Five-Course Dinner Features Italian Wine Pairings

PALM SPRINGS, CA (September 24, 2018) The inaugural Winemaker Dinner at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is scheduled for Saturday, October 20 starting at 5:00 p.m. in the Francis Crocker Room. A five-course dinner menu designed by Chef Frank Decker with wine pairings is $99 per person including tax, gratuity and tram fare.

According to Gary Givens, Peaks Restaurant assistant general manager, “We decided to feature Italian wines at our first winemaker dinner. There will be selections from Lamole di Lamole, Santa Margherita and Kettmeir, and Chef Decker has prepared an extraordinary pairings menu.”

Tickets can be purchased by calling 760-325-1449 during regular business hours starting September 24. Seating is limited, so reservations are suggested. Additional information and menu details are available at https://pstramway.com/special-events/ .

PALM SPRINGS, CA (September 4, 2018) The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will close for annual maintenance beginning Monday, September 10, 2018 with a tentative reopening date of Monday, October 1 at 10:00 a.m.

“This year’s shut-down will provide an opportunity to replace the counter rope, bearings and bushings along with comprehensive mechanical and electrical testing on numerous tramway systems.” says Tramway Vice President of Maintenance Nicholas Clesceri. “This year’s scheduled projects are in addition to our regular tramway maintenance tasks that are completed during our annual shutdown period.”

Adds Tramway General Manager Nancy Nichols, “The tramway runs seven-days-a-week, year-round, so—while we regret the inconvenience our annual closure causes—this time allows us to complete projects we cannot do when we are open to the public.”

PALM SPRINGS, CA (August 19, 2018) The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will operate extended holiday hours on Monday, September 3, 2018 in observance of Labor Day. That day, the first Tram up will be at 8:00 a.m., the last Tram up will be 8:00 p.m. and last Tram down will be at 9:45 p.m. Trams depart at least every 30 minutes.  

The Tramway’s “Early Friday” program ends August 31 and the regular Friday schedule resumes September 7 with the first Tram up at 10:00 a.m.

Also, September 1 is the end of the Tramway’s “Summer Hours” on Fridays and Saturdays. Beginning Friday, September 7, the Tramway’s last car up daily will again be 8:00 p.m. and the last car down will be 9:45 p.m.

The Mt. San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness concludes the summer’s “Junior Ranger Days” on Saturday, September 1 and Sunday, September 2. These popular events led by Interpreter Allison Barnes are held at the base of the Mountain Station’s walkway from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and include such children’s activities as “Leave No Trace” games, “Spin the Wheel” information board and “Meet & Greet” with animal pelts.

Finally, the Tramway’s Summer Pass ends August 31, but the Annual Pass is still available for purchase either online (www.pstramway.com) or at the Tram’s Valley Station. The price is $160 for adults and $90 for children and includes 365 days of fun!

PALM SPRINGS, CA (August  8, 2018) Rotary Club of Palm Springs kicked-off a new program this summer to help acquaint local youth with the wonders of nature through a series of four escorted hikes in the Mt. San Jacinto State Park. From June through August, members of the Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs have met at the Valley Station of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway for a tram ride, a guided hike led by a State Park volunteer and then lunch at the Mountain Station’s Pines Café.

Rotarian Jerry Ogburn states, “We live so close to the Mt. San Jacinto State Park, yet many local kids have never had the chance to explore its Alpine forests. Therefore, our club decided to underwrite this inaugural program,” adding, “So far, the kids seem to love it!”

According to Boys & Girls Club Senior Program Director Andrea Madrigal, “The Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs is so thankful to the Rotary Club of Palm Springs for sponsoring our Club members and families to attend the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway hiking and exploration program. Many of these children have never had the opportunity to go up the tram so this is really a once in a lifetime opportunity for our youth. They are given the opportunity to bond with Rotarians, fellow [Boys & Girls] Club members and parents while enjoying the cool summer air and wildlife up at the top of the tram.”

While parents complimented the program’s educational and informational elements, when the kids were asked what they liked most, responses included “Seeing the Salton Sea,” “Smelling the trees,” “Views from Notch 5” and—of course—“The pizza afterwards!”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Zach Behrens, 909-382-2788

Recreation areas to reopen after Cranston and Ribbon fires

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Officials with San Bernardino National Forest today announced a new forest order, which reduces the size of the Cranston Fire Closure Area. The original order on July 28 temporarily closed all U.S. Forest Service lands within both the San Jacinto Ranger District and Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument due to fire activity related to the Cranston and Ribbon fires. The new order, which goes into effect on Saturday, August 4, leaves areas around the Cranston Fire burn area closed.

The new order means the majority of popular hiking trails, campgrounds and roads on the district and national monument will reopen on Saturday. Popular recreational sites that will remain closed include the South Ridge Trail, the South Ridge Road and a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail. Tahquitz Peak Fire Lookout, which can be hiked to from the South Ridge Trail, will remain open with access via the Devils Slide Trail from the Humber Park Trailhead. The lookout itself was not damaged in the fire.

A map of the new Cranston Fire Closure Area can be viewed in the attached documents. The closure order is in effect through July 31, 2019, but its length and footprint may be adjusted as conditions change. Private land and recreational facilities run by other government agencies within the closure area are not affected by this order.

The Cranston Fire is currently at 13,139 acres with 96% containment and the Ribbon Fire grew to 205 acres and was 100% contained on July 30.

To keep updated on the Cranston Fire, check InciWeb and the forest’s social media accounts on Twitter and Facebook.

