Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Black-tie gala to make dreams come true

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2001 | 9:09 a.m.

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

A note from Jennifer Tuttle and Helene Walker has alerted us to a new gala, nearly a year in the planning, that promises to be a spectacular evening. The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Nevada will present Where Dreams Come True, the first black-tie gala for this worthy organization that seeks to fulfill the dreams and wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses.

The March 10 dinner and dance at the Aladdin will include a live auction with dazzling packages, among them a six-day stay at Milan's Four Seasons, a fantasy resort created from the buildings of an ancient monastery, set among the prized shopping and restaurant district of this fabled Italian city. Also offered will be a culinary tour of New Orleans' best restaurants, as well as diamond jewelry and other treasures.

Fred Leighton Jewels created the diamond watch which comprises part of the opportunity. Prizes were collected by gala committee members including Jon Tullis, Marla Letizia, Robbie Graham, Vicky Ferris, Kathleen Newton, Wendi Miller, Susan Weintz and Cheryl Hill. Lending their talents to the gala as well are Jeb Koury, Arlene Miller, Joan Doyne, Larry Kifer and Laurie Thompson. Kathy Becker and Linda Vause are serving as co-chairs of the dinner. To receive an invitation or further details please call the Make-A-Wish Foundation at 367-1440.

Philharmonic fete

Soiree III at the Four Seasons, an exquisite evening presented by Cartier on behalf of the Las Vegas Philharmonic, was an exclusive gathering of music patrons. Appearing was Navah Perlman, a pianist and a celebrated soloist and recording artist who appears regularly with an international array of chamber orchestras and symphonies. Perlman's Las Vegas debut, beneath the domed ceiling of the Four Season's Palm Room, included pieces by Chopin, Bach and Schuman, each introduced by an informal narrative by Perlman.

Present for the evening of classical music were Natalie and George Cohan, Kay and Randy Lamb, Dr. Babak Navide, Adelle Gersten with Donald Bean, Carol Russell with Malcolm Boot, Maria Romano, Dr. Fred and Susan Tofigh, Lorraine Brick and Henry Harris. Philharmonic president Susan Tompkins with her husband, Andy Tompkins, were seen with Perlman's husband, Robert Frost, and his sister, Hannah Elisabeth, a Las Vegas singer. Joining their circle of conversation was Mariam Afshai, manager of Cartier in Las Vegas, with her husband, architect Rokh Afshai, and Scott Norkus, representing the Four Seasons.

Also present were patrons Wendy and Richard Plaster, Sharon Bader, James King with wife Kaaren Thomas, Terri Flynn, Reta Bearfield, Robert and Judith Heck and Diane Hart. Harold "Hal" Weller, musical director/conductor for the philharmonic, attended with wife Betsy and spoke of Soiree IV, slated for April 18 with guest artist Makoto Nakura.

Planning ahead for the Philharmonic's "Russian Masters" concert at UNLV on Feb. 17 were Lin and Richard Kaufman, Marjorie Wallace, Dr. Marcia Neel, Lloyd and Noel Heslip, Toni Cowan, Maria Campbell, Wanda Jacobs and Helga Zachbauer.

Company launched

Promising to serve both "oysters and pearls of wisdom," Brian McMullen, president of McNally Design Group USA, last week summoned a congenial crowd to the Smith & Wollensky restaurant. The party, a festive launching of the corporation's Las Vegas operations, was a Celtic-flavored occasion, a true celebration of all things Irish. McNally Design Group USA, through its subsidiary the Irish Pub Company, has more than 350 Irish pubs around the world -- from Paddy Hannan's (in Perth, Australia) to J.C. Wooloughans at the Regent Las Vegas. McNally Design Group is one of the leading developers of nightclubs, themed restaurants, wine bars and entertainment venues in Europe.

