Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Black & White Ball a well-attended success

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2005 | 8:18 a.m.

More than 900 guests attended Nevada Ballet Theatre's Black & White Ball at Caesars Palace on Saturday.

The festivities for Diamond-level supporters ($25,000) began with a private meet-and-greet party with Ann-Margret, NBT's 2005 Woman of the Year, in one of Caesars' lush penthouse suites.

At the entrance of the penthouse, Mark and Jacqueline Juliano (Caesars Palace) stood with Howard Warnock and Mariam Afshai (both of Cartier) and NBT President Wendy Plaster (Signature Homes) to welcome fellow corporate sponsor Jay Kornmayer (Wells Fargo) and his wife, Tamara.

Enjoying the spacious feel of the suite and adjoining terraces were Jerry and Lou Emmert (Sprint), Don and Dee Snyder (Boyd Gaming), architect Joel Bergman (Bergman Walls & Associates), Sharon and Norm Jenkins, Steve and Hollie Schorr (Cox Communications), Toni and Victor Chaltiel and Nancy and J.K. Houssels.

Present as well was Corinne Sidney, widow of the late Hollywood director George Sidney. She attended with Dwight Blocker Bowers, historian of performing arts at the Smithsonian Institution, and together they celebrated Mrs. Sidney's gift to the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History of her husband's priceless collection of film, photos, scripts, costumes and props.

Phyllis McGuire, a past NBT Woman of the Year honoree, who later appeared onstage as part of the tribute program, was among those seen discussing stage and film roles with Ann-Margret.

Others supporting this evening to benefit NBT's annual season of stage performances and educational outreach included Rudy and Sharyn Prieto (Las Vegas Hilton), Mike and Sandy Mecca (Aladdin/Planet Hollywood), Alan Morrell (Nordstrom), attorney Richard and Patricia Wright, Terry Wright (Nevada Title) and newly elected state Sen. Joe Heck and his wife, Lisa.

Carolyn Sparks, vice president of the NBT board, attended with Tom Durand and was seen in the throng with Dr. Keith Boman, attorney Eric Blank, Mari and Thom Landers (Saks Fifth Avenue) and David Matthews and wife Jacque Matthews, who just joined the CCSN Foundation.

Edward and Eleanore Doumani, developers of Majestic Tower condos (across from the Stardust, north of Wynn Las Vegas), were seen with Drs. Ted and Parvin Modaber Jacobs, Sandy and R.J. Peltyn, Diana Bennett, past NBT honoree Jeanne Hood and Beverly and Mike Mykisen.

In the richly dressed crowd were Walter and Hanan Drew, who reside in the remarkable White House mansion in Green Valley Estates, as well as Dr. Al and Linda Dushman, Denise and Michael Severino (Southern Wine & Spirits of Southern Nevada), retired Gen. Billy and Linda McCoy, architect Bill and Rene Hassenzahl and Vincent and Lana Desimone.

A gourmet dinner and fine wines were served in gracious fashion, allowing many couples to enjoy the chance to dance between the four delectable courses. Dancers from Nevada Ballet Theatre provided a graceful program prior to the tribute by celebrities and friends in recognition of Ann-Margret's successful film, television and stage career.

White goes red

Bringing more than fun and games to the taping at the Las Vegas Hilton of three weeks of episodes were the cast and crew of "Wheel of Fortune."

In particular, Vanna White used her Las Vegas stay to help promote Go Red -- the American Heart Association's heart health program targeting women. During breaks in taping, White, who is following her late mother's example as a volunteer for the American Heart Association, spoke to the studio audience of being an informal spokeswoman concerned with the dangers of smoking and the need to exercise.

Bright red dresses to emphasize this effort were selected for the Las Vegas shows, slated to run during Sweethearts Week, Feb. 7-11.

Crew members wore red wrist bands supplied by Bayer Aspirin on behalf of Go Red, while audience members were provided enameled pins in the shape of a red dress, to wear in support of the heart campaign.

Delivering the pins to Vanna and host Pat Sajak were Patricia Shridan and Brian Stoddart of the local American Heart Association offices. They also discussed the annual Heart of Gold Ball: A Salute to Heroes, a benefit to assist in the work of the American Heart Association education efforts, to be held at Caesars Palace on Feb. 19. For details, call 367-1366.