Palm Springs Public Art – Colorful Benches Downtown Wed, October 6, 2021 by Randy Garner Find Our Colorful Art Benches Palm Springs Public Art The downtown Palm Springs benches are being transformed into works of art on Palm Canyon. These 50+ benches have been commission through the Palm Springs Public Arts Commission. While strolling downtown, see how many you can find. https://www.kattworks.com/ – 1081 N Palm Canyon Emeline Tate, www.emelinetate.com – 891 N Palm Canyon @Nova92_ – 886 N Palm Canyon @siorikajima – 768 N Palm Canyon @Travis_Studio – 682 N Palm Canyon @CampKatie – 622 N Palm Canyon Jessyca Frederick – 861 N Palm Canyon Wallace Colvaro – 538 N Palm Canyon Grey Sakura – 538 N. Palm Canyon Lynda Keeler – 538 N Palm Canyon Susy Gresto – 491 N Palm Canyon Dr Earnesto Ramirez – 445 N Palm Canyon Dr Lewis Frank – 445 N Palm Canyon Dr Time Leary – 395 N Palm Canyon Mark Johnson – 395 N Palm Canyon Dr Rick R. – 392 N Palm Canyon Dr Mike Foss – 360 N Palm Canyon Ernesto Ramirez – www.ernestoramirezdesigns.com – 333 N. Palm Canyon Dr. in front of Amado Center Ernesto Ramirez – 301 N Palm Canyon Dr Marconi Calindas – 320 N Palm Canyon Kylie Night – 276 N Palm Canyon Zach Boyles – 268 N Palm Canyon @questcoast – 260 N Palm Canyon Drive @pxlpsha- 266 N Palm Canyon @mycoachellart | Coachellart.org – 200 N Palm Canyon #travis_studio – 184 N Palm Canyon @Zach_JF-Boyles – 100 S. Palm Canyon next to Welwood Murray Library @Instartoner – 111 S Palm Canyon @TysenKnight – 140 N Palm Canyon (6 benches) Jessyca Frederick – 105 S Palm Canyon Dr Dylan Smith – 129 S Palm Canyon Ernesto Ramirez #ernestoramirezsigns – 155 S Palm Canyon Diane Morgan – 160 S Palm Canyon Tysen Night – The Green – 221 S Palm Springs (group of 6) 211 W Palm Springs @CampKatie – 333 S Palm Canyon Meric Spirts, Ernie Vasquez, @gabbybvasquez -245 S Palm Canyon JoAna Adams – @ItsJustJosArt – 245 S Palm Canyon Indian Canyon Marconi Calindas – SE Corner of Indian Canyon and Arenas Benches at the Palm Springs Convention Center 277 N Avenida Caballeros Berry Andrew Paul https://www.kattworks.com/ @Marconi Jessyca Frederick Zack Boyles
Architects Who Build Palm Springs: Albert Frey Wed, September 29, 2021 by Randy Garner Albert Frey is one of the principal architects who helped shape the overall design of Palm Springs, which we have come to love today. He was born in Zurich, Switzerland, in 1903. After his studies in architecture, he took a position in Paris at the office of Le Corbusier under a student visa. Le Corbusier was also Swiss-born and would become an internationally recognized architect and designer in the modern movement. When the work in Paris eventually declined, Frey resigned. When his American visa was approved, he headed to New York, where he interviewed with architect Lawrence Kocher, also the managing editor of Architectural Record. He was offered a position for a salary of $25 a week, which was considered good money in the Depression years. Frey + Kocher Frey and Kocher began designing the Aluminaire House in 1930. The metal and glass structure was built in less than 10 days for the 1931 Architectural League Show in New York. This house was sheathed entirely in ribbed aluminum over an insulation board covered with building paper. All window sashes, doors, and frames were steel. Built-in furniture provided efficient use of space. The expo opened on April 18th, 1931, for one week. Over 100,000 people toured. Henry Russel Hitchcock and Philip Johnson included the house in the Museum of Modern Art, “Modern Architecture; an International Exhibition” in 1932. Traveling for two years to fourteen locations in the United States, the exhibition significantly developed the American modern movement. Read More about the Aluminaire House One of the commissions that changed his life came in the summer of 1934. It was an office/apartment dual-use building on Palm Canyon for Kocher’s brother, Dr. J. J. Kocher of Palm Springs. Frey visited Palm Springs for the first time and fell in love with the desert. The building was the beginning of what would be known as the “desert modernism.” After the project, there was no work for him in New York, so from 1935 to 1937, Frey stayed in Palm Springs and worked with John Porter Clark under the firm name of Van Pelt and Lind Architects, as both were not yet licensed in California. 1937, Frey briefly returned to work at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Then, in 1939, he returned to Palm Springs to resume his collaboration with Clark, which was to continue for nearly 20 more years. Frey and his wife divorced in 1945, and neither remarried. Albert Frey, Sr. arrived in the Village in September 1948 to make his home with his son. They lived at 1150 Paseo El Mirador. He took an active part in the work of the local art colony almost instantly. Unfortunately, he passed away from pneumonia shortly after his arrival. From Partnerships to Solo Work His business partner, John Porter Clark, who had much to do with the building up of the Village since the early 1930s, had been commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the Army Engineering Corps in 1942 and was stationed with the Army Air Corps at Minter Field, near Bakersfield. Albert took charge from their office at 869 North Palm Canyon Drive during his absence. During this time, he also joined the Palm Springs Desert Museum board. At the end of 1956, Clark left the firm to establish a solo practice. Albert remained interested in various building types, mainly residential, with which he was very familiar. He collaborated with Chambers. However, he decided to go solo when the Tramway Gas Station was completed under their partnership. You can read more about the Visitor Center. From 1966 to his retirement in the 1980s, Frey worked alone. Frey’s commissions later in his career consisted primarily of additions and alterations to houses in Smoketree Ranch. He died in Palm Springs in 1998 at the age of 95 and is buried at Welwood Murray Cemetery. Albert Frey’s Works Frey personified the same qualities found in his buildings: elegant, simple, streamlined, and clever. Even his wardrobe demonstrated a sensual notion of esthetic frugality. He wore shirts, trousers, and socks in a strictly limited white, powder blue, salmon, pale yellow, and beige palette. For Frey, Modernism was not merely a stylistic issue but a philosophical way of life. Kocher – Sampson Building (1934) – 766 North Palm Canyon – read more about this property The Kellogg Studio (1936) – 321 West Vereda Sur. Altered. The Mason House (1937) – 448 Cottonwood Road – Altered and became condominiums. The Chaney Apartments (1939) – 275 East Tamarisk Road Frey House I (1940, demolished) The Julian Sieroty House (1941) – 695 East Vereda Sur – Restored by Frey in 1989. The Racquet Club Bungalows (1945) – 2743 North Indian Avenue Villa Hermosa apartments (1946) – 155 Hermosa Place The Colgan Apartments (1946) – 269 Chuckwalla Road – Name changed to Villa Orleans. 