The cooking class at Piedmont West's new Cancer Wellness Center was terrific!   I assumed we'd be tasting food, but didn't know we'd enjoy an entire lunch that was prepared by Chef Nancy Waldeck as we watched.  We got loads of interesting tips from Nancy and Dietician Shayna Komar about creating great tasting, healthy meals.  The kitchen's tables were full of cancer survivors/patients and caretakers, and my good buddies who came out to support the cause.  We noshed on Creamy Pumpkin Peanut Ginger Soup, Tortilla Pizza,Tortilla Wraps, pasta salad, and a dessert of oranges and dates with cinnamon-pomegranate honey.  The pasta salad had an amazing homemade dressing that incorporated the Indian spice Garam Marsala that ROCKED.  Every bite of the food was delicious and simply prepared, and we all left with a booklet of the recipes.  The Cancer Wellness Center has these classes all the time at no cost to patients and caretakers -- hard to believe, but true!  And there are yoga, exercise, and art classes, support groups, and lots more.  It doesn't matter where you live and the support is free!  If you couldn't get out to be with me during the workday this week to check it out, Piedmont West (I-75 and Howell Mill) is having an Open House on Saturday, November 21st from 9a - 1p.  God forbid you ever have a need for it, but I'm finding there isn't a soul I know that hasn't been closely touched by someone with cancer.  You or someone you know may be looking for just this kind of support.  So the 21st is the perfect time to join me and see what it's all about.  Actress and Survivor Ann Jillian is the keynote speaker, and Chef Hans Rueffert (was on one of my favorite shows, the 1st season of The Next Food Network Star -- he came in 3rd, but was The Viewer's Choice) will be doing a cooking demonstration and cookbook signing.  Then, at 2pm, Hans will be doing a special cooking class for you with me.  So please plan to come.  Go to piedmontcancer.org/littlec for all the info you'll need.

I'm hopping on my favorite Airtran Airways after my show today for Las Vega$ with 20 of my friends and family for an early birthday/post-cancer-treatment celebration!  My nephew Bill has quite the festive weekend planned, including us seeing Cirque's "Love" (with The Beatles' music rearranged by George Martin and his son.)   I'll tell you all about it when I get back next week.  My girl "Pipes" Reece will be filling in for me.