HOLLYWOOD BEAT: Champions for Cancer on the Hollywood Beat

Paula Abdul may have been missing in action, but champion cyclist and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong, was up front and center at "A Night at the Casbah". This event benefiting cancer research attracted a young, committed group of supporters who have helped raise over $6 million dollars. Matthew McConaughey, Armstrong's BFF, was not on hand, but another super jock, skateboard wiz Tony Hawk, even auctioned off one of his skateboards to help the cause

Lance Armstrong at "A Night at the Casbah"

Did you know that Hawk is listed in Sports Illustrated Top Ten Moments in Action Sports, and that he became professional at age 14? Armstrong also won his first Triathlon at age 13. These two committed athletes are determined to fight this dread disease.

Tony Hawk & pop singer, Tiffany

Musical entertainment was provided by English songbird, Maxine Nightingale, and Access Hollywood's energetic Billy Bush was the MC for the evening. Kudos to Stacy and Alberto Valner, the young couple who founded this progressive support group As the late musical legend Pablo Casals stated, "The capacity to care is the thing which gives life its deepest significance.

Carlos & Charis Mundy with Karolina Kurkova and Mariel Hemingway

While in an esoteric mood, Mariel Hemingway invited us to attend the launch of the Rainbow Warrior by Carlos and Charis Mundy. Mundy is the publisher of Spain's successful fashion trade, Metaphore Magazine, and associate of the support committee for Tibet, with His Holiness the Dali Lama. He and his co-author sister believe through fiction, they can communicate a message of non-violence and universal responsibility. 10% of the royalties from the sale of the book, and future film rights, will support many organizations including the World Wildlife Fund and Green Peace. Some of the many celebs in attendance included super model Karolina Kurkova, Cassanda Peterson (Elvira), Deepak Chopra and Rip Taylor.

Kai Nygard

We also ran into our friend, 23rd old Kai Nygard whose interest in health, nutrition and mental awareness led him to develop Rawfood Nutrition Company, one of the largest nationwide suppliers to markets, health food stores and the internet. Despite a privileged background, (his Dad is renewed designer Peter Nygard), Kai got heavily into health and spiritual awareness, studying all forms of religion and becoming deeply invested in Buddhism. His passion in life is to get the young Hollywood set on the right track. He encourages them to become involved with programs that help save the rain forest, and make them aware of ecology. He is the anti-Paris Hilton of his generation, and believes that Hollywood has the ability to influence the world through the power of positive example

Dinner Chairs: Laurie McCartney & Erica Zohar

Superman Returns has received 10 nominations for the 33rd Annual Saturn Awards. This event, on May 10th, will held in Universal City, will be hosted by Greg Grunberg, (Heroes) and comedian Jeffrey Ross. Other nominated films include Casino Royale, and X Men. In the television category, Lost, Battlestar Galatica and Heroes received the most attention. For further info, check out their website www.saturnawards.org. We have always been a fan of this genre, and know it will be an exciting evening on the Hollywood Beat. .