Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Event benefits Boys and Girls Clubs

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2002 | 8:19 a.m.

One of the most intriguing events of the season will be Oct. 30 when the Boys and Girls Clubs of Las Vegas invite you to share an evening with one of their young clients at Madame Tussaud's Las Vegas wax museum.

An exceptional event hosted entirely by the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian for the benefit of the Legacy Society, this will be a chance to help a most worthy cause and meet the youngsters who need your support.

After experiencing the magic of the legendary museum through the eyes of a child, attending adults will join the Legacy Society for a grown-up Halloween party, complete with cocktails and dessert at Venus.

The Halloween-themed gathering begins promptly at 6 p.m. inside Madame Tussaud's. Supporters can make reservations by calling 367-2582.

The Legacy Society, a collection of individuals dedicated to continuing the mission of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Las Vegas, is an organization born from a tradition of supporters.

Keeping F.I.T.

Park Place Entertainment, represented by corporate president Tom Gallagher, was in the spotlight Saturday night as one of the bright stars of Notte di Carnevale, a benefit gala for F.I.T., Foundation for an Independent Tomorrow.

Park Place Entertainment generously underwrote a goodly amount of the evening's expenses and then dazzled everyone with the announcement of its foundation's $86,000 grant to F.I.T.'s programs for the coming year.

With these funds and those of other benefactors, F.I.T. clients, all Nevada residents, will move from the unemployment rolls or minimum wage positions into skilled, higher-paying careers.

F.I.T. clients are provided counseling, vocational training and support to reach their goals.

The dinner dance, chaired by Sandy Peltyn, with the able assistance of F.I.T. president Janet Blumen and husband Andrew Blumen, Nancy Arrington, the organization's operations director and a cadre of supporters led by Karen Cashman, Joanne Blystone, Joyce Sherman, Mona Orr and Carlos Collado, was a gala evening indeed.

Arriving guests at MGM Grand Conference Center were met by festively clad servers offering an array of Montecristo Rum beverages arranged by Stephanie Wilson, who explained the rum has been named the best for 2002 in Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada's winter buyers guide.

Traveling up to the third level ballroom, guests were then serenaded by steel drum and horn players who created an even greater sense of carnivale.

Awaiting guests were further libations and spoon-served caviar as well as lavish offerings at silent auction tables.

In the bidding crowd were Dr. Joseph and Paula Quagliana, Lucy and Paul Pusatari, Eldon Davis, Isabel Colon, Robyne Brooks Townsend with her sister Nevada Brooks Cook, Jerry and Diane Snyder, Dr. Bob and Betty Robinson, Jimmy Costello, Peg Crockett, Sidra Kain and Dick and Norma Land.

Moving on to the dining room, many enjoyed the pleasure of the dance floor during dinner, among them Dr. Rob and Lynn Hunter, Jan and Owen Nitz, retired Gen. Billy and Linda McCoy (he's the former commander of Nellis AFB), Misty Buchanan with her dad Bucky Buchanan, Jane and Tommy Krob, Dr. Jim and Caty Jones, Dr. Leonard and Betty Carpi and Barbara Mulholland with Stan Hunterton.

Ceremonies led by Janet and Andy Blumen with Judith Wasserman honored Southwest Gas and its corporate president Michael Maffie for longtime committment to F.I.T.'s clients, as well as community benefactor Jewel Brooks for her many efforts on behalf of the less fortunate in Las Vegas.

Accompanying Mrs. Brooks to the stage were her sons-in-law, state Sen. Randolph Townsend and Arthur Cook. In the audience were supporters George and Sarah Markantonis, Tony and Michelle Santo, Brenda Haynes, Gladys and Steve Comer, Karen and Garth Winckler and Lou and Jerry Emmert.

Wine weekend

"This is the nation's most significant and prestigious wine event of the year," said Tony Goitia, senior account executive of Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada, speaking with fellow guests at last weekend's California Wine Experience Weekend.

By invitation only, the premiere wineries of the golden state presented their most select vintages, including fine champagnes, chardonnays, pinot noir, cabernet sauvignons and more.

Entering guests were given a wine log containing brief histories of each vineyard, the specific wines served and the price range per bottle, a most useful text for both hospitality professionals and wine connoisseurs alike.

Rubbing shoulders with those who came seeking new wines and knowledge were winemakers including Don Carano (Ferrari-Carano), Gregory Balogh (Maisons Margues & Domaines), Miljenko "Mike" Grich (Grich Hills Cellar) and Bruce Cakebread (Cakebread Cellars).

Many stopped to congratulate Larry Ruvo and his wife Camille on the completion of Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada's massive warehouse and training center, a facility toured by many of the professionals at the California Wine Experience.

Assisting with pouring the fine cabernet sauvignon at the Laurel Glen tables was attorney Richard "Tick" Segerblom with his college buddy Patrick Campbell, president-winemaker of Laurel Glen Winery on Sonoma Mountain.

Glimpsed in the tasting crowd were Rene and John O'Reilly, Michael Severino, Tom Kaplan with his trio of Postrio chefs and staff, Michael Robinson, George and Marie Warren, Frank and Christine Simms and Blake Snowden.

Proceeds from both Grand Tastings Evenings benefitted the Wine Spectator Scholarship Foundation, which underwrites grants and scholarships for training in the wine and food fields.

Sale away

Offering something for everyone, the American Business Women's Association, Desert Lights Charter Chapter, hosts its weekend yard sale Friday and Saturday.

On Saturday when the sale ends at 7 p.m., the group will present a Halloween party with an Italian theme.

For $12, guests will enjoy great food and fun, the mystery of a fortuneteller and a magician. Both events will be held at 6865 Eldora St. (near Rainbow Boulevard and West Sahara Avenue).

For details call Sunny Barkley at 949-1234. Proceeds will go to educational scholarships and training programs for women in our community.