Saks Fifth Avenue honors men committed to community

Twelve men from various backgrounds and professions who exemplify great personal and professional commitment to the community were honored April 18 with the Vegas Dozen Award by Saks Fifth Avenue at the store.

The event, in its ninth year and subtitled "The Men We Love and Why We Love Them," benefited the University of California, San Diego Nevada Cancer Institute.

This year's honorees are former professional football player Tony Berti, co-founder of Goodie Two-Shoes; Chuck Bowling, president and chief operating officer of Mandalay Bay; Dr. Jeffrey Cummings, director of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health; Barry Dakake, executive chef of N9NE Steakhouse; Todd DuBoef, president of Top Rank Boxing; Jason Feinberg, news anchor at KVVU-TV, Channel 5; Rick Harrison, owner of Gold & Silver Pawn Shop and reality TV star; John O'Reilly, president and CEO of O'Reilly Law Group; Dave Rice, UNLV men's basketball coach; Seth Schorr, CEO of Fifth Street Gaming; Richard Worthington, president and chief operating officer of The Molasky Group; and Penn Jillette, entertainer, TV reality star and longtime supporter of Aid for AIDS of Nevada and Opportunity Village.

The honorees wore suits and accessories from Saks Fifth Avenue.

Caterer Eva Paulussen presented an array of canapes beginning with a display of imported cheeses with platters of country pate, chicken liver terrine and European meats. Southern Wine & Spirits provided wines and specialty cocktails titled Dirty Dozen Martinis and Saks Fizz Avenues.

Guests including Susan and Irwin Molasky, Lovee and Bob Arum, Heather DuBoef, Dena DuBoef, Whitney and Larry DuBoef, Patricia and Richard Wright, Jewel Brooks, Jack Libby, Stephanie Youngblood, Steve Conrad, Sue and Barry Becker, Shannon Kirkpatrick, Justin Wright, Thom Landers, Laura Fritz and Mike Weber joined the seated audience in front of the stage where Zowie Bowie entertained.

Mistress of ceremonies Mercedes Martinez of KMXB-FM, 94.1's Mark & Mercedes radio show introduced speakers Mari Landers, vice president and general manager of Saks Fifth Avenue in the Fashion Show mall; Heather Murren, Cancer Institute board member; and Dr. Thomas McAfee, CEO of San Diego Health Systems.

A gourmet buffet of hot appetizers was accompanied by a crepe station and a variety of vegetables. Dessert was miniature pastries and gelato.

More guests in attendance were Kate Epstein, Jane and Marc Schorr, Robyn and Randolph Townsend, Jack Sheehan, Beverly and Mike Mykisen, Julie Schafer, Renee and Michael Yachira, Sondra Lynch, Shelley Gitomer and Denise and George Mehocic.