15 units. The Raymond Loewy House (1946) – 600 West Panorama Road – Minor alterations. Featured in LIFE Magazine, the home was built for industrial designer Raymond Loewy as his winter house in the Little Tuscany neighborhood. Loewy had designed logos for Coca-Cola, Frigidaire, Exxon, Lucky Strike, and Air Force One. Frey convinced Loewy that he could design a house that took advantage of an extensive boulder pile on the property that had been pushed there while constructing an adjacent road. It was designed in an L-shape with bedrooms and a bathroom on one wing and the living room, servants’ quarters, and kitchen on the other. Frey created the unusual feature of a large boulder and a portion of the swimming pool entering the space. Richard Neutra was building the iconic Kaufmann House this same year and in basically the same neighborhood. They shared the same contractor. The Andrew and Anna Jergens House, aka Graceland West (1946), is at 845 West Chino Canyon. It was Sold in 1960 to Ray Kroc, the McDonald’s founder, and then in 1970 to Elvis Presley, who expanded it and recorded nine songs in the house. Bel Vista Residence (1946) – 1164 North Calle Rolph Sun View Estates Home (1950) is adjacent to Deep Well Ranch estates just east of Sagebrush Road on South Calle Rolph. Palm Springs City Hall (1952 – 1957) – 3200 E Tahquitz Canyon Way – Palm Springs City Hall was one of Clark, Frey, and Chambers’ most important public buildings. Although a collaborative effort with the local architectural firm of Williams and Williams, the building’s initial phase was primarily the design work of John Porter Clark and Albert Frey. An unusual detail of the council chamber is its corner treatment, which consists of projecting concrete blocks cut diagonally at every other paired row, which allows the blocks to cast light and shadow. The Laura Carey House, aka the Carey-Pirozzi House (1956) – 651 West Via Escuela The Frelinghuysen House (1959)—707 Panorama Road—There were alterations, and then a restoration after 2000. The Monkey Tree Hotel (1960) – 2388 E Racquet Club Rd Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Valley Station (1963) Palm Springs Aerial Tramway was a Frey and Chambers joint venture with Williams, Williams & Williams. John Porter Clark served as the coordinating architect. With E. Stewart Williams as lead designer, the Williams team was responsible for the upper tramway station evocative of a mountain chalet. The Tramway Valley station was designed by Frey using a New England-style covered bridge as its inspiration. The challenging location chosen for the valley station was a dry stream that could become a raging river at certain times of the year. Hence, Frey’s decision to straddle the stream with a building utilizing a structural truss design. He inserted glass between the trusses to provide spectacular views looking up the mountain. The Hugo Steinmeyer House (1962) – 318 Pablo Drive Residence (1964) – 318 West Pablo Dr Frey House II (1964) – 686 Palisades Drive – Learn more about this beautiful architectural gem and Book Your Visit. Frey House II Tramway Gas Station, aka the Palm Springs Visitor Center (1965) – 2901 N Palm Canyon Dr You May Also Like: Palm Springs Architect – Charles Du Bois Palm Springs Architect – E. Stewart Williams Architects Who Built Palm Springs: Howard Lapham
All in the Family: Welcome to Kaiser Grille Tue, September 28, 2021 by Randy Garner We feed those we care about. Mealtime is an opportunity to express our affection for the people in our lives that matter most, and Kaiser Grille is a beacon to belonging. Lee Morcus is the gregarious maestro behind this successful restaurant, centrally located on the intersection of Palm Canyon Drive and Arenas Road… but it also marks the convergence of nostalgia and innovation. “There was always a house full of people and love.” Nestled in the foothills of Del Norte, Colorado, Lee’s hometown formed a foundation of his culinary disciplines. “My grandfather had a little farm and the only grocery store for miles; an old-fashioned grocery store with sawdust on the butcher floor. That’s where Lee first learned that dedication to family yields dedication to your craft. “My grandfather started working at 4:30 in the morning. That was my private time with him. That wasn’t work to me.” With a burst of enthusiasm, Lee elaborates, “I had it made, man!” Grandma’s Kitchen. And the family that toils together boils together. Lee describes the flavors emanating from his childhood kitchen with a litany of international proficiency. Everything from lasagna, enchiladas and fried chicken were no match for his grandmother’s estimable skills. “I don’t know how, I don’t know why, but she could cook everything.” “My most prized personal possessions are my grandmother’s recipes. I have two boxes on 3×5 cards, handwritten in Arabic. Before my mother passed, she translated every one into English. So I have my mother’s set in English and I have my grandmother’s master set, written in Arabic.” Bridging the gap between past and present, Lee notes, “Our hummus and baba ghanoush recipe here at Kaiser is my grandmother’s recipe… I ate like a king, or a prince. That’s where I developed my love of food. I never had to figure out what I wanted to do or what I wanted to be when I grew up.” But he had plenty of role models. In addition to the work ethic and palatable profiles that his grandparents bestowed upon him, Lee craved the guidance of his father. An entrepreneurial hotelier, Lee’s dad was synonymous with the American dream. Together, the father-son team explored the desert landscape for inspiration, and they finally found it nearly 30 years ago. Opened March 17th, 1992. “It was St. Patrick’s Day. The entire desert showed up.” Lee is an encyclopedia of cherished memories, but he also shares the more painful episodes from his life with an earnest transparency that is as refreshing as his signature cocktails. “My dad had a small heart attack in 1994 and I started spending more time here,” Lee recalls. He opened a second location and grew the Kaiser Grille into one of the most essential dining spots in the heart of downtown Palm Springs. “I have the ability to see the vision and see ahead of things and see what others can’t. I get it from my dad.” Summoning his aptitude for clairvoyance, Lee makes the most of setbacks, transforming them into steps forward. Even