Not even a move to Phoenix, where he is now director of asset services for Cushman & Wakefield, could make Jeff and Jaylene Smith sever their ties to Denver. They’re still passionate about the causes they backed in the years they spent in the Mile High City and return frequently to attend events they continue to hold near and dear.
Last week they came for Western Fantasy, an event they chaired two years ago, and the announcement that the Fine Arts Foundation would be giving them its Citizen of the Arts award in 2006. Jaylene is a past chair of the FAF-sponsored Summer Debutante Ball, and was president of the foundation board in 2002.
In addition, she is a past president of the Denver Center Alliance and was active in organizations that included the Kempe Children’s Foundation, Hearts for Life, Cancer League, the Children’s Diabetes Foundation and Volunteers of America. Jeff is a past chair of the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District and served on the boards of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, FACES and the Historic Paramount Foundation.
They’ll accept the Citizen of the Arts Award at the Fine Arts Jubilee in early 2006 and will be introduced again when they’re part of the receiving line at the debutante ball.
Worthy of mention
Plans for National Jewish Medical and Research Center’s 2006 Beaux Arts Ball, Rendezvous in Rio, were launched at a Brazilian-themed bash at the KC Gallagher home in Denver. Grand marshals will be Dick Saunders, Carol and Joel Farkas, Julie and Larry Gelfond and Megan and Mariner Kemper, with John Beeble, Dr. Robert London, Don Provost and Gallagher serving as event chairs. Industry chairs are Bruce Benson (oil and gas), Bruce Deifik (banking), Charlie Fote (general industry) and Chetter Latcham (real estate).
CancerCure’s 2005 patrons (those whose gifts to the University of Colorado Cancer Center total $1,000 or more) were feted Tuesday night at a cocktail reception hosted by Jimmy Lambatos of Footer’s Catering and held at Bob and Ruth Beriault’s Churchill Drive home. The center’s director, Dr. Paul Bunn, offered his thanks and encouraged everyone to continue their membership; Dr. David Raben, an associate professor of radiation oncology, talked about new breakthroughs.
Past chairs and others instrumental in the success of the Denver Debutante Ball will be honored Friday night at a cocktail reception at the Brown Palace Hotel. The festivities are part of the ball’s 50th-anniversary celebration.
On Sunday, Blair and Kristin Richardson open their home for a buffet supper and wine tasting to welcome Denyce Graves and principal members of the cast from Opera Colorado’s production of “Carmen.” Liane Clasen, Janis Hampton and Vicki Myhren are coordinating the 6:30 p.m. event, a prelude to the season-opening gala, Carmen … An Evening in Seville, Nov. 3 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Kalleen Malone is chairing that event.
Society editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jmdpost@aol.com.
More online: Additional pictures from the Beaux Arts Ball kickoff. denverpost.com
