By Diane Marlin-Dirkx
Oh, what to wear. What to Wear. So many events. So many venues. So little time. Is a luncheon? A dinner? An evening at the theatre? An occasion with pals? Acquaintances? His? Or yours? (It makes a difference.) Some people you want to impress? Or some you hope to drive to our airport soonest. In the words of teens: “What Ever.” (Two words drawn out into infinity is especially impressive.) As to getting dressed, we’re pretty easy out here in the Desert. Clean, neat and tidy. Simple. If you can’t manage that, you’ve got more problems than we can address here. And NO, You can’t apply the 10 second rule of dropped food on the floor. Okay. Done. Now to more pressing matters. This just in:
Saturday, February 22, 6 pm. “Starry, Starry Nights,” Palm Springs Pathfinders Annual Gala. Rancho Las Palmas Resort, Rancho Mirage. Remember your time at camp? The smell of piney woods? Scary night noises? Singing “Kumbaya” around a camp fire? Dropped food that tasted better for the forest floor? Laughter? Mosquitos? Pathfinder Ranch is celebrating its 50th year giving underprivileged kids a summer camp experience. Grown from 20 acres to today’s 80 acres, in the summer Garner Valley hums with the activity—rock climbing, horseback riding, crafts, etc. of about 1500 children from Boys & Girls Clubs in California and surrounding states. Remember and lend support at the fundraising gala during cocktails, dinner, at Silent and live auctions. Tickets, $200 per person, call 760-408-2340, or 310-968-0468. Or www.PalmSpringsPathfinders.org
Friday, February 21, 11am. Yikes! This is tomorrow. Hustle over to the phone to see if they can find you a seat! The 26th Annual Barbara Sinatra Fashion Luncheon is done “Her Way” at the Special Events Center at Fantasy Springs Resort in Indio! A benefit for the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center on the Eisenhower Medical Center campus, the always sold-out event starts at 11 am with an incredible silent auction, followed by a gourmet menu luncheon, and a fashion show on a runway designed for a perfect view of the newest trends from Troy, an upscale boutique on El Paseo featuring the finest American and European designers. And get ready for “Fly Me to the Moon” surprises! Seating is limited. Tickets for the luncheon are $125 and are available through the Frank Sinatra Celebrity Invitational office at (800) 674-8447. For information on the Frank Sinatra Celebrity Invitational or luncheon, please contact Mary Martin at (800) 674-8447 or www.franksinatragolf.org.
Friday, February 21, 8pm. WOW! Chita Rivera Performs at the McCallum Theatre in Chita: A Legendary Celebration. One Night Only!. The theatrical icon as actress/singer/dancer, is arriving direct from her smash sell-out concert in New York to rave reviews The multi-Tony award winner at 80 years of age will recreate signature moments from her phenomenal career, including West Side Story, Sweet Charity, Chicago, Kiss of the Spider Woman, special tributes to her favorite composers and so much more. Tickets are available from $45 to $95 online at Mccallumtheatre.com, or by calling the box office at o760-340-2787, or go to McCallum Theatre, 73000 Fred Waring Dr., Palm Desert, accepting payment by cash, check, and all major credit cards.
Saturday, February 22, 11am-2pm.”Puppy Love.” A fab fashion show featuring two of our favorite things: Stud Muffins and their BFS. That is, our desert’s most fashionable men in Saks Fifth Avenue togs and their beloved, distinguished Best Friend dogs prowling the catwalk to the moans, screeches and lustful yearnings of the mostly female audience worthy of years past first Beatles appearance, unleashed, uninhibited and sated by a delicious lunch and ready and able to roar in appreciation of the manly display. Whew! This is the 5th year of the fundraising event to help the Animal Samaritans to feed, shelter, rescue, provide medical care for homeless dogs and cats. Enjoy live entertainment and live auction. RSVP 760-601-3755, or go to www.AnimalSamaritans.org. At the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells
Sunday, February 23, 11am-3pm. Get your gallop on and join the VNA California (Visiting Nurse Association) for an afternoon of Polo & Entertainment—“POLO PICNIC.” From a comfy table with good sight-lines, enjoy two polo matches, Champagne Divot Stomp at match break, Gourmet Burger Bar and Dessert. Wait!! There’s more: Silent auction, Raffle Prizes. More Surprises in store! All proceeds go to the community outreach efforts of the VNA, including Charity Care, Student Mentoring, Camp Erin, and Mourning Star. General seating ticket, $100, Front-row VIP seating, $125. The Empire Polo Club, Indio.
Sunday, February 23, 6:30pm. Join the dinner party for an evening of Italian romance at La Spiga Ristorante with Les Dames d’Escoffier International, Palm Springs Chapter. Served under the stars, the four course menu begins with signature appetizers followed by Insalata Italiana, drizzled with house-made balsamic glaze. The main course served family style is a parade of pastas and sauces served on large platters for everyone to try. Dessert is fresh made pastries. Live entertainment will be provided by International Opera Institute and Desert Opera. LDEI is a world-wide organization of executive women in the fields of food, fine beverage, and hospitality. Each chapter conducts fundraising projects and awards scholarships to women continuing higher education in the industries. LDEI also supports organic gardening programs at several local high schools. Proceeds from fundraising events go to LDEI’s Scholarship Fund and the Green Tables initiatives. Cost of dinner is $75 per person inclusive with a no-host bar. An Italian wines pairing is available for an additional charge. Reservations, call 340-9318. For more information visit www.ldei.org, or call (760) 895-9899.
Tuesday, February, 25, 6pm. A look at the world of nursing. Is there more to the profession than a pretty smile and white shoes? You bet your thermometer! Cal State San Bernardino’s Palm Desert Campus will screen the documentary film “Nurses: If Florence Could See U Now” in its Indian Wells Theater with free admission and parking. “The film looks through the eyes and voices of nurses and gives viewers a rare look into their world today. From the bedside to the board room, this film explores the complex, exciting and challenging world of being a nurse; the many different roles that nurses play and the realities of nursing — its joys and sorrows — and the many ways that nurses impact the lives of others,” says the press release. See it if you’re considering becoming a nurse, or an impatient patient. Advance reservations not required, CSUSB PD Campus is at 37-500 Cook St. For more info, call 760-341-2883, ext.78107, or msinger@csusb.edu.
“Don’t Be Clueless” wants to remind you that press releases for inclusion should be in to the Coachella Valley Weekly at least two weeks ahead of the scheduled event! Thanks!
