Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: OPM opening provides stunning experience for all

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, May 28, 2003 | 8:16 a.m.

Late-night venues are blooming along the Strip, but few have the views and excitement generated by OPM with its recent four-star opening event.

While Lou Rawls took center stage to croon a goodly number of his magic tunes, a delightful mix of movers and shakers enjoyed Wolfgang Puck's famous hospitality.

The new nightspot, atop Chinois in the Forum Shops at Caesars, drew an affluent crowd, including Anne Menzel, Jeri and Mike Rumbolz, Bob Arum, Jo and Keith Boyd, Lisa Windom, Nasser Ghanem, Frank Schreck with Linda Lee, Caron Walker, Jennifer Gudgel and Luara Propenazano.

Former Gov. Bob Miller, attending with wife Sandy, enjoyed dinner at Chinois, then ventured upstairs, where they were seen introducing son Ross and his fiancee, Lesley Bauman, (both attorneys) to friends.

Doug Magnant of Digital Pro Graphics was complimented for his part in the club's interior design by fellow guests Shenandoah Merrick, Monterey Brookman and Helen Sax, joined by Las Vegas Weekly publisher Pat Kelly and her husband, Mike Kelly. Taking time to tour the spacious club was noted trial attorney John Momot (of the Binion trial), Judge Nancy Oesterle, Ellen Curtis, Laura Honeymier, Mike Gilmartin, Madeleine Weekley and Brad Brennan.

Keeping the party in smooth operating order were several of Puck's managing partners including David Robins and Tom Kaplan.

Helpful FACT

Each year in Clark County children become victims of abuse and neglect. The majority of these children are not harmed by strangers, but by parents and trusted caretakers.

FACT -- Family and Child Treatment of Southern Nevada -- is a nonprofit mental health organization providing treatment, education and prevention services to children, individuals and families who have been traumatized by family violence and abuse.

Recently FACT marked its 19th year of service with a dinner event at Luxor. Co-chaired by Nancy Alamo and Nancy Parente, the evening recognized the efforts of Clark County School District Superintendent Carlos Garcia and Clark County Chief Deputy District Attorney Doug Herndon for their efforts to partner with FACT to help our community's children.

Using a dramatic black-and-gold decorating theme as a backdrop to "For A Child's Tomorrow" dinner dance, guests arrived to find a luxurious array of silent-auction opportunities, and later were led to spirited bidding on live auction treasures by attorney-restaurant critic John Curtas.

Motivating the exuberant crowd to open their checkbooks was Garcia, who told funny stories and jokes as he rode a bicycle through the ballroom.

Guests included Steve and Cindy McCoy, Maurice and Nadine Flores, Tony and Maria Alamo, Marcia and Frank Irwin, Kate Kinley with husband Rudy Sanchez and School Board Trustee Larry Mason with his sweetheart, Eloise Dominguez.

Developer John Ritter was present as were Wanda Oden, Paul Garbiso, Isabel Pfeiffer, Vince and Sharon Mathews, Roger and Sandy Peltyn and Carlos Collado. Others supporting the worthy charitable evening included Lois Tarkanian, Judges Nancy Oesterle and Jennifer Togliatti, Lulu Bubian, Craig Johnson with bride Meredith, Robert and Debra Holgate and Jim and Heidi Cook.

Working to create the successful evening were committee members Bonnie Dempsey, Catherine Gipple, Diane Williams, Jane Summerson, Pam Oulette, Donna DeMarco, Abby Grossa, Melinda Hauret and Elaine Mew, joined by FACT board President K. Michael Cline and Executive Director Vicki Graff.

Orchestrating success

High fashion and style will abound at Saturday's most elegant affair to benefit the Las Vegas Philharmonic. Presented by designer Carolina Herrera with Saks Fifth Avenue, the evening on the Ponte Vecchio Bridge at the Ritz Carlton, Lake Las Vegas, begins at 6 p.m., with guests asked to wear resort formal attire.

Committee members helping arrange this most exclusive evening include local community leaders Patrick and Diane Clary, George and Denise Mehocic, Felix and Louise Rappaport and Dan and Denise Reichartz, to name just a few. Reservations are a must. Call Anita Meyers at the Las Vegas Philharmonic (258-5438).