Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Community gets big boost from Black Tie Gala

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, June 23, 2004 | 8:51 a.m.

Scholarships, specialty cocktails and succulent appetizers and entrees blended smoothly for Saturday's 14th annual Black Tie Dinner Gala at The Venetian.

Presented by The Food & Beverage Directors Association of Nevada and led by president Dave Williamson, the evening began with a reception where honorees Jim Rogers, interim chancellor of the University and Community College System of Nevada, and Executive Chef Christopher Johns of The Orleans were greeted by attending members and friends.

Kurt Weinrich, Tracy Brown, Bill Hiers, Richard Beers, Kathy Williamson, Bobby Ray Harris, Heinz Lauer and Siegfried Pumberger were present, and sampled the array of speciality cocktails prepared in tribute: "The Sunbelt" and "Chancellor's Canteloupe Martini" for Rogers and "The South Wales" and "The Claridge" for Johns.

Also seen at the benefit dinner to assist Nevada students seeking hospitality careers, including the Opportunity Village Culinary Center and outreach for underprivileged children, were Barry Tester, Bill Westerman, Bob Vannucci, Lloyd Weintzell, Ian and Lisa Howfield, Leah and Mitch Roberts, Fred Nassiri, Buzz Thurber, Roger and Jenny DesVaux Oakes with Dr. Roger and Diana Wilson, Jerry Grippe and Bob Fowler, Denise and Michael Severino and Chip and Sidra Kain. University Regent Thalia Dondero attended with Claudine Williams and Kitty Rodman.

Enjoying the fine dinner, with special entertainment by Riviera headliner Marlene Ricci and her orchestra, along with comedian and Flamingo Las Vegas headliner George Wallace, were Pat Bennett, UNLV President Carol Harter and husband Michael Harter, Jim McCoy, Dr. Loring and Alicia Jacobs with his parents, Drs. Ted and Parvin Modaber Jacobs, joined by Sandy Peltyn and her son, R.J. Peltyn.

Sue Manteris was mistress of ceremonies for the presentation of the Arturi Award to Rogers for his philanthropy on behalf of Nevada education, and the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Johns for his efforts to expand and serve as an industry leader, educator and multiterm president of Chefs for Kids, a program teaching nutrition to needy children.

In addition, Harter accepted a $10,000 scholarship contribution for UNLV's College of Hotel Administration, while Chef Tom Rosenberger of Community College of Southern Nevada was given $5,000 for CCSN's Culinary Arts program, followed by a $5,000 award for T.E. Williams, director of Vo-Tech High School's Culinary Arts program, and $2,000 to the Area Technical Trade Center High School's food training program.

Star power

The stars came out for the second annual Lili Claire Foundation Benefit Dinner and Auction at Bellagio on June 12.

The first segment of the evening was an exclusive cocktail party in Bellagio's Fontana Lounge, where guests including actors Jason Alexander and Matthew Perry and actress Shari Belafonte spread out onto the lakeside verandah.

Honorees Vince Neil (of Motley Crue) and Gary Ackerman (of Gaudin Automotive Group), were joined by Lili Claire Foundation board member Michael Minden, who designed the stunning diamond and aquamarine pieces, modeled by actress Kelly Hu and later offered at live auction.

Supporting this worthy effort to fund the soon-to-be-completed Lili Claire Life Skills Center in the Danny Gans Building at UNLV were Deanna Milke and her dad, John Milke, members of the Scinta family, Jennifer Bradley, Sheriff Bill Young, Christian and Lara Kolberg and Hard Rock entertainer Todd Joseph, as well as Ron and Sherri Hill, Lin and Patti Whippel, Nim and Robin Vaswani and Laura Herlovich, all of whom enjoyed the music of the new band Paragon.

Moving on to the auction area, bids were plentiful for the items rich in television and film history, evidence of friendships forged by the foundation's founders, Keith and Leslie Resnick, both entertainment executives.

The couple's infant daughter, Lili Claire, born with Williams syndrome, a neurogenetic disorder, led to their desire to create the Lili Claire Foundation.

The Resnicks, in ceremonies held amid an abundance of superb entertainment, honored Las Vegas superstar Gans and Ackerman for their generous contributions, and, in similar fashion, recognized Bill Martin of Nevada State Bank for significant donations as well as Neil, accompanied by his father, Odie Wharton, who provided funding from the Skylar Neil Foundation, an organization he started in memory of his young daughter.

Linda Ackerman and Kellee Hansen served as dinner chairs for the worthy evening. Other attendees included Sherry and Tim Quillin, Zoe Beatty, Erica and Robert Mayer, Theresa Minden, Carolyn and Brian Wheeler, Rebecca Howell, Susan and Stan Wasserkrug, Joyce and Steve Schneider, Stefan Manchev, Alan Morrell, Jonathan and Sue Scott with Jenny and Michael Carr, Nancy Wong, Ruth Furman and Nancy Katz with her U-Mass roommate Karen Epley.

Representing Bellagio at the Lili Claire event were executives Gus Tejeda, director of convention sales, and Harvey Stern, director of catering, who attended with key members of their staffs.

Making the rounds

Fred Adams, founder and near-legendary director of the Utah Shakespearean Festival for many years, made a whirlwind visit through Las Vegas recently.

Appearing with Donna Law, marketing director for the festival, Adams spoke at the Las Vegas Rotary Club (founded 1923) at Lawry's The Prime Rib, and also was a guest of the Las Vegas Central Rotary Club, during its luncheon meeting at the Las Vegas Country Club.

Discussions with area residents, who serve as USF board members, included incoming board chairman Dr. Allen R. Annes and Gerald R. Molen, award-winning producer of "Schindler's List," as well as Brock Fraser, Mike Ballard, Tom Thomas, Nancy Slitz and Lisa P. Nelson.

The Utah Shakespearean Festival's summer season opens Thursday in nearby Cedar City, Utah, with all the details at www.bard.org.