Shining bright, Palermo Palm Springs welcomes in Twenty Eleven and the cheery days ahead

What a year it has been at Palermo Palm Springs. Our community has come along way since New Year's 2010. Friendships and neighborly good will abounds. We all miss those who have lost their homes at Palermo. But those homes that once were in foreclosure or short sales now are owned by delightful people who've joined our jolly crew at Palermo. So "here's to the bright New Year, and a fond farewell to the old; here's to the things that are yet to come, and to the memories that we hold.” Miss Penny Lane says: She'll be dancing in 2011, lifted up by the bubbles in her pink champagne and by the good spirits of her neighbors.

Owners report HOA bills arriving late

Positively Palermo has received complaints that some HOA bills for January 2011 have arrived just days before their due date. There also were problems with last month's bills, such as some owners never receiving one. Miss Penny Lane says: She can't be bothered with bills today because her pink champagne is chilling. Following her annual tradition, she's already popped the first bottle to toast in the arrive of 2011 in Sydney.

The road ahead

A e-mail sent out this month by the management company in part read: "The small hole in the temporary road near the south end of the model building will be repaired on Monday, Dec. 27th as long as the weather is dry and warm." It's terrific news about the repair of the pothole. But the use of the word "temporary" must strike some Palermo Palm Springs residents as odd. Our road is a continuation of Enterprise Way and is a necessary requirement for the complex. The road is part of the city-approved Palermo community development plan. It has models, a USPS mailbox, and the working office of the developer on it. It provides an important exit to San Rafael. Those of us here in 2007 remember a memo that went out to residents from the developer that read in part: "Please remember you can only travel north on Indian Canyon when exiting. For those residents wishing to travel to downtown please use extreme caution as making left turns or 'U' turns on Indian Canyon can be extremely dangerous." Dangerous, is right. Palermo residents took concerns to the city government, and the result was requiring the developer to complete this exit gate. There's nothing temporary about it, in the sense that this road is here to stay no matter what happens to the undeveloped portion of Palermo. Penny Lane says: The road ahead for Palermo is looking great, in 2011 and beyond.

Remembering the gray skies rollin' over our heads

Here are some wonderful pictures of the recent clouds, mountains and Palermo Palm Springs, courtesy of resident JT. Miss Penny Lane says: The pictures are beautiful, and she doesn't mind if these photos are the last of the gray skies she sees for a long time.

At last, the repainting begins on Enterprise Way and Penny Lane

The priming and repainting of the Deep Russet color on the residences on Enterprise Way and Penny Lane, although delayed, has started. Miss Penny Lane says: She could use a touch-up, too, every now and then.

Please help: A dog has gone missing

You may have seen the flyers on the mailboxes at Palermo Palm Springs. A small black dog named Papi is missing. Miss Penny Lane says: Please keep a look out and pray for Papi's safe and speedy return.

It's a wrap: Thanks to all who brought Christmas cheer to Palermo Palm Springs

Take time to enjoy the holiday lights and decorations that enlivened Palermo Palm Springs. This season there was an outside slide-show projection of holiday greetings, a real Candy Cane tree and a big blow-up Frosty the Snowman on a balcony, to name a few. At least 17 homes decorated with outside lights. More than two dozen homes had wreaths on the doors to welcome visitors. Countless lit-up trees inside could be seen from the streets. Miss Penny Lane says: 2010 had a Palermo Christmas to remember. Now it's on to New Year's.

Merry Christmas, Palermo

The Lane Family — all the sisters and an aunt — are in Palm Springs enjoying a sunny Christmas. Happy Holidays from our family to yours. Miss Penny Lane says: She and the family will be at the pool on Sunday partaking in Cosmos (in plastic glasses), except for Auntie who takes a sip of hooch in private. Please say "hello."

