A Bert's Eye View - Palm Springs Modernism, History and much More

Join me as we take a look at the Coachella Valley's largest agricultural business, date farms. Who knew that over 90% of the dates consumed in the United States are grown right here! This episode of  A Bert’s Eye View  is brought to you by Modernism Week — your ticket to the best in midcentury and modern architecture, design, and culture, all in vibrant Palm Springs, California. Mark your calendar...

Every bus tour goes past this small but important cemetery on the way to admire the architecture that makes Palm Springs famous. Take a few minutes and discover why this tiny plot of land is important in the city's history. This episode of  A Bert’s Eye View  is brought to you by Modernism Week — your ticket to the best in midcentury and modern architecture, design, and culture, all in vibrant Pal...

Greater Palm Springs has sporting events, music festivals, cultural celebrations, in short - something for everyone! Plan your year out with these details on what's happening in the Valley! This episode of  A Bert’s Eye View  is brought to you by Modernism Week — your ticket to the best in midcentury and modern architecture, design, and culture, all in vibrant Palm Springs, California. Mark your c...

The Chi Chi Club is long gone, but it ruled entertainment in downtown Palm Springs for two decades. We explore it history and contribution to the city today. This episode of A Bert’s Eye View is brought to you by Modernism Week— the celebration of midcentury and modern architecture, design, and culture in sunny Palm Springs, California. Join the fun in October and February with tours, talks, parti...

Best wishes to all my listeners and followers for a healthy 2026! A short podcast this week dives into the most popular Christmas song of all time! This episode of A Bert’s Eye View is brought to you by Modernism Week— the celebration of midcentury and modern architecture, design, and culture in sunny Palm Springs, California. Join the fun in October and February with tours, talks, parties, and mo...

When it is a wind turbine! Learn all about these amazing machines that capture a free limitless natural resource! This episode of A Bert’s Eye View is brought to you by Modernism Week— the celebration of midcentury and modern architecture, design, and culture in sunny Palm Springs, California. Join the fun in October and February with tours, talks, parties, and more—tickets and details at ⁠moderni...

The Plaza Theatre in downtown Palm Springs has reopened after an extensive renovation and is alive with the sound of music, comedy, films, and other performances. Greta Garbo would be proud! The background music in this podcast is from the film Camille, which premiered at the Plaza Theatre in 1936. Frederic Chopin's Nocturne in E Flat Major and Carl Maria Von Weber's Aufforderung zum Tanz are in t...

Palm Springs doors. From turquoise to bubble gum pink. Our doors are a statement of fun, creativity, and joy. This episode of A Bert’s Eye View is brought to you by Modernism Week— the celebration of midcentury and modern architecture, design, and culture in sunny Palm Springs, California. Join the fun in October and February with tours, talks, parties, and more—tickets and details at ⁠modernismwe...

While commercial buildings and residences often get the spotlight for their Modernist architecture, Palm Springs has a number of houses of worship that are worth celebrating. We take a look at some of the mid-century designs. This episode of  A Bert’s Eye View  is brought to you by Modernism Week — your ticket to the best in midcentury and modern architecture, design, and culture, all in vibrant P...

Drive-In theaters were once everywhere, and Palm Springs had two! They are long gone, but we remember them with fondness. This episode of  A Bert’s Eye View  is brought to you by Modernism Week — your ticket to the best in midcentury and modern architecture, design, and culture, all in vibrant Palm Springs, California. Mark your calendar for October and February, when the city comes alive with tou...

Raymond Loewy, the Father of Industrial Design, enjoys the climate in Palm Springs so much that he builds a house! This episode of  A Bert’s Eye View  is brought to you by Modernism Week — your ticket to the best in midcentury and modern architecture, design, and culture, all in vibrant Palm Springs, California. Mark your calendar for October and February, when the city comes alive with tours, tal...

The game of tennis has been an integral part of Palm Springs for almost a century. Here we take a look at the "royal sport" played by the common person. This episode of  A Bert’s Eye View  is brought to you by Modernism Week — your ticket to the best in midcentury and modern architecture, design, and culture, all in vibrant Palm Springs, California. Mark your calendar for October and February, whe...

Robolights! Has been delighting bus guests for many years! We walk through this unique art exhibit and get details from its creator, Kenny Irwin. If you want to tour Robolights, text Kenny at 760-774-0318 to make an appointment. Admission is free, and purchases of his smaller scale art are greatly appreciated! This episode of  A Bert’s Eye View  is brought to you by Modernism Week — your ticket to...