when the pandemic shuttered restaurants across the state, Kaiser was reimagining itself in substantial ways. “We spent hundreds of thousands of dollars doing this work last summer,” explains Lee. “We’re building a new patio in the back because it’s becoming even more important.” Kaiser’s menu also enjoyed a makeover, benefitting from the best ingredients from around the globe. “We’ve always had a pretty broad-based American, California, fresh, Mediterranean menu – steaks, chops, fresh fish. Wood burning oven, amazing pastas.” When Lee elaborates on this last item, he beams with pride as he analyzes its raw elements. “The finest wheats, hard wheats. These wheats go back to biblical times. They’re non-GMO, they’re harder and heartier grains than used in America. So they’re healthier and cleaner.” He paints a picture with words, poetically describing the clean, deep, mystical waters off the coast of Denmark where Kaiser sources its salmon. Lee regards each morsel with reverence and diagnostic detail, considering the entire life cycle of a meal, from seedling to serving. Everything Is Made From Scratch. “Our stocks, our sauces, our dressings… Honestly, there’s only one way to do it. That’s the right way.” In addition to sourcing the highest quality produce and proteins, Kaiser Grille recently renovated its kitchen profoundly. “We spent two months designing a custom broiler last summer,” Lee narrates. “We can get up to 1,000 degrees for quick searing. It’s got four rotisseries, three grills that are adjustable in height. Now why did we do this? So I could have a beautiful exhibition show in the kitchen? That’s a byproduct, but I did it because it produces better food. I have total control over temperature.” Lee eschews the term fine dining and prefers to deliver an upscale yet inclusive gastro experience. “I want to give people the highest caliber experience without the formality and the pressure that comes with it.” Casual comfort food is served! Lee continues, “I don’t show up here to figure out how to make money. I show up every day saying, ‘How should we be better than we were yesterday? How can we become a better restaurant? How can we take better care of our guests?’ …If we get that right, the other stuff takes care of itself.” Reflecting on the lessons from his formative years, Lee surmises, “My family gave me the gift of what’s become not just a business for me, but a life and a passion. I was never afraid of hard work. I saw it firsthand from my entire family.” And he conveys their grace and generosity with every plate at Kaiser Grille. Here’s to you, Lee Morcus – your grandma would be proud. By Kevin Perry All photos credit: Kaiser Grille
Hollywood’s Playground – Part II Fri, September 10, 2021 by Randy Garner Some of Palm Springs Earlier Hollywood Connections. Palm Springs gained more fame in the 1920s when Hollywood movie stars made it their weekend retreat of choice. Within a 2-hour drive east of the Hollywood studios in Los Angeles, Palm Springs beckoned with reliably warm weather and cinematic desert expanses framed by San Jacinto Mountain. Palm Springs became Hollywood’s playground. Film Friendly In the 1938 film Her Jungle Love (the first jungle film in Technicolor), a scantily clad “native” Dorothy Lamarr is paired with Ray Millan. Hollywood felt it necessary to decorate the 15-mile-long Palm Canyon Drive with $330,000 worth of transported vines and foliage to create an authentic “tropical rain forest.” Portions of the movie were also filmed in Tahquitz Canyon at the waterfall. In the gloriously tawdry 1950 film noir The Damned Don’t Cry, Joan Crawford plays a gangster’s moll who hides out at her boyfriend’s estate in “Desert Springs.” Palm Springs Modernist architect E. Stewart Williams designed the masterpiece mid-century property featured in the film, owned by Frank Sinatra. In Sean Connery’s last official outing as 007 and the only Bond film to be shot in Palm Springs, 1971’s Diamonds Are Forever, James discovers two bikini-clad female gymnasts inside the 2,400 square-foot Elrod House (a stunning circular house built into a mountainside). They introduce themselves as Bambi and Thumper, of course. The exclusive Southridge Drive retreat was created in 1968 by architect John Lautner for the celebrated Palm Springs interior designer Arthur Elrod. Hollywood’s Playground at Resorts Long before the $27 million Jonathan Adler transformation of the Parker Palm Springs into a hip hangout in 2004, the resort opened as California’s very first Holiday Inn in 1959. Yet, in between, a Hollywood-singing cowboy and a TV talk show host/media mogul each separately owned the 13-acre property at one time or another. Gene Autry bought the Holiday Inn property in 1961 and ran it as his namesake hotel. In 1994, French fashion designer Hubert de Givenchy revamped the place into a mini Versailles in the desert. In 1998, billionaire and longtime local resident Merv Griffin (creator of Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune) picked up the property, keeping Givenchy’s name and marble-column-and-trellis aesthetics. Merv Griffin, with Zsa Zsa Gabor, also owned a home in Palm Springs. Guests can still stay in Autry’s former two-bedroom, two-bathroom on-site residence at Parker Palm Springs. Hollywood Escapes to Palm Springs Many Hollywood stars owned homes in Palm Springs, including all the Gabor sisters, Bob Hope, Lena Horne, Howard Hughes, Alan Ladd, Liberace, Dean Martin, Debbie Reynolds, and Frank Sinatra, just to name a few. If they didn’t own homes, they leased homes for the winter. They would gather at the Racquet Club and El Mirador Hotel for tennis, cocktails, and nightly entertainment. Everyone could be themselves without the eye of the cameras. He played himself on “Here’s Lucy” three times, starting with the second episode, “Lucy Visits Jack Benny” (HL S1; E2) on September 30, 1968. The action was set at Benny’s Palm Springs home, Dinah Shore and George Montgomery at the Racquet Club Leonardo DiCaprio now owns the Dinah Shore estate on Hermosa in the prestigious Las Palmas neighborhood. 