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Greetings, Darlins'
 As you can see, it’s just a little over a week until the debut of our all-new Follies 18th edition entitled Get Your Kicks!
In spite of now-worthless 401K plans and postponed retirements, I’m happy to report that the phones are still ringing here in FolliesLand. Apparently, a little escape is just what we Americans need and the Follies is happy to oblige. Please know how grateful we are for your support over these 18 years and how committed we are to fulfilling our promise of an even more spectacular show with each succeeding season.
One gentleman recently purchased four Follies tickets for his wife, a neighbor lady and himself. When asked by our reservations agent why the fourth ticket, he replied, “For their pocketbooks and sweaters.” A “good son” called to order Executive Platinum service for his mother who is attending the Follies with a group. This entitles her to a gift bag of Follies souvenirs and unlimited refreshments delivered directly to her seat. Now THAT is a good son!! (This last repetition added by my own mother, who insists on editing all my material.)
 An important reason not to miss our newest edition is our incredible Dorothy Kloss. Her world record and photo appear in the just-released  2009 Guinness Book of World Records, and there is a story below of her recent speaking engagement at Eisenhower Medical Center’s “Healthy Living” series. She also has a terrific two-page story in the October/November issue of Reminisce Magazine, truly one of my favorite publications whose founders, Roy and Bobbie Reiman, are long-time Follies Friends.
 Another reason not to miss this season’s Follies is ventriloquist extraordinaire Sammy King and his wiseacre partner “Francisco.” I’m sad to report the retirement of the latter, who has decided to spend his golden years at his hacienda in Tijuana, so our dear Mr. King will soon be without a sidekick. They have chosen to perform their final season-long engagement with their Follies Family and we are most honored. They last appeared in Season 14, so I’ve enclosed an amusing news clip taped backstage just prior to that opening night of a little exchange between Francisco and Miss Kloss. If CBS was worried about their FCC license after Janet Jackson’s “wardrobe mishap” that year, Francisco only added to their worries.
Finally, the young people in our web department have dreamed up more ways to entertain you. Described below are their most recent additions to our website. You might enjoy the wallpaper (including one of yours truly), a fun game or the Follies’ new avatars (if you don’t understand the latter, don’t ask as neither do I.)
Before my November missive, America will have elected a new President and Vice President. Late night comics undoubtedly will lament the loss of their primary source material, but I’m sure we’ll provide them with something new to fill the vacuum. Don’t forget to vote on November 4 and don’t forget to visit us here soon at the historic Plaza Theatre. We’re only located on “Route 66” through May 17!
Until the next time, just stay alive! |
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  Internationally-Acclaimed Chanteuse Guest Stars
Through December 31 A “Band of Gold” is wrapped around the jazz-inspired melodious strains of Freda Payne’s unique voice. This gorgeous singer will grace the Follies stage through our New Year’s Eve performances. Making it all that much more fun to “Get Your Kicks!”
To listen or read more . . .
 We hear it all the time: “I want to go to the Follies, but don’t drive the freeway anymore.” And while there are hundreds of groups headed to the Follies each season, maybe you had a root canal the day your Mahjong Club made its annual visit.
But that doesn’t mean you have to choose between hitchhiking ( bad idea) and missing the Follies ( even worse)!
A number of groups have scheduled bus trips to the Plaza Theatre from various communities throughout California, and Arizona and we can connect you with the ones from your area. At this time, pick up/drop off locations include the following cities*:
- Los Angeles County:
Inglewood, Lakewood/Long Beach, Lawndale, Montebello and the San Fernando Valley
- Orange County:
Anaheim, Cypress, Fountain Valley, Laguna Woods, Orange, Seal Beach, Tustin and Yorba Linda
- Inland Empire, Hemet and Banning Pass:
Banning, Chino Hills, Hemet, Ontario and San Bernardino
- San Diego County:
Carlsbad, Escondido, La Mesa, Oceanside, Ramona, San Diego and Vista
- Central California:
Carpinteria, Goleta, Santa Barbara and Visalia
- Arizona:
Casa Grande, Lake Havasu, Mesa, Phoenix, Sun City and Yuma
For more specific information on individual bus transportation to and from the Follies, call our Reservations Department at (760) 327-0225 or email us your request.
* More groups are booking each day so even if you don’t see your city listed, call us!
  Another way to make your holiday shopping relatively painless is to let your fingers (or at least your “computer-mouse finger”) do the walking through the Follies Online Store.
