Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Supporters turn out for Children’s Foundation gala

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, May 1, 2002 | 8:24 a.m.

Sunrise Children's Foundation recently held a high-spirited gala at MGM Grand Conference Center.

Using a game board theme for Color Us Friends 2002, the black-tie evening drew a host of supporters, among them Lou and Jerry Emmert, Theresa and Michael Minden with Patti and Lin Wippel and Tim and Denise Rose, joined by Cathy and Jeff Ray and Brad Millsap.

Known for its elaborate and very appealing silent-auction packages, the foundation cleverly drew upon its donors and volunteers to create lavish game board-themed offerings, including Candyland, Monopoly and Clue. Bidders, drawn by the charm of the displayed goods included Sunrise Hospital executive Suzanne Cram with husband Dr. Brian Cram, University Regent Mark Alden, Orlando and Debbie Sandoval, Dr. J. Parker Kurlinski and foundation chair Sue Brandt.

Fine art on display in the reception area was donated by popular contemporary artists including Jim Stallings, Patrick Antonelle and Bob Byerley, and proved a strong attraction for Nevada State Controller Kathy Augustine, Mary Butler with fiance Howard Ballard, Gary and Candy Krauseman, John Evans with his mother, Joanne Evans, Ron and Suzie Cameron, Dr. Joseph and Lisa Heck, foundation chair-elect Kevin Orrock and KLAS Channel 8 weatherman Mark Pfister, who later auctioned the pieces.

Supporters from Sunrise Hospital included Allan Stipe with his wife, Carol, Minta Albietz, Ann Lynch and Dr. Eugene and Becky Eisenman. Directing the program was Dee Ladd, founder-president of the foundation, who introduced Jim Stallings, featured artist of the evening, who, as is his custom, painted onstage to classical music performed by students of the Las Vegas Academy.

Proceeds from the gala will fund the 11 outreach and educational programs administered by Sunrise Children's Foundation.

Culinary 'Focus'

Charity never tasted better than during Bon Appetit magazine's recent three-day extravaganza at Bellagio.

Las Vegas, host to the first of five cities on this splendid "Bon Appetit Wine and Spirit Focus" tour, proved a huge attraction for residents and visitors alike, with many participants making a special trip to our city to attend.

Most importantly, the gathering resulted in generous proceeds for Make-A-Wish Foundation and Citymeals-on-Wheels.

The Grand Tasting, sponsored by Viking Range Corporation, was originally planned for the elegant terraces and pool enclosure at Bellagio, but was moved to the comfort of the enormous ballroom when spring winds escalated beyond breeze levels.

Making guests feel welcome was Jennifer Tuttle, newly appointed executive director of Make-A-Wish Foundation of Nevada, joined by board members Linda Richardson, Larry Kifer, Dave Cacci, Yvette Harris, Tom Masterson and foundation president Roger Jones. Quickly drawn into the stream of socializing while enjoying the bounty of our city's finest restaurants and other enticements were Barbara Stout, Von Heinz, Dr. Pam Moore with Adele Ellas, Victoria Lum, Dr. Mary Carroll with Dave Thomas and wife Nancy Allf, and Andy and Janet Blumen.

Robert Newell, service and finance vice president for Ethel M Chocolates' corporate division, attended with Thurban and Mercedes Warrick, while others glimpsed in the crowd at the 200-plus serving stations were Sherry and Howard Ickes, Toni Reiser with Janet Fuller, Gladys and Steve Comer, Bill Richardson, David Robins and Harrah's Las Vegas executives John Koster and Madeleine Weekley.

Byzantine Ball

Invitations are in the mail for the 2002 Imperial Byzantine Masked Ball, a benefit event for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Chaired by Dr. Parvin Modaber-Jacobs and Sandy Colon Peltyn, the gala evening will be held May 18 in the grand ballroom of The Venetian.

Presiding over the international gathering will be Prince Henri Constantine de Vigo Paleologo, grand master of the Dynastic Hospitaller Order of St. John -- Knights of Malta and the Order of St. George. He will be assisted by Las Vegas resident Robert Deiro, grand chancellor to the order of chivalry.

Festivities at The Venetian prior to the ball will include knighthood and dame-hood investiture ceremonies, recognizing the philanthrophy and good works of Ginette Jaramillo, Stephen Cloobeck, Susan Sullivan, Jody Ghanem, Theresa Thomas, Dr. Philip Nast, Nello Gonfiantini and Shari Finer. Honored guest will be Wayne Newton, joined by Theresa Thomas, daughter of St. Jude Children's Hospital founder Danny Thomas.

The Imperial Byzantine Masked Ball is open to the public. For tickets and further information, please call 571-0407. Dress for the occasion is black or white uniforms, decorations, costumes and masks.

Bar-B-Que planned

Southern Nevada has been served well for more than 45 years by ISIGHT, a private, self-funded, nonprofit agency assisting the blind and visually impaired to reach their highest physical, social and economic potential.

Job training, vocational rehabilitation and placement and employment opportunities are just a small part of the work done by ISIGHT.

Funding for the organization comes from the community and includes revenue from events including Friday's annual Good Old Fashioned Bar-B-Que, being held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the ISIGHT Center for the Blind, 1001 N. Bruce St. Board member Tom Letizia is assisting with reservations (878-0541) for the fund-raiser.

Tea for teens

Denise Cashman and Nancy Houssels will co-chair Tea and Terpsichore, a teen fashion show and tea, at noon May 11 at Four Seasons.

Three dozen teens from across the Las Vegas Valley will model designs from a select group of stores at the Forum Shops. Guests will be treated to a special performance by the Nevada Ballet Theatre Youth Company.

Committee members working to create this most pleasant occasion include Lynn Cremen, Debbie Hawinks, Molly Hill, Claudia Thompson, Trudi and Valorie Von Tobel and Connie Keys, as well as Vivica Marshall, Shelley Carson, Louise Rappaort, Molly Sheridan, Wendy Plaster, Sonja Houssels, Linda Karlen, Rebecca Rosen and Rhonda Mona.

Proceeds from the fashionable gathering will benefit Nevada Ballet Theatre. Contact Sherry Lombardi (243-2623, ext. 234) for reservations and details.

Luncheon planned

A note from Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson has alerted us to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee's luncheon event scheduled for Monday at The Venetian.

Keynote speaker will be Washington, D.C.-based Howard Kohr, AIPAC executive director, speaking on "Peace in the Middle East ... If Not Now, When?"

Welcoming Kohr will be event-planning committee members Eva Kallick, Ellen Bodner, Abbie Friedman, Cari Marshall, Esther Quisenberry, Ronnie Klein and Helen Edell, joined by Mel Baron, David Friedman, Andy Klein, Rhonda Glyman and AIPAC co-chairs Paul Bodner and Max D. Spilka.

Luncheon tickets are $30 with reservations available by calling (866) 740-7040 or visiting rrichter@aipac.org.

Girls Day

Want to make a difference in a young girl's life? Spend a day teamed with a child from a disadvantaged or single-parent household on Saturday at Lied Memorial Boys and Girls Club during Girls Day 2002. The cost is a $40, tax-deductible donation, with your contribution supporting the efforts of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Las Vegas.

Girls Day 2002 will be a day of entertainment, games, prizes and lunch, with participants sharing the day with 150 young girls and an equal number of women sponsors. For further information call Debbie Smith with the Boys and Girls Clubs at 367-2582.