Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: New Baywatch eatery at Flamingo given send-off

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2002 | 8:23 a.m.

Giving friends an early peek at their new venture, partners Michael Berk and Jimmy Comito hosted a tasting party at their Baywatch Restaurant in the Flamingo.

Nestled amid lush tropical plantings of the enormous island-like pool enclosure, the Baywatch Restaurant is perched above a secluded pool boasting a dozen pink flamingo fountain statues.

Berk, executive producer of the "Baywatch" television series, and local entrepreneur Comito have hired chef Sam Marvin, formerly of Piero's Italian Cuisine, and gave him free rein to create special dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner menus.

Brought aboard to complete their vision throughout the spacious dining room and out to the pleasant decks was interior designer Jeri Packe, with partners Sheri Biggar, Taylor Mitchell and Micky De Benedetto, all of Design Force Inc.

Well-wishers at the party included Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt with husband Charles "Blackie" Hunt, John Daly, Gianna and Bucky Buchanan, Courtney Comito, Mark Risman, Polly Weinstein, Sandy and Roger Peltyn, Drs. Ted and Parvn Modaber Jacobs and Clark Walker.

Assisting with the development of the restaurant was Sandy Comito, co-hostess for Saturday's party.

Hispanic heritage

An elegant occasion recognizing women of Hispanic descent who have excelled in their professional careers as well as contributed to the enrichment of our community, the Senoras of Excellence dinner dance and awards program was a delightful success.

Suitably created in response to congressional legislation declaring Hispanic Heritage month across our nation, the awards dinner honored Margarita Velazuez Rebollal, Carmen Zuloaga Mahan, Nancy Marie Alamo, Eva Garcia Mendoza and Carmen Esther Suarez.

Held in the cleverly themed Egyptian ballroom at Luxor, co-chairwomen Isabel Perera Pfeifer and Sandy Colon Peltyn chose to open the evening with a reception provided by sponsors Montecristo Rum and Red Bull Energy Drink.

Guests Steve and Cindy McCoy, Clark County School Superintendent Carlos Garcia and wife Gail, Brenda O'Boyle Haynes, Elizabeth Gonzalez, Judge Don Mosley, Fernando Romero and Don and Dee Snyder met and mingled easily as they bid on silent auction pieces, including those created for the occasion by artist-philanthropist Steve Kaufman.

Dinner, a sumptuous affair prepared by Luxor Executive Chef Jason Shkorupa, was served at beautifully appointed tables adorned with lifelike pink silk roses.

Guests were welcomed to their places by committee members Mara Braun, Mildred Schneidman, Mona Orr, Scott Forman, Bianca Faretta, Judy Fleischman, Jenny Rosado, Carol McCullough and Papote Varet.

Opening the program during dinner was Carlos Collado, who explained that proceeds would fund the Hispanic Day Parade, an effort begun several years ago by the Boricua Association of Las Vegas, an organization representing the Puerto Rican community. The parade will be held this fall, but no date has been set.

Michael Peltyn, director of staffing at Bellagio, coordinated the presentation of awards with able assistance from Bernice Rendon-Talavera, Mexico's consul for Southern Nevada.

Enjoying the evening, in particular song performed by R.J. Peltyn, were David Griego, Larry Luna, Steve Wolfson and wife Jackie Glass, Edward and Eleanore Doumani, Larry Mason, Dr. Lonnie and Sandy Hammargren as well as Jack Weinstein, Luis and Rose Dominguez, Elisa Del Prado, Simone Safen and Shawn Tracy.

Irene Bustamante, manager of corporate diversity for MGM MIRAGE, attended with fellow executive Christine Fuentes and their guests, Slyvia Avena of the Clark County Summer Business Institute, and Chelsie Campbell, a student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Boyd School of Law, who serves as president of UNLV's Organization of Latino Students.

A haven for children

The social swirl of early autumn will begin in earnest on Sept. 7 with Southwest Engineering's second annual dinner and live auction at Bellagio, benefiting Child Haven, Clark County's public facility for abused, abandoned and neglected children. Partners Mark Jones and Chip Maxwell will host the charitable gathering.

Last year the evening raised $58,000, with the funds used to build a much-needed playground for the medically fragile children who live in a special cottage on the Child Haven campus. This year, with a goal of $100,000, Southwest Engineering has earmarked proceeds to fund the program, Through the Eyes of A Child Foundation, a newly formed entity dedicated to overseeing special grants for children in need at Child Haven.

Contact Flora Jackson at 648-9700 for all the details on tickets or to assist with sponsorship.

The partnership between Southwest Engineering and Child Haven began three years ago in response to the special needs of the many children in this shelter. Efforts also include a yearly Easter Egg Hunt, festive barbecue parties for the children and special resources for facility needs.

Child Haven opened in 1973 with both public and private funds, and has a constant population of 120 to 130 children who stay an average of 28 days, but may remain in the shelter up to three months.

Equally vital to the well-being of our community's children is the Clark County Public Education Foundation. The foundation's quite important fund-raiser, the Education Hero Award Dinner on Sept. 14, will honor Sen. Harry Reid.

The dinner at Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas is chaired by Ann Lynch, Sig Rogich and Commissioner Erin Kenny, along with former Gov. Mike O'Callaghan, Sen. John Ensign and Jim Rogers participating as honorary chairmen.

Proceeds from this single event reach into many corners of our huge, ever-expanding school district, serving children of every age, ability and background. The Clark County Public Education Foundation provides a vital bridge between school needs and public funding, allowing for greater learning opportunities.

Grants for use by children and classroom teachers, improved library resources, vocational and college scholarships, and professional workshops for school personnel are among the many projects made possible by the fund-raiser.

Tickets for this special evening honoring Senator Reid can be obtained by calling 799-1042.