The Notes: Nov. 7, 2011

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The Links schedules Dec. 3 event

The Las Vegas Chapter of The Links Inc. will hold its annual fundraiser on Dec. 3 at Green Valley Ranch Resort. Proceeds from the event will support the organization’s scholarship program, which helps Southern Nevada students pursue their education.

Fashions from leading designers will be shown by the Sepia Fashion Revue, one of the nation’s longest-running touring fashion programs. The event also will feature music and dancing. Tickets are $65, with sponsorships available. For more information, email For emails: lvchapter@thelinksinclv.org.

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BofA grant for Vegas PBS

Vegas PBS has been named a recipient of the Neighborhood Builders Grant, a philanthropic program award presented through Bank of America’s Neighborhood Excellence Initiative.

The grant is awarded to two outstanding nonprofit/charitable organizations in each of 45 different markets nationally. The $200,000 cash grant which will be used to support the Vegas PBS Workforce Training program. In addition to the notable financial support from the bank, a senior Vegas PBS executive and an emerging leader will be given the opportunity to attend a four-day workshop series on strategic thinking, business planning during tough economic times, leadership development and other business building topics.

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Cultural Diversity Foundation awards

The Cultural Diversity Foundation presented its annual Golden Hand Service Awards on Oct. 20 at the Culinary Academy.

Those honored at the event were Clark County Recorder Debbie Conway; Bob Fowler, a volunteer fundraiser; Donna Brown of the International Festival Association; Luanne Wagner of Clark High School; Stacey Wedding, principal and founder of Professionals in Philanthropy; and Willie Fields, Jr., owner of Vegas Shoes. The awards honor individuals who have contributed outstanding service to the community.

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Business alliance helps two causes

The Southern Nevada Commercial Group, an alliance of businesses, raised nearly $7,000 for the American Heart Association and Family Promise at its annual golf tournament. The Heart Association provides education about heart disease and stroke. Family Promise supports homeless children and parents in their efforts to return to stable lives.

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Grant-writing class set

University of Nevada Cooperative Extension will offer the one-day class “Nuts and Bolts of Grant Writing” on Nov. 16 at the Lifelong Learning Center. The class will be taught by Pamela Kahn-Van Pelt, a resource specialist. The fee for the class is $25, and interested parties may register by calling 702-257-5502 or by emailing For emails: ryanb@unce.unr.edu.

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Rich Little donates

Celebrity impressionist Rich Little has donated $100,000 to Heaven Can Wait Animal Society, an organization that raises awareness about the number of pets euthanized annually.

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Dinner raises $35,000

Las Vegas chef André Rochat hosted the annual Jean-Louis Palladin dinner Oct. 16 at Alize at the Top of the Palms. The benefit dinner supports the James Beard Foundation and the Nevada Restaurant Association’s ProStart program. This year, 18 local chefs joined to prepare the dinner, which raised $35,000 for education and grant programs in support of young chefs. Rochat heads up the event each year.

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CALV volunteers at park

Commercial Alliance Las Vegas real estate professionals and their families cleaned up trash and graffiti Oct. 15 at Winterwood Park. Paint, supplies and additional help were provided by Clark County. CALV has an ongoing commitment to maintaining local neighborhoods and improving the quality of life in Southern Nevada. The group has organized previous clean-up efforts at the park.

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Target gives to literacy

Target has donated $50,000 toward literacy efforts in the Clark County School District. The grant will provide for a reading intervention program that will be facilitated by second- and third-grade teachers at six district designated schools.

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MJ Christensen to host event

MJ Christensen is host of a Runway For Life fundraiser Nov. 9-10 for impoverished women in Uganda. The event will honor BeadforLife, an organization that seeks to create sustainable opportunities for impoverished women by creating a connection between Uganda and people around the world.

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Two events help AFAN

More than 150 supporters joined Aid for AIDS of Nevada for the grand opening of Robert Marlon’s flagship gallery Oct. 15. AFAN raised $1,067 to support its efforts to provide client service programs to individuals affected by AIDS.

On Oct. 26, actress and singer Lainie Kazan performed at the organization’s annual Evening of Cabaret, held at The Lounge inside the Palms. The event generated more than $4,200 in donations.

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Free workplace violence seminar

AlliedBarton Security Services and HR Plus will host a free workplace violence prevention seminar 7-11 a.m. Nov. 16 at Las Vegas Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd. Speakers will include Dr. Steve Albrecht, San Diego chapter president for the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals; Dr. Bob Taylor, a clinical psychologist and retired director of the Employee Assistance Program for the University Medical Center; John Moranz, director of sales, NC4; and Tom Donohue, vice president, AlliedBarton Security Services. More information is available by sending an email to NancyT@vorticom.com.

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Las Vegas Rock retools

Las Vegas Rock has used a $1.5 million business and industry loan from Meadows Bank to finance new equipment for its production center. The loan was guaranteed by USDA Rural Development. The investment enabled Las Vegas Rock to purchase a technologically advanced, high-speed stone cutting machine designed to enhance stone quality and dramatically improve production. An additional 15 people will be employed as a result of the upgrade.

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AFP Awards coming up

The Las Vegas Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals will host its annual Philanthropy Awards Luncheon on Nov. 18, honoring a group of local residents for community service. Richard Bryan, former U.S. senator and governor, will be the keynote speaker. The luncheon is scheduled for noon to 2 p.m. at the Culinary Training Academy of Nevada Partner’s Campus, 710 W. Lake Mead Blvd. Proceeds will go toward the promotion of philanthropy in Las Vegas. Tickets are $60 and can be purchased at www.afplasvegas.org or by calling 702-688-4351.

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SK+G introduces booking engine

SK+G, a full-service advertising, public relations and marketing agency based in Las Vegas, has added an in-house interactive division. SK+G has in recent years hired additional digital marketers to build the new division, which develops digital platforms that integrate into clients’ overall marketing strategies. The first such project is a website for L’auberge du Lac Casino Resort, and features a personalized booking engine that integrates all hotel offerings into a single planner dashboard.

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CityCenter wins quality award

CityCenter has been named “Best Project” for overall quality in the development category from Commercial Property Executive magazine, a leading information resource for commercial real estate executives. The 67-acre CityCenter project, owned by MGM Resorts and Infinity World Development Corp., was part of the magazine’s first annual Distinguished Achievement Awards, recognizing the top commercial real estate deals, projects and programs completed in the U.S. during 2010. The “Best Project” category was open to both new and redevelopment projects.

“The award reflects excellence and innovation on a variety of levels: construction, architecture, efficiency and design — all areas in which CityCenter stands out,” said Suzann D. Silverman, editor-in-chief of Commercial Property Executive. Applicants for the awards underwent a detailed review process, and were selected by a committee of leading experts in commercial real estate. Awards were granted in 10 categories.

MGM Resorts International Chairman and CEO Jim Murren said CityCenter was built with high-quality standards and is the most innovative development of its time. “We are gratified that the experts from this highly respected publication and resource center have recognized CityCenter as one of the most remarkable endeavors in the history of the United States,” Murren said.

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