Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Senators honored at foundation’s dinner-dance gala

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2001 | 8:17 a.m.

F.I.T. provides clients with vocational guidance, resources and support to reach that goal. F.I.T.'s annual Notte di Carnevale dinner-dance gala once again showed the caring heart of Las Vegas. Janet Frasier Blumen and husband Andrew Blumen made welcome attending benefactors, among them Lou and Jerry Emmert, Dr. Edward and Gayle Miller, Peg Crockett with her daughter and son-in-law Caty and Dr. Jim Jones, Ed Rivera, May Muskin, Zoey Brown, former Las Vegas Mayor Ron Lurie and J.A. Tiberti.

Exchanging friendly conversation in the Mandalay Bay ballroom were Roger and Sandy Peltyn with Congresswoman Shelley Berkley and husband Dr. Larry Lehner, as well as Jack and Nancy Weinstein and last year's honoree Dr. Parvin Modaber Jacobs with husband Dr. Theodore Jacobs. Attending with friends were Judges Michael Cherry and Nancy Saitta with Federal Bankruptcy Judge Linda Riegle, joined by John Curtas, Alexandra Goranson and gala chair Sarah Ralston.

Honored with the Civitas Laurel award for significant efforts on behalf of others were Sen. Harry Reid and wife Landra, and Sen. John Ensign and wife Darlene. Listening to the dinner program while enjoying a splendid autumn menu selected by the Sun's own Muriel Stevens were Dr. Leonard and Betty Carpi, Helen Foley, Bruce Pope, Tom Martin, Vince and Julie Shaefer, Garth and Karen Winckler, Isabel Colon and Marie Claire Aremeni.

Cancer fund-raiser

Four Seasons recently hosted its second annual fund-raising event benefitting the UNLV Cancer Institute. Named for Terry Fox, who lost his leg and later his battle with cancer, the Terry Fox Dinner Gala is an event hosted at each of the 50 Four Seasons hotels and resorts worldwide. More than $250 million has been raised for cancer research and awareness.

The Terry Fox event in Las Vegas was a lavish dinner featuring signature chefs from our local Four Seasons and its sister property Mandalay Bay. Included was a silent auction of exotic trips to each of the Four Seasons hotels around the world, many with first-class and business airfare. Funds generated in this single evening will stay in our community at the UNLV Cancer Institute, where work is done to expand cancer research and increase educational efforts.

Supporting this worthy evening were Drs. Michael and Carol Harter, Lara and Christian Kolberg, Steven Brown, Joanne Jacobs, Doug Hitt, Joel Barish, Dr. Wende Scheer, Renee Haws, Brenda Holmes and Dr. Kent McBeath with Ken Fleming. Guests were assigned dining tables in the ballroom, then randomly selected from the many dishes prepared at serving stations arranged around the ballroom.

Representing Charlie Palmer Steak at Four Seasons was chef-owner Charlie Palmer, while Four Seasons Executive Chef Wolfgang von Wieser served at the Verandah's most delectable station. Adding their specialties to the magic of the evening were other notable chefs, among them Chris Young (Aereole), Erik Kraynek (Rum Jungle), Mark Ferguson (Tratoria del Lupo), Marshall Ziegler (Red Square), Russell Gabe (House of Blues), Chris Mortenson (Border Grill) and Greg De Michael (China Grill), as well as Scott McCarter and David Kellaway (both of Mandalay Bay).

Ensuring a smooth evening for guests and featured chefs were George Cordon, general manager, and Tom Segesta, hotel manager of the Four Seasons. Lending their efforts as well were Scott Haws of KVBC Channel 3 who served as emcee, and Harrah's headliner Clint Holmes who provided the finest entertainment.

Change of venue

Unique, history-packed and bound to be fun, the Neon Museum party slated for Saturday has been forced to change venues. Now the fund-raiser will open with cocktails at 6:30 p.m. under the sparkling canopy at the Golden Nugget, where special valet parking arrangements have been made for attending guests. Suggested attire remains fun and cozy-warm. Mayor Oscar Goodman will introduce designer Steven Lagos during A Night Under the Stars. Dinner and other delights will follow, with all the details available by calling the Neon Museum at 229-5366.

Book completed

Linn Thome, longtime writer and resident of Las Vegas, had a pre-holiday surprise from her publisher TDM of Dallas. Calling it a bittersweet moment Thome's book, "Anti-Terrorism 101: A Primer for Protection," has rushed through completion and printing and was quickly selected to be stocked by Borders Bookstores, Amazon.com and just recently, the Barnes and Noble Bookstore group.

Written before the Sept. 11 tragedies, the book is directed at the needs of individuals and businesses, and has many expandable applications. Thome, a longtime volunteer for the local chapter of the American Heart Association and other charities, is a member of the American League of Pen Women and past director of several long-term care facilities in Southern Nevada.

Wedding wishes

Wedding bells rang for William "Bill" Marion and his sweetheart, Rene Haupt, on Nov. 16. The popular couple slipped away to Carson City for a private ceremony in chambers and were wed by longtime friend Judge William Maupin, chief justice of the Nevada Supreme Court.

After a brief honeymoon in the Carson City-Reno area, the couple returned to Las Vegas where they will reside. Marion, a successful political and business consultant, recently added the mantle of executive director of the Las Vegas Philharmonic to his responsibilities.