Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: ‘Ladies Do Lunch’ to benefit ballet

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, June 4, 1997 | 10:33 a.m.

SAKS FIFTH Avenue showcased a premier American designer at the recent "Ladies Do Lunch" event to benefit Nevada Dance Theatre. Formerly an evening event, this most elegant luncheon at the Sheraton Desert Inn provided a first look at Bill Blass's 1997 fall collection.

Wendy Plaster, chairwoman of the luncheon, waited on the upper tier of the Crystal Room to greet the fashionable crowd, including Peggy Brown with Saks General Manager Mari Landers, Rene O'Reilly, Veda Costello, Jewel Brooks and Peg Crockett. Nearby with friends Julie Pilkington and Saundra Munley was Suzanne Van Aiken, in high spirits and good health after a bout with malaria, which she contracted while traveling across Africa.

Bonnie Bryan, home from our nation's capital for several weeks, visited with Betty Robinson, Colleen Ashworth and Norma Land and later was seen with Toni Clark and Ann Menzel, who introduced her to Carla Boynton, wife of Peter Boynton, president of Caesars World International. Found in last-minute conference with Saks Fashion Coordinator Sharon Bader and NDT Company Manager Norman Cain was Nancy Houssels, president of Nevada Dance Theatre, who helped to clarify changes with mistress of ceremonies Alicia Jacobs.

Judge Nancy Oesterle, just one of the fashionable ladies who made time for this worthy luncheon, was the guest of Jean Nidetch and joined by Kitty Rodman, Leona Gennis and Claudine Williams at a stage-side table with excellent vantage. Sprinkled across the showroom, with an eye for clear viewing of the runway, were Gladys Comer, Jodi Ghanem, Mary Alice Sloan, Bonnie Schreck, Yvonne Franchi, Helene Walker, Monica Greenburg and Alicia Georgiades.

Bill Blass's body-hugging fashions were noted by many, including Realtor Wende Bell, taking a rare afternoon away from her clients, who easily selected her favorites, as did friends Vicki Cichon, Betsy McMurray, Ann Evans, Joni Akselrad, Laura Hobbs and Daphne Campbell. Holiday velvets, some with beaded or fur touches, fanciful animal prints, full coat-and-dress ensembles, knit suits with skirts or trousers, and more spun a pretty forecast for the season ahead.

Following the luncheon, many attendees, anxious to see the designs more closely, went directly to Saks, where they enjoyed coffees of the world and the ministrations of the Bill Blass executives who accompanied the collection to Las Vegas.

Secret Garden

In scenery as exotic and mysterious as the creators of this marvelous compound, the Secret Garden of Siegfried & Roy was formally dedicated in recent ceremonies.

With a profusion of tropical plantings in the background and the playful antics of the youngest white tigers faintly heard, Siegfried & Roy spoke of their continuing desire to participate fully in the conservation of the world's most exotic and rare animals. With a breeding program undertaken with the Zoological Society of Cincinnati, their efforts over the past 15 years have brought the white tiger back from the edge of extinction.

Expanding their efforts to similarly rescue the white lions of Timbavati, Siegfried & Roy are working with the Johannesburg Zoological Society of South Africa. Begun in 1994, the white-lion breeding program can now count 11 of these exquisite creatures at home in Las Vegas, among them the only males in the Western Hemisphere.

The Secret Garden ceremonies, truly international in nature as befitting such endeavors, were hosted by Steve and Elaine Wynn with Kenneth Feld, who jointly welcomed guests, including Paul Anka, Bruce Banke and family, Ray Vega, Phyllis McGuire with Bob Stupak, District Attorney Stewart Bell and wife Jeanne, Lt. Gov. Lonnie Hammargren and Mayor Jan Laverty Jones.

Sen. Richard Bryan, who once served as Siegfried & Roy's attorney in their early Las Vegas days, spoke in admiration of the show-business legends and their stellar efforts to preserve the future of these endangered species. Steve Wynn, in speaking of the Secret Garden and its unseen and quite spacious private quarters for these special animals, also added his own tributes and read aloud a letter sent by poet Maya Angelou.

Spreading throughout the Secret Garden to enjoy the remarkably close views of the snow leopards, black panthers, white tigers and white lions, were Drs. Ted and Parvin Modaber Jacobs, Peter and Jeannette Jaramillo, Glenn Shaw, Paul Carelli, Fernando Diaz, Dee and Don Snyder, and Vera and Clyde Turner. Overseeing the serving of champagne, other refreshing beverages and a dazzling array of appetizers was Lothar Gerhuber, Mirage Banquet Services manager, still another admirer of Siegfried & Roy's conservation efforts.

Seen in the throng of attendees were Commissioners Lance Malone and Lorraine Hunt as well as Julie Wignall, Mirage director of marine operations, and Jackie Brett, Jane Schorr, Mel Carter, James Embree, Bonnie Bryan with Lou Gammage, Solveig Thorsrud, Peggy and Somer Hollingsworth and consulate representatives from a dozen nations.

Departing guests, alerted by Wynn to the presence of a new baby dolphin, lingered in the Dolphin Habitat to view tiny Sagebrush, born May 21. Present to answer questions was the dolphin staff, including Ian Sullivan, Alyssa Ochoa, Brisbin Skiles and Jadie Pellegrino. Gifts of commemorative shirts denoting the Secret Garden dedication and a copy of Siegfried & Roy's latest pictorial book, with lavish photos of the white lions and white tigers, were provided to each guest.

Women's Health Fair

Good health is precious to us all, making it good sense to participate in preventive measures whenever possible. Desert Springs Hospital's Women's Health Fair on June 11 is a free offering to the community, where attendees will have direct opportunity to discuss health issues with doctors.

Topics will include diabetes, breast cancer, maternity, internal medicine, heart disease and other concerns to women and their health. Free blood pressure and blood-sugar screenings will be provided and appointments for specific needs can be scheduled.

Desert Springs Hospital's affiliated physicians will participate in the Women's Health Fair, which runs 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Maternity Center, Desert Springs Hospital, 4275 Burnham Ave. No pre-registration or other advance notice is necessary to participate.