Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Fund-raiser has pharmacy school’s prescription

Once again, the annual Scholarship Fund-raising Gala held Oct. 18 at Monte Carlo proved to be a fun-filled evening and an unqualified success.

The event was chaired by Jackie Seip, with welcoming comments provided by Dr. Thomas Wiser, dean of the Nevada College of Pharmacy, and Donna Bond, chair of the college's board of trustees. Keynote speakers at the dinner-dance included Rep. Jon Porter,R-Nev., Las Vegas Councilwoman Lynette Boggs-McDonald and Dr. Harry Rosenberg, president of the Nevada College of Pharmacy.

A hosted cocktail reception with plentiful appetizers proved a fine welcome for arriving guests Rich and Bobbie Robinson, Kim Boyden, School Board President Sheila Moulton and husband Larry Moulton, Connie Francis and Pharmacy college trustees Dr. Don Krpan, Harvey Riceberg and Judi Woodyard.

Bidding was brisk for auction items, including lunch dates with Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson and Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, along witih "Blue Man Group: Live at Luxor" party packages, priceless sports memorabilia and a plentitude of fine art.

Glimpsed in the throng of attendees were David and Yaffa Dahan, Laurie Porter, Assemblyman Joe and Jill Hardy, Janis Riceberg, Steve McDonald and Charles Lacy.

Proceeds from the event benefit the student scholarship program at Nevada College of Pharmacy.

A HELPing hand

HELP of Southern Nevada got a huge boost from Tea, Trends & Tranquility, a much-favored fashion and charity event held Oct. 23 at the Stirling Club.

Presented by Saks Fifth Avenue, the annual event drew a heady blend of prominent supporters led by co-chairs Sidra Kain and Ruth Urbantke. Arriving with friends and family were Sharon Schmitt and her cousin Patsy Brinton, HELP trustee Ann Dreschler with sister-in-law Bonnie Dreschler along with Dawn Oaks, seen with HELP's executive director Deni Conrad and Deni's sister Mari Landers, general manager of Saks at Fashion Show.

Keynote speaker was Shelley Bruner, KVVU Channel 5 news anchor, who spoke eloquently of her childhood and how her mother coped as a displaced homemaker (a person with no job skills who has been left alone through death or divorce). HELP of Southern Nevada assists such families, working with area residents as they face economic challenges. The crowd featured Fran Silvestri, Bridget Evander, Tai Walsh with Jacque Matthews, Deborah Canez, Susan Chandler and Francine Pulliam with Norma Land.

Attendees were treated to an elegant parade of fashions, including designer clothing for autumn and the holiday season. Abbey Geyer of Saks selected the fashions to illustrate the morning-to-evening demands of professional women.

The serving of tea, a graceful offering in the sunny dining room at the Stirling Club, was enhanced by a short historical speech on the traditions of tea by Bonnie Ladou of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.

A special touch at the afternoon gathering was the use of individually selected teapots serving as rose-filled centerpieces at each table.

Philharmonic serenaded

Oct. 25 proved to be one of the last truly balmy evenings of the year, and a perfect backdrop to the magnificence of Las Vegas Philharmonic's "Sunset Serenade."

Hosted by Jim and Jane Sierk at their Lake Las Vegas residence, the occasion was an ideal way to introduce friends and neighbors to music director Harold "Hal" Weller and the Las Vegas Philharmonic.

The idea for the al fresco party began when the Sierks and Marilyn LaRocque, who ultimately chaired the event, met at the Napa Valley Wine Auction in June. Once home, Weller and Philip Koslow, executive director for the philharmonic, became involved and plans accelerated.

The resulting party included 80 guests and was held on the Sierks' terrace overlooking Lake Las Vegas and granting a glorious panoramic view of the mountains beyond. Adding a luxurious tone to the gathering were Wendy Plaster, Betsy Weller and Juliet Meyer, who informally modeled precious pearl and diamond jewelry pieces, selected for the occasion by Doug Higginbotham, manager of Mikimoto at The Venetian.

Longtime wine collectors, the Sierks provided superb vintages and champagne from their cellar, and hosted Marko Karakasevic, distiller and cellar master for Charbay Vodkas, who came from Napa Valley to present his flavored vodka as well as the unflavored, which The Spirit Journal just rated as the No. 1 vodka in the world and the No. 3 spirit in the world.

Celebrating the occasion as well were Jane's cousin Pat and her husband, Hugh Tietjen, owners of Tietjen Vineyards of Napa Valley, who provided tastings of their 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Italian tenor and rising star Ingvar Estrada, who also resides at Lake Las Vegas, entertained with a selection of romantic ballads made famous by Mario Lanza, Andrea Bocelli and Luciano Pavarotti. Accompanying him was pianist Karen Haid, who along with Estrada has just recently released a CD.

Savoring this splendid evening were Marcia and Douglas James, Adi and Marty Faber, Harriet and Fred Cox, Angelo and Debbie Tavernaro, Dr. Kerry and Judy Romesberg and Alex and Krystin George, as well as Judith and Michael Tobey, Ken and Jackie Call, Marilyn and Lawrence Buckley, Richard and Lucia Sullivan and Las Vegas Philharmonic President Richard Plaster.

Hospice to celebrate

Nathan Adelson Hospice will celebrate its 25th anniversary with an evening of fun and remembrance on Nov. 15 at Cili at Bali Hai Golf Club.

Planned is an opening champagne reception and luxurious silent auction, followed by a gourmet dinner with each course prepared by one of our community's premier chefs. Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada is providing the champagne and wines to match each part of the spectacular meal.

Dancing and entertainment are also a part of this important charitable offering. A new innovation, "Step Up To The Plate," will be part of the fund-raiser.

Local and national celebrities have been asked to create beautiful platters for the silent auction, and Phyllis McGuire, Mayor Oscar Goodman, Steve Wynn and Debbie Reynolds are among those who have lent their talents to the project.

Since opening in 1978, Nathan Adelson Hospice has become a model for programs throughout the country. More than 30,000 patients and their families have benefitted from the hospice's compassionate support for patients with terminal illnesses. Proceeds from the anniversary evening will help to fund Nathan Adelson Hospice's indigent care fund. For further details and information, please call 796-3133.

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