PALM SPRINGS, CA – July 29, 2018 12:30 p.m. – The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will reopen as of 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 30, 2018.

Officials from the Mt. San Jacinto State Park have announced that Long Valley hiking trails will also reopen on July 30. Back-country trails and camping will remain closed until further notice due to the active fire situation.

Tramway staff would like to thank all fire personnel for their ongoing efforts.

PALM SPRINGS, CA (July 16, 2018) For the entire month of August, all qualified public safety employees receive free admission to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway as part of “Public Safety Days.” In addition, up to six of their guests receive 25% off of their regular tram fares.

According to Tramway General Manager Nancy Nichols, “For over a decade, we’ve welcomed active and retired military personnel as part of ‘Military Days’. This year, we’re happy to start a new tradition with ‘Public Safety Days’. Not only is this our way of saying ‘Thank you” to the men and women who so courageously serve our communities, but we hope that a visit to the Tramway will forge new and cherished memories with their friends and families.”

Qualifying personnel include:

• Fire and police personnel
• California Highway Patrol
• County Sheriff Officers
• Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs)

This inaugural program runs August 1-31, 2018 with tickets (only) available at the Tramway’s Valley Station on the day of visit.

PALM SPRINGS, CA (June 20, 2018). In observance of the Independence Day holiday, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will open early on Wednesday, July 4. The first tram car up on the holiday will be 8:00 a.m., the last tram car up will be 8:00 p.m. and the last tram car down will be 9:45 p.m.

Also, “Early Fridays” (8:00 a.m. first tram car up) continue through Labor Day Weekend, as well as extended summer hours (9:00 p.m. last tram car up on Fridays and Saturdays with last tram car down at 10:30 p.m.)

In addition, on Saturday July 7, “Junior Ranger Days” led by MSJSP&W Interpreter Allison Barnes is being held at the base of the Mountain Station’s walkway from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and include such children’s activities as “Leave No Trace” games, “Spin the Wheel” information board and “Meet & Greet” with animal pelts. Additional dates are August 4 and September 1 and 2. No advance registration is required.

And don’t forget to join free guided nature walks on Saturdays and Sundays featuring a choice of two easy trails–the Desert View Trail, a 1½-mile loop beginning at 11:00 a.m. or the Long Valley Nature Trail, a ¾-mile loop beginning at 1:30 p.m. Those interested should meet at the bottom of the cement walkway located just outside the Mountain Station.

Celebrate Independence Day Weekend in the cool Alpine forests at the Top of the Tram!

PALM SPRINGS, CA (June 12, 2018). During the entire month of July, all U.S. military personnel with valid military identification—active, former and retired—receive complimentary admission to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway along with a special gift as part of Military Days. Spouses of deployed military members, as well as widows and widowers, also qualify for the promotion. In addition, up to six of their guests receive 25% off of their regular Tramway fares.

According to Tramway General Manager Nancy Nichols, “For more than a decade, Military Days has been a way of extending our gratitude to the dedicated men and women of the United States Armed Forces— along with their friends and families— for their service and sacrifice.  We are delighted to welcome them back again this July.”

While visiting, Tramway guests enjoy:

• Hiking the 50+ miles of pristine wilderness in the Mount San Jacinto State Park.
• Picnic dining under a beautiful pine forest.
• Joining guided nature walks free of charge on Saturdays and Sundays through Labor Day Weekend.
• Exploring the natural history museum and watching two documentary films on the history of the Tramway and State Park.
• Lunch or dinner in either Peaks Restaurant, a fine dining experience, or Pines Café, a cafeteria-style restaurant.

Don’t miss out on this annual tradition!

PALM SPRINGS, CA (May 31, 2018) Film Producer Jon Sheinberg has been elected chairman of the Mount San Jacinto Winter Park Authority (MSJWPA), governing body of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Sheinberg was originally appointed to the Authority by Governor Schwarzenegger in 2007 and previously served as Authority chair in 2013.

Sheinberg began his career at Columbia Pictures in their advertising and publishing division, and then moved to Lorimar as head of movies and mini-series. From there, he moved to 20^th Century Fox as director of creative affairs in feature film and then Orion Pictures as head of creative affairs and production. Sheinberg was responsible for such films as The Silence of the Lambs, Dances With Wolves, Robocop and many more. Currently, he runs a production company, The Bubble Factory, with his father, Sid, and brother, Bill, which has produced a slate of films starring such actors as Tim Allen, Elijah Wood, Paul Hogan, Bette Midler, Tom Arnold and John Leguizamo. Supporting women in film is a mandate at The Bubble Factory, as most-recently evidenced by the company’s full financing of Half Magic, a film written and produced by Heather Graham, in which she also stars.

Sheinberg is an active member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and has served on the board of the Environmental Media Association. In 2015, he was honored by the Los Angeles Police Eagle and Badge Foundation. Jon is married to Susie Ursitti-Sheinberg, who is his producing partner, an environmentalist and an actress.

According to Tramway General Manager Nancy Nichols, “Mr. Sheinberg’s leadership skills and long-standing commitment to the environment have been extremely valuable to the Authority during his eleven years on the board. We are very happy to welcome him back to the Chairman’s seat.”

Sheinberg succeeds 2017 Chairperson Jerry Ogburn, a 2006 Palm Springs City Council MSJWPA appointee and retired urban planner and designer.

The current Authority members (with one vacancy) are: Jerry Ogburn and Nancy Stuart appointed by the Palm Springs City Council; Bary Freet and Brian Nestande appointed by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors; and Janice Oliphant and Jon Sheinberg appointed by the Governor.