Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Golf course farewell event raises funds for Red Cross

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, March 6, 2002 | 8:27 a.m.

Farewell to the Fairway golf tournament, a final and very fond goodbye to the Desert Inn Golf Course, was a benefit occasion to help fund the many programs of the American Red Cross of Southern Nevada.

Supporters and players toasted the tournament during a splendid pre-event cocktail party at the Stirling Club where Phyllis McGuire, honorary tournament chair, and Craig Johnson, tournament chairman welcomed guests including participants Mick and Patti Galatio of Desert Wind Homes, Esther Quisenberry, Ted Rodriguez of Mustang Tile, David and Mary Vail, Jim Gould with Toni Reiser, Debbie Herman, KLAS Channel 8 weatherman Mark Pfister and Maggie Bock of Rosemary's.

Bidding on the assembled treasure trove of trips, luxury golf packages and fine-dining opportunities were Bill Snyder, doctors Ted and Parvin Modaber-Jacobs, Pat Johnson, Larry Tyler and Dawn Kingston. Later, in the spacious dining room at the Stirling Club, guests were welcomed by Sharon Bader, the club's special events coordinator, and encouraged to enjoy a lavish buffet supper and program with comments by McGuire.

In the congenial crowd were Casey Smith, Kellee Hansen, Christine and George Walker and famed golf coach Butch Harmon, who is frequently seen on the links with Tiger Woods and other top pro players.

Funds generated from tournament activities will support local Red Cross efforts, including health and safety instruction, disaster services, babysitter training, and armed forces emergency services.

Goodman gathering

Mayor Oscar Goodman and his wife Carolyn, honorary chairs of the American Heart Association's Heart of Gold Ball, recently hosted an invitation-only reception at their home. The gathering was a splendid precursor for the May 4 gala at the Rio, and provided members of the medical and business communities with information on how best to assist with this worthy event.

Greeting arrivals were Dr. Harry and Beverly Thomas of the Heart Institute, the 2002 gala chairs, who have selected a rock 'n' roll theme for this year's Heart of Gold gala. With the Thomases were other key players in the fund-raiser, among them Rene and John O'Reilly, Randy Campanale and Reina Herschdorfer.

MeRay's Catering provided Pacific Rim delicacies for the buffet table much enjoyed by Dr. James Mock, Debbie Hall, Steve and Cyndi Marchese, Robin Camacho, Kori Rowsell and Dr. Sean Arneli, as well as Laura Schulte, Tracey Blackford and Bob and Irene Fenton.

Auctioneer Jay Fiske spiked the evening with a bit of generous bidding as he encouraged guests to step up and help underwrite the gala's major expenses. The Goodmans, first to lend their support, chose to fund the martini bar at the benefit event. Joining in the fun were Camille Randol, Liz and Russell Price, Fred Cover, Lorraine Gorman, Carlos and Rosa Ramirez and American Heart Association executive director Barbara Wood.

Silver Ball

Marilyn and John Moran Jr., with co-chairs Gov. Kenny Guinn and wife Dema, will host this year's Nevada Law Foundation Silver Ball.

Planned for April 6 at the Four Seasons, the elegant affair will once more raise funds to assist many community efforts, among them the Clark County Pro Bono Project, Temporary Assistance for Domestic Crisis, Nevada Legal Services and Committee Against Domestic Violence.

Sponsors include Dr. John and Marie Ellerton, the law firm of Crockett and Myers, Southwest Gas, the State Bar of Nevada and others. Contact Suzan Baucum, executive director of the Nevada Law Foundation, at 384-1204 for details and reservations.

Arresting fund-raiser

All for a good cause and in a merry mood, the ConAm community directors were recently "arrested" and "jailed" at Green Valley Ranch Station Casino. Their "crimes" were for the good of the children and families who stay at the Ronald McDonald House of Greater Las Vegas.

Carol Lee, community director of the Montego Bay apartment community, and Cris Nelson, community director of Martinique Bay apartments, volunteered to represent the ConAm Real Estate Management firm at the Ronald McDonald House "lock-up" fund-raising event. ConAm associates, residents of both Henderson apartment communities and ConAm vendors made donations. Proceeds from the lock-up time will provide more than two months of accommodations for families in need.

The Ronald McDonald House of Greater Las Vegas is a home-away-from-home for families of seriously ill children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals.