Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Nugget reception honors light-show artists

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2000 | 7:21 a.m.

Elizabeth Foyt's social column appers Wednesday. Reach her at elizabethfoyt@ prodigy.net.

The Golden Nugget graciously hosted a lovely artists' reception honoring creators of the new Fremont Street Experience light shows. Part of the Lightscapes Project, begun last March by the city of Las Vegas Arts Commission public art project, the two new shows made their debut amid much joy and fanfare.

Mayor Oscar Goodman mingled easily with guests at the Golden Nugget Pavilion, complimenting artists Nancy Dwyer and her musician husband Oliver Wasow, who created "Somewhere Else," and Jennifer Steinkamp with musician/composer Jimmy Johnson, the creative duo responsible for "Aria."

The pavilion in the resort's pool area is used in great comfort during the winter months with the addition of a silken canopy, carpet and heat elements. Daniel Shumny, vice president of sales for the Golden Nugget, was host of the party, which drew a healthy group of arts supporters including Bill Marion, new member of the Las Vegas Arts Commission, as well as Roger Thomas, Councilman Larry Brown, Jim Stanford, Ginger Bruner and Don Snyder, former president of the Fremont Street Experience.

Escorted from the Golden Nugget to a staging area at Third and Fremont streets, guests and tourists alike enjoyed a first look at both the incredible new light-and-sound shows, which make full use of the above-ground electrical canopy and amplification system. A short program included comments by Barbara Molasky, president of the Neon Museum, who introduced five historic pieces that have been installed on the Third Street mall adjacent to Fremont Street. Joining the celebration were Richard "Tick" Segerblom, Deede Nave, Nancy Deaner and Jackie Brett, newly named director of marketing and entertainment for the Sahara.

On the calendar

Stylish events slated for the holidays include Tea, Trends and Tranquility Nov. 30 at Bellagio. Featured will be a spa auction of special services and packages from our community's most luxurious spas. Included in the afternoon will be a traditional and most tasty high tea coupled with a splendid fashion show presented by Saks Fifth Avenue. Tickets, priced at $100, will benefit HELP of Southern Nevada and may be purchased by calling Amy Hendrix at 369-4357, extension 238.

And on Nov. 29 Diane Bigelow and Lem Banker, with Judith Gordon-Laslowsky and Sheila Beaton, will present the Make-A-Wish benefit luncheon and fashion show. Sponsored by Escada, Estee Lauder of Las Vegas and Spago, the elegant affair at Spago in the Forum Shops at Caesars will feature the Escada 2001 Spring Collection. Contact the Make-A-Wish Foundation (367-1440) for reservations.

Club event

Persia Golden, chairwoman of the Mesquite Club's ways and means committee, recently hostessed Autumn Interlude in Antique Lace at the Mesquite Clubhouse. Wildly successful, the gathering drew members and guests including Velma Haselton, Laura Lippold, Jean Spiller, Golda Tobler, Maureen Schnitzer, Dottie Lamp, Alice Pearson, Beth Stewart and Mary Ann Hantout with Joan Braun. During the champagne social hour, coordinated by Marion Kohler and her supportive husband, Alex, guests enjoyed browsing through the auction treasures assembled by Jeanne Greenawalt with Kaye Gray and Ruth Einerwold.

Mesquite Club President Billie Kenny, seen with Colleen Haycock, of the Western States General Federation of Women's Clubs, and Mary Bucholtz, Nevada State GFWC president, led the welcoming remarks at the luncheon. Banquet tables were adorned with crystal bowls filled with rose potpourri, a perfect accompaniment to the light luncheon menu of turkey champagnon with cranberry delight, followed by Bavarian cream pastries. Small lace sacks of rose petal potpourri were the small gifts provided for each attendee.

Soprano Joanna Bonin and accompanist Cynthia Harris provided a romantic program of opera favorites. Seated with friends for the program were Kay Browne, Lucina LaGrange, Bertha Cononelos, Sally Wathen and Mary Tamburra, as well as Rita Collins, Lois Freeman, Joanne Vaughn, Jan Kennedy and Mary Barnett. Busily serving on this committee were members including June Clark, Elaine Fish, Ronni Newlander, Paula Mendenhall, Virginia Longley and others.

Luncheon honoree

Ann Stuart Ph.D., chancellor and president of Texas Woman's University, hosted festivities earlier this fall to dedicate the Bernice Abreo Fischer Amphitheater at the Denton, Texas, campus. Fischer, a longtime Las Vegas resident and community philanthropist, is a 1941 business administration graduate of TWU. A reception to honor Fischer included a performance by the university's noted dance company. Additionally, university regents and trustees recognized Fischer with a private luncheon at Stuart's residence.

Bernice and her late husband, Virlis Fischer, have been generous angels to many fine arts endeavors including our community's own New West Theatre, the Las Vegas Philharmonic, Nevada Ballet Theatre and numerous programs at both UNLV and and the Community College of Southern Nevada.

Mayors' breakfast

Now in its 15th year, the Mayors' Prayer Breakfast is easily one of the best-attended events in Las Vegas, this year filling the enormous Stardust ballroom. Hosted by the National Conference for Community and Justice (originally founded as the National Conference of Christians and Jews), the breakfast is jointly sponsored by the mayors of Clark County communities and the Clark County Commission.

Greeting friends in the early morning crowd were the Rev. Jerry Blankinship, Dr. Augi Orci, M.J. and Jack Harvey, Sharon Segerblom, Commissioner Myrna Williams, Mary Ellen Heise, Dr. Brian and Susan Cram, Nancy Katz and Dr. Lonnie Hammargren. Seated among friends and colleagues was Clark County Superintendent of Schools Carlos Garcia, as well as state Sen. Mike Schneider, Larry Spitler, Councilman Brown, Dennis Ortwein and School Board Trustee Shirley Barber.

Table sponsors included Sierra Health Services, represented by Jenny Des Vaux Oakes and her guests John Bunker, Humberto Gonzalez, Audrey Boyer, Monica Finch, Peter O'Neil, Marie Soldo and Sydell McKay. Joining the table was Leary Adams, principal of Twin Lakes Elementary, part of Sierra's community partnership program, where many of their employees volunteer. Speaker for the morning gathering was Henry Cisneros, chairman and CEO of American CityVista, past president of the National League of Cities and former secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.