Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Nevada Ballet Theatre fund-raiser has big turnout

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, June 16, 2004 | 8:22 a.m.

Venturing into new waters with their "Rags to Riches" fund-raiser, the Nevada Ballet Theatre kicked off an upscale rummage sale with a cocktail mixer on Friday.

Rolling out the red carpet for supporters were committee members and volunteers, including Lynn Cremen, Margee Purdue, Marilyn LaRocque, Lee Medick, Annette Calhoun and chairwoman Debra Myers. Many of the committee wore vintage designer gowns lent by Larry Hart, creator of "Sisterella," who also led the live entertainment for the preview party. Le Cordon Bleu provided the fine foods and serving staff for the gathering.

In the early crowd of shopper-supporters was Paula Miller and her young daughter, Ariel, Robert Diero, Pam Linder, Janet Ferris, Toni Hart, Kell and Nancy Houssels, and Marguerite Willer with Colette Saltz. Also present were ballet devotees Jaki Baskow, Lillian Davis, Maureen Kane, newlyweds Sharon Bader and Norm Jenkins, Thom and Mari Landers, Molly and Bob Sheridan, Debbie Holleran, Dan Swinton, Helen Fagan and Nevada Ballet Theatre artistic director Bruce Stievel.

Proceeds from "Rags to Riches" will assist with funding NBT's educational outreach program for at-risk students and its 2004-2005 production season.

Edwards a hit

Bob Edwards, known to America through National Public Radio's "Morning Edition" since 1979, and who recently had a controversial reassignment as senior correspondent, has taken to the road with his new book, "Edward R. Murrow and the Birth of Broadcast Journalism."

His Las Vegas stop was enjoyed by many who attended his presentation at Mandalay Bay and a private meet-and-greet reception at Caffe Giorgio at Mandalay Place.

Present to meet the blond broadcast giant were Caffe Giorgio co-owners Piero Selvaggio with his wife, Stacy, and his partner, 2004 James Beard Award winner Luciano Pellegrini, joined by Nevada Public Radio's board chairman Louis Castle, his wife, Pam, vice-chairman Mick Roemer and board members Dave Cabral and his wife, Diane, Mark Ricciardi, Ed Lubbers, Christopher Murray and his wife, Anita, and Jenny Des Vaux Oakes with her husband, Roger Oakes. 55 Degrees Wine + Design provided the array of wines for the reception.

Attending supporters who brought their friends included Stan Hunterton and Barbara Mulholland, Judge Earl and Jan White Jr., Pete and Susan Bernhard, Ali Marz Thompson, M.J. and Jack Harvey, Kay and Bill Thompson and Drs. Andrew and Christine Clarke, joined by Frank Micalizzi, general manager of Caffe Giorgio.

Key supporters of this evening to benefit Nevada Public Radio were Mandalay Bay's President-Chief Financial Officer Glenn Schaeffer, senior vice president Mike Sloan and corporate vice president-marketing John Marz, in addition to Reggie Burton, director of community affairs and Tina Ratsy of Mandalay Place. Edwards' presentation in the Mandalay Bay ballroom was done in interview style by newswoman Gwen Castaldi, host of "State of Nevada," and concluded with a book-signing sponsored by The Reading Room.

Perfect party

Delightfully presented, the Garden of the Gods poolside party at Caesars for VEGAS Magazine's first anniversary was simply splendid.

Balmy weather, entertainment and the finest of service for every tender morsel and tantalizing drink combined for an ambiance much enjoyed by Misty and Tom Kaplan, Dr. Loring and Alicia Jacobs, Jack Sheehan, Toni Riser, Rod Buckle, Eric Blank and Denise and Michael Severino.

Sushi and other Japanese specialities, prepared at a dozen stations by Gene Nakanishi's Osaka Restaurant team, were enjoyed by George McCabe and commercial Realtor Jayne Cayton, joined by friends Jennifer Lewis and Bryan Allison and Jackie Brett and Mel Carter. On display were an array of beautiful vehicles from Cadillac, while huge screens featured VEGAS magazine anniversary cover girl Daisy Fuentes and previous cover girls including Paris Hilton. Fuentes, appearing on stage with publishers Michael Carr and Jerry Powers, promised to return for future events.

Glimpsed in the crowd was Bernie Yuman, who spoke of his new Golden Nugget headliner, Gordie Brown, as well as restaurant reviewer Max Jacobson, Tony "Red Bull" Cordasco, Vince Durocher, members of the Blue Man Group and Scintas as well as a swelling crowd of film industry notables who are here for CineVegas through June 19.

Oops!

My June 9 column included an item on Foundation for an Independent Tomorrow, and should have noted the attendance of Barbara Mulholland with Stan Hunterton.