Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Foundation’s mission: Help clients find fitting jobs

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2002 | 8:49 a.m.

F.I.T., Foundation for an Independent Tomorrow, will present its annual Notte di Carnevale dinner-dance on Saturday at MGM Grand Conference Center.

The evening will include a special tribute to longtime community philanthropist Jewel Brooks as well as honors for Michael Maffie, president of Southwest Gas, who will receive the Civitas Laurel award.

F.I.T., a local agency, has a well-defined mission of helping clients move from minimal-paying jobs and welfare into educational programs and beyond to economically stable careers.

This year alone, F.I.T. has assisted more than 200 people, awarding 60 scholarships for vocational training and assistance, and making a bridge to self-sufficiency for lower income families.

For tickets and all the details about this very worthy event, please call the F.I.T. office at 362-8544.

Happy hour

Las Vegas continues to be a city where many things are done in lavish and larger-than-life style. A fine example was Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman's launching party as official spokesman for Bombay Sapphire Gin.

Hosted by Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada, distributor of the fine liquor, the spirited gathering at Saloon Bar and Grill on Friday was billed as the world's biggest happy hour.

Flanked by several sparkling showgirls and his wife, Carolyn, the mayor received the first $50,000 check to benefit the city of Las Vegas' 501-C-3 charitable fund to help the homeless. A second check in the same amount will be donated to the Meadows School to be used for scholarships for economically disadvantanged students.

Turning out for the gathering on the balmy evening were Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani with her husband Gary Gray, Herb Kaufman, Mel Carter with Jackie Brett, Eric Blank, Sharon and Richard "Tick" Segerblom, Norm Johnson, Kathleen England, Councilman Gary Reese and Rino and Marie Claire Armeni. Present as well was Charo, appearing with the mayor prior to her show at the Sahara.

Keeping up with the demand for the speciality martinis, among them "Hizzoner's Sapphire Apple" and "Oscar Martini," were dozens of Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada representatives, including Michael Severino, special events manager.

Grand Slam

Our hometown hero Andre Agassi once again scored into the heavens with his Grand Slam for Children gala at MGM Grand on Sept. 28. Agassi and a superstar lineup of entertainers dazzled the sold-out crowd at the seventh annual Grand Slam for Children gala.

The Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation (AACF) raised a record $5.6 million during the weekend benefit which featured a black-tie VIP dinner, live auction and concert.

"Each year I'm amazed and delighted by the level of support that the Grand Slam for Children receives from the Las Vegas community and the entertainment industry," Agassi said. "It is satisfying to know that the money raised will directly benefit those children who require our immediate assistance," he said.

Specific charities receiving funds include the Andre Agassi Boys and Girls Club, Assistance League of Las Vegas' Operation School Bell, Child Haven, Cynthia Bunker Memorial Scholarship Fund, the Las Vegas Inner-City Games, Class! Publications, Las Vegas Sun Summer Camp, Boys Hope/Girls Hope of Nevada, I Have A Dream Foundation and the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy.

Seen in the dinner crowd of some 2000 civic leaders and corporate sponsors were Maureen and Tio DiFrederico, Lornie Kuhle with Susan Bernecker, Jay and Tamara Kornmayer, Pam and Joe Brown, Wayne and Sadie Tanaka and Rod and Linda Reber.

Other supporters enjoying the lavish pre-event cocktail party hosted by celebrity Chef Emeril Lagasse included Dr. Doug and Patty Thomas, Rosemarie Rogers, Abigail and Milton Schwartz, UNLV football coach John and Linda Robinson, Steve Schorr, Joyce Mack, Ken and Dee Ladd, Brian and Aileen O'Shields and Dr. Wes Robertson with his fiancee, Sandy Smagac.

Relaxing during the very pleasant occasion were Dr. Larry and Jackie Rosen, Paula and Bob Mendenhall, Robin Boyer, Jim Zeiter with Michele Buchna, Wendy Daseler and Willie and Myong Boyd with Bill Boyd and Judy Vieths as well as Dr. Brian and Suzanne Cram, state Sen. Randolph Townsend with his wife Robin Brooks and Cheryl and Burt Purdue.

For connoisseurs

Treasured for their intimacy and outstanding music in ideal settings, the Cartier Connoisseur Series Soirees, presented by the Las Vegas Philharmonic, will begin the 2002-2003 season Oct. 23 at the Spanish Trail home of Dr. Monte and Jeanne Greenawalt.

The enchanting evening will feature four members of the American Russian Young Artists Orchestra. This performance will follow a hosted cocktail reception where guests will have the opportunity to meet the talented young artists and mingle with fellow music aficionados.

The Cartier Soirees begin at 6:30 p.m. and have a ticket price of $100 per person or $350 for the season's series of four soirees. Reservations can be made by calling 258-5438.

Tea time

Invitations will soon be in the mail for Tea, Trends & Tranquility, an occasion to benefit HELP of Southern Nevada. Ruth Urbantke and Sidra Kain will serve as event committee co-chairs with assistance by Rita Rudner, honorary tea committee chair for the Nov. 7 afternoon event.

Committee members include Jennifer Robbins, Abby Geyer, Jane Armstrong, Stacy Bloom, Ceres Hill, Christina Lizotte and Terri and Kelli Maruca. Slated from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., the tea will be hosted by Saks Fifth Avenue at its spacious new store in the Fashion Show mall and will include a fashion presentation of designs for holiday and resort wear.

The gracious fund-raiser will assist HELP with community outreach programs that include Weatherization, Family Resource Center, Travelers Aid, Community Alternative Sentencing, Displaced Homemakers and Emergency Resource Services. Sara Besser at 369-4357, Ext. 238, has all the details.