Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2004 | 8:16 a.m.
Fondly called the "Dino Ball," the Las Vegas Natural History Museum's annual Dinosaur Ball, held Saturday night at the Ritz-Carlton at Lake Las Vegas, was a who's who of Las Vegas Valley businesses and individuals dedicated to charity.
The event is a fund-raiser to assist with the Las Vegas Natural History Museum's educational outreach programs and to fund development of new ex- hibits.
Opening with a champagne reception, the evening embraced happy moments as new parents Robert and Tiffany Sparks shared pictures of their baby son, K.J. Nearby, Robert's mother, Carolyn Morledge Sparks, celebrated her 2004 Philanthropist Dino Award in recognition of her many efforts on behalf of the museum.
Carolyn, a former university regent, longtime insurance industry executive and consummate volunteer, served on the museum board for more than a decade and was chairwoman of both the first Dino Ball and the museum's building and capital campaign committees.
Well-wishers in the throng included former U.S. Sen. Richard Bryan and his wife, Bonnie; Patsy and Robert Brinton; Becky Pintar and husband Bob Potter; John Muije; Geri and Leonard Schwartzer; Ann and Don Miller; and Theresa Cawthorn.
Attending with friends were Mark Lipford, Cox Communications vice president and regional manager, accompanied by wife Pat, as well as ball committee members Kitty Boedekker and Jacque Matthews, who were seen with Bob and Tai Walsh, Richard Davis and new Community College of Southern Nevada President Richard G. Carpenter.
Present as well were pediatrician Noah Kohn, M.D., with wife Erinn Bilbray-Kohn and Tom Gallagher, Steve and Stephanie Stallworth, Jim and Judy Kropid, Cathi Poer Smith, David Matthews, Lucille and Gary Beirdneau and Jim and Connie von Behren.
Steve Schorr (Cox Communications) led the program during dinner with assistance from board president Chuck Creigh, board member Roz Santangelo (Southwest Airlines) and museum director Marilyn Gillespie. In the spotlight with Carolyn Sparks were newlywed Christina Roth Feldman and daughter Victoria, representing MGM MIRAGE and the MGM MIRAGE Voice Foundation.
The employee-volunteers and corporate leadership, represented by Feldman, were praised for their years of financial contributions and direct volunteer efforts to assist the Las Vegas Natural History Museum. Golden Dino statuettes, looking much like wizened Oscar awards, were presented to both Feldman and Sparks.
Enjoying the elegant evening at tables adorned with tropical arrangements from English Gardens Florists were Brad and Pat Nelson (Lake Las Vegas Resort), District Judge Don Mosley with fiancee T.K. Crabb, Rand Key, special assistant to Carpenter, Diana Wilson (CCSN Foundation), Tina Denicote (Cox Communications), museum trustee Mike Fauci (Fauci Construction), Humberto Gonzalez and Harrah's director of public relations Madeleine Weekley with Sheila White (Olive Crest).
The ball highlights the museum's mission to provide children of all ages the chance to interact with live animals and science exhibits, to freely search in our Earth's past for adventure, art and learning.
Renaissance woman
First Friday festivities for September included a hosted reception for artist-musician Ginger Bruner at The Funk House antique shop.
Bruner, a fourth-generation Nevadan whose artist grandmother, Lucille, grew up as the sheriff's daughter in Goldfield and later founded the Nevada Watercolor Society, is really a Renaissance woman in her own right. An accomplished artist who works with textile pieces, photography and paint, she is also a tuba player of note who is part of Killian's Angels, an all-girl Irish show band.
They appear regularly at The Orleans and J.C. Wooloughan's in addition to touring. Now under contract to King World, the band will go into the studio later this month to produce a jingle for a national radio advertisement for the "Jeopardy!" television show.
Hosting the reception was Cindy Funkhouser, owner of The Funk House, who was seen welcoming guests Nate and Linda Tannenbaum, Margaret DeClerk, Dr. Lonnie and Sandy Hammargren, music producer Pierre Jovan, Dolly Coulter, Lisa Viscuglia, Ernie Sabater with Darlene Bruner and Fran Deane.
Also turning out to see Bruner's exhibition was drummer Richele Panther, a member of the Blue Man Group, and Tyler Williams, bass player at Tangerine at Treasure Island.
Next month's First Friday will be presented by Barrick Gaming Corp. with an entire contingent of poets, bands, painters and dancers brought to Las Vegas from the Pacific Art Collective in San Jose.
Celebrated that evening will be the second anniversary of the monthly First Friday events, as well as the first time a private company has taken on sponsorship. Barrick Gaming owns four downtown properties, including the Las Vegas Club, Western, Plaza and Gold Spike. For details about First Fridays, call Richard Hooker at the city of Las Vegas, 229-5431.
Exerting influence
Dragonridge Country Club, a most handsome stone-crafted clubhouse with spectacular views of the Las Vegas Valley, was an ideal locale for last Thursday's In Business Las Vegas reception recognizing "Influential Businesswomen of 2004."
Set on the crest of the mountain overlooking the shimmering lights of the cities of Henderson and Las Vegas, the gathering drew a crowd including business consultant David Griego with past honoree Brenda O'Boyle (Caesars Entertainment), professional mediator Ruth Urban (The Urban Group), Sheilon King-Brock (Cingular), Shelley Gitomer of Nevada Cancer Institute, Sandy Peltyn, special events and business consultant, and Richard Lee (First American Title) with developer Rich McDonald (McDonald Ranch).
In the mix as well was Margaret McMullin (Sprint), Jay Kornmayer (Wells Fargo) and Dr. Brian Cram with his honoree wife, Suzanne Cram (Sunrise Hospital). Jason Smith (Down's Syndrome of Southern Nevada) attended with his mother, Linda Smith (Opportunity Village), one of more than a dozen women profiled by In Business during the program. Parting gifts to honorees and attending guests were provided by Donny Borsack of CORSA Collectibles, known to many for his family's longtime ownership of the El Portal Luggage stores.
Jenkin honored
Tom Jenkin, president of Harrah's Western Division and outstanding supporter of children, will be honored Sept. 24 as Olive Crest presents "An Enchanted Autumn Evening." Sheriff Bill Young is honorary chairman of the gala evening to celebrate Olive Crest's 30th anniversary as a provider of caring homes to abused children.
Among those supporting the fund-raiser at Red Rock Country Club are Judge Michael Cherry, Dr. Noah Kohn, Shebrill Hicks, David Pina, Dawn Starking, Steve McMurray and Kathy Coker, to name just a few. All the details and reservations are available by calling 221-6224.
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