Wednesday, Dec. 9, 1998 | 11:54 a.m.
Planned to perfection by Dr. Parvin Modaber-Jacobs with loving assistance from her husband, Dr. Theodore Jacobs, the Byzantine Ball weekend was a splendidly "royal" event much enjoyed by locals and participants who came from around the world for the charitable affair at the Mirage.
Opening festivities included a hosted cocktail reception atop Polo Towers, where the 19th story view of our famed Strip bedazzled guests, including Grace Carvajal Lizano, Puerto Rico's consul general to the United States, Vladimir Grounne, president of the Russian Film Industry, musical composer Irma Morillo and George and Marianne Wentworth. Stephen Cloobeck and his ever-lovely bride, Chantal, greeted their guests, who also included Carol Lee and Edward Swindle, Lola Falana, Dr. Loring Jacobs and designer Yuki Yao, whose designs were showcased during the evening by models including Mrs. USA, Michele Berk.
Count and Countess Robert and Joan Deiro, who had shared investiture honors with Drs. Modaber-Jacobs and others during ceremonies held some years ago, shared details of a brunch held for attending royalty earlier in the week at their home, Villa Kismet. Robert's late father, who wrote the music for "Kismet" and was once married to Mae West, was the inspiration for the design of the Italian-influenced home.
Saturday's very elegant benefit evening to support the American Cancer Society began with an investiture ceremony directed by his Imperial and Royal Highness Prince Henri Constantine Paleologo, head of the Imperial House of Byzantine, who bestowed knighthood upon those deemed as honorable and charitable individuals from both Las Vegas and around the world. Locals recognized with this prestigious knighthood included Sandy and Roger Peltyn, Wayne Newton, Dan Reichartz, Larry Ruvo and Dr. Rachakonda D. Pabhu.
Following these most formal ceremonies, a lavish reception was held in the Mirage's Caribbean Court, where guests including Art and Sue Mantera, Lia and Joseph Roberts, Nancy and Jack Weinstein, Governor-elect Kenny and Dema Guinn with Lt. Gov.-elect Lorraine Hunt and Peter and Ginette Jaramillo enjoyed the opportunity to visit with friends and visiting dignitaries.
The program, emceed by honoree Wayne Newton, opened with a special recognition award from the American Cancer Society to Dr. Parvin Modaber- Jacobs, a longtime supporter of the efforts. In attendance were Susan and Irwin Molasky, seen with Helen Morgan Sax, as well as Dr. Loring and Alicia Jacobs, Janet and Andrew Blumen, Denise Reichartz with her sister Debbie Goot, Beverly and Mike Mykiessen, and Mel and Florence Shapiro with Saundra and Emmett Munley. Frankie Randall, who was gifted with Frank Sinantra's musical arrangements some years ago, attended with Kell and Nancy Houssels and explained his that his Sinatra tribute opens soon at the Anneberg Theatre in Palm Springs.
On Sunday evening there was a continuation of the festivities as invited guests gathered at the fabulous new home of Roger and Sandy Peltyn in The Fountains, an exclusive gated community in Green Valley. Designer Jeri Packe, working with artist Joyce Straus, worked to fulfill the exacting requirements of this dynamic couple and create the home of their dreams.
The party, a joint celebration of the Peltyn's anniversary and Prince Henri's birthday, was attended by many special guests of the Byzantine Ball weekend, including Southern Nevadans Isabel Pfeifer, theatrical producer Peter Jackson, Brian O'Shields with his lovely bride, Aileen, who has been crowned Mrs. Nevada, Eleanore Doumani, Lt. Gov. Lonnie Hammagren and Dr. Neil Straus.
The multi-level home with white marble floors and striking architectural features houses an extensive contemporary art collection, much admired by friends Cheryl Folger, Michael Berk, Leanne and Alan Perlmutter, Samantha Packe, Isabel Colon, Jackie Baskow and former U.S. Ambassador to Bahrain Charles W. Hostler. Joining in at this final event as well were Jon Tullis and Gary Hightower, just back from a lengthy cruise in the Mexican Riviera.
Bash is a smash
Longtime Las Vegas resident Carol Chabre, who moved to Las Vegas in 1958, was honored on the occasion of her 80th birthday with an elegant reception at Bally's Resort Casino.
Planned by Carol's daughter Suzanne Chabre, vice president of Property Management for Bally's-Paris, who hosted the party in Bally's Celebrity Suite, the party was a gathering point for many of her mother's closest friends of long-standing. The honoree is active in AAUW -- the American Association of University Women -- as well as the EXCELL Program for seniors at UNLV. The event drew a diverse crowd from both organizations.
Well-wishers included her daughter Carole Louise Kroyer, as well as sister-in-law Jeannette Chabre. Enjoying the cocktails and hors d'oeuvres served were Wing and Lilly Fong, Gary and Evelyn Wilson with Gary's mother, Dorothy Wilson, and many friends from her university reading circle.
Bull by the horns
Hosting the National Finals Rodeo events takes the efforts of the entire city and allows for many opportunities to meet these young athletes. On Saturday at Main Street Station's Triple 7 Brew Club, Gilbert Carrillo will host a free autograph and photo session. Carillo, a is pro bullriding champion several times over. During this appearance at Main Street Station, the Triple 7 Brew Pub will offer $1 microbrews and "lunch with Gilbert Carrillo" food specials.
Mitch and Maria
Reaching out to assist Honduran victims of Hurricane Mitch by providing food, shelter and other necessities is Foundation Maria of Nevada. Created to seek and deliver charitable donations to provide these desperately needed supplies, Foundation Maria was established in mid-November as a means to assist the victims of the hurricane's devastation.
Foundation Maria is chaired by Las Vegan Debbie Nicholson, who has a goal of raising $250,000 for medical supplies and other items most critically needed. Nicholson has been invited by Marco Antonio, vice president of the Honduran Congress, to deliver her donations and view the devastation and damage caused by Hurricane Mitch. The magnitude of the destruction is unparalleled in the annals of South American history, with more than 80 percent of the country's bridges destroyed and thousands of citizens left homeless and without clean water or food.
Supporting the humanitarian effort to help these people are several Las Vegas-based companies, among them International Fuel Technology and Anonymous Data Corporation. In addition, Hollywood star Tony Curtis has agreed to raise funds for the relief effort. Foundation Maria is accepting contributions for the Honduran relief effort and can be contaacted at 933-3700.
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