KidneyTexas 2009 Luncheon and Fashion Show
sponsored by Stanley Korshak

The fabulous home of Braden Power was the site of the Kick Off and Reveal party for KidneyTexas 2009 luncheon and fashion show. Joining Amy Ahnhut, KidneyTexas president, were Teffy Jacobs and Molly Nolan, luncheon co-chairs, who revealed Nancy C. Rogers is honorary chair and the theme of the luncheon is “KNOCKOUT: The fight to eradicate kidney disease.”

Slated for Friday, August 28th at the Hyatt Regency Dallas, the luncheon is sure to be a knockout in more ways than one. Stanley Korshak’s Crawford Brock is once again sponsoring the fashion show, produced by the incomparable Jan Strimple, featuring the Best of Korshak’s fall fashions and KidBiz/TheBiz providing the childrens’ clothes. Modern Luxury Dallas is media partner.

Tickets start at $150, with runway seating starting at $500. Underwriting and sponsorships are available. For information and tickets call 214.891.0896 or fax 214.368.3635 or email: kidneytexas@sbcglobal.net or visit the website: http://www.kidneytexas.org/

Mission Statement:
The purpose of KidneyTexas, Inc. is to provide funding to improve the methods of treatment, the search for a cure and prevention of kidney disease and other kindred or contributory diseases; and to develop more adequate provision for the care of persons suffering from such diseases.

Statistics:
Debilitating kidney diseases impact approximately 20 million people in the United States today. Groups at high risk include African Americans, Hispanics, senior citizens and people with diabetes. In Texas, there are over 30,000 people on dialysis and 4,000 on a transplant list. The number of patients on dialysis is anticipated to double this decade.

History:
Since 1999, the dedicated volunteers of KidneyTexas, Inc. have worked in tandem with our generous underwriters to raise over $1.5 million for local efforts to improve the ability to diagnose and manage kidney disease.

Coquerel Family Wine Estates introduces Dallas Top Sommeliers and Wine Buyers to two new wines at York Street Restaurant Luncheon

On April 16, Top Dallas Sommeliers and wine buyers joined Dr. Clay and Brenda Cockerell and Pioneer Wine Company at the exclusive York Street Restaurant to sample a line up of wines from the recently launched Coquerel Family Wine Estates.

Guests enjoyed an amazing lunch prepared by renown York Street Chef Sharon Hage, which paired perfectly with the 2007 Coquerel Le Petit Sauvignon Blanc, Calistoga, Napa Valley and 2007 Coquerel Terroir Sauvignon Blanc, Calistoga, Napa Valley.

Coquerel wines can be found at The Palm, Del Frisco's, III Forks, Shensei, Fedora, Oceanaire, York Street, Scardello Cheese Shop, Dali Wine Bar, Cru Wine Bar, Sigels and Pogos.

The Wines
Coquerel Family Wine Estates now produces two Bordeaux blanc style Sauvignon Blancs under the Coquerel name: Terroir Coquerel and Le Petit Coquerel. Although both wines are harvested from the same vineyard, they are two completely different expressions of the grape.

Terroir Coquerel ($37, 420 cases) is the more nuanced of the two wines, aged for eight months in French oak, during which the lees were stirred throughout the aging process, something that is both time consuming and costly. The care that goes into this lush wine results in a Sauvignon Blanc with a rich mouth-feel and long, complex finish.

Le Petit Coquerel ($22.50, 335 cases), meanwhile, is a crisper Sauvignon Blanc, with citrus and spice notes and is aged solely in stainless steel. Both wines have a limited distribution, in California, Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado. Additionally, the wines are also sold directly through the winery.



COQUEREL FAMILY WINE ESTATES

The story of Coquerel Family Wine Estates and Coquerel wines begins in Bordeaux and continues in Napa. Six years ago, owners Dr. Clay and Brenda Cockerell traveled to Bordeaux for an anniversary trip and, upon trying various top Bordeaux blanc wines, wondered why that style of wine was not being produced in the United States. Although Clay had been an avid collector of fine wine for many years, it was this trip that sparked their desire to begin making their own wines in Napa Valley’s Calistoga region—the perfect soil and climate to grow and make a superb Sauvignon Blanc that reflects the great tradition and style of Bordeaux.

History

Wine has always been a passion for Clay, a prominent dermatologist and dermatopathologist based in Dallas, Texas. Collecting was just the tip of the iceberg. He has visited the Napa Valley numerous times with Brenda, passed the first level of the Court of Master Sommeliers examination, and has travelled around the world and attended wine seminars led by luminaries including Clive Coates, MW. Although Clay had the initial passion for collecting, it was Brenda’s suggestion that the couple decided to pursue a shared dream of making their own wine.

The Cockerells first ventured into winemaking by purchasing fruit in 2004 and 2005, making only very small amounts of wine to share with friends and family. The wines were such a hit that they decided to buy four acres of vines planted to Sauvignon Blanc. The first property they purchased, as luck would have it, was planted on St. George rootstock with old Sauvignon Blanc vines that dated back before World War II. The old vines thrive in this dry-farmed land, which has deep soil that provides the perfect terroir for growing superior Sauvignon Blanc. An opportunity to purchase an additional 17 acres contiguous to the original site came available. 13 of the 17 acres are planted to a wide range of varieties.

In order to make their wines truly authentic in style and in taste, the Cockerells brought in Bordeaux-born winemaker Christine Barbe, Ph.D. who was introduced to the couple by famed wine historian Nina Wemyss. Christine earned a doctorate in Enology and Viticulture from the Bordeaux Institute of Enology and wrote her thesis on none other than Sauvignon Blanc. She and the Cockerells formed a fast relationship and deep understanding of the type of wine they wanted to produce. Barbe brought a sense of dedication and passion to the vineyard, pouring her heart into bringing the old vines back to life to produce the finest wines.

The Cockerells rounded out their team with experienced vineyard manager John Truchard who comes from a long legacy of winemakers and continues that tradition with his own John Anthony Wines. He worked closely with Barbe to rejuvenate the vineyard’s old vines with care and respect and is still an integral part of the winemaking process.

Clay and Brenda decided to name their wines “Coquerel,” a French spelling of their last name, a nod to their love and passion for things French.

The Wines
Coquerel Family Wine Estate now produces two Bordeaux blanc style Sauvignon Blancs under the Coquerel name: Terroir Coquerel and Le Petit Coquerel.

Although both wines are harvested from the same vineyard, they are two completely different expressions of the grape.

Terroir Coquerel ($37, 420 cases) is the more nuanced of the two wines, aged for eight months in French oak, during which the lees were stirred throughout the aging process, something that is both time consuming and costly. The care that goes into this lush wine results in a Sauvignon Blanc with a rich mouth-feel and long, complex finish.

Le Petit Coquerel ($22.50, 335 cases), meanwhile, is a crisper Sauvignon Blanc, with citrus and spice notes and is aged solely in stainless steel. Both wines have a limited distribution, in California, Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado. Additionally, the wines are also sold directly through the winery.

Coquerel Family Estate Today
Although they’re still based in Texas with their two children, the Cockerells make numerous trips to Calistoga throughout the year, working closely with Barbe and Truchard. They enjoy blending their wines and overseeing the harvest and bottling process. In addition to their Sauvignon Blancs, the Cockerells plan to release a Coquerel Petite Syrah in early 2010, as well as a late harvest Sauvignon Blanc.

Clay is a member of several prominent wine associations, including the Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin and the Commanderie du Bordeaux. Clay and Brenda continue to learn and share their passion for wine among their friends and family—and are grateful that they have had the opportunity to do something they love.

Rainbow Days is pleased to share that the 5th Annual Texas Hold 'Em Tournament & Casino Party was a big success! Over 60 players joined in on the fun at the DoubleTree Hotel in Campbell Centre. Top prizes included a Trip for Two to Las Vegas, a Suite at the American Airlines Center, Gift Certificates for Fine Dining, Hotel Stays and much more. Special thanks to Dale and Jill Hurd for their generous sponsorship of this year’s event, to all of the generous in-kind donors who donated our prizes for the winners and to Tournament co-chairs Eric Appel and Will Ridgway for their leadership. Congratulations to this year’s Texas Hold ‘Em winners: John Belders, James Lucente, Seth Barker, Eric Appel and Melvin Glasco and to Blackjack Winners: Nadine Meyer, Cathy Zale Cotter and Sandi McFarland. Through everyone's generosity, we raised over $12,000 for the programs of Rainbow Days!
Rainbow Days’ mission is to provide children living in high-risk situations with the skills and support they need to overcome adversity and stay drug-free. Now in its 5th year, the Texas Hold ’Em Tournament is one of two major fundraising events that raises funds for the children and programs of Rainbow Days. The event also serves to celebrate Rainbow Days’ success in the community as well as increase awareness in the community.
For over 27 years, Rainbow Days has been giving children hope for a promising future by providing them with the skills and support they need to make healthy choices, stay drug-free and believe they have a purpose. To date, Rainbow Days has served over 100,000 children in the Dallas Metroplex and trained more than 24,000 professionals state and nationwide. For more information, please contact Shawn Wills, Director of Development, Rainbow Days, Inc., 8150 N. Central Expressway, Suite 1600, Dallas, TX 75206, 214.217-3833 (phone) ShawnW@rdikids.org or visit the website at www.rdikids.org.

