Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Playhouse ‘99 a hit for Nevada Association for the Handicapped

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Oct. 13, 1999 | 9:21 a.m.

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

High spirits and even higher bids led to an enormously successful evening for Playhouse '99, a benefit for the Nevada Association for the Handicapped's child care center.

A dinner/dance event, this special evening is a showcase for the live auction of children's fantasy playhouses, each custom designed by contributing businesses and individuals. This worthy evening had among its workers newlywed Rita Suarez Palmer, chairwoman of the silent auction. Proud husband Chris Palmer, also part of the Caesars Palace employee family, confided that Rita even worked on this project during their recent honeymoon through the Greek Islands and Italy.

The 1999 playhouse, a very charming Ponyland Express stagecoach, was again the top seller, bringing $12,000 to the charity.

Bidders for both the silent and live auctions were a lively bunch and included Mikey and Jimmy Bilbray, Toni Clark with Larry Finuf and Jewel Brooks, Roger Griffin, Jon Tullis, Dee and Ken Ladd and Joan and Warren Rustad, who also enjoyed the enticing martini selections from the carved ice serving bar and the adjacent caviar serving station. Others glimpsed in the congenial crowd were Sue Brandt, Kevin Silsbury, Mark Lefevre and charity auctioneer Christian Kolberg, new director of communications for the Reynolds Foundation.

The Mirage chefs outdid themselves for the dinner, which received highest compliments from Norm Nusbaum, Lady Rebel coach Regina Miller, Mary Gilday, Emma Major, Tami Miramontes, Dr. Julio Garcia, Orlando Sandoval and Homer Coliba with Lillian Sondgeroth. NAH President Karla McComb, attending with daughter and son-in-law Marcia and Mike Hayes, were seen with Caesars World Vice President George Togliatti, who later was the top bidder for the "Sultan's Palace" playhouse.

Cheering on the escalating bids during the live auction was NAH Director Vince Triggs, his wife, Joanna, daughter, Courtney and mother-in-law, Estelle Conticelli. Assisting with the lovely evening was singer-actress Brenda Epperson Doumani, who served as mistress of ceremonies and worked closely with Julie Gilday-Shafer, playhouse facilitator chairman.

Appointee feted

Rosemary's Restaurant provided a gracious setting for Sharon Segerblom's congratulatory luncheon honoring Rahda Chanderraj. Recently appointed by Gov. Kenny Guinn to the Nevada Gaming Commission, Chanderraj will serve a four-year term. Attending guests at the mid-week event were Merle Lok, Linda Faiss, Assemblywoman Gene Segerblom and Judge Nancy Sciatta, as well as Commissioner Yvonne Atkinson Gates and Jean Curran.

Happy anniversary

Recent festivities at Manhattan of Las Vegas celebrated the popular eatery's third anniversary. Chef Pietro Morteo, who hails from Tuscany, Italy, provided a splendid dinner repast for invited guests including Mike Bacco, Rueben Manann, Todd and Susan LeTourneau, Bruce Banke and Loren Bronson. Enjoying the hosted dinner of the finest dishes of veal and chicken, as well as lobster ravoili and other pasta delicacies in the tiered Roman-style dining room, was newsman Gary Waddell with Julia and Pete Grambo, as well as Connie Ross with John George, James Douchette, Bob Potter, Vic Salermo, James Orr and Brandon Hogan of Blue Marlin Productions. Mingling with the well-dressed crowd was General Manager R.J. Gagliardi, seen with Randy Black, Sonny and Peggy King, Jeff and Deborah Frailer, Frank Di Renzo, Jimmy Tipton and Bill Westerman.

Hail 'Italia'

Jeanne and Dr. Monte Greenawalt recently hosted "An Evening in Italia" at their Spanish Trail home. Christened "Casa Alegre -- House of Tomorrow," this wondrous home was designed for the couple with the concept of entertaining on a grand scale, providing more than ample room for guests to enjoy both formal and informal occasions with pleasure.

Last week's delightful party found guests Daniel and Michelle Juba, Hal and Sally Furman, Clair Haycock, Gerald Goodman and Joseph Roberts in the spacious dining room with its lovely fresco walls. Host Dr. Monte Greenawalt, visiting with friends John and Darlene Ensign, was seen on the home's spacious patios, which overlook the green expanse of the Spanish Trail Golf Course. In the crowd were Ted and Maria Quirk, seen deep in conversation with Gov. Guinn, and later they were joined by Doc Weiner with John and Tina Cahlan, Judge Mark Gibbons, Gina and Rosalba Ferraro and Joe and Hope Anstett.

