Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: NAH takes time to applaud volunteers’ work

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2001 | 8:48 a.m.

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

Once again Ed Crispell, general manager of the Imperial Palace, served as generous benefactor for Nevada Association for the Handicapped as it presented its annual Volunteer Recognition luncheon. Coordinated by Angie Wallin, development director, the gathering in the hotel-casino's Royal Hall opened with musical entertainment by the Bonanza High School Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Shelley Berger.

Recognized in ceremonies were Tim Quillin (Hero Award), Karen Knox of the Mirage (Partnership Award), Christian Kolberg (Excellence Award), Neil Holder (Above and Beyond Award) and Crispell (Special Recognition Award). Additionally, five-year volunteer presentations were made to Terri Stucky, Vince Shaffer, Norm Nusbaum and Quillin.

Guests at the volunteer gathering included Lisa Anderson, Sharry Quillin, Karla McComb, Liz Deveau, Bret Bonner, Anna Cohen, Mona Orr, John Clark and Mark Gilbert.

NAH has two dinner events yearly -- the splendid Playhouse each fall, and spring's Starry, Starry Night. Both require devoted attention by committee chairs who take on leadership roles. Recognized for their past service and ongoing endeavors were Jeanette Cutolo, Mike Anderson, Jon Tullis, David Cherkis, Michael Fusco, Holder, Kelly Martin, Kolberg, Shaffer, Stucky, Abbey Manto and Elizabeth Trosper.

Adding her own special touch to the lively luncheon was Sandy Peltyn, who will chair Starry, Starry Night 2001 on March 31, once again at the Mirage. The gala will be packed with celebrity contributions in the form of painted aprons created by stars and sports figures including Tiger Woods, Backstreet Boys, Dixie Chicks, Rod Stewart, Tina Turner and Dick Smothers to name just a few. Proceeds will benefit NAH's many efforts to assist handicapped citizens of all ages, including support for our state's only developmental day-care facility for special-needs children.

Public radio benefit

Last week's KNPR 89.5-FM benefit dinner at Commander's Palace was a perfect evening for supportive guests who enjoyed a superbly prepared meal served with the restaurant's classical presentation. Adding another $9,000 to the public radio station's endowment campaign, the dinner was part of efforts on behalf of the KNPR Future Fund efforts to raise $2 million.

Brad Brennan, owner-operator of Commander's Palace at Desert Passage, graciously arranged for all proceeds to benefit KNPR. Hosts at the dinner were Steven Wau, head sommelier, and restaurant Manager Michael Smith, who had worked closely with Chef Carlos Guia to create this special six-course dinner. Served were speciality dishes, many of them made famous by their popularity at Brennan's in New Orleans. Wines to accompany the meal were provided by Beringer Wine Estates.

Seen at the select gathering was KNPR board Chairman Pat Chapin and his wife, Cheryl, as well as board member Bill Laub attending with his wife, Mary, their son John, and daughter-in-law Karen, joined by Tom Sheets and his wife, Sandra, and KNPR General Manager Lamar Marchese and his wife, Pat. Others attending were former Gov. Robert List and his wife, Polly, North Las Vegas Councilwoman Stephanie Smith, Deborah Jones, Thom and Mari Landers, Carolyn and Ken Sparks, Mary Petty with Daniel Walters, and Bob and Sandy Warburton. Supporting the elegant evening as well were Jerry and Lou Emmert, Tom and Carol Armstrong, Mike and Tish Maffie, David Stadler, Jack Harpster and Drs. Richard and Joan McGee.

Further KNPR dining opportunities are in the planning stages with details by contacting Nancy Wood, newly appointed development director at KNPR, at 258-9895.

Chamber installments

Festivities marked the recent installation of incoming 2001 Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Chairman Bill Wells and members of this year's board of trustees, the policymaking body of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce.

Wells, managing partner with McGladrey and Pullen LLP, took over the chairmanship from outgoing Chairman Bob Forbuss, who served two terms. Wells will be responsible for directing the activities of the board while putting in place a strategic plan for setting and achieving goals for the Chamber over the next year.

Serving with Wells are trustees Julie Gilday-Shaffer, Hugh Anderson, John Wilcox, George Togliatti, Ted Wiens Jr., Larry Kifer, Punam Mathur, Mark E. Brown and Sue Brandt, as well as Jill Campbell, Tony Sanchez III and Phillip Peckman. Also elected as trustees to serve are Frank Pankratz, Lou Emmert, Tim Cashman, Fafie Moore, Robert Fisher, Kevin Orrock, Felix Rappaport, Jenny DesVaux-Oakes, Robert Forbuss and Jay Kornmayer.

The well-attended Friday night affair at the MGM Grand Conference Center was sponsored by Wells Fargo bank, and opened with a most congenial cocktail reception. Glimpsed in this crowd of movers and shakers were Ron and Barbara Garland, Dr. Keith Boman, with his mother Jeane Boman, Jeff Silver, Victoria and Dennis Morgan, Lynn and Roger Saunders, Christine Sousa, Sidra and Chip Kain, Randy Oakes with Dawn Buffery, and Ashley Hall. Others involved in our city's business endeavors included Louise Rappaport, Brad and Elizabeth Brennan, Angie Wallin, Rhonda and Terry Shonkwiler, Sandy Sandoval, Joanne Blystone, David and Jacque Matthews, Lynn Wirth with Tom Brooker, Steve and Stephanie Stallworth and Nevada Supreme Court Justice Bill Maupin.

Upcoming event

Save-the-date cards have been sent to remind all of us of the Chefs for Kids event on April 28. More than an extravagant evening of fine dining and unparalleled auction packages, the event at the Rio is a true partnership of our city's finest chefs and public schools.

Chefs for Kids is an outreach effort undertaken by the chefs who work with at-risk children in their schools, serving life-healthy meals and teaching food selection and nutrition throughout the school year. For further details on this most worthwhile event, please call 258-8011.