The first annual Palermo Palm Springs 'Holiday Decoration Awards' are announced

The holiday lights and decorations this season at Palermo Palm Springs have been fun and fabulous. Positively Palermo is happy to recognize this year's Holiday Decoration honorees. Now they can be announced. The awards go to:
 - The "Digital Diva Award" for the slide-show projection of holiday greetings on a huge wall, to the resident at Breeze Loop and Melody Lane.
 - The "Cozy Corner Award" for a holiday tree and bright lights at Melody Lane and Sandy Point Trail.
 - The "Red Hot Award" for the lit-up palm tree outside and the red-lit Christmas tree and pink-lit Christmas tree inside on Breeze Loop.
 - The "T and A (Trees and Attitude) Award" for the thick forest of happy Christmas trees, decorated with wigs and boas, on Sandy Point Trail.
- The "Merry Modern Award" for the modernist tree that brought light to the Quiet Side.
- The "Holly Jolly Award" for the top and bottom decorating on Melody Lane, including a blow-up big Frosty the Snowman up top and trees on the bottom.
- The "Winter Wonderland Award" for the Christmas village, real Candy Cane Tree and lights on Sunburst Boulevard.
 Congratulations to this season's honorees. Santa on Christmas night delivered the awards to the good little boys and girls. (See the above picture of the the trophies.) Miss Penny Lane says: We at Palermo are creating something unique, a community like no other in Palm Springs. Everyone part of our jolly crew of good spirits is a winner. Merry Christmas.

Sunburst Boulevard becomes Candy Cane Lane

Only at Palermo Palm Springs can a Candy Cane Tree blossom. But there it is on Sunburst Boulevard. A resident writes: "Hello Penny, Due to the heavy rain our candy cane tree has busted out with ripe delicious candy canes. Please tell everyone to come by and pick some for them self before the next rain comes. The candy cane tree is on Sunburst Blvd near the mail boxes." (In other holiday happenings, another Christmas elf has visited the little tyke on Sunburst with more treats. See the Dec. 15 posting for an updated picture of the latest home-made creation.) Miss Penny Lane says: What a sweet sight to see on this Christmas Eve.

Message from management re: Dust control truck, flooding problems

On this Christmas Eve, we hate to interrupt the holiday mood with business, but the management company has sent out an update. Owners not on the e-mail list and renters don't see these messages. Thank you to the owner who forwarded it to Positively Palermo. The message reads: "Dear Palermo Owners, The PM-10 water truck located in the south end of the project should be moved by this Friday, Dec 24th.  In addition, the small hole in the temporary road near the south end of the model building will be repaired on Monday, Dec. 27th as long as the weather is dry and warm. My other concern is hopefully good news.  With the record rain recorded the past few days I am in hopes that we have not had any water related issues.  That being said if anyone has any knowledge of any water related issues please contact me directly so we can quickly respond, bscott@drminternet.com." As discussed earlier here, the large PM-10 water truck and other trucks have been on the undeveloped portion of Palermo apparently taking water for a dust control project at Murano Palm Springs. Murano and Palermo share the same developer, the Enterprise Cos. of Chicago. It is noteworthy that the local Enterprise representative in September posted a note in the clubhouse saying everyone must stay off the recently applied green dust-control material put on the undeveloped area of Palermo. The note said the Palermo HOA may have to pay for any new application if the green coating is disturbed. Yet now trucks apparently used for the Murano dust-control project have been stored on the green dirt at Palermo or have been driven on that dirt. (More on this later.) We also had hoped that the e-mail from the management company had updated the community on why the repainting of the Deep Russet color on the buildings on Enterprise Way and Penny Lane has been delayed without explanation. The Enterprise Way repainting, for example, was supposed to be done "no later than Dec. 9." according to the last communique. Miss Penny Lane says: Enough with business, she's off to Fresh and Easy to pick up last minute goodies before her sisters arrive in Palm Springs. Just follow the laugher and merriment if you want to meet them.

Welcome back, blue skies

The mountains above Palermo during the storms ...

... and after, with the snow-covered peaks and blue skies.

Palermo Palm Springs is drying out after a series of storms, with the sunny skies back. Miss Penny Lane says: It's her holiday season of Cosmos, so she doesn't plan to dry out until Jan. 2. Cheers!

Scenes from the Pineapple Express deluge

More than 1.5 inches of rain fell between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. Wednesday. The total storm total is near 3 inches, but it seems more at Palermo Palm Springs. (For comparison, Palm Springs has only received about 4 inches of rain total for the season that began July 2010.) Indian Canyon Drive remains closed at the Whitewater wash. The news is reporting that flooding on Indian Canyon and Palm Springs Station Road has cut off access to Amtrak and Greyhound bus service. The streets of Palermo have big puddles, and the swimming pools are filling up, as the "final surge" from another storm hits the West Coast. But the holiday lights are still spreading cheer at Palermo even as the skies are black and gray. Miss Penny Lane says: She's calling in sick today rather than brave the flooded roads. Besides, the raindrops wreak havoc on her perm.

UPDATE: "Flash Flooding Warning" issued until 6 tonight for the valley. Lots of roads are flooded out and closed, or down to one lane, such as westbound Ramon Road in Cathedral City. The Desert Sun newspaper at mydesert.com has a link to the road closings and conditions across the valley.

