Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Stars turn out for magical Shriners’ benefit

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2001 | 8:25 a.m.

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

Proceeds amounting to $26,000 were garnered during the recent "Lance Burton and Friends" benefit show for the Shriners. Hosted at the Monte Carlo inside the Lance Burton Theatre, this special performance assisted the Shriners of Zelzah Shrine Center with their work of helping Las Vegas-area children who suffer from burn injuries and orthopedic problems.

An annual event for the past six years, the early evening benefit came about through the efforts of Peter Reveen, magician and personal manager of Burton, who has long been an active member of the Shriners. Burton and Reveen were supported onstage this year by fellow magicians Fielding West, Mac King, Johnny and Pam Anderson and James Cielen.

Chairing the sold-out evening was Harvey Williams, past potentate of Zelzah Shrine Center. Working closely with him on the fund-raiser were nobles of Zelzah Shrine Center including Jim Dahl, Bill Katz, Don Wetzel, Ted Johnson and 2001 potentate Bill Holland who led onstage ceremonies thanking Burton at the conclusion of his performance.

The Shriners at Zelzah Shrine Center have 1,250 Southern Nevada children enrolled in their burn-care and orthopedic programs. No-cost care for these children, as well as support for their transport and hospitalization, are provided at the Shriners' special children's hospitals in Southern California.

EDC celebration

Many attempt it, but few approach the perfect marriage of event and venue achieved at Olio! during the EDC-Entertainment Development Corporation party held to celebrate and support CineVegas International Film Festival.

Welcoming arrivals with style, Olio! owner John J. Tunney III made every effort to create a congenial atmosphere at his celebrated restaurant on MGM Grand's Studio Walk. Guests were a glamorous mix of celebrities and notables, among them Tom Jones, Sieg- fried & Roy, Lance Burton and Bob Anderson.

It's Vegas Baby, a fund-raiser to benefit EDC's CineVegas International Film Festival, was indeed a Sunday evening to be remembered. Lasting late into the night (similar to the legendary parties in our city's fabled past), It's Vegas Baby drew a giddy blend of entertainers including Amazing Jonathan, Bill Acosta, the Scintas, cast members from "The Rat Pack is Back," Cirque du Soliel and Blue Man Group as well as Penn & Teller and Rita Rudner.

Champagne, martinis and other libations were enjoyed with ample servings of tasty pastas, roast lamb chops and other menu selections as prepared by Olio! Executive Chef John Cahill. EDC-Entertainment Development Corporation of Las Vegas is a private, membership-based nonprofit organization created to foster entertainment industry growth through education, service, the development of infrastructure and the presentation of premiere international events including CineVegas International Film Festival.

Supporters were plentiful, among them jeweler Michael E. Minden and wife Theresa, Farrah Gray, Brenda Holmes, Dr. Richard Minnear and Debbie and Andrew Levy, in addition to Denise Schrerer attending with her son and daughter-in-law, John and Mickie Petkus.

Assemblyman Harry Mortenson and wife Helen, longtime arts advocates, were seen with CineVegas leaders Paul and Ellen Bodner, as well as fellow guests Dr. Jeffrey and Wendy Arenswald. Tom Cox and his son, Donny, were seen speaking with Mimosa Jones, CEO of EDC, about the final details related to a worldwide darts competition slated for Las Vegas in the coming year.

Awards event

One of fall's shining moments will be the Clark County Public Education Foundation's Education Hero Award Dinner on Sept. 15 at the Four Seasons. Sig Rogich, chairman of the foundation, has announced Jim Rogers, Education Hero 2001, will be recognized for his contributions to education in Southern Nevada.

Rogers, a graduate of Las Vegas High School and noted Las Vegas attorney, has made an impact on our community through his generous support of higher education, extensive philanthropy in the arts and unceasing support of local elementary schools. Chairman of Sunbelt Communications Co., Rogers oversees nine television stations including KVBC Channel 3. Last year Rogers was profiled by Time magazine as one of the nation's top philanthropists.

The gala evening at the Four Seasons is the primary fund-raiser for the foundation. Past recipients of the award are Billy Vassiliadis and R&R Advertising, John Goolsby, Barbara Greenspun and the Greenspun family and Gov. Kenny Guinn. Tickets for the event are required, with all the details available by calling 799-1042 or by visiting the foundation website at ccpef.org.

Luncheon planned

Jane Olive, president of Nevada Women's History Project -- Southern Region, will open the organization's fall calendar with a luncheon on Sept. 8. With an early start at 10:15 a.m. at Gordon McCaw Elementary School in Henderson, the program will feature Dr. David Weide, a geology professor at UNLV. He will speak on Environmental and Geological Hazards in Southern Nevada, and has promised a bit of Nevada mining folklore as well.

Luncheon guests will also be welcome to tour the McCaw mine at the school, a hands-on learning center created with generous donations from Nevada's mining industry. Entertainment for the luncheon will include a Chautauqua performance of Marie Louise Mackay, wife of Nevada silver baron John Mackay. Chef John Vincent Clark will prepare the catered luncheon. Learn all details and receive directions to the luncheon program by calling Joan LeMere at 456-9242.

Correction

In last week's column, Andrew Hagopian, Bellagio's vice president for retail sales, was included among the guests attending the opening festivities for the nightclub Seven. The spelling of his name was unfortunately incorrect. Our sincere apologies to Andrew and his wife, Carolyn.