Executives in Action Kicks Off a New Era of Partnering Senior Executives with
Non Profit Organizations

A celebration of the new EIA offices in North Dallas was hosted by In Any Event Dallas

A celebration of the new Executives in Action offices in North Dallas was held recently, graciously hosted by In Any Event Dallas.
“This is the perfect event for In Any Event Dallas to host,” said Ashlee Hunt Kleinert, a co-owner of In Any Event Dallas with her sister Heather Hunt Graham, and co-founder of Executives in Action with her husband, Chris Kleinert. “Executives in Action was founded in January of this year and to already be in a position to open a suite of offices is certainly a dream come true.”
Her husband, Chris, agreed when he said, “Taking our idea of engaging transitioning senior executives and partnering them with non-profits and making it into a reality required help from many talented and knowledgeable good friends. When I first contacted Pam Gerber, she immediately moved into action and took us to the Center for Non Profit Management. Also partnering with the Entrepreneurs Foundation of North Texas, we came up with a plan and met with the Communities Foundation of Texas, who initially funded EIA with a seed grant and that started the ball rolling.”
The program completed its 6-month pilot phase in July and is now a 501(c)(3) non profit organization. The Dallas offices are headed by Jeremy Gregg, who oversees the day-to-day operations, interviews potential clientele and matches them with the non profit organizations.
“My spirit is lifted every day when I talk to the executives in our program and hear their stories of helping the non profits,” Gregg said. “It is truly a situation where everyone wins.”
Executives in Action supporters at the event included Bryan Pickens, Keith McNeil, Lin Barbee, Shante Buckley, Michael McIntyre, Bob Munro, Cynthia Nunn, Chris Quadri, Colleen Rickenbacher, Benaye Rogers and Charles Williams.
The new offices are located at 17101 Preston Road, Dallas, TX 75252.

ABOUT EXECUTIVES IN ACTION:
The Executives in Action program was launched in January 2009 by Ashlee and Chris Kleinert as a partnership between the Entrepreneurs Foundation of North Texas and the Center for Nonprofit Management. Initially funded through a seed grant of $50,000 from the Communities Foundation of Texas, the program successfully completed its 6-month pilot phase in July and now has 70 executives placed in non profit projects across the metroplex.

See the attached About EIA press release or link to the website here: http://www.executivesinaction.org

ABOUT IN ANY EVENT DALLAS:
Founded by sisters Ashlee Hunt Kleinert and Heather Hunt Graham, In Any Event Dallas is an imaginative and progressive event team that will capture your vision. Our flawless execution and attention to detail will ensure your next event is a huge success. Our specialists are ready to plan, design and coordinate events from inspiration to implementation. We will exceed your wishes and expectations of all types. Years of experience assures our team sees the big picture and manages the smallest details. From a dream wedding to a festive bar/bat mitzvah, from an exclusive executive meeting to a large corporate event, from a casual celebration for volunteers to a formal black tie affair, In Any Event Dallas has the experience, relationships and originality to bring your event to life.

Visit the website at www.InAnyEventDallas.com.

The party with a purpose

The kick off for Mardi Gras Masquerade benefiting the American Red Cross – Dallas Area Chapter, held at the Chapter headquarters and generously hosted by Target, revealed exciting news about the 2010 Masquerade party.
Slated for Saturday, February 6, 2010 and celebrating the event’s 12th Anniversary, it is always one of the most fun parties of the year and benefits a meaningful and wonderful cause. Be sure to wear your mask!
Barbara J. Coffman, Honorary Chair, announced the VIP reception features Dan Cavanagh’s Jazz Emporium Big Band, hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. After the VIP reception, the evening features cocktails, New Orleans style buffet, live entertainment from the Briefcase Blues band, casino, auction, raffle and more.
Mardi Gras Masquerade 2010 benefits the Dallas Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. All Red Cross services support our mission of helping families prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Our Congressional Charter mandates two services: Disaster Services and Armed Forces Emergency Services. In addition to these, the Dallas Area Red Cross offers a wide variety of humanitarian, educational, and health and safety programs to the more than 4.1 million people in our twelve-county service area.
Underwriting levels are $1,000; $2,500; $5,000; $7,500; $10,000; $15,000; $25,000; and $50,000. Sponsorships are available. $150 per person, $250 for VIP tickets. For more information contact Audra Steindorf, asteindorf@redcrossdallas.org or call 214.678.4402.

(November 20, 2009) Amy Turner opened her beautiful home to host the 2009 KidneyTexas Fall Membership Tea, celebrating the incoming and outgoing members of the board.

Amy Shackelford, 2008-2009 president, introduced Teffy Jacobs and Molly Nolan, co-chairs of the 2009 luncheon, KNOCKOUT! Kidney disease, who announced the recipients of the luncheon’s proceeds are Children’s Medical Center of Dallas: Child Life Specialist, Clown Therapy; National Kidney Foundation Serving North Texas: Camp Reynal, Young Adult Camp and Emergency Financial Assistance Program; The PKD Foundation: Research Funding and The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas: Living Organ Donation Education.

Shirley Dunn Hanks was presented as incoming president for the 2009-2010 year. She announced the KidneyTexas luncheon will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2010 and more details are to follow.

Mission Statement:
The purpose of KidneyTexas, Inc. is to provide funding to improve the methods of treatment, the search for a cure and prevention of kidney disease and other kindred or contributory diseases; and to develop more adequate provision for the care of persons suffering from such diseases.

Statistics:
Debilitating kidney diseases impact approximately 20 million people in the United States today. Groups at high risk include African Americans, Hispanics, senior citizens and people with diabetes. In Texas, there are over 30,000 people on dialysis and 4,000 on a transplant list. The number of patients on dialysis is anticipated to double this decade.

History:
Since 1999, the dedicated volunteers of KidneyTexas, Inc. have worked in tandem with our generous underwriters to raise over $2.1 million for local efforts to improve the ability to diagnose and manage kidney disease.

The Mad Hatter's Tea committee gathered at Patrizio's in Highland Park Village recently to kick off the 2010 Mad Hatter's Tea Party, which is celebrating its 22nd year. This fabulous and fun party has been an ongoing fundraiser for the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, raising money to support The Dallas Arboretum and A Woman’s Garden at the Dallas Arboretum.
Over 600 women, some from as far away as California, plan their trips to Dallas not only to take part in the Mad Hatter’s Tea – many in wild and wonderful over-the-top hats relating to the event’s theme - but to view the glorious springtime azalea displays and flowers that grace the arboretum and visit friends.
Themed “Divas and Dahlias,” the 2010 Mad Hatter’s Tea is chaired by Sharon Ballew, D’Andra Simmons is honorary chairman and Kathy Cothrum is president of the Women’s Council. Slated for Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 11:00 a.m., the event includes a champagne reception, silent auction, professionally staged and choreographed fashion presentation produced by Jan Strimple and lunch.
Since its inception in 1982, the Women’s Council has supported the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden overall and through the creation, development and on-going funding of the world renowned A Woman’s Garden and now, through funding the garden’s enhancements that will continue to draw visitors to our great city from all over the world.
Underwriting opportunities and naming sponsorships are available. Individual ticket underwriting levels begin at $250. For photos from past Mad Hatter’s Tea Parties and more information, visit the website at www.womenscouncildallasarboretum.org or email mslj01@sbcglobal.net.

Curtain Call 2010 to Feature Spectacular Performances by Seven Broadway and Musical Stars Celebrating DSM’s 70th Anniversary
benefiting Dallas Summer Musicals and their Outreach and Educational Programs

(November 23, 2009) The band shell at Fair Park was gloriously lit for the kick off party celebrating Curtain Call 2010 and Dallas Summer Musicals’ 70th Anniversary, where Michael Jenkins, President and Managing Director of DSM and co-chair of Curtain Call 2010 with his wife, Wendy, made some exciting announcements.

“We chose the Band Shell for the kick off because it was the location of the first showing of Opera Under the Stars, which has since become Dallas Summer Musicals,” Michael Jenkins said. “DSM has come a long way since the first show in 1941 and we have a bright and entertaining future ahead.”

Slated for Saturday, May 1st, Curtain Call 2010 shines the spotlight on DSM’s 70th anniversary in true musical fashion. Stars of Broadway and musical theatre will perform seven vignettes of song and dance, each representing a decade of shows.

The lineup includes such luminaries as Mitzi Gaynor, Shirley Jones, Patrick Cassidy, David Cassidy, Tom Wopat and a special finale by Sutton Foster who, among her many roles, currently plays Princess Fiona in SHREK, THE MUSICAL. Although Sutton has played several lead roles on Broadway, she captured the hearts of theater patrons when she debuted as an understudy after the lead actress broke her foot in THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE and won Best Actress in a musical that year.

This exceptional once-in-a-lifetime experience will be directed by Jeff Calhoun, well known for his direction of BIG RIVER, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, BROOKLYN and is currently directing BONNIE AND CLYDE.

As the pre-eminent non-profit presenter of Broadway in North Texas, DSM relies on its season subscribers, supporters who purchase tickets, and those who take part in the signature annual fundraiser, the Curtain Call gala, to help provide support for DSM’s children’s education and outreach programs.

Curtain Call is a spectacular evening of entertainment preceded by an elegant seated dinner all staged in the Music Hall at Fair Park. Expect fine dining, elegant ambience, dazzling entertainment, a live and silent auction, concluded with dancing to the sounds of Dallas Unlimited at the Curtain Call Cabaret late night party.

Special thanks to the staff at Fair Park, Food Glorious Food, Goody Goody Liquors, Inc., M – Dining at the Music Hall and Parking Company of America for their help with the kick off.

For information contact Meredith Ford, Special Events & Outreach Manager at DSM, 214-413-3959, email at mford@dallassummermusicals.org or visit our website at www.dallassummermusicals.org.

Beneficiary: Proceeds from Curtain Call support Dallas Summer Musicals' mission to bring the best of Broadway to Dallas and provide for children's education and outreach programs. Sponsors support will bring the magic of musical theater to so many children who otherwise would never experience it — magic created through programs such as Seats for Kids, DSM Academy of Performing Arts, Kids Club, and Stage Right.

About the Band Shell (Kick Off Party location): The concentric plaster arches of the Band Shell comprise an essentially Art Deco Composition, while the reinforced concrete backstage building is infused with elements of the Streamline Moderne. The gently-sloping, 4,500-seat amphitheater is surrounded by lighting pylons. Scott Dunne was a noted theater architect in Dallas. The Fair Park Band Shell was disassembled and refurbished in 2000 to its original 1936 design. The renovation work included removal and replacement of plaster on the band shell and pylons, new lighting, painting, roof, doors, lead based paint abatement and historical paint analysis were all part of the project. The wood plank seating at the Fair Park Band Shell was replaced in 2002. Guests will enjoy convenient parking next to the building and access from Gate 6.

