Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Las Vegas party an Oscar-caliber evening

The only sanctioned Oscar awards party outside of Hollywood in the entire country, "Oscar Night America," a charitable affair to benefit the Arthritis Foundation Southern Nevada Chapter Sunday night, was a splashy, entertaining and very tasty affair.

Champagne and themed cocktails reflecting the nominated films were served while attendees explored the vast array of movie-influenced auction items on display at Caesars Palace.

Early arrivals treading the red carpet and speaking on camera with John Daly about their personal favorites were Lloyd Wentzell, Meredith and Craig Johnson, L.T. Salinas, Isabel Colon with fiance Richard Houdtaker, Wendy and Richard Plaster, Jack and Nancy Weinstein and Dr. Joseph and Lisa Heck.

Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt, whose responsibilities include supervision of Nevada's Film Commission, attended with Dennis Bono. Among the many film buffs sharing their knowledge of the nominees were Drs. Ted and Parvin Modaber-Jacobs, accompanied by Parvin's cousin Elahe Omidyar.

Ushered into the Palace Ballroom with great fanfare by a gloriously costumed Caesar and his legionnaires, attendees were awed by the grace of the black-and-white decor, a contemporary fantasy complete with Klee-like mobiles suspended above the tables and serving stations, all created by Destinations by Design.

Guests, seated in polka-dot-covered chairs, sampled the gourmet temptations provided by Nero's, 808 and Terrazzo (all fine-dining restaurants at Caesars Palace), as well as the Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group -- Spago, Lupo, Postrio and Chinois.

Watching the Oscar telecast on huge screens placed around the ballroom and listening to the commentary by Robin Leach were Denise and Michael Severino, Andy Katz, Bruce Layne, Mona Orr, Craig Kramer, Roni and Cynthia Josef, Mary Ann Hantout, Mitzi Hiegel, Jim Begley and Nancy Alamo with Carlos Collado and Isabelle Pfeiffer.

Recognized during the evening was Torino Ranch and its efforts on behalf of Project Sunshine, a medically supported summer camp program for children with arthritis. Hunt, assisting "Oscar Night America" organizers Sandy and Roger Peltyn, also applauded Michael Severino of Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada, Leach and Caesars Palace executive George Markantonis for their special efforts on behalf of the Arthritis Foundation Southern Nevada Chapter.

Party favors provided to supporters at the party were the official 2004 Oscar poster and program in addition to the Oscar-designed disposable cameras that came cleverly packaged in popcorn boxes created by Corporate Graffiti.

Orleans honor

Joy and Pat Shalmy were honored Saturday night during Mardi Gras festivities organized by HELP of Southern Nevada.

A high-spirited affair at The Orleans, the evening began with Dixieland music and the presentation of authentic Mardi Gras beads to arriving guests Art and Sara Besser, Bob Cranston with Kandra Perriera, Judge Bob Gaston with Laurel Lane and Jerry and Lou Emmert attending with Lou's mother, Velma Hardin.

Quickly falling under the spell of the charitable gathering were Richard and Tina Morgan, Jerry and Beverly Saperstein, Rene and Leo Diamond, David and Mary Vail, Kelli Maruca and Lonnie Pallelei, a former NFL pro once under contract to the Steelers, Ravens and Jets.

Dinner in The Orleans ballroom began with a spirited rendition of "When the Saints Go Marching In" announcing the arrival of Pat and Jill Shalmy aboard a Mardi Gras float, followed by their crowning as king and queen of the 2004 Mardi Gras Ball by former U.S. Sen. Richard and Bonnie Bryan, last year's honorees.

Speaking of the crowned couple were event co-chairs Pat Kelly and Rich McGough, both board trustees. Pat Shalmy, president of Nevada Power, and Jill Shalmy of Clark County Family Mediation Services, are well-recognized for their continued community efforts on behalf of Southern Nevada's less fortunate.

Steve Linder of Household Bank, who serves as board president, spoke of the 65,000 individuals served this past year through HELP's programs: displaced homemakers, weatherization for financially disadvantaged seniors, traveler's aid, respite care, Lifeline emergency response, community alternative sentencing and emergency resource services.

A delectable meal, paired with wines selected by Bob Cranston and donated by DeLuca Liquors and Wine, Ltd., were enjoyed by Herb and Darlene Perry, Jacque and David Matthews, Denise Paskvan, Patty Land, Laurie Buck, Sandra Williams, Sal Gugino, Joel Jarvis and Mary Hausch, who attended with her young daughter Hannah.

Glimpsed on the dance floor with husband Steve Conrad was HELP's executive director Deni Conrad, who found a special pleasure in the appealing music of "Harbor Lights." Winning the evening's prize trip to New Orleans was Dawn Oaks, owner of Dinner at 8 for 8, a singles group.

Seeing red

Organized for fun and the sheer pleasure of socializing, the Red Hatters Club HUG chapter welcomes ladies of the tender age of 50 years. With no set rules beyond the fun of wearing red hats, this group meets twice monthly for relaxation and charitable endeavors.

On Feb. 13, the HUG chapter, led by "Queen Mother" DiAnne Andersen and her "peon" Barbara Chesley, attended the dinner show performance of "Honky Tonk Angels" at the Gold Coast. Members were presented copies of a clever poem penned for the club by Darryl Vanderpol, while their husbands were given baseball caps and a tribute message for their forbearance.

In the throng of Red Hatters were Evelina Weber, Billy and Lisa Reed, Burt Martin, Grace Carlson, Shirley Thaler with son Bill Thaler and Shirley Harms, joined by Barbara and Gary Siddall, Pat and Phillip Luecht, Karen and Pat Lurie, Colleen and Woody Woodhouse and Geri Bottorff.

A celebration of the chapter's first year, the gathering concluded with the presentation of little red straw hats to "Honky-Tonk Angels" entertainers Corey Sax, Sharon Haynes and Lori Legacy, as well as show organizer Martha Armstrong. For those wishing to inquire about membership, visit their website (www.redhatsociety.org).

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