New Handsome Hounds for 2015 Men of the Desert

By Tom Snyder

Dogs, Dudes, and Designer Menswear hit the catwalk at the Ritz-Carlton this Saturday, March 7 for Animal Samaritans’ 6th annual Men of the Desert charity luncheon and fashion show. The event raises money for the organization’s animal rescue program and to feed, shelter, and provide medical care for the dogs and cats of AnSams’ no-kill animal shelter and adoption center. Almost 300 tickets have been sold so far.

Susan Stein, Fashion Editor for Palm Springs Life Magazine and the Creative Director/Producer of Fashion Week El Paseo, directs 17 local models, aka “Handsome Handsome” and their dogs on stage. She’ll be dressing the gents in fashions by local clothiers Don Vincent, Mr. Turk, and Wil Stiles.

As usual, the men will be dressed to the nines while walking their favorite canine companion on stage. Part of the fun is watching to see what the dogs do; will they strut alongside their human, sit like a stone, or chose to pursue other distractions? The animals are not dressed in apparel (only the men), but remind all in attendance the reason behind the event: to raise money for the animals.

This year’s handsome hounds include: Brady Sandahl from Sotheby’s International Realty; real estate developer and attorney Doug Jones; Peter Gueracague, an actor and model who recently joined the cast of the History Channel’s TV series “The Vikings;” Dr. Mark Sofonio; Michael Mathews, Community Relations and Event Director from Palm Springs Life Magazine; Robert Downing of Robert & Tracy Real Estate Group; Patrick Evans, CBS TV2 Meteorologist; Cortland Knudson and Ken Waski from Renova Solar; Mark Miller, American Airlines; Bill “the Bulldog” Feingold from KNEWS; Sean Bergara, Owner of Ecore Fitness; Brian Myers, MD, from the Live Well Clinic; Doug Watson, GM of the Ritz Carlton Resort; Joey Francis an actor, model and musician featured on TV’s “The Bold and The Beautiful;” and Jim Casey, President of Integrated Wealth Management.

Date: Saturday, March 7

Time: 11am – 1:30pm

Place: The Ritz-Carlton Resort, Rancho Mirage

About: Includes champagne reception, luncheon, silent auction, and charity fashion show.

Tickets: $125 contact 760-601-3754 or www.animalsamaritans.org