Author: Alfredo Casuso

media contact: David Perry & Associates, Inc. (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com  

Palm Springs Welcomes Its First New Sister City: San Miguel de Allende

Delegation from Mexican City in Palm Springs February 7 & 8
Official Signing Ceremony February 8 at City Hall

3 February 2023 – Palm Springs, CA:  14 months after its formation, the Palm Springs Sister City Committee (www.sistercitiesps.org) will welcome an official delegation from its first “Twinned City”, San Miguel de Allende, to Palm Springs February 6 – 9. A signing ceremony will take place at Palm Springs City Hall at 10am on February 8. The colonial-era city in Mexico’s central highlands with a population of around 60,000, is known for its baroque Spanish architecture, thriving arts scene and cultural festivals.

“This is our first new sister city, but will not be our last,” said Al Jones, Chair of the Palm Springs Sister City Committee Board of Directors. “Our dedicated group of volunteers spent the last year researching potential international partner cities and San Miguel is an ideal match. Its cultural, culinary, architectural and arts heritage is a perfect match for Palm Springs. We’re looking forward to meeting with the delegation and showing them the best of Palm Springs and making ties that are good for Palm Springs businesses and residents alike.”

The delegation from San Miguel arrives in Palm Springs on Monday, February 6 for several days of face-to-face meetings and networking. On Tuesday, February 7 following breakfast at Wilma & Frieda the group will take a tour of Palm Springs landmarks and then visit the Cielo Vista Charter School followed by a presentation of San Miguel de Allende highlights and a lunch at the Palm Springs Convention Center and later dinner at Eight4Nine Restaurant. At 10am Wednesday, February 8, the Mayor and members of the Palm Springs City Council will host an official signing ceremony at City Hall followed by lunch with the Mayor and Council Members at Lulu California Bistro and a tour of the Palm Springs Art Museum. The visit will conclude with a farewell dinner at Grand Central Palm Springs.

The genesis for the Palm Springs Sister City Committee came from Destination PSP owner (and now City Councilmember) Jeffrey Bernstein who first presented his idea at a meeting of the Palm Springs City Council in 2019 just before the outbreak of COVID.   Soon thereafter, Bernstein drew in the participation of other local business and community leaders who have spent the last year as an all-volunteer effort, organizing the group and joining Sister Cities International, the governing body for such civic partnerships.  The board is now comprised of Al Jones (President), Hugo Loyola (Vice President), Andrea Davis (Treasurer), Ellen Goodman (Secretary), Gary Armstrong, Marlene V. Coulis, Sid Craig, Will Dean, Lauri Kibby, John Miraglia, Scott Nevins, David Eugene Perry and Deb Pierrel.

The Delegation from San Miguel de Allende is led by Mayor Mauricio Trejo and Rafa Torres, City Council for San Miguel de Allendealong with Tania Castillo, Director of Tourism for San Miguel de Allende. Other delegates include Hector Aguilar, Hotel Amatte; Lucero Alvarez, wedding planner; Alex Barrera; Carlo Gallardo, Wine Vineyard San Lucas; Javier Gordillo; Maria Jose, The One Percent Agency; Guillermo Nieto, Restaurant El Estoril; and Vianney Torres, Hotel Casa Hoyos.“It thrills me to see this take shape,” said Bernstein who resigned from the Sister City Board upon his election to City Council. “I’ve always been a believer in tourism as a way to boost economic and cultural ties. I know I share this enthusiasm with my fellow council members and we look forward to soon visiting San Miguel.”

The Palm Springs Sister City Committee is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt public charity and receives no public funds. The work of the Committee is completely self-funded through donations from the Committee members and interested members of the public.  Palm Springs Sister Cities was created with the purpose of enhancing world peace by promoting and servicing relationships between the City of Palm Springs and other similar government units in foreign countries with the object of developing closer understanding and cooperation between people of those respective governmental units.  The group hopes to ensure a world of peace through goodwill, compassion, and helping other cultures.

At the heart of all Sister City programs is an agreement, signed by the mayors of each Sister City, confirming the commitment of each community to the Sister City program. Sister Cities agree to send and receive delegations of various types, including political and business leaders, arts and cultural representatives, educators, and technical experts because these exchanges promote cross-cultural understanding, municipal and technical cooperation, and business opportunities. Each Sister City is supported by a committee of volunteers who are committed to the goals and objectives of the program.

Palm Springs had a sister city relationship not only with Victoria, B.C. Canada in the late 1960s and early 1970s, but also with Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and Nikki, Japan. 

Movies for Maniacs Endorses Another Planet Plan for Castro Theatre 

For many years, I’ve heard countless folks say, “Couldn’t someone with tens of millions of dollars just come in to restore and save The Castro Theatre?!” Well, we’ve got someone right in front of us willing to do just that — Bay Area based Another Planet Entertainment.

In my opinion, the soul of The Castro Theatre is not the seating arrangement; the soul is an audience who actually and consistently attends the 100-year-old movie palace.

