Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2003 | 8:13 a.m.
Cooler weather signals the beginning of league tennis and tournaments in our valley. Recently Marty Hennessy, resident pro at Stirling Club, hosted the annual Amstel Light Tennis Tournament, a 24-year tradition he began during his years at Desert Inn Country Club.
Hennessy's committee, including Ryan Wolfington of VegasTennis.com, Dan Jackson, Lily Chu, Jean Kempner, Matt Hennessy and Dallisa Hocking, were present for the players' draw party, where teams and individuals learned their play times for the three-day event.
Those at the poolside party took time as well to watch the young Agassi Juniors in exhibition play on Stirling's clay courts, and then moved on to discuss Hennessy's plans for a seniors-only tournament in October and other projects.
In the mix of players and family were Blaine Banker and son Jonathan Ribaste, Alan Hawkes, Fred Pinjuv, Carol Sussman, Norm Jenkins and Dr. Prinya Tipmongkel with his wife, Sally.
Movie legend
One of the city's more exclusive affairs was held Friday evening at the Las Vegas Country Club home of Corinne Sidney, widow of the late movie director and producer George Sidney, the first inductee to the Nevada Entertainer/Artist Hall of Fame.
Mrs. Sidney's gracious hospitality was evident in her warm welcome to contributors, who paid $2,000 or more to attend. Proceeds went to the UNLV Foundation.
Among the guests were Phyllis McGuire, Tony and Jill Curtis, Judge Gil and Edythe Yarchever and UNLV Executive Vice President/Provost Dr. Ray and Becky Alden.
They were joined by longtime UNLV benefactors Kitty Rodman, Claudine Williams and Bernice Fischer. Also present for the party that spread throughout the home and out to the gardens and pool area were Michael and Hunter Tylo, Casey Smith, Rosemarie Stack (widow of Robert Stack), Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt and Renate Schiff, a generous patron who underwrote the reception.
Others enjoying the champagne, caviar and martinis were Sidney's neighbors Dr. John and Nancy Shepherd, Peggy Hoefer with Frank Dumont, Geri Kodey, syndicated real estate columnist Ruth Ryron, Dr. Mira Mogler with husband Dr. Michael Rosenman, Jeffrey Koep, dean of UNLV's College of Fine Arts, with his wife, Julie, and UNLV President Carol Harter with husband Dr. Michael Harter of the University of Nevada School of Medicine.
George Sidney, a three-time Oscar winner, compiled an enormous collection of candid photographs during his illustrious Hollywood career. His celebrity collection, including those of "Viva Las Vegas" stars Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret, are on exhibit at UNLV's Donna Beam Gallery through Oct. 4.
POW a VIP
Wined, dined, feted and greeted, former prisoner of war Shoshana Johnson took Las Vegas by storm during her recent visit, meeting with Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, touring schools, taking part in church services and enjoying the rare vacation in the company of her father, Claude Johnson. A second-generation U.S. Army veteran based at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, Johnson was serving in Iraq when wounded and captured.
Among the most elegant of her Las Vegas experiences was a private luncheon hosted by Eugene Roderick "Rock" Newman and his wife, Demetria, at their Canyon Gate Country Club home. Newman, a past college baseball great and graduate of Howard University, has had a diverse career as a boxing and sports event producer, often in the limelight during HBO broadcasts and most recently managing the careers of professional athletes.
Invited to the Newmans' home were KVBC Channel 3 newsman Kori Chambers, auto dealer Dan Towbin, Lillian McMorris, Matt Schultz with Mick Hall, Carol Wilkinson, Yvonne Lewis, Ramond Savoy and Rev. Clinton and Mary House.
Adding another dimension to the balmy afternoon were Edward R. Jackson and Floyd Kerr, chancellor and athletic director of Southern University in Baton Rouge, La., respectively, who were in Las Vegas for their victorious game with North Carolina A&T in Greensboro at Sam Boyd Stadium on Saturday evening.
The luncheon, served on the spacious patio overlooking the fairways and lake, featured a Southern-style menu with family recipes, honey-glazed ham and fresh catfish. Tables were adorned with arrangements of white orchids, stock and roses. Completing the meal was the serving of birthday cake and best wishes for the Newman's 12 year-old-granddaughter, Sabrina.
Delicious fund-raiser
Hugely popular among those who love to dine out and try new dishes, new wines and new restaurants, the annual March of Dimes Star Chefs of Las Vegas evening is not to be missed.
The Rio's executive chef, Willam Becker, is host and coordinator for the charitable offering, and has gathered more than 30 of our city's finest chefs and their restaurant staffs for this fund-raiser, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Saturday at The Rio.
Bill Martin, 2003 Star Chefs chairman, reports the evening will open with a hosted cocktail party and silent auction followed by the culinary event, where guests will enjoy a huge array of selections from serving stations in The Rio's spacious Pavilion Ballroom.
Entertainment will include Misha Matorin's DreamCast Entertainment Aerial Art Inc. The program will honor community supporters and businesses, among them Bernard K. Passman of Passman Galleries, Sierra Health Services, Sprint, Tate Snyder Kimsey Architects, IGT and a host of others.
March of Dimes seeks to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality through programs of research, community services, education and advocacy. For details on the Star Chefs evening, please call 732-9229.
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