432 Hermosa is available for stays or events. Floor-to-ceiling windows throughout bring the beauty of the desert, the clusters of palm trees, and the majestic San Jacinto Mountains into the estate. This furnished house rental is one of the finest examples of Mid-Century architecture in Southern California, the birthplace of the progressive design movement. Hollywood Mayors Serving from 1988 to 1992, Sonny Bono remains Palm Springs’ most famous mayor (and its congressman up until his death in 1998). He was instrumental in creating the Palm Springs International Film Festival. But two other legendary mayors of Palm Springs also hailed from Hollywood. The duo were BFFs and a driving force behind the most star-studded retreat Palm Springs has ever known: The Palm Springs Racquet Club. Frank Bogert (mayor from 1958 to 1966 and from 1982 to 1988) appeared in bit parts in Westerns as both an actor and a stuntman. He was also a lifelong friend of Lucille Ball, who also frequented Palm Springs. John F. Kennedy and then Mayor Frank Bogert at the Palm Springs Airport. Bogert’s good pal Charles Farrell (mayor from 1948 to 1953) starred with Janet Gaynor in over a dozen films of the ‘20s and ‘30s and starring in two 1950s TV shows. Frank Sinatra Flew A Jack Daniels Flag To Let Neighbors Know It Was Party Time Frank Sinatra was familiar with hosting parties; his guest lists often included names like Marilyn Monroe, Lana Turner, Cary Grant, and Bing Crosby. According to legend, Sinatra would raise a Jack Daniels flag in his yard to inform friends and neighbors that partying had begun. You can stay or have an event at Frank Sinatra’s Twin Palm Estate. image credit: John Diminis via Life You May Also Like: Movies Filmed in Palm Springs Palm Springs Confidential: A Hollywood Pedigree Hollywood’s Playground – Part 1
Greater Palm Springs Pride History Thu, September 9, 2021 by Randy Garner Autumn is the embodiment of Greater Palm Springs Pride. The crispness in the air denotes how cool our event is. The changing of the seasons represents the evolution of self, from denial to acceptance to celebratory wonder. Harvest time symbolizes how we, as a community, have lovingly gathered our friends and arranged them into a second family. While other Pride festivals crowd the summer months, our hometown takes its time and savors the first weekend of November, welcoming tourists and thrilling locals until we all weave a rainbow flag of inclusion, one stitch at a time. So what makes our Pride the best of the fests? Let’s sashay down memory lane to see how we got here… and where we’re marching next. Credit: Arthur Coleman A Brief History of Empowerment The LGBTQ universe rippled when those infamous bricks were thrown at the Stonewall riots of late June 1969. Queer New Yorkers demanded equality, but justice requires diligence, so one riot wouldn’t be enough. The following year, the women of Lavender Menace and the men of the Homophile Youth Movement staged the Christopher Street Liberation Day on June 28th, 1970. This would come to be known as the first Gay Pride parade, and it fanned the flames of fury into a flourish of fabulosity. The crowd grew from hundreds to thousands as they descended on Central Park to publicly display their affection and affiliation. Those rebellious kisses reverberated around the globe and across the country, spawning a “Christopher Street West” march on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles that very same day. History had been made, and it was about to “Sizzle” its way to Palm Springs. In fact, “Sizzle” was the title of our inaugural Pride festival: a variety show and dinner hosted by the Riviera. It was an appropriately intimate affair, since the crowds were escaping the desert heat by clamoring into the Riviera’s ballroom in the sweltering summer of 1986. “Sizzle” had truly lived up to its name. Over the ensuing years, organizers did their best to plan around the blazing Palm Springs temperatures. In 1989, for example, the Radisson (now the Renaissance) welcomed fans to a purrrfect purrrformance by Catwoman herself, Eartha Kitt. But this kitten had claws; the summer weather was just too much for a successful Palm Springs Pride. Finally, the festival was moved to November starting in 1995, and Michael Feinstein marshaled the newly chill proceedings down Palm Canyon and into legend… Pride Continues to Grow Since 1995, Palm Springs Pride has blossomed exponentially. The crowds have multiplied to over 125,000 party people, which is enormous considering our hometown boasts an everyday population of just over 48,000. In addition to attracting hordes of handsome faces, Pride also summons a handsome sum of money each year. Estimates put that figure at around $22 million annually, a hefty boon to local resorts, bars, and event organizers. But fear not; these are gays who give back. The Pride Fund supports area schools, promotes various anti-bullying initiatives, and creates scholarships and a wealth of other opportunities at the annual Rainbow Summit every March. Through their vibrant partnership with the Safe Schools Desert Cities organization, the Pride committee is embracing a better tomorrow. You May Also Like: Come Out, Come Out, However You Are! Palm Springs Celebrates Pride Throughout the Year Palm Springs Gay History
Palm Springs Visitor Center History Fri, September 3, 2021 by Randy Garner 2901 N Palm Canyon Drive Located at the corner of Tramway Road and North Palm Canyon, this iconic building greets the visitors coming into Palm Springs on Highway 111 and those visiting the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Originally designed as a gas station, it now houses the Palm Springs Visitor Information Center. Architect Albert Frey The Palm Springs Visitor Center’s history begins with Albert Frey. He is one of the earliest modern-style architects in Palm Springs. His first project was in the summer of 1934. Dr. Kocher commissioned him for an office/apartment dual-use building on Palm Canyon. Frey and Kocher began designing the Aluminaire House in 1930. Frey visited the desert for the first time and fell in love. The building was the beginning of what would be “desert modernism.” He eventually moved to Palm Springs and began his long career. Aluminaire House His other local works include the Palm Springs City Hall, the Monkey Tree Hotel, and the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Valley Station. His home, known as Frey House II, is perched above the Palm Springs Art museum. He bequeathed it to the Art Museum upon his death, and it is now open for tours through the museum. Source: Palm Springs Historical Society Frey House II Tramway Gas Station Palm Springs Visitor Center history began as a gas station. Frey, who collaborated with Robson Chambers, was commissioned to design a new Tramway Gas Station in North Palm Springs at the base of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. For this project, Albert Frey chose a roof form that would come to symbolize mid-century design, the hyperbolic paraboloid. The program for the service station was minimal: shelter for six gasoline pumps, an office, two storage rooms, a pair of restrooms, and three automobile service bays. The roof is constructed of ribbed galvanized steel