TREC Young Guns Land On A Winning Streak

Aug 31, 2010 by Leave a Comment

MySweetCharity’s strategizing Thursday night forced the management team to stay hunkered down and miss the fourth annual Young Guns’ Casino Night. However, because it is of vital importance that you stay on top of the action, the following report was filed by the gracious and multi-tasking Juliette Coulter:

TREC Young Guns Hosted Fourth Annual Casino Night

About 350 of The Real Estate Council’s Young Guns and their guests knew that their lucky number was 17—as in the place for the annual Casino Night, 17Seventeen McKinney on the 17th floor in downtown Dallas.

Photo credit: Steve Foxall

TREC Young Guns Casino Chairman Kyle Wisdom (pictured with Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders Laura Beke, left, and Andrea James) welcomed guests with Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders. Complete Music DJ spun lively tunes in the space, while guests enjoyed casino gaming to raise funds for TREC.  BBQ bacon-wrapped shrimp, chicken sandwiches, quesadillas and artichoke nachos were plentiful, thanks to Hully & Mo, where the after-party continued.

While Wisdom looked dressed by Ralph Lauren in a light blue dinner jacket with paisley pocket square, most young men preferred their dark suits.  The young women wore fashionable, short cocktail dresses and stilettos.

Photo credit: Steve Foxall

In addition to Wisdom, other TREC Young Guns included Aaron Bidne (pictured far left with Holland Morris and Will Themer) with hobnobbing with friends as his company Granite Properties developed this space. Twins De’On and De’Juan Collins networked as they are building their business, Collins Investments. Missy Hodges of Henry S. Miller Brokerage talked shop with Leah Ekmark of C. Pharr and Company as both are in marketing and PR.  Young Guns President Gary Sanchez of Beck welcomed guests downstairs in the lobby, and worked the room upstairs like a pro. Will Themer of Munsch Hardst Kopf and Harr posed for photos and sampled libations from the bar.

TREC Young Guns is comprised of young commercial real estate professionals motivated by a common purpose to promote TREC involvement and to encourage participation in social, political and civic issues that affect the city of Dallas and North Texas.

TREC Young Guns kicked off the first Casino Night in 2007 as a way to help raise money for the TREC Foundation while promoting TREC’s good works in the community. TREC Young Guns has raised a substantial amount of donations from this annual event to help fuel community involvement.

This year’s sponsors included: returning High Roller Sponsor, ZOM; Venue Sponsor, Granite Properties; and Entertainment Sponsor, Architectural Lighting Associates (ALA). Other sponsors include: Magellan Commercial Realty, Jones & Carter, NE Construction, Sunridge Management, Cross Architects, Love Funding, Stewart Title, Beck, Thackeray Partners and Henry S. Miller Brokerage.

Filed Under: Business, Events, Fund raiser Tagged With:

Dallas Raconteur Rawlins Gilliland Has KidneyTexas Patrons Party Oh-So Covered

Aug 31, 2010 by 2 Comments

While MySweetCharity minions are hard at work plotting the upcoming tsunami of a season, literary artiste and bon vivant Rawlins Gilliland not only charmed the crowd at Thursday’s KidneyTexas patrons party, he filed this report:

A Kidney Transplanted Event Transports KidneyTexas Patrons to Park Cities Heaven

(Rawlins Gilliland in for Jeanne Prejean, who was having her nails done in Bali.)

I’m always a happy camper when there’s glamorous women, good causes & great wine.  And the KidneyTexas patron party was all that and more.  Although I make a terrible imitation of Jeanne Prejean, who was out of town and asked me to cover this glam squad event on August 26th, I indeed subbed for Glenn Hunter’s better half at the home of Mr. & Mrs. David Lane.  By the way, the home is a killer and for sale via Allie Beth Allman.

The first hint that this was going to be a great night is when you are greeted by the effervescent luncheon co-chair Carmaleta Whiteley, whose Prada necklace sported jewels the size of throw pillows.  The second sign was luncheon co-chair Renee Winter playing Vanna White with two stars of the upcoming KidneyTexas luncheon & fashion show at the Hilton Anatole — Chantilly Ballroom on Wednesday, September 8th. Yes, there will be fashions by Stanley Korshak and production by the inimitable Jan Strimple.  But the stars born 10 weeks ago that Renee was sporting were a pair of girls looking to be auctioned off as the trophy lives they are destined to lead; a pair of Mi-Ki ‘designer dogs’…Maltese, Papillon, and Japanese Chin…named Scarlett & Tess.  These dogs are like the proverbial blind date that turns out to be rich and a swell dancer; they don’t shed, they’re hypo-allergenic and peak at 3-5 lbs.  Rumor has it they will also guarantee fame and fortune where everyone becomes a natural blond but this was likely the wine talking.

Talking about the wine!  The ever-sparkling variety that she is, KidneyTexas President Suzette Derrick explained that the wines served at the party were courtesy of Ward Lay from his winery in Argentina.  Superb wine, perfectly chilled Andeluna Chardonnay 2006 Reserve Tupungato.  By the way,  a trip to the ranch for 4 on American Airlines biz class for hunting & dream fishing will also be part of the luncheon’s live auction.

