Summerlin celebrates Thanksgiving holiday

Thanksgiving was a little more enjoyable this year for hundreds of disadvantaged students, seniors and families throughout Southern Nevada thanks to the efforts of Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Las Vegas in the master-planned community of Summerlin.

Students and chefs from the culinary school prepared more than 500 Thanksgiving dinners for families, as well as delivering dinner on Thanksgiving to the crews of two Summerlin fire stations -- city of Las Vegas fire stations No. 7 and No. 47.

According to Kenneth Shore, president of Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Las Vegas, Thanksgiving is the ideal holiday for the school to share its resources with the community.

"Healthy, nutritious and beautifully prepared meals are our hallmark. What better time to brighten the lives of those who might not otherwise enjoy a Thanksgiving meal," Shore said. "Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the season of giving and we are committed to making a difference for many who might not have the opportunity to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal."

On Nov. 20, two days before the holiday, more than 40 students from Martinez Elementary School and 40 seniors enjoyed a traditional sit-down Thanksgiving luncheon at Café Bleu, the school's student-run restaurant.

Students and seniors were served by Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, Las Vegas City Councilman Steve Wolfson, Elaine Wynn, local TV news anchors and Anthony Crivello, who appears as The Phantom in "Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular," now showing at The Venetian.

Guests also enjoyed a performance from the cast of "Stomp Out Loud," now showing at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.

Chefs and students prepared more than 70 Thanksgiving baskets that were delivered to 12 at-risk schools throughout the valley; provided a Thanksgiving meal to 50 seniors at Rochelle Pines Apartments; and delivered a ready-to-heat-and-eat Thanksgiving meal to the firefighters and crew at the Summerlin fire stations.

"It was a busy week," Shore said of the school's Thanksgiving efforts. "But it's natural for us to do what we do best. Good, healthy food is not only central to everyday living, it's a significant focal point of the holiday season. We relish the season and the opportunity to give back."

According to Tom Warden, vice president of community and government relations for The Howard Hughes Corp., developer of Summerlin, the community is proud to be the home of Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Las Vegas.

"Not only does the school have a stellar reputation for excellence in culinary education, its charitable efforts in our community are commendable. Summerlin is proud to claim it as its own."

Developed by The Howard Hughes Corp., an affiliate of General Growth Properties Inc., Summerlin began to take shape in 1990. It is a 22,500-acre master-planned community located along the western rim of the Las Vegas Valley.

The community is home to more than 95,000 residents. With about 7,500 acres still to develop, including its urban core, Summerlin Centre, Summerlin continues to unfold.

Summerlin is home to more than 100 neighborhood and village parks, more than 150 completed miles of the Summerlin trail system, nine golf courses, a dozen houses of worship, shopping centers, medical and cultural facilities, business parks, 22 public and private schools and more than 100 actively selling floor plans.

Homes are available in a variety of styles -- from single-family homes to townhomes, condominiums and lofts -- priced from the upper $200,000s to more than $2 million. Custom home sites in The Ridges are priced from the $500,000s.

Luxury apartment homes offer monthly rents starting from the $900s. For more information on Summerlin, visit summerlin.com or call 888-898-5015.