Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: League sets records with Heritage fundraiser

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, June 1, 2005 | 8:22 a.m.

Setting records for funds raised and guests attending, the 2005 American Heritage Dinner on Thursday raised more than $1 million as an audience of more than 700 attended.

Hosted at Caesars Palace by the Anti-Defamation League's Nevada Regional Office, the glittering event honored Las Vegas Sun Publisher Barbara Greenspun with ADL's Americanism Award, in recognition of her lifetime efforts. Elie Wiesel, 1986 Nobel Prize for Peace winner and friend of the Greenspun family since the 1950s, was keynote speaker for the dinner.

ADL works worldwide to fight hate, bigotry and discrimination in all forms. Its "No Place for Hate" campaign will work across communities and in schools to teach diversity and tolerance.

ADL's ongoing efforts include training for Metro Police, FBI and Nellis Air Force Base personnel, involving more than 500 individuals in Southern Nevada last year. ADL also continues to monitor white supremacist and other extremist groups.

Elizabeth Ackerman and Cari Marshall were event co-chairs. Sheldon and Dr. Miriam Adelson, Burton and Linda Cohen and Arthur and Jayn Marshall served as dinner co-chairs.

Arriving guests, welcomed to an opening reception, were also provided photo opportunities with Greenspun and Wiesel, among them Dr. Neville and Esther Pokroy, Herb and Irene Kaufman, Commissioner Myrna Williams, Tom and Marla Letizia, Irwin and Susan Molasky, Kenny Epstein, Camille and Larry Ruvo and Bernie Yuman.

Others mixed and mingled with friends while sampling the speciality cocktails -- with enchanting names such as "Lady Jane" and "Baby Doll" -- created for this special occasion.

Seen in the throng of supporters were Rep. Shelley Berkley with husband Dr. Larry Lehrner, George Maloof, Vivica Marshall, Brad and Pat Nelson with Kitty and Ron Boeddeker, Joe and Heather Ham, Jerry Gordon, Jeff and Carol Silver, Joyce Mack, Sheryl Kogan, Dr. Brian and Suzanne Cram, Sandy Peltyn, Troy and Selma Bartlett, Stephen Molasky and Dr. Randal Peoples.

Pleased to be included as well in this Las Vegas-style social evening was Philip Pumerantz, president of the Western University of Health Sciences (Pomona, Calif.), with his provost, Ben Cohen, and other key executives.

Seated with friends for the dinner were Phyllis Schwartz, Rachel Kanter, Charlotte Hill, Zoe Brown, Eric Polis, Frances and Mac MacDonald and Joanie Akselrad, joined by Rabbi Sanford Akselrad, who gave the "ha-motzi," the pre-dinner blessing.

Taking leading positions in the lengthy program were Judge Michael Cherry (Regional ADL chair), Abraham Foxman (National ADL director) and Brian Greenspun (president and editor of the Las Vegas Sun), who represented the entire family in this evening of honor for his mother.

Others present for the occasion included Scott Stohlberg (president of Congregation Ner Tamid) and wife Sandy, Siegfried Fischbacher, Kitty Rodman, Claudine Williams, Sheriff Bill Young, Judge Mark and Alice Denton and Commissioner Rory Reid.

Included in the tributes of the evening was an engaging video filled with best wishes and commentary by family members, former President Clinton and other dear friends.

Hospice support

Hundreds of Las Vegas' elite came out in support of the Nathan Adelson Hospice during a "Passion for Fashion" benefit event Wednesday at the Rancho Circle home of Phyllis McGuire.

Nathan Adelson Hospice serves as Southern Nevada's only nonprofit hospice, providing patients and their loved ones with comprehensive end-of-life care.

The fashionable evening, co-chaired by Marcelle Frey and Trina Pascal, featured 200 pieces of McGuire's meticulously maintained haute couture collection. Prominent among the gowns and ensembles exhibited were superior examples of the genius of Coco Chanel, Galanos, Bill Blass, Halston, Givenchy, Valentino, Oscar de la Renta and more.

Special display space was given the gowns created for Phyllis and sisters Dorothy and Christine by noted film and entertainment designers Edith Head and Bob Mackie.

The hospice's legion of supporters include many Las Vegas notables who attended the event, among them Caesars Palace President Marc Juliano and wife Jacqueline, Dale Wynn, Jodi Fonfa, Anne Yendrek Schadler, Cheryl Purdue, Robin Brooks Townsend, Terri Sturm, Sharon and Norm Jenkins and Cathy Haase.

Hospice founder Irwin Molasky and wife Susan, both tireless workers on this philanthropic endeavor, were seen with Tony and Jill Curtis, Roger Thomas (Wynn Las Vegas), Steve Lawrence and Bill Acosta.

Performing during the evening was Russian-born opera singer Marina Poplavskaya in her first Las Vegas appearance. Serving a catered dinner were staff from Wolfgang Puck's Spago.

Touring the gracefully displayed collection in the McGuire home was Frank Schreck with Linda Lee, Thom and Mari Landers, Mariam Afshai, Jane Schorr, Diane Bigelow, Lynn Wiesner, Lottie Polis and McGuire's neighbors Joy Bell and Nancy Houssels. The party spread out to the terrace and gardens where "Pucci Pink" and "Coco Chanel" martinis and "Sugar Time" mint juleps were served.

Enjoying the balmy night were Marci Seltzer, Liz Goodman, Suzy Nagle with Sora Galinato, Wendy and Richard Plaster with their family, Marilyn Moran, and Monique Frey with daughter Jordan.

On hand to answer questions on fabric preservation and the craftsmanship of the couture clothing was Jan Rude (JR Visuals), a special consultant who assisted with the exhibition.

Departing guests received a fashion retrospective of McGuire's collection courtesy of Bil Edwards and Big3 Records.