As if that’s not enough getaway temptation, consider a $25,000 package to Capella Pedregal in Cabo San Lucas.

Of course, if they really wanted to raise money they would auction Suzette Derrick’s Swarovski encrusted Louboutins.  They had more mouths watering than the wonderful Parigi eggplant parm canapés.

However, moving on, the talented and charming Lynn Dealey not only designed this 10-year anniversary logo, she brought the original painting of the gloved arm with 8 bangles to be auctioned off as well.

This stellar crowd portended the upcoming luncheon’s mission to increase funding and awareness of kidney diseases and cures and state of the art transplant capabilities.  My increased awareness was heightened when I spoke with the lovely Faye C. Briggs whose personal warmth in her Brioni linen silk pant suit was a standout in a sea of great gab and garments.

Special notes of thanks came from co-chair Patty Jo Turner to Nancy C. and Richard R. Rogers – MARY KAY for their whopping $50,000 gift along with American Airlines, Modern Luxury Dallas and Stanley Korshak at $25,000 each.

What’s not to love?   Show your love by contacting Sherri Starr for ticket info at Tel. 214.891.0896 and fax 214.368.3635 or e mail kidneytexas@sbcglobal.net or visit the website http://www.kidneytexas.org.

Editor’s note: That darn Rawlins shamed MySweetCharity management with his prose and his eye for beauty. Nice job, RG!

Filed Under: Events, Fund raiser, Health, Sponsors Party Tagged With:

Share-The-Date: Another Shot “Fore” Children

Aug 30, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Friday, Oct. 8: The second annual Another Shot “Fore Children” will take place at Coyote Ridge Golf Club in Carrollton benefiting Hope Cottage. The driving (sorry, no pun intended) forces are Hope babies Dr. Scott and Todd deVilleneuve.

Presenting sponsor Surgical Associates of North Texas is joined by GEICO, Lynn and Bob Thompson and Kyle Stevens/Western Security Surplus Insurance Brokers.

Sponsorships start at $30 and individual players cost $125. It’s easy to register.

Filed Under: Announcement, Children, Fund raiser, Share-A-Date, Sports Tagged With:

Share-The-Date: Plaza Style 2010

Aug 30, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Thursday, Sept. 23 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.: Plaza Style was jammed last year with adorable slaves to fashion and it will no doubt be a repeat jam this year. With admission just $10 in advance and $15 at the door, the party and fashion show with Preston Center merchandise take place in the parking lot at The Plaza at Preston Center. Thank heaven, organizers have the whole thing under a major tent! The show will be orchestrated by the ever fashionable Rhonda Sargent Chambers and will be hosted by KTVT-CH. 11′s Selena Hernandez.

Who does it benefit? Why The Fashionistas, of course.

Sponsors include Moet & Chandon, RSC Show Productions, Phonophreaks, Belvedere Vodka and KTVT-CH. 11.

Filed Under: Announcement, Fashion Show, Fund raiser, Share-A-Date Tagged With:

Dallas’ Top Philanthropists Didn’t Start Out Rich Or In Dallas

Aug 27, 2010 by Leave a Comment

There’s an interesting article in this month’s D CEO about self-made individuals who have made philanthropy a top priority. One is the son of Holocaust survivors, two lost a parent when they were just youngsters, one was a Miss American contestant, two are Ivy Leaguers thanks to scholarships, several worked their ways through college and only one is a native Dallasite.

All have reasons for their decisions to provide financial support for our community. Don’t worry the article is not long and preachy. The writer is not that talented. But it’s an opportunity to learn about well-recognized individuals with stories that just might surprise . . . and possibly inspire you.

BTW, one of the philanthropists said, “When I was growing up, my family didn’t even know how to spell ‘philanthropy.’ We just considered it helping our neighbors.”

Filed Under: Heroes, Leadership Tagged With:

Share-The-Date: The Real Estate Council’s Giving Gala

Aug 26, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Photo provided by TREC

Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 6:30 p.m. — The Real Estate Council’s annual Giving Gala will take place at the Hilton Anatole with none other than Robert Earl Keen (pictured) handling the entertainment. The western-styled event featuring “cowboy grub, mingling and bidding on three playhouses that TREC members designed and built” is presented by Deloitte.

Other sponsors include: Limelight Sponsor: Schwob Building Company; Spotlight Sponsors: CMC Commercial Realty Group, Comerica, Corgan, Ernst & Young; Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, LP, Jackson-Shaw, Thackeray Partners.

Trey Morsbach of Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, LP, and TREC Giving Gala Chairman, said, “The Giving Gala will focus on The Real Estate Council Foundation’s initiatives in four key grant areas—education, housing, jobs and the environment.  It’s a fun evening both to celebrate what we have accomplished and to raise funds to support our ongoing community initiatives.”

Filed Under: Announcement, Fund raiser, Share-A-Date Tagged With:

Happy National Equality Day, Alice!

Aug 26, 2010 by Leave a Comment

On this day 90 years ago, the 19th Amendment was passed giving women the right to vote. Thank you to all the women and men who worked for its passage. Let’s not take for granted the precious gift that all of us have.