Speaking briefly, McMullan explained that Las Vegas, the new U.S. headquarters for the Irish Pub Company, was chosen in recognition of the city's reputation for being on the frontline of entertainment. The company's pubs follow five distinct design themes; all feature Irish menus and authentic decor. Another will soon enjoyed by Southern Nevadans when their newest pub opens inside a Station Casinos property presently under construction at Green Valley Parkway and Interstate 215.

Enjoying the party at Smith & Wollensky's third-floor banquet hall were guests including former U.S. Ambassador and Nevada Sen. Chic Hecht, Robin Leach, architects Chuck Jones and Brad Friedmutter, Bill Curran, Doug Puppel with Pamela Benjamin and Stephen Donnolley.

Tunes from an Irish band wafted through the room as waiters offered trays of savory pastry-wrapped sausages, fine smoked salmon and oysters on the half shell. Guinness ale (sometimes called stout), brought to the party by Peter Green, director of Guinness-USA, was an immediate favorite with guests Judy Robinson, Joe Pier, Ed Johnson, Judy Bryer, Joyce Kotnik, Greg Cheeseman, Mark Lancer, Tiffany Page, Charles Kuraf and Stan Van Asche as well as Jerold Schaeffer, Glen Machado, Jerry Solomon, Joe Powers and Richard Krup.

Football fun

A tradition among their circle of friends, the Super Bowl party hosted by Deni and Steve Conrad remains a strong favorite after 17 years.

Held at their Paradise Valley home, with Deni's sister, Mari Landers, and her husband, Thomas, as co-hosts, the party was both a football session and delectable food event. While the hosts provided a bountiful half-time supper, friends also arrived with plentiful platters of temptations which quickly overflowed the dining room and spread to the television-viewing spots scattered throughout the home.

Guests included Tai and Bob Walsh, Art and Sara Besser, Paul and Dorothy Huffey, Dr. Roger and Diana Wilson and Charlene Herst, who enjoyed the afternoon party. Cheering on their favorite teams were Jack and Evelyn Libby, Rikki Cheese, Michelle Matlock, Bill and Smiddy Lamb and former Sen. Richard and Bonnie Bryan. Rick Ricardo and Dawn Merritt, who earned raves and accolades for their homemade salsa and guacamole contributions, were seen with Jacque and David Matthews and Kathy and Dick Bonar. Taking home the prizes from the Super Bowl party Richard Bryan and Dick Bonar.

Classy concert

Looking for something special to present your sweetheart this Valentine's Day? Consider the rare opportunity to purchase concert and VIP-party tickets to the Billy Joel/Elton John concert Feb. 17 at the MGM Grand. Concert-goers who purchase tickets through the United Way will have access to a pre-concert champagne-and-wine reception with hors d'oeuvres and auction treasures in the Studio Ballroom, near the entrance of the Grand Garden Arena.

A post-concert event, also in the Studio Ballroom, will feature desserts, coffees and live music, and will begin immediately following the show. Shawna Leffelman, at 892-2331, is handling all ticket arrangements as well as special-event valet parking passes for those purchasing their tickets through United Way.

Inaugural visit

One of the youngest Nevadans making the rounds to all of the best Inaugural 2001 festivities in the nation's capitol was 15-year-old Lauryn Allbaugh, daughter of Jill Trione Campbell of Las Vegas, and a student at Faith Luthern High School. Traveling to Washington, D.C., with her father Jay Allbaugh, she enjoyed this special opportunity to watch the parades and attend private dinners and receptions, as well as tour the exhibits of the Smithsonian.

With her father and uncle, Lauryn was a guest at the celebrated Texas Boots and Bows Inaugural Ball. Later she was included in an elite gathering of teens who were entertained by country stars Clint Black and Lisa Hartman Black, and who were personally addressed by President George W. Bush, Secretary of State Colin Powell and former first lady Barbara Bush. Lauryn's uncle, Joe Allbaugh, served in Austin, Texas, as Chief of Staff for then-Gov. Bush. He has since been appointed by the President as Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.