Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: ‘Salute to Heroes’ gets healthy show of support

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2005 | 8:17 a.m.

"A Salute to Heroes," the theme for the American Heart Association's 2005 Heart of Gold Ball, was presented Saturday at Caesars Palace by co-chairs Steve Schorr (Cox Communications Group) and cardiologist Dr. Robert Shiroff.

Wayne Newton and his wife, Kathleen, served as honorary co-chairs. Rose-themed and romantic by design, the well-planned dinner and dance is the organization's largest annual benefit, with proceeds funding community outreach health support and educational efforts to combat heart disease, the leading cause of death for both men and women in our community.

Janet Linder, newly appointed executive director, and her husband, Steve Linder (HSBC), were seen greeting past Heart of Gold honorees, among them Dr. Jerry Routh and wife Cheryl, Bonnie Mattern, R.N., Dr. Joseph Kaufman, Sean Youmens (on behalf of Larry Ruvo for Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada), Gina Polovina (Boyd Gaming) and Dr. Randy Feikes in honor of his father, the late Dr. Harold Feikes, to name just a few.

Judy Kropid, a past Heart of Gold chairman on more than one occasion, and her husband, Jim, gave best wishes to Steve Schorr, for whom a new elementary school will be named, and his wife, Hollie.

Nearby, Myron Martin and his wife, Jan, were part of Dr. Keith Boman's festive table, where talk centered on the progress of the new Performing Arts Center. Joining the talks and toasts were banker Randy Campanella and bride Karen, Dr. Judi Steele (Clark County Public Education Foundation) and Bob Forbuss.

Sponsors were plentiful at the event. Ann Lynch (HCA), Mark Howard (Mountain View Hospital), Brian Robinson (Sunrise Hospital), Gary Thompson (Harrah's Entertainment) and Linda Bernstein (Boyd Gaming Group) with her husband, Jeff, were among those saluting Cardiovascular Consultants of Nevada as their colleague, Dr. John Bedotto, was awarded the evening's top honor: the 2005 Heart of Gold award.

Glimpsed in the ballroom as they enjoyed the evening were Dr. Walter Schroeder, Realtor Kevin Buckley with his brother Brian and sister-in-law, Susan, Margaret McMillan (Sprint) with husband Dr. Richard Minnear and former Lt. Gov. Dr. Lonnie Hammargren, who was table-hopping between the dinner courses and speaking of a return to politics.

A side note about co-chairmen Schorr and Shiroff: The two are patient and physician. Schorr is a three-time heart attack survivor, while Shiroff is a past Heart of Gold honoree and longtime Heart Association supporter.

Agassi legacy

The tennis community of Las Vegas and beyond gathered at the Stirling Club at Turnberry Place on Monday evening for "A Night to Remember," an evening to celebrate the life and accomplishments of Las Vegan Mike Agassi and to unveil his book, "The Agassi Story" (ECW Press).

Sponsored by Winnie and Bob Schulman (founders of the Nate Schulman Masters Series for juniors) with Ryan Wolfington of VegasTennis.com and Marty Hennesy, pro in residence at the Stirling Club and founder of the Marty Hennesy Junior Tennis Foundation, the occasion filled the club's elegant dining room with a crowd of more than 300 attendees.

Celebrated supporters included Hennesy's friends and fellow tennis fanatics Tony Bennett and Clint Holmes, in addition to comic and Turnberry Place resident Rita Rudner.

Suspended above the room were sepia-tinted photos of Hennesy and Agassi with their students, children and favorite players. Auction items included tennis camps for all ages at Vic Braden's Utah location as well as Nick Bollettieri's Florida campus, the chance for a series of lessons with the city's leading pros and an exceptional trip to the 2006 Masters Cup in Shanghai.

In the crowd were many fine young players who were recognized, including Jonathan Ribaste, a sophomore at Bonanza High School, who was presented with "The Will" award.

Ribaste attended with his grandparents, Lem and Debbie Banker, and mother Blaine Banker. Seen with friends at the elegant affair were Elaine Newton, Realtor Scott Karosa (Tristar Management), Ann Payne, Dr. Neville and Esther Pokroy, George McCall (World Team Tennis/McCall Youth Tennis Foundation), Edward and Eleanore Doumani (Majestic Tower), City Councilman Larry Brown, Helen and Chip Johnson, Tom Brooker, John and Dana Goyak, Betty Agassi, Dr. Jerry and Kelly Boyer, Dr. Martin Schwartz and his wife, Realtor Phyllis Schwartz, and County Commissioner Lynette Boggs McDonald.

Dinner, presented with style by Wild Truffles, Fellini's and Piero's, preceded the program. Proceeds from this event will fund local juniors players, assisting with costs for lessons, equipment, clothing, tournament fees and travel.

Lily Chu and husband Aaron, who announced during the evening program that they are returning to live in Shanghai, provided each attending guest with copies of Agassi's book as their gift to Las Vegas tennis devotees.

Dynamic duo

Nevada Women's History Project presented a special program in honor of Black History Month during its Feb. 19 luncheon at the Golden Steer.

Honored guests who served as the luncheon speakers were D.D. Cotton and Dee Dee Jasmin. Entertainers in the 1950s, the two provided a rich background and insightful commentary to their experiences in both Las Vegas and New York.

Jasmin danced at the Moulin Rouge in Las Vegas in addition to appearing in stage show spectaculars at the Sands and Dunes hotels. Cotton, who had a successful run in shows at the fabled Cotton Club, was also the first black card dealer at Caesars Palace. Giving a special punch to their speeches was the richness of memorabilia they shared with attending women at Saturday's luncheon.

Listening attentively to the program were members and guests, including Pat McNutt, Mary Gafford, Persia Golden, Sue Lynch, Edythe Katz-Yarchever, Joan LeMere, Bernice Fisher, Su Kim Chung, Kaye Gray, Dr. Jean Migliorato, Cynthia Steele, Anne Reck and Leslie Tray Hammer.

Bouchon turns 1

Anniversaries are like fine wine -- best when shared with those you love and appreciate. Feb. 15 marked the first anniversary of Bouchon, the delectable eatery created by entrepreneur/Chef Thomas Keller at the Venetian.

Bouchon recently was host to the splendid "Think Pink" dinner, part of the three days of international festivities to bring attention to breast cancer and the need for research funding, that found the Venetian drenched in pink light. Keller recently contributed a special dinner and autographed cookbook to be among the treasures auctioned at the Junior League of Las Vegas' gala April 2, an event chaired by Monterey Brookman.

Positioned within exquisite gardens created atop the Venezia Tower, this restaurant has created a most loyal following among locals and visitors alike. Remarkably balmy skies prevailed that evening, allowing Keller to sit at a garden table adorned with flowers sent from patrons Dr. Jeffrey and Monterey Brookman and autograph his new cookbook, "Bouchon."

Sipping favorite wines and eating delectables fresh from the Bouchon kitchens were a select crowd of nearly 200 Las Vegas notables, among them Darlene Ensign (wife of Sen. John Ensign), Mark and Jacqueline Juliano (Caesars Palace), pharmacist Chuck Carlson (MGI Pharmaceuticals), Lisa Vargas, Amber Quisenberry, Robin Leach, Mario Gonzalez (AquaKnox), Kimberly Gora (Spago) and Luciano Pellegrini (Valentino/Giorgio Caffe).

Ruvo was among those enjoying the special Bouchon celebration cocktails, joined by Nicolas Kurban, the eatery's operations manager, and his wife, Deborah, Matt Dickerson (Postrio), Tom Kaplan (Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group) and Laura Cunningham.