BTW, did you know that the late suffragette Alice Duer Miller actually suggested that women should have the vote and men shouldn’t? Thought that would wake you up. In 1915 Alice wrote the following reasons for her thinking:

Why We Don’t Want Men to Vote

  • Because man’s place is in the army.
  • Because no really manly man wants to settle any question otherwise than by fighting about it.
  • Because if men should adopt peaceable methods women will no longer look up to them.
  • Because men will lose their charm if they step out of their natural sphere and interest themselves in other matters than feats of arms, uniforms, and drums.
  • Because men are too emotional to vote. Their conduct at baseball games and political conventions shows this, while their innate tendency to appeal to force renders them unfit for government.
Filed Under: History, Women Tagged With:

Start Your Engines: Partners Card 2010 Dates Announced

Aug 25, 2010 by Leave a Comment

We’re hardly through Restaurant Week, and The Family Place has announced the dates for the Partners Card 2010 presented by Bank of Texas! Start saving your pennies and keeping your credit cards in hibernation until . . . Friday. Oct. 29. That’s when it all starts. But, alas, it ends on Sunday, Nov. 7. Ah, 10 days of 20% off. Every tried and true shopper’s fantasy.

But during that precious time, you’ll not only get 20% off on purchases at 750 very special merchants and companies, you’ll also be supporting The Family Place’s great works thanks to Event Chairs Maggie Cooke Kipp, Molly Nolan and Gina Roidopoulos.

You can either purchase your Partners Card at Tom Thumbs or community volunteers for a mere $60, or you can always go online.

Filed Under: Announcement, Events, Fund raiser, Women Tagged With: , , ,

Share-The-Date: Junior League of Dallas’ “Casino in Casablanca”

Aug 25, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Friday, Nov. 12 at 6:30 p.m. — The Junior League of Dallas‘ 14th annual Auction & Casino Party is scheduled for The Hall of State at Fair Park. This year’s theme is “Casino in Casablanca.” Shades of Humphrey, Ingrid and Claude!

In recent years, the event has averaged between 800 and 900 guests, but this year bets are being placed that records may be broken because D’Andra Simmons (pictured) is ball chair. It’s one of the JLD’s largest fundraising events. Better get your tickets now because that last four years have been sold out!

Filed Under: Announcement, Events, Fund raiser, Share-A-Date Tagged With:

Providence Christian School Opened Grandly

Aug 24, 2010 by 5 Comments

Photo provided by Providence Christian School

Yesterday was the first day back to school for legions of students. For one group school started last Wednesday and it was a very big day. At Providence Christian School, it was the opening of the school’s 40,000-square foot addition which increased the campus by 60%. The new facility provides for

  • 11 new classrooms for grades 5-8,
  • a science lab
  • two Latin rooms
  • a middle school art room
  • a regulation-sized gym (pictured) complete with locker rooms and coaches offices and
  • a nature studies lab.

To add frosting to this development is another 7,185-square feet will be added in December for a new library and “enrichment wing” for pre-school and kindergarten classes.

What makes this “grand opening” special is that the capital campaign for this growth began back in February 2009 when the financial world was hitting the skids.  But Providence Capital Campaign Chairs Leslie and Nick Merrick along with their campaign steering committee (Jean-Marie and Robert Alpert, Stacy and Tyler Burke, Shelby and Rich Flaten, Shannon and Jeff Graham, Cammie and Brian Heflin, Tavia and Clark Hunt, Elizabeth and Syd Hurley, Julie and John Miller, Laura and Tommy McBride, Cindy and John Sloan, Mauri and Chip Tardy, Susan and Greg Turner, Kelsie and Price Wagner, Heather and Ray Washburne and Kristi and Blake Woodall) didn’t let a little thing like financial meltdown stand in the way of their kids’ education. It also didn’t hurt to have someone like Rob Richardson chairing the real estate committee and handling all those pesky city approvals and construction issues.

So far, the “Fulfilling Our Vision, Building Our Future” capital campaign has raised $11.4 million of its $12 million goal. Along with 85% of the school’s families pitching it, the following foundations have helped make this dream come true: Constantin Foundation; Hawn Foundation, Inc.; Hillcrest Foundation, founded by Mrs. W.W. Caruth, Sr.; Hoblitzelle Foundation; Mary Potishman Lard Trust; The Ginger Murchison Foundation; The Rosewood Foundation; Stemmons Foundation; The Jack & Sally Turpin Foundation, Inc., and our dear old friend “Anonymous.”

 

Filed Under: Children, Education, Fund raiser Tagged With:

JUST IN: Children’s Medical Center’s Development VP Phyllis Cole Resigns

Aug 24, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Children’s Medical Center Dallas’ VP of Development Phyllis Cole notified her staff yesterday that she’s turned in her resignation to focus on her three munchkins. She’ll be staying at Children’s for the next few weeks to “wrap up dangling projects.”

Children’s loss is the gain for three very lucky kids.

Filed Under: Announcement, Business, Children, Leadership Tagged With: