Jones family honored with philanthropist award

The12th annual Governor's Black-Tie Invitational sponsored by Southern Highlands Charitable Foundation was a three-day event April 12-14. The grand affair included a golf tournament, a Black-Tie Gala, the Grand Bash with dinner and a private concert by Maroon 5, and a Ladies Luncheon at Neiman Marcus.

The festivities began with the Black-Tie Gala at Southern Highlands Country Club, which featured the Governor's Philanthropist of the Year Award. The evening began with cocktails and buffets of sushi, fresh seafood, a risotto bar, seared Wagyu strip, duck breast with white cheddar polenta and seared fois gras.

Pianist Peter Radd from the Bellagio entertained while guests including Bing Yang, Patty and Harry Turner, Kelly and Travis Burton, Carla and Stephen Rice, Dana and Vern Jennings, Judy and Ed Cebulko, Don Ross, Dana and Vern Jennings, and Kim and Joel Laub participated in bidding in a silent auction for one-of-a-kind items that brought in $80,800.

Dinner by the culinary team from the Four Seasons followed inside an elegantly decorated white tent for the 530 black-tie guests. Dining tables were covered in taupe satin with pink sequin overlays. Floral centerpieces were cream and blush roses in pewter bowls. Jack Sheehan served as master of ceremonies.

Garry Goett, founder and event chairman, introduced Brian Sandoval, who presented the 2012 Governor's Philanthropist of the Year award to the Fletcher Jones family. Three generations of the Jones family have supported numerous charitable causes in our community in the past 50 years. Fletcher Jones III and his father, Ted Jones accepted the crystal award.

Christian Kolberg conducted a live auction. A 2013 Mercedes SL 550 sold for $110,000. A trip to New York brought $16,000. A Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, trip for four went for $25,000. A California trip for four to Napa Valley and San Francisco sold for $10,000. A Washington, D.C., trip went for $26,000. The live auction raised $269,000 in all.

Seen enjoying the event were Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto, Darilyne Goett, BeBe Adams, Donna and Chuck Ruthe, Phil Peckman, Denise and George Mehocic, Darleen and Cliff Miller, Melinda and Bob Brown, Erin Kohn, Jan Jones, Marybel Batjer, Sheral and Ed Guthie, LaDonna and Richard Jimenez, Rick McGough, Hilary Houston, Sean Gamble, Stacy Fisher and Steven Elsen, Judith Caro, Freddie Glusman, Jim Nelson, Joe Murphy, Brenda and Mike Hengel, Linda Smith, Shelly and Tony Caiazzo, Cindy Hensley, and Louis Vuitton's Senior Vice President - West Region Charles Delapalme, and Jennifer Licata, Las Vegas director of Louis Vuitton.

An afterglow reception followed in the Clubhouse. To date, the Governor's Invitational has raised more than $11 million for local charities.