Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Monet preview raises funds for children

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2004 | 8:17 a.m.

The private preview party of "Claude Monet: Masterworks from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston" at the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art on Thursday was an elegant affair to benefit The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Bobby Baldwin, president and chief executive of Mirage Resorts, and former Gov. Bob Miller served as honorary chairmen of the dinner reception, silent auction and preview tour, with Sheila and John Arnos. Dave Kirvin, Joyce Sherman, Stephen Cloobeck, Sheriff Bill Young and Tony Bonnici were among the committee members who created this shining evening that garnered $100,000 for NCMEC.

Recognized as one of America's model charities, NCMEC has an enviable record of using 93 percent of every dollar for programs and services.

Opening with a champagne reception in the Bellagio ballroom, the party quickly turned into a brisk round of bidding on silent auction items including a luminous portrait by artist Amanda Dunbar, whose book of paintings, "Guided by Angels," was a parting gift for attendees.

Dining at serving stations that offered delectables including martini-potatoes filled with lobster, chicken and wild mushrooms were Phyllis Binion, Carolyn Sparks, Suzy Nagle with David Mobley, Gina Polovina, Richard Jost and Alan Feldman.

Roger Thomas, vice president of design for Wynn Resorts, attended with colleague Cherie Latham and was seen discussing the Monet exhibit with Andrea Bundonis and Marc Glimcher, president and chairman of the Bellagio Gallery of Art, respectively.

Miller was eloquent as he recounted his first meeting with John Walsh ("America's Most Wanted") more than 20 years ago at a district attorney's conference. Walsh, whose search for his son, Adam, in 1981 ultimately linked 50 states and 18,000 police departments, co-founded NCMEC, which boasts a 94 percent recovery rate for abducted children.

Listening attentively to the program were contributors Mel Wolzinger, Karina Stoltz, Rod Buckle, Rose McKinney-James, Sandy Miller, Sean Tanner, Von Heinz, Dee and Don Snyder with their children, and Teri and John Daly.

Online auction

On Friday Nevada Public Radio launches its annual online auction of unique experiences, products and services. A catalog preview can be viewed by logging on to www.knpr.org or www.classical897.org, then clicking to the auction link.

Valerie Freshwater, development director for KNPR, says she is delighted with the response from local businesses and individuals who have provided some intriguing items, among them a chance to enjoy (and critique) a dinner for two prepared by John Curtas, KNPR's restaurant critic.

Other offerings include a night out on the town courtesy of Caesars Palace and Celine Dion, the experience of being "fashion model for a day" donated by the Fashion Show mall and a relaxing trip to Hawaii provided by Prestige Travel American Express.

Bit of history

Nevada Women's History Project hosted a luncheon meeting on Jan. 17 at the Golden Steer Steakhouse. President Joyce Marshall-Moore had the pleasure of introducing Dema Guinn, Nevada's First Lady, who recently published "State of Nevada: The Historical Governor's Mansion."

Mrs. Guinn, in speaking to the group, described her pleasure in the project and the joy she has received as she's worked to see the mansion refurbished through private donations.

Mitzi Johnson, director of the Frontier Girl Scout Council, was keynote speaker and in her presentation spoke of the new Girl Scout House, a much-anticipated building scheduled to open April l at East Bonanza and Mojave roads. In her speech about scouting in Southern Nevada, she paid tribute to the many troop leaders and volunteers who serve the more than 10,000 girls in the Frontier Council.

Taking part in the meeting were members Jeanne Greenawalt, Persia Golden, Anne Reck, Mary Gafford, Wynn Schottelkorb, Evelyn Bisek, Paula Mendenhall, Edythe Katz Yarchever, Kaye Gray, Jane Olive, past president Joan LeMere and Dr. Marlene Adrian. Introduced as special guests were LaMonte Woods, Dr. Clair Consalvez and Akiko Rezabek.

Nevada Women's History Project is currently leading fund-raising efforts for the Sarah Winnemucca Fund to assist with underwriting the costs of her statue to be placed in Washington, D.C.

Gray honored

Marie Gray, designer and co-founder of St. John Knits and St. John Sportswear and Boutique, will be the celebrated guest on Feb. 20 as Saks Fifth Avenue and Rep. Shelley Berkley present a fashion luncheon to benefit Sunrise Children's Foundation.

Providing an opportunity to meet the popular designer and have a first look at the ever-appealing St. John line for Spring 2004, the fashionable gathering will begin at 11:30 a.m. in the Monet Room at the Bellagio. Reservations are a must; contact Virginia (731-8373) at the Sunrise Children's Hospital Foundation office.

Office art

Saturday afternoon Odyssey Lifestyle executives Mark and Virginia Martino joined Robert and Nellie Shropshire, owners of Justin Robert Galleries in Santa Fe, N.M., to introduce Las Vegas to the exquisite female nude engravings by Czech master artist Tomas Hrivnac.

The Martinos, who present "The Wine Odyssey," an annual fine arts and wine event in Southern Nevada, were gracious hosts as they turned their offices into an art gallery and arranged for Gustav Mauler and his Spiedini staff to cater the affair.

Champagne and fine wines flowed while hors d'oeuvres were enjoyed by interior designers Theresa Cole and Dale Newton, Angie Wallin, executive director of Nevada Arts Advocates, Lee and Debbe Sussman, John and Sheila Arnos, Audrey Marks of ARTV, Inc., Kristina Hayden of Museums and Attractions in Nevada, John and Alice Morissey, David Pulliam, Teresa Eyre, Barry and Janet Bates and Sherree Angelica.

A short lecture by Robert Shropshire explained the process of dry-point engraving, the technique used by the award-winning Hrivnac.