Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Hawaiian-themed party comes from the heart

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, July 17, 2002 | 8:26 a.m.

A perfect summer evening awaited the sponsors, volunteers and committee members who contributed to the success of the 2002 Heart of Gold Ball.

Invited to the Hawaiian-themed appreciation and recognition party by the governing board of the American Heart Association, the guests were treated like precious jewels for their efforts.

Hosted by Christopher Homes at its Vineyards luxury development in Summerlin, the party provided a leisurely opportunity to relax with fellow workers and listen to soft island music, as well as to tour magnificent homes with spacious grounds. Renaissance Catering served a delectable island-influenced meal inside the model homes while tropical drinks and other libations were served in the center plaza fronting the homes.

During the evening Ericka Guiezer, vice president of marketing for Christopher Homes, was recognized for her efforts to support and foster ongoing corporate and individual sponsorship, and has been responsible for hosting similar volunteer thank-you events in recent years.

Attending were fellow sponsors including Margaret Pincus (Body Scan Imaging), Gillian Silver (Ameristar Casinos), Bruce Thompson (COS Telephone), Abby Geyer (Saks Fifth Avenue) and Rory Rowsell (Isaac Construction) to name just a few.

Welcomed for their efforts as well were committee members Dr. Harry Thomas, Leslie Caprow, Dr. Gerald and Jan Sprague, Fred and Mary Ann Cover, Dr. Edward Zimmerman, John McNeil, Sandy and Kirk King, Fran Mills, Beverly Thomas and Janet Doty.

Present for an enchanting musical program by the Amazing Magical Hula Girls were American Heart Association board members Dr. Leo Germin and Paula Martel, joined by Gina Polovina with fiance Ira Sternberg. Entering into the spirit of the festivities was Judith Mitchell, social and marketing director of the American Heart Association and Barbara Wood, executive director.

Others enjoying the party were John and Jenny Thomas, Justine Bizette, Bob and Trisha Delk, Lori and Gary Underhill, John Witmer, Toni Robertson, Gene Greenberg and Dr. Neal Marek.

Those wishing to participate in the organization's community efforts or the 2003 Heart of Gold Ball should contact Judith Mitchell at 367-1366.

A Stirling affair

Stirling Club, a rising star in our community's social swirl, continues to provide members with specialized services and opportunities to pursue finer interests.

In forming the 28 Club, those who enjoy wine are particularly well served. Members of the group use the club's tastefully appointed wine room where each has a private wine locker, convenient for access from any of the Stirling Club's dining venues.

Monthly winemaker dinners are scheduled, and those participating are provided with six complimentary bottles of wine, signed by the winemaker of the featured vineyard that month. Planned as well are trips to California's wine country with private tours and vintner brunches included.

Last week the newly formed group enjoyed the wines of Cosentino Vineyard from Napa Valley. Tony Goitia of Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada provided an insightful commentary in tandem with those by Noel Alarcon, director of fine dining and wine expert for the Stirling Club.

The elegant evening began in the wine room with guests gathered at the spacious mahogany table often used for private dinners and small receptions. In the crowd were Turnberry Place residents Edward and Eleanore Doumani, joined by Beverly and Mike Mykisen, Dr. Julio Garcia with Sandi Heitman, Mr. and Mrs. Hans Dorweiller, Joy Bell with her son Tommy, and Lyn and Richard Kaufman.

Following the tasting and question-and-answer session, members were ushered into dinner by Ryan Kingston, general manager of the Stirling Club. The delicious winemaker dinner was created by Stefan Kauth with fellow chefs Peter Sherlock and Mark Reed, and was enjoyed by Dr. Martin and Phyllis Schwartz, Larry and Veralene Hillis, Susie Perrine, Amy Meyer, Jimmy Jay, Dr. Joe and Lisa Heck, Chester Stickney and Richard and Virginia Lewis.

Summer camp

Project Sunshine of Nevada, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing financial, material and volunteer support to implement camp programs for children in Nevada with critical or life-altering illnesses and/or situations, is celebrating a round of generous gifts made possible by their newest benefactors.

Sprint, the Las Vegas Founders and Spago have each provided new resources for the camps, each held at Torino Ranch. Thanks to Sprint, the facility now has a state-of-the-art communication system including both telephones and high-speed Internet connections. Because each of the camp programs hosts children with a variety of special needs, these lines of communication are vital for staff to access medical and emergency services as well as reaching the families of these children.

Las Vegas Founders Golf Foundation has generously pledged $100,000 to assist in operational expenses for the camps. The foundation makes grants in Southern Nevada to qualified charitable programs which demonstrate a sustainable program, exhibit an entrepreneurial spirit and assists those served to be healthy, self-sufficient and productive members of the community.

Included in the ranks of generous benefactors is Wolfgang Puck's managing partner Tom Kaplan and the staff of Spago, ongoing providers of time and meals for events associated with various Project Sunshine events.

Those serving on the board of directors for this charitable endeavor include Chairman Jim Stuart, Vice Chairman Jim Manning, Executive Director Kari Tillman and Treasurer Mike Rumbolz, along with Jim Gair, John Haycock, Philippe Jaramillo, Kenny Sullivan and David Collings.

Project Sunshine efforts assist with Camp Haven, serving at-risk, abandoned and abused children. It is hosted by Child Haven as well as Camp Cartwheel, created for critically ill children and hosted by the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation and Camp Mariposa, which in turn is hosted by the Nathan Adelson Hospice to help grieving children work through their thoughts and feelings in a safe, recreational environment.

For additional information on the services of Project Sunshine, or to volunteer on their behalf, contact Kari Tillman at 275-6627.

Festive gala

Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt will serve as honorary chairman for the Senoras of Excellence Awards Gala slated for Aug. 2 in the Egyptian Ballroom of the Luxor. Proceeds will benefit our community's annual Hispanic Day Parade Fund.

The awards, given to women of Hispanic descent, will recognize those who have excelled in their professional careers and contributed to the enrichment of our community.

Honorees at the dinner dance will be Nancy Alamo, Eva Garcia-Mendoza, Margarita Velagquez Rebollal, Carmen Zuloaga Mahan and Carmen Suarez. Committee members working on this special evening include Jenny Resado, Mildred Schneidman, Papote Varet, Judy Fleischman, Carlos Collado and Mara Braun, with event co-chairwomen Sandy Colon Peltyn and Isabel Perera Pfeifer. For more details and reservations, call 248-7000.