Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Boutique opening benefits Nevada Ballet Theatre

CLAUDINE WILLIAMS, Yvonne Franchi and Kitty Rodman, all past "Women of the Year" for Nevada Ballet Theatre, were among the special guests attending the private cocktail reception at the Salvatore Ferragamo Boutique. The exquisite new store, seventh to open in North America, is a spacious 5,000 square feet and sits on a prominent plaza corner inside the Forum Shops at Caesars. Taking part in the festivities were Lynda Abdoo, Ferragamo's vice president of operations, as well as store manager Heide Hanley. The evening party honored Nevada Ballet Theatre and celebrated their corporate sponsorship of NBT's 1998 season of ballet. Present with his dancers was Bruce Steivel, artistic director, as well as NBT's president Nancy Houssels and company manager Norman Cain.

Attending guests, among them Barbara Stout with Kellie and Jennifer Tuttle, Debra Heiser, Sandra Munley, Wendy and Richard Plaster, Leona Gennis and Sharon Bader, enjoyed elegant libations served by Affairs to Remember catering. Spreading out through the store to view the shoes, scarves, clothing and accessories were Sandee Tiberti, Denise DeLuca, M.J. and Jack Harvey, Natalie Vo, Roger Thomas and Judy Robinson. Many party-goers became shoppers, among them Jeanne Greenawalt and Anelda Bennet, who found the selection of fashions "too tempting to pass." Guests at the private party were gifted with silken throw pillows bearing the Ferragamo logo.

All aboard

Dutifully "tagged" like pieces of expensive luggage, invited guests and media were welcomed aboard the Las Vegas premiere voyage of "Titanica" from the comfortable dock at the Luxor Hotel. The evening started with a lavish reception with hors d'oeuvres and libations inspired by the cuisine served aboard the RMS Titanic on that fateful night, and offered to the guests in the Luxor's second floor lounge. Looking nautical in their ship officers' attire were Paul Spiers and Betsy Ward, both representing the Luxor Resort's IMAX theatre, where "Titanica" sails daily from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Speaking informally during the evening was cinematographer and navigator Ralph B. White, a key member of the Titanic discovery team. In "Titanica," White revisits the wreck site with a Russian scientific team. The 40-minute film blends historical shots of the ship's construction and single voyage with exploration footage of the mighty ship's remains. Present for the private screening were Emily and Jennifer Eskin, Barbara Singer with husband Sam Greenfield, Meloyde Morrelli, Judy Robinson, Charles Walker, State Senator Valerie Weiner, Myram Borders and Eileen Newman, as well as Penny Levin, Erik and Colleen Pappa, Sara Ralston, Ira Sternberg, Stacie Moore, Judy Wrench, Neil Huffey and Carol Behar.

Present from the Luxor's sister property was Alan Hopper, newly-appointed public relations manager for Circus-Circus hotel. Attending with Hopper and his wife, Kathy Stewart-Hopper, was Jill Porrello, a 1998 School of Communications graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, and past honor student from Bishop Gorman High School, who has just joined Circus-Circus as a marketing assistant. Seen in the crowd as well was Gil Perez, Luxor's manager of attractions, with Bruce Spottleson, who recently took on general manager responsibilities with Las Vegas Life and Las Vegas Weekly. Adding a special sparkle to the party was an appearance by Luxor's gilded Pharoah and his Cleopatra look-alike Queen of the Nile.

Fund-raising festival

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Wildly successful in its recent benefit, The Summerlin Women's Club is delighted to report earnings of $11,500 from their second annual Food and Wine Festival -- Silent Auction. Held at the Santa Fe hotel, the summer event was a benefit occasion for The Shade Tree Shelter. This generous donation was directed to the homeless shelter for women and children, and helped it to reach its $1 million mark towards the $3.2 million needed to complete its new facility. The existing building is scheduled to be demolished within the year.

Beverages and More, as well as Pahrump Valley Vineyards, provided the wines for the event, while donations from area businesses sponsored the light fare and desserts catered by the Santa Fe. The popular silent auction was made possible by contributions from local and regional businesses, among them the MGM's EFX show, Disneyland, J. Edwards Jewelers, Harvey's Lake Tahoe, Sundance Helicopter and Virgin River hotel. Adding her own musical talents was singer Suzanne Farace, accompanied by pianist Greg Bosler. The Summerlin Women's club meets the third Wednesday of each month at The Trails Community Center. Membership is open to Summerlin residents. More information is available by calling 254-5451 or 869-4606.

Books needed

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Are you using these hot summer days to clear-out kids' closets and prepare for the approaching school year? Perhaps among your newly-discovered treasures are children's books worth sharing with other young readers. The All Books For Children (ABC) Book Drive runs through September 6 at Starbucks Coffee locations in the Las Vegas Valley. The public is encouraged to bring new or slightly used childrens' books to any Starbucks location (excluding McCarran International Airport and Barnes and Noble Bookstore locations) in exchange for a keepsake bookmark for the contribution.

The ABC Book Drive benefits Computer Assisted Literacy in Libraries (CALL), a non-profit literacy group managed directly by the Clark County Library District. The goal of CALL is to teach Las Vegas adults the fundamentals of reading so they can obtain jobs, contribute to society and encourage their own children to read. All books will be donated to families so they can make reading an integral part of their family's routine. Books donated to CALL will also be shared with residents of The Shade Tree Shelter and several government-subsidized housing developments in our community. Contact Tony Timmons at 869-1215 for further details.

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