Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Women of distinction honored at gala

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, March 30, 2005 | 8:32 a.m.

The Southern Nevada chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) hosted its 7th annual Women of Distinction Awards dinner on March 12 at the Rio Pavilion Convention Center.

Attended by more than 600 members, colleagues and supporters, the event again generated funds to assist the Women's Development Center, an agency working to end poverty by helping women and their families reach self-sufficiency.

The program, led with great enthusiasm by Southern Nevada NAWBO President Betty Mahalik and event chairwoman Kathy Gillespie (A&B Printing), recognized 14 business leaders: Carole Carter (gaming), Toni Chaltiel (philanthropy), Cynthia Cicero (minority women business advocate), Diane Conant (accounting), Paula Francis (community service), Louise Helton (education), Dr. Florence Jameson (medicine), Jeanne Richard Jones (entrepreneur), Myrna Kingham (real estate), Marla Letizia (communications), District Court Judge Sally Loehrer (law), Kathy Maynor (banking), Valerie Moon (convention services) and Susan Philipp (construction and development).

Receiving the Glass Ceiling award was Kara Kelley, president and chief executive of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, while La Sonia Samuel Maxey (Citibank West) was selected for the Rising Star award.

Among the supporters in attendance were Barbara Lee and Bruce Woollen (Art de Vignettes), Karen Gordon (Activity Planners), Virginia Thompson and Mark Martino (Brand Advertising/Las Vegas Wine Odyssey), Tai and Bob Walsh, Steve Brookman, Howard Winters, and James Woodrow and Michele Tell (Preferred Public Relations and Marketing) with Tom Letizia.

Also spotted were Laura Cyr, Jill Flanzraich, Tim Huskinson, Jennifer Hedden (Brighton Collectibles), Dr. Leon and Faye Steinberg with Harry Ferris (Nevada Ballet Theatre), and Ruth Urban (the Urban Group) who served as the 2004 chairman of the Women of Distinction dinner.

Impresario Circle

Opera Las Vegas and its newly formed organization of supporters, the Impresario Circle, presented a splendid Irish tea at the Four Seasons on St. Patrick's Day.

Guests, among them Isabel Pfeifer, Stephanie Markum, Betsy Rhodes, Kathy Slaughter, Dr. James and Sandy Frank and Rose Dominguez, were greeted by Opera Las Vegas President Joyce La Grange, board secretary Alvida Lane and music director Michael Canales.

Sondra Lynch Mann with Florence "Floss" Schumacher and Gayle Anderson jointly planned the afternoon event.

Relaxing with tea, champagne and delectables that included scones and tiny tea sandwiches were Opera Las Vegas members Sally Wathen (Judith Leiber), Sandy Peltyn, Margie Conway, Monica Wiesemann, Gwen Den Dooven, Lia Roberts and Mike and Beverly Mykisen.

Gloria Allen, founder-artistic director, was seen with Lynda Shore and Joan Dimmett, joined by Katie Cristina Scartezini and Sherial Bratcher. Robert Tota gave a splendid musical performance at the tea, with music from "Don Giovanni," "Cosi fan Tutte" and "Man of La Mancha."

For details on future events, including a schedule of elegant soirees and opera productions, call 435-5585.

NPR anniversary

Boyd Gaming Corp. and Bill Boyd were honored by Nevada Public Radio (KNPR/KCNV) on March 19 during that station's 25th anniversary festivities at Sam's Town. The dinner-dance, co-chaired by Gina Polovina (Boyd Gaming) and Terri Sturm (Territory Inc.), was held in Sam's Town Live -- the entertainment venue occupying land originally used for 18 years by the original KNPR broadcast center, an arrangement made possible by the generosity of benefactor Bill Boyd of Boyd Gaming Corp.

Prior to the dinner program guests were ushered into a spacious tent for an extraordinary wine-tasting arranged by Nevada Public Radio board member Christopher Murray and wine expert Gil Lempert-Schwartz, with sponsorship by Diageo Chateau and Estate Wines.

Those pouring the fine vintages included Nevada Public Radio founder-president Lamar Marchese, National Public Radio President Kevin Klose (the evening's keynote speaker) and board chairman Mickey Roemer (Bally's Gaming), as well as David and Diane Cabral, Tom Groebe (U.S. Bank) and past chairman Patrick Chapin with Mandy Fetters.

In the swirl of attending supporters were Bill and Mary Laub, with son Bill Jr., joined by Helene Follmer, Naomi Papworth, Stan and Dorothy Bokelman and Mary Ellen Gallagher, who were greeted by Valerie and Scott Freshwater.

Peg Crockett was seen with friends Dr. Bob and Betty Robinson, Ginette Jaramillo, Jewel Brooks, Dick and Norma Land and Owen and Jan Nitz, while nearby Larry and Heidi Canarelli visited with Ed and Linda Lubbers and Denise Anderson (Floral Essence) and husband Hugh Anderson.

Taking a lively interest in the program (led by emcee Mac King) and the live auction were Sandee and Tito Tiberti with Michael and Sonja Saltman. Robert and Marcelle Frey added a surprise to the auction when they offered a VIP package to opening night for their new Pussycat Dolls lounge at Caesars Palace, a bargain at $1,600 purchased by attorney Bucky Buchanan for his wife, Giana.

Others adding to the excitement of the auction were Abigail and Milton Schwartz, Terry and Ann Marshall, Mark and Sara Ricciardi with Robert and Judy Mirisch (2nd Chance Foundation), Anita Murray, and Marilyn Gubler (Sandy Valley Ranch) with Scott Griesman.

Lion of Judah

Dr. Deborah E. Lipstadt will speak at the Lion of Judah luncheon at Bouchon in the elegant Venezia Tower at the Venetian on Thursday.

A noted scholar of Jewish Studies at Emory University, Lipstadt authored a history of the Holocaust denial movement in 1993, setting into motion a five-year legal battle with writer David Irving, a prominent spokesman for the denial movement.

Her experiences as defendant in the libel case and the writing of her book "History on Trial: My Day in Court with David Irving" will be centerpoint to her speech.

Presented by Jewish Federation of Las Vegas/United Jewish Community: Women's Philanthrophy, the luncheon is co-chaired by Margaret Maul, Faye Steinberg, Rachel Ventura and Sandra White with Dr. Miriam Adelson serving as honorary chairwoman.

Reservations are a must. Call 732-0556.