The Desert Sun from Palm Springs, California • 6

A6 THE DESERT SUN Palm Springs Friday Saptambsr 19 1986 Racquet Club galas still remembered Competition forces hotels to stay open cl Saw Photo RACQUET CLUB HEYDAY among those who attended parties hors during the heyday of the Palm Springs Racquet Club Hollywood stars in Charlis Farrsll as Ann Shsridan Ilka Clark Gabls (right) sharing a laugh with ilooks on wars (Continued from Page A-l) population explosion ia stretching into summer In five years the number of hotel rooms in the valley could nearly double About 10000 rooms are under construction or are on the drawing board to be built by 1990 There are now about 12000 rooms Hotel managers say the increased competition and the threat of more has forced them to remain open all summer reducing their rates as much as 60 percent For example a 195-a-night room in January might go for $65 in August Hoteliers say they are improving their of featured extras such as guided tours or continental breakfasts to give vacationers a better bargain especially during the hot months This summer a marked contrast from years past only the Americana Canyon and the Gene Autry hotels closed The La Quinta Hotel the oldest in the valley remained opened for the first time Ten years ago hotels throughout the valley would lock their doors but most hoteliers say that rule was broken forever when Rancho Las Palmas Resort in Rancho Mirage opened in 1979 and offered summer resort living at lower rates Palm newest hotels de Paris Suite Hotel and The Marquis also stayed open all summer Marketing Director Jim Wilmer said the hotel did better business than we noting that on July weekends occupancy was between 65 and 90 percent at the 194-suite hotel In August even though the pool was closed for reconstruction weekend occupancy averaged 60 percent he said Connie Davis general manager of the Americana Canyon said the hotel will probably stay open next summer "We've (hotel managers) found you pay your bills on five or six months of Ms Davis said Increased competition for the hotel-motel rooms and the anticipation of three major hotels opening this year have meant that room rate increases have been small Ted Holmquist president of the 21-member Desert Communities Hotel and Motel Association said hotels generally are raising their rates only a fraction to cover inflation ami Another problem is a serious shortage of hotel workers particularly food and beverage directors and front desk clerks maids and busboys For the first time farm workers many of whom stay in the Coachella Valley and collect unemployment checks after the grape season are being targeted for hotel jobs Ernie Chavez job services supervisor for the state Employment and Development Department in Palm Springs said he's trying to recruit farm workers into training classes for hotel and restaurant jobs "There will be a tremendous shortage of qualified help in the he said "A lot are leaving one hotel and going to another with a promise of a better To some extent weather continues to affect the length of the season "If the weather is bad back east the season could start in early said Margie Taft president of the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce "But if the weather is good in the East our real (tourist) season could start as late as Nov Ms Taft pointed out that only a few merchants in downtown Palm Springs closed this year a marked contrast (Please turn to Page A-7) Each year about Oct 1 Charlie and Virginia Farrell threw an intimate party at the club for 400 of the rich and famous The summer was over It was time for parties and social events But as the marquee names dwindled after 1959 when Farrell sold the business the first exclusive club no longer stood as the vanguard of another season Even though Farrell played host at club parties in the early 1960s the Hollywood crowd diminished The last hurrah was probably in 1975 when a handful of celebrities most notably June Allyson joined locals at the club for a gala party Now the faded glamour of opening night is preserved only in the black and white photography of Bruno (of Hollywood) Bernard and in the memories of a few old-timers Gordon Carman a Racquet Club desk clerk said several hotels tried to carry on the opening party tradition for a time but never really succeeded For the past few years the Racquet Club has opened in mid- to late October Some members and former employees say one reason it no longer attracts the movie star set is because it is less private now and the dining room is open to the public But during its prime opening night was an "A-list" party where one could rub shoulders with and slap the backs of many of famous Palm Springs pioneers were also there The entertainment was top drawer too Tony Rose and his orchestra Tony Martin Frank Sinatra Dinah Shore the Ritz Brothers were sometimes summoned from their tables to belt out a tune or to deliver one-liners "It was a party for everybody who was a recalls Mousie Powell wife of the late actor William Powell "All of the greats of Hollywood came Many of them members but they could always get in "It was a glamorous era that will never be The secret of the opening night popularity was that everybody knew everybody Mrs Powell said "You didn't ask for autographs It just Mrs White who migrated to the desert about 50 years ago to work at the Desert Inn also remembers writing stories about opening party newcomers such as Rock Hudson John Saxon Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood The Racquet Club sans celebrities will have its members-only party Oct 24 but not like it was" said general manager Bill Barnett "We still have a dinner but there are clubs in the desert that deal with openings better than we Barnett said the dinner is still a black-tie affair "It was always he said "I think it gave people the impetus to dress up after wearing informal clothes all Other traditions at the Racquet Club have not changed It will close June 1 for the summer according to Barnett who oversees its 500 members Farrell now 86 and bed-ridden started the Racquet Club in 1934 with a friend actor Ralph Bellamy After several ownership changes San Diego hotelier Larry Lawrence acquired the club eight years ago The club staff manager down to maids "worked there 'til the day they she said "They say there is a cafe in Paris where if you sit all day you can watch the whole world go by I felt that way about the Racquet Marj Pohl-White who as the club's publicist for 19 years cranked out copy for movie magazines and news services said it was the only place in the desert to draw a cross-section of movie stars politicians scientists and industry giants It was a place where stars could go and not be bothered by people who wanted autographs she said DESERT FLOOR COVERING 's' Carpet OF THE Sale MONTH CARPET 100 continuous Filament Nylon carpet This Saxony Plush Carpet is constructed to give you many years of service and appearance 14 decorator colors to choose from SO YD Static Resistant FHA Approved Sells elsewhere for sq yd Scotch-Gard Stain Resistant Soil Resistant 100 Dupont ANTRON NYLON BERBER CARPET 9 wonderful colors in durable Antron nylon Superior resistance to soiling and static shock year wear warranty Reg 17Nsq yd HI LOW MULTI COLOR CARPET OF 100 NYLON PILE For the active family This rugged 100 nylon pile will give you many many years of comfort and beauty SAVE 3" yd Reg 9 yd Colors are walnut and pecan Padding and installation available SQ YD Simper Sale THMNOCNUMC WEAR-DATED CARPET wttsteijI APPROVED AND WARRANTED SAVE 4M A SQ YARD 60 OZ ULTRON WEAR DATED NYLON CARPET The ultimate in plush pile styling A decorator's delight with 26 designer colors You will feel like you're walking on a cloud soil stain and static resistant scotchgard carpet protector Reg 2 1 95 sq yd WiTMliRrn BY Monsanto PADDING AND INSTALLATION AVAILABLE HARDWOOD PLANKING PARQUET CARPETING CERAMIC TILE SHEET VINYL DRAPERIES WALLPAPER VERTICALS COMPLETE HOME DECORATING HOURS: MON-FRI 8 5 can I forma I I 323-1111 4565 Camino Parocela Palm Springs ftf OMfrRTfora I Ir No MG7B6.