Gala kicks off annual Governor’s Black Tie Invitational
The exclusive three-day Governor's Black Tie Invitational golf and social event at Southern Highlands began March 31 at the golf club with the 11th Annual Governor's Black-Tie Gala.
Founder and event co-chair Garry Goett, Gov. Brian Sandoval and the Southern Highlands Charitable Foundation will donate proceeds raised at the event to local charities Make-A-Wish Foundation, Southern Highlands Boys & Girls Club, Children's Heart Foundation, Assistance League, Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation, Candlelighters and Opportunity Village.
In the clubhouse, Goett and Sandoval greeted guests Maureen and Phil Peckman, Melissa Copeland, Heidi and Larry Canarelli, Larry Ruvo, Marieka and Mike Meyer, Charlotte and Wally Besuden, Kathy and Jack Woodcock, Fletcher Jones, Mary and Ted Twesme, Melinda and Bob Brown, Celine and Nick Mamula, Joe Murphy, Guy Inzalaco, and Joyce and Jim Nelson.
Guests participated in a silent auction while enjoying gourmet appetizers and specialty cocktails. The Four Seasons served dinner in a large white tent on the green. Master of ceremonies Jack Sheehan introduced the Street Corner Symphony.
The evening honored Charles Mathewson, former president and chief executive officer of International Gaming Technology, as the 2011 Governor's Philanthropist of the Year.
The live auction for 14 packages raised more than $175,000.
Other guests attending were Stacie Mathewson, Darilyne Goett, John Zanoni, Sadie and Victor Cornejo, Kelly Brockman, Janette and Patrick Byrne, Mary and Tom McDonald, Kelly and Brian Iriye, Ashley Bell and Rick McGough, Linda Smith, Nancy Jones, Joyce Sherman, Toni and John Fitts, Tracy and Mike Skenanore, and Jay Beckman.
The Great Gatsby: The first gala for Nevada Children's Center was April 2 at the Las Vegas Hilton.
The majority of the 324 guests donned clothes of the Gatsby era for the star-studded event. The reception took place among vintage cars loaned from Pam and Tony Gardner, Cathy and Art Schieff and Bob Taylor.
Emceeing the event was Lorraine Hunt-Bono and Dennis Bono. Gala co-chairs were Carolyn Sparks and Gayle Anderson. Music was provided by the UNLV Jazz Ensemble. Beschelle Lockhart, Nevada Children's Center executive director, honored the Houssels Family Foundation and the Bennett Family Foundation for their support. John O'Reilly conducted a live auction, raising funds for the center to provide therapeutic treatment and behavior modification for abused and neglected children.
Among the guests were U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkley, UNLV President Neal Smatresk and Debbie Smatresk, honorary Romania Consul General Lia Roberts and honorary consul of Italy Stefano Ripamonti.
Other guests included Mariam Afshai, Annee Nounna, Jim March, Herman van Betten, Lisa Heck, Pia Zandora, Mary Wilson, Diana Bennett, Marti and Richard Hafen, Nicole and Sandy Gibbons, Dema Guinn, Charlene and Tony Carter, Rhonda and Bob Lloyd, Vivienne and John Tom Ross, Jim Silvestri, Quara and Rick Pyatt, Thomas Kinsora, Betsy Rhodes, Francine Pulliam, Scott Menke, Deborah Delanoy, Brittany Stryker, Mikey Bilbray, Judy Middleton, Wendy and Richard Plaster, and Nancy, J. Kell and Eric Houssels. Costume winners were Holly Estoberski and Bob Weaver.
