R M The Magazine of Rancho Mirage THE CRANORS Focused on Excellence SUNNYLANDS’ Haunting Portrait HIGH LIVING at Desert Island SEAN AND DIANA CRANOR 20 OF CAMERA WEST 15 PRIMARY CARE PERSONALIZED CARE WITH EVERYDAY ACCESS TO YOUR DOCTOR. THAT’S WHAT EISENHOWER 365 IS ALL ABOUT. Should I see the doctor for this? Is this drug going to interact with my statin? These are the kinds of questions your doctor can answer right away. With Eisenhower 365, you get answers online, straight from your doctor. It’s a convenient way to double check your doctor’s instructions, ask about side effects of a iÜi`V>Ì]Àw`ÕÌÜ iÌ iÀÞÕÀÃÞ«ÌÃÀiµÕÀi> vwViÛÃÌ°À>ÜÞi>ÀÞvii]ÞÕV>iÞi>ÃÞ>««ÌiÌ scheduling, access to your doctor by e-mail 365 days a year, and more time with your chosen Primary Care physician, all backed by the resources and expertise of Eisenhower Medical Center. Couple and family rates are available. For a referral to a participating physician, visit emc.org/365 or call 760-360-3365. 39000 Bob Hope Drive Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 emc.org/365 760-360-3365 Welcome R M WELCOME TO THE SECOND ANNUAL ISSUE OF ever, the revitalized Ritz-Carlton features a contemporary R/M magazine, the official publication for the City of Rancho aesthetic that takes full advantage of the rugged desert terrain, Mirage. The pages to follow underscore the legacy and history with plenty of outdoor gathering spaces, two new restaurants, that have earned our community the reputation of being a and a luxurious spa. In “Palate Pleasers” (page 70), “Spa favored celebrity escape and playground of the presidents. Escapes” (page 66), and “Set Your Sites” (page 58), you’ll learn When speaking of our city’s illustrious past, bound to come more about the offerings available at The Ritz-Carlton as well up is the late billionaire and publishing magnate Walter H. as those found at our city’s other equally fine resorts: The Annenberg and his wife, Leonore. In “Portrait of a Friendship” Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa, Agua Caliente Casino (page 22), Anne Rowe, director of collections and exhibitions Resort Spa, and Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort. at Sunnylands, opens a window on the friendship formed We’re also about discovering the desert’s hidden gems. Did between Walter Annenberg and the great American painter you know that Rancho Mirage is home to the valley’s oldest Andrew Wyeth. Over the decades, they made memories and craft microbrewery? In “Craft On Tap” (page 16), we take you shared milestones, including Wyeth’s highly publicized “Helga behind the scenes at Babe’s Bar-B-Que & Brewhouse to learn Pictures” episode, which revealed 245 paintings and drawings, about brewmaster Scot Grabbe’s award-winning selection of many of them nudes, all painted of the same woman in secrecy. craft beers. And in our cover story “South by Camera West” During the Helga years, in 1978, over the course of six (page 32), we introduce Sean and Diana Cranor. The couple has separate sittings in the artist’s studio in Chadds Ford, long enjoyed the serenity, warm weather, and natural beauty of Pennsylvania, Wyeth also painted a portrait of Annenberg. our desert, so while considering a Southern California location Rowe tells the intriguing, sometimes comical, backstory of the to complement their high-end camera stores in Northern resulting portrait that now hangs at Sunnylands. California, Rancho Mirage made perfect sense. With Camera In addition to celebrating our history, the following pages West’s arrival on Highway 111 in 2010, the city not only draws also highlight what’s new in our ever-evolving desert city celebrities, politicians, and diplomats but also professional — where to play, dine, and spa. Since last year’s issue, we’ve photographers and serious camera collectors. witnessed the highly anticipated return of The Ritz-Carlton, We hope you enjoy this year’s edition. Whether you live here Rancho Mirage, a 23-acre resort perched on a bluff above Frank year-round, part-time, visiting for a weekend, or celebrating Sinatra Drive. Originally opened as a Ritz-Carlton property in a special occasion, Rancho Mirage is a favored escape and 1988, the resort changed hands (and names) three years later playground for everyone. before it completely closed in 2006. Now back and better than — The Editors 1 The Pete Dye Golf Course at Mission Hills Country Club Contents 5/THE SCENE Who / What / Where / When 12/CAMEO: BROADWAY BABY Newly retired veteran actor and comedian Kaye Ballard discusses her storied life and career. by Gloria Greer / photography by Andy Stolarek 14/CAMEO: CREATIVE EVOLUTIONARY Architect Narendra Patel strikes an aesthetic, earth-friendly balance in Rancho Mirage. by Lawrence Karol / photography by George Gutenberg 16/CAMEO: CRAFT ON TAP Brewmaster Scot Grabbe hops to it at Babe’s Bar-B-Que & Brewhouse. by Lawrence Karol / photography by Andy Stolarek 18/GAME MASTERS For four pro athletes, Rancho Mirage is not just a place to train and play — it’s a place to call home. by Lawrence Karol / photography by Andy Stolarek 22/PORTRAIT OF A FRIENDSHIP The bond between philanthropist, publishing tycoon, and U.S. ambassador Walter Annenberg and American painter Andrew Wyeth culminates with a haunting work of art. by Anne Rowe 32/SOUTH BY CAMERA WEST Rancho Mirage becomes a destination for camera aficionados, thanks to a Northern California couple who set down roots here. by Christian Gulliksen / photography by Marc Royce / styled by Susan Stein 40/THE HOUSE THAT ROBERGE BUILT A rammed-earth home in Rancho Mirage reflects the creativity of its owner. photography by George Gutenberg 52/HIGH LIVING AT DESERT ISLAND The Coachella Valley’s best-kept secret features verdant open space, a lake, and a colorful history in ... yachting. by Sheila Grattan 58/RESORTS: SET YOUR SITES Under the wing of skilled event planners, four Rancho Mirage Resorts orchestrate special occasions that satisfy whims and exceed expectations. by Lisa Marie Hart 66/SPA: SPA ESCAPES Whether it’s to relax overworked muscles, refresh the senses, or calm the spirit, a RANCHO MIRAGE resort has just the right treatment for you. by Carolyn Patten 70/DINING: PALATE PLEASERS Meet the gastronomic tastemakers behind some of Rancho Mirage’s best food and drink And for good measure, they share their favorite recipes too. by Sheila Gibson Stoodley / photography by Jon Edwards 84/DINING: OUT OF THE GOOD EARTH From Northern California to Italy and regions in between, the farm-to-table movement has gone global — including right here in Rancho Mirage. by Sheila Gibson Stoodley COVER 92/DINING: WHAT TO EAT Photography: MARC ROYCE From multicourse meals to fast, fresh bites, Rancho Mirage restaurants cater to all palates with a diverse Styling: SUSAN STEIN array of cuisine. Hair and Makeup: JOY FIELD OF J. RUSSELL! THE SALON 96/FUN FOR ALL Location: CAMERA WEST, RANCHO MIRAGE Whether friends and family are coming to visit you in our desert paradise or you’re looking for a staycation with something for everyone, you’ll find everything you’re looking for at The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa. To receive the R/M INSIDER and R/M MAGAZINE in your email, visit www.RanchoMirageCA.gov, scroll to the bottom of the home page, and 104/A SHORE THING subscribe. Follow us by clicking the social media The LPGA tournament founded by Dinah Shore will be held at the Mission Hills County Club in Rancho icons at the top of the home page. Mirage for the 43rd straight year. 3 R M RANCHO MIRAGE CITY COUNCIL Mayor IRIS K. SMOTRICH Mayor Pro Tem G. DANA HOBART Councilmember RICHARD W. KITE Councilmember CHARLES TOWNSEND Councilmember TED WEILL CITY STAFF City Manager R ANDAL K. BYNDER City Attorney STEVEN B. QUINTANILLA City Clerk CINDY SCOTT Director of Administrative Services KIM MALCOLM-VALENTE Library Director DAVID BRYANT Director of Public Works BRUCE B. HARRY JR. City Engineer WILLIAM A. ENOS Finance Director ISAIAH HAGERMAN Director of Marketing/Public Relations ROBERT BARRETT CITY OF RANCHO MIRAGE 69825 Highway 111 Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 760-324-4511 www.RanchoMirageCA.gov www.RelaxRanchoMirage.com Publisher FR ANKLIN W. JONES Chief Financial Officer JOSEPH HINMAN Editorial Director JULIE SINCLAIR Editor JESSICA TAYLOR TUDZIN Art Director JIM AUGUSTO Managing Editor OLGA REYES Senior Editors ASHLEY BREEDING, JOAN PAGE MCKENNA Editorial Intern LINDSEY LITTLEPAGE Production Manager LAURA REYES Digital Imaging MARCO MORACHA CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Sheila Grattan, Gloria Greer, Christian Gulliksen, Lisa Marie Hart, Lawrence Karol, Liz Mazurski, Carloyn Patten, Michelle Roe, Susan Stein, Sheila Gibson Stoodley CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Jon Edwards, George Gutenberg, Millicent Harvey, Ethan Kaminsky, Marc Royce, Andy Stolarek ©2015 DESERT PUBLICATIONS INC. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information provided in this publication. Desert Publications Inc. makes no guarantee of the accuracy of information supplied by this publication, advertisers, organizations, or individual contributors. The publisher is not responsible for loss or damage to unsolicited editorial or photography. Desert Publications Inc., 303 N. Indian Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA 92262, 760-325-2333; FAX: 760-325-7008; www.palmspringslife.com 4 The Scene WHO / WHAT / WHERE / WHEN by MICHELLE ROE THE ART OF GIVING Throughout the second half of the 20th century, Walter and Leonore Annenberg received into their Rancho Mirage estate, Sunnylands, some of the world’s most infl uential personalities, from Dwight Eisenhower to George W. Bush, Princess Grace to Queen Elizabeth, Bob Hope to Kirk Douglas. On January 25, Sunnylands Center & Gardens will open the year-long exhibition Treasures at Sunnylands: Selections From The Gift Collection of Walter and Leonore Annenberg, revealing 46 gifts that the high-profi le couple received from their honored guests.