Wednesday, May 25, 2005 | 8:20 a.m.
Delegates attending last week's American Institute of Architects conference were given a royal welcome by Steve Wynn and architect Tony Marnell at a private reception held Thursday at Wynn Las Vegas.
The trade show and professional conference drew more than 25,000 visitors and was coordinated by the AIA-Las Vegas chapter, with Las Vegas architect Brad Schultz as conference chair, assisted by AIA-Las Vegas chapter president Robert Fielden and executive director Randi Lavigne. (It was the smallest AIA chapter to ever host the conference.)
Held in La Bete Night Club, the reception gave locals and visitors alike an opportunity to enjoy the elegant club, which offers the feeling of a secret garden, further enhanced by a lagoon and waterfall that rim the club's patios.
Seen in the crowd of those enjoying the evening were Las Vegas residents Cary Rehm, Jay Barrett and Lee Gagley, all of Marnell Architecture, as well as Edward Vance and Tom Schoeman (both of JMA Architecture), Sandy Peltyn and Stephen Desimone (Desimone Consulting Engineers), John Klai (Klai Juba Architects), Jane Fielden (Robert Fielden & Associates) and Carol and Chuck Coleman (Related Cos.).
Others attending were Dale Schneiderman, Domingo Cambeiro, Andrea Marnell, Ed Kittrell, Dr. Rob Whitfield and Debi Raffi.
Super theater
"Super Summer 2005 -- Theatre Under the Stars" at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park will begin June 8 with "Seussical," a musical tribute to the works of Dr. Seuss. A salute to the season ahead was hosted May 16 by Suzanne Farber, daughter of the late Alice Rissman, a founding member and longtime contributor of Super Summer Theatre.
As in past years, the gathering of board members and those who serve as advisors was held at Regency Towers in the Las Vegas Country Club. Advisory board members attending included Rod Harbach, Terry Little, David Osborn, Rose Carvey, Roy Orr and past board chairman Bobby Miller.
Jerry Brooks, chairman of Super Summer Theatre's board, led the evening's program with a clever presentation on the group's 30-year history, including an emphasis on enhancements to the meadow theatre, recent construction of the lighting and concession building and expanded handicap parking.
Introduced were production staff representing the summer's offerings: "Seussical" (June), "Once Upon a Mattress" (July) and "Guys and Dolls" (August). Each production will run three weeks on a Wednesday-Saturday schedule. Concluding the summer's offerings will be Nevada Ballet Theatre performances Sept. 2-3.
Enjoyed during the gathering were scrapbooks and photos from past productions and a light dinner catered by Trish Smith of The Happy Cooker catering company. Also present were board members Ray Eicher, Adrienne O'Donoghue, Christy Miller, Mary Gafford, Pat Conley, Dee Thorn, Nell and Art Baker, Mary Lattin, Harold Smith, Anne Brewe, Ernest Wohlwill, Sue and Jim McNutt and Maria Sauter.
For ticket information or to inquire about volunteer opportunities, call 594-PLAY or www.supersummertheatre.com.
New president
Longtime resident Mary Ann Hantout was installed as Mesquite Club president in ceremonies held Friday at the Mesquite Clubhouse, 700 E. St. Louis Ave.
Trish Heinzmann and Joan Braun chaired the well-attended installation luncheon, selecting a race-day motif and a theme of "life in the fast lane."
Preparing the luncheon menu of quiche, salads and carrot cake at the Mesquite Clubhouse were committee members Mollie Murphy, Elsa Torgerson, Jolene Taylor, Jonell Polanksy, Jan Kennedy and Vera Knox.
Also taking on responsibilities for the gracious afternoon were Marilyn Essex, Peggy Broxterman, Joyce Avery, Bette Ault, Dorothy Craighead, Charlotte Barnes and Ginny Alverez.
Established in 1911, the local organization has been responsible for dozens of endeavors that have enhanced the Las Vegas community, including the establishment of the first public library, planting of rose gardens at Lorenzi Park, passage of legislation benefitting children and families and ongoing efforts to support the fine arts and education.
Mesquite Club is part of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, a worldwide network of similarly minded clubs.
Outgoing president Phyllis Noblitt led the day's program while past presidents June Eckenroth and Lois Freeman coordinated the installation ceremonies. Attending members seen at the event included Bernice Fisher, Harriet Cuddy, Laurie Porter, Rita Isom, Betty Miller, Alice Pearson, Libby Bjerke, Suki Colton with Dale Colton and artist Flo Mlynarczyk, Nevada state GFWC president Carol White and Hantout's daughter, Lydia Zeller.
For the animals
Proving that the care of shelter animals can be rethought with innovative use of green energy, recyled materials for construction and gentler environments, Lied Animal Shelter hosted a construction tour on Thursday.
The mid-day "topping-off" party showcased the first stage of the 74,000-square-foot expansion of the Lied Animal Shelter campus at 655 N. Pecos Road.
Designed by Tate Snyder Kimsey Architects and built by Trade Winds Construction, when completed the expanded shelter will house an additional 580 animals (it currently has a capacity of 200) and will further serve the city of Las Vegas, with whom it has a 10-year contract. Clark County and the city of North Las Vegas will also be on board for shelter services at the time of completion.
Special features include solar panels to harvest electricity and function as awnings, and use of recycled water for flushing the dog kennels. Bungalow quarters designed for more calmer, more homelike settings are intended to create less-traumatized animals for adoptions.
The additional space will support the Animal Foundation's shot clinic, spay and neuter services and the future establishment of a veterinary school on the shelter campus. A barnyard for larger animals, including horses, is also on the horizon.
Attending the construction tour were benefactors Mel and Marilyn Larson, Heather Murren and Shelley Gitmer (Nevada Cancer Institute), Mark Fierro, Patrick Duffey, Bill Moore, architect Randy Spitzmesser, Bill and Lisa Flake, Jim Spinello, Jim Lewis, Kay Stoldal, Erik Pappa and Michael Severino.
Board member Tom Kaplan of Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group provided brunch while Station Casinos lent its buses to transport attendees from parking areas to the construction site.
Rio expansion
Learning firsthand why Las Vegas wears the crown for best convention city on earth were guests attending the Rio's meeting space expansion party Friday.
Marilyn Winn (senior vice president of Harrah's Las Vegas and Rio) with Michael Massair (vice president of operations at the Rio) and Reina Herschdorfer (executive director of sales & Pavilion operations) threw open the doors to 60,000 square feet and 50 new meeting rooms. The Rio now boasts the eighth-largest hotel meeting space in the nation.
Guests, many of them event and conference planners who keep our city humming, were ushered into the Amazon ballroom (40,000 square feet), where much of the World Series of Poker will be held in June.
Awaiting were serving stations from the resort's finest eateries, joined by bakery, banquet and kosher catering departments. Brillantly colored cloths covered the tables while costumed servers and Mardi Gras decorations prevailed.
Among the staff present to answer questions was Darlene Williams, who handles many of the charitable evenings for nonprofit organizations. Williams discussed plans ahead for Star Chefs, the Ronald McDonald House gala, Martin Luther King Jr. Committee dinner and others.
Entertainment was nonstop, with appearances by Mac King, Ronn Lucas, the cast of "Tony & Tina's Wedding," Penn & Teller, Clint Holmes and the Scintas.
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