Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: It’s a wrap for Las Vegas Philharmonic’s soiree series

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, April 3, 2002 | 8:28 a.m.

Fourth and final in the series of soirees sponsored by Cartier and presented by Las Vegas Philharmonic, the Latin-flavored evening at the home of Janie and Jeff Gale was a triumphant blend of music and dance.

Perfectly staged in the lush grounds of the Gales' hacienda-styled home, the evening featured classical guitarist Ricardo Cobo. With Cobo was violinist De Ann Letourneau, concertmaster for the philharmonic and adjunct faculty member at Community College of Southern Nevada, as well as the sensual tango dancers Sandor and Parissa.

Catering the outdoor gathering was Wolfgang Puck's Lupo restaurant at Mandalay Bay, which provided margaritas and fine wines to match the divine dining selections offered to Patricia Campbell and daughter Robyn, Carl and Christine Sechrist, Kenneth and Jane Kahn, Kitty Boeddeker, Cary Krukowski, Diane and Patrick Clary, M.J. and Jack Harvey, Alice and Jerry Reeves and Helga Zachbauer.

Seated comfortably for the performance under the stars were hosts the Gales, joined by Marilyn and Rod LaRocque, Sophia Rodis, Richard and Lyn Kaufman, Andrea Thomas and Cindy Throm, as well as Lloyd and Noel Heslip, Rena and Philip Kantor and Las Vegas Philharmonic founders Susan and Andy Tompkins.

For information on the soirees planned for next season or future philharmonic events, please call 258-5438.

Holmes at home

Make no doubt about it, Harrah's Las Vegas is very intent on keeping entertainer Clint Holmes happy and fully engaged in performing to packed audiences.

Recent festivities dedicating Harrah's showroom as the Clint Holmes Theatre were done in lavish style and included speeches of praise by hotel executives, as well as Gov. Kenny Guinn, who appeared onstage to proclaim the day in Holmes' honor.

Holmes, under contract with Harrah's through 2006, attended a post-performance reception in his honor with wife, Brenda. Held poolside, the elaborate party was filled with well-wishers, among them fellow entertainers the Scintas, Phyllis McGuire, Sheena Easton, Bob Anderson, Bill Acosta, Mac King and scores of others.

Mingling in the crowd enjoying the lavish buffet were Gov. Guinn and wife Dema, Harrah's president Claudine Williams with Kitty Rodman, Kell and Nancy Houssels with Harry Ferris of Nevada Ballet Theatre, Sharon Christal, Chrisse and Gary Waddell, Barbara Jo Batterman and Monica Buckley. Also at the party were doctors Shelby Wilbourn and Keith Boman, Maggie Bock, Heidi Grable, Mark Pfister, James Woodrow and his wife, Michele Tell, Susan Houston and Ellen and Paul Bodner.

Rotary funds

Through the kind efforts of members, its friends and supportive businesses, the North Las Vegas Rotary Club has made possible the award of some $8,000 in minigrants to local schools.

In these times of tight funds and rising costs, this Rotary Club has reached out to brighten the picture for children attending 12 schools in our community. Twenty-eight teachers have been granted funds for classroom use at elementary schools including A.D. Guy, Lee Antonello, Cahlan, Edison, Kit Carson, H.P. Fitzgerald, C.V.T. Gilbert Magnet, Fay Herron, Eva Wolfe, Tom Williams, Gwendlyn Wooley, Howard Wasden and Elizabeth Wilhelm.

Made possible through fund-raisers and member donations from the North Las Vegas Rotary Club, this year's grants are part of $44,000 in contributions to the community made by area Rotary Clubs. Making the grant presentations at a special dinner event honoring participating teachers and school principals was chapter president Barry Channing, with mini-grant project chairperson Mildred Anderson.

Foundation fund-raiser

Once again the Sunrise Children's Hospital Foundation will host its two-day Color Us Friends fund-raiser at MGM Grand Conference Center, slated April 19-20.

Opening Friday with a fashionable luncheon, planned by chair Candy Krausman with committee members including Diana Orrock, Joanne Evans, David Rangel and Pami Wenman to name just a few, the luncheon and the gala to follow on Saturday will provide funds for the foundation's far-reaching health and safety programs in Southern Nevada. The black-tie dinner, known for its extraordinary auction packages, will use a game-board theme borrowing from Monopoly and other favorites for a fun-packed evening.

All the details on these Color Us Friends events are available by calling the Sunrise Children's Hospital Foundation office at 731-8373.