About Dallas Summer Musicals:
Dallas Summer Musicals (DSM) is the preeminent non-profit presenter of Broadway theatre in North Texas. DSM produces, presents and promotes excellence in live musical theatre with year-round performances for diverse audiences of all ages, impacting the lives of children and families through community outreach and education and enriching the cultural landscape of Dallas/Fort Worth, North Texas and the Southwest Region. Visit the website at www.dallassummermusicals.org.

• The DSM Academy of Performing Arts:
The first component of Dallas Summer Musicals’ outreach initiatives, DSM Academy of Performing Arts extends the legacy of former DSM Managing Director Tom Hughes’ vision, to create the broadest possible avenue for dramatic expression within his community. In 1999, the DSM Academy of Performing Arts was established to provide training for students ages 7 – adult, as well as continuing education for adults in theater arts. Professional instruction helps students integrate the disciplines of singing, dancing, and acting into the unique genre of musical theater. To ensure access and availability, the school offers limited scholarships to promising students with limited financial resources. Instruction includes classes, workshop and performance. When possible, workshops are provided by cast members of productions playing at Dallas Summer Musicals.

• Seats for Kids: Created in 2003 to provide a meaningful theatre arts experience to low-income, at-risk and special needs children, Seats for Kids serves approximately 2,000 children each year. Non-profit youth agencies and Title 1 schools are eligible to participate in the program. DSM provides children, their teachers and chaperones with free tickets as well as a professionally drafted study guide to support attending the performance. In 2009 DSM provided this program to coincide with productions of HAPPY DAYS, THE WIZARD OF OZ and CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG.

• Kids Club: This free membership program for kids was created to develop tomorrow’s musical theatre audience. Through exciting activities, special events, backstage tours and informational exchanges about shows included in the Kids Club membership, children gain an interest, knowledge and appreciation of the performing arts.

• Stage Right: In 2005 the Stage Right program to introduce at-risk youth ages 12-15 to arts and cultural events was created in partnership with the Dallas Police Department. Together, DSM and DPD are “Raising the curtain for education and spotlighting the appreciation of the arts through experience and positive quality lifestyles.” The students entering the program are recommended by Dallas area teachers and counselors and other youth programs including Boys & Girls Clubs, Girls Inc. and Dallas Recreation Centers as part of their ongoing efforts to keep students from joining gangs, getting involved in drugs and crime, or engaging in other activities that prevent their enjoying success in school. Stage Right seeks to raise awareness of the arts, increase appreciation for different lifestyles and also increase self esteem.

• Discover Theatre: In 2007 Dallas Summer Musicals added a program specifically for children in grades K-6. The inaugural year included DISNEY’S CINDERELLA KIDS and THE JUNGLE BOOK KIDS. Building on its year’s initial success, DSM brought in FRANKLY BEN, FROG AND TOAD and FLAT STANLEY to the Majestic Theatre to entertain, educate and empower young people in elementary school. Over 10,000 students participated in this program in 2008.

The public can play a part in bringing the Best of Broadway
to the young people in our community!

Charitable contributions are vital to the sustainability of these initiatives at Dallas Summer Musicals. Please assist DSM in its mission to build awareness for the enjoyment and educational values of musical theatre as it does so through its ongoing outreach programs.

For more information including sponsorships, booking or program details, please contact DSM Development Department at 214.413.3959 or outreach@dallassummermusicals.org.

Fashion Group International of Dallas' Fashion & Lifestyle Awards A Night of Stars presented by Cadillac and Mi Energia benefited Share Our Strength Taste of the Nation & The Wilson Foundation

(December 15, 2009) Fashion Group International’s Fashion and Lifestyle Awards A Night of Stars has set a new standard for years to come. For the first time in its history, the event was not a seated black tie affair and instead, it was an artfully and fashionably entertaining evening of cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres, awards presentations, models posed in splendid fashions everywhere and a stylish runway fashion show featuring hip and glamorous fashions from Dallas’ top designers.
“Jenny and I wanted to re-create the entire concept of the awards gala,” said Terri Provencal, President/CEO, Provencal Consulting Group, and co-chair with Jenny Seide, Creative Director, In.Style Exchange. “Our vision was to make the event hipper and more entertaining by offering an assortment of interactions between the guests, fashion designers, artisans and the honorees,” said Provencal.
The place to be was on the Purple Carpet, presented by Cadillac, where a camera crew and paparazzi flashed famed fashion TV host, style expert and editor-in-chief of PinkMemo.com, Katrina Szish as she interviewed award recipients.
Inside, the W Loft at Victory Park Lane was wonderfully transformed into a fashion and artistic adventure. The evening began with cocktails and guest mingling with artisans such as Louise Black of the current season Project Runway fame, who showcased some of her prized waist and arm corsets in varying stages of completion, and from SiNaCa Studios, three glass artists, including Colton Crofford/glass blower and designer of the FGI Awards, given to the nine honorees.
Katrina Szish took the stage as emcee and, in a nod to the featured designers, announced each one and the show began. The execution was flawless. The Fashion & Lifestyle Award presentations were intermixed with the fashion show, which made for a very interesting and lively event.
The purpose of the Fashion & Lifestyle Awards is to honor achievements in Fashion Design, Accessories, Jewelry, Art, Communication, Retail, Home, Lifestyle & Iconic Legend for their inspiration.
Awards were presented to Harry Bock, Bachendorf’s, Iconic & Legendary Honoree; Trisha Wilson, Wilson & Associates, Interior Design Award Honoree; Stephan Pyles, Lifestyle Award Honoree; DanielleTeylor, Accessories Award Honoree; Conduit Gallery, Art Award Honoree; Holly Haber, Communication Award Honoree; Rachelle Dauphinée, Jewelry Award Honoree; Sartel, Fashion Design Award Honoree; V.O.D., Retail Award Honoree.
Honoreees wore selected pieces from the collections of V.O.D. and Sartel by Matthew Earnest, accessorized with jewelery designs from Rachelle Dauphinee and handbags from Danielle Teylor.
Runway fashions included top Dallas designers such as Sartel, Danielle Teylor, V.O.D., Rachelle Dauphinée, Abi Ferrin, Lindsay Weatherread Design, In.Style Exchange, Shemara Couture, Society Language, Stiles by Courtney Stiles, Nha Khanh, Louise Black, Oscar Fierro and Rochelle Rodriguez, all of which was produced by the incomparable Jan Strimple. Visual director was Bret McKinney of Stanley Koshsak.
Additional artisans and designers were working their crafts as guests enjoyed the process of design in varied stages. These vignettes were ongoing throughout the evening and all of the artisans and designers were fully accessible for conversation and interaction with our guests.
From The House Of MacGregor, Cassandra MacGregor was building and shaping some of her hat designs. From SiNaCa Studios, two renowned local glass artists: Tim Todd, a kiln-formed glass artist and Terry Porto, a flame worker, made beads made of glass into necklaces. Ludwig Schwarz of Demotion Art, artist jeweler, showcased some of his rough-hewn designs. From Dallas Lace Society was Rita Hansen-Nieuwendijk making Belgian lace, and Patricia Bailey created tatting lace. Rocio Ildemaro of her namesake shoe collection had visuals of her design process, and Elizabeth Anyaa, textile designer invited guests to try their hand at weaving.
Terri and Jenny offer heartfelt thanks to Purple Carpet and Presenting Sponsor, Cadillac, and Presenting Sponsor, Mi Energia; Corporate Sponsors: Dallas Market Center, Intownmix, JCPenney, PinkMemo and Event Sponsors W Hotels, Myla, Cretia’s, Toni&Guy, Craighead Green Gallery, Ramon Longoria & Drexel Gallerie, Bolt Productions, Marc Events, Lori Veith and GlamaSquad.

About FGI of Dallas: The Fashion Group International is a global, non-profit, association of dynamic professionals of achievement and influence from all areas of the fashion industry – apparel, accessories, beauty and home.

FGI’s mission is to be the preeminent authority on the business of fashion and design and to help its members become more effective in their careers. To do this, FGI provides insights on major trends in person, online and in print, access to business professionals and a gateway to the influence fashion plays in the marketplace.

The goals of the organization are:

 To advance professionalism in fashion and its related lifestyle industries

 To provide a public forum for examination of important, contemporary issues in the business of fashion.

 To present timely information regarding national and global trends that have an effect on the fashion industries.

 To attain greater recognition of men’s and women’s achievements in business.

 To encourage men and women to seek career opportunities in fashion and related industries.

 To provide activities and programs which enhance networking skills and encourage interpersonal contacts so as to further the professional, social and personal development of members.

Visit the website: http://dallas.fgi.org.

The kick off for Empower Me benefiting Empower African Children was graciously hosted by Natalie Noble, co-chair, along with host Donna Malouf, co-chair.

Click here to read more and see all of the photos:
http://www.socialwhirl.com/SWEmpower.html

Join us on February 28 at the House of Blues for a fabulous show, lunch buffet and more.
The House of Blues will feature the sights and sounds of East Africa on Sunday, February 28 at noon when Empower African Children’s Spirit of Uganda takes the stage. This company of young dancers and musicians will headline the Empower Me event, benefitting Empower African Children (EAC), a Dallas-based non-profit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children in Africa through holistic care and a globally competitive education.

Hailed by The New York Times for “invigorating the stage with that elusive thing called joy,” Spirit of Uganda’s 22 musicians and dancers range in age from 9 to 20. Co-chairs Donna Malouf and Natalie Noble invite the Dallas community to share in this cultural experience, meet the performers, learn about EAC’s programs and participate in a live and silent auction.

The Dallas appearance is part of Spirit of Uganda’s North American tour, which begins in January in California. The troupe makes 11 stops across the country and will perform at the Vancouver Cultural Olympiad as part of the Winter Olympics. Donna and Natalie, with EAC founder and CEO, Alexis Hefley, encourage supporters to be a part of Empower Me and grow with the organization. “We invite everyone – friends, family, classroom students, musicians and advocates – to help sustain the spirit and joy of these performers and share the message of hope for their future. We are sure they will capture the hearts of the community just as they have ours,” Natalie Noble said.

