Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Locals honored for their contributions to gaming industry

The recent American Gaming Association Expo and Conference in Las Vegas brought us generous doses of visitor dollars. But it also showed great style and the true heart of the industry in using its most prestigious dinner gala as an occasion to assist the SafeNest shelter for battered women and children, as well as provide funding for The National Center for Responsible Gaming. Held in the exquisitely decorated Palace Ballroom atop Caesars Palace's new tower complex, the gala was jointly coordinated by Sandy Peltyn and Rino Armeni. Honorary chair was Frank Fahrenkopf, Jr., while culinary wizard Wolfgang Puck personally supervised the elaborate meal. Other dignitaries, among them Burton Cohen, Claudine Williams (herself a past honoree), Larry Ruvo, Brian McKay and a host of others gave of their talents as committee members.

Honored by induction into the Gaming Hall of Fame this year were J.K. Houssels, Jr., Siegfried and Roy, Tony Marnell, Lud Carrao and the late Thomas Young, Sr. Prior to the event, Siegfried and Roy spoke informally about a new IMAX film which is currently in production. The story of their lives, it also gives a clear view of their many efforts to save endangered species, in particular, the rare white tigers and lions. The film is scheduled to be released at IMAX theaters around the world in the summer of 1999.

Streaming into the gracious reception area were many early arrivals, among them: Peter and Rosemary Maheu, Bill and Jean Curran, Kitty Rodman, Tom Lorentzen, Bill Lyle, Jackie Gaughan and world-renown slot machine manufacturer Len Ainsworth. Gov. Bob Miller, who later spoke eloquently about these giants of the gaming and entertainment industry, was present and seen chatting with Michele Berk, Mrs. U.S.A. 1998-1999, and Michael Berk, masters of ceremonies for the induction. Sprinkled through the crowd were Las Vegas notables including: Pat and Charlie Cavagnaro, Robert and Yvette Maheu, Mel Wolzinger, and Jay and Maureen Barrett, as well as Caesars Palace President Paul O'Neil and gaming mogul Richard Abait of Puerto Rico.

Present for the dinner and ceremonies were: Lawrence Gaudry, Dot and Major Gen. (Ret.) Paul A. Harvey, Capt. Robert Engram, Marc and Jane Schorr, Peter J. Shield, Maynard Sloate and Anthony Sanfilippo, as well as Harvey Diederich, Gladys and Steve Comer, Marjorie Barrick and Stephen and Chantal Cloobeck. In the attentive audience for the program as well were Gus Ramos, Carla Pettigrew and Debbie Simpson, who all serve as board trustees for SafeNest, an agency providing shelter for women and their children fleeing from domestic violence.

Fashion for a cause

The outpouring of support for the Alzheimer's Association was evident in the huge response to invitations for the Southern Nevada Chapter's Luncheon and Fashion Show at Bally's Resort. Fashionable from start to finish, the afternoon was planned to perfection by Debra Shaiken with her vice-chair Joanne Lucia, committee members including: Marcie Sax, Sherron Kulwin, Shannon McBeath, Dale Wynn, Judy Hetherington, Julia Bernick, Petty Polvino-Brown, and a host of other dedicated volunteers.

More than 700 fashionably-attired guests attended, among them: Marilyn Moran, Beverly and Mike Mykeissen, Gladys Comer, "EFX" star David Cassidy and his wife, Sue, as well as Helen Stock with her daughter, Elaina Madsen, Sandy Spaccavento and Sylvia Mills. Glorious cruises and trips, dining opportunities and a splendid array of luxury leathers, jewels and furs were offered during the silent auction which found Dr. Jane Boudreau, Nada McKenna, Linn Thome, Neiman Marcus manager Terri Monseur, Jeanne Knudson and Adia Trapletti, and even Eric Weisberg, Bally's director of catering, among the eager bidders.

Present as well were Jewel Brooks and daughter Robin Brooks Townsend, as well as honorary committee members Susan Molasky, Sandy Peltyn and Susan Simmons. Judith Bulter, who also lent her support to the honorary committee, was among those sponsoring a luncheon table which she filled with her invited guests Josie Kathary, Helen Sax, Sandra Harris, Barbara Campisi, Mimi Scott, Suzy Callahan and Jill Mueller.

Fashions were a delectable blend of choices for the cooler days ahead, thanks to the skillful eye and knowledge provided by Neiman Marcus' fashion coordinator David Cardoza. With a magic wand, the designs intended to take us through fall and winter with glamorous looks for the holidays came down the runway. The enormous showing included sportswear, cruise and elegant business attire, many with great use of furs and luxury fabrics. Taking note of their favorites were: Sue Lowden, Jacque Matthews, Denise Reichartz, Carolyn Sparks, Landra Reid, Jeri Packe and Debi Levy, as well as Marcia Chin, Karen Dorsey with Cindy Ellis, Wendy Plaster, Ann Menzel and Mel and Marilyn Larsen.

Celebrity speakers for the luncheon included Maureen Reagan and Tova Borgnine, both children of Alzheimer's patients, who spoke eloquently from the heart about their own experiences. Proceeds from the luncheon will provide support services, counseling and outreach programming to local Alzheimer's patients and their families through the Southern Nevada chapter.

Eye-popping art

"Luck of the Draw," a benefit evening to support the many free-to-the-public offerings of the Nevada Institute for Contemporary Art (NICA), was a richly diverse event with fine art, glamour, entertainment and delectable offerings at every turn. Held for the first time at The Arts Factory, NICA's future new home, the evening began with fire-eater Sophie Evans. Attending browsers/buyer/diners were beguiled by the many speciality dishes offered along the way from the clever chefs of Spago, Freddie G's, Krispe Kreme, Chinois, and restaurants from the Station Casinos group, while they previewed the auction collection.

More than 60 contemporary artists, many of them of international note, responded to the invitation to create "by chance" or "the luck of the draw." The resulting works were dazzling in their variety and workmanship, among them the sterling silver bowl created by Joanne Vuillemot; the sculpture of Jennifer Safko; the raku cowboy boot by Ben Parks; and Ron Arthaud's oil on linen painting of a western town. Music done in a South Seas mode by the Las Vegas Percussion Group kept the tempo rising as the time for the auction approached.

Arlene Blut, master planner of NICA events and former development officer, coordinated the evening auction with co-chairs Barbara Molasky and Tom J. Schoeman. Mark Tratos, a true Renaissance man who divides his time between his law practice, UNLV law professor and art collector/dealer, served as auctioneer. Tratos, who is rarely startled, was genuinely stunned when the first art handler appeared with the auction piece. She was body-painted from head-to-toe (except for a minute g-string) and shared her art handling duties with another female and male counterpart. Each had been beautifully air-brushed so they looked like three living pieces of art.

Once recovered from the shock, the auctioneer and the audience quickly got into the spirit of this new look for NICA events, and helped make the evening one of the most successful on record.

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