New Pool!

We told you it would be gorgeous!

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Doesn't the pool look just over the top!?! We are so excited to have the pool freshly redone for 2007.

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Now your job is to get here and enjoy it!

Cozy Cove

Blue, anyone?

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At The Sands, blues are just a color, baby, not a state of mind.

'Nother Angle

Doesn't that water look delish?

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Sorry about the excessive number of photos, but we told you it would be fabulous!

Oh my God! Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

This just in from Dionne Warwick's psychic hot line!

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It has been confirmed that in the after life James Brown is President and Gerald Ford is the Godfather of Soul! What an amazing turnabout for these two guys and we couldn't be happier.

Happy Trails, Neighbor

The Coral Sands says goodbye to Palm Springs neighbor Gerry Ford -- a duffer and a dude. The 70s were a time of seriously bad fashion and faith in the United States and Gerry was our main fashionista and forgiver during those perilous years.

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People honest-to-god dressed like jackasses then. Not Gerry.


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And, can you imagine being stuck with this anal orafice for your business partner?


Thanks, Dude. We mean it.

Priceless!

Like Aladdin's cave, every nook and cranny of The Coral Sands is filled with treasure. Ruby casually pulled out this almost impossible to find original sound track from the old Troy Donahue flick "Palm Springs Weekend."

The Sands is rapidly becoming an impromptu one-woman historical society of Palm Springsianna.

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You've gotta see this place!

The Coral Sands Honors the Godfather of Soul

James Brown, the man who put the grunt in soul, is gone. The Godfather of Soul died Christmas morning. Put on your red dress baby, get on up like a sex machine, it's the big pay back! Friends...this is a momumental moment.

Mustang Sally

Let Earth Receive Its Kang!

It's the other king. Fresh from the Jungle Room and a little Ho, Ho, Ho.

The Haertles send in a recent sighting of the Kang from San Carlos. Joy to the World! Oh come let us adore him!

Wishing you the best of the season, eggnog, salty nuts, salty dogs, rusty nails, virginia ham, . . . wait, those are drag queens. Okay, the best of the Holiday Season to you and yours. Much love to you, Ruby Montana.

Holy Freak Twins, Batman

People, people, people! Dang! You cannot send out two kings to do the job of three. They came back with the wrong king fer the love of moon walking!

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You three kings of orient are, get back out there and don't come home until you find the real King.

Greetings from the Other Side of the World

Laurie Weed, Boom Ball Squaw and The Sands' tireless ambassador to the world, checks in from Luang Prabang, Laos where she is observing Christmas Eve with local friends Paan (pictured) and her husband Ek. Weedie sends back a festive snapshot of them at an outdoor eatery. The occasion was meant to be special by virtue of Paan's laboriously home made pumpkin custard (brought to the restaurant and stored in its kitchen for dessert). Instead the restaurant's wait staff were unable to resist the concoction's luscious charms -- thus they ate it themselves. No word on whether a tip was left.

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Weedie, honey, will you please get the PodCasting thing down? We're on the edge of our seats here.

Something for the Little Ones

If you have children at the Santa age, between about 4 and 6, you might enjoy this site: http://www.noradsanta.org/index.php

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In the early 1950's, when the cold war was close to becoming hot, Canada and the US developed NORAD as a top secret air defense and missile tracking system. That same year, Sears was running a Santa line for shoppers' kids to call and speak to Santa. Due to a misprint in the ad Sears put in the newspaper, kids were given the direct line to NORAD's Chief of Strategic Air Command. (Jeez, and they were protecting us?) But NORAD actually had a sense of humor and ever since that first child's call NORAD has provided a Santa tracking service. It can be very dear and small children who still hold on to the idea of Santa get very excited by watching Santa head out of the North Pole and fly around the world. In a world filled with war and hostility, it is actually a sweet moment of reprieve.

We Made It, Baby!

Hang on to your hats today as we make the big planetary turn and head back toward the sun. It's the Winter Solstice! Today is the shortest day of the year. Starting tomorrow, the days will be getting longer, the sun warmer, the spring buds fuller. Tulips, crocus, robins, lilacs, it's all comin' back to me now!