EAC seeks to ensure that the next generation of African citizens will fully participate and assume leadership roles in their communities. Alexis Hefley, whose work with Ugandan children has earned her international acclaim, has implemented educational programs for the students in both Uganda and the U.S. Currently, EAC is building a progressive secondary school in Uganda for 400 students with magnet programs in the performing arts, technology and healthcare.

The Empower Me benefit and performance is open to the public by advance reservation. Individual tickets are $100 for balcony seats. Supporters are welcome to provide sponsorships and underwriting. Benefits include VIP seating, lunch buffet, program recognition and more. Sponsor tables at $5,000 include an Underwriters’ Party on Friday, February 26 with the Spirit of Uganda performers.

For detailed ticket and event information, and to learn more about EAC and Spirit of Uganda, visit http://www.EmpowerAfricanChildren.org.

Exciting Announcements at Park Cities Historic & Preservation Society’s Holiday Party

A proposed voluntary preservation ordinance is in the works at Highland Park Town Hall and an interesting aside: Conrad Hilton was a Highland Park resident

(January 7, 2009) The Park Cities Historic & Preservation Society’s holiday party was at the beautifully restored and remodeled home of Cindy and David Brewer on Beverly Drive. Guests commented that it was wonderful to see how the Brewers had retained beautiful architectural elements, such as a large stained glass window, in the expansion of the original home to meet the needs of their family.

In a major update, Dr. Marian Ann Montgomery, Executive Director, PCHPS, said, “We are delighted to report that Highland Park Mayor Bill Seay and Highland Park Town Manager Bill Lindley have shared with us a proposed voluntary preservation ordinance. This is a huge indication of the importance they place on the history of our community and we look forward to working with them to see that a preservation ordinance is implemented.”

Sandra Cude, President, PCHPS, thanked the Brewers for opening their beautiful home and welcomed PCHPS members, Highland Park Town Council member Andrew Barr and his wife, Ann and Dianne and Bob West, who heads up UP Zoning Commission. She also recognized the Highland Park High School orchestra students, Maria Cardenas, Margaret Fegan and Michael DeMarco, who provided lovely music throughout the evening. PCHPS Board members attending included Jill Goldberg, Meredy McClure, Beth Smylie and Bunny Tibbals, Jan and Bruce Harbor, Taylor Armstrong, Nancy Champion, Lucia Hrncir, Paul Willey and Cynthia Beaird.

An interesting side note that was the talk of the event: Conrad Hilton was a Highland Park resident! The Hiltons lived at the Stoneleigh Hotel before and after their child was born in 1926, moved to the Hilton Hotel in Dallas in 1931 and then to 4800 St. Johns in 1932. They separated and he went back to the Hilton Hotel in 1934-35 and Mrs. Hilton kept the house. He moved to 3836 Potomac in 1936 and bought it by 1937, continuing to live there for a period of time.

About PCHPS: The roots of Park Cities Historic & Preservation Society (PCHPS) reach back to 1982 with the creation of Park Cities Historical Society to preserve, protect and promote the historic, cultural and aesthetic attributes and traditions of the Park Cities. Another organization, Preservation Park Cities was founded in 2000 to preserve the character and legacy of our community, encompassing the preservation of our trees, parks, and pedestrian-friendly streets. In 2006 the Historical Society and Preservation Park Cities recognized that they were working for similar purposes and merged. Together the organizations have recognized over 165 homes and building sites, through rigorous evaluation, with bronze plaques posted on each site. The current community-led Society is an active organization that continues to protect and promote the historic, architectural, cultural and aesthetic legacy of the Park Cities.

Contact Information: PCHPS: 25 Highland Park Village, Suite 100, Box 286, Dallas, TX 75205. Phone: 214-528-0021 | info@pchps.org | www.pchps.org.

Fly Away With The Bridge Announcement Party Reveals Exciting News: Yvonne Crum is Honorary Chair and Host Committee Revealed

Party hosted by Banks Fine Art and Wendy Krispin Catering

(January 14, 2010) The announcement party for the Fly Away with The Bridge party benefitting The Bridge Breast Network was held at Banks Fine Art, generously underwritten by Maloree Banks with the fabulous food underwritten and sponsored by Wendy Krispin of Wendy Krispin Catering.

The Bridge Breast Network board member Suzanne Bock Grishman and her husband, Michael Grishman are event chairs, and board members Anita Schoenfeld and Linda Yater are co-chairs. They revealed some exciting news: Yvonne Crum is serving as Honorary Chair, and the host committee names were revealed. They are: Pat and Emmitt Smith, Linda Armstrong Kelly and Ed Kelly, Dee and Charles Wyly, Tracy and Jill Rowlett, Lynn and Alan McBee, Heidi and Bill Dillon, Stan Richards, Ruth Buzzi and Ken Perkins, Diane and Don Malouf, Debi and Mike Moses, Dr. Rodger Kobes, Jill and Carter Malouf, Alan and Karen Harris, Sher and Laurence Briggs, Carol Seay, Lee Bailey, Barbara Brice, Carolyn Lupton, Dan Pritchett, Lindsay and Chuck Jacaman, Honorable Pauline Medrano, Dr. Mason and Sherri Yeary.

Join us on Saturday, February 27 at 7:00 PM for Fly Away with The Bridge, the annual event to benefit The Bridge Breast Network, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to save lives by linking low income uninsured individuals to diagnostic and treatment services for breast cancer. Held at the fabulous Marc Events at 1130 Dragon Street, it will be an evening of entertainment, dancing, silent and live auctions, services auction, food and beverages. Ticket prices start at $100.00 for general admission with sponsorships available.

For more information about the FLY AWAY WITH THE BRIDGE EVENT contact Gretchen G. Kelly, Event Coordinator at gretchengk@aol.com.

History and Mission: The Bridge Breast Network is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to save lives by linking low income uninsured individuals to diagnostic and treatment services for breast cancer. The Bridge serves uninsured and underinsured women and men in 16 counties in the DFW area.

In the past decade, The Bridge has served over 78,000 North Texas women and connected more than 10,000 with medical treatment. The Bridge was founded in 1992 to serve as the link between uninsured and under insured women and men and the life-saving care they so desperately need. Only through the help of volunteers and generous donations from the North Texas community is The Bridge able to carry out this vital mission. Status or circumstance shouldn’t be a factor in a woman’s fight against breast cancer. Cancer doesn’t care whether a woman is Asian or Caucasian, 16 or 60, insured or not. The care shouldn’t discriminate either.

For every dollar donated, Bridge clients receive nearly 10 times that amount in medical care. Over 235 physicians in the metroplex have graciously volunteered their professional services and 49 medical facilities have greatly reduced their fees to make such a large discount possible. Your tax-deductible donation goes toward lifesaving evaluations and treatment, such as biopsies, medication, and chemotherapy.

For more information on The Bridge Breast Network go to www.bridgebreast.org.

Strike A Chord for MHA: Brice Beaird’s CD Now Appearing premiered in a concert with Beatlegras raising over $20,000 to benefit Mental Health America’s Operation Healthy Reunions

Brice Beaird’s new CD Now Appearing was released at a concert at Lakewood Theatre recently, which also featured the fabulous band Beatlegras. All of the evening’s proceeds benefitted Mental Health America’s Operation Healthy Reunions, raising just over $20,000.
Beatlegras took the stage for the first set and the audience was rockin’ to the band’s unique sound with their renditions of “Get Back,” “Lady Madonna” and more. Beaird brought his band on for the second set and was welcomed with a standing ovation as everyone sang “Happy Birthday.”
“There are two very special songs on Now Appearing,” Brice said. “The song, ‘When Will It End,’ was written to help create awareness of a program called Operation Healthy Reunions. Developed by Mental Health America, OHR offers assistance in getting for our returning veterans who might be suffering mental issues after returning from the war. I lost my sister to mental illness and I pledged to learn more about the disease and do something in her memory. I joined the board of MHA and have been a member for nine years, serving as chairman for two years.”
“We’re honored that Brice chose Mental Health America as the beneficiary for this CD release,” said Mike Gelhausen, president, MHA. “He has served as an inspiration for others to become involved and has brought awareness into the community about this very special program, Operation Healthy Reunions.”
Beaird continued, “ ‘The Old Rock Church’ is another cause related song I wrote in memory of Elizabeth Toon. At twenty-two, she was tragically run over and killed in Los Angeles four years ago. Her father, Larry Toon, established the Elizabeth Toon Foundation in her memory. This foundation supports several great causes, including Camp John Marc and The Old Rock Church outside Cranfills Gap, Texas. Elizabeth visited this beautiful church with her dad and proclaimed to him that she wanted to get married there. Today, she is buried there in the cemetery next to the church. Two years ago, I was asked to play a benefit concert at Poor David's Pub along with friends Tom Douglas (Nashville songwriter) and Tom Faulkner (long time friend). Knowing this was to raise money and awareness of the Foundation and the Old Rock Church, I visited the church and while there wrote a song about it, and Elizabeth. At the CD release concert, I played it with Beatlegras joining in on harmonies, to a crowd of about 450, who all stood and joined me in singing “Amazing Grace” at the end of the song. It was a sweet moment, much like at this concert - a tremendous night, ending in a standing ovation. We made a lot of money, created a lot of awareness and saw a lot of smiles. I couldn't have asked for more!”
The Old Rock Church is now being considered for a documentary piece produced by Dallas based London Broadcasting in a series they are developing called Bronco Roads. Brice’s song, “The Old Rock Church,” will be featured in this film. (Elizabeth Toon was a Highland Park High School graduate. Her parents still reside in the Park Cities.)
A well-known local singer whose voice is smooth as silk with a James Taylor-esque edge, Beaird and the Big Sound Band (all of whom performed on the CD: Milo Deering, Jamey Perrenot, Roland Elbert, Carlyle McCoullough, Bob Gentry and John Landefeld) also recently performed at Poor David’s Pub. He has also appeared at Border’s Books and Opening Bell Coffee on Lamar.
The new CD features 11 other new original songs, including the very thoughtful, “He's My Son,” to the funny and whimsical, “I've Got No Friends in My Space.” NOW APPEARING is available for purchase, as well as individual songs from the CD, on iTunes or you can visit his website at http://www.bricebeaird.com to purchase the CD and it will be mailed to you.
Special thanks to our sponsors: Clear Channel and Park Cities News/The Waters Family.

