Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Holiday party mixes gingerbread, shopping

Elizabeth Foyt's social column appears Wednesdays. Reach her at elizabethfoyt@ prodigy.net.

Rarely has the yuletide in Southern Nevada been so richly celebrated as during the recent Holiday Culinary and Shopping Soiree jointly hosted by Neiman Marcus and the Four Seasons. The private party -- attended by Buck and Aurora Wong, Joyce Galane, Dr. Ralph and Sandy Litton, Rick and Lydia Zeller, Bill Greaves and Phyllis Schwartz -- began with hot cider at the Gingerbread Holiday Village, a fantasy creation produced by Four Seasons' chefs for the benefit of the Terry Fox Cancer Research Foundation. Each charming building will be sold to assist with research costs.

Shuttled by luxury coach to Neiman Marcus at the Fashion Show mall, guests including Kitty Rodman, Claudine Williams, Edward and Eleanore Doumani and Hope and Joe Anstett were treated to a comfort-filled shopping experience punctuated with gourmet cuisine serving stations and an ice-block martini bar and fine illustrations of the Four Seasons' new off-site catering division. In the congenial crowd was Dr. Neil Carmena, who congratulated longtime friend James "Bucky" Buchanan on the celebration of his 35th anniversary in the law, as well as his recent engagement to attorney Gianna Orlandi. Also present for the party and later seen dining at Four Seasons were Blaine Banker, Monterey Brookman, Wendy Plaster, Barbara and Terry Nosek and Christina Gregory with George Harper. Many of those attending provided books for children served by the Classroom on Wheels p rogram.

Foundation gala

The Sunrise Children's Hospital Foundation is delighted to report the success of its second annual Christmas Box gala at the Las Vegas Hilton. "Sold Out," the well-attended charitable evening, found jeweler Michael Minden and his wife, Theresa, alongside Somer and Peggy Hollingsworth and other guests who toured the 16 glittering silent-auction tables. The tables, each with a "holiday box" theme, varied with an angel box, antique box, tool box and toy box offered among the assortment.

Seen in the high-spirited throng were Bert Cohen, chairman of Sunrise Hospital's Board of Directors, joined by Allan Stipe, president of Sunrise, Lenette and Jim Chaisson Jr., Lincoln and Sarah Spoor, Kevin and Dianne Orrock, Ann and Tom Lynch, Louis and Debbie Somers and Gerri Groubert. Others seen making their way to the holiday-decorated ballroom were Steve and Annette Rigazio, Dr. and Mrs. J. Parker Kurlinski, Richard and Betty Hanseen, Dr. and Mrs. Joel Davison and Dr. Robert Silverman, president of the Community College of Southern Nevada. Adding their own magical touch were special guests Santa Claus and his sister, Auntie Claus.

Recognized with special honors at the Christmas box gala were Sue and Doug Brandt. Sue, marketing director for Red Rock Country Club, is a charter member of SCHF and chairwoman of the foundation board. Presiding at the awards was Dee Ladd, president/CEO of SCHF, who opened the evening's program with an introduction of Brandt's family, including her parents, George and Nancy Turner, daughters Katie Brandt and Christy Nelson, and mother-in-law Jean Brandt. All had kept their surprise attendance at the event a family secret.

Charity auctioneer Christian Kolberg auctioned off five holiday packages. Included among the top bidders were state Sen. Bill O'Donnell (for the movie box), Dr. Jim Swift (tea box), Lou Emmert (angel box) and Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Wartenberg (theater box).

The SCHF is a nonprofit foundation whose mission is to help children fulfill a safe, healthy, educated and happy life. Its 11 programs include Lids On Kids (bicycle safety), Baby Think It Over (teen pregnancy prevention ), PAT (parenting skills) and others.

For children's sake

Once again the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Nevada, with sponsorship by Escada and Estee Lauder, held a lovely fashion luncheon at Spago. The holiday event was most pleasant as guests were greeted by honorary co-chairmen Diane Bigelow and Lem Banker and luncheon co-chairwomen Sheila Beaton and Judith Gordon-Zaslowsky, joined by Tom Kaplan, senior managing partner of Spago.

Taking an active part in the success of this annual fund-raiser were Victoria Otter, Jennifer Tuttle, Peggy Brown, Sheryl Best, Andrea Goeglein, Dr. Linnda Leonard, Barbara Stout with Debbie Swissman and Heather Coulthard, who were among those who gathered friends for the afternoon event. Much enjoyed was the featured showing of the Escada 2001 spring collection, a delectable array of appealing designs for both casual and formal needs.

Noting their favorites among the collection were fashionable women including Helene Walker, Sandra Richardson, Toni Clark, Robin Brooks Townsend and Patsy Brinton, as well as Robin Singleton, Becky Boman and Debbie Banker who attended with husband Lem, their daughter Blaine and friend Patti Faraldo. Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Nevada grants the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses, to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.

Mallins honored

Sandy and Stan Mallin will be honored by Temple Beth Sholom on Jan. 7 during a gala held in the temple's new ballroom.

Sandy, in her fifth year as president of the temple's board of directors, made it her personal mission to see the new synagogue in Summerlin built this year, a goal realized in recent months. Stan, original developer-owner of Circus Circus, has been equally involved in fund-raising for Temple Beth Sholom and the Jewish Federation. This evening promises to be spectacular with celebrity entertainment, fine dining and drink included in the ticket price.

Mona Silverman and Arlene Blut are dinner co-chairwomen, and have a planning committee which includes Shelley Carroll, Marla and Tom Letizia and Marcy Saxe. A galaxy of locals are assisting through the honorary dinner committee, including Bonnie and Bill Wortman, Gail and Chic Hecht, Lillian and Henry Kronberg, Rep. Shelley Berkley and Dr. Larry Lehrner, Lovee and Bob Arum and Beverly and James Rogers, to name just a few. Please call 804-1333 for reservations and information.

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