Cultural Diversity Foundation toasts 20th year with wine tasting benefit

The Cultural Diversity Foundation celebrated its 20th Anniversary Educational Taste of Excellence Wine Tasting, Spirits, and Jazz Scholarship Benefit March 7 at the World Market Center.

While supporters sampled more than 100 domestic and imported wines from 25 wineries, the sounds of smooth jazz saxophonist Darren Motamedy and fabulous ice carvings added to the ambience of one of Las Vegas’ best parties.

KUNV-FM, 91.5 Operations Manager Dave Nourse was emcee. Live auctioneer was Rod Maly of Art Encounter.

Education is the focus of the Cultural Diversity Foundation. Its mission is to create opportunities to learn by promoting, encouraging and enhancing the educational, professional and personal growth of individuals through the development of programs that support upward mobility for underserved Clark County residents. For instance, its computer skills program prepares students for job readiness.

“This has been a major milestone and an incredible journey for the Cultural Diversity Foundation,” said Joni Flowers, president and executive director of the organization.

Community Partners served scrumptious appetizers, entrees and desserts. Cake World’s owners Jessica and Lalo Castaneda provided the icing on the cake with their chocolate mousse cake, strawberry shortcake and tres leches (Spanish for three milks) cake made with three types of milk and cream icing. Las Vegas Fruits and Nuts was also a favorite with its chocolate-covered banana chips and dark chocolate fudge.

Alex Thomas, Amanda Evans, Tiara Flynn, Shaundell Newsome, Erica Fox, Ana Church, Tony Gladney and Miss Nevada were among the hundreds of attendees.

The foundation’s sponsors and donors provided live and silent auction and raffle items. Some of them included: a $1,000 slot machine from Bally Technologies, tickets donated by Sen. Harry Reid to visit the United States Senate, an office visit with Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman, Southwest Airline tickets to anywhere it flies, spa and golf packages, jewelry and vintage wines.

The foundation has awarded more than 100 scholarships to high school seniors and currently enrolled college students since its inception. This year’s scholarship winners were Yasmeena Zouita, Marlene Ayman and Daniela Sanchez.

“I am thrilled because this was the last bit of money I needed to get to college,” said Zouita, a graduate of Rancho High School who is in her first year at Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Fla. She is majoring in exercise science.

Community partners honored during the 20th Anniversary Educational Taste of Excellence were Tim Lavorci of B With A Twist Catering, Jenna Murewski and Mike Anderson of Brio Tuscan Grille, Donna Cutler of Las Vegas Fruits and Nuts, Sasha Rincon of the House of Blues and Foundation Room, Eva Paulssen of Island Fusion, Cake World’s owners Jessica and Lalo Castaneda, Mehdi Zarhloul of Crazy Pita and representatives from Simply Pure.

Paul Brozovich has attended the Taste of Excellence Awards since it started. “It’s the only event where I’ll gladly pay over $100 for a bottle of wine. I don’t mind because it gives back to the community.”

Some of the corporate sponsors included Southern Wine &Spirits of Nevada, Lee’s Discount Liquor, Caesars Entertainment, MGM Resorts, NV Energy, Bank of Nevada, CDW, Southwest Airlines, Las Vegas Review-Journal, Las Vegas Sun, KUNV-FM, 91.5 and Las Vegas Color Graphics.