panels resting on steel beams and held up by six steel pipe posts. The main building features his signature corner treatments where the concrete blocks are cut on a diagonal at every other paired row. It opened in 1965 as an ENCO service station, with manager Harold Barnes as the first tenant. Frey had just completed work on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Valley Station, which opened in 1963. It did well for many years; however, business had slowed, and by the early 1990s, the station was closed and boarded up. Palm Springs City Council designated the property as a Class 1 Site on January 6, 1999. Source: Palm Springs Historical Society Photo: Bill Anderson Now Welcomes Visitors from Around the World The City of Palm Springs purchased the building for $638,000 in 2002. They then invested in more restorations, including extensive interior remodeling, drought-resistant landscaping, a new parking lot, and a separate restroom building. In November 2003, Frey’s iconic Tramway Gas Station reopened as the official Palm Springs Visitor Center. This is an excellent stop on any Palm Springs visit. Here, you will find books and literature about Palm Springs, plus a range of maps and guides. There is also plenty of merchandise and souvenirs to browse. Guest Services can answer any questions you might have about Palm Springs to enhance your visit. Just North of the Visitor Center is the large Palm Springs sign welcoming visitors into Palm Springs. It is very popular with Instagrammers. From the Palm Springs Visitor Center, you will head up Tram Road to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. This is the #1 attraction in Palm Springs and a must-do. (Note: Tickets for the Tram are not sold at the Visitor Center) You May Also Like: Palm Springs Architects & Developers Women Pioneers of Palm Springs
Get a Dog’s Eye View of Palm Springs Tue, August 31, 2021 by Randy Garner A Ruff Life Hello, human! Where are we going today? May I humbly suggest the friendly, fierce, furtastic hotspots of Palm Springs? After all, it is a haven for dogs, pups, pooches, doggos, hounds, mutts, mongrels and… well, people… I guess. Pack plenty of water and treats. (canine shrug) If you and your fuzzy friend are looking for the ideal stomping grounds, shuffle your paws to our huggable hometown. A Wagging Good Morning Mix and mingle over a cup of Koffi at The Corrridor. With a large central lawn and garden, it’s a great way to begin the day. From here you can stroll to the Uptown Design district to the North or head downtown to the south. You’ll find Palm Springs dog friendly sidewalks both ways. Palm Springs Dog Park Some puppers don’t like to stray (pun intended) from the heart of the action. Also, hiking might be more of a big dawg activity. If your canine companion is compact or – let’s face it – a bit lazy, you might opt for a Dog Park instead of a rigorous mountain excursion. Our gated getaway allows your furbaby to unleash (also pun intended) their wild side! The Palm Springs Dog Park features fountains and fire hydrants, so it covers every facet of your complex, dog-centric needs. Toys & Treats And the #1 need on your mutt’s mind: snacks! Visit the appropriately named Treat Buddy to refuel after your hiking/park adventures. Palm Springs is also proud to have two Bones ‘n’ Scones locations, so numnums are never more than a tummy-rub away! But a doggy shopping spree entails (yet another pun!) so much more than just kibble. The promise of toys beckons eager pet enthusiasts to boutique shops like Cold Nose Warm Heart. Chew, chomp and chase the day away, but be sure to squirrel (!) away enough time to look your best. Margaret Cho getting shirts for her bestie at Cold Nose Warm Heart. Paw Spas Grooming is a passionate pastime in Palm Springs. But enough about your human – dogs deserve to show off their beauty too. K-9 Country Club caters to discerning clientele and Posh Pet Care truly lives up to its name. On the topic of names, the award for the most adorbsies (adorable) handle in town goes to The Wizard of Paws. And if your special someone needs a spa day, check into Miriam’s Poochella. Fuzzy facials? Too cute! For an all-over sheen, you can also sniff your way to Tammy’s Paw Spa. Other include Puppy Luv Pet Salon and Alex’s Pet Grooming located right downtown on Tahquitz near Sherman’s Deli. Posh Pet Care Pet Pampered But a fresh coat of fur is just the furst (first) step in the puppification process. You’ll need a dazzling array of doggy duds to complement the aforementioned coat, so slip your four legs into some cute couture at Spoiled Dog Designs. They have seasonal sweaters for those cold desert nights and frisky harnesses for when you’re in heat. Now you’re looking sharp enough to paint the town poochy. Good boy/girl! Flex your fuzzy fashion sense with a night on the town, starting at Boozehounds. Their atmosphere is decidedly dogged and their menu is a who’s who of hoo boy! Drool-worthy offerings like Tasmanian Ocean Trout and Bluefin Tuna go swimmingly well with the craft cocktails that give Boozehounds its ruff reputation. Sip on libations with suggestive names like Aunt Donna’s Dirty Poodle and Red Rocket, then dig in for more helpings of grrrmet food. Credit: Jenna Murray There are plenty of other Palm Springs pet friendly restaurants to explore. 10 Palm Springs Pet Friendly Restaurants Pet Stays Looking for a woof over your head? Palm Springs offers a wide furiety of lodging for pets as well as the people who love them. Doggie Heaven Bed and Breakfast promises to pamper your pooch if you ever happen to leave town without them. But why would you do such a thing? Another grrreat day care, boarding and training resource is Doggie’s Day Out. Obedience is a two-way street, so show your fellow dog-caring community the respect they deserve by teaching your beloved boy (or girl) how to roll over with the best of them. But the best present you can give your doggo is the gift of love. And what’s more loving than one precious pup? Two precious pups! Doggie Heaven Bed And Breakfast There are also plenty of Palm Springs pet friendly hotels and resorts to explore. Check for individual requirements, restrictions, and fees. Yup, the math checks out. Adopt a sweet sibling for your best buddy at one of our essential rescue shelters. California Paws saves pets from the threat of (cover your dog’s ears for this next part) euthanasia. Palm Springs Animal Shelter does a brisk business, placing over 2,000 scruffy souls with their grateful humans every year. And on the north side of town, Humane Society of the Desert offers nine acres of land for their tenants who are still sniffing out their furever home. Will you be lucky/loving enough to add these wonderful, wuvvable woofers to your fam? A lick-y new life awaits here in Palm Springs. Sit. Stay. Sweet! Written By Kevin Perry
