Couple hailed for community service at ‘Diamonds’ gala

Don and Dee Snyder were recognized for their community involvement Jan. 14 during the Las Vegas Philharmonic's "Diamonds Are Forever" Gala at the Four Seasons.

The Snyders, who have been married 40 years and have three children, were recognized for their outstanding community service during their past 25 years in Las Vegas.

The formal evening began with cocktails, butler-passed hors d'oeuvres and a silent auction while music was performed by Nevada School of the Arts and members of the Philharmonic.

Among the guests were former Sen. Richard Bryan and Bonnie Bryan, Jeri and Rick Crawford, Patricia Pieper Fink and Lou Fink, Diane Carlson and William Freyd, Keith Boman, Yvette and Ellis Landau, Jewel Brooks, Stephanie and Marc Finkel, Mari and Thom Landers, Nancy Houssels, Denise and George Mehocic, Teri Itkin, Dana and Myron Martin, Alisa and Rob Worth, Jody Ghanem, Wendy and Richard Plaster, Christine Peterson, Melinda and Bob Brown, and Patricia and Richard Wright.

Board trustee Ellie Hirschfield welcomed everyone and introduced the master of ceremonies, Casey Smith, KTNV-TV, Channel 13 morning news anchor.

Philharmonic conductor and music director David Itkin introduced special guest violinist Nikita Haduong, a 16-year-old student of the online High School at Stanford University. She played an excerpt from Felix Mendelssohn's "Violin Concerto in E Minor."

Nikita, winner of the Young Artists' Concerto Competition 2011, lives with her family in Henderson.

Larry Zucker of The Gavel Group conducted "Raise the Paddle for The Philharmonic" and a live auction for resort vacations, diamond earrings and a Shih Tzu puppy.

The three-course dinner was followed by board trustee Ellis Landau introducing the Snyders.

Saks Fifth Avenue presented a "Nocturne for Spring" fashion show featuring designers Marchesa, Badgley Mischka, Dolce & Gabbana, Donna Karan, Cavalli, St. John, Versace and Armani.

Seen among the guests were Stephanie Youngblood, Michael and Renee Yackira, Charlene Dzadon, Becky Najafi, Jamie and Bob Evans, Debra March, Prisca and David Crawford, Beth Barbre, Carolyn Sparks, Linda and Billy McCoy, Maxine Gaines, Renee Evers, Karen and Randy Campanele, Gayle Anderson, Toni Carpenter and Bud Pattengale, Anne Loraditch, Sondra Lynch, Abby and Richard Geyer, Julianna and Matthew McRae, and Britta Carlson.