The New Year's Eve olive drop in Palm Springs

Perhaps the residents of Palermo will join in this new Palm Springs tradition — the olive drop. An article in the paper explains: "More than half a dozen downtown Palm Springs restaurants are getting into the olive-dropping tonight.“We just thought it was a great idea, especially for New Year's because there's not one central event for Palm Springs,” said Chris Turner, director of operations at LG's Steakhouse downtown. The restaurants plan to encourage patrons to simply drop an olive into their martini glasses to ring in 2012. All will offer special martinis featuring Oregon-based Crater Lake vodka owned by part-time Palm Springs resident Jim Bendis. “A lot of people like to have champagne for New Year's Eve, but I have noticed that's not really the case here,” said Ranz Weinert, co-owner of The Tropicale Restaurant & Coral Sea Lounge, which will be celebrating the city's first olive drop. “This is a town full of people who enjoy martinis so it's a perfect — and very creative — idea.” If this first drop is successful, (they) plan to take the idea to the Palm Springs City Council and even developer John Wessman to see if they would consider building in a New Year's Eve drop area at the new Desert Fashion Plaza, where work should be mostly completed by the end of 2014." Miss Penny Lane says: Just for tonight, she might switch to a martini, because dropping an olive in her Cosmo just won't do the trick.

80 degrees for the first weekend in January?

Forecast: A sunny, wonderful New Year's weekend at Palermo Palm Springs. The temperature may hit 80 degrees this weekend. Miss Penny Lane says: She's breaking out the sunscreen.

All aboard for daily train service

The neighborhood area around Palermo Palm Springs will be the place to be with the new 250,000-sqaure-foot College of the Desert west valley campus and business park coming, the expected "redevelopment boon" that the city expects to happen along with that project, and other improvements. One idea is passenger train service that would allow residents of Palm Springs to travel inland for work and other opportunities. The train station is up Indian Canyon Drive, with Palermo being one of the closest larger residential developments. The daily newspaper has reported: "A $400,000 study will be launched in January to explore the potential ridership and inevitable costs of creating a new passenger rail system between the Coachella Valley and Los Angeles. It is the first time in more than 20 years of discussion that the state has put up money to move the rail idea forward. The Caltrans study will help determine what equipment is needed, where stations would be located, and how much the plan would cost taxpayers and passengers, according to Cathedral City Councilman Greg Pettis, who also serves as the chairman of the Riverside County Transportation Commission. Similar state studies have taken about three months to complete. How to improve passenger train service in the desert has been debated locally since at least 1991. It generally focuses on two ideas: Amtrak's Sunset Limited service could be expanded from three days a week to seven. The route now carries passengers between Los Angeles and New Orleans, with a stop in Palm Springs. The state could create a new train service that would provide daily round-trips between Los Angeles and Indio. Eventually, such a route could be extended to Phoenix." Miss Penny Lane says: She can already pictures herself taking the train into L.A for a day of museum outings and other cultural activities, and a bit of shopping. She has the prefect hat for the occasion.

Be a Samaritan and donate a pet carrier to help the valley's animals in need

Positively Palermo received this e-mail: "Merry Christmas Penny! Wishing you a wonderful holiday and a Happy 2012! Thank you for being our blog mistress ... I work at Animal Samaritans in 1000 Palms and our pet fostering program has really caught on - only problem is that we have run out of pet carriers - large and small carriers are desperately needed ASAP!!!! We allow the foster parents to utilize them while they have dogs and cats in their care. We do get them returned, but we have more going out than coming in right now ... so if anyone at Palermo can search their garages, attics (!) closets, etc. to see if you have anything that we can use. It would be greatly appreciated. Just drop them by at 3545 Sunburst Blvd. Anytime. Gypsy thanks you too. Cheers! Tiffani" Miss Penny Lane says: Good luck!

Merry Christmas Twenty-11, Palermo Palm Springs

Santa has arrived at Palermo Palm Springs. Miss Penny Lane says: Her present this Christmas is you.

Cheers to a good Christmas evening

Holiday wishes for Palermo Palm Springs. Many thanks to the Palermo-ites who sent in festive pictures. Miss Penny Lane says: She's hoping her Santa will arrive in the nick of time.

Christmas tide rolls into Palermo Palm Springs

The holiday spirit is alive at Palermo Palm Springs. Lights and wreaths are everywhere. A new trend this year is decorating outside trees with big ornaments. Miss Penny Lane says: She's sporting red ornament earrings and hopes they still fit after all she plans to eat this weekend.

