Thursday, March 25, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

ON THE SCENE: Group launches fund-raisers for local nonprofit organizations

Bev Purcell, from left, Roy Purcell, Christine McKellar and James "Kim" McKellar Jr. visit during the Safe Nest benefit in the McKellars' home. Estelle Murphy, from left, chats with Lincoln Maynard and Jaci Maynard during the Las Vegas Fine Arts Salon fund-raiser for Safe Nest earlier this month. Musicians who performed during the Safe Nest benefit include Scott Jackson, back row left, and James Reinarz; Polya Bankova, middle row left, and Emily Holden; and Tena Shizuma. Members of the Clark County Medical Society Alliance attending a luncheon to benefit Families for Effective Autism Treatment include Claire Kurlinski, standing from left, Christina Duke, Swati Khamamkar, Aditi Sanatinia, Lisa Cohler and Cheryl Hegger, and seated from left, Karen Schroeder, Mary Sullivan-Bryan, Annette Mohs, Wendy Agrawal and Heather Gerson. Julie Ostrovsky, from left, Margi Perchetti, Kendall Tenney, Catina Haverlock and Diane Butler attend the FEAT luncheon at the MGM Grand. Pete O'Donnel, from left, Ron Hein, Frank Scinta, Gov. Kenny Guinn and Joey Scinta join in the fun and festivities during the inaugural United Blood Services fund-raising gala Saturday at the Rio. The event featured an auction of masks painted and decorated by celebrities. Jan Dalby, from left, Paul Workman and Ron Hein chat during the fund-raiser for United Blood Services. Photos by MARIAN UMHOEFER/REVIEW-JOURNAL

Las Vegas Fine Arts Salon is a newly registered nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting local talent in Las Vegas in conjunction with raising funds for various charities throughout Southern Nevada.

The inaugural event March 6 to benefit Safe Nest took place in the home of James "Kim" McKellar Jr. in Paradise Valley.

Safe Nest is a nonprofit organization that operates emergency shelters for battered women and children. The agency also offers hot lines and a professionally staffed counseling office for victims of abuse and offenders.

Christine L. McKellar, president of Las Vegas Fine Arts Salon, made the evening's introductions after welcoming guests including Irais and Robert Kolesar, Assemblywoman Valerie Weber, Sally and Larry McKinney, Sue Shreck, Russell Peterson, Jaci Maynard and Gena Satori.

A silent auction took place in the home's spacious dining room. Hors d'oeuvres catered by Affairs to Remember and wine were served in the family room and outside on the terrace overlooking the pool and waterfall.

Other guests included Edythe and Gilbert Yarchever, Annie Viches, John Clare, Annette Carman, Joe Puzel and daughter Shea, Paul Hesselink and Linda Parker, Jane and Harold Memmer, Laura and Ed McSwain, Natasha Williams, Sonia Vermeys, Lori Smith and Doug Warden.

Authors spoke about their books and answered questions in the large conversation pit where there was ample seating and a fireplace. Participants included Robyn Carr, Cathy Scott and John L. Smith, a columnist at the Review-Journal.

Artists displaying their works throughout the home were Roy Purcell, Lincoln Maynard and James Stanford.

A recital by student competition winners from the Nevada School of the Arts was presented in the formal living room.

Performers included Tena Shizuma, an eighth-grade student at Hyde Park Middle School; Emily Holden, a senior at Las Vegas Academy of International Studies, Performing and Visual Arts; Scott Jackson, a senior at Las Vegas Academy; and James Reinarz, a junior at Las Vegas Academy. Polya Bankova accompanied all on the piano.

Also among the 123 guests were Mary Lou and Randy Pazik, Denise and Jeff Nicholl, Anna Gumroyan and Ed Hanigan.

Colorful auction: United Blood Services had its first Images Gala Saturday at the Rio, featuring hand-painted and decorated masks by celebrities, government and business leaders, artists, sports heroes and television personalities.

The evening included a reception and silent auction where the string quartet from Las Vegas Academy performed.

Proceeds from the silent and live auctions go to provide educational materials and incentives to involve young people in community blood drives.

Guests included Gov. Kenny Guinn and Dema Guinn, Tom Schoeman, Charlotte Hill, Councilwomen Lynette Boggs McDonald and Janet Moncrief, Barbara Lee Woollen, Kella Brown, artists Sophy Black and Tanya Matson, David Greigo, Linda Smith, Ed Gutrie, Kathy Espin, Peggy Smith, Assemblywoman Valerie Weber, Ida and Stanley Rosen, Annette Kinsman, and Barbara and Phillip Hutchings.

Paul Workman, chairman of the Community Council, and Ron Hein, executive director of United Blood Services, thanked all for supporting this event.

Magicians Penn & Teller made a brief appearance as they were named 2003 Celebrity Community Advocates of the Year for their donation of $200,000 worth of show tickets to encourage and thank blood donors.

The Mirage was named 2003 Las Vegas Strip Property of the Year, having donated 670 units of blood last year. The Suncoast was named Southern Nevada Gaming Property of the Year in honor of the 1,460 units of blood donated by employees and customers last year.

Dave Courvoisier of KLAS-TV, Channel 8, served as master of ceremonies and Christian Kolberg conducted the live auction for 28 beautiful life-sized masks, including those decorated by Tony Curtis, Mayor Oscar Goodman, Dema Guinn, Clint Holmes, Phyllis Diller, Carrot Top, Susan Anton, Tia Carrere, Lance Burton, Congresswoman Shelley Berkley, Tom Holder, Christian Riese Lassen, Daria Kniazena, Sheriff Bill Young and The Scintas.

Other guests included Tom Smith, Trina Williams, Mary Lou Foley, District Court Judge Robert Lueck, County Commission Chairman Chip Maxfield, state Sen. Barbara Cegavske, Shelley Adelson and Linda Gillis.

Spring fashions: The Clark County Medical Society Alliance presented its fashion luncheon featuring boutiques of Las Vegas on March 16 at the MGM Grand.

The medical alliance is a service organization providing volunteer hours, monetary assistance to charitable organizations and nursing scholarships. Members are spouses of physicians.

Proceeds from this benefit go to Families for Effective Autism Treatment, known as FEAT of Southern Nevada.

Annette Mohs, alliance president, introduced Julie Ostrovsky, president of FEAT, and the afternoon's master of ceremonies, Kendall Tenney of KVBC-TV, Channel 3.

Models were from Chantage, Vasari, Musette, Pink and Talulah G.

The luncheon's entertainment, emceed by Dan O'Brian of "Folies Bergere," featured entertainers from "Bottoms Up"; Traci Ault, singer, and juggler Wally Eastwood, also of "Folies Bergere"; and Stephanie Jordan & "Midnight Fantasy Girls."

Among those attending were Yolanda Muro, Pam Tolan, Kathy Dotson, Michelle Hay, Maria Martinez and Harriet Batdorf.