Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Chanel luncheon a boost for Meadows School

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, June 7, 2000 | 8:48 a.m.

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

Helene Walker and co-chairwoman Wendy Plaster recently coordinated the exquisite Chanel: Autome/Hiver 2000 luncheon, a benefit for the Meadows School.

An elegant affair, the gathering at Bellagio opened with a reception held amid the display of raffle treasures, which were featured in a series of art-like photos and set upon topiary designs. In the crowd were supporters Becky and Jeanne Boman, Elissa del Prado with Tove Allen, Barbara Mulholland, Francine Pulliam, Susan Molasky, Mariam Afshai and Mary Louise Sloan. Kenneth Walker, husband of Helene Walker, was accompanied by friends Bruce Bettridge and Brian Chilton, who stayed through the luncheon and fashion show.

Representing Chanel's New York office was Vice President Joel Hermann, who gave an insightful introduction to the fall/winter 2000 collection of ready-to-wear fashions by designer Karl Lagerfeld.

Taking fashion notes of the widely appealing collection of both day and evening wear were Sue Lowden, Lynne Widener, Andrew Hagopain, Chantel Cloobeck, Sharon Bader, Susan Tompkins with her mother Cora Berry and Lovee Arum as well as Sandee Tiberti, Aileen and Brian O'Shields and Rino Armeni. Lagerfeld's very wearable clothing found many admirers who later descended on the Chanel Boutique in Bellagio and were present when M.J. Harvey won the $500 gift certificate in the after-event drawing. Taking home the much-coveted Air France trip for two to Paris, with accommodations at the Four Seasons and the nearly-impossible-to-get tickets to the Chanel couture showing was Denise Cashman.

Speaking briefly on the extensive scholarship program at the Meadows School was founder-president Carolyn Goodman. The luncheon proceeds will continue to assist a significant number of students at the school, which serves students from kindergarten through high school. In the audience as well was Jillian Plaster, newly elected 2001 class president at the Meadows, the daughter of Richard and Wendy Plaster.

Among those responsible for the successful fund-raiser were Barbara Stout, Andrea Thomas, Dana Wright, Lori Burns, Emily Novick, Vivica Marshall, Jane Engs and Mary Cavallaro. Serving on the committee as well were Wendi Miller, Dale Wynn, Karen Bronstein, Irene Lee, Danilu Coskey and Shawn Meinhardt, joined in their efforts by Linda Richardson, Peggy Jo Fulton, Karen Duddleston, Monica Brown, Cheryl Hill and Christine Fennell.

Totally groovy

David and Sue Cassidy, with Roger and Sandy Peltyn, are hosting Sunday's "Totally Groovy Polyester Ball." A benefit to assist City of Hope, Special Olympics Nevada, Planet Hope and the Interfaith Hospitality Network, the dinner dance will be held at the Rio hotel-casino. Dress code for the evening is best described as "totally groovy '70s attire" with wild imagination encouraged. Cocktails open the event at 5:30 p.m. with dinner to follow at 7, and the music of the Boogie Knights featured.

Call 450-9073 for reservations and a hint of the surprise guest star slated to appear.

SNCCW luncheon

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee was keynote speaker for the May luncheon hosted by the Southern Nevada Coalition of Concerned Women (SNCCW). The annual event drew more than 400 guests and provided all with an overview of the organization's many activities, including its gift of $2,000 in scholarship funds to assist students with summer school tuition in Clark County.

A donation was also given toward the completion of the Martin Luther King Jr. statue, which will be placed at the Community Resource Center. SNCCW announced the adoption of ETTA -- Education Through The Arts -- as an ongoing project. ETTA brings together educators, performers and community volunteers to provide meaningful experiences through the arts for disadvantaged and at-risk youth. ETTA was founded in 1998 by Dee Dee Jasmin, longtime member of SNCCW and one of the original dancers at the historical Moulin Rouge hotel-casino.

Ida Gaines was honored with woman of the year status in recognition of her outstanding community and organizational service. Gaines, regional representative for Sen. Harry Reid, specializes in matters related to the Social Security Administration. She has served our state and city in many capacities over the years, including State Parole Board Commissioner, lay representative for the Nevada Board of Medical Examiners, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's Executive Board, and member of the Las Vegas Ethics Review Board.