The evening commenced with a silent auction and cocktail reception for Dave Kreeft, Dave Johnson, Allen Grant, Judge Jessie Walsh, Gretchen Prins, Jon Jasper, Bill Dye, Doug Geinzer, Megan Testa, Sandy Blitzer, Jaymie Morris, Sharon Christal, Miles B. Fine, Sugia and Brent Palluck, Lindsay Samson, Mario Rugier, Wendee Johns, Jodi Servin, Joanne Crisei, Rhonda and Dr. Steven Glyman, Dr. David Ginsberg and Dr. Eric Farbman.

The gala chairmen were David Kasdan and Kevin Buckley. The Singing Waiters provided the evening's entertainment and the cuisine was inspired by James Beard Award Winner chef Luciano Pellegrini of Valentino Las Vegas.

Christian Kolberg conducted a live auction for five packages, including golf at Spanish Trail, a filled wine refrigerator, a chance to be a fighter pilot for a day, lunch with Mayor Oscar Goodman at Spago, and the high bid of $4,000 was for a deluxe trip to San Francisco and Napa Valley.

A BIG GALA: Big Brothers & Big Sisters provides mentoring relationships for all children who need and want community members to give of their time to be their big brother or big sister. Their formal fundraising event, titled "Big Gala 2008," took place at Wynn Las Vegas on Nov. 1.

The event honored big sister Punam Mathur, senior vice president for corporate diversity and community affairs for MGM Mirage, for her commitment to children of Southern Nevada. The reception and extensive silent auction featured musical entertainment by four female violinists called Bella Rumore.

Board chairman Allen Barbarich, Mark Wayman dinner chair, and Erin Cornelius, executive director, joined 400 guests including Rick McGough and Karen Kelly, Susan Wayman, Jill and Scott Gragson, Patricia and Richard Wright, Julie Murray, Theresa and Michael Minden, Chip Miller, Nancy Matheny, Lee Medick, Andy DePalma, Beverly and Mike Mykisen, Christa and Todd Morse, Jim Sammarco, Victoria and Dave Courvoisier, and gala chairs Melonie Huyah and Clark Wood.

Dinner seating took place while 15 members of the Las Vegas Kaminari Taiko performed, adding to the Orient-inspired flavor of the evening. Christian Kolberg auctioned 12 packages, including a week ]at Bluebeard's Castle in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, and a fully loaded Toyota Prius.