Hostess Jeanne Greenawalt, an accomplished cook in her own right, supervised the chefs and serving staff, which presented the lovely dinner much enjoyed by Jack Lillis with Ruth Emmeroth, Chuck Ruthe, Carolyn Sparks, Kaye Gray, Dottie and Don Kemp and Barbara Cegavske.

'Secret' dinner

Twenty years and still going strong, Secret Witness is a program that involves the public, the media and the police in the fight against crime. It offers anonymity and cash rewards to persons who furnish information leading to the arrest and indictment of felony offenders. On Oct. 23, Sheriff Jerry Keller will serve as honorary chair for a dinner celebrating Secret Witness' 20th anniversary. The evening at the MGM Grand Convention Center includes a silent auction, awards program and dancing. Call 229-3445 for the necessary reservations.

AAUW brunch

AAUW -- American Association of University Women -- Las Vegas chapter, remains a cohesive force for promoting equity for all women and girls, lifelong education and positive societal change. Its efforts in our community are many and incorporate the specialized skills of its large membership. Each Fall AAUW hosts a membership brunch, held this year at Paris Las Vegas, which drew together members including Mary Stanley-Larsen, Carol Chabre, Pat McNutt, Roz Sagal, Felicia Barge-Esponto, Kay Miller Browne, Suzie Sweeney, Kathleen England and Laura Lippold.

Richard Morgan, dean of UNLV's Boyd College of Law, attended and spoke of his recent trip to the U.S. Open, where he and wife Tina visited with Andre Agassi and family. Nearby Mary Gafford gave a family update, which included news of visiting newlyweds Dr. Neill and Sheri Clem of Hot Springs, Ark., who found their first visit to our city fascinating.

AAUW President Carolyn Stone led an informative program that spotlighted Joni Flowers' efforts to create a chapter website, as well as progress reports on the the group's growing scholarship program and the ongoing mentoring project for girls attending Orr Middle School. Also participating in the morning program were Kathy Robinson, Gaye Munsell and other interest group leaders who spoke of their yearlong acitivities. Following the brunch a behind-the-scenes tour of Paris Las Vegas, as arranged by Suzanne Chabre, was given to attending guests.

Cap this

Recently Sunrise Children's Hospital received more than 40 baseball caps, each signed by a different celebrity as part of an innovative program known as "Caps for Kids." Begun some years ago in New Orleans, this organization is dedicated to providing authographed headwear to children and adolescents with cancer when they lose their hair due to chemotheraphy treatment. Jimmy Buffet, Peyton Manning, Harry Connick, Jr., Kerri Strug and Rosie O'Donnell are among those participating.

Las Vegas resident Sue Lopez approached the hospital with the concept when her daughter's best friend was in the pediatric oncology unit at Sunrise Children's Hospital. She had learned about the program through a magazine article and worked with "Caps for Kids" and the hospital to make this possible for Southern Nevada children. Those children and teens participating are given a master list of more than 40 film, sport and television signatures to chose from. If the signature they want is not on the list, "Caps for Kids" will try to get it. The caps cannot be auctioned or given to adults and will be kept in a locked display case donated by Ralph Jones Display until given to a patient.

Augustus honorees

The Augustus Society, an association of Italian-American professionals and executives, has been responsible for nearly $500,000 in scholarships for academically talented students of Southern Nevada in recent years. Annually, it hosts a Columbus Day Ball to further these scholarship efforts for local students who range in their endeavors from community college to medical and graduate school.

Slated for Saturday at the Top of the Riviera Hotel, the evening will honor Justinian award recipient Vince A. Consul, Esq., Attorney at Law, and Las Vegas' Outstanding Italian-American of the Year, Maria M. Perry, chef and restaurateur of the Bootlegger Ristorante. Dawn Lozano, Dino R. Sorrentino and Tony Tegano are serving as event chairs with committee members including Judge Tony Abbatangelo, Augustus Society president with Nick Montana, Carl F. Piazza, Linda Sbrocco, Jim Donofrio, Chuck Lenzie, Salada Morrison and Dominic Gentile. Tickets are $125 per person and include entertainment and dancing. Contact the law offices of Dawn Lozano, Esq., at 477-7733 for more information.

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