Junior League honors efforts of longtime member

Janice Allen was honored with the Junior League's Lifetime Community Achievement Award at the organization's annual gala, "A Debonair Affair," Saturday at Bellagio. Allen, a resident of Las Vegas since 1948, was recognized for her lifetime commitment to community and public service through the Junior League.

The affair began with a reception and silent auction. Guests included former U.S. Sen. Richard Bryan and Bonnie Bryan, Jewel Brooks, Jack Libby, Tammy and Christopher Peterson, Linda Givens, Doree and George Dickerson, Terry Gialketsis, Thalia Dondero, Maria and Ted Quirk, Saundra and Bob Richardson, Dedee Nave, Jeanne Greenawalt and Irwin Kishner, Caty Crockett, Daphne and Don Campbell, Deni and Steve Conrad, Diane and Harry Brandise, Sara and Art Besser, Patsy Brinton, Sally Rycroft, Sharon and Tom Beatty, Carolyn Sparks, Mari and Thom Landers, Judy Beal, Jane Ann Morrison, Karen Johnston, Nancy Bentley, and Sheryl, Dede and Phillip Slakey.

A Nellis Air Force Base Honor Guard presented the colors and Centennial High School's ROTC Unit escorted Allen and her husband, Fred, into the ballroom.

Junior League President Stephanie Vogel introduced the master of ceremonies, Pierre Charmasson of Los Angeles, who also conducted the live auction for six packages. The packages included a chance to be a fighter pilot for a day; a four-day Sonoma wine experience; airfare to New York City along with three nights at the Hilton, two Broadway tickets and dinner at Tavern on the Green; two nights at The Lodge at Pebble Beach with golf and two nights at the Park Hyatt in Carmel, Calif.; a family trip to Disney World for four people for four nights at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress; airfare and four nights at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago, which included a $1,000 Saks gift card and $250 in dining certificates.

Allen's achievements through her league volunteerism for the past 48 years were discussed during the awards presentation.

Joyce Gorby, a concert pianist and Allen's childhood friend from Ohio, played three selections.

Dancing to the music of UNLV's Jazz Band concluded the evening.

Three-day fundraiser: The Governor's Black-Tie Invitational, recently sponsored by Southern Highlands Golf Club, raised more than $1 million, bringing the amount of money raised by the Southern Highlands Charitable Foundation to more than $6 million during the past eight years.

The event began with the Governor's Black-Tie Gala, honoring Kitty Rodman and Claudine Williams as the governor's philanthropists of the year.

Entertainment was by ventriloquist Terry Fator, winner of NBC's "America's Got Talent."

The main event was a two-day team invitational golf tournament. The winning team of Nick Mamula, Tom Scranton, Tom McDonald and Rich Schaller scored 15 under par.

While the golfers enjoyed the course, the women were treated to spa treatments at Spa Southern Highlands, as well as a luncheon and fashion show presented by Neiman Marcus.

The event also included the Governor's Grand Bash, with a special performance by Grammy Award-winners Earth, Wind & Fire.

Recognizing achievement: The 21st annual Desert Research Institute's Nevada Medal Dinner and Award Ceremony took place in Reno on April 15 and in Las Vegas on April 17 at Caesars Palace.

The Nevada Medal Award is sponsored by AT&T Nevada. It includes a minted eight-ounce medallion of 0.999 pure silver and a $20,000 prize.

The event recognizes outstanding scientific, engineering and technical achievement. Nominations are solicited from universities, research organizations, corporations and individuals nationwide.

This year's honoree is James E. Hansen, director of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies. Hansen is a leading researcher on climate change.

The event also included the presentation of the Desert Research Institute President's Medal to Kenneth G. Ladd, past chairman of the institute's board of trustees. Christopher Maples of the institute filled in for institute President Stephen G. Wells, who was unable to attend.

Emceeing the event were news anchors Paula Francis and Gary Waddell of KLAS-TV, Channel 8.

Christian Kolberg conducted a live auction for 10 items.

Guests included Michael Benjamin, institute trustee chairman; Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki; University Regents Michael Wixom, Mark Alden, Stavros Anthony, Cedric Crear, Thalia Dondero, Jack Lund Schofield and Bret Whipple; state Sens. Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, Mike Schneider, D-Las Vegas, Mark Amodei, R-Carson City, and Bernice Mathews, D-Reno; Assemblyman David Parks, D-Las Vegas; UNLV President David Ashley; Nevada State College President Fred Maryanski; and Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson.

Also among the guests were Beth Wells, Leah Benjamin, Pam and Joe Brown, Dean White, Sharon Hall, Freda and Nick Aquilina, Betty and Richard Hanseen, Carolyn Sparks, Susan and Tom Schoeman, Selma Bartlett, Marianne and John Gibson, Fred Gibson, Lou and Jerry Emmert, Linda and Billy McCoy, Christopher Ries, Andy Taylor, Charles Creigh, and Liz and Pete Gibson.