It’s Not a Mirage … The Complete Meetings Package Does Exist! Mon, August 30, 2021 by Randy Garner Experience It All at the Palm Springs Convention Center Meet in the Center of the Desert Plan your next event at an architectural masterpiece that mirrors the mountainside in a unique destination that always stays in style. The 261,000-square-foot Palm Springs Convention Center (PSCC) combines exceptional meeting spaces, services, and staff with a world-class setting. The Palms Springs Convention Center Offers the Total Package Conventions and events hosted at the PSCC set the tone for experiential meetings and blend luxurious style with a relaxed vibe. A true meeting gem in the desert, the Center is flexible, spacious, and uniquely positioned to maximize the benefits of its surroundings in a grandeur fashion. PSCC offers flexible meeting spaces for both small and large groups. Facility highlights include: – 120,000 square feet of carpeted exhibit space – A 20,000-square-foot ballroom – 21 breakout rooms – An 18,000-square-foot lobby with panoramic mountain views – A 20,000-square-foot outdoor event lawn – An on-site Visitors Center – State-of-the-art technology capabilities and A/V services and so much more Sink your teeth into the amazing food prepared by the convention center’s exclusive in-house caterer, Savoury’s Full-Service Catering. The company partners with our clients to create customized menus and innovative presentations, all supported by quality food and a caring service staff. A Convention Center Campus With Convenience at Its Core What if we told you that your group of attendees could literally fly into Palm Springs’ airport, check in to the hotel and get to their meeting or event in a half-hour? No, seriously! Getting here is a breeze for your group to meet with ease. Located just five minutes from the Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) — named one of the “Top 10 Most Stress-Free Airports in the U.S.” by SmartTravel.com — and within walking distance of 1,600 hotel rooms and less than five blocks away from casinos, spas, museums and downtown experiences, the Palm Springs Convention Center is the perfect place to plan for your next meeting or event. Meeting Hotels in the True Heart of Palm Springs The Palm Springs Convention hotels, known as the “Heart of Palm Springs” (HOPS) Hotels, collaborate with the PSCC to create a seamless experience for planners booking and groups attending citywide events in the destination. The Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel is connected to the PSCC and offers 401 guest rooms and 30,000 square feet of newly renovated conference space among 14 meeting rooms. Just one block away, attendees can stay at the Hilton Palm Springs hotel with 260 guest rooms and 18,000 square feet of meeting space. Renaissance Hotel Renaissance Hotel Room See more of the large meeting hotels and resorts within walking distance of the Palm Springs Convention Center. Experience Downtown Palm Springs Your attendees will find vibrant and memorable meeting experiences just a few blocks away from the Palm Springs Convention Center in Downtown Palm Springs. Enjoy timeless and modern architecture, diverse and eclectic storefronts and shopping, unique dining spots, endless entertainment options from the Agua Caliente Casino to museums and incredible works of public art and attractions — all encompassed in an accessible and walkable downtown. Notable Mention: Stop and say hello to Marilyn Monroe! Forever Marilyn is a grand statue that greets you on Museum Way with the San Jacinto Mountains in the background. Embrace the spirit of Palm Springs at one of the many local events held year-round — including VillageFest, a weekly street fair in downtown Palm Springs on Palm Canyon Drive every Thursday that celebrates community, commerce, crafts and everything else under the now-retreating sun. Group Activities From Mild to Wild Attendees don’t have to look far for unique group activities and outdoor adventures when they meet at the Palm Springs Convention Center. Explore the desert on a hiking excursion or tour the terrain on a Desert Adventures Red Jeep Tour or on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Cycle the streets with electric bike rentals or hit the links on pristine golf courses. Relax and rejuvenate at nearby spas or get active with outdoor recreation options. Whatever you do, Palm Springs is ready to ensure the outside of your meeting is every bit as inspiring as the inside. Immerse your group in our iconic desert destination with connectivity to experience it all. Convention Groups Can Own the City … We Promise When you plan to meet at the Palm Springs Convention Center, you have the opportunity to participate in Palm Springs’ personalized welcome program for large convention groups, Palm Springs Promise. For citywide meetings, highlights of the program include welcome signage featuring your logo and conference theme prominently displayed on digital signage at the airport, personalized “VIP Welcome” cards featuring your logo to distribute to your attendees, offering discounts to local restaurants, attractions and shops and so much more. Because of our village atmosphere and how our city is laid out, we can welcome meeting and convention groups just about everywhere they visit in Palm Springs. Experience all that our idyllic desert destination has to offer by sharing in our Palm Springs Promise. PS We 💗 Meetings! The event services team at the Palm Springs Convention Center will work closely with you to achieve success during your next meeting, event or convention. Learn more by checking out our Meeting Planner Kit, a convenient breakdown of the convention center package, including the “Heart of Palm Springs” hotels, attractions and more. So, what are you waiting for? Start planning the Palm Springs Convention Center today! [Contact Us] [Submit Your RFP]
