Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Family, friends surprise Peltyn with birthday bash

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, July 3, 2002 | 8:25 a.m.

Rarely are birthdays celebrated in the fun and free-wheeling style shown at Sandy Peltyn's party on June 22. It was cleverly planned by husband Roger Peltyn with sons R.J. and Michael, plus contributions and special skills provided from dear friend Papote Varet, staff members from Martin and Peltyn Structural Engineers and artist Stephen Kaufman.

Sworn to secrecy and told to be prompt, guests obliged by assembling in the spacious lounge of the Tuscany Hotel to await the arrival of the honoree and her husband. Well-wishers were many and reflected the couple's diverse community and charitable endeavors as evidenced by a well-mixed guest list. Attending were Nevada Supreme Court Justice Nancy Becker, TV personality Robin Leach, Drs. Ted and Parvin Modaber Jacobs, Eleanore and Edward Doumani and Dan and Denise Reichartz.

Personalizing their birthday greetings as well were Dr. Joe Thornton with wife Dr. Jeri Joiner, Bryan and Aileen O'Shields, Valerie Murzl, Mildred Schneidman, Becky Binion Behnen with son Benny and Bob Spinelli.

The party progressed to Chameleon Studios, a private party venue often used for recording and film work and the selected locale of InBusiness' 2002 Most Influential Men ceremonies.

Guests, transported by luxury shuttle buses, were quickly drawn into the swirl of good food, music and entertainment. Enjoying the high-spirited evening were Jack and Nancy Weinstein, Dr. Leo and Sandy Spaccavento and Michael Berk, with fellow Baywatch Restaurant developers Jimmy and Sandy Comito. Nearby were Dr. Leslie Jacobs with husband Dr. Bill Shoemaker and Isabel Pfeifer with Nancy Alamo in addition to Jim and Judy Kropid, Mark Shiner with Paula Eyler, Jeri Packe, Howard Jochsberger, Elisa del Prado and Congresswoman Shelley Berkley with husband Dr. Larry Lehrner.

Joining in during the merry speeches and program by Sandy's family were dear friends Carlos and Zarina Collado, Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt, Rino and Marie Claire Armeni and composer-entertainer Pierre Jovan, who brought the entire cast of the Divine Divas direct from the new showroom at the Fremont Hotel.

Presidential welcome

By George, it was a red-white-and-blue party in the finest of patriotic style. Friday night's opening reception for the exhibit "George Washington: A National Treasure" was hugely successful for Las Vegas Art Museum. Presented jointly with the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, the traveling exhibition at the West Sahara facility is funded by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation and will be on view through Oct. 27.

Centerpoint in the exhibit is the well-recognized Landsdowne portrait of George Washington, painted in the final year of his presidency. Recently brought home from England after its purchase by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, the national treasure has been gifted to the Smithsonian Museum's National Portrait Gallery. In celebration, America's first president as painted by the masterful Gilbert Stuart, is on a once-in-a-lifetime tour of eight cities, including Las Vegas. Adding historic depth to Washington, the man, the president and his times, are a series of video programs shown in quiet seating areas for comfortable viewing.

The opening reception included a catered dinner buffet provided by Fleming's, Roy's and Carrabba's, a trio of fine dining destinatons nearby in Summerlin.

Serving on the welcoming committee for the splendid exhibit were Daniel Van Epp, Elaine Wynn, Emily Goodman, Dr. Barbara Novak, Dave Carver and former Sen. Richard Bryan, joined by Mayor Oscar Goodman, Judge Lloyd George, Fred W. Smith, Lawrence Small, Mark Pactner and Cory Moffort, with Christian Kolberg of the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation and Mary Ann Lurens, LVAM executive director.

On prominent display was an elegant walking stick bearing a solid silver likeness of President Washington. Commissioned by the Las Vegas Art Museum, the stick is the work of Las Vegas jeweler Michael E. Minden and is exhibited with the museum's Dicke Collection of American Art.

Guests enjoying the reception were Dr. Alex Sparkuhl, Susan Houston, Dawn and Randy Oakes, Ed and Penny Prudhomme, Dr. Nichole Kennedy, Dennis Ortwein, Jerry and Lottie Polis, Angie Wallin, Bill and Jean Curran, M.J. and Jack Harvey, Edythe and Gil Yarchever and Esther Quisenberry. Mingling in the crowd was Lara Kolberg, who introduced the Smithsonian director of external affairs, Patrick Madden, to attendees.

Shelter fund-raiser

The recent fund-raiser at Four Seasons to assist the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth demonstrated the efforts of many to help needy children. Dinner chairman Richard Sgaglio directed a dedicated committee including Kathleen Boutin of the Clark County Health District, joined by Sandy Soltz, Jennifer Sizemore, Lou Gilbert, Marcus Conklin, Jan Cohen, Garrett Dangerfield, Darryl Ford and Angie Negrete-Markle as well as Terri Kirkland, Jay Johnson, Suzette Norland, Paula Lawrence, Lillian McMorris and Mark Nichols.

Well-attended by individuals representing social services agencies, health providers and private business, the event celebrated the recent efforts of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Class of 2001. Forty-two members strong, this dynamic group adopted the Drop-In Center for Homeless Youth as its class project. The efforts of the class ensured the center opened its doors on Oct. 1, the first day services could be legally provided to homeless children under the age of 18.

Members of the class did everything from demolition of the old facility, to construction, painting and furnishing of the center. Their efforts led to 320 hours of work time. The completed value of the project is estimated at $217,500.

The sanctuary serves 100 children a month, providing food, clothing, shoes, hygiene items, showers and laundry facilities, a computer lab and additional services as needed. Accepting the Homeless Youth Advocate Award on behalf of the class was Cynthia D. Cameron.

Presentation ceremonies were led by honorary dinner chairman Pat Shalmy, onstage with Paula Francis and Kristina Swallow, chairwoman of the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth, who each provided heartfelt thanks, then an introduction to a short video showing the new center in action. Attending the worthy event were supporters Dr. Donald and Carolyn Kwalick, Ina Dorman, Brenda Dizon of Shade Tree Shelter, Chris and Christi Kemper, Tim McCubbin, Jim King and University Regent Thalia Dondero. Entertainment was provided by Mace Yampolsky and Edwin Cook.