Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Sun shines on charity’s maiden fund-raiser

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2003 | 8:14 a.m.

A first-time fund-raiser for a local charity ended up raising more than $1.1 million.

"Art and Innocence Celebration," held at the Guggenheim Hermitage inside The Venetian on Saturday, featured Robin Leach in rare form as auctioneer, driving up the bidding at every opportunity and having fun with audience members and sponsors alike during Project Sunshine's gala evening.

The event's success was due, in large part, to local developer and Project Sunshine sponsor Brett Torino, who matched hundreds of thousands of dollars raised from the event, including both silent and live auction sales.

Project Sunshine is a local charity dedicated to providing fun and free summer camping experiences for hundreds of children with special needs. These youngsters, many of whom have life-threatening and life-altering diseases, are joined by those who have been abandoned, abused or neglected.

Founded in 2001, the program gives a week of customized camping to 450 special kids at the Torino Ranch in the Spring Mountains west of Las Vegas.

Other supporters included master of ceremonies Mark Brown, CEO of Brown & Partners Advertising, Lou Emmert, president of Sprint, Jim Stuart, founder-president of Centra Properties (and chairman of Project Sunshine) and Tom Kaplan, managing partner of Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group.

For more information on this worthy program or to lend your own volunteer talents, please call 434-3699.

A FIT tribute

Foundation for an Independent Tomorrow (FIT) lit up the sky at Paris Las Vegas during its Notte di Carnevale on Saturday evening.

Notte di Carnevale, the annual gala to support FIT, provides funding to help Nevadans develop employable skills to sustain a stable life for themselves and their children. Clients receive counseling in identifying a vocational goal and support to achieve a new, more economically balanced life.

The event, including a special tribute to Nancy Houssels, co-founder of Nevada Ballet Theatre, sparkled from start to finish.

Under the guidance of Sandy and Roger Peltyn, co-chairs of the gala, who worked closely with Janet Frasier Blumen, FIT founder-chairwoman, and FIT board member Joyce Sherman and husband Jim Nelson, the evening opened with a lush cocktail reception with expert mixologists (and all the exotic ingredients) provided by Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada.

Guests were further transported to nirvana with the endless assortment of delectables served at stations representing Bally's Steakhouse, Ah-Sin at Paris, Ventunos of the Flamingo Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Hilton's Benihana.

Bradley Odgen, who finds Las Vegas a very engaging place to live these days, brought staff and fine foods from his signature restaurant at Caesars as a surprise addition to the evening enjoyed by Steve and Donna Bell, Brenda Haynes with David Griego, Tony Santo, Paris Las Vegas president Bobby Yee with Melissa Steinberg, Deborah and Robert Stewart, Brian and Debbie Munch and Giana and Bucky Buchanan.

During dinner Wallace R. Barr, president-chief executive of Park Place Entertainment, gave a masterful speech in acknowledgement of the mission of FIT and his sense of honor in being affiliated with such purpose. Houssels, a FIT supporter since its inception and committed benefactress to many causes, also spoke briefly and was featured in video clips representative of her own years as a classical dancer.

Dining in the Champagne Ballroom at Paris, guests enjoyed the beauty of tables dressed in gold-and-cream cloths and adorned with centerpieces of fresh roses and tulips in soft yellow, pink and blues. On display were portraits of Barr and Houssels, Warhol-esque paintings donated by Andy Warhol protege Steve Kaufman.

Lending their support to the charitable evening were Joanne Blystone, Karen and Morgan Cashman, Andrew Blumen, Bert Blevins, Marie-Claire Armeni, Karen Winckler, Mary Winter-Eisner, D'Le Beatty-Thomas and a host of 400 guests.

Those who serve

Maureen Schnitzer, a 30-year member of Mesquite Club, will serve as president of the community service organization for 2003-2004. On Oct. 10 Schnitzer presided over the Welcome Back Friends luncheon, the starting point for this organization that dates back to 1911 in our city.

A member group of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, Mesquite Club helped start the first library in Las Vegas, developed public parks, assists with displaced homemakers, contributes to health care campaigns, supports the fine arts and educational programs and maintains a high level of service throughout the year.

Arriving for the social hour were Laura Lippold, Betty Bunch, Marilyn Essex, Billie Kenny, Rita Isom, Beverly Sawinsky and Ruth Vogliotti. The Mesquite Clubhouse, a fixture on East St. Louis Avenue for many years and a popular rental facility for weddings, card parties and conferences, has recently been remodeled, with members Lois Mahood, Katherine Everson, Gwen Den Dooven and Marion Kohler in the group who looked at improvements to the stage, commercial kitchen and sound system.

Introduced at the luncheon were the 2003-2004 officers: Mary Bucholz (president-elect); Mary Ann Hantout (lst vice president); Ann Bull (2nd vice president); Kay McCauslin (treasurer); Karen Lobach (special events); Cheryl Hilton (financial secretary); Jean Slaughter (corresponding secretary) and Connie McCauley (evening Mesquite Club).

In the happy mix of members attending, Colleen Haycock, Golda Tobler, Laurie Porter, Juanita Mendoza, Betty Stewart, Blanche Bozarth and Alice Black greeted transfer member Kay Kistler. Recognized during the luncheon program was Nancy Allf, who serves as attorney of record for the group. Commended as well were luncheon committee members Ida Ambrose, Alice Eubank, Phyllis Noblitt, Nancy Zangl and Edna Kelly, joined by Jerrie Pearson, Dolores Michaels, Dorothy Craighead, Pat McNutt and Rosalie Hesbon. Fall centerpieces and napkin rings for the mid-day gathering were made by Sophia Hesbon.

High honors

Saturday the Nevada Hospitality Scholarship Gala will honor Dr. Carol Harter, UNLV president, as Nevada's Educator of the Year.

With 45 scholarships to be announced and an array of pleasures awaiting, the evening at The Rio will begin at 7 p.m. The annual statewide school-to-career and scholarship fund-raising event is sponsored by the Nevada Hospitality Foundation, Nevada Restaurant Association and the Nevada Hotel and Lodging Association.

Recognized with Dr. Harter will be Chef John Metcalfe, director of culinary arts, Community College Southern Nevada as "chef mentor of the year" and AQUA restaurant at Bellagio, recipient as "industry champion of the year."

George Markantonis, senior vice president, Caesars Palace, and Karen Dorsey, president, Ellis Island, will jointly emcee the gala. The evening is Brazilian-themed, complete with wines and spirits, live Samba music, an appearance by The Rio's Masquerade Samba parade and more. Call 878-2313 or 878-9272 for details and reservations.