Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Aladdin brought the house down for children

Aladdin Gaming LLC recently presented Karla Jacobson, executive director of Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Nevada, with a check for $81,024.14, the proceeds from the Aladdin hotel-casino's implosion party. The live auction event, which preceded the implosion of the old Aladdin Hotel, was the largest-ever fund-raiser for the organization.

Children who have been helped thus far by this generous contribution include Kylie, now age 3, who traveled with her family to a Texas farm for an extended visit with her relatives; Mallory, age 10, who received the computer she always wanted; and Luke, Jose and Alexandria, who all had their wishes of traveling to Walt Disney World with their families fulfilled. Jacobson, in accepting the check, explained that the organization is grateful to everyone who made the evening at the Aladdin possible.

Richard Goeglein, president and chief executive officer of Aladdin Gaming LLC, commented recently that the experience of helping these children and sharing a part of their resort's history in the process was very gratifying. Aladdin Gaming LLC will soon break ground on a new $1.3 billion development, which will include two hotels, two casinos, an enormous retail complex with entertainment and restaurants and an improved, renovated 7,000-seat Aladdin Theatre of Performing Arts. In addition, the resort will offer Las Vegas' first European-style luxury gaming salon.

Goodman documentary

The Las Vegas International Film Festival, recently held at the Century Orleans 12 theater at the Orleans hotel, was a delightful experience for all film buffs. With a wide range of offerings and multiple show times (which made attendance possible for interested locals and visitors), the festival proved convincingly that there is a market in our city for unusual, out-of-the-mainstream films, both fictional and documentary types.

Scoring great points for being offered at a single site, the festival began with a most pleasant evening gala to benefit the KNPR Endowment Fund. As Nevada's lone public radio station, KNPR offers a richness of cultural programming and commentary. This special evening opened with a private screening of "Mob Law: A Film Portrait of Oscar Goodman, Las Vegas Attorney." Goodman, a celebrated resident of our city for nearly 30 years, graciously agreed to assist with the fund-raiser and took an active part in the evening.

Directed by British film-maker Paul Wilmshurst, the documentary was a riveting program for the 400 guests in attendance. Present as well was Oscar's wife, Carolyn, and journalist-author John L. Smith, both of whom had cameo appearances in the movie. Immediately following the screening, guests attended a dessert, coffee and liqueurs reception at KNPR. Assisting Jodi Olsen, KNPR's special events coordinator, were volunteers Jean Ann Ross and Lori Sanchez. Both led many of the guests on tours of KNPR's new building at West Charleston and Torrey Pines.

Representing Oscar Goodman in the party arrangements was his personal assistant and investigator, Vinnie Montaldo, who added special touches to the decor of the party with the splendid portrait-like film posters. Generously supportive as well were Diane Philips and Tony Allison of the Las Vegas Film Festival, who also hosted the late-night showing of "Mob Law." This second, later showing was hugely attended by an easily recognized audience of Las Vegas old-timers, many of whom took great pains to arrive and depart in quiet fashion.

All dressed up

Dazzling lights and the red carpet treatment were given to each arriving guest attending The Social Register of Las Vegas' four-year anniversary celebration. A black tie gala, "Puttin' on the Ritz," was held at the Las Vegas Villa, a mansion that was once the Las Vegas home of the celebrated Liberace.

The evening opened with a champagne and hors d'ouevres reception, elegantly served to a backdrop of classical music by pianist Silard. Many enjoyed a guided tour of the mansion and its grounds, then progressed on to the gourmet dinner, which featured multiple entrees and excellent vintage wines. Dessert, a heavenly confection created by master pastry chefs Manfred Schmidhouber and Cindy Cowan, arrived in fitting style as a three-dimensional, five-layer bavarian cream cake with chocolate top hat, white gloves and cane. Champagne, in commemorative flutes, was served with this luscious dessert.

Social Register President Clair Zeto, speaking briefly during the evening, thanked the membership for its many kind donations to local charities and the support of Social Register events. She gave particular thanks to Lezlie Anders and her orchestra, who performed at the gala. Lezlie and her husband, Buddy Greco, are long-standing members of the Social Register's board of governors.

Learning the law

Off to a splendid start, thanks to a bevy of generous donors, the Boyd College of Law at UNLV is delighted to report that 22 of its first- year students have been granted full-ride ($7,000) scholarships. Supportive individuals, businesses and law firms are responsible for this incredible set of circumstances, which also contributes to more than one dozen other scholarships in varying amounts.

One of the most recent entities to come aboard is the Southern Nevada Assocation of Women Attorneys, which has contributed $2,500 to recognize and assist a first-year female student from Nevada. While SNAWA has given the law school discretion to award the scholarship this year, the organization is now in the midst of developing an application process for future recipients.

Old-fashioned fun

"Jeans to Jewels," an evening hosted by Miss Kitty Rodman to benefit Opportunity Village, was a rip-roaring sucess. Held at the JW Ranch, the home of the ever-supportive John Wasserberger, the occasion was planned to make the most of this balmy summer evening under the stars.

While vast amounts of margaritas and other libations were consumed, guests -- among them Thom and Mari Landers, Charlie and Pat Cavagnaro, Councilmen Michael McDonald and Gary Reese, Conee and Tony Spano and Kim Harney -- prowled the silent auction tables. Hotly bid upon were splendid gifts, dinners and shows from the likes of Siegfried & Roy, the Adventuredome at Circus Circus, Hard Rock and Planet Hollywood restaurants, and other kind benefactors' donations.

Regina Miller, the newly appointed coach of the UNLV Lady Rebels, attended and was seen discussing future volunteer events with Sandy Peltyn and Carla Pruitt. Nearby, Roger Peltyn was deep in conversation with Bob Spinelli, a driving force on the Perini Construction team, who seems to be predicting a mid-summer 1999 completion date for their Paris resort project. Rounding out the table were fellow guests Carolyn Kovach, Jon Tullis and Gary Longfellow.

Megan McDonald, special events coordinator, and Linda Smith, development director for Opportunity Village, used their creativity in planning the evening. Using client volunteers and supportive community helpers, they fashioned the wonderful blue jean centerpieces, filling them with wild flowers and tiny picket fence signs to note the names of each table sponsor. Dinner, served chuck wagon style, was a hearty meal of fresh barbeque beef, chicken and pork ribs, complete with all the tasty trimmings, and finished off by home-style pies and cakes.

Guests -- among them Ann Evans, Lee Taylor, Joyce Luman, Jeanne Hood, Corinne and J.A. Tiberti, Wayne Bernath and Tom Shoeman -- were priviledged to see a most entertaining demonstration of skill by UNLV's Rodeo Team. Chatting with us from an easy vantage point by the corral was University Regent Thalia Dondero, who spoke concerning her time on the Nevada State Parks Board. Interestingly, her decade of service was one that defined much of what we as Nevadans currently enjoy, including the precious public lands at Spring Mountain Ranch and Floyd Lamb State parks. Guests, among them Kenny Guinn, Kathy Clark, Pat Walker and others, lingered to enjoy the music and dancing fun of the casual evening.

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