Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Colin Powell to speak at UNLV Foundation event

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, April 14, 1999 | 11:59 a.m.

Saturday will be a stellar evening for the generous supporters of the UNLV Foundation. Three new members of the UNLV Palladium Society of million-dollar donors will be honored during the foundation's annual dinner. Those to be honored during the event are Franklin J. Koch, Larry and Camille Ruvo of Southern Wine and Spirits and Donrey Outdoor Advertising. Distinquished speaker for this special dinner will be former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Colin L. Powell.

The purpose of this annual evening is to recognize the contributions of individuals and businesses that support academic programs at UNLV. Past speakers at the event, held each year since 1988, have included such luminaires as Apollo 13 astronaut Jim Lovell, "CBS Sunday Morning's" Charles Osgood and former First Lady Barbara Bush. Norwest and Wells Fargo banks have generously agreed to underwrite Powell's appearance at the event. Individually, the newly merged Norwest and Wells Fargo banks have made many contributions to the community and specifically to UNLV.

This dinner is by invitation only to members of the UNLV Foundation's annual giving groups who contribute $1,000 or more in support of the university's academic programs. Among the annual giving programs available to donors are the President's Inner Circle for individual contributors of $5,000 or more; Academic Corporate Council for businesses that donate $5,000; and the President's Associates at the $1,000 level. For further information about the foundation's annual giving programs and this very special evening, please call 895-3641.

Anniversary ball

Fast approaching is the Polish American Center's second Anniversary Ball, scheduled for Saturday in the Riviera Hotel's Grande Ballroom. The occasion marks the second anniversary of the founding of the Polish American Center in Las Vegas. Plans for the ball include a fine meal, excellent entertainment, dancing to live music and other attractions. The children's folk dance group from White Eagle School and Krakusy from Los Angeles will perform. Elizabeth Kawka (896-6058) and Paul Krowicki (263-8031) are handling the reservations and other details.

Housing Congress convention

Longtime area residents Gub and Carol Mix divide their time between our fair city and a new residence in Sun Valley, Idaho. Gub, executive director of the Manufactured Housing Institute in Nevada, Idaho and Utah, is also founder of the National Manufactured Housing Congress, the largest conference and in-house convention held annually at Caesars Palace. This year some 2,000 delegates, plus hundreds of vendors and associated industry representatives including major lending institutions, participated in the five-day trade show.

Gub and Carol, on the final evening, hosted a lavish reception for friends and local delegates in their splendid Caesars Palace Tower suite. From the 19th floor windows, guests, including attorney Lexis Allen, enjoyed panoramic views of the city and excellent vantages of the beauties of the elegant gardens, pool complex and tennis pavilions below. Attending the party were Tim Behrendt with Carol Widick, Harry Sleight of Plus Communications, David and Maria Dixon, B.J. Taber, Frankie Johnson, Beth McCart, Nancy Perlotto and Debbie Miller.

Champagne, chocolate-drenched strawberries and other delights were also served to Dennis Strunk, Charles and Caroline Walker and frequent Las Vegas visitor Michael Myers, who travels frequently between his properties in Sun Valley and Tucson.

New theater company

A note from veteran actor and longtime Las Vegas resident Bobby Rodgers alerted us to his new venture, The Fourth Wall Theatre Company. Bobby, with partners Rusty Meyers and Michael Ameroso, is presenting "The Hasty Heart," by John Patrick, for the company's inaugural show, at the Whitney Library, 5175 E. Tropicana Ave., just east of Mountain Vista.

"The Hasty Heart" is an award-winning comedy/drama set during World War II, following a group of Allies recovering in a British military hospital. Performances run Friday through Sunday evenings through April 25, with tickets and further details available by calling 320-4844.

Opera luncheon

Once again the Nevada Opera Theatre will hold its annual Friendship Luncheon Internationale at Caesars Palace. Slated for 11:30 a.m. Sunday, the very elegant event will be held in the new tower at the Florentine Room. Honored will be Nevada Opera Theatre patron Hans Dorweiler, president and chief executive officer of the Westward Ho, and Colleen Schroeder, founder of the Nevada Symphony Orchestra Guild and board member of the Nevada Symphony Orchestra.

Music will be a center point of the gathering, which will feature soprano Madeline Capelle, as well as an informal modeling of spring fashions from Mondi at the Fashion Show mall. Tables will be decorated to reflect the various ties and special interests of table sponsors, among them Denny Weddle, Dr. and Mrs. Morton Hyson, Kay Miller Browne, Joy Bell Designs and other opera supporters. A benefit occasion to help with funding for the Nevada Opera Theatre's May production, the luncheon will have David Griego as master of ceremonies. Tickets are $65 per person, with the necessary reservations and further details available by contacting chairman Tove Allen at 734-6338.

Art opening

Nevada Institute for Contemporary Art has spent recent weeks in busy preparation for its opening ceremonies at the Arts Factory, 101 E. Charleston Blvd. Its ground-floor facility, a spacious 3,800 square feet, with three interior galleries, was designed by NICA's executive director Eric Strain. Ample consideration has been given to NICA's new education center and the need to accomodate both large and small groups. Doors will open on Friday at 5:30 p.m. for a "members only" preview reception, followed by a public party from 7 to 9 p.m.

"Chromaform: Color in Sculpture," featuring contemporary sculpture by 13 artists, will be exhibited Friday through May 22. The showing has been made possible by a generous grant from Pioneer Citizens Bank of Nevada, with funding in part by grants from the Nevada Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from noon-5 p.m. on Saturdays. Admission is free.

Also in the works for NICA and its diverse band of supporters is the first annual NICA Golf Tournament, at the Tournament Players Club in Summerlin on April 26th. Each hole will feature a tented "Tee Gallery" offering works of art by regional contemporary artists. Event winners will receive a work of art selected by NICA's staff, and the trophy for the three winning teams will be a commissioned work of art.

Open to 18 four-person teams, each participant will be provided transportation by limousine from home or the office. Those wishing to become a NICA corporate sponsor ($2,500 donation) will be given a four-person team and "ownership" of one hole. Proceeds from the golf event will benefit NICA's extensive education and exhibition programs. Contact Brad Schulz, tournament chairman, at 367-6900 to sign up.