Plan the Perfect Road Trip Fri, August 27, 2021 by Randy Garner Tour In A Vintage Classic Car A vintage vehicle is like Palm Springs on wheels – they both embody freedom and fun at full speed. Classic car culture is roughly the same age as the aesthetics that make our hometown an international architectural destination. For example, while Palm Springs architect Hugh Kaptur was honing his vision with such groundbreaking designs as the Noel Gillette House and Impala Lodge, the ’57 Chevy rolled off the assembly line. Mid-century modernism is more than just a style; it’s a dynamic that defines a time, a place and a direction. After all, we are always looking forward to the next evolution of life elevated. And what better way to reach that horizon than in a souped-up steel chariot cruising the contours of Palm Springs? McCormick’s Classic Cars “That’s why we live here in this paradise,” declares Keith McCormick, President of McCormick’s Classic Car Auctions. “It may be hot at times, but it’s still paradise. We produce two large Classic Car Auctions per year here in Palm Springs. The auctions are open to the general public and dealers are also welcome. Each event features over 500 classic and exotic cars. The events are held in February and November each year. The venue is The Palm Springs Convention Center‘s outdoor special event area in downtown Palm Springs. We also have a very busy year round classic car showroom here in the heart of downtown Palm Springs with many classics for sale.” Back in 1981, Keith McCormick had already become a successful entrepreneur in his native United Kingdom, but he longed to realize a dream to move to Palm Springs and devote his time entirely to his family…and his cars. In 1985, Keith hosted his very first exotic car auction. A modest affair, by today’s standards, but one that would start a tradition. Today, Keith’s relentless dedication to excellence and integrity has produced one of the most prestigious, respected, and successful car auctions in America. Car Lovers Flock to Palm Springs Car lovers flock to our balmy haven to let down more than just their hair. “They can put the top down and tour around Palm Springs,” analyzes McCormick, “which is something they can’t do in certain parts of America because of snow and rain.” The tone in McCormick’s voice is endlessly affable. He bandies about terms like “okie dokie” with infectious appeal. This is a man who loves what he does and he’s eager to spread that love to the automotive enthusiasts he encounters. “When we do the McCormick’s Classic Cars live events, we get thousands of people,” McCormick beams. “Community is central to the heart of Palm Springs car culture. It goes hand in hand with Modernism Week. It features many of the properties that were built in the 50s and 60s in Palm Springs and people who were into the old mid-century modern are also into the old classic cars.” Source: Tom Blachford According to McCormick, innovation is the engine that drives Palm Springs. “The locals tend to think out of the box. Things like bringing in Marilyn Monroe, the statue, was really out of the box and it made for a great tourism attraction and we’re constantly thinking of new things in town, how can we keep the tourism flowing in?” Source: David Blank Classic Car Roundup And to continue firing on all cylinders, car nuts require the proper resources. If you’re a newbie to the throwback scene, consider a visit to One Eleven Vintage Cars. Their lot is a blast from the past and a path to a bright future! Exotic Motor Cars is another used sales spot that truly lives up to its name. For existing antique auto owners, Palm Springs is a wealth of high-octane support. All American Classic Car Restoration can buff out impurities, hammer out damage, and blow out your wow factor! In addition to traditional repair services, their diagnostic wizards can determine the best ways to help you rule the road. And if you happen to drive a European vintage beauty – ooh la la! Exotic Car Service is le place for all your upkeep needs. Source: Nancy Baron Not ready to dive into the classic car deep end just yet? Simply dip your toes into a regal rental from Enterprise. Their enticing collection will put you in the driver’s seat for a vacation with vroom! For special occasions, steer on over to the local Vinty rental hub. They have models for weddings, photo shoots or just a roll down memory lane. Bringing our virtual road trip back to the starting line, be sure to consult McCormick’s Classic Cars about upcoming events, auctions, and general classic car majesty. Happy trails! Written By Kevin Perry Desert Modernism
A Brief History of Palm Springs Music Scene Wed, August 18, 2021 by Randy Garner Mid-Century Nightlife in Palm Springs Lets take a look as some of the history of the early Palm Springs music scenes. We not only had many popular stages and dinner theaters, but also a personal connection to some of the most famous early music stars from the 40s, 50s, and 60s. Chi Chi Starlite Room Credit: Palm Springs Historical Society The Palm Springs music scene really started to take off with the Starlite Room. Opening night in October, 1950 found every available seat at the Starlite Room occupied by patrons there to see and hear Desi Arnaz, the “King of the Rhumba”, his Cuban music and songs and the customers applauded for more after each of his two performances. The very popular Peggy Lee performed at the Starlite Room in March of 1954. She was discovered in Palm Springs. She had been struggling for “that chance” when an engagement at the popular Doll House offered itself (popular Palm Springs restaurant). While there, competing with the clatter of dishes, she sang so low and sweetly the patrons stopped talking and waiters stopped rattling cups and dishes. Her “soft-as-silk” singing style attracted the attention of Frank Bering, owner of Chicago’s Ambassador West hotel and Peggy was soon headed east to begin her career. Nat King Cole opened Chi Chi at the Starlite Room on January 4, 1956, supported by an all-star show. Reservations had started even before public announcement was made of his appearance. The top recording artist of the country already had so many hits to his credit. Among them was “Nature Boy” and “Love Is a Many Splendored Thing.” Credit: Palm Springs Life archives Nature Boy has ties to Palm Springs. The author was eden ahbez (who insisted his name not be capitalized), a frequent to Palm Springs and acquaintance with William Pester, well-known fixture in town living in Indian Canyons. Pester was called the hermit of Palm Springs and they shared a common lifestyle philosophy that we might think of as the original hippie. Many believe that “Nature Boy” was written about, or certainly inspired by, William Pester. In 1947 ahbez composed “Nature Boy” having set one of his poems to music. Cole ended up with the tune through his manager and began including in his live performances, and later recorded it. Liberace performed the following January in 1957 and later teamed up with Jane Powell for a performance in March of 1958. Jane Powell is an American actress, singer and dancer who rose to fame in the mid-1940s with roles in various Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer musicals. (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers) Liberace