Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Wisconsin-UNLV pre-game party full of cheer

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2002 | 8:37 a.m.

Few families entertain with the level of gusto and enthusiasm exhibited by Jan and Owen Nitz and their daughters and sons-in-law, Stacey and Dan Albregts, Gina and Rob Guevara and Ashley Nitz.

On Friday evening with the exuberant assistance of grandchildren Maddi and Zach Albregts, Leah Nitz and Alexa and Spencer Guevara, the family gathered to welcome the University of Wisconsin Marching Band. Accompanied by the cheer squad and the beloved "Bucky Badger" mascot, the band provided rousing entertainment as a prelude to the football season.

All the best fight songs, spirited cheers, even a few polkas were enjoyed by attendees, many of whom held tickets for Saturday's Wisconsin-UNLV game at Sam Boyd Stadium.

The Nitz home, situated on several well-developed acres, proved an ideal spot for friends to enjoy the cheesehead themed evening. Free-flowing beer and authentic brats with tasty side dishes were served from the outdoor kitchen. Dessert, an array of ice creams and luscious toppings, was offered beneath the latticed gazebo.

In the crowd were family friends including Terry McCoy with Jim Rogers, Vivienne Morris, Donna Cline, Dr. Jim and Caty Jones with her mother Peg Crockett and Jewel Brooks, as well as George and Doree Dickerson. Also present were Ken and Yvonne Gragson, Jerry and Lottie Polis, Ty Hilbrecht and former Sen. Richard Bryan with wife Bonnie.

Miracle party

Mortise & Tenon presented their fall collection of home furnishings and lighting accessories at a recent party to benefit Miracle Flights for Kids. The charitable evening, hosted by owners Jerod Lazan and Maite Garcia with Juan and Lynne Garcia and store manager Felix Rodriguez, was catered by Wild Sage Cafe.

The roomy store on West Sahara is filled with distinctive furnishings and has been a regular source for set designs used on popular television shows including "Just Shoot Me," "Friends," and "Will and Grace."

Adding a bit of celebrity sparkle to the casual gathering were drinks mixed and served by Darren Peck and John Overall, news anchors for Channel 5, while Bob Jeswold of Channel 13 was masterful as auctioneer.

Miracle Flights for Kids provides transport for children needing to reach medical centers when health insurance or other funding sources fail to cover cost of travel for out-of-state treatment. Present to answer questions about this vital organization was founder and president Ann McGee, accompanied by Debi Bedell, Miracle Flights staffer.

Wayne Israel, father of 3-year-old Justin Israel, a young client, explained how his family was helped when Justin needed cochlear implants to correct severe hearing problems.

Supporters in the crowd included Terry L. Wood with Ivana Iliana, Dorit Schwartz, Mike Kosby, Joyce and Steve Schneider, Dr. Victor and Yolanda Muro, Cliff Connedy and Tammy Foss with Nader Hassani.

Making purchases to assist the charity were Robert Graff and Irit Langness, joined by Deb Hegna with Olga Lyles, Joyce Nakanishi-Faas, Nichole Maroe and Steve and Kay Paddock.

Ribbon of Life

Once again the caring heart of our community has shone through to support the HIV/AIDS organization Golden Rainbow as they raised $224,000 at the annual Ribbon of Life benefit.

The largest production show in Nevada history, this annual offering featured 360 performers, including headliners Sheena Easton, Breck Wall, Charo, Bob Anderson, Jimmy Hopper and Clint Holmes, joined by Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt as well as Tony Sacca, Bill Acosta and Latin pop sensation Mariana G.

Mandalay Bay hosted the show directed by Jack Townzen.

The first Ribbon of Life show was performed after a Las Vegas dancer died of AIDS while living in his brother's garage. Moved by the tragedy, fellow performers from Strip shows pooled their considerable talents to create a show to raise money to provide housing and financial assistance for men, women, children and families in Southern Nevada as they deal with HIV/AIDS.

Golden Rainbow strives to improve the quality of life for persons living with HIV/AIDS and can be reached by calling 384-2899.

Smart Start

In a similarly generous note, students at Whitney Elementary School were overwhelmed last week with the arrival of a busload of school supplies. Station Casinos Inc., corporate team members made the donation as part of the gaming corporation's two-year partnership with the Clark County School District's Focus Schools Project.

Under the Station Casinos' Smart Start Program, each of the gaming properties and its corporate office partner with a high-need elementary school.

Students were provided with backpacks, pens and pencils, markers, art supplies and other supplementary learning materials essential to a good start in the new school year.

As part of Station Casinos' Smart Start Program, each school receives a cash donation for student/school supplies. They are additionally supported by the donation of computers and printers for the schools' computer learning labs.

The partnerships are further enhanced by a team-member volunteer program with strong participation by Station Casinos employees who assist with school events and support teachers in the classroom. Student incentive and teacher reward programs are also included in the program.

Kicking off

Football and the season ahead for the UNLV Rebels figured prominently at Thursday's kickoff dinner hosted by Roy's on East Flamingo.

Executive Chef Steve Potovsky created a special menu for the team and arranged entertainment by Hawaiian-style hula dancers during dinner. Diners enjoyed mixing casually with John Robinson, who coaches UNLV football and serves as the university's director of athletics.

Attending with the coach was his wife Linda Robinson, a former resident of Hawaii and creator of Aloha Greetings, a hand-finished line of stationary. Assisting with the crowd was Coach Robinson's graduate assistant Adam Verbal. Among the team members included at the dinner were Rebel quarterback Jason Thomas, Jason Rogres, Carlos Acosta, Stephen Hall, Matt Williams and Deon Burnett.

Jeans to Jewels

Fast approaching is the ever popular Miss Kitty's Jeans to Jewels event, an old-fashioned Western hoedown to benefit Opportunity Village. The event is slated for Sept. 14 at 6 p.m.

The family style occasion will return to the Bitter Root Ranch, home of honorary chairman and Frank and chairwoman Bonnie Martin. Begun 10 years ago and named in honor of longtime philanthropist Kitty Rodman, the evening is a pleasant adventure with country dancing, expert riding exhibitions, great food and the chance to see the Martins' rare herd of longhorn steers.

Working to make the evening a success are many community leaders, among them Gina Polovina, Kitty Rodman, Ron Lurie, Bill Walters, Terri Monsour, Albert De La Paz, Jerilyn Clayton, Vince Eckelkamp, Tom Pilkington, Kelly Vega and Tom Schoeman. Proceeds will be used to support Opportunity Village's many efforts on behalf of the mentally challenged in Southern Nevada. Tickets and more details are availible by calling 259-3700.

More bard

Has summer slipped away before you had a chance to enjoy the Utah Shakespearean Festival? Don't fret, the festival has expanded to embrace the fine weather of autumn and will open Sept. 19 for an additional month.

Plays to be presented include "Twelfth Night," "You're A Good Man Charlie Brown" and "I Hate Hamlet." Also offered will be a rich assortment of literary discussions, actor seminars and backstage tours. And yes, the beloved costumed workers and volunteers who create the magic of the festival on the Southern Utah University campus in Cedar City will be part of your festival experience.

Tickets are available by calling (800) 752-9849 (PLAYTIX) or by visiting bard.org.