Columnist Muriel Stevens: Bush exhibit the star attraction at NICA gallery

Tuesday, June 16, 1998 | 9:40 a.m.

"Read My Lips: Suppose They Gave a War and Nobody Had Cable." That provocative title is just a hint of what's in store for patrons at the Nevada Institute of Contemporary Art Gallery, in the Cannery at 3455 E. Flamingo Road.

The exhibit, on display today through July 12, showcases the photo journalism of Las Vegas resident Diane Bush. The photographs of news media personalities were taken during the Gulf War. Some have been exhibited in Chicago, Houston and New York. This is the first time the entire portfolio is being shown.

Bush captured what she calls "War Heads" in her own living room. Not able to go to the actual war zone, she captured the images "working as a photo journalist on my knees in the living room in front of the TV set with a camera.

Each one of the 43 photographs in the exhibit represent one day of the Gulf War.

A reception featuring a "Gallery Talk" by Bush will take place at NICA June 25 from 6-8 p.m. Bush will speak at 7 p.m. The public is invited.

NICA's gallery hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

St. John marks time

Something new has been added to St. John Knits -- a watch collection designed just for women.

Part of the smashing collection was unveiled at a recent invitational reception at the new St. John shop in the Forum Shops at Caesars. The watches are a joint effort between St. John and Swiss Army Brands, Inc. Unlike the utilitarian Swiss Army designs, the St. John collection is gorgeous and sized just for women. These are not scaled-down versions of men's watches.

On hand to greet guests were Marie and Bob Grey, the co-founders of St. John Knits, Inc., their designer/model daughter Kelly, and Rick Taggart, president of Swiss Army Brands.

Sleek and wafer thin, the St. John watches were designed to match any occasion. Prices, not yet firm at the time of the reception, are expected to start at just under $500. As part of the festivities, Taggart presented Marie Grey with the top-of-the-line design -- a dazzling diamond watch.

The St. John watches will be available in October.

Breast Cancer Coalition

Members of the Breast Cancer Coalition of Nevada joined the National Coalition in Washington, D.C. recently for the 1998 advocacy training program and to lobby our legislators to support issues directly related to breast cancer.

Nevada Coalition President Gail Allen and board members Nina Tiep, Nancy Rosenthal and Danielle Drietzer met with Sen. Harry Reid and Sen. Richard Bryan to urge support for two proposed bills that will have direct impact on women's lives. The first, Funds for the Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program, is a free screening program for uninsured and underserved women. The legislators were also urged to pass the Genetic Nondiscrimination in Health Insurance Act that assures that women will not lose their insurance if a blood test reveals they have cancer.

In just a short time the efforts of the National Breast Cancer Coalition and the local grass roots coalition have been instrumental in persuading Congress to increase funds for breast cancer research. New drugs are already in use that may have the ability to not only cure, but to prevent breast cancer with limited side effects. The need for more education on early detection continues.

To learn more about the local Breast Cancer Coalition, call 396-7402.

REEL news

A new non-profit organization dedicated to films and filmakers, The Reel Las Vegas International Film Festival, will host CineVegas, a Cannes-like film festival. Projected date for the first-time event is December, 1998. A kick-off event is slated to take place at the Huntridge Theater on June 27.

REEL board members include Michele and Michael Berk, Greg Beber, Ellen and Paul Bodner, Jan Leenders, Michael Zeto, Ann-Marie Davis and Brock Davis, Leslie DeVore, Dayvid Figler, Paul Fisher, Karen Gordon, Brenda Hirsch and Ed Hirsch, Bobbi Hughes, Marilee Lear, Phyllis McGuire, Fred Nassiri, Gayle Natham, Sandy Snyder, Mary Vail, Robert Weimer and Carl Young.

Acting as film festival advisors are Bob Broadbent, Chantal and Stephen Cloobeck, Eric Gloege, Lorraine Hunt, Ron Mancuso, Andrew Molasky, Sandy and Roger Peltyn, Alan Pesin, Curtis Swarts, Tom Walker, Michael Zeto and Jan Leenders. Members of the consulting staff are Joshua Abbey, Amie Williams, Bill Keller and Barbara Spanjers.

Volunteers are needed to assist with administrative and event activities. REEL LVIFF will host regular meetings and social activities throughout the year. To learn more about the volunteer programs, call the festival office at 477-7530.

Luxor tops

Gourmet magazine readers rated the Luxor Las Vegas among the top 50 U.S. resorts in the May Hotel Issue. The Luxor was listed in the "Rooms at the Top" section. Using 15 points, four of them food-related, the results were broken down into 10 areas of the U.S. Luxor ranked among the top five destinations in the Pacific Northwest and Mountain States category. Vince Matthews, vice-president and general manager of the Luxor, is justifiably proud. "This honor comes just as we approach our fifth anniversary in October, demonstrating that our mission to create a world-class, all-inclusive resort is on target and on schedule."