Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Cancer institute’s benefit is quite a racquet

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, July 20, 2005 | 8:22 a.m.

"Racquets For Research," a tennis tournament to benefit Nevada Cancer Institute, was held this past weekend. Begun by friends as a tribute to cancer survivor Rob Kinas, the tournament drew 175 entrants and raised more than $25,000.

With matches played at Spanish Trail and Red Rock country clubs, the fundraiser also included a festive players party on Saturday evening.

Host for the family style party and exhibition matches was Jeff Foley, resident pro at Red Rock Country Club, who worked with Terri Weisbord and real estate agent Frank Grant (Kennedy Commercial), co-chairs of the tournament.

Kinas, partner in the law firm of Snell & Wilmer, is in remission from mantle cell lymphoma. An avid tennis player, he credits his many tennis friends and playing partners with helping his positive attitude remain strong as he battled cancer.

Participating on the courts and at the party were tennis teaching pros Sean Handy (Red Rock Country Club) and George Cantu (Spanish Oaks Tennis Club) in addition to well-ranked players including George Morrisey, former UNLV tennis team captain.

Others raising a racquet included Anne Kellogg, Ryan Wolfington (VegasTennis.com), Dr. Jeff Ng, Ken Lee, Mary Kinas, Judy Winred-Sutko and Alex Bayardo. Stopping by the party was Sandy Foley, director of the soon-to-open Stacey Darling Tennis Center.

Present from Nevada Cancer Institute were Dawn Russi and Heather Wu. Winning teams were Dennis Berlien and Robert Sjoholm (men's doubles) and Un-Hee Aptekar and Mie Kim Young (women's doubles).

Dr. Robert Strimling, the Monte Carlo Tennis Center and Las Vegas Country Club were among the sponsors. Aaron Lelah Jewelers created the silver signature tennis key chains sold at the tournament.

Aloha, Gustav

Chef-restaurateur Gustav Mauler and wife Denise (both of Spiedini) hosted an aloha party for close friend David Vail on Saturday at Gustav's Cigar Bar in the J.W. Marriott.

Vail, formerly of Perini Construction, accepted a new position with Kitchell Contractors on Kauai, Hawaii, and is returning to the islands after more than a dozen years in Las Vegas.

Guests for the luau-themed party included many of David and wife Mary Vail's fellow supporters of charitable endeavors in Southern Nevada. The Vails have taken leadership roles in running American Red Cross golf tournaments, the holiday food drive for the Salvation Army and establishment of Le Cordon Bleu Cooking School scholarships.

With their children Ashley and Sean, both students at UNLV, the couple will keep their home base (and charitable endeavors) in Las Vegas as Mary divides her time between Kauai and Nevada.

Seen in the throng of well-wishers were Joe and Alana Vassallo (Paragon Pools), Carol and John Tomasello, Virginia and Mark Martino (The Odyssey Lifestyle), John and Terry Daly ("Real TV"), Monica Stevens, Zak Johnston, Ryan Martin and Napoleon McCallum (former Los Angeles Raider) with wife Yvonne. Vail and McCallum are fellow graduates of the U.S. Naval Academy.

Sipping pina coladas and enjoying a tropic buffet were Vail's sister and brother-in-law Phyllis and Bill Suiter, joined by Barbara Nosek, Debbie Hall (Vegas Channel 35), Keith Schacherbauer, Ronnie Hand, Jeremy Fitzgerald, Toni Aguirre, Jerry Westbrook and Heidi Hayes with husband Ted Pretty.

Others stopping by the party were photographer Jerry Metellis, Brandy Lancaster, John Iannuzzi, Michael DeMartino, Diana and Andy Edelman, Lisa Barbarie and Trish and Chris Johnson.

Burton & Friends

Lance Burton, long known for his special interest in helping children, will present the "Lance Burton & Friends" benefit for Shriners on July 31. Performances by Burton, comedy-magician Fielding West, magician Nathan Burton, Drew & Angela Dicostanzo (aka DV8 Reality Magic) and puppeteer Anthony Rais with Totolino will take place at 5 p.m. in the Lance Burton Theatre at the Monte Carlo.

All monies raised from this special show will benefit the transportation fund of Zelzah Shrine Temple. Each year as clients of the Shriners in Las Vegas, several hundred children with medical problems are transported by coach buses with their parents to the Shriners Hospital in Los Angeles.

Ticket prices are $27.50 for balcony and $35 for the lower-level seating. To purchase tickets, call 382-5554 weekdays or stop by the Zelzah Shrine Temple office at 222 West Mesquite Ave., at Rancho Drive and Mesquite, just south of U.S. 95.