Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Friendship Association offers cultural awareness

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2000 | 9:04 a.m.

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

The U.S.-China Peoples Friendship Association is an organization devoted to fostering greater understanding and cultural exchange between citizens of both nations. The Las Vegas chapter met recently at Chin's restaurant in the Fashion Show mall. Providing the keynote speech for the Sunday luncheon event was Dr. Harold Boyer, one of our community's most beloved physicians and longtime clinical professor at the University of Nevada's School of Medicine.

A well-seasoned traveler, Dr. Boyer and his wife, Judy, recently returned from a three-week journey through Rio de Janiero, the Falkland Islands and Antarctica. His speech followed an introduction by former neighbor and longtime family friend Lilly Fong. Boyer spoke of his past trip to China, where he observed how Chinese medicine blends accupuncture, folk remedies and Western-style treatments. He explained that his UNLV-sponsored tour gave him opportunitites to meet his medical counterparts and visit hospitals, illustrating the axiom that "medicine knows no borders." Most amusingly, Boyer, who just recently retired from a thriving dermatology practice in Las Vegas, found himself serving as primary care physician for his fellow travelers along the way as they encountered upset tummies, persistant coughs and other minor physical complaints.

Chin's served a family-style meal of traditional Chinese dishes much enjoyed by guests including professors Sammy and Edna Don, Carol Chabre, Jo Bonham, Anna West, Judy Boyer, Wing and Lilly Fong, Mildred Gomes, Patrick Wirtz and Professor John Cox. Cox, an expert in Asian studies, added a special dimension to the gathering when he spoke of his lifelong love affair with China, which began when he was hired to teach at the celebrated "Yale in China" campus.

Feel the magic

It was an honor indeed to be among the invited guests for a special performance as Siegfried & Roy began their 11th year at the Mirage. Their gloriously beautiful production show is filled with stunning visuals and dance sequences, dramatic staging and costumes, warmth, humor and, above all, an unmatched mingling of their trademark magic with the majesty of their white tigers and lions. Astonishingly, Siegfried & Roy are now celebrating their 40th year in show business, with the most recent 10 years making history as the most popular and lucrative act in the history of live performance.

Their quest for excellence has not flagged and they continue to shine in both on- and off-stage endeavors, well-recognized for their efforts to bring white tigers and lions back from the edge of extinction, as well as numerous (and often anonymous) charitable endeavors.

Mirage owner Steve Wynn hosted a private reception for guests attending the presentation of Siegfried & Roy being named Magicians of the Century by the International Magicians Society. Wynn's pride in his association with Siegfried & Roy was evident is his congratulatory speech. He praised their continued search for excellence, willingness to take risks and their resourcefulness in redefining magical entertainment.

Joining Wynn in similar fashion was producer Kenneth Feld, who spoke of the development of this dream in 1987, which became reality in 1990 when the Mirage opened. In response, Siegfried & Roy paid tribute to their enduring friendship and their ever-growing family of animals whose courage has given them the strength to perform on stage and go forth in their preservation efforts.

Kwon retirement

Recent retirement festivities for Myoung-Ja Lee Kwon, associate dean of libraries at UNLV, culminated in a splendid reception at Judy Bayley Theatre. In March she will assume new duties as university librarian for Hayward State University in California. Dr. Kenneth Marks, dean of libraries, presided over the short program with speakers chronicling her 30-plus-year career at UNLV, including Provost Dr. Douglas Ferraro, as well as Dr. Steven Zink, Dr. Sue Fawn Chung, Pastor Ray Christenson, Wendy Starkweather and longtime friends and past colleages Mary Dale Deacon and Billie Mae Polson.

Spring flowers decorated the reception, complete with lush tables, while the banquet of delectables served included spring rolls, snow peas with crab mousse, fresh fruits and cheeses, pesto cheese torte and other temptations. Guests were many, among them former University Society President Flo Mlynarczyk with her husband, Ed, Shirley Hirt, Blanche Zucker Bozarth and University Library Services trustee Sue Nichols, as well as family members Dr. Soon-Ja Lee, Han and Paul Kim and Sooyon Rhee. Honoring her as well were vendors for the new Lied Library, David Pugsley (Welles Pugsley Architects), Wally Scott (Hasco), Richard Rodgers (Automated Storage and Retrival) and representatives of Fielden & Partners Design.

Faculty and staff members giving their own farewells were many and seen in the throng were Diane Dietrickh, Sally Phares, Sean Saxon, Rebeccas Bostick, Dr. Robert Boord, Hal Erickson, Fred Albrecht, Dr. Peter Starkweather, Kari Coburn and Lou Grandieri, to name just a few. Also in great abundance were colleagues from the library and special collections, including Tessie Constancio, John Fox, Carol Rogers, Marta Sorkin, Joan Rozzi, Lee Scroggins, Kathy Rothermel, Esther Brown and dozens more. Myoung-ja was presented an engraved clock from the library staff, as well as two bulging memory books of photos and clippings representative of her years at UNLV. Mlynarczyk presented a watercolor painting as well.

Heart of Gold

Few gatherings are as deserved as those given for the volunteers who often toil without thanks or recognition on behalf of charitable causes. Recently the army of volunteers who worked to create the Heart of Gold Ball 2000 for the Las Vegas chapter of the American Heart Association were invited to a pre-event appreciation party. Providing a luxurious setting for the party were the San Michelle model homes at Queensridge, which dazzled guests with their design and furnishings. Underwritten by Heart of Gold Ball co-chairs Ande and Glenn Christenson and Dr. Robert and Lisa Wiencek, the cocktail reception was generously co-sponsored by Gordon Biersch Brewing Co. and Christopher Homes. Adding a special sparkle to the party was the appearance by members of the famed Radio City Music Hall Rockettes.