Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Fundraiser’s proceeds more than up to par

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2004 | 8:13 a.m.

Prominent members of the Southern Nevada golf and business community raised $21,550 at a Dec. 17 holiday reception and fundraiser for The First Tee of Southern Nevada, a nonprofit organization, at the Enclave, a new custom Christopher Homes development within Southern Highlands Golf Club.

The event included a live auction conducted by Christian Kolberg, director of communications at the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation.

Guests included J. Christopher and Michelle Stuhmer, Brian and Heather Hurlburt, Jeremy Anderson, Craig Barlow, Marty Barret, Jay Don Blake, baseball Hall-of-Famer Rollie Fingers, John Blackman and Peter Kingman (USA Bank), U.S. Sen. John Ensign, entertainer Danny Gans, baseball superstar pitcher Greg Maddux, Joe Frederick, Jeff Gallagher and Yvonne and Napoleon McCallum.

Supporting the event as well were Celine Foster, Ernie Gonzales, Natalie Gulbis, Chad Hermansen, Charlie Hoffman, Jerry Reuss, Missy Ringler, George Hendrick, Wayne Kirby, Pete O'Donnell, Mike Louden, Sheriff Bill Young, Mick Mamula, Bill Lunde, Brian Davis and artist Vital, now exhibiting at Art De Vignettes at the Fashion Show mall.

The reception included a gourmet buffet, wine tastings, martini bar and live music to kick off the annual "Celebrity Classic" golf tournament for The First Tee of Southern Nevada, established through the merger of the Southern Nevada Junior Golf Association and the Southern Nevada Inner City Youth Golf Association.

Young members, ages 6 to 18, are encouraged to participate in clinics, educational seminars, tournaments and special events throughout the year.

And because The First Tee's mission is broader than simply teaching kids how to play golf, the curriculum has a strong life skills component that includes community service and monitoring opportunities. For additional information, call 433-0626.

Teller's tea

Teller, of the celebrated Penn & Teller comedic team, recently sponsored the Las Vegas Chamber Music Society presentation of the Colorado String Quartet on Dec. 17 and again at a tea event Dec. 18.

Personally arranging for these performances to be held in the posh Palazzo suites at the Rio, Teller also hosted the four players to his home for a private holiday brunch earlier in the week. Their performances included six pieces by composer Bela Bartok, ideal for the violin, cello and viola players.

Attending Saturday's tea and performance in the elegant house-sized suite at the Rio were Clint Holmes and his mother, Audrey Holmes, Penn and Emily Jillette, Deborah Wilkerson-Green, Morrie Louden, John Clare and Robert Stewart, both founding officers of the Las Vegas Chamber Music Society, Hal and Betsy Weller (Las Vegas Philharmonic), composer-conductor Virko Bayley, Kelly Roth (CCSN) and his son, violinist Tobias Roth, Raja Rahman and Jarrett Parker (who comprise the magic act of Jarrett & Raja), Hanna Hryshchenko and Mykola Suk (UNLV pianist).

Present as well were Paul Seitz (composer/violinist) and wife Christine Seitz (UNLV soprano), violinist James Reinarz, Aaron Posner, Eric and Cathy Wilson, James and Joy Lane, Joel and Ellen Fischman and Michael Close, as well as Hugh and Bonnie Fogel, Michaelina Bellamy, Larry Hochstein, Justin Barnes, Jerome and Patricia Vital, Karen Hardin and Ovanes and Gianeh Arakelyan -- Armenian siblings who perform as a piano duo and are new to the community.

Honoring the givers

"Celebrating the Spirit of Volunteerism" was the theme chosen for the Holiday Open House hosted by the American Cancer Society on Dec. 14.

The early evening party at its counseling and care center on East Harmon Avenue near UNLV drew a crowd of more than 100, including Jeff Vasquez and Dave Caplan (Carrabba's Italian Grille), who provided a hearty meal to all, joined by pastry chef Alan Schaff (Treasure Island), who contributed his delicious desserts.

Schaff is also a member of the American Cancer Society speakers bureau and a regular volunteer driver for its Road-to-Recovery program, using his own vehicle and gasoline to transport cancer patients to and from their treatment appointments.

Special recognition during the party included Marilee Wright and B.J. Hansen, representing the 7-Eleven Franchise Owners Association of Southern Nevada for its marketing efforts on behalf of the 2004 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, joined by fellow sponsors Linda Burke and Pearl Tao (HSBC), Marva Putnam (Target Corp.) and J.W. Marriott Resort and Spa, Channel 13 and KXPT 97.1-FM (The Point), as well as Lamb Asphalt, which repaved the ACS parking lots.

Honored for its holiday giving was Creekside Hospice, whose employees chose to contribute $5,000 in lieu of a holiday party.

Dr. Paul Michael, who served previously on the ACS board of directors, accepted an award on behalf of Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada for its partnership in creating a Quality of Life Center facility. The center, manned by volunteers, assists patients with free items, including wigs and turbans, liquid supplements, colostomy supplies and information.

Also spotlighted during the party were Dr. Lawrence Gardner, director of Sunrise Hospital's Breast Cancer Center, and cancer survivor Connie Sheldon (Bechtel Nevada Corp.) for their informative presentations throughout the year.

Glimpsed in the crowd of attendees were volunteers Midge Sparlin, Antoinette and Charlie Watters, Pat Paradise, Sara Conrad, Donna Allen and Petty and Ray Classen, owners of Curves fitness center in Pahrump, who raised $11,000 for ACS' "Relay for Life" event.

Hosting the party was Paulette Anderson, seen with husband Mark and their baby son Jeremy, and executive director Fran Marshall, who spoke eloquently about the accomplishments of the past year and the many efforts of the ACS volunteers.

Berkley speaks

The congressional holiday break proved an ideal time for Congresswoman Shelley Berkley to address The Nevada Restaurant Association membership by participating in its Political Action luncheon series.

Held at Lawry's The Prime Rib on Dec. 9, the luncheon provided a timely summary to the association's national programs and legislative lobbying efforts that support positive change for the food and beverage industry.

With a statewide membership of more than 1,000 restaurants, the Nevada Restaurant Association, led by President/CEO Van Heffner, promotes a pro-restaurant agenda on critical issues including minimum wage, food safety and IRS tip audits.

Welcoming arrivals at the luncheon was Rick DiMartino, membership chairman, seen with Arnie Annunziata (Yellow Book USA), Tai Walsh, Elliot Pemberton (Sea Breeze coffees & teas), Irwin Kishner and Nancy Marcellus (Lawry's The Prime Rib).

Mixing and mingling at the silent auction tables was Blake Bradley (Morris Communications), Heidi Gable (Highway Radio), Dale and Lori Davidson, Karen Dorsey (Ellis Island) and Bob Ansara (Ricardo's), who discussed his involvement with UNLV's mentoring program with Washington lobbyist Bill Anton. Anton later presented facts on hospitality, which employs more than 12.4 million people across the country and serves as our nation's largest minority employer.

Sponsors of the luncheon included Coca-Cola, attorney Jon Eric Garde, Lawry's The Prime Rib, Sysco Food Services and Southwest Gas.