An Ongoing Conversation For the Good Of Dallas
There was a lot of show and swell Wednesday night at David Yurman‘s in NorthPark. But then that’s typical when one is entertaining the ladies of Cattle Baron’s. It wasn’t enough that Yurman was launching their new fragrances that you can pair or wear individually or that a percentage of the proceeds from the shop-til-you-drop night went to CBB.
Cattle Baron's buckle by David Yurman
Cattle Baron's buckle by David Yurman
David Yurman ring
Hopefully, Anne and Steve Stodghill‘s neighbors have gotten over the mammoth traffic jam created Wednesday by their USA Film Festival opening-night, after-movie party. The block-long backup of cars was so great that the chief valet wrangler walked the line telling folks “turn your car off and leave the keys in the ignition.”
But once inside the Stodghills’ home, it was well-worth the vehicular situation. Yes, it was indeed crowded, but Anne just smiled and said she could have gotten 50 more people in.
Bobbie Wygant, David Hyde Pierce, Betty Bob Buckley
First of the VIP’s to arrived was David Hyde Pierce, who was three deep in admirers. Two of his favorites were Bobbie Wygant and Betty Bob Buckley, mother of actress/ singer Betty Buckley. It seems that the two gals had gotten to know David when he was rehearsing “Spamalot” with daughter Betty in New York.
When asked how he avoided being typecast as “Frasier’s” Niles Crane, he said that he intentionally stopped doing TV after that and headed to the New York theater for work. It was a conscious decision. Simply put: “The way I avoided it (typecasting) was, I stopped doing television.”
Ralph Randall and David Hyde Pierce
Local Ralph Randall told friends that while Frasier was on television, he was kidded for looking like Hyde Pierce.
Harry Hunsicker
Standing nearby with Allan McBee and Stubbs Davis, novelist Harry Hunsicker admitted that he’d missed the movies that night due to his father’s celebrating his 81st birthday, but he was looking forward to seeing the USA Film Festival’s “White Irish Drinkers” on Sunday.
Jennifer Grant, Steve and Anne Stodghill
Later in the evening the second VIP of the evening appeared — Jennifer Grant, the daughter of the late Cary Grant and Dyan Cannon. Word kept being passed throughout the crowd how much she looked like her mother. Somehow she was maneuvered into the kitchen, where people had her autograph her book, “Good Stuff, A Reminiscence of My Father, Cary Grant.” Graciously, she handled each request.
When asked if having two such famous parents had been a curse or blessing, she seemed a little surprised and thought for a moment. Finally, Jennifer said, “I have to say, thankfully, that it’s been great. It’s been great.”
Paige McDaniel and Emily Giffin
Here’s a thought — Take your favorite mom to the movie as an early Mother’s Day celebration. And since you’re feeling generous, splurge and buy a big box of popcorn.
Bill Lively
Today the Dallas Symphony Orchestra issued a release announcing that Bill Lively resigned his position as president and CEO of the DSO due to health reasons.
According to the prepared statement, Bill said:
“Based on strong recommendations over the past few weeks from my physician, I have made this precautionary decision and will devote significant time this summer to rest and recuperation,” said Lively.
“I entered into this position with a full heart and intention to stay long-term as president, but it became quickly apparent that my health concerns would not allow me to fulfill these obligations,” he continued. “It has been a privilege to work with Jaap van Zweden, the musicians, and the Dallas Symphony board and staff in the process of identifying and strategizing the immense opportunities this organization has in front of it. I sincerely regret that I need to leave this role prematurely.”
Bill, who among other things, headed up the fundraising campaign for the AT&T Performing Arts Center and the North Texas Super Bowl Committee.
At this time no replacement has been named.
May Bill’s health issues be resolved very soon.
(The full release follows the jump.)
Word has come to the MySweetCharity headquarters that a BIG announcement will be made this afternoon. If you are wearing a hat, make sure that you’re holding on to it. If you’re not wearing a hat, then you’ll just feel the earth shake a bit.
It’s really BIG news. Stay tuned.
Lynn and Allan McBee
With the Dallas International Film Festival less than a month old, Lynn McBee has been named the new chairman of the board of directors for the Dallas Film Society. In addition to the Dallas Film Society, Lynn is also currently chairing The United Way of Metropolitan Dallas’ Tocqueville Society and the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge Opening Weekend Celebration.
“We are thrilled that Lynn is taking the lead as chairman of the board of directors at Dallas Film Society,” said Dallas Film Society President Tanya Foster. “Her love of film coupled with her vast volunteer and leadership background are exactly what we need to take our organization to the next level. There is no stone left unturned when it comes to working with Lynn. Her determination and willingness to succeed make her the ‘secret sauce’ to the Dallas Film Society.”
