Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Local celebrities to help roast new mayor

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, July 14, 1999 | 9:33 a.m.

Elizabeth Foyt's social column appears Wednesdays. Reach her at elizabethfoytsimmons@prodigy.net.

Anote from Pat Cooper and his "Tent of the Circus" chapter of Saints and Sinners alerted us to an upcoming moment in the spotlight for Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman. Goodman, who has gracefully gone from the courtrooms to the political arena, will be roasted Aug. 11 at the new Caribbean Cabana restaurant on West Sahara Avenue. Cooper will delight in his role as "roast-master" while Pete Barbuti, Sonny King, Jay Bernard, Sandy Hackett, the Sun's Joe Delaney, Nelson Sardelli, Steve Rossi and others will target the mayor with their clever comments. Jerry Scafer will serve as master of ceremonies for the event, which includes a dinner buffet and multiple roasting moments. Reservations will be accepted for tables of eight only, with details and reservations by calling Sherman at 363-3768 (or fax 256-5859).

Resort tour

Eagerly awaited and certainly worthy of the wait, Ceres restaurant inside Regent Grand Spa was a glorious first look at the luxury amenities of the Resort at Summerlin. This past week, amidst the fierce rainstorms, a select group of journalists and travel writers enjoyed their tour of the stunning resort complex which sits adjacent to Rampart Boulevard, just north of Charleston Boulevard. Welcoming remarks by Brian McMullan, president and chief executive officer of the resort, gave a splendid overview of the concept of a relaxed, intimate experience, a marked departure from the Strip, complete with courtesy shuttles to nearby golf courses, hotel showrooms and shopping. McMullan developed the Resort at Summerlin with luxury in mind, using the 54 acres to prime advantage in developing a conference and banquet center, a circular casino, Aqua Sulis spa, privat e gardens, Paseo de Vida shops and a multitude of restaurants designed to entice both locals and visitors.

Lunch included dishes developed and prepared by the Spa's executive chef, Will Elliot, and gave a quite tasty overview of Ceres' menu with its careful balance of calories and fat. Seated with us for the luncheon were Allison Kneubuhl, the resort's director of sales and marketing, and Sara Harper, with the resort's public relations department, both of whom spoke of the resort's desire to host community events, weddings and other special occasions for local residents.

Discussed as well was the role of Hans Jecklin of Swiss Casinos, the major owner of the Resort at Summerlin. Jecklin has bought a home in Summerlin and is delighted with his first United States resort venture. He will host the international opening of the resort on Oct. 25, bringing more than 300 Swiss investors for the occasion. The week's festivities will include the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital Gala, an event previously held only in Hollywood. The gala will be chaired by Rita Rudner with a celebrity-packed committee, many members of which will also participate in a celebrity golf tournament at nearby Badlands Golf Course.

Completing the preview afternoon was a walking tour of the guest rooms with Brian Johnson, general manager of the Regent Grand Spa. Glimpses of the retail promenade, restaurants and restful gardens with their multiple waterfalls were also enjoyed. Adding a special touch were the massages offered to each guest, as well as the handsome packages of their exclusive spa products provided at departure.

Benefit performance

During recent third anniversary celebrations for master magician Lance Burton's run at the Monte Carlo, an occasion hosted by Jim Thompson, the Monte Carlo's general manager, Burton announced an upcoming show to benefit the worthy programs run by the Shriners' Zelzah Shrine Temple. "Lance Burton and Friends" will do a special 5 p.m. show on Aug. 22 in the Lance Burton Theatre at the Monte Carlo. Guest stars will include Peter Reveen, The Pendragons, Fielding West and Greg Frewin. Tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased at Zelzah Shrine Temple, 2222 West Mesquite (at Rancho Drive), or by calling 382-5554.

Hogs and helmets

Friday offers several opportunities for entertainment, beginning with a gathering at Las Vegas Harley Davidson, 2605 S. Eastern. Twister's Iron Horse Tour, a fund-raising motorcycle ride that begins in Los Angeles, will make a stop in Las Vegas at 1:45 p.m. The motorcycle tour, which includes more than 20 riders, among them several National Hockey League players, will benefit the children's charity Head First.

Launched by St. Louis Blues left wing Tony Twist, an avid Harley rider, Head First is a head-injury prevention program that educates kids nationwide on the importance of wearing helmets when biking, skating, etc. Proceeds from this tour will be earmarked for the production of a helmet safety video and CD-ROM to distribute free of charge to school systems. Rudy Musiol, Las Vegas Harley Davidson's general manager, extends an open invitation to the public to help greet and support these riders on Friday.

Also certain to entertain will be "40 Years of Rock and Roll," a benefit event provided by the Advertising Community on behalf of Safe Nest. A popular tradition with many locals and visitors alike, the talent show will be hosted by Sunset Station in its Club Madrid showroom 5:30 p.m. Friday. Open to the public, guests must be 21, with tickets costing $15 at the door or at any Ticketmaster location.

The program will include nearly 20 acts -- ranging from live bands and ventriloquists to comedians and vocalists -- performed by some of the community's best-known broadcast personalities and marketing professionals. All of the proceeds from the event will benefit Safe Nest for services provided by Temporary Assistance for Domestic Crisis, a nonprofit agency serving battered women and children in our community.