American Cancer Society
Sunday April 27, 2008

Photos By Pat Krause

American Cancer Society Desert Palms Area Office, hosted this Desert Spirit XIX at the The Gardens on El Paseo tonight. Celebrity hosts for this annual affair were Cloris Leachman and George Englund. Nelda Linsk was the event chair and Paul Bruggemans was the Host Restaurateur.

Cocktail Reception hosted by Saks Fifth Avenue and complimentary parking was provided by Mercedes Benz of Palm Springs. Centerpieces were donated by Moller's Garden Center.

Participating in creating the menu and the food were some of the top restaurants in the area including, Bing Crosby's Restaurant and Piano Lounge, Castelli's Restorante, El Mirasol Mexican Restaurant, Kaiser Restaurant Group (Kaiser Grille, Hog's Breath Inn, The Chop House), Le St.Germain, Le Vallauris, Pacifica Seafood Restaurant, Sullivan's Steakhouse, Tommy Bahamas Tropical Cafe and Wally's Desert Turtle.

The Gardens on El Paseo was truly beautiful providing an open air dining experience for all who attended. Mayor Ron Meepos, of the City of Rancho Mirage congratulated the “2008 Celebration of Life Award” recipients who are both Cancer survivors, Stephanie and Michael Landes. Mr. Landes is the President of Eisenhower Medical Center Foundation. Also attending the affiar were American Cancer Society California Division CEO David Veneziano; American Cancer Society Regional Vice President Stephen Browning; American Cancer Society past National President Sally West Brooks.

A silent and live auction was held with benefits going to local Coachella Valley and Morongo Valley American Center Society's activities which help so many local cancer patients. Last year more than 1360 cancer survivors benefitted from the local programs and services.

The American Cancer society is the leading non-profit organization seeking education, advocacy, clinical care and research for cancer. Guests dined to the music of Pat Rizzo and his fine orchestra and the featured entertainer, Broadway star, Byron Nease who has played leading men in many great Broadway hits, including Phantom of the Opera; Camelot; Carousel, South Pacific; West Side Story, A Little Night Music, just to name a few.

For information on cancer prevention, detection, treatment, recovery or free services anytime, call the American Cancer Society 24/7 at (800) ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

To see the wonderful photos by Pat Krause at this event, click here.

The legend for Pat Krause photos:

1. David Veneziano, CEO of American Cancer society with Actress Cloris Leachman and her former husband, George Englund
2. Event Chair, Nelda Linsk and Paul Bruggeman
3. Photo of event
4. Stephanie and Michael Landes, Honorees
5. Pat Rizzo and his orchestra
6. Kelly Walling and Dr. Marvin Brooks - Pacifica booth
7. John Ferrelli, JFK hospital and Viginia D'Addario at a silent auction table
8. Yvonne Maloney Painting donated to the Auction
9. Major donor Jackie Lee Houston and Alana Flaxman
10. Pat Goody, Exec. Dir. Desert Palms Area
11. Jill Turner and Eduardo Salazar from Sullivans Steakhouse
12. Dave Ivanko takes a dessert from Le St.Germain booth
13. Chef Jess Tatro from Tommy Bahamas Restaurant
14. Cloris Leachman and George Englund speak to the guests
15. George McGuire From Kaiser Grill
16. Chef Pascal Lallemand with Jana Ray Sternlieb and Yvonne Scott at Wally's Desert Turtle food booth.
17. Paula King, Kevin Hurst, with Jeff Byron, General Manager of Saks 5th Ave and Ambie Henderson
18. Event entertainer, Byron Nease
19. Table of VIP donors for Cancer.