Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Third Thursday's a charm in Henderson

Third Thursday, a celebration of the arts held each month in the historic Water Street District of Henderson, was particularly festive last week.

With eight galleries and a half-dozen restaurants all within easy walking distance, these Thursday evenings offer custom-made jewelry, fine arts in many mediums with artist demonstrations, and casual dining.

Norm Johnson was among the featured artists, with a lively crowd attending his exhibition at City Lights Gallery at 26 S. Water St.

Drawing the lion's share of interest was Norm's in-progress piece, a bronze sculpture to be used as a perpetual trophy for the annual Terrible 400 off-road race in Henderson.

Norm, the creator of the famed Mint 400 Race in 1968, was honored in December as grand marshal of the Terrible 400. After seeing several of Norm's bronze pieces, Casey Folks, race promoter, and Bud Pico, Henderson's tourism manager, commissioned him to create a perpetual trophy for the race's overall winner. It will be presented for the first time in December.

City Lights Gallery is a co-op arrangement, with 67 artists currently participating. With space provided by the city of Henderson, artists are given exhibit areas while sharing operating expenses and gallery operation duties. The co-op also provides grants to art teachers in area schools.

Among those attending were singer Genevieve, producer Grant Griffin, actor/singer-turned-artist Poupee Boccaccio, Brenda Bouschard, race promoter Steve Waldman, Mel and Marilyn Larson, Patricia Welch, Gwen Abbott, Mel Carter, Jackie Brett and Donna Sturgeon.

Also present was Norm's daughter, Robin Johnson, seen with Tiffani Hale and Brenda Weems. Assisting with the exhibition were gallery president Merle Blair and assistant gallery director Alexander Matwiejow.

For details on Third Thursday call 228-4ART or City Lights Gallery at 260-0300.

In the Shade

Right from the heart, right from the start, the Las Vegas Furniture Show at the Sands Expo Center set about making a difference for less-fortunate women and children in our community.

Organized as a first-time offering by Stephan Phelps (Triad Expositions), who divides his time between Las Vegas and Louisville, Ky., and Alexander Shelton, national sales manager for Sands Expo, the trade show, will benefit the clients of the Shade Tree Shelter.

In early planning sessions with Holly Lobelson Silvestri (Impress Communications), the need to help the community was identified and this charity selected.

Shade Tree Shelter is dedicated to providing safe shelter to homeless and abused women and their children. Clients receive counseling, vocational training and life skills necessary to transition into stable lives and self-reliance. Brenda Dizon, executive director of Shade Tree, will coordinate collection of the furnishings as the Las Vegas Furniture Show concludes.

Attending Sunday's announcement party were area residents Larry Thomas, Gary Evans, Joel Walker, Ann Marie Kuzer (Impress Communications), Russell Bienstock and Jenny Layton. David Beckman (Emerald Home Furnishings), was among those representing the vendors who have pledged linens, lamps, rugs, couches and dining tables for use by Shade Tree clients.

'Christmas in July'

Henderson Convention Center was a beehive of activity as Sunrise Children's Foundation presented "Christmas in July Crop," a scrapbook festival. Sponsored by U.S. Bank and Kohl's and its Kohl's Cares for Kids program, the 13-hour marathon drew nearly 100 women and teens.

Some were novices, while others created exquisite treasures to celebrate weddings and other special events. Mini-workshops, door prizes and plentiful advice were provided by a dozen participating scrapbook vendors.

Virginia Stiles chaired the fundraiser, with assistance from David Rangel. Proceeds will be used for the dozen programs provided by the foundation to at-risk children across Southern Nevada. Efforts to improve health and educational success reach children from birth through age 18.

In the throng of scrapbook maniacs were Betty Hanseen, Lisa Chao, Krysten Jankowski, Andrea Hudson, Paula Higgins, Samantha Ochoa, Janet Kapke, Cricket Russell and Erica Pennington. Others who brought their photos and special mementos to create the scrapbook projects included Christy Shepard, Colleen Berge, Lynne Bogner, Karla Labbe, Debra Miller and Rebecca, Nancy and Samantha Howell.

We are the World

Champagne toasts and roaring applause marked opening ceremonies for World Market Center on Monday evening in downtown Las Vegas.

Certainly the most celebrated of occasions, invitations to the festive party were considered the hottest ticket of the season. Mingling with Jack Kashani and Shawn Samson, co-founders of the World Market Center and Marty Berger (president) and Ron Wackrow (vice president), both of Related Companies-Las Vegas, were an elite crowd of Las Vegas residents and select industry leaders representing more than 70 countries.

Gathered for a private reception prior to the ribbon-cutting ceremonies in the splendid rotunda of the trade center were developer Irwin Molasky, Deputy City Manager Betsy Fretwell, Councilman Gary Reese, former Gov. Bob Miller (Nevada Tourism Alliance), Rossi Ralenkotter (Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority), Gayle Anderson (state of Nevada), former Nevada legislator Merle Berman, Mike Riley, Kara Kelley and Cara Roberts (both of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce), film-television star Jacklyn Smith and Michael Carr (Greenspun Media Group) seen with Jonathan Schiff (Related Companies-Las Vegas).

Roger Thomas (vice president for interior design at Wynn Las Vegas), whose line of furnishing designs will soon be manufactured, was also in attendance.

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, who declared himself "The happiest mayor in the universe" and who sees this splendid trade center and exhibition show as a personal victory for downtown development, led the ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

Following the speeches and ceremonies, guests spread through each level of the 10-story building to explore the showrooms with their rich colors and designs. Fine foods and beverages as well as entertainment were provided by Las Vegas hotels and restaurants.

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