Baby, it's wet outside

It's all wet at Palermo Palm Springs, but no flooding has been reported so far today. Here are pictures of Palermo and the cloud-covered mountains, for all you out-of-town owners. Miss Penny Lane says: The holiday lights are on warming the hearts of Palermo-ites as they arrive home. She's cozy inside having a cup of tea wrapping presents.

Indian Canyon Drive closed at the wash

The television stations are reporting that North Indian Canyon Drive is closed at the wash, the spot between Palermo and the 10. The Whitewater River began to flood at 11 Sunday night. North Gene Autry Trail and East Vista Chino also have closures to avoid injuries and property damage. The scheduled construction work at Indian Canyon and the 10 might be delayed again. Miss Penny Lane says: Be safe everyone.

Taggers deface Palermo fencing — and what's up with those trucks in the undeveloped Phase 2?

Residents of Palermo Palm Springs are confused about which entity controls or maintains all or parts of the undeveloped Phase 2 of our community. The developer Enterprise is in default on its loan and apparently is in talks with MB Financial about a settlement. The matter of maintenance has come into focus in the past week because of two events. The first is that the part of the green construction fencing has been vandalized with graffiti. (See the top picture.) It is unfortunate that the victim of this crime is the one responsible for cleaning it up, but that is the case, so who will do it and when? The second event has been the coming and going of a larger truck and a pick-up truck with a tank type of trailer. Some the activity according to reader comments here possibly could involve taking water. (See the reader comments under the Dec. 15 posting involving the heating of the swimming pools.) It has been stated in the past that all of Palermo's water is paid for by the HOA. This question needs answering so the matter can be put to rest. What Positively Palermo finds noteworthy is where some of the trucks are going. They seem be ending up at Murano Palm Springs as part of a dust-control operation under the direction of a local representative of the developer. (See the second picture above of the trucks at Murano.) Murano is an uncompleted single-family home subdivision built by the same developer as Palermo. One notion is that the activity between the two sites may suggest that the developer will be back with ownership despite the loan default. Miss Penny Lane says: She weeps when she sees the graffiti marring our lovely Palermo, so much so that her tears could fill those tanks.

Rain could bring 2 to 4 inches by mid-week

The newspaper is reporting that we should get ready for lots of rain. The article says: “The Coachella Valley could see near-constant rain for at least the next five days. If Palm Springs sees the 2 to 4 inches of rain forecast through mid-week, it could move from an unusually dry year to an above-average rainfall total. So far this year, Palm Springs has recorded 0.54  inch of rain, or one-third of the normal rainfall for the rain year, which starts July 1. It's going to rain much of the time until Thursday ... The series of storms could result in mountain runoff and flooding." L.A. could get 10 inches total, but the mountains may protect the valley from getting that amount. Penny Lane says: She's breaking out her umbrella because no rain is going to stop her from hitting the stores. She has a long list of good boys — and few bad ones too — to get gifts for this Christmas.

Lit up at Palermo Palm Springs

More holiday lights are sparkling around Palermo Palm Springs. Here some new scenes from Sandy Point Trail, The Quiet Side and Melody Lane at Breeze Loop. Miss Penny Lane says: Her eyes light up at the festive spirit of her jolly crew of neighbors at Palermo.

Update: Work set for this weekend at Indian Canyon & the 10 pushed back because of rainy forecast

Here's an update about the construction work at Indian Canyon Drive and the 10 that was scheduled for this weekend. It's being put off until Monday and Tuesday because of possible rain. The newspaper is reporting: “Construction work that will close a portion of Interstate 10 has been rescheduled for Monday and Tuesday ... Westbound drivers will be forced off at the Indian Canyon Drive ramp from  9 p.m. Monday until 5 a.m. Tuesday. The drivers will then head back down the on-ramp and onto the freeway, a simple detour that could cause delays. Eastbound drivers will be taken along the same detour from 9 p.m. Tuesday to 5 a.m. Wednesday. Rain forecast for the weekend, when the construction was originally scheduled, forced the contractor to delay the work ... The $16.5 million project at Indian Canyon Drive will replace the existing interchange with a new six-lane bridge that includes bike lanes, among other improvements. This weekend, contractors will install girders across the freeway to support the new bridge. Contractors do not plan to close the bridge again until the middle of 2011, when they will demolish the old bridge.” Miss Penny Lane: The forecasted rain also is forcing her to put off her plan to spend the weekend before Christmas at one of Palermo's pools.

