing on the neighboring desert cities. You will need an expert who has lived in the area, knows the lifestyle and the unique housing market.

The market for real estate in the desert is alive and the values are exceptional especially for those who are looking for an ideal investment or a vacation/retirement property. We have many Palm Springs real estate properties available for every need, budget and amenity list.

Buyers: Are you searching for your primary residence? We have a variety of Palm Springs homes for sale and have what it takes to get you settled in the neighborhood of your choice.

Selling your home? Your home selling experience will be one that is easy, friendly and professional. Our mission is to offer outstanding service while utilizing the best practices and Internet technology available. We are totally connected to the Internet and will market your home on every venue available! Results is what you expect and results is what you will get.

If you are planning to buy Palm Springs investment property, or property in the surrounding area, we have the staff partners who will help with any project or property management tasks while you are away. We have helped with the small properties all the way up to the multi-million dollar projects.

The Associates motto: We're not here just to sell you a home. We're here to help you find the dream home you'll love then make it yours!

Following links are to Area City Bio's and Property Searches:

• Learn About Palm Springs Real Estate
• Search Palm Springs Single Family Homes * Palm Springs Condominiums
• Learn About Cathedral City Real Estate
• Search Cathedral City Single Family Homes
• Learn About Desert Hot Springs Real Estate
• Search Desert Hot Springs Single Family Homes
• Learn About Indian Wells Real Estate
• Search Indian Wells Single Family Homes
• Learn About Indio Real Estate
• Search Indio Single Family Homes
• Learn About La Quinta Real Estate
• Search La Quinta Single Family Homes
• Learn About Palm Desert Real Estate
• Search Palm Desert Single Family Homes
• Learn About Rancho Mirage Real Estate
• Search Rancho Mirage Single Family Homes

For more information on how we can best serve your Palm Springs Real Estate and surrounding area needs, please fill out the online contact form or give us a call at 760-322-7822.

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