Letizias honored at Jewish gala

Marla and Tom Letizia were honored as 2009 Menschen of the Year in recognition for their dedication and support to the Jewish community at Congregation Ner Tamid's gala Nov. 21 at the Four Seasons. Proceeds will benefit Congregation Ner Tamid.

Because of the Letizias' lengthy history in broadcast television (Letizia Mass Media), the event was named "Congregation Ner Tamid Presents: CNTV -- A Special Red Carpet Event" and featured a broadcast theme.

Guests entered the reception by walking a red carpet amid paparazzi. Individual photos were snapped as KVBC-TV, Channel 3 news anchor Kendall Tenney interviewed each guest.

Dinner co-chairs were U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkley and Mayor Oscar Goodman.

A silent auction offered tickets to TV shows and Las Vegas Strip entertainment productions and restaurants for participants, who included Justice Michael Cherry, Arlene and Jerry Blut, David Dahan and daughter, Shana, Lynn Rosencrantz, Jewel Brooks and Jack Libby, Mari and Thom Landers, Tricia Kean and Rick Hergott, Beverly Rogers, Larry Lehrner, Trish Truesdell, and Elayne and Steve Kollins. Gary Waddell, news anchor at KLAS-TV, Channel 8, served as master of ceremonies.

Dinner seating encircled the large dance floor, where Marla Letizia made her entrance re-creating the TV show "Dancing with the Stars." During her dance routine, husband Tom cut in.

The Letizias were introduced by daughter Harmony, and a family video followed with words of appreciation from Rabbi Sanford Akselrad. Dancing was to music performed by Harbor Lights.

Cook-to-order buffets surrounded the ballroom, where ahi tuna and short rib sliders with french fries and sweet potato fries were served. Also served were sushi, satays of beef, chicken and duck, mushroom risotto, Caesar salad and hot doughnuts. Guests included Carolyn Goodman, Janet and Ben Spano, Tony Tegano and Jennifer Salinas, Cameron and Frank Angelo, Jaki Baskow, Ed Bernstein, Claudia Noriega, Dee and Fred Berkley, Melanie and Gene Greenberg, Patricia and Richard Wright, Bill Marion, Melinda and Bob Brown, Cari Marshall and Ellen and Alec Sonenthal.

The live auction's bids for tickets were for "Oprah," "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," "American Idol" and "Dancing with the Stars." A gin party with Mayor Goodman sold for $10,000 and the big item was use of Steve Kollins' 112-foot yacht for a week with its crew of four in the bidder's choice of the Caribbean or Alaska that sold for $30,000.

Also seen among the 400 guests were Roberta and Mike Unger, Holly Silvestri, Joni Akselrad, Joan and Les Dunn, Todd Marshall, Christy and Alan Molasky, Nan and Ira Spector, Sharry and Tim Quillin, Illisa and Eric Polis, Lotty and Jerry Polis and Congregation Ner Tamid's president Bruce Matza and wife, Annie.