Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Wynn Las Vegas shines during Macau Week

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2005 | 8:21 a.m.

Among the special events presented during Macau Week in Las Vegas was a dual offering of classical concerts at Wynn Las Vegas. The first, a gathering of invited guests and Wynn Las Vegas executives, included a reception with Dr. Fernando Chui Sai On, Macau's secretary of social affairs and culture.

Marc Schorr, president of Wynn Las Vegas, was host of the elegant gathering, which featured brothers Lio Kuok-Man and Lio Kuok-Wai, both gifted pianists.

Former Gov. Bob Miller, a member of the Wynn Resorts board of directors, attended, as did Dr. Keith Boman (representing the Reynolds Foundation and Las Vegas Performing Arts Center), Hal and Betsy Weller (Las Vegas Philharmonic), Jane Schorr, Brig Lawson, Chuck Jackson and County Commissioner Lynnette Boggs McDonald, who was seen with Linda Chen, chief operating officer of Wynn Macau.

Also present was Andrew Pascal, newly appointed chief operating officer of Wynn Las Vegas, who was joined by fellow resort executives Terri Monsour (retail operations), Richard Cotter (hotel, food and beverage operations), Arte Nathan (human resources), Justine Mroziak (public relations), Kim Sinatra (general consul) and former Sheriff Jerry Keller (security).

Rob Oseland (casino operations) was seen as were Samantha Stewart (investor relations), Chris Flatt (hotel sales & marketing), Denise Randazzo (public relations and marketing), David Sisk (chief financial officer) and Joanna Barnes (communications).

On Friday, as a gift to supporters of the Las Vegas Philharmonic, a second concert was held for 250 guests in the Margaux Room. Seen in the throng of music lovers were David Griego with fiancee Brenda O'Boyle, Rod and Marilyn LaRocque, Corbin Beisner, Anita Meyer, Dan Goulet (United Way) with wife Mayna and Yiorgo Aretos (Sonio's Rotisserie & Cafe).

Hugh and Phyllis Roberts, both founding members of the Las Vegas Philharmonic Guild, shared information about the group's Oct. 9 dinner-dance at the Hard Rock Hotel. For details on the fundraiser, call 233-1946.

Cancer walk

"Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" had a well-attended corporate kick-off on Thursday. The annual walk, a national effort, is slated for Oct. l on the grounds of the J.W. Marriott Resort in Summerlin.

Walking will be cancer survivors with their families and friends, plus supportive corporate teams, individuals, church and social groups and others committed to raising funds to see a cure for breast cancer.

Hosted by J.W. Marriott Las Vegas, the breakfast featured informative speeches by Dr. Daniel Kirgan, chief of surgical oncology at the University of Nevada School of Medicine; Fran Marshall of the American Cancer Society; and Gina Brandt, a two-year breast cancer survivor.

Special guest speaker was Army Col. Janet A. Harris, who heads the $300 million congressionally directed medical research programs at Fort Detrick in Frederick, Md.

Gathering with colleagues and families of those with cancer were team leaders including Joni Gadson and Amy Bush (both of Wheelers' RV), Melissa Peters (Clark County Library District), Mary Jean O'Rafferty (Corsa Collections) and Sgt. 1st Class Keith Lehman (U.S. Army Medical Department Detachment).

Also forming teams to walk for research funding are Patricia Paulsen (Prudential Americana Group Realtors), Jake Starr and Lowell Carlson (both of Creekside Hospice) and Wendy Ronovech, Kara Speer and Ashley Mantle (all of Sierra Health Services) and close friends Norma Gibbs, Dessie White, Kay Logan and Janice Calloway.

Sponsors of the "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" walk and organizing breakfast included Jennifer Byrum (Target), Kristy Dennerlein (Creekside Hospice), Nadine Lecky (J.W. Marriott), Mike Rafferty (HSBC Bank), Cathy Ray (KTNV Channel 13) and Lorrin Bond (KXPT 97.1-FM -- The Point).

For details on this event and other American Cancer Society programs, call 798-6877, ext. 16.

An the mark

Perhaps it could be considered one of the longest birthday parties on record. On July 16, Hannah An, of the culinary- talented An family, owners of the acclaimed Crustacean restaurants in San Francisco, Beverly Hills, Calif., and Las Vegas, timed her birthday celebration to match her opening ceremonies for Hannah's Neighborhood Bistro.

And while birthday celebrations began the week previous, the actual restaurant could not be used as final design touches to the magnificent building remained incomplete.

Hannah's sister Elizabeth An served as designer of the truly remarkable interiors. One long month of waiting ensued, with hundreds of inquiring phone calls and the unfortunate postponement of a charitable evening to benefit Bishop Gorman High School's building fund.

Finally, over the weekend, Hannah An opened the gloriously appointed restaurant at Boca Park, starting with several evenings designed to acquaint invited guests with special dishes featured on the menu.

Enjoying a slice of the preview evenings, including delectable foods and Zen garden tranquility, were guests including Dr. Stephanie Youngblood, Elaina Bhattacharyya with Mitch Truswell, Jackie Brett, Norm Johnson, Mel Carter, Cara Roberts, Bobbie Katz, Marilyn and Jack Bulavsky, Paul Garcell, Betsy and Hal Weller and George Mickels.

Restaurant luncheon

Warm weather and summer storms did not deter members attending the Aug. 9 Nevada Restaurant Association's Political Action Committee luncheon.

Hosted by Ed LePere, general manager of Lawry's the Prime Rib, the gathering drew a crowd representing communitywide eateries.

Sam Facchini (Metro Pizza) led the program that included introduction of Paul Hartgen, newly appointed president and executive director. Present were board members Karen Dorsey (Ellis Island), Robert Ansara (Riccardo's) and David Alenik (Pasta Shop Restaurant).

Well-known as an organization devoted to health and food safety education, it also provides a host of hospitality scholarships for Nevada students and has an ongoing presence in area high school vocational education for the food service industry.

The Nevada Restaurant Association continues to lobby for industry legislation at both state and federal levels. Invited as a special guest speaker for the luncheon was Rep. Jim Gibbons.

Attending the luncheon and silent auction were Barbara Orcutt and daughter Theresa Orcutt Hamilton (both of the Mount Charleston Lodge) with Chrisse White-Waddell, Christina Dugan, Bob Avery, Martha Wiley, Jim Holcombe, Yale Cunningham, Fred Rosta and Tony Shea.

The Nevada Restaurant Association, formerly a combined organization with the Nevada Hotel Association, operates independently from new offices on East Flamingo Road (www.nvrestaurants.com).