 Saturday, February 21, 2009
Renaissance Esmeralda Resort and Spa
Indian Wells California
Story by Lissa Giulioni and photos by Yvonne Scott
To see more Yvonne Scott photos of the event, click here.
The Frank Sinatra Starkey Hearing Foundation Gala is dedicated to the memory and music of Frank Sinatra and benefits Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center at Eisenhower Medical Center. Barbara is shown here being kissed by Master of Ceremonies Tom Dreesen and actor Dick Van Dyke. Starting around 6 p.m. Saturday, the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort and Spa in Indian Wells rolled out the red carpet for celebrities, loyal sponsors and gracious guests such as, Pat Boone, the Gatlin Brothers, Justin Osmond, Dick Van Dyke, Peter Marshall, Deana Martin, John Griffeth, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Austin, Tom Dreesen, Elke Sommer, Jerry Vale, Frankie Randall, Joe Mantegna, Dennis Farina, William Devane and others. All came to enjoy an evening of music and memories of the beloved Frank Sinatra.
 The Gala tickets sold for $1,000 per person and the entertainment for the Gala has always had a surprise element known as,” Barbara’s Surprise!” This year’s surprise honor was given to Michael Feinstein, the Grammy nominee and artist of the “Sinatra Project.” Catch him on his next stop of his tour at the MGM Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Mass.
The Gala’s entertainment also included Barbara Sinatra’s co-host and adored actor Dick Van Dyke. The legendary comedian Tom Dreesen was the evening’s master of ceremonies for the evening.
At the top of the show was a tribute to Angelo Lucchese. Lucchese is “the face of Jack Daniels” and Frank Sinatra’s “buddy.”
 Title sponsor Bill Austin of Starkey Hearing Foundation, pictured here with his wife, received an honorary award from Barbara Sinatra acknowledging all his work for the hearing impaired and Barbara’s Children’s Center.
Next up, Barbara Sinatra spoke with loving words of encouragement and pride for her Children’s Center at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage. Her mission is the treating and preventing of child abuse.
An open house was held on Sun. Feb. 22, for the Children’s Center at Eisenhower from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
The evening’s final act was Grammy nominee Michael Feinstein's performance. He took over the stage in grand “Sinatra style” and sang several of “Old Blue Eyes” songs. The list included: “You Go to My Head,” “Fools Rush In” and “Luck be a Lady.”
He stopped only once to take a quick break from singing in order to share with the audience how he came to know the Sinatras. One story has it that he met them at the famous Chasen’s restaurant in Beverly Hills. Chasen’s was a famous hang out for entertainment luminaries to world leaders.
Sinatra was surprised and amazed how a kid knew all his songs! So impressed were they with Feinstein, the Sinatras invited him sit down at their table.
In gratitude, Feinstein paid tribute to Sinatra with George Shearing with the 2005 “Sinatra Project.”
 All had a memorable time and the gracious hostess, Barbara Sinatra, could not have been lovelier. The Sinatra Starkey Hearing Foundation Gala was a success and the residence of the Desert Cities shall look forward to the next 22nd annual Gala.
To see more Yvonne Scott photos of the event, click here.
For more information about the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center, click here.
For more information about the 21st Frank Sinatra Starkey Hearing Foundation Celebrity Invitational, click here.
For more information about the Starkey® Hearing Foundation, click here.
For more information about Michael Feinstein, click here.
For more information about the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort and Spa, click here.
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