Happy Days: Palermo's Hollywood connections

Palermo Palm Springs has always had a connection to the entertainment business, with a famous singer owning a condo here and film and TV actors living or visiting here. Now a homeowner in the industry is asking for a bit of help. Here is part of her e-mail: "Hi Penny! First of all, I love your blog and your sense of humor! You have quite an eloquent and clever way with words. Although I don't live there full-time, I absolutely fell in love with Palermo at first site and love what you do for our community!! Not sure if my request is something you would post on your blog, but then I thought, supporting the arts & theatre, as well as a fellow homeowner might be right up your alley. So, here goes ...  I'm very proud to say that I'm a singer/actor/dancer/choreographer working in the entertainment industry for over 20 years. Last year, I had the incredible opportunity to assist my good friend & brilliant choreographer, John Charron in creating all-new original choreography for the west coast premiere of HAPPY DAYS: A NEW MUSICAL. (Book by Garry Marshall. Music/Lyrics by Paul Williams.) We are now nominated for BEST CHOREOGRAPHY at BroadwayWorld.com and are currently in 2nd place out of 25!! Although my name is not on the ballot, we both put many hours, blood, sweat and tears into this high-energy, show-stopping production. So, I am asking everyone I can think of to PLEASE PLEASE vote for us. It only takes about 5 mins and would mean so much to me!! One vote per email address.
Go to:
http://losangeles.broadwayworld.com/vote2011region.cfm?region=LosAngeles 
- Enter email.
- Best Choreography is the FIRST category.
- Scroll down to vote for John Charron – Happy Days: A New Musical.
- Click the “Continue” button at bottom of page.
- Click the “Continue” button for all the rest of the categories, if you don’t want to vote in the other categories.
If you think this might be something that Palermites would enjoy being a part of, I would love for you to post it on your page." Miss Penny Lane says: These are happy days indeed at Palermo.

Big guy on Foothill

A big Frosty has popped up on Foothill Avenue. Miss Penny Lane says: He melts her heart.

Arrival & departure information for the Palm Springs airport

Palermo Palm Springs is filling up with snowbirds. There's an easy way to get arrival and departure information on the Web for the Palm Springs airport. This is the link to it. Miss Penny Lane says: Welcome snowbirds and she wishes you never had to fly away.

Deadly crash at Indian Canyon and Racquet Club

Sad news to report. From this morning's paper: "One person was killed Monday in a two-car crash in northern Palm Springs, and police are investigating whether one of the drivers ran a red light. The person — whose name and age were not released late Monday — was driving a Hyundai Elantra westbound on Racquet Club Drive at about 6:55 p.m. The driver crashed with a Ford Expedition that was headed south on Indian Canyon Drive, Sgt. Mike Kovaleff said, correcting an initial report from police that the crash took place at Palm Canyon Drive. The Hyundai driver was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center and died shortly afterward. A passenger in the Ford Expedition was also taken to a hospital with minor injuries. The cause of the crash was still under investigation late Monday. Investigators said it was too soon to tell if alcohol or drugs were a factor. The intersection was closed for several hours as officers collected evidence. Police asked anyone who witnessed the crash to call investigators at (760) 323-8116." Miss Penny Lane says: Be safe, my neighbors.

Pool locks changed

Positively Palermo has received word that the pools now have new locks on them. Miss Penny Lane says: She plans a Christmas Eve dip with Santa baby.

Community holiday walk?

Positively Palermo received this: "Hi Penny. This is Perry. With all the decorations and Christmas spirit up I was wondering if everyone might want to meet at the clubhouse one day next week and take a "Comunity Christmas walk." We could meet up at the clubhouse and take a slow enjoyable walk through our community. Would be fun. Maybe we could have hot coco at the clubhouse after the walk. What do you think? Would people come out?" Miss Penny Lane says: She'd be there in spirit.

Men with clipboards

Positively Palermo has received information about official-looking men carrying clipboards walking around the community. In the past, this has indicated possible buyers for the unsold 34 condos, five model units and undeveloped land in Phase 2 of Palermo Palm Springs. We understand that two bidders have backed out to date. One concern being discussed in the community is that, have any of these bidders backed out in any way possibly because of any management filings with state real estate officials or other different reasons involving the unfinished project? We also have word that the green fencing around the undeveloped phase was being looked at recently. Our understanding is that the bank pays about $300 a month for the fence. Miss Penny Lane says: If any mens with a clipboard walk by her place, she's offer them a Cosmo and say "cheers to the holidays."

