Wednesday, June 18, 2003 | 8:20 a.m.
How wonderful to see new enterprises come to our community and immediately forge alliances with charities.
Panera Bread, the newly opened bakery-cafe owned by Roger Wagner, chief operating officer of the Las Vegas franchise, made opening festivities at the Galleria mall at Sunset a time for giving.
The $1,500 contribution, presented by Wagner to Linda Smith and George McCabe of Opportunity Village, is just a hint of what's to come as the bakery-cafe opens 15 locations in the Las Vegas Valley in the next few years.
Present for the festivities were community leaders including Alice Lewis, Roger Saunders, Claire McDonald, Bill Acosta, Mac King, Ira David Sternberg and John Saff, president of Panera Bread, USA.
Electric event
David Matula, division manager, recently hosted a 10-year anniversary for Bergelectric, marking their first decade of operation in the Las Vegas area. Co-hosts were corporate president Don Briscoe and his wife, Chris, Corporate Executive Vice President Tom Anderson and wife, Donna, and Vice President of Estimating Alan Mashburn and his wife, Donna.
The catered affair was a balmy evening under the stars, featuring a tented serving area presided over by caterer Jack Sheraton and decorated with rather glorious flower arrangements created by Debbie Matula.
Entertainment was provided by students from the Las Vegas Academy of Performing Arts. Well-wishers attending the Bergelectric party included Jason Kuckler, Joe Garcia, Casey Jones, Mike Holland, Melissa Kindhart, Scott Christianson, Gary Siroky, Matt Vest, Shane Savoy, Barry Certa and Mitch Adamic.
Bergelectric, which began in 1946 as a small electrical contracting firm in Los Angeles, now designs and installs electrical systems throughout the United States and Mexico.
Supporters honored
Goodwill of Southern Nevada recently hosted its annual Goodwill Awards luncheon, a high-spirited event spotlighting its supporters, volunteers and contributors.
Sponsored by Colonial Bank, the luncheon in the grand ballroom of Texas Station was enhanced by the clever patter of master of ceremonies Nate Tannenbaum and the lovely voice of Las Vegas Councilwoman Lynette Boggs-McDonald, who sang the national anthem.
Accepting Unsung Hero Awards were Lynn Leckie, Ted Antencio, Ron McMenemy, Anita Stockbauer and Willie Trejo, while the Nick Pandelis Award for Board Achievement was given to Edd Kluth. Larry Seedig was named Humanitarian of the Year, while the media award was bestowed upon Beth Fisher of KVBC Channel 3.
Attendees, numbering more than 300, included Steve and Mary Chartrand, Cheryl Pandelis, Metro Police Captain and University Regent Stavros Anthony, Elizabeth Trosper, Brenda and Chris Meehan, Mark Howard, North Las Vegas Councilwoman Shari Buck and Josette Klutz as well as George and Patsy Garcia, Peter Demangus, Mark Daigle, Gus Flangas, Steve Anderson and Laurie Porter, representing her husband, Rep. Jon Porter.
Hoop dreams
A private look into the fantasy world offered to Las Vegas high rollers was provided Saturday evening by Caesars Palace as they rolled out the red carpet for sports-minded VIPs and their families.
Invitations sent throughout the nation for "Bird vs. Magic" promised a one-of-a-kind evening of basketball rivalry, an event staged in the Palace ballroom of the hotel's Tower complex. The legendary Larry Bird, formerly of the Boston Celtics, squared off against the equally talented Magic Johnson, past champion of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Their friendly game of Horse on the hardwood was transformed into a game called "Caesar" for the occasion, and provided a fascinating duel for those at the elite gathering. Rounding out the star-studded affair was fellow basketball great Julius "Dr. J" Erving, guest commentator and judge for the courtside action. Presiding over the lavish cocktail-dinner party was Joe Jimenez, executive vice president at Caesars Palace, and his executive assistant, Johni Lewis.
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