Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Local fine arts organization gears up for fund-raising event

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Sept. 8, 1999 | 9:26 a.m.

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

Anew rising star in local fine arts organizations is the Gateway Arts Association, a nonprofit organization committed to culture in Las Vegas.

One of its first events is a fund-raiser planned for Tuesday, from 7-9:30 p.m., at the Arts Factory, 107 East Charleston Blvd. Jointly hosted by the Gateway Arts Association and honorary chairpersons Mayor Oscar Goodman and wife Carolyn, the evening will include gourmet desserts, wines and coffees with music, gallery tours and a special auction as the entertainment. Southern Wine and Spirits, Andre's, Enigma Garden Cafe, the Golden Nugget, Iowa Cafe and Binion's Horseshoe are providing the refreshments. Tickets are $75 per person with reservations by calling 341-7332.

Jodie Fonfa and Dale Wynn are co-chairs of the evening which will benefit the Gateway Arts & Music Experience, an annual event to celebrate the arts, both visual and performing, to be held Sept. 25-26. GAA's officers include Wes Isbutt, president, Richard Geyer, secretary, and Dale Wynn, treasurer, with directors Nancy Deaner, Lenadams Dorris, Jodie Fonfa and Barbara Molasky.

Grand opening

Why give too great a sense of anticipation to the coming millennium when 1999 has proved to be such a glorious year for our city? With an abundance of new resorts and a host of enhanced Strip properties, the current level of entertainment, fine dining opportunities and accommodations is unmatched in the world. Why wait for New Year's? Jump in now and enjoy all our city has to offer. Make note of the newest jewel in the crown, Paris Las Vegas, which gave us a most extraordinary opening celebration last week and turned the eyes of the world toward our city once more.

It was an enchanted evening carried through to perfection by every member of the Paris Las Vegas employee group, and set in motion by the leadership of hosts Paul V. Pusateri, Paris Las Vegas president, and Arthur M. Goldberg, CEO-president of Park Place Entertainment. Las Vegas residents, among them Mayor Goodman and wife Carolyn, former Gov. Bob Miller and wife Sandy, Assemblywoman Gene Segerblom with daughter-in-law Sharon Segerblom, Roger and Sandy Peltyn and Bucky Buchanan with his sweetheart, Giana Orlandi, were delighted to have a first look at the elegant resort.

Guests -- among them Peter and Jeannette Jaramillo, Nevada Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa, Jackie and Michael Gaughan, Tony Goitia, Jewel Brooks, with daughter Robyn and son-in-law, state Sen. Randolph Townsend, and Don and Carol Marrandino, as well as Janet and Andy Blumen, Bill and Lynn Weidner with Mark and Gloria Fine and Misty Buchanan -- happily gathered in the marble hotel reception areas to receive their leather-bound passports, which gave them entry to the many beckoning restaurants and shops. Many tried their favorite French phrases with the delightfully friendly staff members, who wear authentically researched costumes appropriate to their work assignments.

Included in the guest list were members of the Maheu-Jaeggers clan, led by former Howard Hughes aide Robert Maheu and his wife, Yve, in-laws to Jon Jaeggers, executive vice president of gaming for the Hilton, Bally's and Paris properties. Enjoying the Paris experience with her parents was Jon's wife, Christine Maheu Jaeggers, accompanied by her sisters- and brother-in-law, Joy Bell and Janice and Shawn Seiler, as well as her mother-in-law, Emma Jaeggers, and her brother and sister-in-law, Peter and Rosemaery Maheu. Jon Jaeggers, a third generation Nevadan and UNLV graduate who helped design the layout of the new resort's gaming areas, is the grandson of the late Vivian Malone, who once owned the Indian Springs Ranch. Other Paris Las Vegas executives glimpsed in the festive crowd included Rick Zeller, vice president of customer development, and Suzanne Chab re, vice president of property marketing.

As ceremonies for the lighting of the Eiffel Tower drew near guests moved into the balmy night on the enormous, park-like pool deck. Most gracious was French beauty and film star Catherine Deneuve, often referred to as "the most beautiful woman on Earth" and celebrated in past Lancome and Black Velvet advertising campaigns. Seen in the throng enjoying this incredible evening were Esther and Phil Hevener, Boulder City Mayor Bob Ferraro and wife Connie, Linda Smith with her sister-in-law, Debbie Smith, Mary Alice and Mike Sloan, Maria Gladowski, Doug Dresser, Vera and Robert Goulet, Danny White and Al Losardo.

Worthy cause

Ever wonder about organizations and their role in making our community a better place? Certainly one of the finest is Assistance League of Las Vegas with its Operation School Bell, an ongoing philanthropic project. Annually School Bell opens its doors in September for the business of clothing needy and homeless schoolchildren across Clark County. Making an essential difference in the lives of school-age children for the past 21 years this project is assisted financially by the Andre Agassi Foundation.

When children are referred to School Bell by their schools they are personally fitted with two complete outfits as well as new shoes and winter jackets. In addition, each student receives a health kit, backpack and a book suitable to their reading and grade level. During the last school year 2,605 needy children in Clark County were clothed.

Assistance League's goal is to help meet the basic needs of less fortunate children so as to increase their incentive for regular school attendance, raise academic performance and enhance their self esteem. Operating with a membership of 280 members and no paid staff, the organization gave the citizens of Clark County an astonishing 31,660 volunteer hours last year.

Social calendar

While Las Vegas remains the city that never sleeps the community's social scene does lower to a quieter level during the sizzling days of August and then surges to new heights each fall. The charity events planned for the coming weeks are varied and many including the inaugural Las Vegas Valley "mudd" volleyball tournament to benefit Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada. Slated for Saturday at Sunset Station's outdoor recreation area the action begins at 8:30 a.m. A big draw in other communities, this rough-and-tumble event is designed for teams of nine players, each with a minimum of three women, and each team paying an entry fee of $150. The "mudd" used is real mud created by digging an 18-inch pit in 33-by-33-foot courts and filling them with a foot of dirt, which is then flooded. Entry forms are available by contacting Allan Johnson at Catholic Charit ies (385-2662).

Also scheduled is the opening meeting of the Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary on Monday at 9:30 a.m. at the Salvation Army's Carlton Edwards Center, 2900 Palomino Lane. Kristine Amerine, director of the Santa Fe's skating arena, will be keynote speaker. Her presentation, "Competitive Skating 101," will cover her career as a U.S. Figure Skating champion and coach and recent experiences as first teaching coach at the Santa Fe. Amerine previously toured with the "Ice Follies." Women wishing to attend the Monday morning gathering or desiring information on the work of the auxiliary are asked to call 870-4430, ext. 4.

Worthy of attention as well is the Reid Shelton Theatre Company and the Garold Gardner Scholarship Foundation presentation of "Calamity Jane" at the Rainbow Library Amphitheater, at Cheyenne Avenue and Buffalo Drive. Starting Friday and continuing for three weekends the production will be presented at 8 p.m. The audience is encouraged to bring a blanket or folding chair and picnic supper to enjoy during this evening under the stars. Based on a real-life character, "Calamity Jane," the boisterous musical was first created as a film role for Doris Day. Memorable songs, including "Secret Love," "Windy City" and "A Woman's Touch," will be performed with a live orchestra. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. with tickets available at the door or in advance at Borders Bookstores. For further information, call 736-7222.