Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Guests celebrate stylish "unzipping" of Las Vegas Fashion Outlet Mall

WITH THE SIREN song of incredible shopping opportunities ahead, a select crowd of Southern Nevadans boarded seven designer-decorated buses and journeyed to Primm for the private gala opening of the Fashion Outlet of Las Vegas.

In congenial comfort, guests including Debbie Banker and her daughter Blaine, Arlene Mack, Larry and Heidi Canarelli, Helene Follmer, Jonathan Chasson, Arlene Blut with Carol Spiegel, Sandee Tiberti, and Brad and Pat Nelson were transported and made welcome by TrizecHan Development and Gordon Group Holdings, co-developers of the enormous mall. The developers paid three area charities $100 for each invited guest present on the buses. A total of $50,000 was presented to Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Southern Nevada, Nevada Ballet Theatre and Assistance League of Las Vegas.

Present for the official "unzipping" (opening) of the mall, an event made particularly festive with explosions from confetti cannons, were Kay Browne, Bill and Carol Favro, Marie Daniels, Saundra Richardson, Patsy Brinton, Bill Spier, Nancy Deaner and Diane Effinger, as well as Tom and Marilyn Stark, Carol Edwards with Janice Lennartz, and University Regent Mark Alden. Spreading out into the spacious, upscale mall were a bevy of fellow guests, among them Andrea Roqueni, first of many happy customers to explore the Williams-Sonoma store.

Sharon Bader, longtime supporter of Nevada Ballet Theatre, attended with Norman Cain and Bruce Steivel. Bader, new store director of Escada at the Forum Shops, was later seen in conference with Gene Messina of Escada's New York offices, who came to put his personal touch on the operation at the Fashion Outlet of Las Vegas. More than ample taste temptations and liquid libations were offered as the special guests strolled the 400,000-square-foot enclosure.

Seen touring the shops -- including Polo, Neiman Marcus' Last Call, St. John Knits, Timberland and The Gap -- were delighted guests Corey and Donna Klerk, Michiko Yahiro, Clark County Commissioner Erin Kenny, Erik Pappas, Bryce Bixler and Sharon Schmidt. Parting gifts included shopping bags filled with representative gifts from the stores and logo T-shirts and hats bearing the emblem of the Fashion Outlet of Las Vegas.

Talking shop

Record-breaking summer heat did not deter members of the Nevada Restaurant Association from turning out for July's event at Lawry's Prime Rib Restaurant. The drawing card was, of course, a superb luncheon prepared by Executive Chef Michael Ty, who selected a bountiful menu of Chinese and Caesars salads, light pasta side dishes, wild rice with chicken breasts, country pork chops and summer fruits. The crowning glory was the superb chocolate mousse, which arrived with fresh raspberries and blueberries.

Attending members, among them Marvin Price, Madeline Johnson, Lou Sironen, Marie Bertoli, Bob Ansara, Cindy Foulk, Rodney Helm and Barbara Schertzer, were greeted by NRA's executive director, president Van Heffner, with his executive assistant, Marlene Zuvich. Mingling in the crowd of colleagues as well was Nancy Marcellus, Lawry's marketing director, seen with Dennis Silvers, Keith Jensen, Bob Beers, Kadi Kay, Blackie Hunt, Dee Brown, Ila Carey and Barbara Burnett.

Keynote speaker was Lorraine Hunt, one of five charter members who started the NRA in 1982. A two-term president of the organization and owner of the Bootlegger Restaurant, Hunt currently serves as chair of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. In her speech, she gave insights into our local and state economy, including her 12-year commitment to fostering greater motion picture and television production in Nevada. Sponsors of the noon meeting included Ambassador Limousines, represented by Lou Toomin, and Lawry's the Prime Rib, represented by Las Vegas manager Dick Powell.

Baby on board

Kara Tucker was honored with a baby shower and luncheon last week. Awaiting the birth of her third child, Kara and her husband, Rodney Tucker, have chosen the name Carson for their little expectation. He will join big brother Corbin and sister Chloe at home after his mid-September arrival.

The gathering took a decidedly arts and crafts direction when arriving guests were asked to use fabric paint and their own creativity to adorn baby's burp cloths and bibs. Showing their special talents to the fullest were Donna Baldwin, Phyllis Schwartz, Wilma Catania, Adriana Escobar-Chanos, and Kara's godmother, Vivienne Morris.

Present as well for the congenial party at Portabella, an Italian bistro, were Suzette Whitmore, Rose Dominquez and Mary Gilday, as well as Kara's sister, Julie Gilday-Shaffer, and mother, Angie Wallin. Portabella, a Summerlin eatery which only recently opened for lunch, served a delectable meal of Italian appetizers, crusted chicken Caesar salads and elegant desserts, including their special creme brulee.

Conversation among this very active group of volunteers centered on the fast-approaching Nevada Association of the Handicapped's "Playhouse '98," slated for Sept. 12 at The Mirage. Donna Baldwin will again serve as dinner chair, with Julie Gilday-Shaffer as playhouse facilitator and Kara Tucker as the silent auction chair, with many of their fellow guests also contributing their talents and volunteer hours. Adding a special sparkle to the evening will be Susan Anton, who has graciously agreed to be the celebrity emcee. For reservations and further details, contact NAH at 870-7050, ext. 26.

Exercise in literacy

Book Pals-Performing Artists for Literacy in Schools, a national effort of the Screen Actors Guild Foundation, is a year-round program in the public schools of Clark County. On Saturday, Go For It gymnastics academy in Green Valley is sponsoring a book drive in honor of Book Pals, from noon-2 p.m. Each child is asked to bring in two new or gently-used children's books to participate for free.

Come support literacy and play on the balance beams, uneven bars, trampolines, vault, floor exercise, tumble track and more. With plenty of supervisory personnel and air-conditioned comfort, the Go For It Academy is providing a perfect family outing and helping a worthy cause. All books donated will be read aloud in participating Book Pals schools and later given to the schools' libraries. The Go For It Academy is at 1000 Stephanie Place, north of the Galleria at Sunset Mall.

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