Columnist Muriel Stevens: Classy gifts to surprise, delight on Mother's Day

Stumped for a gift to give Mother on Mother's Day? David Cardoza, public relations manager at Neiman Marcus in the Fashion Show Mall, suggests a few of the many items exclusive to Neiman's found throughout the store.

One gift, a Belgian chocolate-covered chocolate chip cheesecake on a shortbread crust, is hand-crafted to look like a Neiman Marcus hatbox. This gorgeous treat ($165, plus $15 for overnight shipping) can be ordered in the Epicure department. A jewel-like set of unique, gold-accented, glass-handled, stainless steel salad servers from Wand of Fire is $135. A four-inch tall salt and pepper set, dubbed "Sky Shakers," is designed to look like skyscrapers. The handsome pair ($25) from Wallace would add a touch of drama to any dinner table. The set, which comes in a black velvet presentation box, are available at selected Neiman Marcus stores. Call the Galleries department at the Fashion Show Mall store, 731-3636, for more information.

More mom

A gift certificate from one of Mom's favorite stores is always welcome, and with a gift certificate there's no worrying about size, color or taste. Many stores (including Neiman's) will gift wrap a gift certificate.

Bookstores, record shops and gourmet cooking stores, such as Williams Sonoma, offer gift certificates, as do most good restaurants. A night out at a good restaurant should please any mother. Suggestions for dining out on Mother's Day will appear in Friday's column.

A view of LV

*Metropolitan Research Association will unveil the "1998 Las Vegas Perspective: Portrait of Southern Nevada" on May 28 at Cashman Field Auditorium. The annual publication profiles every facet of Southern Nevada -- from demographics and lifestyles to tourism. Information in the 80-page glossy publication is generated from original research conducted by the Center for Business and Economic Research at UNLV. Special guest speakers will be Sen. Harry Reid and Jack Wheeler, president of the Freedom Research Association (called "the real Indiana Jones" by the Wall Street Journal). Tickets for the event are $25 and include a copy of the book (additional copies will be available there for the reduced price of $20). For more information call 458-0250.

*Veteran radio and television personality and former Chairman of Goodwill Industries, Ted Quillan, has produced "Las Vegas Show of Shows: The History and Music of the Entertainment Capital of the World." Available at Readmore bookstores on CD or cassette, it's Quillan's take on the "colorful characters who shaped the destiny of our city." Behind-the-scenes stories, about the entertainers who starred in the showrooms and lounges from a longtime observer, should make for some interesting listening.

Scouts honor Thomas

E. Parry Thomas was today presented with the 1998 Good Scout Award from the Boulder Dam Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. The presentation took place during an invitation-only luncheon at Treasure Island. Thomas is well-known for his role in the history and development of Las Vegas. With his partner and friend, Jerry Mack, Thomas began Bank of Las Vegas, which became Valley Bank of Nevada before being purchased by Bank of America.

The list of his many philanthropic contributions to our community is endless. He introduced our valley to the United Way, the National Council of Christians and Jews, the Salvation Army and the Boulder Dam Council of the Boy Scouts.

With Mack, he worked to secure the land needed for expansion at UNLV and made possible the Thomas and Mack sports and entertainment center.

Always a supporter of the gaming industry, his financing helped create such gaming properties as the Golden Nugget, Frontier, Circus Circus, and the Stardust. Other businesses who benefitted from his vision and support include Sunrise Hospital, McCarran Airport and the Nevada Development Authority.

Proceeds from today's luncheon will benefit the Boulder Dam Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Liberace Play-A-Like

Gone, but never forgotten, Liberace lives on at the Liberace Museum and in the special events that mark his birthday. The celebration of his 79th birthday will be highlighted by the sixth annual Play-A-Like Piano Competition for professionals and amateurs.

The festivities begin at the Liberace Museum on May 16 at 10:30 a.m., with the cutting of a giant piano-shaped birthday cake. The World's Greatest Liberace impersonator, Will Collins, will cut the cake and share it with museum visitors. The piano competition will take place at 11 a.m. inside Carluccio's, Liberace's former Tivoli Gardens eatery.

Anyone wishing to enter the contest can call 798-5595, ext. 20, for contest rules and entry form. Winners will perform in the museum's Costume Gallery on May 17, from 1 to 2 p.m.

Millionaires for sale

A "Millionaire Bachelor Auction" is set for May 28 at Studio 54 at MGM Grand. It appears that a number of the big bucks boys are willing to be a part of the auction, from which a portion of the proceeds benefit the Nathan Adelson Hospice, Southern Nevada's only nonprofit hospice.

According to its producer, Paul Holm, the 20 affluent bachelors range in occupation from business moguls to thrill seekers to oil barons, and in age from 30-65. (Proof of their financial status was not available.)

Radio personalities Lark Williams and Lori Leland will host the event. Any female who bids for and wins her bachelor will go on a date -- on-the-town packages being cooked up by the bachelors -- with her prize. Tickets to the bachelor auction, which are on sale now, are $35 to $85. To purchase, call 792-1609.

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