There you’ll find unique gift items, such as the exquisite ornamental figures created by famed doll and puppet designer, Van Craig. Each makes a lovely addition to a Christmas tree or a collector’s display case.
 As smart shoppers, Follies fans and collectors know each new Follies edition brings with it a full array of Follies fashion and accessories specially created for that season. Every show’s poster and logo is designed by noted New York advertising artist, John Greenberger. This season’s 50s-inspired design  perfectly reflects not only America’s love affair with our cars, but harkens an era of adventure and the open road.
Add a Follies souvenir book and CD, and the Online Store allows you to take the Follies home with you, for Christmas and all through the year.
 On September 17th at the Annenberg Center for Health Sciences on the Eisenhower Medical Center Campus in Rancho Mirage, the Follies’ Dorothy Kloss was invited to speak as part of the Center’s Healthy Living Series.
Hall of Fame journalist and Rancho Mirage resident Murray Olderman was in the audience that evening and scribed his impressions of her address to this sell-out crowd.
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Dorothy with retired naval officer Joyce Carter who was stationed at Naval Station Great Lakes.
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Dorothy performing in the final performance of the Eddie Duchin Orchestra at Naval Station Great Lakes before Duchin's enlistment into the Navy.
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Our Follies Fans webpage is continually being enhanced with more cool  features (kid-speak!)
  This month, we’ve added a fun online Route 66 game, Follies wallpaper for your desktop and Follies avatars for your AOL Instant Messaging.
Also, folks are beginning to send us their Route 66 memories for posting on this page, so please send us yours, if you haven’t already done so.
 Since 1947, the U.S. Marines have been looking after America’s needy children during the holidays through the Toys for Tots program. By distributing over 300 million new toys since the program began, Marines deliver a message of hope and let children know that someone cares. The Follies is pleased and proud to participate as a toy drop-off location for the 12th year.
The Toys for Tots program has a rich history of providing for youngsters in need. In 1948, Walt Disney designed the Toys for Tots logo still in use today; Disney also designed the first Toys for Tots poster used to promote the nationwide program. Nat "King" Cole, Peggy Lee and Vic Damone recorded the Toys for Tots song written by Sammy Fain and Paul Webster in 1956. Bob Hope, John Wayne, Doris Day, Lorrie Morgan, Tim Allen and Kenny Rogers are but a few of the long list of celebrities who have given their time and talent to promote Toys for Tots.
 If you are interested in donating, simply bring a new, unwrapped toy to the collection bin, located in the Plaza Theatre lobby, during any Follies performance from October 28 through December 14, 2008.
We partner with over 35 restaurants, hotels, attractions, retailers and special services to assist in making your visit to Palm Springs and the Follies even more enjoyable. Please browse the "Visitor Information" page of the Follies website for a complete listing plus additional helpful details.
This page also includes parking information and street directions to make getting to the Follies as easy as possible!
For October, we’re spotlighting our Restaurant partners to assist you when planning your Desert visit.
Some also offer special discounts for our patrons, so be sure to mention you are attending the Follies when you call to make your reservations or when you visit. For a list of our partners with much more detailed information visit our website.
SHERMAN'S DELI AND BAKERY, Call (760) 325-1199 or visit www.shermansdeli.com. Also visit the Palm Desert location at 73-161 Country Club Dr., Palm Desert, CA 92260. (760) 568-1350.
COWBOY DINNER THEATER, P.O. Box 1094, Palm Springs, CA 92263. Call (800) 600-3082 or (760) 329-0189, email shows@cowboydinners.com or visit www.cowboydinners.com.
LE VALLAURIS, 385 W. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Call (760) 325-5059, email vallauris@aol.com or visit www.levallauris.com. Group Info: Le Vallauris accepts groups on its patio for pre- or post-show dining. Contact Tony Bruggemans at (760) 325-5059.
MELVYN'S RESTAURANT, 200 W. Ramon Road, Palm Springs, CA 92264. Call (760) 325-2323, email contact@inglesideinn.com or visit www.inglesideinn.com.
WANG'S IN THE DESERT, 424 S. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Call (760) 325-9264 or visit www.wangsinthedesert.com. Group Info: Contact Joel Herzer or Alford Harrison at (760) 325-9264.
TOP OF THE CHOP, 262 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Call (760) 325-5200 or visit www.restaurantsofpalmsprings.com. Group Info: Call (760) 779-8946 or email groups@kaisercorp.com.