would later move to Palm Springs until his death. The headliners included the Mills Brothers, Patti Page, Ethel Waters, Della Reese, and so many more. Purple Room Opened September of 1961. Governor Pat Brown, then Governor of California, was on hand to cut the ribbon. Palm Springs Mayor Frank Bogart helped the Governor and a couple of Senators with the ribbon cutting. There were no movie stars in The Purple Room on opening night, but they came later. All of them. From Frank Sinatra, Red Skelton, Bing Crosby to President Eisenhower, Richard Nixon (before he was president), and many Senators and Congressmen. This became one of Palm Springs swankiest dinner clubs with live music nightly, and helped build the growing Palm Springs music scene. It was also the place Frank Sinatra proposed to Barbara Marx. Plaza Theater The 850 Plaza Theater opened in 1936 with the world premiere of Camille with Greta Garbo as the leading actress. Allan Jones, the great singer of Show Boat, entertained with a song. While it was built to primarily show films, it included a large stage for performances. Frank Sinatra often performed at the Palm Springs Plaza Theater. In June,1944, he did a weekly broadcast from the stage of the Plaza Theater. That September he sang to a crowded theater with Joan Blondell and a large band. Bing Crosby, his guests, Dinah Shore, Bill Boyd (Hopalong Cassidy), Happy Peters and all of Bing’s cast, delighted a packed house at the Plaza theater in 1951. Credit: Palm Springs Historical Society American Legion Post 519 The post was founded in 1934 by World War I veterans including prominent Palm Springs resident Earl Coffman and was named in honor of Coffman’s son Owen, who was killed in action during World War II. After raising funds for a permanent location, members enlisted renowned architects John Porter Clark and Albert Frey to design what was then called the War Memorial Building, which officially opened to veterans and their families on Jan. 3, 1948. It includes a large ballroom and stage and the original 1905 Steinway baby grand piano. That was used to accompany stars like Al Jolson, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Bing Crosby, and Doris Day during the weekly Kraft Music Hall variety show that was produced live from the post from 1948 to 1954. Bing Crosby and Bob Hope share the NBC microphone stationed at the American Legion Post No. 519 in Palm Springs used to broadcast the Kraft Music Hall variety show. PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY AMERICAN LEGION POST NO. 519 Coral Room of the El Mirador This popular spot in the famous El Mirador Hotel opened in 1940 with Don Francisco and his orchestra. Francisco and his band, composed of violin, guitar, bass and accordion, had played most of the country’s finer hotels and cocktail lounges. El Mirador was an early Palm Springs hotel that opened in 1928. After it opened, the stars arrived. The Barrymores, Al Jolson and his dancing wife, Ruby Keeler; Bing Crosby and his wife Dixie Lee, and Marlene Dietrich. Other visitors included writers, composers (George Gershwin), directors and producers. This became a very popular Palm Springs hot spot for parties, dances, and live music. Frank Sinatra Frank is by far the most famous star that lived in Palm Springs because he spent so much time here. He began coming in the mid 1940s where he would vacation between broadcasts. Jimmy Van Heusen, four time Oscar winner for best song, was a good friend of Frank and introduced him to Palm Springs. He was really a man about town, and would define the Palm Springs music scene like no other. He was involved in many Palm Springs charities and worked with Mack Gordon, Rudy Vallee, Bob Hope, and Jack Benny, among many others. There is so much more to say that we’ll save for another future article. Learn about his Palm Springs Home, the Twin Palm Frank Sinatra Estate Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. Credit: Palm Springs Historical Society Rudy Vallee Rudy was a famous radio musician and band leader from the 1920s and credited with being the first star “crooner” leader of a long line that would follow. He was the principle musician at the Palm Springs Racquet Club, one of the most popular clubs at the time, that would last for years. Credit: Palm Springs Life Elvis Presley The King was planning to wed his Queen, Priscilla, in Palm Springs. He popped the question to her just before Christmas in 1966 and presented her with a 3.5-carat diamond engagement ring. The wedding was set for May 1, 1967, which was a Monday. They arranged to lease the home by the well-known developer Robert Alexander. It was close to the home of Elvis’s Manager, Colonel Tom Parker. Rona Barret, a famous gossip columnist that lived around the corner had her suspicions when Priscilla showed up with her entire family. She then made the announcement of the pending wedding. Frank Sinatra came to the rescue and arranged for a limo and private jet to take them to Las Vegas where then then wed. They then honeymooned in the leased Palm Springs home, which is now called the “Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway.” Trini Lopez Trini López, the singer and guitarist who in the 1960s had hits with the songs “If I Had a Hammer” and “La Bomba” and appeared in the classic war movie “The Dirty Dozen.” He first began to stay in Palm Springs in 1966 and later moved here full time in 1981. He played for many charities in Palm Springs. In 1966 it was the Palm Springs police show, featuring Lopez, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Julie London, and the Andrew Sisters, among others. He was flown to Palm Springs by Frank Sinatra in 1971 to do a gig at the Tennis Club for the Bob Hope Desert Classic. In 1977 he performed with Sammy Davis Jr. at the Riviera Hotel’s grand ballroom. He would later perform with the Lennon sisters at the Palm Springs High School for another charity event. 50’s Album Anniversary with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin The ninth annual Police Show on March 29, 1958, From left, Jimmy Van Heusen, Peggy Lee, Sinatra, and Ray Ryan. Credit: Palm Springs Historical Society Current Famous Music Star Barry Manilow In 1983 Mel Haber welcomed Barry Manilow to his restaurant, Melvyn’s. He was living in Palm Springs in the greatest example of mid-century modern architecture, the Kaufman house. In 2008 Barry launched the Manilow’s Music Project by giving over 300 instruments to 20 middle and high school music departments in Palm Springs, and the Desert Sands. Barry Manilow is still a Palm Springs resident.
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