Preview for February 2026 Modernism Week opens today and ticket sales start November 1st! We polled the folks who put together the Modernism Week Festivals and asked them for their top tips for making your visit the best ever! 1. If you have only a few hours and therefore time for only one thing, jump on a double-decker bus tour.  Perfect overview of Palm Springs’ mid-century modern architecture,...

Kaptur Plaza - perhaps not mid-century but worth saving nonetheless as a part of Palm Springs architecture history! This episode of  A Bert’s Eye View  is brought to you by Modernism Week — your ticket to the best in midcentury and modern architecture, design, and culture, all in vibrant Palm Springs, California. Mark your calendar for October and February, when the city comes alive with tours, ta...

From one tour on a smelly London bus 20 years ago to multiple tours on board sleek, open-air double-decker buses today - we've learned a lot about creating tours as part of the Modernism Week experience! This episode of  A Bert’s Eye View  is brought to you by Modernism Week — your ticket to the best in midcentury and modern architecture, design, and culture, all in vibrant Palm Springs, Calif...

Designed right here in Palm Springs in 1961. The Studebaker Avanti, a true midcentury classic, lives on in the hearts of collectors and enthusiasts! Thank you to Gary Gand for the image of his gold 1963 Studebaker Avanti. This episode of A Bert’s Eye View is brought to you by Modernism Week— the celebration of midcentury and modern architecture, design, and culture in sunny Palm Springs, Californi...

Live on island time in the desert as we explore Tiki culture today and its roots, and find why Tiki was and is so popular in Palm Springs. This episode of A Bert’s Eye View is brought to you by Modernism Week— the celebration of midcentury and modern architecture, design, and culture in sunny Palm Springs, California. Join the fun in October and February with tours, talks, parties, and more—ticket...

Tom O'Donnell, oilman, visionary, and philanthropist, had a profound impact on Palm Springs' early history and growth. To see the 2002 episode with Huell Howser touring the O'Donnell house, copy and paste this link into your browser: https://blogs.chapman.edu/huell-howser-archives/2002/09/27/odonnel-house-palm-springs-week-36/ This episode of A Bert’s Eye View is brought to you by Modernism Week—...

There are numerous rumors circulating about Palm Springs—everything from Marilyn Monroe's house to Thomas O'Donnell's crypt above the golf course. We're looking for the truth in this episode! This episode of A Bert’s Eye View is brought to you by Modernism Week— the celebration of midcentury and modern architecture, design, and culture in sunny Palm Springs, California. Join the fun in October and...

With one of the highest ratios of swimming pools to population, we take a look at the history and attractions of pools in Palm Springs. This episode of A Bert’s Eye View is brought to you by Modernism Week— the celebration of midcentury and modern architecture, design, and culture in sunny Palm Springs, California. Join the fun in October and February with tours, talks, parties, and more—tickets a...

The Palm Springs Art Museum opened in its present location and building almost 50 years ago. We delve into its history today. This episode of A Bert’s Eye View is brought to you by Modernism Week— the celebration of midcentury and modern architecture, design, and culture in sunny Palm Springs, California. Join the fun in October and February with tours, talks, parties, and more—tickets and details...

Poolside Gossip, the 1970 photo that has come to symbolize Palm Springs and the desert lifestyle. This is the story of how that photo came to be! This episode of A Bert’s Eye View is brought to you by Modernism Week— the celebration of midcentury and modern architecture, design, and culture in sunny Palm Springs, California. Join the fun in October and February with tours, talks, parties, and more...

It's been almost three decades since Ol' Blue Eyes passed away. But his presence here in the Valley is as strong as when he lived and entertained here. In this episode, I take a look at when Frank came to Palm Springs and his impact as a celebrity and philanthropist in the Valley. This episode of A Bert’s Eye View is brought to you by Modernism Week— the celebration of midcentury and modern archit...

This is an episode about resilience and calm in the face of adversity, and a part of Palm Springs' history that should not be forgotten. I interview Miss Thelma, a (nearly) lifelong Palm Springs resident who was impacted by the removal of homes on Section 14 - an unpleasant time in Palm Springs history. This episode of A Bert’s Eye View is brought to you by Modernism Week— the celebration of midce...