David Cassidy on the Web
Polyester Ball proves to be groovy time for all
June 21, 2000
By Elizabeth Foyt
www.lasvegassun.com
KidsCharities.org, founded by Sue Shifrin Cassidy, is a nonprofit Internet-based organization that serves as an umbrella for many children's charities. Its efforts concentrate on those agencies that provide emergency and medical care, basic human needs, safety, education, the environment and the arts. Recently KidsCharities.org hosted the third annual David Cassidy Celebrity Golf Tournament. Highly successful, the tournament drew a select mix of celebrities and local supporters and followed the Emerging Artists and Talent in Music (EAT'M) conference.
Concluding the most pleasant day on the links at the Rio Secco Country Club was the "Totally Groovy '70s Polyester Ball" at the Rio hotel-casino. The spirited gathering was a benefit evening for the support of City of Hope, Special Olympics Nevada, Interfaith Hospitality Network (which provides basic needs to the homeless) and Planet Hope. The ball, a totally charming evening, was co-chaired by Sandy and Roger Peltyn with Sue and David Cassidy.
Incredibly, the attending crowd did their best to find suitable costumes for the dinner dance, with more than a few appearing in favorite remmants of their youthful wardrobes. Mingling in the flowered and bell-bottomed crowd were John Babcock, Deborah Levy with her young daughters, Kathy Herrill, Robert Holgate, Paula Gentile and the Cassidys' young son, Beau, who led the bidding on some of the spectacular silent auction treasures.
Gianna Orlandi, who has recently joined the Nevada Attorney General's legal staff in the Consumer Protection Division, attended with her sweetheart, James "Bucky" Buchanan. Present as well were Michael and Teresa Minden, Charlene Herst, Gene Viglione, Brian Maher, Tony Righelli, Steve Dezzi and Mrs. USA-Nevada Sandi Comito.
Stepping out to dance in the strobe-lit ballroom were Jack and Nancy Weinstein with daughter Polly, joined by Dr. Rob and Lynne Hunter, Mark and Yvonne Weber, Shelby Zync, Trish Mortenson and Jay Cohen. Adding a special sparkle to the gathering was David Cassidy's ever-elegant stepmom and former co-star Shirley Jones, who graciously posed for pictures with many fellow guests. Robin Leach, best known for his popular "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" series, assisted auctioneer Christian Kolberg with the sale of top auction items, among them a splendid signature collection featuring Oscar-winning actresses over the duration of the Academy Awards.
