Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Champagne, well wishes flow for New Year’s

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2004 | 8:22 a.m.

Tom and Marla Letizia's New Year's Eve party was a most pleasant mix of those dear to the Las Vegas couple.

Held at their festively decorated home in Queensridge North, the gathering flowed with the gentle aid of fine champagne and spirits, complemented by the clever commentary of guests Marilyn and Mel Larson, Ric and Trish Truesdell, Harlan and Kay Braaten, Ben and Janet Spano, Terry and Rhonda Shonkwiler and Dr. David Crossley and his wife, Carol.

Stepping out to the patio to enjoy a fine cigar was Andy Wheeler, while his wife and fellow animal supporter, Marlene, stayed toasty warm inside and spoke of their work with the Lied Animal Shelter/Animal Foundation.

Me Rey, favorite caterer for Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman and many other Las Vegas notables, catered the dinner, which began in the late evening and continued to the wee hours. Seen with friends were Patricia and Richard Wright, Deann and Harold Stralser, Barbara Stout, Carol Love, Barry Glussman and Rene and Bill Marion.

Present were Marla and Tom's mothers, Adrienne Glussman and Lois Letizia, respectively, who helped greet Eva Thomas, Bob and Shella Levy, Cindy Wing and Lisa Poll, along with Dr. Ed Hoffman with Melanie Bash and Rep. Shelley Berkley and husband Dr. Larry Lehrner.

Robust salute

New Year's was ushered in with great enthusiasm at a party hosted by Cynthia and Roni Josef at their Seven Hills home. The casual dinner-dance party was planned as a get-away-from-it-all evening for busy friends, including Shawn Youmans of Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada, with his wife, Fhretscya Youmans, along with Shirley and Haim Gal, Meredith and Chad Brandon and Eli and Mickey Shamone.

Cynthia, in preparing for the party, created a meal without end, allowing attending guests to garner high energy for dancing galore as a DJ spun the latest hits. Ample champagne mixed with merriment for a very robust salute to the New Year at midnight and far beyond.

In the midst of the action was Ofir Areli, cousin of Roni and manager for the Josef chain of spas and salons. With Ofir was his new bride, Anna, joined by Tovi and Lior Stern, Cameron and Evette Lia, Liz Mexey, Andrew Brown and Jessica Ruiz.

Among the guests was designer Victor Lanlin, who displayed his new line of evening gowns, a delightful peek at the collection now en route to the L.A. Fashion Mart. Cynthia, an accomplished artist who plans her first Las Vegas exhibition this year, spent time with many of her guests who viewed the newest paintings, clearly influenced by her October tour of Italy.

Celebrated with toasts and best wishes for success was the Josefs' nomination for the Global Salon Entrepreneur Award, a prestigious designation selected with the help of research conducted by UCLA, to be announced in London in May.

Greeted with smiles as well was Roni's announcement of his venture into retail fashion with a soon-to-open boutique in the shops at Green Valley Ranch Station Casino.

Monet for money

The unveiling of the Claude Monet exhibition "The Road to Giverny" at Bellagio's Gallery of Fine Art has been planned as a most glittering benefit for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Former Gov. Bob Miller and Bobby Baldwin, chief executive of Mirage Resorts Inc., are serving as honorary chairmen for the Jan. 29 event at Bellagio, with committee members David Kirvin, Laura Herlovich, Robert Forbuss, Stephen Cloobeck, Sheriff Bill Young, Joyce Sherman and Amanda Dunbar.

Also lending their time to this worthy occasion are Mr. and Mrs. John Arnos, Roger Thomas, Stephanie Ravensdale, Elaine Macy, Tony Bonnici, Judy Patterson, Frank Fahrenkopf Jr., Andrea Bundonis and Marc Glimcher.

The private preview evening will present Monet's masterworks from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, on exhibit in Las Vegas for the first time and representing the finest collection of Monets outside of France.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children will use the funds from this event in its work to protect children from sexual exploitation and abduction and to locate and recover missing children. For details please contact the Bellagio Gallery of Art at 693-7871.

Dion honored

Our community's newest superstar resident and gracious supporter, Celine Dion, will be honored Jan. 24 as Nevada Ballet Theatre's Woman of the Year for 2004.

The awards ceremony is just part of the magic planned for the ever-elegant Black and White Ball, a Southern Nevada tradition much loved by community leaders and socialites.

The splendid gala, to be presented in the glittering ballroom of Caesars Palace, is sponsored by Wells Fargo and Cartier. On the program will be a celebrity tribute to Dion, the world's top female recording artist, and appearances by Nevada Ballet Theatre's graceful dancers.

Supporters attending will enjoy a four-course gourmet dinner and dance orchestra. Those contributors choosing diamond-level seating will be admitted to a private, pre-event reception with Dion and other celebrities. Reservations are a must, so please call 243-2623.

Give 'til it burns

Ready to burn some calories and help a great cause? On Jan. 31 the annual Kendall Tenney Run/Walk-For-A-Wish will be held downtown at the Fremont Street Experience.

Starting off at Neonopolis at 9 a.m., the fund-raiser will draw participants of all ages, many of them family and church groups, company teams and youth organizations.

Pledges from supportive friends and colleagues are another way to help. This year, with the event falling on Super Bowl weekend, participants are encouraged to wear football jerseys and hats representing favorite teams.

The run/walk benefits Make-A-Wish-Foundation of Southern Nevada and is its largest fund-raiser of the year. As explained by Jennifer Tuttle, executive director, the goal is funding for 105 wishes, each to be granted to a critically ill child. To enroll, please call Make-A-Wish at 212-9474.