State Sen. Joe Heck, from left, takes a chance on a raffle ticket, while Dee Gillette and Heck's wife, Lisa, offer assistance during the Las Vegas Philharmonic Guild party at the Hard Rock Hotel. Photos by MARIAN UMHOEFER/REVIEW-JOURNAL Mary Ann Hantout, from left, Joan LeMere, Chuck LeMere, Dianne Rogots, Gloria M. Allen and Ann Andersen attend the Las Vegas Philharmonic Guild party Sunday at the Hard Rock Hotel honoring music director Hal Weller. Las Vegas Philharmonic Guild committee members include Joan Leray Berry, from left, Libby Bjerke, Donna Hash, Melva James, Wanda LaFollette, Sondra Lynch, Bruce LaFollette, Maria Elena Lawbaugh, Juliana McRae, Wynn Schottelkord and Mathew McRae. Las Vegas Philharmonic music director Hal Weller, right, is joined by guests Leon and Melanie Persson, from left, and his wife, Betsy, at the party honoring him Sunday at the Hard Rock Hotel. Hal Weller, right, founder and music director of the Las Vegas Philharmonic, greets the violin ensemble from the Nevada School of the Arts, under the direction of Mary Straub and Shakeh Ghoukafian.

The Las Vegas Philharmonic Guild honored Hal Weller, the orchestra's founding music director, at a party Sunday at the Hard Rock Hotel.

Elegantly attired guests entered the event by crossing a bridge to the pool's cabana area where children from the Nevada School of the Arts Violin Ensemble performed under the direction of Mary Straub and Shakeh Ghoukafian.

Guests including Sharon and Mike Nolan, Dorothy Nolan, Diane and Pat Clary, Kay and Allan Browne, Jeanne Greenawalt and Irwin Kishner, Jerry and Rick Crawford, state Sen. Joe Heck and Lisa Heck, Beverly and Mike Mykisen, Robert Mann, Betsy Weller, Phillip Koslow, Patty Morford, Janet Burke, Kenny Taylor, Jerry Muemch, Sandra and Jim Frank, Judi Moore, Diane Carlson and Bill Freyd socialized while bidding on silent auction items.

Chairing the event were Melanie and Leon Persson. KTNV-TV, Channel 13 weathercaster Nate Tannenbaum served as master of ceremonies and auctioneer.

Party committee members introduced included Joan Leray Berry, Sondra Lynch, Libby Bjerke, Donna Hash, Melva James, Wanda LaFollette, Maria Elena Lawbaugh, Juliana McRae, Wynn Schottelkorb and Mathew McRae.

Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt presented an engraved crystal star to Weller, who plans to retire at the end of the 2006-'07 orchestra season. A live auction and dancing under the stars concluded the evening.

Birthday party: A celebration of the city's centennial was the theme of the ninth annual fundraising luncheon and fashion show by the Women's Auxiliary of The Salvation Army of Las Vegas Oct. 4. The party featuring a fashion show by Dillard's took place at the Monte Carlo.

Luncheon tables featured snow globe centerpieces depicting Las Vegas landmarks.

Auxiliary members and their guests were welcomed by visiting Salvation Army Col. Esther Sather, Majs. Harryette and William Raihl, and Auxiliary President Jane DeTevis.

Bids were made on items donated by local hotels, restaurants and merchants to raise funds for The Salvation Army's family services and adult rehabilitation programs as well as Lied Vocational Center.

Guests included Jeanette Giannose, Joan Dimmitt, Florence Kalish, Wynn Schottelkorb, Marion McFadden, Mary Ann Hantout, Nancy Pierce-Rogowski and Phyllis Roberts.

The next day, The Salvation Army had its annual advisory board luncheon at Palace Station, chaired by Charlotte Hejmanowski.

Among the board members in attendance were Bert and Cheryl Purdue, Walter Casey, Leo and Sue Borns, Richard and Norma Land, Joanne Vaughn, Ned Phillips, Ken and Betty Miller, and Phyllis Roberts.

Capt. Michael Nute delivered the invocation, and Carolyn Sparks, advisory board chair, served as the luncheon's mistress of ceremonies. Maj. William Raihl talked about the history of the local organization, which now has an annual budget of $15 million.

Raihl also spoke about Hurricane Katrina, saying the local chapter donated $1.6 million for Katrina relief efforts. He noted that Las Vegas has the third highest number of recent hurricane evacuees outside of Texas with 3,000 people.

The luncheon's guest speaker was Pat Goodall, former University of Nevada, Las Vegas president, who was appointed by the Clark County Commission to the 17-member Community Growth Task Force and served as its chairman in 2004-'05.

Other members and guests attending were Margaret and Jim Williams, Lois Goodall, Ruth and Jack Lillis, Paula Browne, Maureen Vinnik and Tom Turner, Suzanne and Cooley Butler, Dorothy Kemp, Jennifer and Robbie Brinton, and Robert Sparks.

Baby shower: The venue was the Stirling Club for the Oct. 2 shower for Lana and Vince DeSimone, who introduced baby Michael Anthony to the world.

Among those welcoming Michael Anthony with gifts, including a sterling silver toothbrush, were Joe and Lisa Heck, Parvin and Ted Jacobs, Sandy and R.J. Peltyn, Aida and Faro Tofighi, Jean and Joe LaGumina, Barbara Brown and daughter, Shana, Carol McCullough, and Samantha Roy and daughter, Taylor. Guests enjoyed a champagne brunch.

Vince DeSimone is chairman of DeSimone Consulting Engineers PLLC.