Gala raises money to fight childhood brain tumors

A benefit for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation to help in its efforts to find the cause and cure for childhood brain tumors took place July 17 at Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Snow Crab in the Forum Shops at Caesars.

The world's largest nonprofit supporter of childhood brain tumor research, the organization, based in Asheville, N.C., has invested more than $26 million toward a cure.

Charli and Dave Carter of Carter Powersports chaired the sixth annual dinner, which immediately sold out.

The event began with wine and butler-passed canapes of coconut shrimp. Guests included Sheila and John Arnos, Peggy Sanders, Naly and Joel Davis, Emerlinda and Michael Castillejo, Beverly and Mike Mykisan, District Judge Joanna Kishner, Clark County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani, Shelley Berkley and Larry Lehrner, Kelly and Sean Connery, Rebecca Howell, Judy Owen, and Elizabeth Foyt and John Wanderer.

During cocktails, Barbara Dempsey gave mystic readings, and the featured artist, Niki Sands, put finishing touches on her artwork titled "Siesta," which sold in the live auction. A silent auction and raffle also were featured.

Guests dined on fresh crab legs with drawn butter; Caesar salad; an entree choice of salmon, filet mignon or crabcakes accompanied by white asparagus; au gratin potatoes; and dessert of Key lime pie and peanut butter pie. Accompanying wines were donated by Southern Wine and Spirits of Nevada.

Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Snow Crab staff and Dave Quillen and Nicolle Genet were responsible for the delicious dinner.

The event's emcee and auctioneer was John Arnos Jr. He auctioned off 11 packages, including a wine lover's dream of a wine refrigerator, Riedel glasses, wine rack and 16 bottles of wine that went for the bid of $525; golf for four at TPC sold for $350; another golf round for four at TPC Summerlin went for $400; a Canon EOS Rebel T3i was sold for $425.

Also, a $300 gift certificate for Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Snow Crab including a rare bottle of Silver Oak 2009 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon sold for $525; a psychic party for eight with Mystic Barbara captured $525; the Niki Sands painting went for $400; and a package to ride with Dave Carter in the 2015 Ride for Kids benefiting the foundation on Sept. 27 sold three times for $325.

Charli Carter spoke about brain tumors being the leading cause of cancer deaths in children. She then introduced two doctors, Nik F. Abdulrashid and Kanyalakshmi Ayyanar, who work at Children's Specialty Center in Las Vegas. They are two of five doctors in Nevada specializing in pediatric brain tumors.

Other supporters attending the dinner were Dee and Ken Ladd, Helen and Jim Sax, Lorri Jackson, Dee and George Mehocic, Marcia and Tola Chin, Jami Miller, Patty Peters, Mike Schoenbaechler, Caroline and Tom Rosenberger, Sue Christensen, Riley Council, Lorna Manson, Kayley Samson, Cady Thornock, Jessie Thornock, Julianna Thornock, and Cassy and Chad Evans.