Wednesday, April 8, 1998 | 9:22 a.m.
HUGELY SUCCESSFUL, the recent Main Event Luncheon at Wolfgang Puck's Chinois Restaurant drew a capacity-plus crowd of our city's most elegant women. Hosted by the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas -- Women's Division, the luncheon honored a select group of major contributors who have assisted in funding the annual United Jewish Appeal Campaign, among them Leslie Simon, Dorothy Eisenberg, Wendy Plaster, Edythe Katz Yarchever, Eileen Kollins, Dee Ober, Gerry Schwartzer, Irene Perer, Elizabeth Ackerman, Ruth Goldfarb, Janet Kantor and Wendy Moez.
Chinois, in the newest section of the Forum Shops at Caesars, set aside its quite spacious second level for the luncheon, which opened in congenial fashion with a social hour, where guests, including Judy Mack, Sandy Mallin, Jane Schorr, Jeri Fisher, Hilde Sills, Marilyn Etcoff, Linda Chenin and Hyla Worth, were seen mingling with friends, including Sherrie Sigesmund, Lil Kronberg, Rochelle Hornsby, Lillian Glicken and dozens more. Conversations frequently turned to the theme of children, as with realtor Eva Kallick, whose son Mitchell, a senior at Green Valley High School, is busy fielding scholarship offers for both volleyball and scholastics.
Carole Turk, president of the Women's Division, stood with luncheon chairs Arlene Blut, Carol Spiegel and Bonnie Pomerantz to welcome keynote speaker and author Faye Kellerman. In speaking privately with the author, she revealed a rich appreciation of our city, which stems back to countless vacations she spent here as a child in the '50s and '60s. Her forthcoming murder mystery, "Moon Magic," is a departure from her Peter and Rena Decker series, instead drawing upon the Las Vegas remembered and the city of today. Kellerman researched her writings with lengthy Las Vegas visits, often with husband and fellow author Jonathan Kellerman and their four children, using her contacts within our Metro Police Department and visiting our lush resorts.
Her well-received speech was an intriguing glimpse into both her professional and personal lives, including her year in dental school and eventual progression to author. She is justly proud of her recognized efforts to give a broader scope to Jewish women as characters in her books, giving them more style, intelligence and curiosity, yet personalities entwined with traditional religious values and observances.
Enjoying the afternoon were supportive members and guests, among them Michelle Snadowsky, Flora Mason, Dorit Swartz, Shelley Weinberg, Sharlene Flushman and Melanie Greenberg, as well as Michelle Knoll, Laura Unger, Belinda Mach, Gail Amster and Cheryl Miller.
Really cooking
Lighthouse Compassionate Care has as its mission the well-being of individuals and their families living with HIV/AIDS. Their many efforts to help include providing decent and affordable housing and supportive services including transportation and a food bank to low- and moderate-income individuals and families. Nonmedical respite care for primary care givers, as well as counseling, is also available, regardless of income levels.
Recently, this worthy nonprofit organization presented its first "101 Men Who Love to Cook," an event showcasing the many culinary wizards of Southern Nevada. An afternoon enjoyed with pleasure by this reporter and so many others, the fund-raiser drew high marks in both taste and variety, offering dishes as varied as baked Norwegian salmon en croute (Philippe Thuiller with Phillip Wardle), pinto bean jambalaya (Roger Lowe with Caryn De Boom) and Mama Luna's chili bowl (Lary Luna with Joanna Daniello).
Guests at the Charleston Heights Arts Center, including Kenny Kerr with Shelly Elias, Roz Caldwell, Colleen Schroeder, Jason Sax, Mae Muskin and Dale Myers with her sister Gale Colton, sampled, ate heartily, relaxed and enjoyed the party mood of the occasion. Serving stations ringed the large area, the former site of the West Charleston Library, and spilled out to the rear courtyard, where masterful chili chefs really turned up the heat on their finest. Shelley Berkley sponsored UNLV Hotel student Joseph Frydl, who created delectable stuffed clams, while comedian/radio host Sam Greenfield provided ratatouille casserole, Erick Beingen his ever-favorite stuffed pizza and Joe Walsh, stage manager of "Mystere," served chili con queso.
