Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Manns will reign over Mardi Gras Ball

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2002 | 8:22 a.m.

Howard and Joni Mann, owners of the Mann Group Commercial Real Estate Development Company, will be crowned king and queen of St. Rose Dominican Hospital and Health Foundation's 45th annual Mardi Gras Ball.

The Manns, longtime supporters who made significant contributions to the emergency room building and facilities at the hospital's Sienna campus, will preside over the gala evening at Green Valley Ranch Station Casino on Feb. 9. Guests will enjoy a sparkling occasion with highlights to include a gourmet dinner, dancing and entertainment, as well as the opportunity to purchase some of the season's most lavish items by live and interactive video auction.

All proceeds from the Mardi Gras Ball will benefit St. Rose Dominican Hospital and its community outreach programs, such as Positive Impact, which provides medical and dental care for uninsured and underinsured children, as well as Family-to-Family Connection, which provides information and classes for Nevada families with newborns. Tickets and all the details about the Mardi Gras Ball are available by calling 616-7630.

Irish visitors

Spirits ran high and the Irish eyes were smiling on a recent evening with Joe O'Callaghan, former Lord Mayor of Cork City, Ireland, as he made a visit to Las Vegas and attended a performance of "Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance" at New York-New York.

Accompanying O'Callaghan was Alice France, a former Cork City resident who has lived in Las Vegas for 15 years. An informal party for the pair was held backstage following the performance, with Maryann Bakke and Niamh O'Brien among the cast members in attendance.

Carrying a torch

Olympic fever grows as we approach the opening ceremonies for the Winter Games in Salt Lake City. A recent note from Adrienne O'Donoghue, one of Southern Nevada's chosen representatives, delineates her Olympic Torch Relay route.

O'Donoghue, a teacher for the Clark County School District, assigned to Kenny C. Guinn Middle School, will carry the torch on Queen's Trail near Sunrise Point inside Bryce Canyon National Park on Monday. The Olympic Committee has sent official gear including a warm-up coat, running pants and knitted cap.

The torch O'Donoghue will carry, its cost underwritten personally by Gov. Kenny Guinn, will be put on permanent display at the school with related Olympic materials and photos from her run.

O'Donoghue was nominated for the honor by Super Summer Theatre's board of directors, an organization with which she served as chairman and a stellar volunteer for more than 10 years. Cheering on her Olympic torch run will be her husband, John O'Donoghue, as well as their children Brooke, Holly, Robin and Meghan.