Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Bloomingdale’s event highlights mall expansion

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2002 | 8:20 a.m.

What a week of fresh faces and new shopping venues. Opening for breakfast to a select group on Wednesday, Bloomingdale's Home Store got rave reviews from those eager to luxuriate and shop at one of America's most popular stores.

At breakfast were Deborah Levy, Carelia Delacroix with daughter Angelica Gerome, Barbara Molasky, Suzy Nagle, Leslie Parraguirre with Bloomingdale's personal shopper Don Dennise, Denise Cashman, Heidi Grable and Von Heinz.

Well-wishers greeting store manager Keri Frame included former colleague Terri Monsour of Neiman Marcus with Sandee Tiberti, Denise Reichartz, Rob Powers, Monti Rock III, Tom Starks and County Commissioner Myrna Williams.

Other welcoming events prior to the breakfast included an exclusive luncheon at Sterling Club with each guest provided a round-trip ticket on Jet Blue Airlines for a deluxe excursion to the West Coast.

Nordstrom arrives

Nordstrom lit up the night sky as it opened with a splashy gala to benefit Nevada Ballet Theatre and Opportunity Village.

Cocktails were poured with a lavish hand as guests spread out through the posh retailer's first Nevada store, quickly gravitating to the enormous shoe salon, designer boutiques and cosmetic displays before venturing upward for still more delightful selections on the upper floors.

Strolling the aisles to the jazzy sounds of the musicians on the ground floor were Mary and Don Ashworth with Patty and Mike Morrissey, Luther and Merrilu Kutcher, Sallie Becker with her parents Kathy and Ernie Jr., Bill Martin, Susan Molasky, Mike Sloan, Judge Nancy Oesterle, Eileen Hayes and Pattie and Richard Wright.

Others making a serious dent on their checklist for holiday shopping were Harry Brandise, Mac and Frances McDonald, Marjorie Fields, Esther Wallace, Monterey Brookman and Bernice Fischer.

Taking special note of the fashions during the showy spectacle on the elevated stage were Dr. John Watkins, Sen. John Ensign, Linda and Gary Vause, Joanne Blystone and Dr. Tony and Charlene Carter.

Recognized during the introduction of the elegant fashion collection were honorary co-chairs Phyllis McGuire (representing Nevada Ballet Theatre) and Kathleen Newton (Opportunity Village).

Playing Saks

Making the stars shine in the eyes of each beholder was Saks Fifth Avenue as it unveiled its stunning new structure on the north face of the vastly expanded Fashion Show mall.

Hosted by Saks as a charitable evening of shopping, the private party jointly benefitted the Las Vegas Philharmonic and Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Nevada.

Dignitaries receiving praise at the party included Tony Deering and Jerry Smalley of The Rouse Co., developers of the Fashion Show mall, as well as Carolyn Biggs and Harvey Rosenbloom of Saks Fifth Avenue, joined by Mari Landers, general manager of Saks in Las Vegas.

Happily exploring the store were Lem and Debbie Banker with daughter Blaine, Lois Zellers, Debbie Swissman and Judy Trent with Saundra Richardson, while nearby Jeanne Von Tobel, Sue and Harry Richard, Sheila Beaton, Linda Richardson, William and Lynn Weidner and others enjoyed the fine goods, evening clothes and extensive jewelry collections at hand.

Seen with friends were Ed Stagman, Don Watrus, Denise Incandeler, Kevan Levinson, Jerry and Arlene Blut and Deni and Steve Conrad, joined by Lou Gammage, Jan Nitz, Dr. Monte and Jeanne Greenawalt, Vivica Marshall and Jennifer Tuttle.

Great assistance

Applauding the efforts of Assistance League of Las Vegas (ALLV) while supporting it with an unprecedented donation, Worth Wear has chosen to gift the group with 250 pieces of its previous year's line.

Slated to arrive in December, all of the clothing will be used for ALLV's Road to Success program, which provides low-income individuals with suitable clothing for re-entry into the work force.

Members of Assistance League work closely in conjunction with the three campuses of Community College of Southern Nevada, the Easter Seal's group in addition to Foundation for an Independent Tomorrow (F.I.T.) and selected clients from Shade Tree Shelter.

The Worth Collection Ltd.'s efforts in our community are an extension of its Women Helping Women Program, an effort begun in 1996 that has led to the donation of 38,000 pieces of clothing to 74 charities.

Addressing the Assistance League at a recent meeting was Martha Bowman, Worth's marketing director.

It's a festival

One of autumn's most gracious parties was hosted by Dr. Geoffrey and Charlene Sher as a benefit for The Nevada Shakespeare Festival and The Mokae Resource Scholarship Foundation.

Based in the Reno-Tahoe area, the festival is transitioning to a new mission as Nevada Shakespeare Company, with a planned expansion to Southern Nevada.

Its goal is to assist in providing a showcase for international writers and actors. Its first presentation, "The Road to Mecca," is slated for March in affliation with Bob Brewer of Nevada Conservatory Theatre, a professional company working with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas' Drama Department.

The Mokae foundation works with Nevada's foster care children who must leave the public support system at age 18. Mokae provides a safe haven of guidance coupled with vocational training and life skills.

Gathering at this worthy evening were Vernon and Sharon Winter, Dr. Larry and Jackie Rosen, Milton and Abigail Schwartz, Dr. Neville and Esther Pokroy, Patrick Everett, Roger and Lynn Saunders, Becky Boman, Teri Kelly, Dr. Mohamed Ahmed, Darren Sher, Cameron Crain and Melanie Bash with Dr. Ed Hoffman.

Adding a lively note to the conversation over dinner were Brian McMullan and wife Lynne-Anne, who are launching their first Irish pub, McMullan's, later this month, just west of The Orleans. Brian McMullan, who hails from a multigenerational family of publicans, first came to our city with the opening of the Resort at Summerlin (now JW Marriott).

Entertainment for the evening included "Bits of Broadway" in song and dance and a rare auction of art glass pieces by Dale Chihuly. Completed during his sea-life influenced period, the art glass was donated by longtime collectors Francine and Marc Cohn.

Dinner under the stars was prepared and served by hostess Charlene Sher with much assistance from dear friends Ghanma Maassaraini and Soifra Willer.

Men of Steelman

Not too many companies go so far to please employees and their children as did the Paul Steelman Architectural Design firm that converted its offices into a Halloween playground for employees and their families.

Held on the afternoon of Nevada Day, this was no small undertaking, as each area of Steelman's offices were transformed for the occasion with much merriment and competition to create the best effects.

Included in the decorating mania were ghostly cemetaries, a haunted cafe (in deference to Steelman's burgeoning partnership with Chef Gustav Mauler), a witches' cave and eerie disco club.

Seen in the attending crowd were John Bohn with daughter Adrianna, Marcella McGuinness, Kara and Alice Heckler, Mackenzie Dorum, Christopher Anders and Mason and Maddy Hamm. Other merry-makers included Paul Mudd, Brady Curtright, Albert Brown, Carla Massone, Chelsea and Hayden Brown and Allie Finnegan.