Instrumental in the day's success was Bob Wiseman, longtime Las Vegas resident, who's authored several cookbooks and proudly claims membership in the Western Writers Association. Joining him were Dennis Macready and his family, Dan Gouker, Jim Lamb, Gary Kirtley and Donnie Gordon of the Southern Nevada Chili Boosters. Joe Walsh, who gladly cooked for the fund-raiser, also worked for months behind the scene, gathering the chefs' many recipes, helping put shape to the commemorative "101 Men Who Love to Cook" cookbook given to each attending guest.
Turning out to give of their time and support were Chopin Kiang, Tom Raines, Shirley Fowler, Helen Bell, Trician and Grahame Anderson, Mary Langdon, Audrey Silva and Stanton Colton, joined by Susan Houston, Dee Mehocic, Lela Haupt, Alan St. Cyr and Rick Alstschuler. Lova Miller and Kathy Burnside, along with Melodee Lamb, assisted as volunteer bartenders, representing Lone Star Steakhouse. Providing assistance as well were Southern Wine and Spirits, Chef John Metcalf and his enthusiastic troop of CCSN Culinary Arts students, Jamie's Vending, Mission Linen and many others.
Junior auction
For the past 20 years, Junior Mesquite Club members have made their annual charity auction a focal point of their civic and charitable endeavors. The auction, which has by tradition also benefitted a local children's charity, has proven to be a significant forum for both emerging and established artists in our region. Chaired by Carrie Sprenkle and Gretchen Grierson, the reception and auction were held at the Richard Tam Alumni Center. Entering guests were presented with commemorative wine glasses, designed with Junior Mesquite's logo by featured artist Mark Vranesh, a longtime supporter. Champagne and delectable finger foods (believe me, this group should write a cookbook) flowed from the bountiful kitchens, providing further evidence of the club's culinary enthusiasm and generosity.
Participating artists, among them Laura Mann, Kim Kennedy, Joan M. Le Mere, Lorna Greene, Annette Chandler and Mary Heinrichs, were onhand for the opening artists' reception and easily answered questions about their displayed works. Nearby, auctioneer Robert Deiro received a royal welcome and thanks from many members who wished to show their appreciation for his presence and volunteer efforts. Deiro and his wife Joan were fundamental to the success of the first auction and, with Guy Robert Deiro, have remained an integral part of each of these 20 years.
Speaking briefly on the worthy charity recipients of the evening was Junior Mesquite president Sheila Scarborough, joined by Candlelighters executive director Eleyna Olivas. Candlelighters provides emotional, financial and educational support to the families of Southern Nevada children diagnosed with cancer. Funds raised from the art auction will be used to help with living expenses for families with a hospitalized or in-crisis child, transportation to medical facilities, counseling, treatment, funeral expenses and scholarships for long-term survivors. Adding to the magic of the evening was a $500 surprise donation to Candlelighters from MGC Communications.
Turning out to enjoy the evening were Sharon and Bob Ruyman, Brit and Cindy Locklier, Nate and Linda Tannenbaum, Oscar and Irene Armijo, Robert and Gail Qualey, Steve Scarborough, Karen and Bob Kegley, Dave and Connie Macauley and Dixie Stephens with hubby Kim Grytdahl. Past president Judy Brinker, who also chaired this event in years past, attended with her sister Kay Moore and kept true to the Junior Mesquite tradition of making a great buy on a favorite piece of art. Fellow bidders for the oils, pottery, weavings and watercolors included Dolores Martinez, Mary and Jim Livingston, Laura Lippold, Cathi Poer Smith, Kathleen Gaston and Kathy and Greg Fehr, who rubbed shoulders with competitive friends Clarence and Ginger Hashagen and past Mesquite Club president Beverly Sawinsky. Volunteering as ring girls and carrying the art through the bidding crowd were students, including Misty Fellegrino, Amanda Spicer, Wendy Neal and Austine Berk, all from Durango High School.
archive
