Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Pro Bono project benefits from gala event

The recent "Diamond and Rubies -- le Coeur de Las Vegas" evening, to benefit the Clark County Pro Bono Project, provided funding for the free legal assistance for women and children dealing with domestic violence issues.

Lynn R. Shoen Esq., president, explains the dinner has a two-fold purpose -- to raise the much needed operating revenue for its growing client group, and to recognize individuals in the community. Adding a brief commentary as well was longtime contributing attorney Ed Bernstein, who reported that 11,000 clients were served by Pro Bono last year, with an increasing number projected for this year.

Shining like the beacons of light to our community that they are were special award recipients George and Doree Dickerson, who were given the prominence they so richly deserve during the evening's ceremonies. The Dickersons, active in civic and legal endeavors in Southern Nevada for more than 50 years, were honored with the creation of a new, quite special Humanitarian Award, which bears their name. In turn, they graciously remained on stage to celebrate the announcement of the first recipients, John and Rene O'Reilly.

Like the Dickersons, the O'Reillys have given extensively of their time and money to make our community a finer place at many levels. Longtime residents, the couple has raised four children and participated in countless caring endeavors serving youth, seniors and the less fortunate.

Present for the ceremonies and dinner were many dedicated Pro Bono supporters, among them: Owen and Jan Nitz, Tom and Marilyn Starks, Dr. Monte and Jeanne Greenawalt, Dean Richard and Tina Morgan of UNLV's Boyd School of Law, Pat and Charlie Cavagnaro, Bonnie and Sen. Richard Bryan and Bucky Buchanan with his sweetheart and fellow attorney, Gianna Orlandi. Also attending were benefactor contributors Claudine Williams, Kitty Rodman, Lee Skonecki, Clark County Bar Association President Nancy Allf with recent bridegroom, Dave Thomas, Gloria Sturman, Andy and Janet Blumen, Kathy and Ernie Becker Jr. and former Citibank President Ed Skonecki, who recently became executive director for Catholic Community Services.

Providing the necessary manpower to make the evening a success were members of the Clark County Pro Bono Project employee team. Foremost among them were Executive Director Dennis Hetherington with Ronald Dalrymple, Lisa Stein and Mary Amell. Assisting as well was Judy Hetherington, who turned her considerable artistic skills to the display of silent auction items and table decor, using a valentine's theme for both.

Things to do

Public auditions continue this evening for "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," to be presented by Super Summer Theatre '99 at Spring Mountain Ranch in June. Director Rick Ginn is hosting auditions from 6 to 8 this evening at Cashman Middle School, 4622 W. Desert Inn Road. All actors will be asked to sing as part of their audition for parts in this community theatre effort.

Saturday, from 1-3 p.m., the Junior League of Las Vegas will host its annual Storybook Tea at the Rio hotel-casino, in the Copa Room. The Storybook Tea will include a children's fashion show, as well as tasty temptations in the form of desserts, finger sandwiches and beverages. Guest storytellers will offer the finest of entertainment, while a silent auction may provide new treasures to take home.

The Junior League of Las Vegas is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through effective action and leadership. Through projects, grants and fund-raisers, members of Junior League work for issues that ensure that all children have an equal and adequate opportunity for success. For information on Junior League of Las Vegas, or to purchase tickets to the Storybook Tea, please call the office at 822-6536.

Celebrate reading

Keeping things on a literary note is the announcement by Book PALS, an effort of the Screen Actors Guild Foundation, that Read Across America Day is just ahead. The nationwide effort, deemed a celebration in honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday, will make use of the multitalented volunteers who give of their own time each week to read aloud to children in our local schools.

Book PALS -- Performing Artists for Literacy in Schools -- is working in conjunction with the National Education Association, and has planned a more public "gift of reading" series to run Saturday through Tuesday. Many activities are planned for the public libraries, while others embrace the children served by area Boys and Girls clubs, as well as several Borders Books locations. For specifics, please contact your local public library or Book PALS coordinator Finley Bolton at 368-2670.

