Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Dignitaries honored at annual benefit dinner

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, June 8, 2005 | 8:14 a.m.

Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson and Pat Shalmy were honored by the community for their work on behalf of the less fortunate at "An Evening of Change," a benefit dinner held at Bellagio on Saturday.

The event benefits the Lili Claire Family Resource Center at UNLV, created to help those born with neurogenetic disorders.

The evening began with a cocktail reception and auction supported by members of the film and television industry, among them Jason Alexander of "Seinfeld" and "Listen Up" fame, who once again served as emcee. Singer/songwriter Michael McDonald performed during the dinner.

Prior to the dinner Dr. Colleen Morris, who serves as medical director of the Lili Claire Family Resource Center and is pediatric geneticist at the University of Nevada School of Medicine, gave a short informational speech about the center.

Local guests were plentiful, including Bill Martin (Nevada State Bank) and wife Denise, Wally Goodman with Patrick Duffy, Patricia and Richard Wright, Louise Helton with Rich Gurrula, Brad Brennan with Tanya Anguay, Bud Cranor (city of Henderson) and wife Erin, and former Las Vegas Councilman Michael McDonald and fiancee Jennifer Simich. Also, Alan Morrell (Nordstrom) and partner Mike Genoshe were seen with Rodd Buckle, Lee and Jim Medick, Christian and Lara Kolberg, Mike and Beverly Mykisen, and Paula and Phil Scalzo.

Suzy Nagle (Tiffany & Co.) and Mike Solosky were heard discussing the after-hours Deborah Gibson performance at Tiffany's Bellagio store -- a special offering for gala attendees. Listening with interest were developer Jim Rhodes and wife Glynda, joined by their guests Bill and Renee Marion, Bob and Pam Coyle, Sandy and Bob Ellis, and Brad and Wendy Schnepf.

Purchasing special Tiffany keys for treasure-box opportunities during the concert were Robert and Tiffany Sparks and friends Mike Chernine, Tisha Black, Michelle and Chris LoBello, Kelly Vega and Realtor Vince Schettler.

The Lili Claire Life Skills Center operates from the Danny Gans Building at UNLV. Services include essential life skills training with vocational education programs, ongoing mentoring and job placement. With family members, clients also receive counseling, medical services and critical advocacy information.

'Feathered' friends

Invited guests, many of them longtime supporters, enjoyed an early look at the "Feathered Dinosaurs" national touring exhibit Thursday.

The evening reception at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum provided attendees the opportunity to meet exhibit curators Sylvia and Stephen Czerkas of the Dinosaur Museum in Blanding, Utah. The couple, introduced by Marilyn Gillespie (executive director of Las Vegas Natural History Museum), signed their illustrated book, "The Feathered Dinosaur," and spoke of the connection between birds and dinosaurs.

Earlier in the day, assisted by ventriloquist Ronn Lucas and his dragon dummy Scorch, the Czerkases participated in ribbon-cutting ceremonies for the prestigious exhibition.

Touring the exhibits of fossils, photos and historic footnotes was Las Vegas City Manager Doug Selby, with wife Susan, and their young children Matthew and Rachel. Nearby looking at the fossil footprints of birds from the Jurassic period were Art Wolf and wife Holly Chaffee, joined by Tim Cashman with his daughter Allie and Las Vegas Fire Chief David Washington.

In the mix were generous supporters including Jim Marsh, Angie Wallin, John Osborne, Lori Jackson, Harold Adler, Adele Zorne and Humberto Gonzalez. Assisting with the wine and cheese reception in the marine room were museum board president Matt Davidson and board member Stephanie Stallworth, along with Andrea Peterson, education and collections staffer.

"Feathered Dinosaurs" will remain on display through October at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum, 900 Las Vegas Blvd. North, adjacent to Cashman Field and next to the Old Mormon Fort. For more information, or to make group arrangements or meeting room reservations, call 384-3466 or go online to www.lvnhm.org.

Lavish launch

Michael and Susan Gusky hosted a lavish launch party at Wynn Las Vegas on Sunday for designer Pippo and his exquisite Pippo watches, and for the Michael Hero line of bejeweled home accessories.

Held in the stylish confines of the Penske/Wynn luxury auto showroom, the party was a rich blend of high-end design in contrast with the sleek lines of the Maseratis and Ferraris.

An army of uniformed servers wound through the crowd offering champagne and martinis to match the elegant menu of foie gras, lobster in mango salsa, prosciutto with melon and other delicacies. Host Michael Gusky, America's leading manufacturer of gold jewelry, who divides his time between homes in Florida and Las Vegas, genially greeted fellow vendors who filled our city for the International Gem and Jewelry Show.

Glimpsed in the crowd were Las Vegas residents Cheryl and Bert Purdue, Dr. Victor and Yolanda Muro, Robin Leach, Peggy Bostian with Lee Hatterberg, and Giana and Bucky Buchanan. Present as well were Las Vegans in the jewelry industry: Michael Pollack (owner, Hyde Park of Las Vegas), Fred and Rochelle Matraki (Fred Paris), Mary Forte (chief executive of Zales in Las Vegas) and Charlie Fieramosca (chief executive of Bailey, Banks & Biddle), joined by Jan Martin, Mark Udell, Tammi Alpert, Jill Garfinkle, Steve Pollachek and Deepak Alwani.

Guests departing from the exclusive party were given picture frames and desk accessories, each chosen from the Michael Hero line.

Sweet charity

Charity might never taste better than at the annual Black Tie Gala presented by the Food & Beverage Directors Association of Las Vegas on June 17 at Wynn Las Vegas.

Philanthropist-businesswoman Kitty Rodman will be recognized with the Autrui Award for outstanding contributions to the Las Vegas community. She will be joined in the spotlight by premiere chef-restaurateur Andre Rochat.

Splendid food and entertainment by headliner Rita Rudner are part of the evening to benefit the association's scholarship and educational training programs. Lloyd Wentzell is handling reservations. Call 794-9602.