Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Proud parents welcomed to Las Vegas in grand style

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2003 | 8:21 a.m.

Nettie Schwartz Kershberg and her husband, Michal, relocated to Las Vegas from Tel Aviv in midsummer to join her family and take their places in related business enterprises.

They in turn have been joined in their new Summerlin home by baby Mia, born at Valley Hospital on Friday.

The proud grandfather is Noam Schwartz, president of Great American Capital, a commercial property developer in Southern Nevada. New daddy Michal, a tennis pro who owned his own tennis facility in Tel Aviv before moving to Nevada, is already planning little Mia's first steps on center court.

Prior to Mia's birth, the young couple were honored with a welcome-to-Las Vegas dinner at the Stirling Club. Hostesses for the elegant gathering were Sharon Christal and Lisa Banda. Guests included David Kazden, Reshma and Aneesha Milwani, Kathleen Benson, Sunil Tolani and Mayor Oscar Goodman's executive assistant, Elaina Perez.

Adding their lively presence to the party and superb meal were Clark County District Judge Nancy Saitta, Nicole Maroe, Carlos Tello, Carissa Robinson, Deann Paulen and Neil Huffey. Overseeing the arrangements at the private party was Richard Femenella, executive director of the Charlie Palmer Dining Group, who assisted the hostesses in providing each attendee with a copy of Palmer's latest cookbook as a parting gift.

True Blue

The Aladdin, with co-sponsors Tiffany & Co., Nevada Ballet Theatre and Tarragon West Entertainment, can be justly proud of Saturday's Blue Russian Festival, featuring the famed Kirov Ballet of St. Petersburg, Russia.

Drawing an audience from across North America and beyond, the evening provided select patrons with an elegant pre-event reception and dinner. Arrivals in the Aladdin's grand ballroom were served Russian caviar and vodka, with samplings taken by Robert and Vera Goulet, Elaine Wynn, Roger and Sandy Peltyn, Paul and Wende Bell, Carolyn Sparks with Jeanne Hood, Phyllis Schwartz and Irwin Kischner.

Mingling with Kell and Nancy Houssels, co-founders of the Nevada Ballet Theatre and members of NBT's dance company, were Clarence Coakley and Karen Gaines, Pat and Brad Nelson, Colette Saltz and Richard and Wendy Plaster. Bruce Steivel, artistic director for NBT, was seen discussing the ballet company's upcoming "Cinderella" production with Suzy Nagle and Barbro Olsson-Lobland, both representing Tiffany & Co., joined by Ari Levin, co-producer of the sparkling evening, and his wife, Aki, former star of the Stardust's "Enter the Night" production.

The four-course dinner, served at tables adorned in white-on-white linens and white roses, was enjoyed by Phyllis McGuire, Liz Ackerman, Clark County Commissioner Mark James and his wife, Lori, Dr. Robert Shiroff, Frank Schreck with Linda Lee, Eileen Hayes and Rose Dominguez.

The ballet's performance followed in the Aladdin's Theatre for the Performing Arts.

A brief program over dinner was led by Galina Kubrak of Tarragon Productions with a charming speech by Alexandr Vladimirovich Prokhorenko, vice governor of St. Petersburg. Making the Russian visitors welcome with glowing comments was Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt, as well as Nancy Houssels.

For the animals

Bloomingdale's will host an elegant affair featuring Pratesi, a legend in fine linens for the home, on Oct. 1.

The evening at the store in Fashion Show mall will benefit the Lied Animal Shelter. Included will be a benefit adoption auction and a viewing of the architectural renderings of the Animal Foundation's adoption center. Federico Pratesi will personally introduce his holiday cashmere collection during the cocktail reception. Call 784-5402 for details.

Ba-da-bing

A note from Lisa Heck alerted us to a musical evening on Sept. 24. Judith Leiber, a handbag boutique at the Forum Shops at Caesars, and the Opus Society, friends of Opera Las Vegas, will co-host a private event entitled "Opus One: A Night With the Sopranos."

Beginning at 6:30 p.m. at a private home in Roma Hills Estates, the fund-raiser will be done in the mood of the HBO hit "The Sopranos," complete with fine Italian cuisine and sparkling wines. Appearing will be Opera Las Vegas' own soprano divas. Call 896-2432 for further information.