Wednesday, April 15, 1998 | 10:23 a.m.
LYNN SHOEN, president of Clark County Pro Bono Project, had the recent pleasure of leading the awards presentation at the organization's 1998 Volunteer Recognition Luncheon. The Pro Bono Project has been assisting low-income residents in civil matters for 13 years. It is the only agency providing such assistance in family law. A significant number of clients are women and children who are victims of domestic violence.
For many, the project represents their last hope of escaping from an abusive relationship. In 1997 alone, more than 10,000 individuals were assisted, with clients served by 171 volunteer attorneys in Southern Nevada. On average, each of these clients received $2,819 worth of free attorney services, not including project staff paralegal time. These volunteer lawyers annually donate more than $1 million in free legal services, while several thousand more clients are also assisted by staff paralegals in the Pro Bono Project offices. Local fund-raising efforts and grants provide the bulk of the monies necessary to keep this worthy agency afloat.
Held at the Golden Nugget, the luncheon spotlighted the work of many generous recipients, among them the law firm of Graves & Leavitt (Judge Sally Loehrer Founder's Award -- 14 cases), attorney John Graves (Spirit of Pro Bono Award -- 10 cases) and attorney Rebecca Wallace (Louis Wiener Pro Bono Service Award -- specialist in domestic violence). Commended as well for their unflagging efforts for having accepted five or more pro bono cases in the previous 12 months were Gayle Nathan, Marilyn Romanelli, Marsha Tarte, Gary Lang, Douglas H. Clark and James Guesman, as well as Rosemarie Heidenrich, Dani Stephens, Patricia Trent and Patrick Nohrden. Recognized with the Law Firm Pro Bono Award were the firms of Rawlings, Olson, Cannon, Gormley & Desruisseaux (large firm); Dempsey, Roberts & Smith and Dickerson, Dickerson, Consul & Pocker (medium firm) and Rovacchi, Tilman and Cordes (small firm).
The President's Award, recognizing two stellar community supporters, was jointly presented to Sandy Colon-Peltyn and Jon Tullis. Honored for their extremely successful endeavors to raise funds for the Clark County Pro Bono Project, both were presented with framed art photography, the work of attorney John A. Mowbray. The very beautiful photos were rare glimpses of the Hale-Bopp comet, filmed by Mowbray and his young son as it crossed the skies over Redrock Canyon last fall. In presenting these awards, Lynn Shoen commended these volunteers for "really lighting up the lives of the less fortunate in our community."
Attending guests and supporters included Judge Nancy Oesterle, William Brad Bennett, James O'Reilly, James J. Jimmerson, Thomas Leeds, Mark Wenker, Sharon Nelson, Kerry Skaggs and Nevada Supreme Court Justice Bill Maupin. Also present was founder and longtime supporter Judge Sally Loehrer. State Sen. Valerie Wiener helped present the award named for her late father Louis Wiener and spoke of his pro bono efforts, which were the centerpoint of his legal endeavors for the last decade of his very active life.
Friendly lunch
An appealing favorite that has continued to delight members and guests alike, the Nevada Opera Theater Guild's Friendship Luncheon Internationale will be held on Sunday, April 26, at Caesars in the Emperors Ballroom, Palace Tower. A glorious selection of opera favorites will be perfomed by Nevada Opera Theater artists and will enrich the pleasure of both the opening reception and luncheon. Elisa Del Prado, Latin Chamber of Commerce board member and officer of Hispanics in Politics, as well as Eileen Hayes, founder and general artistic director of Nevada Opera Theater for the past 12 years, are the 1998 honorees for the Friendship to the Arts awards.
Tove Allen, guild president, is chairing this delightful, very musical occasion. Among those who have selected national themes and will participate as table sponsors are Dr. Charles and Nancy Vinnik (Italy), Eleanore Doumani with Kathy Augustine (U.S.), Cathy Bittinger (Mexico), Beverly and Mike Mykisen (China), Colette and Sid Saltz (France), Liz and Gil Suckow (Argentina) and others. Lavish decorating and party favors are the norm for this most colorful event, which benefits the Nevada Opera Theater and its many programs throughout the year. Call 734-6338 for reservations and additional information.
New offices
New ventures, new beginnings, were celebrated during Easter week as Bank West of Nevada opened its beautiful corporate headquarters on West Sahara Avenue, just across from Palace Station. Chartered in 1994 by founding directors William S. Boyd, Robert E. Clark, Marianne Boyd Johnson, Todd Marshall and Donald D. Snyder, this professional and business bank has quickly grown to match the robust nature of the Nevada economy. President-CEO Larry Woodrum led the official ribbon-cutting ceremonies and opened the celebration with a flourish. Joining him were legendary banking leader Selma Bartlett (executive VP for Green Valley and Henderson), Linda Newton Mahan (senior VP-CFO), Jack R. Wallis (senior executive VP-chief credit officer) and Diane Fearon (senior VP-business development). Lending their attention to the event as well were Lois Greene (senior VP-administration) and Sandford Sadler (senior VP-credit administrator).
The banking and administrative center houses an elegant branch office on the ground level with an encircling atrium of corporate suites on the four tiers above. Present at the posh gathering were George Lennox, Jim Marsh, Marlene Kerner and Jim and Helen Sax, in addition to Sen. Richard Bryan, Dema and Kenny Guinn, District Attorney Stewart Bell and Ivan Eisenberg. Also attending were Bank West directors, including Sherry Colquitt, Dr. Jim Nave, Perry Whitt, Edward Nigro and Dr. Nafees Nagy.
Renaissance Catering provided a bountiful spread, while guests relaxed to the music of a classical string quartet and harpist. Banker George Dammeir Jr., formerly an executive with Sun State Bank, was present and explained he's been named assistant vice president-operations manager. Dammeir will open Bank West's newest branch on West Lake Mead later this year. On hand to assist other guests with their questions was Mariliene Nevins, vice president-loan officer, and her office manager Valerie Sawders.
'Color us friends'
The circus is coming ... or so it might seem, as Sunrise Children's Hospital Foundation swings into action April 23-25. Leading off will be the "Color Us Friends" Circus Luncheon on Friday, April 24, at the Las Vegas Hilton. Candy Krauseman, luncheon chair and the Foundation's volunteer president, has announced that tickets for the luncheon are $20 and will include the chance to purchase the very popular "From Sunrise to Sunset" cookbook.
Saturday evening will find supporters gathering for a black-tie gala, once more at the Las Vegas Hilton. With great fun and excitement, "Color Us Friends at the Circus: A Tribute to the Life and Art of Red Skelton" will offer attending guests a superb meal, entertainment and the opportunity to bid on world-class art. Mrs. Skelton, honorary chair for the gala, will be present and assisting committee members, including Dee Ladd, president-CEO of the Foundation, Stefani and Dr. Bill Evans, Robin Tegano and Barbara and Jacques Desrocheris. Tickets are $125. Contact the Sunrise Children's Foundation office, 731-8373, for the necessary reservations.
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