Wednesday, April 3, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.
BROCHE DE ORO (the Golden Brooch), a first event for the Hispanics in Politics organization, was a rousing success, recently filling the largest Caesars Palace ballroom. Coordinated by Sandy Colon-Peltyn, with fellow HIP officers Isabel Pfiefer, Fernando Romero, Ophelia Gomez, President Domingo Cambeiro and others, the dinner spotlighted governmental leaders showing a progressive spirit in their duties.
HIP honorees, announced with great fanfare and trumpets, were School Board President Larry Mason, Judges Don Chairez and Valorie Vega, Commissioners Jay Bingham and Myrna Williams, and Assemblymen Larry Spitler and Brian Sandoval, as well as state Sen. Mark James, Mayor Jan Laverty Jones and Gov. Bob Miller. Also recognized with the designation as Amigos de HIP (Friends of HIP) were University Regent Mark Alden, County Recorder Judy Vandever, Sheriff Jerry Keller, state Sen. Sue Lowden, Judges Don Mosely, Lee Gates and Bill Maupin, as well as District Attorney Stewart Bell and U.S. Sens. Harry Reid and Richard Bryan.
El Broche de Oro awards, bestowed by HIP, signify a new beginning and were created by Elisa del Prado.
A fund-raiser intended to encourage and help fund first-time Hispanic candidates, the evening was a preface to a weekend political academy led by HIP officers and community leaders, including Judge Chairez. Discussing plans for the coming election was Darlo Herrera with Jan Jenkins and Judy Klein, as well as state Sen. Bob Coffin, Jon Ralston, and Bob and Pat Campbell.
State School Board member Liliam Hickey and husband state Sen. Tom Hickey, attending with daughter Mary, shared dinner conversation with Brad and Pat Nelson, Kenny and Dema Guinn and NLV Councilman John Rhodes. Nearby, Judge Nancy Becker and Lt. Gov. Lonnie Hammargren caught up on the news with Aleyda Hernandez, Roger Peltyn, Ron Sandoval, Elena Romero and, later on, Richard and Susan Moore.
Table-hopping between courses, Isabel Pfeifer and daughter Izzy stopped by and introduced members of Student Organization of Latinos from UNLV, who assisted in setting up the room and, later, drew a huge crowd to the dance floor with the pulsing beat of Salsa Machine and soloist Sylvette.
Shipshaped
Few kids from the desert have the experience offered to Las Vegan Tim Hudspeth during his training years at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y.
Tim, now a midshipman, recently returned to the academy after a six-month training stint at sea. His experiences while serving on a variety of U.S.-flag merchant vessels were part of his academy work-study program and designed to provide America's future Merchant Marine officers with shipboard leadership training.
A graduate of Bonanza High School and son of Barbara Kendrick, Tim was nominated to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy by Sen. Richard Bryan and former Rep. James Bilbray. He went through a lengthy selection process with careful scrutiny of his math and science course work. Upon completion of his maritime studies, Tim will receive a Merchant Marine ship's license, a Naval reserve commission and bachelor of science degree.
Chocolate heaven
A perennial favorite in a city known for its elegant occasions, "Chocolate, Cheers and Chow" is affectionately called "an event to die for" and signifies as a major day in the lives of chocolate lovers.
Planned for 5-8 p.m. April 21, the party will be hosted by Susan and Angelo Stamis at their Green Valley home in The Fountains. With lavish offerings of desserts and elegant foods, as well as champagnes and coffees, the party will be spread throughout the spacious home and across the gardens and patios for the best enjoyment of the spring day.
The Palm Restaurant, Sheraton Desert Inn, Godiva and Lindt Chocolates, Las Vegas Hilton, Jerry's Nugget, Chin's, Circus Circus and other celebrated hotels and restaurants will be providing the lavish desserts, pastries and finger foods. On display will be sculpted chocolate masterpieces created by Las Vegas pastry chefs.
Also on display will be many of the splendid raffle prizes, including descriptions of the luxury trip to Mauna Lani Hotel, New York's Waldorf Astoria Tower and Intercontinental Hotels, and the Ritz Carlton in Pasadena, Calif. Jewels, crystal, golf packages, perfume and theater tickets will also be offered.
Planned in exquisite detail by M.J. Harvey, this extravagant event will benefit Nevada Symphony Orchestra. NSO, in its 16th year, provides our community with year-round performances, including special holiday programs and the ever-popular pops series in the summer at Summerlin.
Assisting with the "Chocolate, Cheers and Chow" event are committee members Connie Gee, Marietta Henry, Jennifer Tuttle, Joe LaVigna, Kay Browne, Meg Jewett and Eileen Horn. Tickets, $150, are available by calling 792-4337.
For the races
Las Vegas Speedway Park celebrated the opening of the race season with a robust "Green Flag" luncheon at The Beach. Dubbing this season one of "Xtreme Racing, Las Vegas style," hosting executives of Las Vegas Speedway Park spoke enthusiastically of the six months ahead.
Races sponsored by Taco Bell, Budweiser, Miller, Saturn and a variety of Southern Nevada businesses will be hosted at the speedway, located two miles north of Nellis Air Force Base on Las Vegas Boulevard North. Champion drivers Dean Yamagata and Don Williams were present, along with Mike Church, George Anderson, Rick Tuttle of The Beach, Jackie Brett, Mel Carter, Don Rager, Doug Glenndenning, Frank Avila and David Pollard.
Bob Butte, general manager of Las Vegas Speedway Park, gave an overview of the refurbished facility. His video showed NASCAR and NHRA drag racing highlights. Adding details was co-owner Craig Graham, as well as race directors Joey Mancari and Joe Farese. Racing began this past weekend and will be scheduled through early November.
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