Stars to aid teen mothers

Friday, Nov. 14, 2003 | 8:22 a.m.

"A Night of 1,000 Stars," featuring such luminaries as Carrot Top, Clint Holmes, Susan Anton and others, will be held at 8 p.m. at the Chameleon Club, 6340 Hinson St. General Admission is $25 in advance and $30 at the door.

"Teenaged mothers are abandoning babies in Dumpsters," Jonathan Scott, spokesman for the event, said. "Kids in Las Vegas don't know where to go."

The event is being sponsored by B.U.S.E. (Business Professionals, Up and Comers, Socialites and Entrepreneurs), in conjunction with Several Sources Foundation of Ramsey, N.J., which has operated five shelters in New Jersey for more than 20 years.

B.U.S.E. is a local professional and social club founded by the Charlie Palmer Group's chief financial officer, Richard Femenella, and Blue Man Marketing Company's Jimmy Foster.

The 650-member organization meets Tuesdays at Turnberry Place's Stirling Club.

Femenella said the purpose of B.U.S.E. is to "provide a fun environment for members to get to know each other, and do some good for the community."

Jonathan Scott, a spokesman for "A Night of 1,000 Stars," says B.U.S.E. and Several Sources have joined forces to produce the first major fund-raising event for the Las Vegas organization.

"Several Sources has decided to get involved in Las Vegas because of the need," Scott said. "One of the reasons there is a serious problem with homeless, teenaged mothers here is the amount of transients."

He said the organization plans to hold several fund-raising events annually for shelters in Las Vegas. Each event will have a different theme.

Vocalist Grant Griffin, one of the organizers of "A Night of 1,000 Stars," said those who attend may "buy their way to stardom" with donations to Several Sources.

Various star packages will be offered for $250, $500 and $1,000.

Kathy DiFiore is the founder of Several Sources. In a prepared statement, she said, "Our goal is to save young lives as we have successfully done in New Jersey.

"Nevada has many young women who have no place to turn with their problems. My heart goes out when I hear stories about young girls abandoning their babies in garbage Dumpsters. With the support of the Las Vegas entertainment community, we intend to provide a supporting and loving place for these girls to go."

The evening of entertainment will be hosted by KLAS Channel 8 weatherman Mark Pfister and KLAS news anchor Lisa Johnson, along with Robin Leach.

Among those performing will be Griffin, Anton, Holmes, Carrot Top, Jimmy Hopper, Bill Fayne (conductor and arranger for Holmes), The Kevin Lyns Trio, singer/songwriter Kevin McGowan, vocalist Jeanene Marie, singer/comedian Freddie Bell and comics Kathleen Dunbar and Cork Proctor.

Food will be provided by chefs from Charlie Palmer's Steakhouse, Simon Kitchen and Bar, Firefly, Circo, Le Cirque, Tre and Vignette Cafe.

Servers will be dressed as such entertainment legends as Groucho Marx, Marilyn Monroe and others.

Reserve tickets on line at www.severalsources.com.