The holiday scene at Palermo Palm Springs

More pictures of festive lights at Palermo. Please e-mail photos to welovepalermo@yahoo.com. Miss Penny Lane says: Palermo lights up her life everyday, no matter what the season.

Re-start the Neighborhood Watch idea?

You may have seen this reader posting: "As far as the security concern here I had tried to start up a Neighborhood watch some time ago. I was doing fine except the most of the ones that had shown an interest were the people that had not lived here. I think people were just leery and very busy at the time. Anyway the point is, does anyone here think we should get the watch started again?" What do you think? Miss Penny Lane says: She feels very secure because of the beefy guy who lives near her.

Christmas cheer at Palermo Palm Springs

More lights, wreaths and holiday decorations are popping up at Palermo Palm Springs. Miss Penny Lane says: Her heart gets a little twinkle when seeing our community's Christmas cheer.

Cities cracking down on short-term rental taxes

Positively Palermo has received concerns about short-term rentals, including a case in which an owner apparently on multiple occasions has rented out to 10 or so people, causing problems for neighbors. Rentals under 30 days are against the condo rules. Short-term rentals also need a permit from the city and must have taxes paid on them. Now the newspaper has an article saying cities are cracking down such rentals and pointing out that those who don't pay taxes have an unfair advantage of business owners/employers who do. The article states: "Several Coachella Valley cities are boosting their revenues by proactively tracking and taxing short-term vacation rentals. Cities already receive money from desert hotels, which pay a transient occupancy tax, also known as the “bed tax.”But short-term vacation business is tougher to track because owners who are not affiliated with established rental management companies tend to operate under the radar.Palm Springs, the first valley city to spot this growing travel trend, passed laws in 2008 to require landlords or owners to register their individual properties and pay bed tax, and limit occupancy.The law also set up specific rules on loud parties and trash and created a hotline. “Its mission isn't only meant to drive up TOT revenues," Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet said. “It levels the playing field for rental agencies and hotels. It gives the city oversight over who is renting the property and how it's being managed. ”Palm Springs' laws since have inspired communities such as Rancho Mirage to become more proactive in collecting the rental property tax.“Vacation rental has become a big item,'' said Palm Springs Finance Director Geoffrey Kiehl. “We are up to $2 million in revenue from this segment of the tourism business. ”As of 2008, Palm Springs has seen its bed tax revenue from short-term vacation homes, condos, casitas and flats grow from $1.4 million to more than $2 million annually.The number of private individuals registered to rent to visitors has nearly doubled — rising from fewer than 200 people to more than 375 in the city. Another 790-plus short-term sites are licensed through various Coachella Valley property rental companies.These agencies work hand in hand with the city to help with enforcement." Miss Penny Lane says: Everyone wants to stay at Palermo.

Wreaths at Palermo spread holiday cheer

About 15 homes at Palermo Palm Springs have put up beautiful holiday wreaths. Here are a few. Please send in your photos to welovepalermo@yahoo.com. Miss Penny Lane says: She's been known at a party to don a wreath on her head and do a little dance after an egg nog or two.

Tree trimming and decorations

Palermo's trees are supposed to be trimmed today. Positively Palermo received an e-mail concerned about why it is being done so late in the year, as opposed to last year, because many people have lights and ornaments in the trees in front of their homes. Miss Penny Lane says: She may collect some of the cut-down branches to make her own wreath, as she is a crafty one.

Clubhouse will be closed for a party today

In case you plan to use the clubhouse today, a sign on the door says it is being rented out today for a party. Miss Penny Lane says: Maybe she mistakenly tossed out her invitation when she threw out all the newspaper advertisements in her mailbox?

Leaning tree on Melody Lane

Positively Palermo has received a report that a tree in front on 3641 Melody Lane has been compromised by the wind. It is leaning at quite an angle and some roots are coming out of the ground. One resident wants to know why the landscaping company hasn't taken better care of all the trees in general, and why has trimming the bigger trees been delayed so long? It typically occurs earlier in the year. Miss Penny Lane says: She's thinks her limbs also might be ready to crack with her advancing age.

Dec. 1 brings a bit of winter to Palermo Palm Springs

Much of Southern California is under wind advisories. Palm Springs had a high of just 62 degrees. The skies are gray but the winds aren't blowing at Palermo right now at all. Indian Canyon Drive is still open. Miss Penny Lane says: She's toasty and cozy in her Snuggie sipping her hot tottie at the lovely Palermo.