Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Man of the Year event outgrows temple venue

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2004 | 8:15 a.m.

Temple Beth Sholom's 2004 Man of the Year dinner was a runaway success, drawing a crowd twice the size that organizers expected.

The turnout for Sunday's event to honor Coast Casinos Inc. Chairman Michael Gaughan was so large it caused a relocation of the festivities from the Temple's banquet hall to the Suncoast ballrooms.

Arrivals Dr. Leon and Faye Steinberg, Rossi and Mary Jo Ralenkotter, Marilyn and Mel Larson, Phyllis McGuire with Fred Veraretta and Debbie Reynolds, Susan Sullivan with Richie Cline, Morton Fox and Judge Michael Cherry with Cheryl Kogan were seen giving best wishes to Gaughan and his wife, Paula.

The gala dinner, done in a universally green theme, used shamrocks, pots of gold and a delightful caricature of the honoree, all of which pointed to Gaughan's Irish heritage and of his open-handed generosity to the community over the years.

In similar fashion to his father, Jackie Gaughan, Michael is deeply rooted in the heart of the local economy. He serves as chairman of Las Vegas Events, a Valley Hospital trustee, and as a member of the UNLV Foundation board, and teaches in the UNLV College of Hotel Administration.

His efforts on behalf of Temple Beth Sholom include sponsorship of this weekend's Jewish Film Festival at Century Suncoast 16 theaters.

In giving their speeches and accolades during the program, Tito Tiberti, Mike Sloan, Charles Silverman and Jeff Zucker, president of Temple Beth Sholom, all commented that only for Michael would they put on a tuxedo and attend a Sunday-evening event.

Tom Letizia, as charity auctioneer, worked the crowd well for artwork and other items, including a luxurious Crystal Cruise donated by Dr. Anthony and Charlene Carter. In the crowd of vocal bidders were Bill Boyd, Andra and Paul Maffey, Arlene and Jerry Blut, Judge Nancy Oesterle, Ed Herbst, Calvin Mack, Dr. David Steinberg and attorney Mike Leavitt, who attended with his daughter, Liberty, his partner David Rivers and Rivers' wife, Kathy.

Other notables supporting the annual dinner were Milton and Abigail Schwartz, J.T. and Jodi Moran, Emily and Michael Novick, Josh and Jessica Pianko, Sally and Michael Gaughan Jr. with his sister Katie, Councilman Michael Mack, Jeff Silver and Gary Logan.

Paula Gaughan, an avid horsewoman, spoke to many with excitement about the cutting horse competition slated March 5 and March 6 at The Orleans Arena, a national event offering more than $1 million in prizes.

Sandy and Stan Mallin were dinner chairs with committee members Shirley and Sidney Chaplin, Mona and Charles Silverman, Diane and Kenny Epstein and Margot and Robert Schumacher, joined by Arlene Blut and a host of supportive Temple Beth Sholom members.

Picture perfect

One of the most coveted invitations in the business community, the annual party hosted by Canon U.S.A. to assist the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) was held Friday.

Filling the largest Four Seasons ballroom and spilling over to adjacent reception areas, the "Bring The Kids Home" fund-raiser, in its fifth year, was held during the Consumer Electronics Show, as it is every year, with local Canon dealers and their customers attending.

Featured speakers were Ed and Lois Smart of Salt Lake City, whose daughter, Elizabeth, was kidnapped and returned nearly a year later.

They credited Elizabeth's return to the photographic technology made available to the police and distributed to the public.

Mark Walpole, Mike Souter, David Turner, Nick Takeda, Bob Morrison, Mike Solomon, Chris Lane, John Arnos, Joe Blank and Dave Boyer were part of the crowd who then turned their efforts to helping drive up the prices on the many auctioned treasures, including one of Andre Agassi's tennis rackets, Canon office equipment and cameras, entertainment memorabilia and fine art.

Charity auctioneer John Daly of "Real TV" was joined on stage by Bryan Cranston of "Malcolm in the Middle" and jointly sold an array of vintage wines to Neal McDonough of "Boomtown" and "Minority Report."

Encouraging bidders to assist in Canon's efforts to assist the charity was Yukiaki Hashimoto, senior vice president of Canon, U.S.A. Adding his own comments was Ernie Allen, president of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).

Slipping in to lend his support was Anthony Zuiker of "CSI" and "CSI: Miami," who was also seen with Ken Howard, Rene Moreno, Willie Gault, Chris Rich, Gregory Harrison, Scott Grimes and Robert Costanzo at the Canon Celebrity Golf Challenge on Saturday at Tournaments Players Club in Summerlin, also to benefit NCMEC.

Heartfelt

The American Heart Association will honor Steve Schorr, vice president of public and government affairs for Cox Communications, and Dr. Nicholas Tselikis of the Nevada Heart and Vascular Center at its 18th annual Heart of Gold Ball on Feb. 7.

Karla Perez, CEO of Spring Valley Hospital, will chair the gala at The Rio and has selected a "Pieces of Eight ... a Pirate Story" theme for the worthy occasion.

Schorr is this year's honoree from the business community. Tselikis is this year's honoree from the medical community, recognized for his achievements in combating heart disease.

Event organizers have a projected goal of $250,000, which will be used for Las Vegas-area education campaigns and national cardiovascular research.

Sponsors of the Heart of Gold Ball include Cox Communications, Sunrise Hospital, Oasis Radio, Sprint, Foundation Room, Valley Health Systems, PacificCare, Southwest Gas Corporation and Martin Harris Construction, as well as Mountain View Hospital, Catalyst RX, St. Rose Dominican Hospital and Southern Wines and Spirits of Nevada.

Reservations are a must. Call 367-1366 for details on this dinner dance, which includes a gourmet meal with wines and entertainment.