Lynn is also Chairman Emeritus and Life Member of the Board of Directors for the Visiting Nurse Association, Board Member, The Visiting Nurse Association Foundation, Board Member, The Trinity Trust, Board member, The Salvation Army, Immediate Past Chairman and Board member of TACA, UTD Center for Brain Health Board of Directors, Chi Omega Foundation National Board Trustee, Children’s Medical Center Foundation Trustee, The Chiapas Project Board of Directors, Dallas Historical Society Trustee, AT&T Performing Arts Center President’s Advisory Council, Dallas County Community College District Foundation Board member, The Family Place Foundation, Vice Chairman of the Dallas Film Society Board, Community Partners of Dallas Advisory Board, Heroes for Children Advisory Board, Launchability Community Advisory Board, member of the Crystal Charity Ball, Sweetheart Ball, associate member of The Cattle Baron’s Ball, member of the Dallas Woman’s Club, Hesitation Club and the Junior Group of the Marianne Scruggs Garden Club.
She is a past President of the Junior League of Dallas, Chairman of the Cattle Baron’s Ball, Chairman of TACA, Junior League of Dallas Ball, TACA Silver Cup Awards Luncheon, Genesis Women’s Shelter Mother’s Day Luncheon, The Salvation Army Fall Luncheon, The Dallas Historical Society Awards for Excellence Luncheon, Community Partners of Dallas Chairman of the Board, The Family Place Partners Auxiliary Board President, Chairman of the Partners Card Fundraiser, and Chairman of the Chi Omega Christmas Market. She is a graduate of Leadership Dallas and Legacy Dallas and was a 2006 finalist for the Texas Trailblazer Award.
This fall, she will be honored at the Presbyterian Foundation Luncheon with the “Each Moment Matters” Award. She will also receive the 2011 “Real Women, Real Girls” Award from the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, and the 2012 ”Partners for Children Award” from Community Partners of Dallas.
McBee is a seventh-generation Texan and is the great, great, great, great-granddaughter of Emily Austin, sister to Stephen F. Austin, The Father of Texas. She is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry. She has been employed as a consultant with New England Biolabs, a privately held Biotech firm, for 19 years. Additionally, she is a principal in GenTest, Texas, exclusive distributor of OncoVue.
The one thing that Lynn doesn’t have is spare time.
Lynn McBee
While some gals were shopping to support nonprofits Wednesday night, Lynn McBee had the perfect excuse not to. She was hostessing a party for the Women of Tocqueville at her home. No, this group does not sample cucumber sandwiches or discuss the most exhilarating romantic novel. These are top-notch, savvy women who define leadership in business and philanthropy. Need names? Try Deloitte, Ernst & Young, Frito-Lay, Exxon Mobil Corporation, PepsiCo, JCPenney, Jones Day, Texas Instruments, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Locke Lord Bissell & Lidell and Baker Botts.
Their live-by-the-rule: “Give. Volunteer. Advocate.”
Debbie Taylor
The reason for Lynn’s having the party at her place was simple — she’s chairing the entire Tocqueville Campaign for 2011.
Just to be a member of the Tocqueville team, one contributes at least $10,000 a year. In 2010 there were 681 members of Tocqueville, an increase of 3% over the previous year.
Yes, we know your next question and got the MySweetCharity hand-crank calculator out. That means this group of Tocques raised at least $6,810,000 alone to support United Way. Hard to believe! But we ran the numbers four times because it was so hard to believe.
With that past goal achieved, you just know that Ms. McBee is planning on topping that one. Let’s say a nice round number like $7 million. The MSC calculator is fired up to see how things add up.
BTW, they do more than count dollar signs. Seems they really got into the advocating part in the 2009 Legislative session, when a group of the women went to Austin to learn the fine art of lobbying, which they proceeded to do for a pre-school education program. It wound up passing the Legislature, but Gov. Perry vetoed the bill. They learned, you can never stop!
MySweetCharity’s Queenie came back in a huff complaining about her nails being ragged and not having enough “quality time” to take care of her personal needs. The rest of the MSC minions looked at each other and then looked at the news reports about the tornadoes in Alabama and in the surrounding areas of Dallas. A slight revolt took place. Queenie was told that her attitude definitely needed adjustment or she would end up like a distant relative by the name of Marie Antoinette.
Lesson learned: Let’s be grateful that the small things are just that. . . small. Now let’s proceed with helping those with much, much bigger things than Queenie’s cuticle problems.
Jan Langbein, Paige Wilbur, Ashlee Kleinert
Nancy Ann Hunt
As if that wasn’t enough, the team was delighted that this year’s event has more corporate sponsors than ever.
Tom Brokaw
MySweetCharity admits to being prejudiced when it comes to firemen. They face daunting situations 365 days a year solely to help others. When asked, they are there ASAP.
So, if you see one on the corner today with a boot, give them a donation.
And you might want to add, “Thank you!”
Barbara Daseke
The Dallas Arboretum’s Mad Hatter’s Tea Party is hardly a week old and, by golly, the newly-named
Carmaleta Whiteley
president and co-chairs are already setting up for spring 2012. Sharon Ballew will be president with Barbara Daseke and Carmaleta Whiteley serving as co-chairs for the hatty fashion show/luncheon.
The Daseke-Whiteley teaming has been rumored for a few weeks, but was just confirmed yesterday.
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