Ralenkotters honored

Two of Bishop Gorman High School's most ardent supporters, Mary Jo and and Rossi Ralenkotter, will be honored March 10 in ceremonies hosted by Rev. Thomas R. von Behren, C.S.V., and the BGHS community.

As inductees to the "royal order of the Knight of the Gael," the Ralenkotters will join the ranks of past honorees recognized for outstanding school service, among them Kim and George Gerringer, Barbara and Dr. Ronald Romeo, Nancy and Dick Etter and Joan and Larry Tuntland.

Dinner and ceremonies will be at Palace Station, with school fund benefit tickets priced at $125 per person or $1,250 per table. Lending their support are many school and community leaders including Rosemary and Billy Vassiliadis, Mary Ann and Lyle Rivera, Emily and Doug Momary, Shellie and Fred Fayeghi, Sandee and Tito Tiberti and Sherry and Bruce Layne, to name just a few. Contact the school's development office at 732-1945 for the necessary reservations.

Event with heart

Eagerly awaited by American Heart Association advocates and the charitable supporters who flock to this annual gala, the recent Heart 'n' Soul & All That Jazz Ball was an evening of sheer pleasure.

Held at the Flamingo Hilton, the evening is well-recognized for its superb standards in fine dining, as well as themed entertainment and always danceable music. Jointly chaired by Lisa and Rob Wiencke, M.D., with Ande and Glenn Christianson, the gathering drew a healthy crowd of more than 600, including: Don and Janne Hamrick, Rob and Lynne Hunter, Joe Lanuti, Tina Scifer, Mona Orr, Charles Nelson and Jeff Silver, as well as Tom Tully, Debbie Harris, Tom Recine and Dr. James Moch.

During the cocktail reception, hosted by Southwest Gas, Norm Johnson, fresh from competing in the Silver State Open Road, a no-limit, 100-mile road race, was seen discussing his third place trophy with travel agent Gary Longfellow who, with Jon Tullis, has just returned from a VIP tour of the Queen Elizabeth II and a pleasure cruise down the Baja Peninsula.

Seen mingling in the early crowd and bidding on the vast array of silent auction treasures was Dr. Leo Spaccavento, of Advanced Heart Care and the evening's honoree and recipient of the 1999 "Heart of Gold -- Healthcare" award. Spaccavento has served as a leading spirit for the American Heart Association in many capacities for the past decade, including two terms as chapter president, and, with wife, Sandy, has twice chaired the annual Heart of Gold Ball.

Fellow honorees in the spotlight included Lillian McMorris, who accepted KVVU's "Heart of Gold -- Communications" award in recognition of its many community education efforts. Present as well was the honorable James D. Aljian, chairman of the Lincy Foundation, who accepted the "Heart of Gold -- Business" award, which conveys the American Heart Association's profound gratitude for funding significant cardiovascular research at the University of Nevada's School of Medicine.

The American Heart Association raises money for its work through private donations. It receives no government funding. In addition to contributions from individuals, businesses and foundations, volunteers raise money for heart research and educational outreach with special events, among them the American Heart Walk, the American Association Golf Tournament, Jump Rope for Heart, Hoops for Heart and the annual Heart of Gold ball. These fund-raisers, in turn, assist with "Healthy Heart Programs" to educate the public, including "Heart Power" programs in the schools, and the "Multi-Cultural Heart Disease Conference," which addresses issues facing Hispanics and blacks who make up a disproportionate number of those at risk for heart disease and stroke.

The "Women and Heart Disease Conference" provides the latest information on risk factors and symptoms, medical treatments and dietary guidelines. Additionally, the "Heart at Work" program brings information to the work place, while the Emergency Cardiac Care courses have trained thousands of Nevadans on the proper way to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Supporters making the evening a success included Daryl and Linn Thome, Jim and Helen Sax, Liz and Jim Benson, Roger and Sandy Peltyn, Shenandoah Merrick and Ed Janov and Teresa and Michael Minden.

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