Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Jazz Society event at university hits the right note

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2003 | 8:19 a.m.

Saturday evening found music and art enthusiasts gathering at Beam Music Center for a reception and concert hosted by the Arnold Shaw Popular Music Research Center and the Las Vegas Jazz Society.

Musicians young and old, along with jazz devotees, enjoyed the opening reception for the exhibition of photos by Gordon Blanz and jazz-influenced art by Ray Figueredo. Blanz, who drew upon favorite portraits of jazz greats from several decades, came from Tucson for the occasion.

In speaking to Dr. Fred and Alice Kirschner, Ken Grieg, Bernice Fischer and others, he explained many of the photos were taken at private parties and jazz retreats hosted by philanthropist Dick Gibson in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Among the displayed pieces are familiar faces of some notable Las Vegas entertainers over the years: Carl Fontana, Joe Williams, Carson Smith, Red Rodney, Charlie Mingus and Johnny Pate, who attended with wife Carolyn.

Ray Figueredo, a rising artist who draws his inspiration for the jazz pieces from a close group of gifted jazz musicians, friends of his since childhood, was equally well-received by attending guests.

Among those purchasing his work at the reception was University of Nevada, Las Vegas President Carol Harter, who selected "Walkin," a brilliant piece, for her home collection.

The John Geever Quartet played for the reception attended by artist Charlene Cruz, Miriam and Wolf Adler, Tom Holder and wife Jacquee Jacobs, UNLV Dean of Libraries Kenneth Marks and wife Karen, and Dr. Isabel Emerson, chair of the university's Department of Music.

Dr. Paul Meacham, president of the Las Vegas Jazz Society, was present, as were Jeff and Julie Kope, Cal and Rita Snyder, Karen Rubel and Jerry Schefcik, director of the Donna Beam Gallery, who hung the assembled photos and art for the exhibition.

Dr. Ken Hanlon, director of the Arnold Shaw Popular Music Research Center, coordinated the evening, making arrangements for the popular performance by the Joe Lano Duo in the Doc Rando Recital Hall.

Assisting with all the details was Joyce Marshall, director of the Shaw music archives, Cheryl Taranto, music librarian, and graduate students Xin Yang and Yasuko Ueda, who are both pursuing master's degrees with the clarinet.

Winter wonderland

With friends and family jetting in from all corners of our nation, Vern Winter found his 70th birthday celebration a joyous occasion indeed.

Planned to perfection by wife Sharon Winter, who selected a 1950s theme for the party, invited 70 guests and managed to cook a superb meal of country barbeque, chili and other dishes favored by Vern, the gathering was a successful blend of well-wishers of all ages.

Attending as a special guest was Vern's mother-in-law, Lillian Kelley of Pioche, along with their combined family of children and spouses; Linda and Craig Moelhan, Kris and Tracy Ballard, Brian Winter and Dr. Todd Gottschalk, who leaves this week for Army Reserve duty at Walter Reed Hospital in Bethesda, Md.

Bellagio seemed to be party-central for those visiting from out-of-town, but each found their way to the Winters' home in Canyon Fairways for the festivities.

Present in the happy crowd were Wolfgang Repke with Professor John Bodnar, Tom and Jane Fallon, Richard and Cheryl Haney, Missy and Bob Bell, Joanie and Mark Winter, Dr. Jeffrey and Charlene Sher, Laura and Brad Voyles and Dr. David and Renee Winter.

Turning up in clever costumes were Bob and Lynn Profitt, Pauline Lee, Brad and Sahwn Meinhardt, Brian McMullen, Lynn and Roger Saunders and Ellen and Doug Bramble. Vern, a retired nuclear engineer, spent many years at the Nevada Test Site as part of the Lawrence Livermore team.

Sharon, while not handling hostess duties for large crowds, serves as regional vice president for Chase Manhattan Mortage/J.P. Morgan, keeping the wheels of real estate turning for her legendary cadre of clients. The couple are longtime Las Vegas residents.

A cultural affair

Shirley Barber, vice president of the Clark County School Board, shared honors with Las Vegas Fire and Rescue Chief David Washington and Linda Gipson, principal of Kit Carson Elementary School, at Saturday's Family Cultural Affair.

Presented by the Academy of African-American Studies, the inaugural dinner event celebrating Black History Month used the theme "It Takes a Village."

The guest speaker was education and human resources consultant Dr. Mary Montle Bacon, who was introduced by Steven Horsford, president-chief executive officer of Nevada Partners and master of ceremonies for the evening.

Proceeds will benefit the academy, an independent, nonprofit, after-school enrichment program serving students in kindergarten through high school. Its mission is to narrow the divide in academic achievement among black students in the areas of technology, math and science, while instilling a sense of pride in their black heritage.

Land for the academy's permanent building has been purchased in west Las Vegas. The initial phase will include 7,000 square feet with five classrooms, a technology center, outdoor teaching areas and offices.

For further information on the academy, contact Diane Pollard at 255-6659.

Big Opportunity

One of the best-attended events of recent weeks was hosted by Opportunity Village's management team as they welcomed the Henderson Chamber of Commerce for a mixer at the Walters Family Campus (of Opportunity Village) in Henderson.

The come-and-look-us-over event gave the attending business crowd a real opportunity to mix and mingle and then seriously consider the services offered by Opportunity Village workers. Tours of the facility included the on-site work center, training stations and rapidly expanding document destruction facility.

Hosts included Ed Guthrie, O.V. executive director, who was seen discussing work teams, specialized training and other details with Frederick Wilson, Peggy Smith, Ann Barron, Mary Colleen O'Callaghan-Miele, Tom Chase and Jayne Cayton.

Present as well were O.V. board members Terry Cottle and Ed Schumacher, joined by generous supporter Paul Dykstra.

Explaining the diverse tasks undertaken by those who work through Opportunity Village and the nuances of business contracts for such workers were O.V. executives, including Chief Operating Officer Kurt Weinrich, Director of Program Services Charlotte Watkins, Work Center Manager Laura D'Amore and Sales Manager Dorothy DiGianno.

Noteworthy as well was the announcement of two national awards earned by O.V. in recent months. NISH -- formerly known as the National Industries for the Severely Handicapped -- has recognized Opportunity Village for Winnie Winters, its top volunteer, and for its advocacy efforts on behalf of people with disabilities.

Founded in 1954, the not-for-profit organization serves Southern Nevadans with disabilities, enhancing their lives and the lives of their families.