Floating the question: Why are the temperatures of our swimming pools so uneven?

The gas bill for Palermo Palm Springs has gone up. Why? One concern regarding this is how the temperatures of the two community swimming pools and two community spas are being managed. Residents have been discussing this elsewhere on Positively Palermo. (See the 12/12 posting titled, "No, this isn't the snow-covered Midwest.") Now this site now has been asked to bring the topic front and center with its own posting right here. One point made so far was that the heater to the main pool and spa isn't secure from tampering. The heater to the smaller back swimming pool and spa once had a lock on it, but the lock has been taken off at times. Here is one posting from a concerned homeowner: "NOBODY should be able to have access to turning the temperature up or down! But that is what our friends witnessed while spending a week at Palermo. They saw some guy turning the temperature down and then the pool was freezing. Of course the constant up and down is going to cost money! Aren't the controls under lock and key so only DRM representatives control the temp accordingly? Ridiculous!" Miss Penny Lane says: Palermo's pools are jewels and this management problem tarnishes them. Palermo residents could get an early Christmas gift with quick action to solve it.

12/18 UPDATE: Thanks for the photo showing the gate to the little pool's equipment has a lock on it, but strangely it is unlocked.

'Cupcake elves' pay a visit to spread holiday cheer to a little boy. 12/24 UPDATE: The elves come again

Cupcakes from the first visit

Positively Palermo was asked to post this message, titled "Elves visit Palermo." Here it is: "It was a cool night and the winds were acting up.  A little boy was sitting at the dining room table when there was a knock at the door and the doorbell rang.  In the blink of an eye, the little boy ran to the door but to his surprise, there was no one there. He looked down and yelled, 'It is a package,' and then he read the note 'To Gavin, you rock,' Signed Santa and the elves. The little boy yelled with extreme excitement, 'It’s for me and it is from the elves. After eating one of the cupcakes (red velvet cake), he said. 'These cupcakes are so good dad and I never tasted anything like it, it must be a magic flavor that only the elves can make.'  Naturally I agreed.  He thought that was one of the most special things that could happen to him. Cheers to the innocence of a little boy and to the neighbor that does a little extra!!!!!!" Miss Penny Lane says: Yes, there are holiday elves to make glad the heart. Sometimes, she catches a fleeting glimpse of them as they dance on the lawn and dart back and forth leaving a trail of cheer.

And the elves come a second time

12/24 UPDATE: A resident writes: "I am sending pictures of a little boy who got a second visit from the Elves. He was absolutely amazed and excited that the elves came once much less a second time." 

Update on the auction: It didn't happen

In case you missed it, Michael Heath of Village Property Management posted this comment regarding the scheduled group Dec. 13 auction of the "Enterprise" unsold 34 units. He wrote: "The auction has not happened. Awaiting word on next steps. Bank and developer still in negotiations. Bank has expressed to me that they are interested in the status quo - all units rented. If you are currently in a month-to-month rental agreement I will be contacting you shortly to discuss your options for a new lease term. Please email me with any questions at mheath@vpmrents.com." Miss Penny Lane says: Thank you for the update and let everyone hope that those Palermo residents with leases get their holiday wishes.

Warning: Indian Canyon Drive at the 10 freeway may be a mess this weekend

You may want to avoid North Indian Canyon Drive at the 10 this weekend, as work continues on the new interchange and bridge there. The newspaper is reporting: “A portion of Interstate 10 will be closed overnight this weekend for construction work on the new Indian Canyon Drive bridge. Westbound drivers will be forced off the Indian Canyon Drive ramp from 10 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday. The drivers will then head back down the on-ramp and onto the interstate. Eastbound drivers will be taken along the same detour from 10 p.m. Saturday to 8 a.m. Sunday. ‘We’ll take you straight off the off-ramp, take you straight back down the other side and you’re off,’ spokesman Dennis Green said. ‘These are the simplest detours you can have for full freeway closure.’ The closures are the latest scheduled as contractors work on a project to improve six I-10 interchanges. The $16.5 million project will replace the existing Indian Canyon Drive interchange with a new, six-lane bridge that includes bike lanes. Contractors do not plan to close the interstate there again until the middle of 2011 when they will demolish the old bridge.” Miss Penny Lane says: She likes to drive up Indian Canyon to the 10 to treat herself to a Dairy Queen there, but she'll need to find another way to satisfy her sweet tooth this weekend.

Will the 34 units once owned by the developer be auctioned as a group today?

