Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Dinner party, auction among Byzantine festivities

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, May 22, 2002 | 8:23 a.m.

Dr. Parvin Modaber-Jacobs, with Sandy Colon Peltyn, created a fantasy weekend for both locals and visitors attending the 2002 Imperial Byzantine Ball and investiture ceremonies at The Venetian.

A gathering of notables from across the nation and the world who belong to the Order of St. John-Knights of Malta and the Order of St. George, the festivities began with a dinner party given at the Turnberry Place penthouse of Richard "Mac" MacDonald and his wife, Frances.

Receiving guests with the hosts were Prince Henri Constantine de Vigo Paleologo, his wife Princess Francoise, and Robert Deiro, Grand Chancellor to the orders of chivalry, and his wife, Joan. Enjoying the MacDonalds' hospitality and spectacular views of the city were Caroline and Edward Swindle, Melanie Scott with Larry Black, Michael Berk, T.K. Crabb with Josette and Tommy Rowe and new members of the Knights of Malta, including Ginette Jaramillo, Jody Ghanem, Shari Finer, Dr. Philip Nast, Stephen Cloobeck, Susan Sullivan and Nello Gonfiontina.

Special guests included Theresa Thomas, daughter of the late Danny Thomas and 20-year board director for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the benefit recipient chosen by the Imperial Byzantine Ball.

Saturday's investiture ceremonies and the dinner ball that followed drew a glittering crowd, with Las Vegans including Irwin and Susan Molasky, Dr. John Watkins with Anna Pateece, Jewel Brooks with Peg Crockett, Samantha Jaramillo and her father, Jean-Pierre, Veronica and Michael French, Lindsay Fredricks with Leslie Altemus, Dr. William Shoemaker with his wife, Dr. Leslie Jacobs, and her brother, Dr. Loring Jacobs, joined by Judge Don Motley, Dr. Paul and April Stewart, Frank Schrock, Phyllis McGuire, and Wayne Newton with his wife, Kathleen.

Guests enjoyed a lavish dinner in The Venetian ballroom, with dancing between courses to the music of the Gene White Orchestra and later the salsa sounds of Tomboy. On the dance floor were Dr. Tom and Nell Seneca, Jack and Nancy Weinstein, Edward and Eleanor Damon, Gianna and Bucky Buchanan and Ron and Joanne Richardson.

Singer-composer Pierre Jovian, attending with Valerie Mural, spoke of his recent appearance at Sunset Station with friends Jeri Packe, Rose Dominguez and Isabel Pfiefer, joined by Scott Messenger, Maria Robinson and Cary Walker. Fashion designs from Edwards-Lowell of Beverly Hills, Calif., and an exotic array of costumed dancers choreographed by Papote Varet were part of the evening's lively agenda.

Concluding the four-day Las Vegas gathering were several parties, the first an elegant bon voyage brunch hosted by doctors Ted and Parvin Modaber-Jacobs at their spacious Park Towers home, and lastly a tropical garden party given by Roger and Sandy Peltyn at their home at The Fountains in Green Valley.

For Kids' sake

Each year the Chefs for Kids gala takes supporters on a culinary journey, with this year's destination titled A Taste of Louisiana with chef-author John D. Folse and Four Seasons Las Vegas Executive Chef Wolfgang von Wiser.

Presented by the Fraternity of Executive Chefs of Las Vegas and Nevada Cooperative Extension, the superb dinner and bountiful auction is indeed worthy of communitywide support.

Growing annually, Chefs for Kids endeavors to teach nutritional skills to high-risk children at nine area schools. Each member chef volunteers at school-site breakfast programs, complemented by classroom instruction by Cooperative Extension teachers and support materials, all made possible by the funds raised at this very special dinner.

