Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Rodman hosts annual western benefit for Opportunity Village

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Sept. 9, 1998 | 9:47 a.m.

Opportunity Village Association for Adults with mental retardation will again host the ever-popular "Miss Kitty Invites Y'All to Jeans to Jewels" western hoedown planned for Sept. 19. Hosted by benefactor Kitty Rodman, the western-themed event at the JW Ranch in Paradise Valley will offer live country entertainment, fantastic barbeque dinner and a silent auction, as well as equsetrian events featuring the championship UNLV Rodeo Team. Proceeds from this sixth annual event benefit Opportunity Village, and give supporters a great time in a relaxed and casual atmosphere. Kitty Rodman has been a generous benefactor to Opportunity Village for over a decade and in recent years has lent her name and personal involvement to this party. Rodman is justly proud of the progress made by Opportunity Village, which offers an employment and training campus for Southern Nevada residents. Dress for the charity benefit is casual, so bring your cowboy hats and boots and come out for some fun. Contact the Opportunity Village Marketing Department (259-3741) for more information.

Chefs' conference

Lawry's The Prime Rib Restaurant of Las Vegas was well represented during recent corporate meetings and the annual chefs' conference in Costa Mesa. Executive Chef Michael Ty spent three days attending sessions at the Mondavi Center, where topics ranged from personnel regulations, wine tasting seminars by Mondavi representatives and, most deliciously, to chefs' presentations of new restaurant offerings. Nationally and internationally recognized for his culinary expertise, Chef Ty led the opening last year of this posh supper club in the Howard Hughes Center complex, and was instrumental in the hiring and training of his five star staff.

The Las Vegas Lawry's, with its exquisite art deco decor and fine food, continues to be a star among its sister properties, even surpassing the fabled Beverly Hills eatery. Chef' Ty's California trip, an elegant bonus offered only the top tier of Lawry's chefs, also included a coveted invitation to join the Lawry's president's party for a dinner cruise departing from Newport Beach.

Scholastic honors

Second-year medical student Tania Neal Edwards, daughter of Nevada state Senator Joseph Neal (D-North Las Vegas), has won the Sherry R. Arnsten Minority Student Scholarship from the American Associaton of College of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM).

Edwards, who attends the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (COMP) at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, Calif. (Western U.), was one of 10 students nationally to win the $2,000 scholarship. Winners were selected from members of underrepresented minorities who actively promote osteopathic medicine and who are dedicated to increasing their number in colleges of osteopathic medicine. Scholarship applicants were judged solely on the basis of a required 750-word essay on what osteopathic medical schools can do to attract underrepresented minority students.

Upon graduation Edwards intends to practice medicine at a Las Vegas inner-city clinic. Western U. enjoys affliation agreements with University Medical Center in Las Vegas, with several of their medical programs participating in rotations at UMC, and other clinical sites throughout Nevada. Western U. recently opened an administrative office in Las Vegas, advancing the prospects of establishing the first pharmacy program and a physician assistant program in Nevada. The University's new office is located on East Flamingo Road.

A graduate of Southern University in Baton Rouge, La., with a bachelor's degree in biological sciences, Edwards lives near the Western U campus in the city of Corona, Calif. with her husband, Dothel Edwards. This summer, she divided her time between helping her father in his Nevada gubernatorial campaign and teaching biology at California State University, Los Angeles to incoming minority freshmen and students who are studying for the Medical College Admissions Test.

Hall-of-famers

One of the year's most spotlighted evenings will be held Sept. 24 at Caesars Palace, when the American Gaming Association and the World Gaming Congress host its annual Gaming Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony. The highest honor accorded by the gaming-entertainment industry, The Gaming Hall of Fame has previously recognized such luminaires as Bill Harrah and Frank Sinatra. This year honorees will include Tony Marnell and Lud corrao, J.K. Houssels, Siegfried & Roy, and Thomas Young, Sr. (posthumously).

As is traditional, the Hall of Fame Dinner will raise funds for two important causes: SafeNest, and the National Center for Responsible Gaming. SafeNest is a Las Vegas organization which provides temporary assistance and shelter to abused women and their children. The National Center for Responsible Gaming is the only funding source for independent scientific research on problem and underage gambling. Sandy Peltyn and Rino Armeni are the gala coordinators, and have the able of assistance of community leaders including Brian McKay, Linda and Robert Faiss, Larry Ruvo, Claudine Williams and Paul Dworin, each of whom will serve on the host committee. For reservations and further details, please call 368-1533.

Sundevils unite

Once a Sundevil, always a Sundevil -- or so the legend goes. Proving the point is new Arizona State University (ASU) Alumni chapter president Steve Hermann, who's busy gathering Southern Nevadans for a year's worth of university-supportive programs. Hermann, who recently signed on with owner Karen Gordon as sales and operations manager of Activity Planners, is a masterful coordinator of special events, parties and fund-raisers.

Over Labor Day weekend, alumni members gathered at PT's Pub in Green Valley to cheer on the ASU Sundevils football team in their opening game against Washington. Discussion during the game and half-time included the announcement of the next chapter meeting, slated for Sept. 15 at Joe's Crab Shack on Rainbow Boulevard at 6:30 p.m. Future gatherings at PT's Pub (Sunset and Pecos Roads) will also include all televised ASU games. Alumni present for the ASU vs. Washington game party included Jonathan Sweeney, Helen Sax and college sweethearts Jon and Bonnie Antonson. Contact Steve Hermann at 270-3221 for additional details.

Helping Shakespeare

Incredible as its seems, the annual Nevada Shakespeare in the Park program is now in its 12th year. Superbly presented by the Excalibur Theatre Company of Los Angeles, this year's offering will be "Two Gentlemen of Verona." Three live performances will bring the baird's comedy to life Sept. 25-27 at Foxridge Park in Green Valley.

Nevada Shakespeare in the Park, which is presented free to the public, is the result of months of fund-raising and planning on the party of many individuals and organizations. The Arts Council of Henderson/Green Valley continues to seek donations, and volunteers are urgently needed to make the event a pleasant experience for all attending guests. Pamela Mains, executive director for the Arts Council, commented, "Help in every aspect of Shakespeare in the Park is greatly appreciated. In the past, everyone who has volunteered has had a wonderful time, made new friends and learned a lot in the process." Help is needed to distribute programs, collect audience donations, assist with clean-up, and perform other light duties.

Last year Shakespeare in the Park attracted nearly 28,000 people, making it the largest annual cultural event in Green Valley. Sponsors for 1998 include the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority; the American Nevada Corporation; Clark County School District; the City of Henderson; and the Nevada Humanities Committee. VIP tickets can be reserved for a donation of $150. Contributors are then provided tickets and blanket space on the park grounds in the VIP area nearest the stage. For further informaton and volunteer arrangements, or to audition for the Green Show, please call 898-1639.