Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Puck helps make Alzheimer’s event a success

Pictures of chef and entrepreneur Wolfgang Puck -- from childhood to present -- graced The Mirage ballroom for Saturday night's "Love, Live, Eat, Remember -- Keep Memory Alive" charity gala to raise money for Alzheimer's support and research programs.

Puck, recognized for his unstinting support of local Alzheimer's fund-raising efforts, drew an enormous and generous crowd that raised $5 million in the course of this single glittering evening.

Proceeds will benefit the Lou Ruvo Alzheimer's Center and the Las Vegas Alzheimer's Association, and fund continued research directed by Dr. Leon Thal with the Neurosciences Education and Research Foundation.

Organized just eight years ago by hosts Larry Ruvo, Bobby Baldwin, Kenny Epstein and Maddy Graves, the annual gala has grown ever larger and ever more successful as generous hearts have responded to the intense urgency to find a cure and assist families that grapple with loved ones afflicted by Alzheimer's.

Taking on significant roles as committee chairs for the elegant affair were Harry Morton, Donna Baldwin, Anna Cohen and Michael Severino.

Arriving with friends were Stephen and Chantal Cloobeck, seen with Sen. John and Darlene Ensign, Susan and Brian Buckley, Brad Friedmutter with his brother Ivan, Colette Saltz with Nancy Houssels and Susie Perrine, Tony Goitia, Tom Gallagher, Steve and Gladys Comer and Susan Graves with her husband, Maddy, a university regent.

Jim Rogers, accepting best wishes on his appointment as chancellor of Nevada's university system, was seen arriving in the throng while, nearby, Rino Armeni with daughter Paolo, Berlyn Miller, Jackie Gaughan, Sig and Lori Rogich and Brenda Haynes and David Griego quickly joined the well-clad crowd of more than 550 supporters.

Many congregated near the silent auction, where over-the-top treasures -- including ski packages with Olympic champions Franz Klammer and Franz Weber -- drew the attention of Mike and Jeri Rumbolz, Heidi and David Strauss, Jane Schorr, Vicki Fertitta and Susie and Irwin Molasky.

Admiring the diamonds, pearls and other jewels from Michal Negrin, Fred Leighton and Harry Winston were Ruth Wells, Ann Matteucci, Kellie Sawyer with Kitty Rodman, Randy Black, Denise Cashman, J. Terrance Lanni and Felix Rappaport.

Enjoying the exquisite meal prepared by a host of celebrity chefs -- as well as the entertainment featuring the masterful auctioneering by Robin Leach -- were Dr. and Mrs. Joel Lubritz, John Schadler, Andrew Sasson, Tony and Andrea Marnell, Rhonda Nickoff, Sheriff Bill Young, Dave Kirvin and Elizabeth Blau with partner Kerry Simon.

Traditional trip

"Hacks and Tracks" -- the colorful catchphrase used to describe the trek with friends Jim Marsh organizes each year -- doesn't do justice to this five-year tradition.

Marsh, a longtime Southern Nevada auto dealer and businessman, plans these journeys to bring his Nevada friends and family together. Boarding the well-stocked tour bus for rural Nevada adventures were Phil and Jo Rivaldo, Susan Sullivan, Dave and Candy Cook, Howard Skolnik, Georgie and Keith Stever, Twila and Damian Horat, Mike and Glenda Casey and Buck McElhone.

The journey, which began in historic Tonopah and Goldfield, progressed to the more hidden communities of Manhattan and Kingston, with stops for private mine tours and a dip in the hot springs.

On board for the swing through Austin and an enjoyable performance at Eureka's Opera House were Al and Connie Wheeler, Jim Slemons, Art and Loretta Roehl, Jerry Kegley, Art and Tom Foote, Hugh Leonard, Mary Elizabeth Low, Bo Boisvert, Fred Davis and Marsh's brother and sister-in-law Tay and Kate Schuff.

In Ely, where a special tour of the maximum-security prison was arranged, James and Beth Isern, Laverne Hysell, Jim Coe, Bob Carnes, Dan Barnett, Fred Oaks, Ann Michael and Suzanne Ayer listened to key staff speak of the programs offered within the walls.

That evening, a true Wild West adventure had hearts pumping while guests enjoyed the ride of a lifetime aboard the Nevada Northern Railroad. Attacking the steam-driven locomotive were bandits on horseback, who arrived with guns blazing and larceny in their hearts. Among those "robbed" aboard the train were Frank and Lois Nicholson, D.J. Blazier, Chuck and Margaret Leonard, Janice Reid, Richie Clyne, Brian Clark, Dan Barnett, Heidi Harris, Buck Kamphausen and Donna Perrett.

Joining the adventure, which always features a theme of automobiles and trains, (hence the "Hacks and Tracks" catchphrase) were Marsh's cousin, Arden, and Arden's wife, Susan Krugerud.

Model home

J. Christopher Stuhmer of Christopher Homes and UNLV football coach John Robinson again proved to be exceptional hosts for the third annual UNLV Athletic Gala on Friday evening.

The site of the gala was the Aria Dream Home, a 9,553-square-foot residence valued at $5.9 million, which was also unveiled as Christopher Homes' contribution to the 2004 "Street of Dreams" at MacDonald Highlands, which is ongoing through June 20.

Furnished with definite comfort and great style by the Bloomingdale's design team (among them Anne-Marie Lazaroff and Kelly Macko), the home embraces a hillside and looks across the Las Vegas Valley to the glittering Strip.

Throughout the home are paintings, sculpture, bronzes, art glass and textile pieces valued at $1 million, each selected by Barbara Lee Woollen, owner of Art de Vignettes, to complement the graceful, multilevel home.

Jazz musicians Joey Singer, Trevor Davis and Wyatt Rakich entertained those who ventured to the roof garden to sip martinis and drink in the vistas on this balmy night.

Seen down below, dining on gourmet dishes from the Four Seasons, were Ken and Tedi Ann Templeton, Steve and Holly Schorr, Sue and Barry Becker, Sharon Bader, Norm Jenkins, Dr. Loring and Alicia Jacobs, with Ron Nicholai and Marc and Lisa Bolduc. Near the koi pond was Linda Robinson, modeling a fabulous diamond and black-pearl necklace, who discussed the $95,000 sales price for the piece with Brad and Suzanne Rothermel, Tom and Pattie Kennedy, Ric Trusedell and Andrea Zavatski, new manager of Bloomingdale's Home Store at the Fashion Show.

Talking art and architecture with Lisa Dove and husband Steve Swisher was Woollen, joined by Kitty Rodman, Claudine Williams, Bill Martin and Steve and Joyce Schneider.

Proceeds from the fund-raiser will provide scholarships for student athletes attending UNLV.

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