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.

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; andJanice Oliphant and Jon Sheinberg appointed by the Governor.

PALM SPRINGS, CA (May 14, 2018) Fine dining in an Alpine forest with panoramic views of the entire Coachella Valley can be found in only one location—Peaks Restaurant at the top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. And there’s no better time to experience Peaks than during Palm Springs Restaurant Week June 1-17, 2018.

The three-course $49 prix fixe menu (exclusive of tax, gratuity and tram fare) includes:

• Starter—Green Salad, Salmon Carpaccio, or Caprese Flatbread
• Entree—Primavera, Brick Chicken, or Filet of Beef
• Dessert—Orange Bread Pudding or Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake

Reduced tram fares after 4:00 p.m. are $18 for adults and seniors, and $12 for children (ages 3-10) with confirmed Peaks Restaurant reservations during Restaurant Week. The last tram car up Sunday through Thursday is 8:00 p.m. and the last car down is 9:45 p.m. Friday and Saturday, the last tram car up is 9:00 p.m. and last tram car down is at 10:30 p.m.

For menu details and more information on Palm Springs Restaurant Week, please visit https://pstramway.com/dining/ .

PALM SPRINGS, CA (May 8, 2018) Memorial Day Weekend marks the official start of the summer season at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Extended holiday and weekend summer hours are just a few of the ways the Tramway is helping to extend your mountain adventure.

• Memorial Day, May 28, the first tram up at 8:00 a.m.
• May 25 through August 31 enjoy “Early Fridays.” The first tram up at 8:00 a.m. every Friday.
• Friday, May 25 through Saturday, September 1, evening hours will be extended on Fridays and Saturdays with the last car up at 9:00 p.m. and the last car down at 10:30 p.m. Also, Peaks Restaurant will remain open until 8:30 p.m. and Pines Café until 9:30 p.m. on those days.

According to Tramway General Manager Nancy Nichols, “We are happy to once again offer our summer visitors an extended-hours program to enjoy the many outdoor adventures provided in the Mt. San Jacinto State Park. The Park’s ranger staff and volunteers have a truly wonderful schedule of activities planned.”

San Jacinto State Park & Wilderness and San Jacinto Natural History Association

PALM SPRINGS, CA (May 2, 2018) May 26 kicks off the summer programs of the Mt. San Jacinto Natural History Association (NHA) in partnership with the Mt. San Jacinto State Park & Wilderness (MSJSP&W).

According to NHA President Joe Migliore, “After the success of our introductory series last summer, we decided to increase the number of offerings from 8 to 15, running through September 8.”

The first program is entitled “Birds on the Wing” and is led by Ornithologist Kurt Leuschner, Professor of Natural Resources at College of the Desert. Advance registration is required.

Also, on May 26 and 27, “Junior Ranger Days” returns to the Mt. San Jacinto State Park. These popular events led by MSJSP&W Interpreter Allison Barnes are 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 June 16, July 7, August 4, and September 1 and 2. No advance registration is required.

Finally, free Guided Nature Walks by State Park volunteers resume May 26 and continue Saturdays and Sundays through September 2. These walks feature a choice of two easy trails–the Desert View Trail, a 1½-mile beginning at 11:00 a.m. and the Long Valley Nature Trail, a ¾-mile loop beginning at 1:30 p.m. No advance registration is required.

There is no charge for any of these programs, except for regular Tramway admission.

For more information about the NHA summer programs or to register, please visit www.msjnha.org/events.