Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Park Place Entertainment effort makes a difference

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2002 | 8:31 a.m.

Lead by example, leave the world a better place, is a philosophy put into action by Tom Gallagher and his 18,000 Park Place Entertainment employees in the Las Vegas Valley. Together these workers made possible a three-pronged effort for "Make A Difference Day."

Their direct donations of canned goods and nonperishable foods filled the pantry at the Las Vegas Rescue Mission, assisting in the agency's efforts to feed the homeless. In addressing the clothing needs of the clients at F.I.T. -- Foundation for an Independent Tomorrow -- they collected gently used business attire for those preparing to enter self-sustaining careers and new vocations.

Their gifts of books, videos and magazines to Burk Academic Center (formerly Horizon-Sunset West High School), filled several vans and took an hour to unload. These materials will be used to assist the school with literacy efforts for at-risk teens.

The cornucopia of gifts, coordinated by the Park Place Entertainment Foundation, represented the combined efforts of those who work at Caesars Palace, Paris Las Vegas, Las Vegas Hilton, Bally's, Flamingo and corporate headquarters. Involved in the distribution were Tanya Brown and Frank Welch, both from Park Place Entertainment's corporate offices.

Cartier Connoisseur

The Cartier Connoisseur Soiree Series of the Las Vegas Philharmonic opened its season with a splendid evening at the Spanish Trail estate of Dr. Monte and Jeanne Greenawalt. The Soirees, a most popular mainstay among Philharmonic devotees, are sponsored by Mariam Afshai, general manager of Cartier at the Forum Shops at Caesars.

Distinctive in the selection of music and performers, each year's series of four programs provides the finest of music in intimate settings and elegant private homes.

Guests enjoying the Greenawalts' hospitality on this occasion were welcomed by their white-gloved staff to a festive champagne reception, an ideal atmosphere for meeting artists Grace Lin (cello), Alexei Podkorytov (piano), Mikhail Simonyan (violin) and Inna Khriplovitch (violin).

Each is a member of the American Russian Young Artists Orchestra-ARTO, founded in 1987 as a diplomatic initiative to bring the two superpowers together through youth and music. To date ARTO has completed nine world tours, visiting nearly 50 cities and numbering some 500 musicians in the ranks of its alumni.

Receiving guests with the host couple were Susan and Andrew Tompkins, founders of the Las Vegas Philharmonic, who welcomed Kaye Gray, John and Teri Cahlan, Sandra Dinsmore, Janece and Dennis Barwick, John Wittman, Jane Ryan, Vassili Sulich, Margaret McMillan, Richard and Patricia Wright and Thom and Mari Landers.

The Greenawalts' property is extensive and proved ideal for hosting the pre-performance reception. Attendees enjoyed the leisurely walk through the rose gardens to the adjacent party pavilion for the musical program. Designed to suit the Mediterranean setting of the golf course home, the pavilion was an ideal setting for 100 guests to comfortably enjoy the classical performance.

Enjoying the music, and later the elegant desserts and coffees served in the dining room of the main house, were Patrick Everett, Wendy and Richard Plaster, Bill Marion, Dr. Marcia Neel, Esther Wallace and Charlene Jaynes.

Costumed fun

Merriment and relaxation was foremost in the minds of the lucky ladies who attended Linda Robinson's recent "girls only" costume party. Held at her home in Anthem Country Club, the evening was devoted to pampering her friends and enjoying the clever costumes each devised for the occasion.

What began last year as a small gathering for the wives of football coaches and athletic department staff has now evolved to a "must attend" level for all involved. Linda, who has quite an artistic portfolio, designed and hand-painted the invitations and then carried through with Halloween and harvest decorations that enchanted arriving guests.

After winding their way through the witches, goblins and ghosts at the entry, guests were pampered with massages, pedicures, makeovers and skin-care lessons from experts assembled for just this purpose.

Delicious dinner selections, tasty desserts and more were enjoyed prior to the laughter that came with the "white elephant" game and other amusements. Linda Beatty, dressed as a '70s hippie in a fluorescent pink wig and authentic accessories, won Best Costume, with Tina Kunzer-Murphy of ESPN/Las Vegas Bowl winning second place for her Wilma Flintstone attire. Funniest Costume went to Donna Cline of Ronald McDonald House, who was appropriately costumed as Ronald McDonald. Robinson, while serving as both hostess and judge, appeared as Cleopatra in a design of her own creation.

Others glimpsed in their Halloween best included Sue Manteris (Zorro), Emily Ozeki (gypsy fortune-teller), Deitre Collins (UNLV basketball player), Barbara Edmondson (as a UNLV coach), Susie Smith (nun), Wendy Meyers (witch) and Lisa Kelleher (Pillsbury Doughboy).

Comparing stories on how they chose their costumes were April Harrold (flapper), Margie Seastrand (Renaissance lady), Lorrelle Ellis (witch) and Ricci Flaherty (hot tomato).

Joining them were Lynn Weisner and daughter Kari Stockham (monks), Missy Ringler (angel) and Jae Hubbard (pirate). Assisting with the party was Linda's mom, Josephine Espinoza (butterfly), and close friends Andrea Lambert and Valerie Smithson, both of Los Angeles.