Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Foundation gearing up for historic fashion show

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2000 | 9:18 a.m.

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

A note from Beverly Carlino-Banta, executive director of MLAF -- the Museums, Library and Arts Foundation -- who reports that its new year is filled with progress for the new nonprofit agency based at the Nevada State Museum in Lorenzi Park. Recently the MLAF board of trustees conducted their annual meeting and elected their new officers for 2000. I.R. "Renny" Ashleman is president, while Janice Pine will serve as vice president, Marydean Martin as secretary and Robert Ostrovsky as treasurer.

Carlino-Banta is now busy at work with details for "Clothes of an Era," a fabulous historical fashion show slated for April 8 at Mandalay Bay. The event will begin with a cocktail reception at 11:30 a.m., followed by the luncheon and fashions at 12:30 p.m., all in the Island Ballroom. Honorary chairs will be Nevada's first lady Dema Guinn, as well as a few of Nevada's past first ladies including Sandy Miller, Bonnie Bryan, Carolyn O'Callaghan, Jackalyn Laxalt and Bette Sawyer. Mistress of ceremonies for the afternoon will be Paula Francis of KLAS Channel 8.

"Clothes of An Era" will feature 26 authentic costumes spanning 13 decades (1850-1975) and provide an interesting look at the history of fashion and women's lives in those years. Most interestingly the fashion luncheon will also include a special presentation featuring the Inaugural Ball gowns worn by Nevada's first ladies, a first-time offering in Las Vegas. Watch for further details on this unique event or contact Carlino-Banta (638-8581) for reservations and further details.

Brunch is history

Nevada Women's History Project marked the month with a brunch at Desert Pines Country Club. Organization President Rose Irwin stood with fellow members Alice Pearson, Elana Noyes and Joan Le Mere to greet attendees, including North Las Vegas librarian Kathleen Hanselman, Judy Hetherington, Shirley Banks, Kim Russell, Assemblywoman Gene Segerblom, Nancy Billy and Bernie Lenz.

Artist Charlene Cruze offered an inspirational message prior to the meal that found Billie Bates, Nevada comptroller Kathy Augustine, Florence McClure, Louise Banks, Ray Thompson, Cindy Seaman and Marlee Simpson enjoying the event with friends. Marlene Adrian videotaped the program, which included interviews of former Moulin Rouge owner Sarann Knight Preddy and her friend, Stephanie Washington.

Presenters Mary Gafford and Frankie Williams spoke on "Moulin Rouge -- From Its Inception to the Present," a fascinating look at the stories behind the Las Vegas landmark. Their presentation and numerous other programs are to be included at the "Echoes from the Past" Nevada State Women's History Project Conference slated for March 17 at the Riviera. People interested in attending the two-day conference are asked to respond by March 7. Call 457-4577 or e-mail toots1100@aol.com.

Upcoming events

Events ahead are plentiful and varied in nature and include a casual evening with the Blue Man Group, the highly acclaimed avant-garde theater group. Blue Man Group will perform on March 4, as a benefit for KNPR, Nevada Public Radio. Tickets are available at KNPR's website (www.knpr.org) or by calling 258-9895.

John Mowbray, Ann Lynch, Morse Arberry Jr., Amy Ayoub and Tony Alamo will be honored as "Community Heroes" on March 23. The 2000 National Conference for Community and Justice's Community Heroes Awards Banquet will be held at Mandalay Bay. Tickets are $175 per person and assist with local efforts to fight bias, bigotry and racism on local and national levels. Contact NCCJ at 387-6225 for further details and the necessary reservations.

"Splash" revisited

A Las Vegas favorite since 1985, "Splash" at the Riviera has undergone a major transformation in recent months, moving with grace to icy realms to showcase the superb talents of the 1998 American Open Figure Skating Pro Championships gold and bronze medalists Irina Grigorian and Mikhail Panin, along with Victoria Bilyeau. An onstage ice rink has been designed for their artful ice-dancing, adagio and figure-skating performances.

Recently Meshulam Riklis, past owner of the Riviera and current producer of "Splash," hosted a gracious pre-performance dinner at the resort's Ristorante Italiano. Honored guest was award-winning costume designer Steven Yearick, who was seen with fellow attendees Bobbie Katz, Rosa Cayatoni, Wayne Bernath, Joyce Kotnik, Ann Henderson, Nate Tannenbaum, Barbara and Terry Nosek, and Jackie Brett with Mel Carter. Formal welcome ceremonies for Riklas and "Splash" were made by Robert Vannucci, executive vice president of marketing for the Riviera. A lavish buffet dinner featuring seafood dishes, freshly-made pasta and cherries jubilee was much enjoyed and provided guests a clear understanding of the eatery's most popular menu selections.

In the crowd was Riviera executive George Staresinic, much complimented on the success of the resort's recent Super Bowl party, which drew nearly 3,000 guests for a sports-star packed afternoon. George, speaking of the event in the Riviera's new Royal Pavillion, explained that the party expanded to all 12 of the lofty sky boxes while Executive Chef Robert Gartz and Food and Beverage Director Lloyd Wentzell spun a special brand of magic with their enormous serving stations that catered to every taste. Incredibly, the temporary Leroy's sports book on the main floor of the pavilion did more than $100,000 in business while the party was in progress.

Shalmy lauded

Best wishes to Pat Shalmy, Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce president/general manager, who has been named executive of the year by the Western Association of Chamber Executives during its annual conference in Los Angeles.

The prestigious award is given to a chamber executive excelling in the areas of financial management, communications, legislative affairs, membership services programs and community improvement efforts made by the chamber at large.

Bob Forbuss, chairman of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Board of Trustees, commented, "This award is a crowning achievement for a man who has devoted his career to making a difference in the Las Vegas community."

Prior to joining the Las Vegas chamber, Shalmy served for 12 1/2 years as county manager for Clark County, facing the challenges of our nation's fastest-growing region.

Under Shalmy's guidance, the chamber has been recognized as the most influential voice of business in the Las Vegas Valley and Nevada.