Along with 34 units at Palermo, the developer's office at 3415 Enterprise Way was posted with a Notice of Trustee's Sale in Nov. 9.

As reported, the scheduled Nov. 30 group auction of the 34 unsold "developer" condos at Palermo Palm Springs was cancelled. For background, you can read the numerous past postings here about the lawsuits and loan default by the Enterprise Cos. of Chicago, the developer of Palermo. The company owes about $13 million on its Palermo loan. The 34 units once controlled by the developer are being rented out by Village Property Management and may be sold together in a "unified" auction. Many of the units have long-term rental leases so it appears unlikely that they would be on the for-sale market soon. Michael Heath of Village Property Management on Nov 30 reported: "Trustees Sale set for today at 1pm 11/30/10 for the sale of developer interest in Palermo was postponed until December 13th. This is to make time for a settlement conference the parties are organizing. I received notice of this postponement today from the lawyers." Miss Penny Lane says: Will there be an auction or some type of resolution today?

No, this isn't the snow-covered Midwest. It's Palermo Palm Springs

This isn't a scene from the Midwest or parts of Canada where many Palermo Palm Springs owners have their main residences, and where knee-deep amounts of snow have fallen or it's bitter cold. Right now, it's 6 degrees F in Minneapolis and minus 11 degrees F in Winnipeg. It's sunny and 78 degrees F at Palermo Palm Springs. But Palermo-ites can get a taste of a winter wonderland by taking a glimpse of the festive village set up inside one window on Sunburst Boulevard. At night, there are colorful lights twinkling outside. (Many thanks to the resident for sending in these pictures.) Miss Penny Lane says: She enjoys gazing at the wintery village as she walks to the pool in her swimsuit with a beach towel and sunscreen in hand.

Information if you didn't get your December HOA bill in the mail

Did you get your bill for your December homeowners association fees? Owners have contacted Positively Palermo saying they didn't receive theirs in the mail. Now a homeowner has forwarded this email sent out by management company. It in part reads: “If you are in need of your statement please contact Desert Resort Management at 760-346-1161 or via e-mail at bscott@drminternet.com and we will be more than happy to send you a new one. Due to the inconvenience of this situation it has been decided that late fees will not be assessed for the month of December. If you should have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact Brandi Scott at Desert Resort Management. Thank you for your understanding.” Miss Penny Lane says: Thanks for the update.

Projecting holiday cheer at Palermo Palm Springs

More lit-up trees have gone up at Palermo Palm Springs. Outdoor lights are twinkling in the front yards of several more residences. On Sandy Point Trail alone, seven or eight doors of homes now have wreaths to welcome visitors. There's a visual feast for your eyes near Melody Lane and Sandy Point Trail. There, a slideshow of festive greetings is being projected on a second-story wall, with messages such as "Cheers, Palermo Peeps." Miss Penny Lane says: She couldn't have said it better.

If only it could be that easy ...

Another sign has gone up to remind Palermo residents and visitors to pick up after their dogs. This one gets the message out with a bit of humor. (See the picture to the left.) Miss Penny Lane says: Even she'd adopt a pooch who could be trained to do this trick.

Aerial Tramway's holiday lights visible from Palermo

Lit-up tree at Mountain Station

Palermo Palm Springs has terrific views of the mountains. Architect Chris Mills — yes, the same Chris Mills who is on the Palm Springs City Council — factored in the mountains when designing our community's buildings and streets. He tried to maximize these views whenever possible. Palermo residents can even watch the lights of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway cars go up and down the mountain at night. Now that the holiday season is here, you also can see the colored holidays lights atop the mountain from Palermo. To find out more about the tramway and journey to the mountaintop, use this link to the Tramway Web site. Miss Penny Lane says: There's no better way to soak in the holidays than having a Cosmo at the Peaks looking out the windows at the snow, and at her wonderful Palermo below.