Arriving guests -- among them Larry Finuf and his wife, Toni Clark Finuf, Dr. Richard Small, Larry and Heidi Conrail, Deni and Steve Conrad, Owen and Jan Nitz with their family, Dr. Richard and Sherry Calcutta, Janet and Andy Lumen, Brenda Hitchins, Jan and Fred Allen, Dr. Bob and Betty Robinson with Dick and Norma Land, Kathy and Ernie Becker Jr. and Dr. Leonard and Betty Carpi -- were quickly drawn into the swirl of the cocktail reception.

Many bid on the remarkable dining packages and conversed with guest chef Folse as he autographed his Cajun-creole cookbook, "The Evolution of Cajun and Creole Cooking."

Planning their successful bidding strategies for the live auction were Elizabeth Lenzi, Paul Pusatari, Bob Cogswell, Laura Shulte, Brent Bell and Kelly Iriye, as well as Dr. Stephen and Linda Montoya, who brought the house down with a bid of $23,000 for Folse's Mardi Gras dinner for 50 guests, a very special gift to the Chefs for Kids program.

Foundation fete

Boys and Girls Clubs of Las Vegas Foundation recently invited past and present members of the foundation's board of trustees, club board of directors, all advisory board members and other special friends to a party at ghostbar.

Set atop Palms, the venue with its panoramic views was ideal for the organization that supports 12 youth centers serving 12,000 children, ages 6 to 18, from throughout the Las Vegas Valley.

Hosted by Phil Peckman, COO of the Greenspun Corp., who serves as the foundation's vice president, the early evening party opened with festive libations and a light buffet catered by Ni9e Steakhouse at Palms.

Brett Turino, club chairman of the board, and Dan Russell, foundation president, welcomed arrivals including Dr. Donald Dombrowski with Evelyn Kitt, Ted and Maria Quirk, Jeffrey Burr, Joe Cunningham, Steve and Linda Casey, Mary Kaye Cashman, Dr. Edward Kopf, Mel Wolzinger and Patrick Everett.

Present as well was George Maloof, president of Palms and member of the foundation's advisory board, who listened with others as Bill Flangas spoke of the early years of the Potocsky League, a group of philanthropic men who oversaw the building of the youth center on West Oakey Boulevard from donated materials and labor, and the eventual merger with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Las Vegas.

Honored with Flangas during the informal ceremonies were fellow Potocsky League volunteers from the 1970s including Bernie Roybal, Dick Gregg, Ed Hutchins, Larry Krenzien, Joe McGhee and Max Nakamura. Not present, but part of the pioneering effort to help children, were Tom Weisner, Oran Gragson, George Randall, Lou Silvestri, Charlie Kertzski and Gov. Kenny Guinn.

In the spotlight as well for their long-term contributions to Boys and Girls Clubs' mission, to provide children with the skills and self-reliance necessary to lead productive lives, were Stan Jones and Ted Quirk. Early club directors, among them attorney Jerry Gillock, were seen viewing a display of photos and memorabilia spanning 40 years.

In the crowd were Peggy and Walt Casey, Andy Ferguson, Marilyn Flangas, Barbara Jones, Mark Owens, Lou and Judy Conner, Randy and Barbara Boesch and Steve and Molly Hill.

Raising funds

Few organizations can match the efforts of the Food and Beverage Directors Association of Nevada and its extensive education and volunteer efforts.

Since its inception 11 years ago the association has provided more than $200,000 in scholarships for students training in the hospitality industry.

On May 31 the Food and Beverage Directors will present their annual fund-raiser at Caesars Palace. The benefit evening, with lavish over-the-top styling, will be a shining example of why Las Vegas continues to garner the highest of culinary recognition.

Recognized during the charitable evening will be Chef Ed Kane, director of culinary arts at Southern Nevada Vocational High School and adjunct professor at University of Nevada, Las Vegas (for Culinary Achievement); and Sandy Colon Peltyn, vice president of development and community affairs for Martin and Peltyn (Autrui service award).

Entertainment, unique culinary auction items and more will be included in the gourmet gathering. Reservations are a must, so please call 731-7593.