Both Consecration Services took place at the expanded new campus adjacent to the Sanctuary at Northwest Highway and Inwood Road

For many years Lovers Lane United Methodist Church has dreamed of an expanded campus where all God’s children are welcomed and loved into relationship with Jesus Christ.
Lovers Lane UMC stands poised and on the brink of a new era with Tom Shipp Chapel offering an intimate setting for weddings, funerals, worship services and Sunday School Classes.
Aldersgate Hall and Watson Hall provide a new welcoming area for receptions, dinners, meeting space and most importantly, a gathering place for fellowship and warm hospitality. Also included in the consecration are Heritage Hall, coNEXTion Point and Twenty-One: Twenty-Five Book Store.
Both consecration ceremonies took place in December at the expanded new campus adjacent to the sanctuary at Northwest Highway and Inwood Roads in Dallas. After the consecrations, there were worship services at 11:00 am and a reception in Watson Hall at noon.
Lovers Lane United Methodist Church wishes to recognize with grateful appreciation the following donors who have made the vision become a reality: Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Arata, Mrs. Andy Bell, Mr. and Mrs. Rick Bjorck, Mr. and Mrs. Doug Box, Mr. Tom Box, Mr. and Mrs. Larry Brown, Mrs. Kathryn Christian, Mrs. Robert H. Dedman, Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Dedman, Jr., Mr. Jonathan Dietz, Mr. and Mrs. Bob Folsom, Hunter Folsom, Mr. and Mrs. Steve Folsom, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Frank, Gail Taylor Fiume, Mr. and Mrs. Don Jarma, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Harding, Mr. and Mrs. Phil Lack, Mr. and Mrs. Harry B. Lucas, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Nail, Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Olmstead, Mr. and Mrs. Arch Owen, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Walker and Mrs. John Watson.
The public is welcome to join us and connect with a vibrant church committed to inviting everyone into a ministry of "Loving People into a Relationship with Jesus Christ." At Lovers Lane United Methodist Church, there is a variety of exciting ministries and significant outreach programs making a positive impact on our membership and people throughout the metroplex. Most of all, members project a loving spirit that welcomes everyone into the fellowship of this caring congregation.
For more Information, please contact Kris Stokes, Executive Assistant to the Senior Pastor at 214.706.9511.
Lovers Lane United Methodist Church is located at 9200 Inwood Road at Northwest Highway, Dallas, TX 75220. Visit the website at www.llumc.org.

Associate Producers Membership Event at The Majestic Theater

(January 3, 2010) The Associate Producers, the young professionals support group of the Dallas Summer Musicals, presented by Comerica Bank, celebrated new members and invited guests to join the group at a party in their honor at The Majestic Theater.
Becky Neiderstadt, president, welcomed new members and discussed the upcoming show events: Parties for PHANTOM, WICKED and SHREK, THE MUSICAL. The PHANTOM party will be after the performance on February 19, with the cast. A very exciting event! Also attending were Michael Jenkins, President and Managing Director, DSM and Gary Griffith, Chairman of the Board.

About the Associate Producers
"To provide an exciting and dynamic membership opportunity for individuals under 45, offering educational and social value, plus increased awareness for Dallas Summer Musicals and the world of musical theatre."
Membership Benefits:
• Invitation to attend all Associate Producers events* and opportunity to network with AP members. *Annual Membership Event, 3 Show Events per season, Networking Event and Holiday Party.
• Discounted tickets for shows on Associate Producers group night and other discount opportunities.
• Preferred block seating* with Associate Producers group and other exclusive ticket opportunities *Orchestra or Balcony depending on price and availability
• 10% discount on all purchases from the DSM store
 Visit the website: http://www.dallassummermusicals.org/2009/assocproducers/main.shtm.

About Dallas Summer Musicals
Dallas Summer Musicals (DSM) is the preeminent non-profit presenter of Broadway theatre in North Texas. DSM produces, presents and promotes excellence in live musical theatre with year-round performances for diverse audiences of all ages, impacting the lives of children and families through community outreach and education and enriching the cultural landscape of Dallas/Fort Worth, North Texas and the Southwest Region. Dallas Summer Musicals is presented by Comerica Bank. Season sponsors are American Airlines, Park Place Motorcars Dallas, and WFAA Channel 8. Visit the website at www.dallassummermusicals.org.

Stanley Korshak hosts Check Presentation Celebrating the Beneficiaries of the KidneyTexas 2009 Luncheon and Fashion Show

(February 9, 2010) It was an exciting and heartfelt reception as Stanley Korshak hosted VIPs from the KidneyTexas 2009 luncheon and fashion show and representatives from the beneficiaries of the proceeds of the luncheon last fall, at a reception in their honor.
Teffy Jacobs and Molly Nolan, 2009 luncheon co-chairs, thanked Nancy C. Rogers, Honorary Chair and her husband, Richard R. Rogers/Mary Kay, Inc., presenting sponsor; Crawford Brock, owner and host, Stanley Korshak, fashion show sponsor, and these major sponsors for their support: Channel 11, KidBiz, Modern Luxury Dallas, American Airlines, Baylor Medical Center, Faye C. Briggs and Mary and Luke Crosland and mentioned there are many more friends and sponsors to whom they owe heartfelt gratitude for their continued support of KidneyTexas.
Amy Shackelford, 2009 president, KidneyTexas, presented checks totaling $222,000 to these beneficiaries: Children’s Medical Center of Dallas: Child Life Specialist, Clown Therapy; National Kidney Foundation Serving North Texas: Camp Reynal, Young Adult Camp and Emergency Financial Assistance Program; The PKD Foundation: Research Funding; The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas: Living Organ Donation Education.
Amy introduced 2010 incoming president, Suzette Derrick, and announced the co-chairs for the 2010 luncheon: Patty Jo Turner, Carmaleta Whiteley and Reneé Winter. For more information, please visit the KidneyTexas website: www.kidneytexas.org.
MISSION STATEMENT:

The purpose of KidneyTexas, Inc. is to provide funding to improve the methods of treatment, the search for a cure and prevention of kidney disease and other kindred or contributory diseases; and to develop more adequate provision for the care of persons suffering from such diseases.

STATISTICS:

Debilitating kidney diseases impact approximately 20 million people in the United States today. Groups at high risk include African Americans, Hispanics, senior citizens and people with diabetes. In Texas, there are over 30,000 people on dialysis and 4,000 on a transplant list. The number of patients on dialysis is anticipated to double this decade.

HISTORY:

Since 1999, the dedicated volunteers of KidneyTexas, Inc. have worked in tandem with our generous underwriters to raise over $2.1 million for local efforts to improve the ability to diagnose and manage kidney disease.

Welcoming party for THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Cast and Company at Dallas Chop House hosted by the Dallas Summer Musicals Guild

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA plays through March 14 at the Music Hall at Fair Park

(February 23, 2010) There was barely room to move at the Dallas Chop House as members of the Dallas Summer Musicals Guild hosted the cast and company of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA after a performance at the Music Hall at Fair Park recently.
“It is our pleasure to welcome the cast and company at this party in their honor and congratulate them on an exciting and wonderful show,” said Mark Cannon, DSM Guild president, who also welcomed the DSM Associate Producers Board and their guests.
Sponsored in part by Dallas Summer Musicals and the DSM Guild’s major supporters, the cast and company events are an opportunity to meet the cast members and get to know them one on one. The Guild also prepares great goodie bags, full of information about Dallas, magazines and gifts from sponsors, to welcome our guests to Dallas. Then on the Saturday and Sunday following opening night, the Guild serves a luncheon buffet to all of the cast and company of each show, if it is a two-show day. These events are a tradition of DSM and members of the Guild and would not be possible without our many sponsors and friends.
Playing through March 14 at the Music Hall at Fair Park, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is in Dallas for the last time! With some of the most lavish sets, costumes and special effects ever to have been created for the stage, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA directed by Harold Prince traces the tragic love story of a beautiful opera singer and a young composer shamed by his physical appearance into a shadowy existence beneath the majestic Paris Opera House. Adapted from Gaston Leroux’s classic novel of mystery and suspense, this award-winning musical has woven its magical spell over standing room audiences in more than 100 cities worldwide and is now the longest running show in Broadway history. For his final overture in Dallas, PHANTOM returns to Music Hall at Fair Park to take your breath away.
Tickets for THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA are available through The Box Office, 542 Preston Royal Shopping Center, or any Ticketmaster location including The Majestic Theatre, 1925 Elm Street. Tickets are also available to charge by phone at 214-631-ARTS (2787) or purchase online at www.ticketmaster.com. Groups of 20 or more should call 214-426-GROUP. For more information on Dallas Summer Musicals please visit www.dallassummermusicals.org.
The Dallas Summer Musicals Guild is a group of people who share a love of musical theater, show their appreciation to the traveling casts and crews and enthusiastically support the Dallas Summer Musicals! Join us for exclusive Cast parties, weekend cast buffets, and exciting social opportunities! For Guild membership information, visit the website at http://www.dsmguild.org/levels.shtm.

