Columnist Muriel Stevens: Tables turned on master party planner for birthday bash

Tuesday, July 15, 1997 | 10:01 a.m.

For many years, party planner Jon Tullis has been creating gorgeous party designs for events in our town. Saturday night at Alexis Park Hotel, the bouquets were designed for him when friends Sandy and Roger Peltyn hosted a dinner dance in honor of his milestone 50th birthday.

It was a strange feeling, Jon said, to show up at a party and not have anything to do, but he enjoyed every minute. He did plan the tables and the room design, but then stepped back and let others follow his splendid plan.

Jon's roots are in Texas, so the invitation suggested western garb, but it was "anything goes." Most outstanding was host Sandy's white leather, fringe and beaded outfit topped off with a white Stetson.

A pre-dinner reception on the new glass-enclosed patio included champagne, a martini table, a caviar and blini station, crudites, and gelatin shooters -- berry flavored gelatin with vodka served in tiny cups that are definitely an acquired taste.

Photos of Jon as a child were showcased at the reception and in the dining room. Guests entered through an arch of black and gold balloons. Illuminated gold letters spelling out JON were on the wall above the bandstand. The tables were clothed in black with gold trim. Yellow roses cascaded from a tall thin pillar that allowed a view of all the diners at each table. At the base of the arrangement were puffy gold stars, cowboy boots and party poppers. Strings of gold stars wrapped around the floral arrangement. Gold dust was sprinkled over the cloth. It was all festive and beautiful.

Throughout the evening and into the early morning hours, Mariah's Sound Occasions (mobile D.J.'s) provided western music and entertainment. Never have I seen a prettier, more talented bunch of cowgirls and cowhands. Of course, there was line dancing, games, and some mighty fine frolicking.

Dinner was a delightful Texas-themed repast created by Alexis Park Executive Chef John Ciborski and his staff. This was Texas kind of grub with style. Southfork gazpacho, Miss Ellie's lobster cornbread pie, sorbet with strands of lime zest, and an entree of chicken breast with wild mushrooms, honey pecan-crusted baby back ribs and baby vegetables and pasta pearls. The ribs had been de-boned to make them easy to eat, but retained their shape. Absolutely delicious.

Chef Ciborski's signature dessert was as delectable as it looked. A white or dark chocolate cowboy boot, complete with spurs, was perched atop mounds of white and dark chocolate mousse, accented with "cactus" candy and swirls of raspberry sauce.

During dessert there was a heap of feudin' and fightin' with the poppers. Guests engaged in "range" war shooting off the little bottle-shaped poppers which emitted more colored streamers than it seemed the little favors could possibly hold.

Host Sandy spoke briefly about the honoree, his sister JoAnn Quarles gave a little sisterly advice Texas-style -- "Jon, now that you're 50 don't chase any females unless they're going downhill" -- and then she read a poem written by her daughter Suzanne Williamson for her uncle Jon. Nevada Opera Theater's Suzanne Farace mesmerized the audience with a song, performed a cappella, from "Phantom of the Opera," dedicated to Jon.

Among the many friends and family who attended were nephew Bobby Robbins and his wife Teresa, Gary Longfellow, Denise and Dan Reichartz, Frank Farace, Michele and Michael Berk, Marie Claire and Rino Armeni, Chantal and Steve Cloobeck, Drs. Parvin and Ted Jacobs, Fran Fine, Nancy and Jack Weiner, Andrea Thomas and Robert Spinelli, Janet Rogers and Andy Blumen, Angie Wallin, Tim Quillan, Estee and Lyn MacAllister, Bea Levinson, Michelle Betancourt, Lulu and Al Bubion, Terri Bergman, Jody and Zov Diamant, Isabel Pfiefer, Linda and John Kutcher, Diane Hill and Glenn DiGracia and many more.

The dancing and fun continued through the wee small hours of the morning; the birthday wishes are forever.

IMAX at Luxor

For a superb bit of entertainment do not miss "Into the Deep" currently at the new IMAX 3D theater in the Luxor.

Prepare for an exciting adventure when through the magic of IMAX viewers are plunged into a kelp forest with all the sea life off the shores of California. So realistic is this underwater experience, my companion kept reaching out as if she could touch the wet.

Filming of the amazing movie was made possible by the development of the IMAX 3D camera which allows this spectacular kind of underwater work. "Into the Deep" had its world premiere in 1994 at the Suntory Museum in Osaka, Japan and sold out every show. It opened in the new 600-seat Sony IMAX Theater in the new Sony Theaters Lincoln Square complex in New York City in November and is now playing in IMAX theaters in the U.S., Canada and Europe.

This is not the 3D experience of the past. The headset is state-of-art (except for fit and comfort), giving a vision that puts the viewer at the site. In this case the magnificence of the sea from a fish eye's view.

The film is beautifully narrated by Kate Nelligan, an internationally acclaimed actress.

After being part of this splendid undersea adventure, it's a little off- putting to exit into an arcade filled with boisterous youngsters. Instantly, the mood of the experience is dashed. Nevertheless, "Into the Deep" should not be missed. Take the family on an exotic adventure without ever leaving home.

For information and showtimes, call 262-4555.