Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Opportunity Village gala has golden moments

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, June 30, 2004 | 8:07 a.m.

Fifty never looked better than when reflected on the faces of those attending Opportunity Village's 50th anniversary gala.

Circus characters and celebrity impersonators greeted guests streaming into Paris Las Vegas' conference area, among them Virginia Stiles of Sunrise Children's Foundation, Dave and Diane Cabral, Rossi and Mary Jo Ralenkotter, Sharon Carelli of St. Rose Dominican, Lisa Windom and Jason Smith representing the Downs Syndrome Organization, Connie Gerber, Paul Beckett, Ivan Sher and Michele and John Aloe.

Judge Bill Jansen, Leslie Parraguirre, Bob Fowler, Mary Ashworth and Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce President Kara Kelley made their way through the throng of more than 650 attendees.

Stopping to greet supporters, parents of clients and business leaders who contract with the trained citizens from Opportunity Village were Richard Derekson, banker Selma Bartlett and husband Troy, Janet and Harry Ferris, Richard Beers, Becky Boman, Stan Wasser-krug, Claudia Scheiter of BankWest, Jack and Carol Sheehan and Rosalind Krause.

Accepting compliments on last week's scholarship benefit dinner was Dave Williamson, president of the Food & Beverage Directors' Association of Nevada. Williamson and his wife, Cathy, were seen with Don Ross, dinner chairman for Opportunity Village's event and executive director of Banquets and Catering for Bally's/Paris.

Ushered into the grand ballroom, guests were beguiled by the beauty of the setting -- soft golden lights and table linens accented by silken floral arrangements, providing a garden-like atmosphere to the enormous gathering. The Las Vegas All-Star Band began to play almost immediately, drawing dancers to the floor throughout dinner and beyond. Making their way to speak with friends and benefactors between the courses of the gourmet meal were honorary co-chairs of the evening: Mike Morrissey, Kitty Rodman and Bill Boyd, who thanked many, including Caesars Palace President Mark Juliano.

Onstage the entertainment rarely stopped and included video greetings from Steve and Elaine Wynn, Wayne Newton and Billy Walters. The smartly paced program included appearances by Clint Holmes and celebrated specialty acts from Bally's "Jubilee" production show.

Lending assistance to the special event were Dennis Brook, co-trustee of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 720, and Realtor Mark Starks, an Opportunity Village board member, as well as Jo Ann and Richard Sturm, Ben Litvinoff, Bill and Carol Mahaffey, Avis Jansen, Eddie Ortiz of Encore Productions, Lou and Darlene Richards, Ed and Janalee Jamison and Margaret Payatte, in addition to former City Councilman Michael McDonald, Dr. Jeffrey and Monterey Brookman, Vickie Massie and artists Brent Haug and Ben Peterson.

Caesars Entertainment, sponsor of the anniversary evening, recently awarded a $100,000 grant to Opportunity Village, providing the lead corporate gift to fund a third campus in southwest Las Vegas. The new facility will feature a Life and Career Development Center, Leisure & Recreation complex and administrative building.

In speaking of the grant, Steve Bell, Caesars Entertainment executive vice president, said, "We support organizations that provide life-changing job training and self-sufficiency skills to the people of the community in which we work and live. We're proud to further our long and productive relationship with Opportunity Village."

Established in 1954, Opportunity Village is Nevada's largest private provider of vocational training, employment, advocacy and recreation to people with intellectual disabilities. The not-for-profit organization manages a pair of work training and employment campuses and a thrift store in downtown Las Vegas.

Come fly with me

Las Vegas Philharmonic supporters recently took flight and enjoyed a weekend of cultural delights in San Francisco on June 18.

Led by Harold "Hal" Weller, conductor/musical director of the Las Vegas Philharmonic, and his wife, Betsy, the trip included 30 supporters and made the most of every hour in the City by the Bay.

Staying in the convenient Opera Hotel on Fulton Street, the group attended a performance of Puccini's "La Boheme" at the nearby San Francisco War Memorial Opera House.

A guided tour of the Asian Art Museum was arranged, as was a lecture opportunity prior to Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 2, "The Resurrection." Interestingly, this selected piece was also chosen by the Las Vegas Philharmonic as its original, full-stage performance in May 1999. The Las Vegas Philharmonic, now preparing for its sixth season, welcomes inquiries. For information, call 895-2787.

Prior to the concert, the Wellers, with founding Las Vegas Philharmonic President Susan Tompkins, were guests of Ted and Doris Lee in the Wattis Foundation Room, a dining area reserved for significant patrons at Davies Concert Hall.

The Lees, who divide their time between homes and business endeavors in the Bay Area and Southern Nevada, later hosted a post-concert reception for the Las Vegas group at their home on Nob Hill.

Those attending were Leonard Gross, Gay Goldstein, Lee and Dorothy Hubbard, Jane Ryan, Maria Samaras, Becky Casey and son Mike and Gisele and Morton Fox, as well as Fran Fine, Gail Harris, June Cravenn and Haim Ventura.

Seen discussing the splendid concert were Lorraine and Gerald Barnes, Phyllis Haley, Margie Conway, Dr. Jim and Sandra Frank, Donna Fay and Irene Macomber. They were joined by R. Kane Rufe, Donna Higgins, Paul and Leonora Seidman, Kathleen Viola and Jeanne Wong.