Wednesday, Sept. 2, 1998 | 2:12 a.m.
SUSAN ANTON, one of show business' most versatile and popular performers and star of "The Great Radio City Music Hall Spectacular" with the Rockettes at the Flamingo Hilton, will serve as mistress of ceremonies for Playhouse '98, Sept. 12 in the Mirage hotel's Mirage Ballroom. The benefit for the Nevada Association of the Handicapped is one of the city's most popular evenings, combining an outstanding dinner and entertainment with the live auction of a life-size children's playhouses, and one of the finest silent auctions of the year.
Caesars Palace, the Mirage, Desert Inn and Bellagio resorts are participating with leading gaming corporations, convention-related companies, architecture firms and construction companies. This year's crop of playhouses are marvels, ranging in theme from a pirate ship to a castle to a U.S. Air Force Thunderbird plane. Among the delights to be auctioned by Christian Kolberg will be the "Atlantis Adventure Playhouse," a children's playhouse custom designed and constructed by Caesars Palace employees.
Displayed through Sept. 11 at the entrance of "Race for Atlantis" in the Forum Shops at Caesars, this wondrous structure was inspired by the 3-D motion simulator adventure for which it is named. "Atlantis Adventure Playhouse" recreates an undersea world, and is crafted to spark a child's imagination with its brightly colored interior mural of angel fish, swordfish and other aquatic life. Designed with a 10-foot octagonal floor plan, this playhouse has carefully placed "peek" holes congruent with the giant, opened mouth of an attacking shark. To accommodate little ones using the playhouse in our desert climate, the playhouse's vaulted ceiling features a misting system disguised by cascades of Spanish moss. interior decor includes indoor-outdoor carpeting for easy care, plus a treasure chest of toys and several dress-up costumes. Among the many Caesars Palace employees lending their talents to the project were Jimmy Nicholson, John Huckeba, David Spears, Jose Galvan, Jerry Shander, and Caesars Palace Director of Employee services Rita Suarez.
Donna Baldwin is dinner chairperson for Playhouse '98 and serves with key committee members including Kara Tucker (silent auction), Rita Suarez (co-chair), and Julie Gilday-Shaffer (playhouse facilitation and transportation). For tickets and additional information on this most worthy event, please contact NAH's Angie Wallin at 870-7050.
Let's go, Rebels
Kicking off the collegiate football season with great enthusiasm were members of the UNLV Rebel Football Foundation. Their 1998 team mixer at the Official All-Star Cafe was a casual affair enjoyed by boosters and the team alike. Held on the private third floor of the eatery, the party provided an ideal setting for meeting Coach Jeff Horton and his wife, Teri, as well as the 1998 Rebel Football team.
UNLV's Rebel mascot, fondly called "Hey Reb," welcomed guests including Colleen and Mary Ellen Monahan, Chuck DeKeado, Terry Cottle, Karen Graham and Mike Chudd. All-Star Cafe staff provided hearty treats, among them Castle burgers, pizza, gourmet hot dogs and hamburgers and other munchies suitable for the football season ahead. UNLV's first home game, against Air Force, will be played at 7 p.m. Sept. 12 at Sam Boyd Stadium.
Cocktails and cruises
Members and guests were recently treated to an impromptu performance by celebrity Phyllis McGuire at the Social Register of Las Vegas' recent cocktail party. Hosted by Edd and Josette Kluth, the event was given in conjunction with Crystal Cruises and Cruise Holidays of Las Vegas to announce the Social Register's first ever international cruise to the Greek Isles. Ms. McGuire, who serves on the Social Register's Board of Governors, is a knowledgeable traveler who frequently chooses Crystal Cruises for her vacations.
Guests enjoyed a companionable reception and learned in great detail about the planned cruise, which will take place Oct. 22-Nov. 3, 1999. Ports to be included are Rhodes, Athens, Venice and Rome, as well as costal cities in Turkey and other exotic locales. Social Register president Clair Zeto reports this international cruise is the result of numerous requests by the membership.
The Social Register of Las Vegas was established in 1994 and serves a membership of more than 1,000 distinguished residents and celebrities from Southern Nevada. Its Board of Governors includes Rich Little, The McGuire Sisters, Buddy Greco and his bride, Lezlie Anders, Pam Walkd, Angie Wallin and Guy Mitchell, just to name a few. The organization hosts monthly social functions which are planned with great flair and often to assist local charities. For membership information, please call 256-0123.
Grand opening
Dr. Scott Brown, DDS, managing member of Comfort Dental of Las Vegas, recently welcomed a special, invitation-only group to our community's most technically sophisticated dental practice center. With colleagues Dr. Gilberto Suarez, Jr., DDS; Dr. Monica R. Ponce, DDS; Dr. John W. Myles, DMD; and a carefully-trained support staff, Comfort Dental of Las Vegas has been wildly successful and will open another location in the coming year.
The evening reception at the new facility on West Charleston, just across from UMC Hospital, began with a gentle roar from Comfort Dental's "Cowardly Lion" mascot. Gathered for the party were Las Vegas City Councilman Larry Brown, County Commissioner Mary Kincaid, state Sen. Valerie Weiner, Assemblywoman Chris Guinchigliani, and a host of other notables. Music and entertainment were provided by Tommy Rocker, who sparked a round of applause and dancing among the guests. Attendees viewed the new state-of-the-art facility during guided tours. Each received Comfort Dental shirts bearing the slogan "We Cater to Cowards." The evening at Comfort Dental was filled with superb food and drink done in a Polynesian theme by Chef J.B. Brown of Catering by the Chefs.
Present for the festivities and the dental floss/ribbon cutting were guests including Allen Kaercher, Joe Ryan, Jack Harpster, Dennis Morgan, Steve Linder, Denny Weddle and Bruce Spottleson, as well as Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce president Kara Kelly.
A trip to Circus
Been to Circus Circus lately? Enjoyed the magic of the Midway and the free circus acts? Recently with friends, we spent a most delightful evening playing tourists in our hometown resort. For longtime residents such as ourselves, Circus Circus is an established favorite for fine dining in their superb Steak House and after-dinner fun. With host Alan Hopper as our guide, we enjoyed a five-star meal in the Victorian elegance of this quietly elegant restaurant. Service in the English pub room bar, followed by the polished performance of the dining room staff made the meal a balanced, special occasion for all around.
Our after dinner tour of the resort gave us exercise ideal for walking off the calories garnered with the creme brulee and cognac finish to the dinner. We were given a complete look at Circus Circus' famed buffet arena, which feeds an average of 10,000 people daily. This spacious, tree-lined area, recently given a $10 million face lift, is done in an art deco motif and is over seen by clarence Sweeney of the Food and Beverage department. The buffet's serpentine waiting lines, reminiscent of Disney properties, are designed for comfort and amusement of the guests. The food looked and smelled delicious.
As the resort prepares for its 30th anniversary on Oct. 18, they remain justly proud of their family entertainment reputation. Centerpoint to this concept was the development of the Adventuredome, the world's largest enclosed amusement park. Originally opened as Grand Slam Canyon, the pink-domed fun palace is an air conditioned playground for kids of all ages. We quickly got into the spirit of fun with a test of skills in the shooting gallery and duck pond, followed by merriment on the ferris wheel, bumper cars and Canyon Blaster roller coaster. With ample spots for both viewing and participation, the Adventuredome also hosts parties in their private rooms for groups of all ages and sizes. Fine dining and casual snacks are also available each day, as the Adventuredome is a year-round offering of Circus Circus.
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