Bova Designs in North Dallas hosts party announcing Suzette Derrick as KidneyTexas 2010 President and the 2010 Luncheon Celebrating 10 Years of Giving With Style Fashion Show Chairs, Patty Jo Turner, Carmaleta Whiteley and Reneé Winter

(March 3, 2010) KidneyTexas board of directors, luncheon committee and auxiliary supporters joined together at Bova Designs in North Dallas to announce Suzette Derrick as president, KidneyTexas 2010, and the luncheon and fashion show Celebrating 10 Years of Giving With Style chairs, Patty Jo Turner, Carmaleta Whiteley and Reneé Winter.
Hosted by Maggie and Nir Sova, owners of Bova Designs, the party was a unique and very special shopping experience, with specials offered to all who attended.
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, September 8th for Celebrating 10 Years of Giving With Style, the KidneyTexas 2010 Luncheon and Fashion Show featuring fashions by Stanley Korshak at the Hilton Anatole Hotel’s Chantilly Ballroom.
The luncheon benefits KidneyTexas and beneficiaries to be named soon.
Celebrating 10 years of KidneyTexas, the co-chairs are honoring former luncheon chairs and honorary chairs. Both Carmaleta Whiteley and Renee Winter are former luncheon chairs and have served on the KidneyTexas board. Patty Jo Turner is one of the co-founders of KidneyTexas, as well as a former luncheon co-chair and board member.
Patty Jo’s grandmother, Rose Haggar, died of kidney disease at a time when there was only one dialysis machine in Dallas. Ed Haggar, Patty Jo’s father, wanted to improve on that situation, so in the late 60s, with the help of her mother, Patty Haggar, they gathered a few good women including Ginger Harvey, and implemented the first Mother/Daughter Fashion Show at Northwood Country Club to raise much needed monies for the cause. This very small event continued to grow every year until present day KidneyTexas, Inc. production that touts 1200 community leaders in attendance.
For more information about KidneyTexas, visit the website at www.kidneytexas.org.

MISSION STATEMENT:

The purpose of KidneyTexas, Inc. is to provide funding to improve the methods of treatment, the search for a cure and prevention of kidney disease and other kindred or contributory diseases; and to develop more adequate provision for the care of persons suffering from such diseases.

STATISTICS:

Debilitating kidney diseases impact approximately 20 million people in the United States today. Groups at high risk include African Americans, Hispanics, senior citizens and people with diabetes. In Texas, there are over 30,000 people on dialysis and 4,000 on a transplant list. The number of patients on dialysis is anticipated to double this decade.

HISTORY:

Since 1999, the dedicated volunteers of KidneyTexas, Inc. have worked in tandem with our generous underwriters to raise over $2.3 million for local efforts to improve the ability to diagnose and manage kidney disease.

Scardello Artisan Cheese on Oak Lawn hosts The Family Place Partners Auxiliary Winter Membership Meeting

Diane Fullingim, President, The Family Place Auxiliary
Karen and Rich Rogers, Owners, Scardello Artisan Cheese

Scardello Artisan Cheese on Oak Lawn was the scene for the first 2010 Family Place Partners Auxiliary membership gathering. Diane Fullingim, president, The Family Place Partners Auxiliary, thanked Rich Rogers, owner of Scardello and host of the event.
Diane also welcomed new members and introduced the 2010 Partners Card chairs: Maggie Kipp, Molly Nolan and Gina Roidopoulos.
The hot news was that the 2009 Partners Card numbers are in! Through the help from presenting sponsor, Bank of Texas, countless sponsors and over 200 volunteers, The Family Place raised more than $880,805 to help victims of domestic violence.
Join us for the next membership meeting, Wednesday, March 10, featuring Becky Sykes, Executive Director, Dallas Women’s Foundation, speaking on “Changing Society by Helping Women,” from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
RSVP to (214) 443-7710 or mmsherrill@familyplace.org.
The Family Place Auxiliary volunteers are civic-minded women who host a variety of events for the agency, solicit contributions and host the Partners Card fundraiser.
Scardello Artisan Cheese offers traditionally made, handcrafted and artisan foods, with approximately 140 cut-to-order seasonal cheeses, including European imports, American artisan cheese and a large selection of native Texas cheeses. Scardello is located at 3511 Oak Lawn Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75219 and is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. For additional information, please call 214.219.1300 or visit www.scardellocheese.com.

Briefcase Blues Band Rocks Mardi Gras Masquerade 2010!
The Party with a Purpose benefiting the American Red Cross – Dallas Area Chapter

The Briefcase Blues Band was the perfect choice for Mardi Gras Masquerade 2010 benefiting American Red Cross – Dallas Area Chapter. Over 400 revelers outfitted in masks and beads attended this party with a purpose.
“The dance floor was packed! Masquerade masks were everywhere and the beads were flying!” said B. J. Coffman, Honorary Chair. “The House of Blues is the perfect venue for this exciting party. It lifted our hearts to see so many people attending in support of the American Red Cross. Relief aid for the recent disaster in Haiti has been met with strong support and everyone is so thankful. We also ask everyone to keep in mind, our Dallas Area Chapter serves 12 counties and answers emergency calls every day with assistance for food, housing, clothing and so much more, so continued support means more than ever.”
The VIP reception began early and featured Dan Cavanagh’s Jazz Emporium Big Band, hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. After the VIP reception, the evening featured cocktails, New Orleans style buffet, casino, auction and a raffle. The silent auction brought in $22,000 and trips to the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, Rosewood CordeValle and American Airlines tickets to Europe were the top dollar items.
Also, very important components in the success of this event are the contributions by sponsors and underwriters which included Target, American Airlines, Don Carter, Dallas Airmotive and so many more. We thank everyone who volunteered, the committee, and all who were involved.
All Red Cross services support our mission of helping families prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Our Congressional Charter mandates two services: Disaster Services and Armed Forces Emergency Services. In addition to these, the Dallas Area Red Cross offers a wide variety of humanitarian, educational, and health and safety programs to the more than 4.1 million people in our twelve-county service area. For more information about American Red Cross – Dallas Area Chapter, contact Audra Steindorf at asteindorf@redcrossdallas.org or 214.678.4402.

Fly Away With The Bridge is the annual event to benefit The Bridge Breast Network, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to save lives by linking low income uninsured individuals to diagnostic and treatment services for breast cancer. The party at Marc Events on Dragon was an absolutely fun evening of entertainment, dancing, silent and live auctions, services auction, fabulous food and wines, earning just over $100,000 for the Bridge Breast Network.
The event was chaired by board member Suzanne Bock Grishman and her husband, Michael Grishman, co-chaired by board members Anita Schoenfeld and Linda Yater, and Yvonne Crum served as honorary chair.

Host Committee was Lee Bailey, Barbara Brice, Laurence and Sher Briggs, Heidi Dillon, Paula and Mark Driedger, Karen Castleman Harris and Alan Harris, Lindsay and Chuck Jacaman, Linda Armstrong Kelly and Ed Kelly, Rodger Kobes, MD, Carolyn C. Lupton, Carter and Jill Malouf, Donald and Dian Malouf, Lynn and Allan McBee, Honorable Pauline Medrano, Debi and Mike Moses, Ruth Buzzi and Kent Perkins, Dan Pritchett, Jill and Tracy Rowlett, Carol Seay, Pat Smith, Dee and Charles Wyly, Dr. Mason Yeary and Sherri Yeary, and Modern Luxury Dallas was media sponsor.

History and Mission: The Bridge Breast Network is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to save lives by linking low income uninsured individuals to diagnostic and treatment services for breast cancer. The Bridge serves uninsured and underinsured women and men in 16 counties in the DFW area.

In the past decade, The Bridge has served over 78,000 North Texas women and connected more than 10,000 with medical treatment. The Bridge was founded in 1992 to serve as the link between uninsured and under insured women and men and the life-saving care they so desperately need. Only through the help of volunteers and generous donations from the North Texas community is The Bridge able to carry out this vital mission. Status or circumstance shouldn’t be a factor in a woman’s fight against breast cancer. Cancer doesn’t care whether a woman is Asian or Caucasian, 16 or 60, insured or not. The care shouldn’t discriminate either.

For every dollar donated, Bridge clients receive nearly 10 times that amount in medical care. Over 235 physicians in the metroplex have graciously volunteered their professional services and 49 medical facilities have greatly reduced their fees to make such a large discount possible. Your tax-deductible donation goes toward lifesaving evaluations and treatment, such as biopsies, medication, and chemotherapy.

For more information about FLY AWAY WITH THE BRIDGE call (214) 821-3820 • Fax (214) 821-0869 • www.bridgebreast.org

KidneyTexas Tea Announces Beneficiaries of Celebrating 10 Years of Giving With Style, the KidneyTexas 2010 Luncheon and Fashion Show featuring fashions by Stanley Korshak

(March 15, 2010) The KidneyTexas Spring Membership Tea, co-chaired by Carmaleta Whiteley and Susan Vaughan, was graciously hosted by Suzanne Palmlund in her home recently.

Suzette Derrick, president, welcomed guests and new members, and thanked Suzanne for her generous hospitality. KidneyTexas Luncheon chairs, Patty Jo Turner, Reneé Winter and Carmaleta Whiteley announced the 2010 luncheon, themed Celebrating 10 Years of Giving with Style, will be September 8 at the Hilton Anatole Chantilly Ballroom.

The event will feature fashions by Stanley Korshak, fashion show sponsor, and KidBiz, providing the children’s fashions. KTVT Channel 11, Modern Luxury Dallas and Park Cities News/The Waters Family are media sponsors. Beneficiaries are Children’s Medical Center of Dallas and Camp Reynal.

Information and tickets: Tel. 214.891.0896 and fax. 214.368.3635 or e mail: kidneytexas@sbcglobal.net or visit the website: http://www.kidneytexas.org.

2010 Beneficiaries:Children’s Medical Center of Dallas and Camp Reynal.

MISSION STATEMENT: The purpose of KidneyTexas, Inc. is to provide funding to improve the methods of treatment, the search for a cure and prevention of kidney disease and other kindred or contributory diseases; and to develop more adequate provision for the care of persons suffering from such diseases.

STATISTICS: Debilitating kidney diseases impact approximately 20 million people in the United States today. Groups at high risk include African Americans, Hispanics, senior citizens and people with diabetes. In Texas, there are over 30,000 people on dialysis and 4,000 on a transplant list. The number of patients on dialysis is anticipated to double this decade.

HISTORY: Since 1999, the dedicated volunteers of KidneyTexas, Inc. have worked in tandem with our generous underwriters to raise over $2.1 million for local efforts to improve the ability to diagnose and manage kidney disease.

