Wednesday, July 13, 2005 | 8:23 a.m.
"Best of Show," held Sunday at the Orleans Arena and presented by the Lied Animal Foundation, was a showcase for 110 shelter dogs available for adoption at Lied Animal Shelter.
Judged by certified American Kennel Club (AKC) professionals and emceed with humor by Steve Schorr (Cox Communications) and John Fredericks (KVBC Channel 3 meterologist), the dog show was a charming affair for animal lovers of all ages.
Frankie Scinta of "The Scintas" sang the national anthem and led his tiny dog, Buddy Luv, a shelter pet he adopted last year, through a series of tricks.
A pre-show brunch in the arena's meeting rooms found Tom and Marilyn Starks, comedian Cork Proctor, Wally Goodman, Patrick Duffy, Toni Reiser, University Regent Thalia Dondero, Jason Smith, Mike Hiatt, Ron Wade, Ben and Heidi Speidel, Bonnie and Frank Martin, Joel and Maria Bergman, and Dave Kirvin with his children, Emily and Jack, in the crowd.
Volunteers were many, with Laura Fritz, Charles Schafer and Animal Foundation board member Lisa Flake serving as handlers in the show ring. Dogs were placed in groupings labeled small, medium and large, and offered for adoption at the end of the show, with longtime Animal Foundation benefactors Marilyn and Mel Larson and Marlene and Andy Wheeler joining those clamoring to adopt the adorable pooches, both purebred and mixed breed.
Table sponsors and their guests included Tim and Sharry Quillin (Q Advertising & Public Relations) with Estie and Glen MacAlister, Nim and Robin Vaswani, Pam Callahan, Ann Lally, and Tony and Linda Bonnici.
Others sponsoring tables included Debra Myers, Joanne Lucia, Mark Fierro, Bob and Diane Orgill, the Longworth family (Daniel, Hannah, Michele and Tucker), Michaelina Zavala, Wolfgang Puck Dining Group, Tate Snyder Kimsey Architects, and Siegfried & Roy, who sent a selection of their 13 shelter rescued pets for a special part in the afternoon program.
Proceeds from "Best of Show" will benefit the animals at Lied Animal Foundation -- designated as the regional shelter as of June l. Expansion of the facility on Mojave Road, just north of Bonanza, is under way.
Underwriters are needed for the construction of a large animal barn, pet hospital and wellness center in addition to more shelter bungalows for cats and dogs. For information call 384-3333.
Shaking it up
The cultural bridge connecting Las Vegas and the Utah Shakespearean Festival in Cedar City grows stronger each year. Celebrating this progression was Saturday's meeting of the festival's Board of Governors with the installation of incoming chair Dr. Allen Anes, a Las Vegas physician.
One of five yearly meetings, Saturday's gathering was prefaced by the Utah Shakespearean Festival's annual garden party and fundraiser, "Midsummer Magic."
Driving to Cedar City for the festivities and meeting were other Las Vegas residents serving with the Board of Governors: Michael Ballard, Thomas A. Thomas, Brock Fraser, Gerald Molen and Nancy Slitz.
Attending with them were Las Vegas friends and family, among them Ed LePere (manager, Lawry's the Prime Rib) and wife Julie, Ann Bersi (Clark County assistant district attorney), Robin Ballard and daughter Brianna, Barbara Brock, John Slitz (IBM), Melinda and Brian Ashton, Father Bill Kenny, Leslie Thomas, and Eileen Anes with daughter and son-in-law Jessica and Dr. David Kartzinel (also a Las Vegas physician).
Edythe Katz Yarchever, an emeritus member of the Board of Governors, attended with husband Judge Gil Yarchever. Proceeds from the garden party will assist with Shakespeare-in-the-Schools, the festival's ongoing educational outreach program that served 60,000 students last year, including those enrolled in Clark County schools.
While in Cedar City, many enjoyed performances of "A Midsummer Night's Dream," "Camelot" and "Doctor Faustus," three of the six productions offered through Sept. 3. Working with the Utah Shakespearean Festival for the summer season are Las Vegans Phil Hubbard (chair of the UNLV theatre department) and Michael Sharon (a former performer in Bally's "Jubilee"), musician Chad Ryan Baker (son of Doug Baker of the CCSN theatre department), stage manager Jamie Sullivan and scenic artist Michelle Bisbee.
For information on the summer plays and the fall 2005 season, call 1-800-PLAYTIX or go to www.bard.org.
Alliance at Texas
A Monday luncheon at Texas Station was the inaugural membership event for the Nevada Tourism Alliance (NTA). Organized to create a statewide partnership between hotel/gaming industry leaders, it also embraces the vendors, suppliers and other businesses and organizations that have an interest in the continuing economic success of gaming and tourism in Nevada.
Co-chaired by founders Larry Ruvo of Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada and former Gov. Bob Miller, the NTA appointed Van Heffner as chief executive on June l.
Attended by nearly 100 industry executives, the luncheon was hosted by Station Casinos with welcoming remarks by Melissa Nelson. A champagne reception with passed hors d'oeuvres and entertainment by a classical strings quartet were part of the gracious affair in the Houston ballroom.
In the crowd were architect Domingo Cambeiro, Tom Kaplan (Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group), Pat Shalmy (Nevada Power), John Unwin (Caesars Palace) and Gina Cinque (Royal Resort) who enjoyed the chance to mingle with other members.
Lawrence Brown (Renaissance Las Vegas), who later spoke of his company's five-year committment to the Kids' Cafe program for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas, which feeds 250 children a day, was seen with Rene Merritt (Young Electric Sign Company) and Rick DiMartino (Nevada Tourism Alliance).
Introduced by Bill Bible, president of the Nevada Resort Association, was keynote speaker state Sen. Randolph Townsend, who gave an overview on the 2005 Legislative session. In the audience were Paul Santoncito (Circe Inc.), Gina Polovina (Boyd Gaming), Nevada Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins, Dan Harper (Harbor Linen), Alejandro Alvarez (Don Alejandro's Restaurant) and Brian Harris (Lionel, Sawyer & Collins).
Harrah's headliner Clint Holmes also appeared and performed "LV," a song co-written by Holmes and Pat Caddick. Luncheon guests received CDs of this favorite Centennial song.
NTA will offer educational seminars, industry forums and professional training sessions statewide. For information call 878-8660.
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