Job changes

B. Maya Kato, M.D., fellowship-trained, board-certified physician, has joined the ear, nose and throat practice of Michael R. Gatto, M.D., & Associates in Palm Springs as a specialist in otology, neurotology and skull base surgery. She previously worked for Kaiser Permanente as a regional subspecialist for the entire Northern California region. Kato treats both pediatric and adult patients. She is on staff at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs.

Openings & movings

Chamilia by Kantor, a boutique carrying the exclusive Chamilia line of beads, necklaces and bracelets, has opened at 74-133 El Paseo in Palm Desert. Owner Leslie Kantor offers a selection of designer beads of Sterling silver, silver and gold, or Murano glass from Italy as well as the Disney bead line.

Philanthropy

Olive Crest received a $25,000 grant from the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation. The organization is the 10th recipient of KPSP Local 2's Coachella Valley Spotlight. Olive Crest has served the Coachella Valley since 1995 and is committed to keeping families together.

Recognition

The Association of Fundraising Professionals, Desert Communities Chapter, selected the following recipients for the 2009 Philanthropy awards.

• Outstanding Philanthropists: Mr. and Mrs. Cargill MacMillian Jr., major patrons of the Palm Springs Art Museum, Eisenhower Medical Center and many other organizations in the Coachella Valley.

• Outstanding Philanthropic Foundation: The Champions Volunteers Foundation for the Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

• Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation: Prime Time International, an agriculture business in Coachella and staunch supporter of the Boys & Girls Club of Coachella Valley.

• Outstanding Volunteer: Michael O'Keefe, an active community volunteer and positive force on the Cabot Yerxa's Pueblo Museum Foundation, a docent and active member of the Western Art Council of the Palm Springs Art Museum.

• Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy: Nora Hammond, who has volunteered with the Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio, the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, the Palm Springs Art Museum, and was the co-founder and co-president of Academic WorldQuest at Palm Springs High School, and director of development for the Palm Springs Student Short Film Festival.

The city of La Quinta was recently honored with the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence in the housing programs and Innovations category by the League of California Cities for its Vista Dunes Courtyard Homes project.

Stephen P. Deitsch, a Best Best & Krieger attorney who serves as city attorney for four California cities, was elected recently to chair the Public Law Section of the State Bar of California. During his one-year term as chair, Deitsch will guide the executive committee through policy decisions affecting the 1,400-member section comprised of attorneys who serve cities, counties, school districts and other public agencies.

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