Sister Moon gives way to Brother Sun and the White Party. Or something like that.




Small catch. It's also the first day of winter. Brrrrrrrr.

Game On!

Frequent guest and CEO-for-Life of The Rockway Institute, Rebecca Chekouras, sent this snap of pools toys in The Sands pool. Nice composition (R's speciality--the Queen of Composition).

Xmas on the Patio

This is one of the finest pictures ever taken of Ruby Montana's Coral Sands. Snapped by our good friend Claudia Dowling and not Diane Arbus as I'm sure you suspected. The White Trash patio has rarely looked better--poetry in stopped motion. Even the colors have a lot to say--man THAT is a blue spruce! The point is, even the damned breezeway looks good here. And, as Claudia would challenge you, can you count the cats in this pic?

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Let me just throw this out there: If you've taken a picture of the Sands on your vacation or drive by and you think you can top this, please send it at once and it will be immediately posted to this site. The people who stay here are FANTASTIC! Many of you have an unerring (if highly individualistic) sense of where the beauty of the moment is. We love you!

For Local Trivia Buffs

Did You Know?
Films Shot in Palm Springs Resorts!

"Alpha Dogs" - 2004

"Phat Girls" - 2004

"Miss Teen USA" pageant NBC - 2004

"Average Joe 2" NBC - 2004

"Petersburg - Cannes Express" - A John Daly film; world premiere in Palm Springs - 2003

"Alias" - 2003

"Curb Your Enthusiasm" HBO - 2003

"Average Joe" NBC - 2003

"Miss Teen USA" pageant NBC - 2003

"Jesus the Driver" - 2003

" Boy Meets Boy" Bravo TV - 2003

"Torque" - 2002

"Santa Trap" - 2002

"Confidential Report" - 2002

"Wild On ... E!" Television - 2001

"Ocean’s Eleven" - 2001

"Best of ..." Food Channel - 2001

"The Opposite of Sex" - 2001

"The Princess and the Marine" - 2001

"Fugitive Nights" - 1997

"Beverly Hills 90210" - 1994

"P.S. I Love You" - 1990

"After Dark, My Sweet" - 1990

"Funny About Love" - 1990

"General Hospital" - 1985

"Dressed to Kill" - 1979

"6 Million Dollar Man" - 1977

"Skyway to Death" - 1974

"Columbo" - 1972

"Kotch" - 1971

"Mission Impossible" - 1969

"Matt Helm" - 1968

"Cool Ones" - 1966

"Hanging by a Thread" - 1964

"Lost Horizon" - 1937

"Lone Star Rush" - 1915

Desert Holiday Palm Springs Style

The desert is always gorgeous at night but particularly so during the Holiday Season. Even a small effort packs a big reward in warmth and cheer.

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Come on, people, put a light string up!

My Own Private Idaho

In my own Private Idaho I would pick Chef/Restaurateur Dane Sorensen to do all of the meals...ohh my goodness this is your Chef Boy Howdy! Dane is the freak twin of his fabulous sister Gretchen who is a Coral Sands Regular. I am doing everything in my power to get Dane here AND SOON to preside over the Grill POOLSIDE at The Sands for your absolute pleasure. We could label it "consulting" since he launched his own restaurant consulting company in '95. When Dane isn't in the kitchen he is on the Golf Course preferably with a cocktail in hand. He recently presided over a feast in my honor at his sis' cool pad! We had the most remarkable Salmon wrapped in pastry with a dill cream sauce...crab cakes...I could go on and on. thanks Dane!

A Child's Christmas in Mid-Century

Do you remember Shiny Brite? Just seeing the box was enough to make a child swoon. The ornaments would be wrapped in Kleenex, as tradition demands of the people in the Midwest. Perry Como and Andy Williams really put the "white" in White Christmas. Who broke the "color line" in TV Christmas? Was it Satchmo? Leslie Uggams? Nat King Cole? Do you know, you doyens of pop culture?

And, hey, how do you really feel about tinsel? Flocking? Let it out, Baby. You know you want to.

