Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Judge’s two-fold celebration brought out racing greats

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2000 | 9:49 a.m.

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

Race Rock, the race car-themed restaurant at the Fremont Street Experience, was the perfect setting for Judge Bill Jansen's re-election victory party and his 65th birthday. Invitations showed the popular jurist posing with favorite Indy and NASCAR race cars, both displayed with great enthusiasm at the party. Devoted race fans, Jansen and his wife, Nora, had as their special guests racing stars Al Unser Jr. and Richie Hearn, both IRL champions and noted drivers on the racing circuit.

In the attending crowd to honor the former FBI agent-turned-judge were Lois and Mike Growney, Bob and Nancy Joslin, Chris Powell, Tom and Marilyn Starks, Mahlon Brown, Gina Unser, Lou Tabat, Steve and Vicky Quinn, David Atwell and Judge Bob Gaston. Looking particularly happy was UNLV law student Alice Denton with hubby Judge Mark Denton, joined by Joe Benson, John Muije, Gregg Schiffbauer and Judge Michael Cherry. Jansen ran unopposed for a second term as judge in Justice Court, Department Five.

Cooking for charity

Fast approaching is the spectacular Star Chefs of Las Vegas evening, which will combine the finest of cuisines with the elegance of designer fashions. Our city's most masterful chefs will present their signature dishes at the event, complemented by a showing of Escada's newest collection. A live auction of notable proportions will conclude the evening.

Serving as honorary chairs will be P.J. Taylor of Verizon Wireless, joined by the philanthropic trio of Kitty Rodman, Claudine Williams and Thalia Dondero. James Perillio, executive chef for Caesars Palace, will serve as lead chef and coordinator of the dazzling event slated for Oct. 11 at Caesars Palace.

Proceeds will benefit the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, with its Campaign for Healthier Babies, as well as research efforts and community outreach programs. Among the elite chefs participating will be Wendy and Michael Jordon (Rosemary's), Emilio LaScala (Spiedini), George Jacquez (WB Stage 16), Joe Romano (Aureole), Kevin Martinez (Malibu Chan's) and Rick Griffen (China Grill) to name just a few. Individual tickets are $125 with Vicki Huchmala, of the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation (732-9257), handling reservations and table arrangements.

Show anniversary

Updated and continually freshened for new audiences and their many return visitors, "An Evening at La Cage," starring Frank Marino as Joan Rivers, deservedly earned top billing as the fifth longest-running show in Las Vegas with its recent 15-year anniversary. Kicking up its high heels with riotous gaiety, the show sparkled as never before as the second- floor showroom filled to overflowing. Welcoming invited guests and hotel visitors was William Westerman, Riviera CEO/COB, who was seen with Peggy and Wayne Bernath, Terry and Barbara Nosek, Chef Les Kincaid and Esther and Phil Hevener.

Flamboyant and often wickedly funny, the female-impersonator show lived up to its billing with engrossing performances, exquisite "man-sized" evening gowns and enviable hairstyles. The illusions created were flawless and well suited to Marino, the masterful leader of the merriment who intrigued the audience with beauty and chatter Rivers style.

Later, at the hosted dinner in the Riviera's Ristorante Italiano, Marino charmed us all with his candor about life inside "La Cage" and as a longtime Las Vegas resident. Hosting the anniversary party was Robert Vannucci, Riviera vice president of marketing and entertainment, joined by George Starsinic, John Neeland and the Ristorante's maitre'd David Gross, as well as producers Norbert and Maureen Aleman. Mingling with their guests while wearing evening gowns and full makeup were performers Jimmy Emerson (as Tammy Spraynet), Jayson Malone (Bette Midler /Judy Garland), Lane Lassiter (Michael Jackson), Steve Wayne (Cher/Celine Dion), John Bloss (Reba McEntire), Larry Edwards (Tina Turner/ Patti LaBelle), John Merritt (Liza Minnelli) and the ever-glamorous Marino as Rivers.

Glimpsed in the crowd were guests including Mel Carter and Jackie Brett, Breck Wall, Bobbie Katz and Binion trial attorney John Momot accompanied by Aki, former Stardust showgirl who hopes to resume her law studies at UNLV.

Shopping for a cure

The Fashion Targets Breast Cancer Charity Shopping Weekend got off to a great start at Saks Fifth Avenue in the Fashion Show mall, with the able assistance of Mayor Oscar Goodman, Harrah's headliner Clint Holmes and band members of 4-NOW. Guests shopped generously with a portion of the proceeds directed to charity, talked to cancer prevention volunteers and gave full marks to the beautiful Jaguar sedans on display from Gaudin Jaguar-Porsche, co-sponsor of the benefit that assists the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

A trio of fine Las Vegas restaurants kept the energy level of the shoppers high, starting with the delectables provided by Joseph Keller, owner/chef of Josef's Brasserie at Desert Passage. Conversing while he cooked as well was the masterful Gian Paulo Belloni, who brought his family's treasured recipes to Zeffirino Ristorante at the Grand Canal Shoppes in the Venetian. Matching the mood of the evening was Chef John Minichino, of Phillip's Supper Club, who was accompanied by general manager Angela Mazza, who spoke of the recent renovation of the West Sahara Avenue eatery. Phillip's is lending special support to cancer research by donating 5 percent of all October dinner proceeds to the Komen Foundation. It will also participate by offering Cuisine for the Cure programs, with details available by calling 822-2324.

Education awards gala

The mission of the Clark County Public Education Foundation is to mobilize community resources, to support and enhance public education through projects and initiatives designed to improve student performance in preparation for the challenges of the 21st century. By enlisting private dollars from individual donors and businesses, the foundation seeks to provide what tax dollars cannot. Certainly the community response to this worthy cause, this ongoing challenge and in particular to honorees Sun publisher Barbara Greenspun and the Greenspun family, resulted in record-setting attendance at the foundation's Education Hero Award Dinner.

Into the Four Seasons came a veritable river of supportive notables, among them Gail and Carlos Garcia, Linda and Burton Cohen, George Togliatti, Steven and Chantal Cloobeck, Toni Clark with Larry Finuf, Frank Schreck, Phyllis McGuire, Kell and Nancy Houssels and Sid and Colette Saltz, joined by Foundation trustees Ashley Hall, Ruth Goldfarb and Commissioner Myrna Williams.

Ann Lynch, Sig Rogich and Clark County Commissioner Erin Kenny co-chaired the huge celebration with able assistance and commentary from Mike O'Callaghan and Governor Kenny Guinn. Judge Ron Parraguirre, Dr. Augi and Louise Orci, with Dr. Frank and Betty Roqueni, Sari and Paul Aizley, Denise and Charlie Ivy, Dr. Robert Silverman with Toby Hyman and Andy Katz with Mona Townsend were seen in the pre-dinner crowd admiring the 2001 PT Cruiser, a classic-looking vehicle and one of the treasures later auctioned by Christian Kolberg.

Cecil Meyers and his gifted jazz ensemble from Green Valley High School were among the groups performing prior to Andre-Philippe Gagnon's appearance on stage. Proceeds from the most successful evening will be used to enhance and support projects and programs to benefit students in our public schools. Teachers and administrators, through the grant process, can apply for funding to institute tailor-made learning for their schools.