Gingerbread Fest
The Junior League of Palm Springs Desert Communities held its 13th annual Festival of Gingerbread Houses at Westin Mission Hills in Rancho Mirage November 30. The event, which benefits local children's charities, included holiday boutiques and entertainment.

Tree lighting
The Lodge at Rancho Mirage held a tree lighting ceremony complete with musical performances and a visit from Santa November 26.

Rumors
The Palm Springs High School Theater Company presented "Rumors" by Neil Simon in the school's auditorium November 27.

Blimp ride
Believe in Tomorrow National Children's Foundation and SANYO provided critically ill children and their families a unique view of the valley from the SANYO blimp December 1. Several flights carrying Loma Linda Hospital patients and their families took off from Desert Resorts Regional Airport in Thermal for a ride around the east valley.

Skins volunteers
Local volunteers helped keep things running smoothly at the ConAgra Foods Skins Game at Landmark Golf Club November 29 through December 1.

Toy Run
The Palm Springs chapter of the motorcycle group A.B.A.T.E. (American Brotherhood Aimed Towards Education) held its 11th annual Toy Run to benefit the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program's Operation Santa Claus November 30. The event was held at Sunrise Park in Palm Springs with a parade down Palm Canyon Drive. Toys can still be donated at Palm Springs Police Department's office in Palm Springs Mall.

Undercover Quilters
The Undercover Quilters meet once a week at the Indio and La Quinta senior centers to make quilts for children at Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times in Idyllwild.