Columnist Elizqabeth Foyt: A shower of good wishes at Spring Valley baby luncheon

AND BABY MAKES THREE... A baby shower and luncheon event honoring Kim Hendricks was recently held at the Spring Valley home of Debbie Davis. Jointly hostessed by Sally McKinney, the party celebrated the approaching birth of the first grandchild of their longtime friend Lexis Allen. Standing with Lexis to receive best wishes was Kim's mother Marion Schepel of Cypress, Calif., who is also anticipating the arrival of this special baby. Guests including Judy Hetherington, Margo Pesek, Debbie Miller and Lily Maupin listened closely as Kim revealed that the baby will be named Jonathan Armstrong Hendricks III., after his father and late grandfather.

Toasting the little "expectation" with champagne, iced tea and lemonade were Judy Anderson, Dianne Maupin, Judi Andrus, Kay Christansen, Sue Linn and Rev. Pat Smith. Taking candid snapshots of the gathering for baby's scrapbook was Jonathan's grandmother Mary Kane. Giving a hint of what lies ahead for Jonathan and Kim were the toddler antics of Judi Steele's granddaughter Taylor, who attended with her mama, Elyse.

Debbie Davis, acknowledged as a premiere cook among her large circle of friends, prepared a bountiful luncheon of summer salads and delectable finger foods for guests. Co-hostess Sally McKinney and Lexis Allen served as her helpmates and shared in the compliments. The decor was "very beary" with Debbie's clever use of her extensive teddy bear collection decorating the entry stairwell and luncheon table. Departing guests were given tiny flowering plants swathed in baby blue tulle and tiny bags of gourmet jelly beans.

Jonathan Hendricks, who returned with his bride from Seal Beach, Calif. last year, graduated from Bishop Gorman High School, Pomona College and McGeorge School of Law at the University of the Pacific. He is the managing attorney for the Las Vegas offices of David Allen and Associates. Kim, a CPA certified in both California and Nevada, is with Stewart, Archibald and Barney, also in Las Vegas.

Back from Beantown

Bob and Jeri Amblad have just returned from Boston where their son Erik, a senior at Harvard University, is appearing in the Harvard Summer Theatre production of "Lend Me a Tenor." Earlier this year, Erik was also cast in Harvard's famed Hasty Pudding Theatricals where he received accolades from Sigourney Weaver, their "Woman of the Year," and Kevin Kline, Hasty Pudding's "Man of the Year." Erik, a 1994 honors graduate from Chaparral High School, is attending Harvard as a Golden Nugget Scholar. The Amblad's oldest son, Kris, just completed his first year of law school at the University of Washington in Seattle. Kris is working for the King County Prosecutor's office this summer as an intern. The Amblads' vacation in New England included a Fourth of July concert with the Boston Pops and other costal pleasures.

Happy Anniversary

Best wishes and congratulations to Lance Burton on his second anniversary with the Monte Carlo Resort. Noted for his many kindnesses and charitable endeavors, Burton was honored by the hotel and his cast members on this occasion. The first day of summer was the official anniversary date of Lance Burton's show in the very comfortable Lance Burton Theatre at the Monte Carlo. Burton, who made local history with the signing of the longest-running contract on the Las Vegas Strip, has never had to cancel a show during the first two years of his contract and is looking forward to completing another 11 years with the mega-resort for a total of 13 years.

Bidding adieu

Fond farewells and best wishes are in order for departing Las Vegan Eileen Kollins, who leaves our fair city in late August for a new position in St.Louis, Mo. A past president of Congregation Ner Tamid and active community member who has contributed greatly to local Holocaust studies, Kollins has been appointed to the position of assistant director of the Midwest Council of the UAHC-Union of American Hebrew Congregations. She will serve as consultant to 66 congregations in the region, which reaches from Denver to Cincinnati, assisting with their programming, educational offerings and leadership training.

A librarian with the Clark County School District for the past dozen years, Kollins has also served as an interviewer of local Holocaust survivors for the Steven Spielberg Shoah Visual History Foundation. A resident for 20 years, she has also trained as a para-rabbinic assistant, been active on Ner Tamid's board and devoted countless hours to supporting activities enjoyed by her children Lisa, Judy and Michael. Eileen Kollins was recently honored with a special Shabbat service held at Congregation Ner Tamid on June 26th.

Slipping a Mickey

A note from Ira David Sternberg alerted us to changes in the works as The New Frontier prepares to welcome Gilley's Club, the world's most famous honky-tonk. The dance hall and barbecue restaurant will be reborn inside the New Frontier hotel-casino later this year. Slated for a fall opening, Gilley's is planned as both a lunch and dinner locale with appeal for visitors and locals alike.

Mickey Gilley is collaborating with hotelier Phil Ruffin, new owner of the resort, with the intention of re-creating Gilley's as it was in 1980 when it served as the setting for John Travolta in "Urban Cowboy." A 12,000 square foot ballroom in the hotel has been given over to this project with Gilley advising on everything from the placement of the famous mechanical bull to the shape and size of the dance floor, plus the multiple bars and entertainment areas. And as part of his partnership with the Frontier, Gilley will appear at the new Gilley's Club several times a year, tentatively beginning with a special New Year's Eve performance.

What a Mystery

America's largest murder mystery dinner theater company, Mystery Cafe, debuts in Las Vegas on July 25. The premiere performance will benefit the NAH (Nevada Association for the Handicapped), which provides a variety of supportive services to both children and adults in our community, including vocation training, rehabilitation and school-supportive child care.

Mystery Cafe's first performance will be held at NAH's facility, 6200 West Oakey and is designed as a fun and casual evening for theatre-goers who will enjoy dinner and an inter-active theater presentation by a seasoned cast of players. Open to the public, this benefit performance has been priced at $50 per person with the necessary reservations by calling Angie Wallin at 870-7050, ext. 26. The first dinner/show will be "Murder at Cafe Noir," Mystery Cafe's most acclaimed show, a mystery-comedy set on the island of Mustique in the Caribbean. Done in the style of "Casablanca," the whodunnit is certain to entertain!

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