Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Young attorneys lauded for ‘Law Suits Day’

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, June 9, 1999 | 9:30 a.m.

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

The Young Lawyers Section of the State Bar of Nevada received national recognition from USA Today, which honored the group for donating business attire to the needy as part of its annual "Law Suits Day" program in Las Vegas and Reno, in conjunction with the annual "Make a Difference Day." USA Today honored 10 national winners and 104 state winners (two from each state, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico) for making a difference in their communities. More than 5,000 entries were considered in this national volunteer service program. The Young Lawyers section was a state winner from Nevada for its "Law Suits Day."

Las Vegas attorney Stacie Brown, who chairs the Young Lawyers Section, and Reno attorney Herb Santos Jr. coordinated the distribution of the clothing, which helped many find new positions and shore up confidence for interviews. In addition to the recognition by USA Today, the statewide group was given $2,000 by the newspaper and Wal-Mart stores to assist with further charitable endeavors.

Usual Suspects

In the mood to enjoy the best of emerging talent and comedy? You may wish to note that The Usual Suspects has been signed for a long run at Planet Mirth, 5115 S. Industrial Road, south of Tropicana. America's most-wanted improv comedy group features Finley Bolton, Rick Ginn and Jeff Granstrom, and will play Fridays through July 30. Showtimes are 8 p.m., with a nominal $5 fee at the door. Call its hotline -- 615-2599 -- for group arrangements and other details.

Feast for a cause

A once-a-year, one-of-a-kind event, "The Ultimate Epicurean Affair: Hollywood Under The Stars" will be presented at the MGM Grand hotel-casino at 7:30 p.m. on June 15. Part of the splendid ongoing educational efforts that are central to the Las Vegas International Hotel and Restaurant Show, the awesome evening lives up to its billing as resorts and superb restaurants dazzle attending guests with their finest foods and presentation. From the most exotic of appetizers and liquid refreshments to the delectable harvest of entrees, the evening is truly a gourmet experience.

The extravagant event -- with casual attire a must -- will be hosted by the MGM Grand in its recently completed pool and spa area, just one of the property's many enhancements completed during its $700 million rennovation. Tickets purchased by Thursday are $100 through the Nevada Hotel and Motel Association (878-2313), or $125 after that date. Proceeds will benefit the hospitality scholarship fund, which helps many local students pursue careers in the resort and hotel field.

A case of the Blues

The Social Register of Las Vegas is delighted to report its recent jazz event raised more than $10,000 for the International House of Blues Foundation. Held earlier this spring at the House of Blues Foundation Room, a private club covering the 43rd floor of Mandalay Bay hotel-casino, the event drew a crowd of 250 Social Register members and their guests. "Hot Sounds, Exquisite Cuisine and Spirited Dancing" were the bywords for the evening, with a live auction serving to directly assist the work of the International House of Blues Foundation.

Guests arrived at the resort and were whisked by private elevators to the Foundation Room to experience the breaktaking views of the city and the sumptuous surroundings of the private club. Highlights of the evening included guided tours of the elaborate facility, dancing to live music and indulging in a fine gourmet dinner. The live auction, which garnered the $10,000 donation, included House of Blues denim jackets signed by owners Dan Aykroyd, Jim Belushi and John Goodman, as well as a once-in-a-lifetime package to meet Siegfried and Roy and many other treasured items. Member Robert Deiro served as auctioneer, using his expertise to raise bids and keep the competition keen.

The House of Blues Foundation, a nonprofit organization, was founded in 1992 with an intention to promote racial harmony and help bring music and fine arts into the schools. As of this month, more than 100,000 students have been assisted by its efforts, with proceeds from this event benefitting Clark County youths.

Giving on the greens

Feel like a day on the links? Want to help one of the city's hardest working charities? HELP of Southern Nevada will host its fifth annual Golfer's Roundup on June 18. The tournament will be held at the Las Vegas National Golf Club, 1911 E. Desert Inn Road, with a shotgun start at 7 a.m. This sounds like an ideal event, with the cost per player priced at $150 or $600 per foursome, and includes a golf cart and driving range priviledges.

Big Dog's Hospitality Group will provide a hearty continental breakfast, while a barbecue luncheon will be served courtesy of First Security Bank. Each player will also have a chance to win a vehicle from Chapman Dodge if they should make a hole-in-one on a specified hole. All profits from the tournament will benefit HELP of Southern Nevada, which assists individuals and families in becoming self-sufficient through direct services, training and referral. Programs created by HELP to help Southern Nevadans include emergency resource services, displaced homemakers, family resource centers, weatherization and community alternative sentencing. For more information about HELP or the golf tournament, please call Amy Hendrix at 369-4357.

Helping the hospice

The Golden Monarch Council of the Nathan Adelson Hospice will host its first ladies' and gentlemen's High Tea at Canyon Gate Country Club at 1 p.m. on June 26. The tea will benefit Nathan Adelson Hospice's Families in Focus program. Tickets are $45 each and tables of 10 are priced at $450. Each guest will be offered exciting prize opportunities, as well as a delectable high tea in most proper British fashion.

The Golden Monarch Council is a group of dedicated professional women from diverse fields in the Las Vegas community who have joined together to assist in the work of the Nathan Adelson Hospice. Families in Focus is a six-part program for bereaved families with children ages 6 to 16. The goal is to provide a safe atmosphere where families can talk about their grief and learn how best to extend support and encouragement to one another after the death of a loved one. Nathan Adelson is Southern Nevada's only nonprofit hospice and provides quality care and compassionate support for patients who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness. The hospice also offers care to patients and their families without regard for age, nationality, race, gender, diagnosis or ability to pay. For more information on the High Tea or National Adelson Hospice services, call 733-0 320.

Subscriptions offered

The Reid Shelton Production Co., sponsored by the Garold Gardner Scholarship Foundation, is offering season subscriptions for this summer's musical theater productions. To be presented are "Li'l Abner" for three weekends, June 18-July 3; a medley of Broadway favorites for two weekends from July 23-31; and "Calamity Jane" beginning Sept. 10 and running three weekends. All performances will be presented at Rainbow Library Amphitheatre, at Cheyenne Avenue and Buffalo Drive, at 8 p.m. Dan Frank and Garold Gardner will direct with Shannon Bradford and Janet Kravenko as choreographers and Vivian Broadhead as musical director. Season tickets for all three productions are $18 for adults; $15 for seniors over 65; and $12 for children ages 6-12. For all of the details, call 736-7222.