Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Supporters gather to cheer ‘President’ Letizia

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, July 12, 2000 | 9:08 a.m.

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

It seems there's a new presidential candidate -- or so it appeared when recent festivities were held to mark Las Vegas adman Tom Letizia's 50th birthday. With dozens of friends and business associates cooperating, Letizia's wife managed to surprise him with a lighthearted, quite hilarious party.

The theme for the political consultant's birthday was a political campaign gala, with Letizia as top candidate for the president of the United States. When Letizia walked through the door of Tournament Players Club at Summerlin, 142 guests were holding campaign signs that read "Letizia for President." Heard among the cheering were the notes of "Hail to the Chief" as played by the Palo Verde High School Band.

Guests, many of them wearing traditional campaign hats, enjoyed an outdoor barbecue prepared by TPC Catering Manager Corinne Gregory and her staff. The decor, all in red, white and blue, was created by George MacLean of Big Balloon and gave a patriotic mood to the party. The ornaments were later sent to grace the Fourth of July gathering at Nathan Adelson Hospice.

Letizia's life was chronicled in a delightful video, the generous gift of the Levy family of Century Productions. The video explained Letizia's "presidential platform." Cameo appearances were made by his wife, Marla (a former television meteorologist), and their children, Harmony and Russell. Most amusing were moments garnered from commercials made 25-30 years ago, featuring the birthday boy as the Lone Ranger, Santa Claus and Superman, to name just a few of his heroic roles.

The tag line from the video was, "If he'd do this for his clients, just think what he'd do for you as president."

Ron Garrett, warming easily to his role as roastmaster, led a virtual parade of speakers to the dais for a few glorious comments on Letizia. In the throng of roasters were Rep. Shelley Berkley, mayoral assistant Bill Cassidy, Piero's owner and Letizia's father-in-law, Fred Glusman, lobbyist Bubba Grimes, childhood buddy Larry Siegel, colleague Ken Rubino and Tru Hawkins. Pressing their points as well were Jim Ferrance, Tim Quillin, Dr. Merv Fouse, mother-in-law Adrienne Glusman and Sharon Haynes.

Arlene Blut, attending with husband Jerry Blut, was complimented on her assistance to Marla in creating this delightful evening. Guests enjoying the gathering included Linda and Tony Bonicci, Temple Beth Sholom President Sandy Mallin and her husband, Stanley Mallin, Drs. Yvonne and Mark Barry, Marci and Rob Murdock, Nancy and Ed Bernstein, Gene and Melanie Greenberg and Dr. Edward Hoffman with Eva Nino.

Present as well were Bobbette and Tony Tegano, Randy and Phronsie Markin, Ron and Tanzie Bell, Barbara Stout and Cheri and Ron Hill, as well as Alan and Lynne Sloane, Dr. Donielle Freedman, Trish and Rick Truesdell, John Babcock, Ernie and Celone Libman, Buzz Jones and Bill D'Mailio.

Third of July

Guests numbered in the hundreds in response to the invitations issued by Jan and Owen Nitz for their nearly fabled "Third of July" party.

While their home off Blue Diamond Road was once an isolated oasis, through the years their friends have made their way to this splendid garden party and have watched the area develop, even as Owen, with his penchant for expansion (and power tools), has enhanced the massive Tudor-influenced home.

Festive, with colorful buntings, flags and patriotic touches, the party was well-attended by the judicial community including Judge Mark and Alice Denton (she will enter Boyd College of Law at UNLV this fall), Judge Bill Jansen, Judge Don Mosley and Judges Jack and Lulu Lehman, as well as Judge Joe Pavlikowski, Judge Michael and Shirley Douglas and former Judge Earl and Jan White.

Sprinkled through the casual crowd were community leaders, among them: Deni and Steve Conrad, Sen. Richard and Bonnie Bryan, Sara Besser and her sons, Frank and Judy Brusa, Dr. Monte and Jeanne Greenawalt, and Hope and Joe Anstett, joined by Lia Roberts, consul of Romania, with her husband, Joseph Roberts, and Julie and Mike Foley.

A most American and very traditional menu of hot dogs, fried chicken and apple pie was offered to Marcel and Christianne LeBon, Jewel Brooks, Peg Crockett, Bruno and Therese Scarrone and District Attorney Stewart Bell.

Chatting with Rene and John O'Reilly about their Hawaiian vacation were Ken and Carolyn Sparks, Jerry Gillock, Roger and Jenny Oakes, Don Sommers with Catharina Costa and Dwight and Barbara Meirhenry.

Welcomed to the balmy evening were former Rep. Jim Bilbray and his wife, Mikey, who were seen with Francine Pulliam and Terry Graves, as well as Pat and Charlie Cavagnaro and Larry Finuf with Toni Clark. Co-hosting the party were Nitz's daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren, Ashley Nitz with her daughter, Leah Holleran, Stacey and Dan Albregts with their children, Zack and Maddi, and Gina and Rob Guevara with their children, Alexa and Spencer.