Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2005 | 8:09 a.m.
More than 160 guests filled Stratosphere's Top of the World restaurant Jan. 31 for "Sippin' Sarsaparillas at the Stratosphere," a luncheon event presented by the Junior League of Las Vegas.
Co-chaired by Lisa Sheehan, Junior League special event chairwoman, and Monterey Brookman, who also serves as 2005 gala chairman, the sold-out event served as a preview to Junior League's 2005 gala, "Centennial of Extraordinary Women," slated for April 2 at the MGM Conference Center.
The event, an occasion to celebrate Las Vegas' centennial, also recognized Nevada's present and past first ladies -- Dema Guinn, Sandy Miller and Bonnie Bryan.
President-elect/attorney Tammy Petersen with Lisa Vargas (Technology International) discussed Vargas' efforts to secure special items through her work as silent-auction chairman of the gala. Together they greeted arrivals, including Cynthia Portaro and her mother, Jean Bantangelo, Kelly Fain, MaryAnn Hantout, Amber Quisenberry, Sally Bigford Golembiewski (Quest Diagnostics), Evi Morita and Louise Faure (San Remo).
Also attending were past presidents Nancy Gasho, Deede Nave, Adele Koot, Deni Conrad, Christine Amerine and Jan Allen.
Sheehan arranged for Cili, the restaurant she manages at Bali Hai Golf Club, to underwrite the champagne and mimosas for the luncheon, as well as the too-tempting blueberry martinis, a signature drink created by Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada for the April 2 gala.
Kahren Bellamy of Kiehl's at the Forum Shops at Caesars, attending with Jennifer Schmidt and her mother, Lisa Windom, was complimented on the packet of Kiehl's skin-care products given to each guest. Bryan, who will be honored at the gala, was seen receiving best wishes from Laurie Porter, wife of Rep. Jon Porter, and Rep. Shelley Berkley, joined by Ron Richardson (Ballerina Enterprises) with his new bride, Sinni, and special guests Kitty Rodman and Claudine Williams.
Denyce Tuller, Realtor Jaymie Morris (CB Richard Ellis), her mother, Vivienne Morris, Bobbie Gang, Sandee Tiberti, Mitch Fox (KLVX Channel 10), Dr. Jeffrey Brookman, former Gov. Bob Miller, Joe Vargas, Betsy Rhodes, Sara Besser and Margee Johnson were among those who viewed the photographs of gowns worn by Nevada's first ladies for their inaugural balls.
The photographs are on display at the Nevada State Museum in Carson City.
The formal program began with the arrival of a U.S. Marine Color Guard and remarks from Erica Mayer, president of the Junior League of Las Vegas. Commentary by Bryan, Sandy Miller and Guinn included memories of past years in Las Vegas and a review of Junior League's 50-plus years of service to the community and state.
Junior League's efforts include KLVX Channel 10's "Ready to Learn," community and educational grants, passage of the Safe Haven Law, holiday outreach to underprivileged children, service to homeless children and ongoing involvement to assist Ronald McDonald House, HELP of Southern Nevada, historical preservation, Street Teens and other agencies who work with children.
'Rose' smells sweet
St. Rose Dominican Health Foundation presented its 48th annual Mardi Gras on Saturday at Bellagio. The event was a benefit dinner and dance to help fund medical outreach and prevention efforts.
Themed "A Rose By Any Other Name," the evening drew upon the support of the Utah Shakespearean Festival and Nevada Ballet Theatre for richly costumed entertainment during the festive cocktail hour.
John Kish was selected for 2005 honors in gratitude for his decades of service and support, while Dr. Randal Peoples of Las Vegas Neurosurgery, Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation was recognized for his efforts to bring another dimension of care to the St. Rose Siena campus.
Attendees Phil and Maureen Peckman (American Nevada Company), attorney Gerald and Yvonne Gordon, Selma Bartlett (BankWest of Nevada), Brad Brennan (Commander's Palace) with Tanya Anguay, developer Jim Rhodes, Brad and Pat Nelson (Lake Las Vegas) and Walter and Hanan Drew were among those enjoying the program led by emcee John O'Reilly.
Attorney Paul Carelli and wife Sharon (St. Rose Dominican), Kitty and Ron Boeddeker (Lake Las Vegas), Debbie Pavlick, Ted and Maria Quirk, and Hugh and Denise Anderson (Merrill Lynch) were among those applauding a $100,000 check from the John C. Kish Foundation.
Developers Rich and Claire MacDonald further surprised the crowd in similarly generous fashion by contributing a prime building lot at Dragonridge Country Club. The lot will be auctioned this year as a gift to the St. Rose Foundation.
A superb meal, with wines provided by Dr. J. Paul Wiesner, was enjoyed while guests danced between courses to the jazz music of Harbor Lights. Many bid and then bid again on a rolling stream of auction items shown on the large video monitors by the use of special Samsung telephones at each table.
Christian Kolberg (Reynolds Foundation) had the attention of all as he led the live auction of jewels and gems provided by M.J. Christensen's Jewelers, luxurious trips, a year's worth of Krispy Kreme donuts and Marie Callender pies, and "Rose Blanc," a painting from Blue- stone Gallery.
Jay Barrett (Marnell Corrao), attorney Richard and Patricia Wright, Laura Fritz (St. Rose Foundation), Heather Ramirez (Shade Tree Shelter), Barbara Wood (University of Southern Nevada) and Jim and Judy Kropid enjoyed the evening, as did Father Bill Kenny (Christ the King Catholic Church), Dr. Richard Minnear and wife Margaret McMillan (Sprint), Jim and Marlene Peoples with son James, Dr. Laurie Larsen with Dr. Michael Rosenberg, Michael Leshan (Tom James Clothiers) and Mampre and Sandy Minci (DaMinci Jewelers at Montelago Village).
In tribute
Few events have had such orchestrated launchings as the committee luncheon assembled for the Las Vegas Philharmonic's tribute dinner slated for April l at the Venetian. Recognizing longtime Las Vegas Philharmonic board member Lynn Weidner and her husband, Bill, the evening will benefit the Philharmonic's educational outreach and youth concert series, endeavors serving more than 15,000 local children yearly.
Held at Bouchon, Thomas Keller's garden restaurant atop the Venetiza Tower at the Venetian, and hosted by Lynn, the luncheon drew dinner committee members Susan Molasky, Libby Bjerke, Sue Lowden, Vivica Marshall, Jodi Fonfa and Gloria Fine, as well as Bill Freyd with Diana Carlson, Sharon Bader Jenkins and Connie Schellerup.
Present as well with ideas aplenty were Richard Kaufman, Lee Medick, Marilyn LaRocque, Wendy Plaster and Sheila Beaton. Mari Landers of Saks Fifth Avenue, sponsor of the April l gala, is already deep in the planning of the fashion component of the evening, which will feature designer Carolina Herrera.
Bill Marion (Purdue & Marion) led the discussion of fundraising details and announced table sponsorships by contributors Lou Emmert (Sprint), Marianne Steelman, George Mehocic, Doris Lee, Jan Jones, Jeanne Greenawalt, Madeleine and Don Andress.
Advance details and reservations are available by contacting Philip Koslow of the Las Vegas Philharmonic at 258-5438, ext. 223.
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