Jingle Bells by WonderRobbie

As a Holiday service, The Coral Sands would like to remind you not to drink and video. Have a safe and fun Holiday!

A Terry Merry Xmas To You!

Terry Tazioli (Seattle Times Travel Editor) and Ginny Ruffner at Ginny's Xmas Party...Terry was responsible for the two page article in The Seattle Times (after staying there undercover) that actually put The Coral Sands on the map! He just happened to come to The Sands the same weekend as John Kucher and Linda Farris...it was unknown to the three of them that they lived across the street from one another. Thank you Terry! Merry Xmas!

For the Little Spirit We Lost Today

Here's Terri Montgomery's wonderful Grinch Christmas tree to cheer her and remind her of our love.

Angela Lansbury - We Need A Little Christmas

Angela Lansbury, the town whore in "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof," gives us a little Auntie Mame for the Season.

Love, Rube

The 12 Days of Christmas

You might want to light up or at least pour a drink before clicking this. Tis the Season!

Winter In the Desert

This is a great time to visit--you can golf on the valley floor then ride the Tram to snow at the top of the mountains.


It gives you that Felice Navidad je na sai qua!

Coral Sands Hipsters . . .

will recognize the work of Coral Sands regular Shag (Josh Agle) in the Tiki show. Shag is a painter, illustrator, and designer working in Southern California. He has had numerous, successful solo shows in the United States, Europe, Japan, and Australia.
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The paintings celebrate consumerism and consumption on vividly colored, sharply rendered panels--the characters drink, smoke and eat in lavish, stylish surroundings. But Shag is more concerned with the narrative of his art. "Most of my paintings are set in the middle of a story or situation--characters are interacting and reacting to each other and to outside events."

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Shag doesn't offer too many clues about the stories he paints, preferring viewers to make up their own stories. You can drop in on his site (and we here acknowledge we stole this copy from there) at: http://www.shag.com/bio.html

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In Palm Springs, Shag shows at:

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Tiki Art in Palm Springs

Here's a treat for you! The Coral Sands has curated a small but thrilling collection of Tiki art in the desert and is making it available on this site. It's a Tiki blogging first. Put your Ultra Lounge Tiki disc in the player, click through, and enjoy the show!

Tikis In Space

This one's kind of unusual. Way too many things going on to have that smooth Tiki feel. But we love the cultural references packed into this image: Tiki bar, aliens (Tikis and aliens derive from the same source material), airline stewardesses, Krishna, and the lowly town drunk.

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Whoa!

Blue Hawaiian

How 'bout this blue smoker? Donchya just feel like you're being followed down a dark street by a private eye in a trench coat. Jim Diamond, perhaps.

Mid-Century Modern

This is a groovy scene using a high funk, ultra cool palette. The whole piece has a feel of fabric to it, like the old barkcloth fabrics from mid-century. Barkcloth manufacturers often chose island and tiki motifs in the 1940s and 1950s.

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The competition was intense, but this bar scene prevailed, "Best In Show."

Red Tiki

Tiki illustrative art is so often beautifully designed and composed. The flat, emblematic colors in vivid contrast, the primal scream palette, it all works! It 's highly likely the the big-headed, green alien icon with the dark slanted eyes is drawn from Tiki idols.

We're Tiki-fying

The Coral Sands does not have a lot of Tiki, especially since the demo of the outdoor Tikified lounge, but we're into it and have some collectible as well as amusing pieces on the premises.

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Tiki is big in Palm Springs, though, with a lot to see and shop. Tiki is part of the history of Palm Springs, helping to promote its escapist identity in the 1950s. The vintage Tiki collectible hunting in this city is out of this world, as evidenced by this truly outstanding piece.

Almost Like Being Down Under!

This remarkable fish tank a work of wonder by Seattle icon artist, Dale Chihuly, resides in The Boathouse on Lake Union. While I was witnessing this spectacle I noted several fish cosying down on the glass seaforms...they were diggin' their environs! Amazing!

They Run with Poodles Don't They Suite...