Repainting is set to begin again

Model A residence with the repainted "Deep Russet" color and "Copper" trim 

You may have been following some of the resident comments here asking why the repainting of two faded colors of Palermo Palm Springs seems to have stopped. The priming and the repainting of the "Deep Russet" color has occurred on Melody Lane, Sandy Point Trail and Breeze Loop. But the "Copper" trim has yet to be completed on all those streets. Here's a copy of the memo sent out by the community manager in early October: "Palermo Residents, Power washing will start again approximately Oct 20 on Breeze Loop staying about a week plus ahead of the following schedule. DWJ cleans the exterior windows right after they power wash. After the 'street scene' is painted we will need to schedule access to the rear yards. 
West Side of Melody Lane, 9.27.2010 thru 10.8.2010
East Side of Melody Lane, 10.11.2010 thru 10.21.2010
North Side of Sandy Point Trail, 10.22.2010 thru 11.2.2010
South Side of Sandy Point Trail, 11.3.2010 thru 11.15.2010
North Side of Breeze Loop, 11.16.2010 thru 11.24.2010
West Side of Penny Lane, 11.29.2010 thru 12.8.2010
East Side of Penny Lane, 12.9.2010 thru 12.20.2010
North Side of Enterprise Way, 12.21.2010 thru 12.30.2010
West Side of Sunburst Blvd., 1.3.2011 thru 1.12.2011
East Side of Sunburst Blvd, 1.13.2011 thru 1.21.2011
West Side of Quiet Side Street, 1.24.2011 thru 2.2.2011
South Side of Quiet Side Street, 2.3.2011 thru 2.10.2011
North Side of Foothill Avenue, 2.11.2011 thru 2.18.2011
Clubhouse, 2.21.2011 thru 2.25.2011."
The painters haven't exactly followed this schedule, and Penny Lane still hasn't been primed or repainted as scheduled. Now the community manager has emailed a new memo that — while not explaining the reasoning behind the switch in schedules — does inform residents on what's next. The memo states: "The buildings were power washed on Wednesday, December 1st and Thursday, December 2nd on Enterprise Way. Kanoski Painting is scheduled to continue to paint the exterior buildings no later than this Thursday, December 9, 2010." Miss Penny Lane says: Some of Palermo's beautiful residences will have a fresh coat just in time for the holidays.

Before hurrying on your way, sing the praises of the snowman on Melody. UPDATE: More decorations are up

Still more lit-up trees are shining through the windows at Palermo Palm Springs. The C models have balconies overing looking the street that are perfect for holiday decorating. Taking advantage of that fact, a big blow-up snowman has gone up on Melody Lane. They say a snowman is a happy jolly soul, so he's right at home at Palermo. Miss Penny Lane says: The hotties who put up the snowman must be anything but frosty.

12/6 HOLLY JOLLY UPDATE: You may have seen the comment by the Palermo-ite on Sunburst Blvd. about his new Christmas village display. If this resident would e-mail us pictures to post, it would be greatly appreciated. Some wonderful outdoor lights also have gone up at Melody Lane and Sandy Point Trail, joining some others that already are up there. As one person noted, this corner used to be a dead zone, but no more. Also, Sandy Point is leading the cause with 7 or 8 wreaths on the doors - one even has blinking light. Miss Penny Lane says: What a jolly crew, indeed!

Don't pooh-pooh their concern

Here's the latest scoop from Palermo Palm Springs: Someone put up this sign by a tree on the Quiet Side. Miss Penny Lane says: It's getting dark so early these days that a tiny flashlight tucked in your purse will help you locate your doggie's doodoos.

Festival of Lights tonight

Palermo Palm Springs could be on its way to becoming its own Festival of Lights, with all the twinkling decorations popping up in our community. There's a forest of Christmas trees sprouting up in the window of one residence on Sandy Point Trail. (Please e-mail Palermo photos if you have them.) At 5:45 this evening, the 19th annual Festival of Lights Parade starts downtown. The newspaper says 80,000 people are expected. Miss Penny Lane says: She'll be one of them, dancing her way through town as she picks up holiday decorating tips.

Indian Canyon reopened after fatal crash. Palermo access had been complicated by roadblock

Sad news today. A motorist driving northbound on Indian Canyon Drive died near the 10 when a trailer of a commercial truck detached and hit her car this morning. Here's link to a KESQ Channel 3 report. One news report said: "The crash on North Indian Canyon Drive, south of Interstate 10, was reported at 7:06 a.m., Palm Springs police Officer Rhonda Long said. The big rig driver was unhurt, she said. Indian Canyon Drive was closed between Garnet Avenue and Tramview Road to accommodate the investigation, according to police." That's true, but in reality, police also put up road blocks and for hours closed off northbound Indian Canyon at San Rafael — which made access to Palermo's only entrance gate a bit more tricky. You had to drive around a few blocks to get on southbound Indian Canyon below Tramview Road to get to the entrance. (In an unrelated accident, semi-truck today crashed on the westbound 10 near Whitewater, killing the driver and forcing the closing of the entire highway. The westbound 10 is backed up for 13 miles right now.) Miss Penny Lane says: Be careful, my friends.