Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Star-studded event benefits cancer institute

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2004 | 8:20 a.m.

Caesars Palace's new Events Center was turned into an "electric garden party" during the "Rock for the Cure" gala concert and dinner Thursday to benefit the Nevada Cancer Institute.

Guests, nearly 1,000 in all, paid between $1,000 and $2,000 to attend the lavish affair, and nearly all were avid bidders on items including a speaking role on CBS's "Joan of Arcadia," designer bags from Prada, jewels and watches from Bulgari, Tiffany and Fred Leighton, select memorabilia from the entertainment world, cooking lessons from Kerry Simon of Simon Kitchen and Bar at the Hard Rock Hotel, and much more.

Auction chairs Lovee Arum and Myra Greenspun watched happily as bids were placed by Frank Schreck with Linda Lee, Abby and David Friedman (3700 Associates), Nancy Cannady, Michelle and Tony Santo (Caesars Palace), Sonja and Michael Saltman, Camille and Larry Ruvo (Southern Wine and Spirits of Southern Nevada), Lorenzo Creighton (Flamingo), Madison and Susan Graves, Tammy and Jay Kornmayer (Wells Fargo), joined by Hollie and Steve Schorr, who spoke to Martha Lipford of a recent $1 million gift to NCI from Cox Communications.

Art expert Peter Stremmel later led the live auction frenzy with enormous bids placed for a tennis lesson with Andre Agassi and tickets to the U.S. Open (won by Diane and Bob Bigelow), a Bentley (Lloyd Atkinson), a Don Henley concert package (Tony and Andrea Marnell) and other treasures, which contributed to the evening's grand total of nearly $3.6 million, nearly $1 million more than was raised at last year's event.

Welcoming many to the gala evening was Heather H. Murren, NCI president/chief executive (and co-founder, with husband James J. Murren, chairman of the NCI board of trustees), with Wally and Roberta Barr of Caesars Entertainment, chairs of the spectacular evening, who were seen with Stephen and Chantal Cloobeck and CNN's Larry King, who served as emcee for the evening's program.

Heather Murren spoke of the construction progress on the NCI complex, including details of the Dec. 9 topping-off ceremonies and Sept. 10 opening.

Ushered into the dining room, guests were seated at tables set with rose-adorned linens and stunning centerpieces. The gourmet meal, four courses in all, was prepared by Caesars Palace star chefs Bobby Flay (Mesa Grill), Jean Marie Josselin (8-0-8), Bradley Odgen (Bradley Ogden) and Wolfgang Puck (Spago), who provided copies of his "Make It Easy" cookbook to each departing guest.

Jay Leno, and later, Jewel and Rod Stewart, gave splendid performances enjoyed by Bill Terry (Neiman Marcus), John and Anne Schadler (SKG), Patty and Terry Allen, Felix Rappaport (New York-New York), Roger Thomas (Wynn Las Vegas), Richard and Wendy Plaster (Signature Homes), former Gov. Bob and Sandy Miller, Art Marshall, Perry Rogers, Sharon and Norm Jenkins (Jenkins Family Trust) and Madison and Susan Graves.

Also seen in the rose-filled room were Beth and Jack Cotner, retired Air Force Gen. Billy and Linda McCoy (Boyd Gaming) and Tim Hitchin and Stacey Harrington, both of Summerlin Hospital. Jeweler Michael Minden, attending with wife Theresa, created the golden and garnet-bejeweled pin in the NCI sunflower logo that was presented to Heather Murren at the evening's conclusion.

NCI's mission is to develop a comprehensive cancer research institute staffed by the finest scientists, clinicians and caregivers.

Summit a success

Guests at the five-day World Gourmet Summit at the MGM Grand included local luminaries and those who love fine foods and wines.

The summit, enjoying its first appearance in the United States after more than a decade in St. Moritz, Switzerland, and Singapore, was a mix of dinners, tastings and master classes, with topics including single malt scotches, wines and food trends.

Funds raised from the summit benefit hospitality students attending UNLV and the 13 Le Cordon Bleu schools across the nation.

Chefs who participated in this year's summit included Raimund Hofmeister of the Art Institute of Nevada (whose name was incorrectly spelled in this column last week). Hofmeister, one of America's first certified master chefs, was joined at the Summit by fellow star chefs Heinz Lauer (Le Cordon Bleu), Tom Colicchio (Craftsteak), Steven Peterson (MGM Grand) and Michael Mina (Nobhill).

On Saturday evening the Summit's International Beverage Forum Hall of Fame Charity Auction Gala and Le Cordon Bleu dinner opened with a splendid auction, where hotel and air packages from around the globe were offered with professional culinary tools, silver tea services and luxury goods.

Seen in the throng of fine food and wine devotees was Robin Jay, an author-lecturer and the president of Working In Communications, joined by Gloria Jean Gill (Advanced Heuristic Therapy), in addition to J.A. Smith, Herdie Kleinheinz, Reinhard Wolf, Cheryl Reineke, Michael and Georgie Morgan, Fred Bernstein, Marie Zegza, Stella Clark and Craig Kinzer.

Donations needed

Preparing for holiday visitors? Working to clear out and clean for the approaching New Year? Perhaps your unwanted household goods and furnishings would make ideal donations for the Nathan Adelson Hospice's boutique and resale shop.

Located near UNLV at 4700 S. Maryland Parkway, the store is open Tuesday through Saturday and operates with a team of helpful volunteers.

Books, toys, gently used clothing, decorator and gift items plus other useful treasures are welcomed. Pick-up services and further details are available by calling 967-2541.

Proceeds fund Nathan Adelson Hospice, our community's only nonprofit hospice, with services to terminally ill and their loved ones. Nathan Adelson Hospice provides care to persons of all religions, creeds, ethnic heritages and income levels.

Store gathering

And so it continues: The Forum Shops at Caesars, with its many new retailers in Phase III, brings ever more social gatherings to the city.

Nambe, New Mexico's gift to American modern design, recently hosted a week's worth of parties for concierge and event planners, casino hosts and socialites.

Greeting guests each evening at Nambe in the Forum was Las Vegas store manager Suzanne Melendez and Victoria Murphy, director of stores, with Bob Borden, vice president of creative design, who oversees the production of the handcrafted pieces in Santa Fe.

A handsome buffet supper prepared by Creative Catering was served to guests including attorney Ross Miller and his bride Lesley Baumann, Karen Gordon (Activity Planners), Claudia Noriega (Park Towers), Christina Almeida (Associated Press), Jackie Brett (Imperial Palace), Kathleen Keen Redding, Bob Stewart (Family Music Center), Jenni and Michael Carr (VEGAS Magazine) and attorney Dirk Ravenholt and wife Cynthia.