Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2004 | 8:16 a.m.
Kiehl's, founded in 1851 as an old-world apothecary in New York's East Village, has arrived to great fanfare at the Forum Shops at Caesars.
Last Thursday the opening festivities became a benefit evening to assist Golden Rainbow, a nonprofit agency serving children, men and women living with HIV/AIDS. A $5,000 check was presented during the opening reception, which drew a crowd of nearly 200 supporters.
One of just 15 stores worldwide, the party for the Forum Shops store was hosted by Gerry Etcheverry, sales manager for North America, with his local team of managers Kathleen Bellamy, Joyce Green and Jennifer Schmidt.
In the mix of invited guests were a dozen or more costumed Elvis impersonators who represented the King at varying ages, song stylings and weight. Nobu at the Hard Rock catered the event, serving specialty drinks and appetizers to guests Richard McKeon and Maureen Crampton (both of the Forum Shops), Gracia Walker, Bea Levinson, Jan Craddock, Carol Hunter, Arlene Cooper, Christina Dugan, Steve Freiss and Kelly Schwartz, as well as Rex and Sandy Windom, Melissa Martin, Pat Kelly and Marie Clark.
Honorary host was Mr. Las Vegas, Wayne Newton, a longtime Kiehl's client who was enchanted by the classic 1940 Indian motorcycle on display at the store. Present as well was Robert Verdi of E! Channel's "Fashion Police," seen with the lovely Cammie Cannella.
Splendid odyssey
Among the splendors of the four-day Las Vegas Odyssey, a lifestyle event celebrating fine art, wine and food, was Saturday evening's "Aphrodisiac Odyssey."
Held above the Strip in the dramatic Mariposa restaurant at Neiman Marcus, the evening opened with champagne, minted martinis and hand-passed servings of oysters topped with caviar, lobster on toast points and roasted figs in prosciutto, dishes selected by outstanding chefs with guidance from food advocate/author Amy Reilly.
Drinking in the panoramic views and discussing earlier events at the Las Vegas Odyssey were Pamela and Doug Puppel, Efren Nuno, Sean and Fhretscya Youmans, Jeffrey Schoor, Kathy and Gary Kidd, Katherine Carter and J.L. Perez.
John Arnos, among those present from The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, spoke informally with Beverly and Mike Mykisen, State Senator Sandra Tiffany and Marilyn LaRocque, concerning charitable contributions made possible by the Las Vegas Odyssey.
Nearby, Michael Severino of Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada and his wife, Denise, conveyed a similar message about "Keep Memory Alive" to fund Alzheimer's research, care and family services, also a charitable recipient of the annual event.
Equally represented was the topic of Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts scholarships for the Las Vegas campus, made possible by an endowment from Odyssey founders Virginia and Mark Martino.
On display were a series of nearly life-sized engravings, each of them nudes, by Czech artist Tomas Hrivnac, on loan from the Justin Robert Galleries in Santa Fe, N.M. Viewing the artwork were Rich Worthington (Molasky Family Properties), George Linton and wife Judy Best, Jimmy and Sandee Comito, Audrey and Bob Dempsey, Pam and Samantha Cirulli and Sean Vail, who celebrated his recent 21st birthday with the purchase of the four-day Odyssey experience.
Carla Perez (Spring Valley Hospital) enjoyed the evening and discussed the chefs' artistry with Lee and Debbe Sussman, Peter and Shelly Thigpen, Jason Swenson with Kelly Macko, Eliot and Charlotte Krane, Joe and Allana Vassallo (Paragon Pools) and Joy Messenger (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children).
Joining event co-chair Sandy Peltyn for the event were Edward and Eleanore Doumani, John and Teri Daly, Drs. Ted and Parvin Modaber Jacobs and Frank and Gerri Tussing.
Honored with great applause and toasts at the meal's conclusion were chefs Bridget Lieb (Mariposa), David Sacco (Capital Grille), Mimmmo Ferraro (Ferraro's), Barbara Brown (Bradley Ogden) and Heinz Lauer (Le Cordon Bleu), whose students provided the fine table service enjoyed all evening.
Donors honored
The Las Vegas Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) recognized five individuals and businesses for their contributions to local philanthrophy during its 13th annual Philanthrophy Day luncheon.
Held in Bally's lofty Skyview Room at the top of the resort, the luncheon honored architect John Klai II (outstanding philanthropist), Daniel Van Epp, former Hughes Corporation executive (outstanding volunteer fundraiser), Boyd Gaming (outstanding philanthropic corporation), Cox Communications (outstanding media supporter) and Linda Lysakowski of Venture Capital (outstanding fundraising executive).
Selecting a theme of "change the world with a giving heart," Philanthrophy Day chair Teri Haliday (Boys & Girls Clubs) and co-chair Bill Finley (Shade Tree Shelter) used world globes as centerpieces and later donated them to C.O.W. -- Classroom On Wheels and at-risk elementary schools in our region.
Introduced to many at the luncheon was Bret Bicoy, newly appointed president of the Nevada Community Foundation, who attended with NCF colleagues Lou Gammage and Stacey Wedding. Mingling with friends at the congenial event was association president Amy Ayoub (Ayoub and Associates), Don Snyder (Boyd Gaming), chapter president Ted Flaum (United Way) and Fran Smith (Volunteer Center of Southern Nevada).
Ruth Urban (Urban Group) attended with Fern Percheski (HealthInsight) and was seen with Tina Feldman (MGM Mirage), attorney Ted Quirk (UNLV Golf Foundation), Charlotte Hill, Joe Sly and Valerie Freshwater (Nevada Public Radio), who worked with the 2004 nominations.
Recognized for outstanding donation of services to AFP was Web site expert Shari Schwartz (Reality Bytes Resources), who was congratulated by Deb Hegna (Clark County Public Education Foundation), Harry Ferris (Nevada Ballet) and Frederick Conboy (UNLV Foundation).
Bringing a special glow to the event was the announcement of a $1 million gift by Cox Communications to the Nevada Cancer Institute. Steve Schorr, Cox's vice president, explained these funds will be used to create a children's cancer treatment center in Las Vegas.
Tea and scholarships
The Fall Fantasy Garden Party & High Tea, an event to benefit student scholarships for the University of Southern Nevada, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the House of Blues Foundation Room atop Mandalay Bay.
The event is co-hosted by Mandalay Place with the University of Southern Nevada's Foundation. Linn Mills of the Las Vegas Spring Preserve will offer a garden demonstration while noted violinist Judith Pinkerton of Music 4 Life will perform. Fashions from Nora Blue and Elton's will be modeled, while delectable pastries and tea will be served from the Chocolate Swan and True Tea.
Cost for the tea is $80 with reservations required by calling Barbara Wood at USN (968-2055). The newly formed University of Southern Nevada includes a College of Pharmacy in addition to ongoing professional instruction about drugs and drug therapies.
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