Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Celebrity aprons star at Starry,Starry Night

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, April 11, 2001 | 8:19 a.m.

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

Fun and festive, yet seriously dedicated to helping Nevada citizens of all ages and with disabilities, Starry, Starry Night, a benefit dinner and dance for the Nevada Association for the Handicapped, was a complete success.

Rino Armeni of Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada was the evening's chairman, arranging the special recognition awards for Lou Emmert and Bill Snyder in acknowledgement of their commitment and dedication to area charities.

Emmert, vice president and general manager for Sprint of Nevada, is well recognized for her many community efforts involving the Clark County Public Education Foundation, Girl Scouts, United Way, Nevada Ballet Theater, YMCA and Nevada Development Authority, as well as UNLV and the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce. Snyder, president and principal in charge of Tate & Snyder Architects, is equally involved in the betterment of life in Southern Nevada. Snyder, who serves with the UNLV Foundation, Henderson Chamber of Commerce and is chairman of the Community College Foundation, is a dedicated hands-on volunteer who has created destination classroom projects at three area elementary schools.

Sandy and Roger Peltyn, dinner coordinators, also served as the moving force in the creation and gathering of celebrity-themed aprons and memorabilia featured at Starry, Starry Night. Presented during both silent and live auctions were aprons and related treasures from Tiger Woods, the Dixie Chicks, Madonna, such bands as the Eagles and Metallica and dozens more.

Nate and Linda Tannenbaum, volunteer auctioneers for the evening, handled the bids for "The Little Mermaid"-themed apron created by Jon Tullis, a colorful reminder of Playhouse 2001: Under the Sea, NAH's annual gala, slated for Oct. 13. Windom Kimsey, a participating architect who has helped design a number of playhouses in past years, purchased the colorful apron for $600. Proceeds from the dinner-dance, as well as the aprons with their special memorabilia, will be directed to the NAH Family Support Center, Nevada's only licensed developmental child care facility serving children with disabilities.

Guests attending the sparkling evening were many, among them Peggy and Somer Hollingsworth, Michael and Theresa Minden, Don and Dottie Kemp, former Sen. Richard and Bonnie Bryan, Brad Friedmutter, Nancy Katz and Carlos and Zarina Collado. Taking a welcome break from their packing were Drs. Ted and Parvin Modaber-Jacobs, who are leaving their Desert Inn Country Club home for a new address at Park Towers. After 33 years both find the move a true challenge, but have generously sorted out donations for our community's medical libraries, as well as for UNLV.

Fund-raiser scheduled

A note from Suzanne Chabre confirms Janet Lowe, best-selling author and financial journalist, will be keynote speaker on April 18 for the American Association of University Women. The annual fund-raiser at Paris Las Vegas will include a gourmet French dinner and the address, "Speaking With the Stars: Warren Buffett to Bill Gates," will include insights on leadership, success strategies and financial savvy gleaned from interviews with these American icons.

Proceeds from the dinner will support training, scholarships and educational programs for women on local and national levels. Reservations for the evening are necessary, with all the details available by calling 594-2929.

Tea and conference

Women from across the state met in Carson City recently for the annual Nevada Women's History Project Conference at the Nevada State Library and Archives Building. Conference delegates lobbied members of the Nevada Legislature for Assembly Bill 267 -- a nomination for inclusion in the U.S. Capitol Statuary Hall of Fame, American Indian Sarah Winnemucca of Nevada. The bill, accepted for final vote, is additionally supported by the NWHP, which has pledged $7,000 toward the cost of the statue.

Many of those at the conference also enjoyed a delectable Pink Tea hosted by Dema Guinn, first lady of Nevada, with assistance from Rose Irvin, NWHP state president. Joan LeMere and Mary Gafford, both of Las Vegas, were at the guest book.

The magnificent Mackey sterling-silver tea service, forged from silver ore taken from our state's mines, was used by Joyce Marshall and Frankie Williams, also of Las Vegas, as they presided at the bountiful tea table. Gov. Kenny Guinn gave a brief speech of thanks and praise for the numerous historical programs provided by the organization. Awards ceremonies held during the conference recognized the information-gathering efforts provided by Victoria Ford, Eleaner Gottschalf, Joyce Marshall, Fritsi Ericson and the Nevada Women's Fund.

Healthy move

The Silverton is to be commended for its ongoing efforts to spotlight breast cancer awareness and make it convenient for all of its employees to access screening.

Last year, in establishing its first mobile "mammovan" campaign, the hotel-casino provided 90 women with free mammograms, and three cancer cases were detected. Taking the mammovan to the workplace was repeated this past week for the second year, with free services for employees and paid arrangements for the public.

Kicking off the three-day mammovan visit was a luncheon hosted by Fran Inman, general manager and executive vice president of Silverton. Noted breast cancer researcher Dr. Rachel Hazan of Mount Sinai Medical Center spoke on the medical advances taking place in the fight against breast cancer. Recognized during the noon program as well were members of the Las Vegas chapter of the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Among the attendants were guests including Debbie Smith, Louise Faure, Judy Hetherington, Kari Kuh, Vicki Duncan, Kelli Maruca and Tracy Langlois, as well as Chris Frye and Paula Francis.

Charity luncheon

April 20 will mark new territory, as the adventure begins through the mysteries unveiled at Desert Passage at the Aladdin. The journey begins midday as a luncheon, fashion and shopping adventure unfolds in benefit of KidsCharities.org, Safe House and Candlelighters for Childhood Cancer. Participating in this offering will be Anasazi of Santa Fe, Flying Carpet Lounge and Mezzanine, Josef's Brasserie and Godiva Chocolatier.

A sumptuous luncheon, magnificent auction-bazaar and superb fashions are just part of the fun. With Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, serving as honorary chairwoman, the event is under the close attention of co-chairwomen Sue Cassidy and Sandy Peltyn. Committee members bringing this new event to life include Kelly Vega, Dr. Parvin Modaber-Jacobs, Michelle Young, Nancy Bernstein, Isabel Pfeifer, Judy Markman, Marie Claire Armeni, Sue Gorniak, Tany Canencia and Kelli Maruca, joined by Jeri Packe, Lulu Bubion, Zarina Collado and Clair Zeto. Tickets are priced at $85, with reservations available by calling 450-9073.