Mark Gangeness, from left, Renee Gangeness, Endra Lundstrom, Vicki Wenge, Dan Henson, Leo Brenhan, Mary Ann Schwab, Henry Schwab and Cheryl Roberts attend the Governor's Black Tie Invitational gala March 30 at Southern Highlands Golf Club. Photos By Marian Umhoefer/Review-Journal. Darilyne and Garry Goett welcome guests arriving at the sixth annual Governor's Black Tie Invitational gala at Southern Highlands Golf Club. Stephanie Springel, from left, Pat Fries, Cathy Delliponti and Deanne Rood look over the silent auction items at the governor's gala. Elaine Wynn, from left, first lady Dema Guinn and Janie Greenspun Gale visit during the Governor's Black Tie Invitational gala. The Greenspun family received the 2006 Governor's Philanthropist of the Year award at the event. Rosita Missoni, from left, Lou Emmert, Mari Landers and Angela Missoni gather Friday at The Venetian for a fundraiser for the Las Vegas Philharmonic. Thom Landers, from left, Mari Landers, Hal Weller and Betsy Weller chat during the fundraiser for the Las Vegas Philharmonic. Justice Nancy Becker, from left, Phyllis Roberts and Hugh Roberts attend the Philharmonic fundraiser at The Venetian. Pam Coyle, from left, Bob Coyle, Renee Marion and Bill Marion are among the guests at the Philharmonic party.

Gov. Kenny Guinn and first lady Dema Guinn hosted the sixth annual Governor's Black Tie Invitational, a three-day charitable event that ran March 30 through Saturday at Southern Highlands Golf Club.

The black tie gala took place March 30 at the golf club, where the 2006 Governor's Philanthropist of the Year award was presented to the Greenspun family for its contributions to the valley. Representing the family were Barbara Greenspun, Brian and Myra Greenspun, Danny and Robin Greenspun, Janie Greenspun Gale and Jeff Gale, and Jonathan Fine.

The party began with a silent auction as guests sipped libations and tasted an array of gourmet hors d'oeuvres prepared by the Four Seasons, Postrio and Ritz-Carlton.

Afterward, guests including Sen. John Ensign and Darleen Ensign, Justice Bill Maupin, Commissioner Lynette Boggs McDonald, Assemblyman John Oceguera, Sheriff Bill Young and Sandy Young, Elaine Wynn, Joni and Bob McMonigle, Tina and Richard Morgan, Melinda and Bob Brown, Marilyn and John Moran, Darilyne Goett, Rollie Sturm, Heidi and Larry Canarelli, Chuck Ruthe, and the event's co-chairs Garry Goett, Nick Mamula, Stephanie Springel and Bernie Schiappa walked the red carpet out to the golf course to a large, elaborately decorated tent.

Dinner began with a trio of ahi tuna prepared by chef Vincent Pouessel of Aureole. The entree was short rib of beef roulade and proscuitto-wrapped lobster by chefs James Perillo of Caesars Palace and Bernard Ibarra of The Mirage. Chef Jim McNamara of the Rio created a nutty Napoleon macaroon for dessert.

Christian Kolberg conducted a live auction for 12 packages that together with the silent auction raised $700,000 for the Southern Highlands Charitable Foundation, benefiting the Assistance League of Las Vegas, Candlelighters for Childhood Cancer, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Opportunity Village, Project Sunshine, Shade Tree and the Southern Highlands Scholarship Fund.

Guests included Lynn Donner, Liza Schumacher, Mark Ferraro, Jo Bateman, Rhonda and Kalei Dudoit, Linda and Alan Wilson, Kim and Joel Laub, Jennifer Tuttle, and Joan and Jim Hammer.

The event continued on Friday with a private concert by Glenn Frey and his band, and concluded on Saturday with a breakfast buffet, golf tournament, ladies luncheon and fashion show by Nordstrom, and a cocktail and award reception.

Fashionable evening: A gala benefit for the Las Vegas Philharmonic honoring Mari Landers took place Friday at The Venetian.

Landers is vice president and general manager of Saks Fifth Avenue in Las Vegas, and both she and the company are ardent supporters of the fine arts in the valley. Philharmonic music director Hal Weller presented Landers with a gold baton pin fashioned by Michael E. Minden Jewelers.

The event also included a visit by fashion designer Angela Missoni of Milan, Italy, who presented her 2006 women's collection and launched her new Missoni fragrance.

Attending the reception were Betsy Weller, Wendy and Richard Plaster, Jack Libby, Deni and Steve Conrad, Heather and Shane Stine, Philip Koslow, Karen Haid, Barbara and Bruce Woollen, Norma and Richard Land, Francine and Terry Graves, Jewel Brooks, Peg Crockett, Janet and Andrew Blumen, Dick McGee, Anita Mayer, Ruth and Jack Lillis, Elizabeth Herridge, Sandra and Jim Frank, Lynn Wiesner, Caty Crockett, Kurt Mische, and Sharon and Norm Jenkins.

The silent auction offered 58 items for bid that Denise and George Mehocic, Carolyn Sparks, Patricia and Richard Wright, Gianna and James "Bucky" Buchanan, Renee and Bill Mario, Persia and James Golden, and Lou Emmert couldn't resist.

After dinner, Saks showed Missoni's 2006 collection in the United States for the first time. The show featured 20 models wearing the latest in free-moving fabric and design in a kaleidoscope of colors. Taking a bow was Missoni, who was accompanied by her mother, Rosita.

A live auction was conducted by Christian Kolberg for seven adventures, Super Bowl tickets and jewelry.

The highest bid was for the "Fashion and Ferraris" package that included a trip to Milan for its famed fashion shows, lunch with the Missonis, a private tour of the Ferrari factory and three days and nights in Tuscany. The bidding was so competitive that the offer was made twice, enabling Phyllis McGuire and Don Andress each to win a trip.