Rainbow Days Honors Philanthropic Children’s Champions with the Promise Awards
Awards are given each spring celebrating those who gave so much last year

DALLAS – [March 18, 2010] – Each year, Rainbow Days presents its prestigious Promise Award to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations who are committed to substance abuse prevention and to helping children overcome adversity and stay drug-free.

This year, the Promise Award Reception presented by Rainbow Days was held at the SMU Faculty Club located at 3034 Daniel Avenue in Dallas.

This year’s event was a memorable one as Rainbow Days honored a group of stellar recipients including:
Individual Volunteer: Mitzi White;

Corporate Partnership: Ronnie J. L. Ward & Son;

Local Partnership: Animal Crackers;

Community Organization: Oak Lawn United Methodist Church;

Foundation: Thompson & Knight;

Unsung Hero: Melissa Preston;

National Partnership: Kids in Distressed Situations;

Board Member: Carolyn Hess;

Government Agency: Protecting our Children Outreach Ministry - A Division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture;

Government Official: The Honorable Mayor Tom Leppert and Mrs. Laura Leppert;

Memorial: Jeff Blandford;

Corporate Volunteer Group: KPMG’s Network of Women (KNOW);

Educational Partnership: The Safe and Drug-free Schools Program of the Dallas Independent School District;

Youth Services: Melissa Medina.

“It is always an honor to recognize the commitment of individuals and organizations who are truly dedicated to making a difference in the life of a child,” shared Cathey Brown, Founder & CEO of Rainbow Days. “Because of the generous support of time, talent and treasure of the 2009 Promise Award recipients, more children have the hope of a promising future.”

Since 1982, Rainbow Days has fulfilled its mission of providing children living in high-risk situations with the skills and support they need to overcome adversity and stay drug-free.

To date, Rainbow Days has served over 100,000 children in the Dallas Metroplex, and trained more than 28,000 professionals, state and nationwide, in facilitating life skills support groups.

For more information about Rainbow Days, please contact Rainbow Days at www.rdikids.org or call 214-887-0726.

A Special Evening with the Pointer Sisters “Jumps” at the Winspear Opera House and Reveals Many Surprise Announcements

Event was hosted by Alliance Data and benefited Special Care & Career Services Which Announced Name Change to LaunchAbility

Walgreens Received Awards Honoring Partnership with Special Care & Career Services’- Now LaunchAbility - Work Readiness Program

(March 26, 2010) It was an evening of exciting announcements at A Special Evening with the Pointer Sisters hosted by Alliance Data at the Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performance Center recently. The event benefited Special Care & Career Services – which announced their name change to LaunchAbility.

As guests entered the Winspear, they were greeted with an opportunity to video their Happy Birthday wishes to Ebby Halliday, the evening’s honorary chair, who was celebrating her 99th birthday the next day.

After the birthday cake celebration back stage, the crowd took their seats in the sold-out concert hall. Jody Dean, from the morning team of KLUV 98.7 FM, presenting sponsor and emcee, welcomed all and served as auctioneer in the live auction.

Walgreens corporate local and national were chosen to receive two awards from LaunchAbility in 2010 for their outstanding support in advancing the opportunities for people with disabilities to find employment that will provide them real opportunities to be self-sufficient.

The Milton P. Levy Jr. Award recipient was Randy Lewis, Senior Vice President Supply Chain and Logistics for Walgreens corporate and the Alliance Data Corporate Champion Award went to Walgreens’ leadership team at the Distribution Center in Waxahachie. Randy is an example of one man making a difference for many by implementing Walgreens' corporate-wide initiative to hire 100 people with developmental disabilities at their distribution centers.

In working with Scott Tisdall and his team at Walgreens Distribution Center in Waxahachie on this initiative, they have shown us that the spirit of this initiative is corporate-wide.

The Work Readiness program includes groundbreaking training that includes occupational therapists to improve ability for hires with disabilities to perform in a 40 hour/week job. And now, they are expanding to retail training from warehouse jobs.

Sharon Herrin, President, Board of Trustees, LaunchAbility, presented the Alliance Data Corporate Champion Award to Walgreens. Accepting on their behalf were Erv Siemoneit, Marketing Vice President and Randy Lewis, Senior Vice President Supply Chain and Logistics for Walgreens corporate.

LaunchAbility created the Alliance Data Corporate Champion Award in 2008 to recognize Alliance Data’s years of outstanding multi-dimensional support, for their generous financial support as well as their long-time commitment to the agency through volunteer hours and employment of our Supported Employment clients.

Alan Utay of Alliance Data presented the Milton P. Levy, Jr. Award to Randy Lewis, individually. The award was specially designed for LaunchAbility by Brad Oldham.

Since 2002 Special Care & Career Services – now LaunchAbility - has named an individual as the Milton P. Levy, Jr. Award recipient. This award is presented to someone who has shown leadership in the community in support of our mission to build independence for children and adults with disabilities.

It was exciting to hear Randy speak about Walgreens’ commitment to LaunchAbility’s programs.

“So far out of the 10,000 who work in our distribution centers across the U.S., 750 have disabilities (vs goal of 1,000 by end of 2010). We’ll set a goal of 3,000 by 2015. All earn the same pay, perform same jobs, are held to same standards and work side-by-side with those without disabilities – a completely inclusive workplace. In our Waxahachie center almost 10% of our 700 employees have disabilities.

“We’ve just initiated a pilot in the Dallas-Fort Worth market to train and hire people with disabilities in our stores, too. This is only in the initial stages but we selected the DFW area because of the Texas can-do attitude amongst our 200 area stores. Once we get it right in DFW, we’ll move it out to our remaining 7,000 stores across the country. A big idea and big goal for sure. But that’s what Texas has always thrived on.”
The video “Launching Into a New Era” told the audience about LaunchAbility and its mission and just afterwards, Cathy Packard announced the name change from Special Care & Career Services to LaunchAbility.

“Our new name is designed to reinforce our agency focus on the unique abilities of our clients and our commitment to helping each of them reach their maximum potential to lead independent, fulfilling and TRULY self-sufficient lives,” she said. “I’d like to update you on what our Board and Staff are planning for the future. We’ve proven that we can make an impact as an independent non-profit. We cherish the fact that we have the flexibility to be innovative and strive always to look for new ways to improve the options for successful lives for our uniquely able clients. We also look for opportunities to collaborate with sister agencies, the government and business because it’s the best way to maximize resources and build a stronger community.

“Examples of our innovation and collaborative spirit are:

 Our new Child Care ChampionsTM program that we developed in partnership with Texas Association of Infant Mental Health, Brookhaven College, and ChildCareGroup, and

Our Work Readiness Training for adults with disabilities that was designed at the request of the Texas Department of Rehabilitative Services (DARS) and Walgreens.

“Both of these new programs are self–funding, meaning we don’t need to raise community dollars to run them. This underscores our belief that in order to continue to expand and offer best of breed programs we must strive to reduce our dependence on fundraising. Watch for our newest venture for 2010, The Academy, providing job skills training to adults with cognitive disabilities hosted at a large hospital.”

Event co-chairs, Elizabeth and Eric Gambrell welcomed everyone and worked with Jody Dean to draw for the raffle prize winners. Then the Pointer Sisters took the stage and rocked the audience with such favorites as “He’s So Shy,” “Automatic,” “Fire,” and more, capping it off with an encore of “Jump,” that brought the entire audience to its feet.

A fun, exciting evening for all!

About A Special Evening with the Pointer Sisters and LaunchAbility:

This was the 9th annual fundraising event benefiting LaunchAbility. In addition to raising community awareness about the agency, the event raises proceeds to assist LaunchAbility in continuing its 46 year mission to build independence for children and adults with developmental disabilities.

Over the past eight years A Special Evening has raised more than $1.8 million and allowed us to continually expand our programs. Our programs are setting new growth records every year and we continue to gain state and national recognition for our innovative programming and training. The proceeds from A Special Evening directly benefit LaunchAbility’s Supported Employment Services (SES) and Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) programs.

SES helps capable people with cognitive disabilities (such as Down syndrome, Cerebral palsy, Autism, and others) train for, find and keep good jobs.

Our ECI program provides teams of specialists to work with babies and toddlers with developmental disabilities and delays to give them a greater chance for success in school. A new program, Child Care ChampionsTM was launched in Fall 2009.

This is a collaborative program designed to fill a gap in childcare training. This program will improve the quality of child care across Dallas County by teaching child care workers how to identify and effectively interact with babies and toddlers with both typical and atypical development.

For more information, please visit the website at http://www.launchability.org.

Alliance Data: Alliance Data (NYSE: ADS) is a leading provider of transaction services, credit services and marketing services, managing over 105 million consumer relationships for some of North America's most recognizable companies. Alliance Data creates and manages customized solutions that change consumer behavior and that enable its clients to build stronger, mutually beneficial relationships with their customers.

The company is an active corporate citizen through its "Neighbor of Choice" Program and is committed to initiatives that support education, health and welfare and civic enrichment. For more information about the company, visit its web site, http://www.AllianceData.com.

Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is the nation’s largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2009 sales of $63 billion. The company operates 7,105 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Walgreens provides the most convenient access to consumer goods and services and cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services in America through its retail drugstores, Walgreens Health Services division and Walgreens Health and Wellness division. Walgreens Health Services assists pharmacy patients and prescription drug and medical plans through Walgreens Health Initiatives Inc. (a pharmacy benefit manager), Walgreens Mail Service Inc., Walgreens Home Care Inc., Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy LLC and SeniorMed LLC (a pharmacy provider to long-term care facilities). Walgreens Health and Wellness division includes Take Care Health Systems, the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health and wellness centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.

2010 Pot of Gold luncheon presented by AT&T
benefiting Rainbow Days, Inc.

WFAA News Anchor, Gloria Campos, Honorary Chair
Jimmy Epperson and Matt Ray, Co-chairs

DALLAS, TX – [May 10, 2010] – The 13th Annual Pot of Gold Luncheon presented by AT&T, raised nearly $140, 000 in support of the programs and services of Rainbow Days.

