Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2002 | 8:17 a.m.
Well-liked and respected for his efforts in the educational arena and the community, Frank Roqueni, retiring principal of Horizon South alternative school and past director of Alternative Education for the Southeast Region of the Clark County School District, was given a fond farewell by 350 friends and associates.
The reception at Palace Station was hosted by his wife Betty Roqueni, principal of Manuel Cortez Elementary, with their children Andrea and Aaron Roqueni. Assisting was Betty's sister, Rosanna Gallagher, newly appointed principal at Elaine Wynn Elementary, as well as family members Joe Lisalda, Margaret Verdugo, Helen Grijalva and Ryan Gallagher.
Also lending a hand were Frank's brothers Robert and Oscar Roqueni.
A light dinner and dancing were enjoyed by Ramon Urias, Claudio and Tony Roqueni, Clark County School District Trustee Larry Mason, Rudy and Cynthia Montoya, Lisa Dove and Ruben Aguirre.
Frank Roqueni, who spent 34 years in Clark County, often officiated at high school football games and other sporting events, and was reminded of past seasons by friends Evans Rutledge, Richard Arguello, Wayne Tanaka, Kay Samalavich, Pat Green, Kay Hawkins, Gina White and David and Peggy Charles.
Sharing their own stories and "tall tales" were childhood friends Augi and Louise Orci and Mike Foster, formerly of Douglas, Ariz., now living in Las Vegas.
Roqueni, a recent convert to motorcyle riding and longtime boating enthusiast, is enjoying a bit of time to play while doing consulting work and special projects in the community.
Children's benefit
"Through the Eyes of a Child," a benefit event to fund the newly formed Through the Eyes of a Child Foundation, was an evening to lend much-needed support to Child Haven, the children's shelter operated by Clark County for abused, abandoned and neglected children.
Hosted by County Commissioner Chip Maxfield and Mark Jones, owner-partners of Southwest Engineering, the gala evening at Bellagio included commentary by Dave Courvoisier, who served as master of ceremonies.
With the generous sponsorship of James Duddleston (G.C. Wallace), Leah Bryant (KB Homes), Sunrise Hospital and The Venetian, as well as Rod Davis (St. Rose Dominican Hospital), Randy Gaylor (R.G. and Associates ), Sierra Health and Universal Staffing, the goal of $100,000 to fund special needs was met.
Taking a healthy interest in the live auction and direct donation process were other supporters including Leisel Williams, Peter Thomas of Thomas & Mack Company, David Webster of Z'Tejas and Marc Wood of Acuff-Rose Music Publishing, joined by Thomas and Susan Schoeman, Brad Schnepf, Jan and Doug McMillan, architect Domingo Cambeiro, Ted Rexing and Dan and Susan Klein-Rothschild.
Also attending were Lesley Pittman, Flora Jackson, Jaynie Leavitt, Sally Pelham, Sandy and Nick Schram and Ben and Linda Smith.
All that jazz
Capturing the live performances of jazz greats during their appearances at the Four Queens' French Quarter Lounge was a labor of love by public radio station KNPR 89.5-FM for 15 years.
Begun as a six-week trial by jazz impresario Alan Grant, the program began locally and within a year went national, eventually serving an audience of 150 public radio stations.
Recently the entire 364 hours of performances by jazz giants, including the late Joe Williams as well as Marlena Shaw, Carl Fontana, Billy Eckstein, Woody Shaw, Bobby Shew, Charlie Byrd and countless others, was given in total to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Officially transferred to the Arnold Shaw Popular Music Research Center at UNLV, the music tapes and ancillary materials will be an invaluable resource to musicians and scholars. Lamar Marchese, KNPR's general manager, credits Dr. Ken Hanlon, director of the Arnold Shaw Center, for realizing the value of these tapes and the need to safeguard their musical quality.
A remarkable collection, the Four Queens Jazz series was recognized with many honors, among them the Gold Medal bestowed by the International Radio Festival of New York, Best Radio Music Program by the Australian Academy of Broadcast Arts and similar awards from Japan, New Zealand and France.
Guests attending the transfer ceremonies included Patric Chapin, chairman of the board of directors of KNPR; Ed Fasulo, former Four Queens executive; Brian Sanders, recording engineer/producer of Jazz Night at Four Queens; Isabelle Elmerson, chairwoman of UNLV's Music Department; and Peter Michel, director of Special Collections for UNLV Libraries.
Recognized with special thanks during the morning gathering was Jeanne Hood, longtime owner-operator of the Four Queens, who was seen with Ghita Shaw and Mindy Smith, widow and daughter of Arnold Shaw and William Laub Sr., vice chairman of KNPR's board of directors.
Also present were Dani Porter, Wendy Nelson, Tom Warrington, Barbara Cloud, Thomas Flagg, Jeff Koep and Kenneth Marks.
Las Vegas Odyssey
Already a major attraction for visitors and locals alike after just three years, the Las Vegas Odyssey is slated for Nov. 14 through Nov. 17 and will in part benefit the local chapter of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. With something delectable for everyone, surely charity never tasted this sweet.
Premiere chefs and our finest restaurants will host seminars, cooking lessons, champagne and caviar tastings in the afternoon and extravagant dinners. Tickets and full details are available by calling 257-2345 or go online at odysseylifestyle.com.
Tailgate party
On Saturday Memphis Championship Barbecue will host its annual REBELUTION tailgate party, a scholarship fund-raiser to be held before the UNLV vs. UNR game at Sam Boyd Stadium. Begun four years ago, the event helps raise funds for the REBELUTION Scholarship Fund, a scholarship program for UNLV students started by a dedicated group of recent alumni.
The event begins at 3 p.m. and runs through 7 p.m. in the tailgate area of the stadium. It will feature the music of Tommy Rocker and local DJs, raffle prizes, unlimited beer, margaritas from Z'Tejas and all-you-can-eat Memphis Championship Barbecue food.
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by calling Dan "Dino" Giraldo (338-4191) or through e-mail at [email protected]. All proceeds benefit the REBELUTION Scholarship Fund.
Courage recognized
The Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation will host "Profiles in Courage" on Oct. 19 at Treasure Island. To be recognized are Michael Villamor, president and CEO of the Castaways Hotel (Community Angel); Al Gibson of the Las Vegas Metro Police Department (Volunteer of the Year); Amelda "Casey" Billiot, Health Unit Coordinator, Peds Oncology at Sunrise Children's Hospital (Health Care Professional of the Year); and Eric Sullivan (Teen Spirit Award).
Honored as well are special angels and their families, including Nicole Avilez, Natalie Salem, Brandyn Tate and Nathan Lieber. This salute to the children of the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation serves as the primary fund-raiser of this caring agency. Tickets and information can be obtained by calling 735-8434.
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