Hundreds gather for 52nd annual Mardi Gras Ball

St. Rose Dominican Hospital and the St. Rose Dominican Health Foundation presented the Children's Miracle Mardi Gras Ball on Feb. 21 at Bellagio. In its 52nd year, the ball benefitted the pediatric centers at St. Rose Dominican's hospitals.

Ball co-chairs Lexy Capp and James A. Barrett Jr. returned to the original Mardi Gras ball theme.

The hosted cocktail reception featured a silent auction and music by Harbor Lights and vocal entertainment by Primrose Martin, a junior at Las Vegas Academy of International Studies.

More than 850 guests filled the dining room, where interactive bidding by phones could be made from the table for eight packages.

Master of ceremonies John O'Reilly introduced Christian Kolberg, who conducted a live auction for a dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts once a month for a year for $1,600; front row tickets for two for Cher, Bette Midler and Elton John went for $5,500; a Lake Tahoe ski experience sold for $10,000; two tickets to the "Survivor" finale in New York City went for $4,000; VIP tickets for a Los Angeles Lakers game and travel by private jet brought in $12,000; a private rock concert by Ratt for the bidder and 500 friends went for $25,000; and a KISS concert, including airfare on Southwest Airlines, sold for $15,000.

Evening entertainment was provided by The Osmonds Second Generation, Broadway stars Deborah Gibson and Leigh Zimmerman, comedian Louie Anderson, and singer Domenick Allen with 9-year-old daughter, Cayleigh.

St. Rose president and chief executive officer Rod A. Davis introduced the event's special honorees, Donny and Marie Osmond, who concluded the evening by singing a selection of their hits.

Guests included Mary Kaye Cashman, Jeanne and John Kilduff, Diana and Dan Foley and daughter, Betty Jayne, Helen Foley, Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson, Geraldine Williams, Joyce and Charles Slater, Donna Irvin Goodrum and Diane Dickerson. Founding trustees of the Children's Miracle Network attending were Bill Flangas, Carolyn Sparks, Dr. Leonard Kreisler and Stan Colton.

ANNUAL DINNER: University of Nevada, Las Vegas' College of Business had its annual Nevada Business Hall of Fame Dinner sponsored by Deloitte on Feb. 19 at The Mirage.

The event honored business leaders who have made contributions to Nevada's economy by bringing positive recognition to the state.

Mistress of ceremonies Sue Manteris of KVBC-TV, Channel 3, introduced Paul Jarley, dean of the college of business.

Accepting the award for honoree J. Terrence "Terry" Lanni, who was unable to attend, was Cynthia K. Murphy.

Honoree Charles A. Lenzie was introduced by Jay Kornmayer. Lenzie served as board chairman and chief executive officer for Nevada Power from 1989 to 1999.

Introducing honoree Thalia Dondero was Chancellor James Rogers. Dondero, a previous member of the Clark County Commission, was elected to the University Board of Regents in 1996, serving until her term expired in 2008.

Among the attendees were Joyce Mack, Mel Wolzinger, Mike Sloan, Barbara Molasky, Ken Peffers, Leticia and Steve Miller, Steven Phelan, Fred Gibson, Larry Carter and Thomas Brooker.