Serving in double capacity as Mistress of Ceremonies and Honorary Chair, WFAA News Anchor Gloria Campos stated, “I have the great privilege of meeting people every day who are using their unique talents and skills to make a positive difference in their communities. Rainbow Days is a great example of this. Each year, Rainbow Days gives children hope for a promising future by partnering with 81 different schools, homeless shelters and recreation centers in the Dallas community to serve over 12,000 children who are “at risk” for making bad choices, including over 1,000 homeless children. Since 1982, Rainbow Days has served over 107,000 children in the Dallas area by providing them with the skills they need to make healthy choices, overcome adversity and stay drug-free. I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for making a commitment to our children and to this city.”

Co-chairs Jimmy Epperson and Matt Ray agreed: “We are privileged to co-chair this exciting annual event. Funds raised from the Pot of Gold Luncheon have benefited thousands of homeless and at-risk children and families right here in our community. None of this would be possible without the generous support of our donors. We’d especially like to thank AT&T’s presenting sponsorship for the fourth year in a row. Their continued support has meant the world to Rainbow Days and the families we serve.”

One of the speakers was James Duke, a senior at Lake Highlands High School, who was recently featured on the cover of the ADVOCATE magazine’s April 2010 issue. He spoke about his life, from being homeless and on a path of destruction to today, playing football at LHHS and having been offered a scholarship at two universities. He has chosen a full scholarship to Harding University in Arkansas. After James spoke to the audience, he received a standing ovation that lasted more than just a few minutes. People were in tears and cheering. It was a very moving moment for everyone.

From the article: “On Wednesdays, while living in the shelter and later in transitional apartments funded by [Family] Gateway, the 12-year-old [James] participated in Rainbow Days programs for at-risk children. [He said,] ‘We did arts and crafts – I made stuff for my mom – and we got to play basketball. I think that’s where my sports career sort of took off.’ ” His compelling story is in the attached .pdf of the article and links here: http://www.socialwhirl.com/Photos/RainbowDaysPOG10/RainbowDaysAdvocateArticle.pdf
and here: http://lakehighlands.advocatemag.com/2010/04/the-measure-of-success/.

Rainbow Days wishes to express gratitude to this year’s major sponsors ($2,500 and up): Presenting: AT&T; Diamond: Nancy Ann and Ray L. Hunt; Platinum: Citi and Harper House; Gold: Marianne & Roger Staubach/Jones Lang LaSalle; Silver: Bank of Texas, Betty Ford Five Star Kids, FULBRIGHT & Jaworski L.L.P., Fred & Tammy Halfpap, Carolyn Hess & Jim McKinney, Jones Day, and The Advanced Group of Companies.

Rainbow Days is a local nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire children to live a life filled with hope and promise. Funds from this annual luncheon go directly to support programs, services and operations for Dallas-area children who are living in homeless shelters or who have been identified through the school systems as living in high-risk situations.

For more information on Rainbow Days and the 2011 luncheon, please contact Shawn Wills, Director of Development, Rainbow Days, Inc., 8150 N. Central Expressway, Suite 1600 Dallas, TX 75206, 214.217-3833 (phone) / 214.887.0729 (fax), shawnw@rdikids.org or visit the website at www.rdikids.org.

Park Cities Historic & Preservation Society’s March Meeting a Real Treat!

PCHPS met at the old Parkland Hospital for the meeting featuring Emily Lasko, Renovation Project Designer, and Dr. Robert McClelland, a Highland Park resident, who was on the medical team which treated President Kennedy in November 1963


The Park Cities Historic and Preservation Society’s March meeting was held at the renovated old Parkland Hospital campus.

Built in 1913, the Georgian-style buildings housed Texas' first brick hospital. This meeting gave the Society the opportunity to highlight and commend Crow Holdings and Harlan Crow, in particular, for the vision to restore a significant building within our community and rehabilitate it so that it can be used for modern office needs.

Additionally, Mr. Crow is expanding the campus to include two new buildings built in the style of the old Parkland Hospital and Nurses Quarters, which he has remodeled.

This was a unique opportunity to see the restored Parkland facility because since it is a business environment, it is generally open only to tenants of the old Parkland Campus.

PCHPS members had the opportunity to tour the first floor of the historic old Parkland Hospital and see the exhibit of historic materials before attending the meeting in the Pecan Room of the Nurses Quarters.

Emily Lasko, the designer on the restoration/remodeling team, was on hand to discuss the work that went into bringing the buildings back to life. Historic images of the restoration process were available.

The speaker for the evening was Dr. Robert McClelland, a Highland Park resident, who was on the medical team which treated President Kennedy in November 1963.

Although President Kennedy was treated in the new Parkland facility and not the space where the meeting will be held, the Crow family was involved on that sad day in 1963, as they were the owners of the Trade Mart where President Kennedy was headed to speak at a luncheon.

• About PCHPS: The roots of Park Cities Historic & Preservation Society (PCHPS) reach back to 1982 with the creation of Park Cities Historical Society to preserve, protect and promote the historic, cultural and aesthetic attributes and traditions of the Park Cities.

Another organization, Preservation Park Cities was founded in 2000 to preserve the character and legacy of our community, encompassing the preservation of our trees, parks, and pedestrian-friendly streets.

In 2006 the Historical Society and Preservation Park Cities recognized that they were working for similar purposes and merged.

Together the organizations have recognized over 165 homes and building sites, through rigorous evaluation, with bronze plaques posted on each site. The current community-led Society is an active organization that continues to protect and promote the historic, architectural, cultural and aesthetic legacy of the Park Cities.

Contact Information: PCHPS: 25 Highland Park Village, Suite 100 Box 286, Dallas, TX 75205. Phone: 214-528-0021 | info@pchps.org | www.pchps.org.

Welcoming party for WICKED Cast and Company hosted by the Dallas Summer Musicals Guild

SHREK THE MUSICAL will play at the Music Hall at Fair Park during the Texas State Fair September 28-October 17, 2010

Dallas, TX: The North Dallas home of Bryan Carr and Mark LeDoux was buzzing with excitement as members of the Dallas Summer Musicals Guild hosted the cast and company of WICKED.

“It is our pleasure to welcome the cast and company at this party in their honor and congratulate them on an exciting and wonderful show,” said Mark Cannon, DSM Guild president. “I’d also like to thank the Guild’s lead corporate sponsor, Endeavor, tonight’s party hosts Ranil Ninala, Lynne and Bob Thompson, Judy and Barry Dodson, Steven E. Beene and Larry W. Mead, Cynthia and Ron DeVies and Jason Blair, the Guild party chairman, for doing such a wonderful job in organizing this fabulous event.”

Sponsored in part by Dallas Summer Musicals and the DSM Guild’s major supporters, the cast and company events are an opportunity to meet the cast members and get to know them one on one.

The Guild also prepares great goodie bags, full of information about Dallas, magazines and gifts from sponsors, to welcome our guests to Dallas. Then on the Saturday and Sunday following opening night, the Guild serves a luncheon buffet to all of the cast and company of each show, if it is a two-show day. These events are a tradition of DSM and members of the Guild and would not be possible without our many sponsors and friends.

The Dallas Summer Musicals Guild is a group of people who share a love of musical theater, show their appreciation to the traveling casts and crews and enthusiastically support the Dallas Summer Musicals!

Join us for exclusive Cast parties, weekend cast buffets, and exciting social opportunities! For Guild membership information, visit the website at http://www.dsmguild.org/levels.shtm.

Next up for Dallas Summer Musicals will be the State Fair of Texas musical, SHREK THE MUSICAL, September 28-October 17, 2010.

An entirely new musical, SHREK THE MUSICAL is based on the story and characters from William Steig's book Shrek!, as well as the DreamWorks Animation film Shrek, the first chapter of the Shrek movie series.

SHREK THE MUSICAL tells the story of a swamp-dwelling ogre who goes on a life-changing adventure to reclaim the deed to his land. Joined by a wise-cracking donkey, this unlikely hero fights a fearsome dragon, rescues a feisty princess and learns that real friendship and true love aren't only found in fairy tales.

SHREK THE MUSICAL features a book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize® winner David Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole), music by Olivier Award-winner Jeanine Tesori (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Caroline, or Change), and is directed by Tony Award® nominee Jason Moore (Avenue Q) and Tony and Emmy Award-winner Rob Ashford (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Promises Promises). SHREK THE MUSICAL has set and costume designs by Tony Award® winner Tim Hatley (Private Lives, Spamalot), lighting design by Olivier Award winner Hugh Vanstone (A Steady Rain), sound design by Peter Hylenski (Rock of Ages); choreography by Josh Prince, music supervision by Tim Weil, music direction by Andy Grobengieser, and orchestrations by Danny Troob and John Clancy.

Tickets are on sale at The Box Office, 542 Preston Royal Shopping Center and all Ticketmaster locations; tickets are also available online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 214-631-ARTS (2787). For groups of 15 or more call 214-426-GROUP.

Read more about the cast and company here: http://dsmnewsroom.blogspot.com/search/label/shrek%20the%20musical.

For media information about this show or the Dallas Summer Musicals, and for videotape, photos, interviews or reviewer’s passes, please call Jo Ann Holt at 469-363-7371 or send inquiries to joannholt@gmail.com.

Season sponsors for Dallas Summer Musicals, presented by Comerica Bank, are WFAA TV Channel 8 and American Airlines. Park Place Motorcars Dallas is the official automotive sponsor.

Now celebrating its 70th season, Dallas Summer Musicals, Inc. (DSM) is the largest producer of live theatrical entertainment in the Southwest, the second oldest summer theater organization in the United States, and the sixth largest non-profit theater company. DSM has been entertaining North Texas audiences with the finest in live, musical theatre entertainment since 1941. In addition to presenting national Broadway tours, DSM also produces shows on Broadway, presents and tours local productions, and is involved in developing new works. Dallas Summer Musicals’ affiliates include DSM Management Group, Inc. (DSMMGI), which manages the Music Hall at Fair Park.