Fundraisers for business academy, hospice fuel programs

Las Vegas Business Academy offered dinner, a show and a party during its third annual fundraiser for scholarships benefiting students pursuing graduate degrees.

The academy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to graduate school education. Board members are business professionals who share their expertise and resources to mentor these college students. The academy provides selected college students financial aid and mentoring resources so they may become Las Vegas’ future leaders.

The fundraiser Oct. 11 began at The Smith Center with a matinee performance of the Tony Award-winning musical “Wicked.” A reception and dinner at the Downtown Grand followed.

Downtown Grand CEO Seth Schorr welcomed guests and master of ceremonies Max Tappeiner of Mandarin Oriental introduced the scholarship students: Tasha Schwikert, Daven Cameron, Keivan Roebuck and Matthew Sheahan.

Schorr and Sam Cherry, CEO of Sam Cherry Development, were honored for their role in developing downtown Las Vegas.

The party continued with “Rockin’ on the Roof” for nearly 400 guests on the Downtown Grand’s lovely roof, with music by the band Live Music in Vegas and cuisine provided by 15 restaurants.

The Las Vegas Business Academy was founded in 2011 by Rino Armeni, the organization’s chairman.

■ Hospice fundraiser: Nathan Adelson Hospice had its 15th annual Wine &Food Tasting Extravaganza recently at Porsche Gaudin Motor Co., where guests sampled wines and dishes from local restaurants and bakeries while enjoying music and a silent and live auction.

Seen among the guests were Debbie and Gary Ackerman, William Kephart, Libby Bjerke, Maxine and Garland Lee, Celia and Willie Krom, Carolyn and Dirk Schneider, Julianna and Matthew McRae, Sarah and Kent Wyatt, Michele Shafe, Jo Cato, Jim Mooradian, Wynn Schottelkorb and Patty and Vaughn Maford.

Mistress of ceremonies Maria Silva of KVVU-TV, Channel 5, introduced Carole Fisher, president and CEO of Nathan Adelson Hospice. Fisher spoke about the hospice’s Center for Compassionate Care Pediatric Hospice Program.

The event’s money will provide comprehensive pediatric care and support for families in Southern Nevada.

Entertaining was the string quartet Grace Notes as guests sampled plates from P.F. Chang’s, Annie’s Gourmet Italian, Art of Cooking, Beau Monde Bakery, Crazy Pita, B With a Twist, Echo &Rig, Popped and Sharon’s Cakery.

More guests in attendance were Sandra Frank and Vaughn Richards, Gary Fisher, Patricia McCoy, Allen Murrell, Deonte Penn, Michael Zimmerman, Elizabeth Foyt and John Wanderer, James Bryant, Jeanne Jones, Larry Davis, Shantia Brown, Jackie Diasio, Kym Stevenson, Shelley Berkley, Celena DiLullo, Stephanie Forbes, John Buchanan, Anil Melnick, Holly Silvestri, and Maxine and Garland Lee.

Many thanks were given to event chairwoman Laura Coleman, who also serves as chairwoman of the Golden Monarch Council.

Sponsors were Dr. and Mrs. Sherif Abdou, Luxury magazine, Palm Mortuaries, MountainView Hospital, North Vista Hospital, State Serv, Amerinet, Southwest Gas Corp., the Stratosphere, One Point Patient Care, Johnson Bros. of Nevada, Western Bar &Restaurant Supply, The Ferraro Group and the Solomon, Dwiggins &Freer Ltd. law firm.