Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Wine benefit at Hilton draws a grand attendance

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2005 | 8:16 a.m.

Splendor in the Glass Wine & Beer Tasting, a benefit to fund public television, drew more than 1,000 supporters Saturday at the Las Vegas Hilton.

Presented by Southern Nevada Public Television and the Friends of Channel 10, the vast affair, with its many sampling stations and bountiful food offerings, was coordinated by chairman Charlotte Hill with Tony Goitia of Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada.

The event was made possible by dozens of volunteers, among them board member vice-president/treasurer Steve Comer, Sidra Kain, Peggy Smith, Bob Fowler, John Gangwish, Gordon Tracy and Barbara Mirman.

Attorney Andras Barbero, past president of the Friends of Channel 10 organization, attended with his wife, Iruka, and his mother, Romy Atamott. Mingling with friends and fellow wine buffs as they discussed favorite selections were sisters Linda Wade and Candy Schneider with their respective spouses, broker-Realtor Jim Wade and state Sen. Mike Schneider.

This year's event provided separate pavilions for the Japanese and Spanish offerings, complete with entertainment enjoyed by Mike Weller with Stephanie Pesek, Gene Hall (Clayton Homes of Las Vegas), Sally Wathen, Elaine Fish, Nancy Katz, Karen Eppling, Dr. Ron and Kathy Slaughter and Gladys Comer with daughter Jennifer.

Lively bidding on fine wines and assorted treasures, including a precious bichon frise puppy, was clearly part of the day's fun for Irene Vogel, Julie Mitchell, Carolyn Sparks, Joe and Suzanne Somers, Maureen Kane and Jay Kornmayer (Wells Fargo), as well as Samarie Graham, David Austin, Mitch and Kitty Fox and Marv Rubin.

Picture perfect

Pouring rain and slick streets did not dissuade guests from attending the Las Vegas Art Museum's VIP reception Friday to celebrate "Through My Father's Eyes," a photographic exhibition on loan from the Smithsonian Institution.

The work of Ricardo Ocreto Alvarado (1914-1976), the collection celebrates his heritage as a Filipino-American. Sponsors for the local showing and opening reception were Roy's of Las Vegas, Panda Express, Mandalay Resort Group, Arcata and De Luca Wine & Liquor, Cox Communications, Goldilocks, Kalahi Bakery, Nevada State Bank and Starbucks.

Seen admiring the displayed photographs were Meg McFarland, Dr. Caryl Suzuki with husband Roy, Tom and Margaret Kurtz, Jerry and Lottie Polis, Wing Fong with Charlotte Jurabal and Marianne Jennis.

Visiting with Las Vegas newcomer Rosalinda DePerio-Santos, who previously served as the Philippines' ambassador to Israel, Brazil and the United Nations, were Judge Gil and Edythe Yarchever, joined by the former ambassador's daughter, Pia DePerio, Dr. Clifford Lee, Buck Wong with daughter Nancy and Tom and Bonnie Lawyer.

A well-orchestrated program was led by Aurora Wong, event and exhibition chair. Speaking on "Sharing Our Culture" was Rozita Lee, chairwoman of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations.

Dancers from the Filipiniana Dance Troupe of Las Vegas gave a captivating performance, and were followed by comments from Dr. Franklin Odo, director of Asian Pacific American programs for the Smithsonian Institution, and Shari Macias Wong, former reporter/anchor of WRC-TV (NBC) in Washington, D.C.

Present were broker-Realtor Jack Woodcock (Prudential Americana), Zoey Brown, LVAM board of trustees members Jan Allen, Joyce Mack and John Smith (De Luca Wine & Spirits), in addition to Dr. Wayne Tanaka and Mark and Virginia Martino (Brand Advertising). Joe Palermo, artist and former LVAM director whose retrospective is presently on display in an adjacent gallery, was among those supporting the evening.