This remarkable painting by Joseph Park (well known Seattle artist) was acquired in 1998 by Ms. Montana and faithfully hangs in the "They Run with Poodles Don't They? Suite...Some say it haunts the room. I say it holds the room. Come and see for yourself. This room shares a common foyer with the famed Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Suite...Strangely they are a fitting duo.

Now This is a Lap Pool!

Dale Chihully's aquatic dream machine...his very own lap pool in the boathouse!

Go Kart Girl

One of the many fine paintings that Deck the Halls of the "They Run with Poodles Don't They Suite?" at Ruby Montana's Coral Sands Inn. This was aquired in 2006 and is above the toilet.

Ruby and John Kucher at Ginny's

John Kucher has visited The Coral Sands many times. He is a loyalist! His Libran Bash at The Sands may have gone down as one of the Wildest Parties of all times. I seem to remember all of us wearing wigs to Davey's Hideaway. Olsen and Suyama in mini skirts and tights doing a pre-roast show.

Gettin' Jiggy with "T" at Sornson's

Ruby with her good buddies at a fabulous "By Dane Dinner". Stacey and Tove (crabcakes in the foreground). Jig and "T" make for good company at Sorenson's pad.

Rover...Are You Out There?

Rover...are you out there? Your pals were celebrating without chu at Ginny Ruffner's and thinking fondly of your sweet self. Over Rover and out.

Whatever Lola Wants!

Whatever Lola Wants...Lola Gets! She wanted a leopard blanket that Cyndee brought to Dusty...but...she wanted it on the Chartruce Western Wagonwheel sofa...well...I think you can see the result. She's irresistable.

Jamie Kabler's Fabulous New Addition

Jamie Kabler has the leading photographic images collection in the desert. This is one of his latest additions.

Ginny Ruffner's Vineyard

Ginny Ruffner's kitchen comes complete with it's own pinot vineyard. Some of the area's finest grapes hail from the Ballard district!

Beazy Boo in the Liberace Suite!

One of the favorite regulars among us at The Sands is Beazy Boo. She generally visits Palm Springs and this little pink motel once a month. She fits right in as this picture attests. The leopard spread in the Liberace Suite suits her complexion.

Ruby and Mrs. Claus!

Ginny Ruffner hosts a mean Xmas Party! She reveled in the attendance of nearly 300 cheery guests. Regular Sands family members were abundant within those attendees.

Ginny sports the finest Mixmaster collection in the land. Her secret garden is beyond reproach.

Hats off to Ginny!

Ginny and her Entourage will takeover The Sands on 19th, 20th and 21st. Her show at Imago Gallery in Palm Desert will be Saturday the 20th of January.

Boom Ball Squaw Turns 29

Laurie Weed, darling of the Coral Sands and everybody's favorite vagabond, celebrates another one today, December 9th!

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Currently in Laos, Miss Weed is a junior chronicler of the Sands and devoted master of the boom ball. Laurie and Ruby were secretly married last year in a private ceremony on the white trash patio. Only Ruby was in attendance, Miss Weed was nowhere to be found.

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Happy Birthday, Weedie! We love you!!!!

Imagine

John Lennon, October 9, 1940 - December 8, 1980.
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Sounds of laughter shades of life
are ringing through my open ears
exciting and inviting me
Limitless undying love which
shines around me like a million suns
It calls me on and on across the universe.

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like X-Files

Doesn't the little pink motel look festive? If you had to make a choice right now: Santa's House at the North Pole or Ruby Montana's Coral Sands, which would you pick?
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Both are magical places, one lives in the heart, the other has heart.
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Monkey lights or elves? Toy shop or white trash patio? Louie, Lola, and Dusty or Donder and Blitzen? Ginger bread cookies or lemon pie?
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Tough, isn't it?

The Joads Do Golf and Houseboat Living

Ruby's Oklahoma relatives, The Joads, pulled up for a visit recently, carrying all their belongings as their Okie tradition demands of them (See Mr. Steinbeck, chronicler of the Joads).

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Though they've modernized a bit and are careful to blend in by observing local customs, these folks always cause a rucus when they come to town.

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Ecclesiastes 4:10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.