CHOP HOUSE PALM SPRINGS, 262 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Call (760) 320-4500 or visit www.restaurantsofpalmsprings.com. Group Info: Call (760) 779-8946 or email groups@kaisercorp.com.
CHOP HOUSE PALM DESERT, 74040 Highway 111, Palm Desert, CA 92260. Call (760) 779-9888 or visit www.restaurantsofpalmsprings.com. Group Info: Call (760) 779-8946 or email groups@kaisercorp.com.
LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA, 222 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Call (760) 325-2794 or visit www.lascasuelas.com.
BILLY REED'S RESTAURANT, 1800 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Call (760) 325-1946 or visit www.billyreedspalmsprings.com. Group Info: For groups of 20 or more, breakfast, lunch and dinner all-inclusive, price available. With group arrivals, bus driver and tour escort meal will be complimentary. Catering is also available. Contact: Cyntha DeAnda at (760) 325-1946
ROCK GARDEN CAFÉ, 777 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Call (760) 327-8840.
SPOTLIGHT 29 CASINO, 46-200 Harrison Place, Coachella, CA 92236. Call (760) 775-2930, email info@Spotlight29.net or visit www.Spotlight29.com. Group Info: Contact Diane Delfiandra at (760) 775-2853 or email ddelfiandra@Spotlight29.net.
PEABODY'S CAFÉ, 134 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Call (760) 322-1877. |
KAISER GRILLE PALM SPRINGS, 205 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Call (760) 323-1003 or visit www.restaurantsofpalmsprings.com. Group Info: Call (760) 779-8946 or email groups@kaisercorp.com.
POMME FRITE, 256 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Call (760) 778-3727 or visit www.pomme-frite.com.
PEPPERS THAI CUISINE, 396 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Call (760) 322-1259, email peppersthai@verizon.net or visit www.peppersthai.com. Group Info: Contact Burt at (760) 322-1259 or (760) 272-3341 for special Follies group discounts and pricing.
PALM COURT CAFÉ – HYATT REGENCY SUITES PALM SPRINGS, 285 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Call (760) 322-9000, email jlopez@hyattpalmsprings.com or visit www.palmsprings.hyatt.com.
PINOCCHIO IN THE DESERT, 134 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Call (760) 322-3776, email pinocchio@dc.rr.com or visit www.pinocchiops.com. Group Info: Affordable group rates available. Contact Desiree Huenen-Gerhardt at (760) 322-3776.
PALM SPRINGS BUREAU OF TOURISM & VISITORS CENTER, Mailing Address: 277 N. Ave. Caballeros, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Complete listing of all Palm Springs hotels, restaurants and attractions. Call (760) 778-8415, email visitors@palm-springs.org or visit www.palm-springs.org. Group Info: Contact Mary Jo Ginther at (760) 778-8415.
THE FALLS, PALM SPRINGS, 155 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Also visit our La Quinta restaurant at 78-430 Highway 111. Call (760) 416-8664, email reservations@thefallsrestaurants.com or visit www.thefallsrestaurants.com. Group Info: Contact Diane Daniels at d.daniels@thefallsrestaurants.com or phone her at (760) 416-8664.
MATCHBOX, 155 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Call (760) 778-6000 or visit www.matchboxpalmsprings.com. Group Info: Contact Diane Daniels at d.daniels@thefallsrestaurants.com or phone her at (760) 416-8664.
PALM SPRINGS AERIAL TRAMWAY, Call (888) 515-8726 or (760) 325-1391, email pstramway@pstramway.com, or visit www.pstramway.com. Group Info: Contact Gabriele Wich at (760) 325-1449.
CAFÉ JASMIN, 125 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way #103, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Call (760) 320-7535 or (760) 773-4881 or email jasminrestent@yahoo.com.
HOG'S BREATH INN LA QUINTA, 78-065 Main Street, 2nd Floor, La Quinta, CA 92253. Call (760) 564-5556 or visit www.restaurantsofpalmsprings.com. Group Info: Call (760) 779-8946 or email groups@kaisercorp.com.
CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN, 123 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Another CPK location can be found in the El Paseo Collection at 73-080 El Paseo in Palm Desert (760-776-5036). Call (760) 322-6075 or visit www.cpk.com. Group Info: Contact General Manager Doug Smith at (760) 322-6075. |
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