Hundreds gather for Women’s Philanthropy annual luncheon

Women's Philanthropy of United Jewish Community/Jewish Federation of Las Vegas had their annual United Luncheon at Wynn Las Vegas on Feb. 7, with invited guest speaker Joan Rivers.

The affair began at 10:30 a.m., giving the 400 guests ample time to bid on the reception's 61 silent auction items, including a Jimmy Choo leopard handbag; courtroom seats, tour and lunch with Judge Judy in Hollywood; a Fred Leighton diamond necklace; a two-night stay in a Palazzo penthouse; six-course dinner with wine pairings by chef Tom Moloney of AquaKnox; a two-night stay at Montage Resort Spa in Laguna Beach, Calif.; and golf membership at Dragon Ridge Golf Club.

Glimpsed in the crowd were Joyce Mack, Gloria Ruvo, Sue Lowden, Wendy Plaster, Elizabeth Ackerman, Lynn Perlman, Flora Mason, Lynn Rosencrantz, Denise Cashman, Fran Fine Ventura and Ruth Goldfarb.

The Latour Ballroom offered luncheon seating at tables decorated with bowls of yellow tulips set in a T-formation surrounding the fashion show's runway. Co-chairing the luncheon were Alyssa Russo and Shevy Shalev.

Heidi Sarno Straus, Women's Philanthropy chairwoman, served as mistress of ceremonies. Luncheon was a bistro salad and soup of petit raviolis followed by an entree of Australian sea bass, and alternating desserts of fresh fruit or chocolate Reve, served with selected wines from Southern Wine & Spirits.

During lunch, guests were treated to a couture fashion show of day and evening wear provided by the Wynn Esplanade Shops. Leading off the fashion show was Mayor Oscar Goodman wearing a T-shirt with the logo "Feed the Models."

The fashions were modeled by Federation members: Camille Bassewitz, Erin Bendavid, Leora Blau, Susan Byerley, Stacey Cohen, Judge Jackie Glass, Lisa Henry, Alicia Jacobs, Jennifer Lerner, Sara Rosenstein, Galit Rozen, Allyn Jaffrey Shulman, Bridget Shuster, Dr. Carli Snyder, Karin Sporn, Rachel Ventura, Xania Woodman and Dale Wynn.

Rivers, wearing red shoes, a DKNY black dress with a chic fur jacket, regaled all with her "Can We Talk" monologue.

More guests enjoying the affair were Jayn Marshal, Lilian Prusan, Toni Carpenter, Zoe Brown, Dorothy Kemp, Karen Iglesias, Laura Fritz, Rosita Kanes, Patricia Price-Martinelli, Sondra Lynch and Victoria Damalt.

Sponsors of the event were Anson & Higgins Plastic Surgery Associates, the Thomas Spiegel Family Foundation and Johnny Brenden of Brenden Theatres at the Palms.

Fundraiser dinner: A dinner on Friday to benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation was at Cafe Bleu at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts.

Task force leaders Charli and Dave Carter, and Kelly and Sean Connery, were joined by Teri and John Daly, and Deka Knutson in chairing the dinner to raise awareness and funds for children with brain tumors.

The dinner promoted their upcoming Las Vegas Ride for Kids fundraiser, where motorcycle riders are encouraged to sign up sponsors and pledges for the group. The Las Vegas motorcycle ride to Red Rock Canyon and other points concludes with an awards presentation and lunch, which is similar to other rides that take place across the United States.

The evening began with a reception and silent auction that attracted guests Peggy Sanders, Kay and Allen Browne, Theresa and Michael Minden, Linda Smith, Deb Harris, and Virginia and Mark Martino to bid on 16 packages.

When guests were seated for a dinner by chef Carlos Fernandez, a live auction took place for Cordon Bleu's executive chef Heinz Lauer to cook dinner at a private home. The package sold twice for $6,500 each to Marlene and Andy Wheeler and to Larry Carter.

More guests attending were Bridget and Jeff Williams, Linda and Tony Bonnici, Tami Belt, Kim McLain and son, Joshua.

Honoring black leaders: Las Vegas Black Historical Society Inc. had its first event honoring late black leaders on Sunday afternoon at Nevada Partners. The program, titled Reflections and Remembrances, recognized individuals for contributions to the development of the black community and the community at large.

Honored posthumously were: Stella Fears, Jimmy Gay III, J. David Hoggard Sr., Lubertha Johnson and Woodrow Wilson. Family members of those honored were present.

Event chairwoman Ida Gaines was joined by Verlia Hoggard as mistress of ceremonies. The Rev. M.D. Bennett Sr. gave the invocation, followed by remarks from Alice Key, president of Reflections and Remembrances. Christina Williams, a student soloist at University of Nevada Las Vegas, sang "You Can Tell the World About This," the West Las Vegas Art Center Ensemble performed and a buffet was served.

The nonprofit Las Vegas Black Historical Society's goal is to establish, operate and maintain a Black Historical Cultural Center to ensure a permanent exhibit of black artifacts, memorabilia and history.

Board members are Key, Sarann Knight Preddy, Claytee D. White, Gwyn Brown, Dave Washington, Brenda Williams, Hannah Brown, Eleanor Walker, Hoggard, the Rev. Marion Bennett Sr., Gaines, Erma Jai Walker, Daisy Miller, Jackie Newton and Verdia Turner King.