Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Spa unveiled in style at Aladdin

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, March 13, 2002 | 8:21 a.m.

Stepping into Elemis, the spectacular 32,000-square-foot spa at Aladdin, is much like lifting the veil on the sensual pleasures of a Moroccan palace. Recently Elemis hosted a private party to display its specialized spa treatments, unique beauty products and exotic-yet-restful atmosphere.

Tucked away from the bustle of the Strip, the handsome center boasts a sizeable art collection, fine oriental rugs and exotic architectural design specific to the company's only U.S. spa. Present to help host the reception was Clive Warshaw, chairman of the board for Steiner Leisure Ltd., and co-founder in 1990 of the first Elemis spa in the Mayfair district of London who spoke of the company's spas in luxury properties and ocean liners around the world.

With Warshaw was Darryll Leiman, Elemis spa director for Las Vegas, who greeted guests including Lon Spielberg, John Beadel, Rob Brooks, Sean Harrington, Tom Posey, Paula Hodgson, Phil Riley, Phillip and Denise Freer and Howard Bruce. Spa attendants gave escorted tours of the treatment rooms explaining many of the spa menu selections to attendees Glen Flusman, Dennis Levinson, Jania Lambert, Mark Hershey, Faye and Irwin Dorsey, Lauren and Zachary Denby, Mike Stoyku and Barry Scott, as well as Giselle Rodriguez, Patty Hester, Gregg and Karen Leighton, Alan Demby and Cindy Hutson.

Many lingered into the evening to enjoy an Eastern-influenced buffet dinner and watch the fluid movements of the bejewelled belly dancers. Departing guests received gift bags of Elemis spa products and gift certificates for a treatment of their choice.

Gael gala

More than a mere school, the community of Bishop Gorman High School is a vibrant entity for past and present students, their families and a generous cadre of supporters. This sense of multigenerational bonding was evident at last week's Knight of the Gael, a celebration of remembrance for the late Kenneth J. Sullivan.

A tradition for 20 years, the dinner at Palace Station continues to support the extensive scholarship programs of our area's only Catholic high school.

The Sullivan children -- John Sullivan, Stephen Sullivan, Margaret Compeggie, Kathleen Thomas and Kenneth J. Sullivan III -- attended BGHS, where their father, a prominent banker and real estate developer, came to be a leading force in the development of ongoing scholarship opportunities, major gifts and legacies to the school.

Speaking eloquently of the late Sullivan during the dinner program were longtime friends Irwin Molasky, past BGHS principal Rev. Richard Rinn and Gov. Kenny Guinn, joined by Sullivan's widow, Susan Sullivan, his children and mistress of ceremonies Connie Gerber, the school's principal.

Listening to the speeches were Larry and Sharon Schmitt, with daughter and son-in-law Susie and Danny Johnson, Emilio and Maria Fernandez with Christina and David Rousch, Judge Jennifer Togliatti with husband Dr. Frank Nemec, John Mowbray Jr., Dr. Ted Jacobs, Frank Schreck, Judge Bill Jansen, Ed Skonicki, Sen. Bob Coffin, Susan Molasky, Izzy Marion, Jodi Ghanen and Bryan O'Reilly with his parents, John and Rene O'Reilly.

Other family groups included Robin Townsend with her mother, Jewel Brooks, Mary and James Cashman with daughter Rhonda Evans, as well as Andra and Paul Maffey, with son and daughter-in-law David and Michelle Maffey, as well as Andra's father, J.A. Tiberti, and brother Tito attending with wife Sandee and daughter Tiffany. Sprinkled liberally through the crowd were past recipients of the prestigious Knight of the Gael designation, an honor bestowed on those who have been of exemplary service to the school, among them Vicki and Frank Fertitta, Maryanna and Jerry Herbst, George Gerringer, Joan and Larry Tuntland, Dick and Nancy Etter and Frank Keresti, to name just a few.

Representing BGHS scholarship students were Isac Thomas and Brittany Ott, who gave testimony to the value of their education and their sincere appreciation.

HELP party

Festive, fun and created to support the best of community-based programs, the recent Mardi Gras 2002 celebration presented by HELP of Southern Nevada at the Orleans was a worthy evening.

Lou and Jerry Emmert, business leaders who contribute much of their private time to charitable causes and endeavors, were honored as Mardi Gras king and queen. Crowning ceremonies were led by gala co-chairs Stacy Bloom and Mike Sexton, with gracious assistance from the evening's dinner chairs, Mayor Oscar Goodman and his wife Carolyn.

Mixing and mingling at the colorful pre-dinner reception were Jim Betz, Richard Morgan, Cynthia and Bill Godfrey, Dawn and Randy Oaks and Al and Myrtle O'Neil, as well as Sharon Saiz, Chip and Sidra Kain and Assemblywoman Kathy McClain and husband Dave.

Bidding was brisk at the silent auction tables, where the displayed treasures were happily perused by executive director Deni Conrad and husband Steve and fellow attendees Cara Goodman, Anna Coffin with her mother, Mary Hausch, Las Vegas Councilwoman Lynette Boggs McDonald and husband Steve McDonald, and Art and Sara Besser. Dinner and much merriment followed with singer Russell Henry (of the original Drifters), the Press Band and a Blues Brothers tribute giving guests a combination of dance tunes that kept everyone on the dance floor into the wee hours.

HELP of Southern Nevada, founded in 1969, is a far-reaching agency offering six programs, among them home weatherization to aide seniors and the physically challenged, emergency resource services, community alternative sentencing, displaced homemaker, travelers aid and family resource centers. Additionally, HELP fields hundreds of calls each year for referral to appropriate agencies and publishes a "must-have" directory of social services for our region. Last year 36,000 individuals and families were served by HELP.

Philharmonic Soiree

Once again the Las Vegas Philharmonic will offer an evening of elegance and music in the most ideal of settings as they present the fourth in the series of Cartier Connoisseur Soirees.

Featured artists for the March 20 event will be guitarist Ricardo Cobo, with De Ann Letourneau, violinist and tango dancers Sandor and Parissa. Gifted and well-recognized in their fields, these individuals will perform at a private home, with a reception to follow.

Information about this special evening and future philharmonic events can be obtained by calling the Las Vegas Philharmonic offices at 258-5438.