Zoe Brown, from left, Irene Vogel and Mary Owensby check out a bike for children with special needs during the Variety gala. Photos by Marian Umhoeffer/Review-Journal. Jason Smith, executive director of Variety — The Children’s Charity looks at a “Sunshine Coach" with Kitty Rodman, center, and Claudine Williams during the organization’s Heart of Gold gala March 16 at Paris Las Vegas. The Craner family, including John, from left, Linda, Julie and Lee, chat during the Variety gala. Bob Barnhart, from left, and Jill Barnhart watch magician Gary Norsigian perform a card trick.

The Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors received the 2007 Heart of Gold Award from Variety -- The Children's Charity during a gala March 16 at Paris Las Vegas.

Through the years, Variety has bestowed its highest honor on a member or organization that has made a substantial positive impact in the lives of children, particularly handicapped youngsters.

The Realtors association sponsors an annual golf tournament that raises money for wheelchairs, bicycles and "Sunshine Coaches" for valley children. A bachelors' auction last year brought in enough money to rebuild and equip the Variety Early Learning Center playground.

Founded in Pittsburgh in 1927, Variety has operated in Las Vegas since 1950. It constructed the first school in Southern Nevada for children with special needs.

Variety Board President Lee Craner and Executive Director Jason Smith greeted supporters. The dinner's emcee was KVBC-TV, Channel 3 news anchor Kendall Tenney.

Guests included Kitty Rodman, Claudine Williams, Melinda and Bob Brown, Susan Sawyer, Jill and Bob Barnhart, Donna and Tom Jenkin, Julie Murphy, Reena and John Durkin, and Lynn and Dick Foster.

A silent auction took place during the reception where Irene and Allen Vogel, Joan Levy, Kellie and Marv Rubin, Myrna and Al Kingham, and Fafie and Jeff Moore bid on items while socializing.

The 18-piece Legacy Band played for ballroom dancers from the Fred Astaire Dance Studio.

A highlight of the evening was the traditional appearance of special guest star Greg Anderson, Australia's "Electric Cowboy," who rode his horse around the dining tables as he sang.

More guests attending were Paula and Dave Heatwole, Jan Peterson, Cathy Sterbentz, Linda Smith, John Wasserburger, Zoe Brown, and Connie and Don Pitchford.

On the road: Members of Sustainers of the Junior League of Las Vegas plus a few friends flew to San Francisco March 22 to explore the sights and enjoy good food.

Upon arrival, everyone made a beeline to her favorite restaurant for lunch. Two of the most popular destinations were the Tadich Grill in the financial district and Kuleto's Italian Restaurant on Union Square.

For the afternoon, the ladies indulged in their favorite pastime -- shopping at Gump's, specialty stores around Union Square, Nordstrom and the fairly new super Bloomingdale's.

Everyone stayed at the Parc 55 Hotel. Following cocktails in the hotel's Club Room, the group walked to the Powell-Hyde Cable Car to ride to Ghiradelli Square's McCormick & Kuleto's Seafood Restaurant for dinner, and then to the Buena Vista Cafe for its famed Irish Coffee.

The next morning, the women went to the historic Ferry Building to see the multimillion-dollar renovated marketplace that consists of eateries, antiques and gourmet food shops. Then the group took a ferry ride across the bay to Sausalito to lunch at Poggio in the Casa Madrona Hotel and to spend the afternoon strolling in and out of art galleries and boutiques.

Evening activities included taking in the play "Jersey Boys" at the Curran Theater, or watching the University of Nevada, Las Vegas basketball game in the hotel's sports bar.

The third day included a city bus tour of such sights as Chinatown, Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, Golden Gate Park and the Haight-Ashbury District.

The day also featured a Victorian Homes Walking Tour conducted by historian Jay Gifford. Lunch was at the Betelnut Restaurant on Union Street, followed by shopping along the street's distinctive boutiques before the late flight back to Las Vegas.

Among the guests were Garland Lilley, Rebecca Boman, Karen Johnston, Judy Beal, Lois Zellers, Patsy Brinton, Sharon Schmitt, Nancy Peccole, Karen Rice, Rite Meier and Gloria Colvin.