This is why I feel that Another Planet Entertainment’s extensive restoration proposal, along with their newly designed flexible seating configurations are essential in keeping The Castro Theatre stay vital within our current LGBTQ community as well as to continue presenting films and special events for future generations.

—- Jesse Hawthorne Ficks

MOViES FOR MANiACS (aka MiDNiTES FOR MANiACS)

Media Contact:  DP&A, Inc. / David Perry (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

Tuesday, February 28 (10:30am – 12pm)
The Hotel Council of San Francisco presents a free webinar:
“San Francisco: The National Leader in Sustainable Travel”

February 2, 2023 — San Francisco, CA:  The Hotel Council of San Francisco (www.hotelcouncilsf.org) presents the next in its series of educational webinars for hospitality professionals on Tuesday, February 28 (10:30am – 12pm.) “San Francisco: The National Leader in Sustainable Travel” will feature industry professionals, travel experts, journalists and hoteliers in a wide-ranging discussion reiterating San Francisco’s leading status in “Green Tourism”. Sponsored by Alaska Airlines and United Airlines, the webinar is free and open to the media and the public. Additional major support has been provided by REI and Expedia Group.

“Tourism is the number one economic multiplier of San Francisco. This industry has withstood the test of time and has always delivered massive tax revenue for our city,” said Alex Bastian, Hotel Council President and CEO. “San Francisco’s tourism industry is launching a sustainability transformation this year. The hospitality community in San Francisco will be making massive strides in using renewable energy, expanding electric vehicle charging options, and producing close to zero waste. This webinar will educate attendees on how San Francisco has worked collaboratively to achieve our goal of leading the nation in sustainable tourism.”

Special guest speakers include Ivar Satero of San Francisco International Airport, Papia Gambelin of United Airlines, and Scott Coughlan of Alaska Airlines on the Aviation Panel. The Hospitality Panel features Tyrone Jue of The San Francisco Environment Department, Michael Pace of InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco, and Roger Huldi of The St. Regis San Francisco.  The final panel, Recreation,is comprised of Rebecca Redwine of REI, Kelly Reehorn of Expedia Group, and Jackie Ventura of The Golden State Warriors.  The event is free and open to the media, public and Hotel Council members. However, advance registration is required at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_EUY4NkUvQim_dGeqz4mfmw

“Our world-class airport and airline partners will be undertaking significant efforts to set net-zero carbon emission standards and use sustainable aviation fuel alternatives,” says Bastian. “This all goes hand in hand with our natural attractions and outdoor activities, which truly are among the best in the world. For the environmentally conscious traveler, there’s no better place to visit in the country than San Francisco.”

The Hotel Council of San Francisco is a non-profit membership-based organization advocating for the economic and social vitality of the hospitality industry in San Francisco. Their membership roster includes over 200 hotels, allied members, and partner organizations. The Hotel Council is dedicated to protecting the San Francisco hospitality industry and connecting its members to support the growth and success of the industry.

Another Planet Welcomes Castro Theatre Landmarking 

Another Planet Entertainment has always supported the Landmarking of the Castro Theatre interior which was recommended for approval by the Board of Supervisors by unanimous vote of the Historic Preservation Commission 6-0. We thank the Historic Preservation Commission for their thoughtful consideration. If was wonderful to see and hear so much love for the Castro Theatre and its place in the LGBTQ and film communities.

Also, for the record.  The Castro Theatre Conservancy did make another offer on Tuesday (1/31) afternoon. However that offer fails
to meet the Nasser family and Another Planet’s basic requirements to improve and operate the building.  Therefore, it has been rejected.   The Conservancy has had over one year to formulate a plan and none has been forthcoming.   At this point it is unlikely that APE or the Nasser family will entertain any offers from the Conservancy as the lack of any competent proposal from the Conservancy has been more than disappointing and appears to potentially be simply a delay tactic to disrupt the momentum of APEs thoughtful plan to revitalize the theatre.

We look forward to realizing our vision for the renovation of the Castro that has now been endorsed by the theatre’s most important LGBTQ and film event, Frameline; the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, the Castro Organ Devotees Association, the San Francisco Silent Film Festival and numerous Disability / ADA Advocates. It was a good night for everyone who loves and respects the Castro Theatre and wants it to thrive, along with the many Castro Merchants and Castro/Upper Market CBD members supported by a vibrant theatre.
— David Perry, Spokesman for Another Planet

The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus “Home for the Holidays” shows on Christmas Eve at the Castro Theatre have been an impactful holiday tradition to the LGBTQIA+ community over the last 33 years. Giving many of us a safe space to celebrate the holidays in our own way with our chosen family.

We support Another Planet’s operation and rejuvenation of the Castro Theatre. Through their operation of other historical theaters, they have proven their commitment to preserving these treasures for the future. With their help we look forward to our next 33 years coming home for the holidays in our beloved Castro Theatre.

— The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus