An Ongoing Conversation For the Good Of Dallas
This year, the group that puts on the annual Blondes vs. Brunettes powder-puff football game has an ambitious fundraising goal: $275,000. And it has it for a good reason. Hitting that goal, you see, would put the benefit for the Greater Dallas Alzheimer’s Association over the million-dollar mark in funds raised since the game began five years ago.
Greer Fulton, Lee Batson, Erin Finegold and Roxanne Rodriquez
So, Blondes vs. Brunettes Dallas has been pulling out all the fundraising stops this summer. And, it looks like they’ve been paying off. Going into Saturday night’s BvB Auction Night at the Gossip Bar at the Hilton Anatole, BvB President Erin Finegold said the group already was $20,000 ahead of last year’s pace.
Stephanie DeRosso
They were expecting a total of about 150 people to turn up for Saturday’s auction, and by 8 p.m. it looked they might get it. While club music thumped over the sound system, scenes from previous BvB games were flashing across three big flatscreen TVs. Meanwhile, guests downed Bud Lights—Bud’s an event sponsor—and cocktails, munched on “light bites,” posed for pix in the Have A Blast! Photo booth, and jostled past each other checking out a primo array of silent-auction items.
Among them: A UT football helmet signed by Colt McCoy; five nights at the Hyatt Regency in Cancun; three days in Port Aransas; Harley-Davidson paraphernalia; a weekend deer hunt in Bosque County; and a baseball autographed by Nolan Ryan. And—because this was for Blondes vs. Brunettes, after all–don’t forget the signed Playboy poster of uber-blonde actress Pamela Anderson!
Caroline Terry
According to Finegold and auction co-chair/BvB board member Caroline Terry, the money-raising goal for this year’s auction was $10,000. That was up from the $7,500 that was rung up last year, when the event was held at the Amanda Dunbar art studios. This year, “all the players and coaches used their contacts” to bring in items, said Terry, who was assisted by her co-chair, Caroline French. One family friend of BvB, for example, donated their beach house; the mother of a player gave the deer hunt.
Nissan Next
Besides moving the auction this year to the Gossip Bar—the hotel donated the space, the cocktails and the food—the BvB crew also was enjoying a new sponsor Saturday night: the Nissan NEXT. Some of the Nissans, Finegold said, will be on display at the big football game, which is scheduled for Saturday, August 11, at the Cotton Bowl.
Ron Acord and Elisabeth Gorman
It’s the excitement surrounding next month’s game, of course, that had everyone talking. Over in one corner of the Gossip Bar, Diane Louie–the mother of Blonde running back Elisabeth Gorman–was saying how two of Elisabeth’s friends would be coming in from California just to watch the game. Across the way, meantime, Elizabeth and her date Ron Acord were enjoying chatting with friends.
Holly and Parker Aldredge
And, last year’s surprise Brunette victory over the Blondes (after a string of Blonde wins) was still top of mind. Asked which team would win this year’s rematch, Blondes’ Co-captain Holly Aldredge immediate responded, “The Blondes!,” without hesitating.
Katie Hicks
Asked the same question, Brunette co-chair Katie Hicks seemed a little less sure. “I think we have a chance to win,” Katie said carefully. “We like the taste of winning.”
Oh, how much did the auction raise? Did they make their goal of $10,000?
You obviously underestimate the BvB’s. They took in $13,000 for the night’s haul.
Another person that was at The Klyde announcement event at the DMA yesterday was Nasher Sculpture Center’s Jeremy Strick. When asked if the Nasher Salon Series was lined up, he said he couldn’t say because, “They would kill me.”
Okay, we’re scared. Whoever “They” is must definitely be a notch above terrorists.
Be patient. We’ll let you know the big names who will be entertaining the 200+ at the Nasher for 2012-2013.
Until then, Jeremy, rest easy.
Lee Papert
Ran into Dallas Film Society President Lee Papert at the Klyde Warren Park reveal event taking place at the Dallas Museum of Art today. Guess it was too hot to have it at the park itself, or the construction workers didn’t want a bunch of civilian types slowing down the progress.
Back to Lee. He looked like he had just popped in from a Hawaiian vacation in a Dale-Hansen-training-camp type shirt. The big smile on his face begged the reason. Was it the headliner of the Art of the Film in November? Nope. That person was yet to be decided/announced.
But he was very happy about the brand, spanking new members of the Dallas Film Society Board including Benton Bagot, Brad Berkley, Clare Freeman, Tara Lewis and Ian McGloin.
Then there were the plans for the April 4-14 Dallas International Film Festival (DIFF). Submission of films for the 2013 film extravaganza opened today.
In its six-year history, DIFF has received over 7000 submissions, screened 1162 films from 50 countries, hosted 1000 filmmakers and featured 62 world premieres and 17 U.S premieres.
That’s a heck of a lot of popcorn.
If you’re a film type or a wannabe, you need to know confirmed awards include an unrestricted cash prize of $10,000 for the winners of both the Narrative Feature and Documentary Feature Competition. Once again The Embrey Foundation’s $10,000 Silver Heart Award is awarded the film most dedicated to fighting injustices and creating social change for the improvement of humanity. The Texas Competition winner will receive a camera rental package worth $30,000 for their next production, courtesy of Panavision.
Early deadline for submissions is Friday, October 26. Regular deadline is Friday, December 7. Late deadline is Friday, December 14.
You don’t want to make a bad impression, so don’t be late.
The best things in life aren’t free. Example? Research. It takes time, equipment and brilliant minds to come up with solutions. But it eventually pays off. Detecting cancer used to be by a, “Do you feel something?” method. Leprosy was a one-way ticket to far-away-and-not-so-nice destinations. For years people were terrified to go to pools because of polio.
Because of research, machines have been created to detect the smallest sign of cancer in the breast. Leprosy is a ghoulish memory of the past. And thanks to research, polio is almost as rare as smallpox. Oh, smallpox has almost been officially eradicated thanks to research. Forgot to mention that.
But again these success stories didn’t happen by accident. It took money to fund the effort. That’s why Emy Lou and Jerry Baldridge need a big old thank-you note. They just presented a $1-million gift to support Children’s Medical Center Research Institute, a joint venture between Children’s Medical Center and UT Southwestern Medical Center to “make significant improvements in children’s lives.” It’s the largest donation to the not-for-profit pediatric hospital.
Dr. Sean Morrison
Dr. Sean Morrison, director of the Children’s Research Institute explained the goal of the Institute is to discover the therapies of tomorrow for children.
“We will take innovative approaches to make transformative discoveries — discoveries that will change scientific fields and yield new approaches for treating disease. We will integrate teams of leading scientists and outstanding physicians whose skills are rarely found in a single laboratory.”
According to Emy Lou, “When we heard about what the Children’s Research Institute could accomplish, the potential there seemed so great that we felt compelled to donate and say, ‘Go for it.’”
The hope for the program is to eventually “lead to new ways of promoting the regeneration of damaged tissues, and even to more effective ways of treating cancer.”
Photo courtesy of Children's Medical Center Research Institute
Thursday, September 27: With eyes glued to the TV watching the Summer Olympics in London, everyone will suddenly become fans and experts of sports that are difficult to find on any school roster. What is amazing is the sports that aren’t included in the world games. Like baseball and golf. . . really! And what about lacrosse. . . . really? You did know that lacrosse is an Native American-born sport that was first played at early as the 12th century? It was once a part of the Olympics back in 1904 and 1908. Then poof, it was MIA. Oh, wait! It was demonstrated at the Summer Olympics in 1928, 1932 and 1948.
Over the centuries, the field game with “sticks with nets” has grown in popularity in the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom and Australia with Scotland and Wales. Why in 1986 only the U.S., Canada, England and Australia competed in the lacrosse world championship. By 2006, the 2006 Men’s world Championship was contested by 21 countries. As for the gals, in the 2009 Women’s World Cup 16 nations participated.
In the Dallas area, there are 4,300+ youth players and 71 high school teams including private schools (Episcopal School of Dallas, Greenhill, Hockaday, Jesuit, Parish Episcopal, St. Marks and Ursuline) and schools in Allen, Frisco, Highland Park, McKinney, Plano and Southlake.
Lacrosse coach and player
Please don’t get the impression that like some sports, lacrosse is not for folks north of downtown Dallas. It doesn’t require a string of ponies or heavy duty equipment. In fact, eight years ago Bridge Lacrosse was started at the St. Philip’s School. Bridge Executive Director David Higbee explained that the purpose was to use “this popular sport as a vehicle for teaching character education values and life skills through the competition and social interaction.”
Over the years, it has expanded lacrosse to include more than 600 urban boys and girls in South and West Dallas at three urban schools in addition to various community centers. The success of this program has been so amazing that last week it was announced the Dallas Stars Foundation will “help fund valuable resources and equipment to serve the youth.” Thanks to this funding Bridge will be able to expand its program in West Dallas neighborhoods.
According to Higbee, “Having this kind of support from a large organization, such as the Stars Foundation, ensures that our programs and outreach will sustain themselves and grow. There are many similarities between the sports of hockey and lacrosse. They’re a natural fit to work together.”
To celebrate its success and raise additional funding to grow its efforts, Bridge Lacrosse is holding its Third Annual Going for the Goal dinner and auction. Among the 250+ guests at the Northwood Club event will be coaches, parents, administrators, supporters and volunteers.
In a world where fundraising dinners cost mega-bucks to attend, this one is a bargain. It’s $75 per person. If you can’t attend, why not buy a ticket and offer it up for one of the 180 volunteers to be there.
Female lacrosse players
Oh, and as for the Olympics, there’s talk that lacrosse will eventually return to the international games. Wouldn’t be remarkable if one of those future Olympians got his/her start at the “Bridge”?
Photos provided by Bridge Lacrosse
Today another dog was found with its mouth taped shut. Unlike Hope, this dog was dead.
The person(s) responsible is having fun, but their good times will not be stopped with cruelty to dogs. They’ll need a bigger thrill and escalate to obscenely abusing a child.
No doubt, they’ve shared their deeds with friends or family, who are too scared or too shocked to report. The way to stop him/her/them is to raise money that will loosen the tongues of those in the know. Then the predators will be brought to justice and the innocent will no longer be their playthings.
We’ve had some requests at MySweetCharity headquarters for photo coverage of events and advice from a pr point of view. While it’s terribly flattering, it also puts us in an awkward position that we felt that we could share with you on a Friday night while everyone is watching the start of the Summer Olympics.
We’re simply a hardworking blog that is trying to do the right thing and hope to provide our community with information and news. That said, we also have to thank and tip our hats to the professionals who work these events. The pr people are kind enough to provide accurate information, invitations and counseling. They have answered calls in the middle of the night and patiently listened to our diva demands as if we were important.
The photographers go way beyond kindness in working with us. They’ve done everything from loaning batteries to telling us how to set up a shot.
For these reasons, we owe these professionals. To supply photos or advice when these professionals are making their living by their talents would be inappropriate.
Thank you for the compliments. You know how to make MSC feel special. We regret that out of respect for the professionals, we will be unable to be more than a blog.
Texas Instruments once again has stepped up. The TI Foundation at a recent breakfast provided a $100,000 operating grant for the Dallas Children’s Theater (DCT).
Whoa! Let’s catch our breath on that one.
But, no! TIF was not satisfied with this contribution. TIF Board Chair Sam Self announced that TIF would grant DCT another $100,000 as a challenge.
Jennifer Altabef, Robyn Flatt, Sam Self and Deborah Stanford
According to Sam, “DCT is one of North Texas’ treasures. The TI Foundation Board appreciates the work they do in exposing our children to the arts. We see strong organizational leadership at the DCT board and staff level and their receptiveness to a challenge grant was impressive to us. They also came to us early in the grant process and this allowed us the chance to thoroughly examine their current financial status. After significant due diligence on our part, we found them to be an organization we wanted to invest in, in a meaningful way.”
OMG, what incredible news for the wonderfully whimsical program that allows children to learn about the world of stage and imagination.
But, no! There was more. Goodness, this is like a stellar play.
Stepping up to bat were Ernst & Young’s Managing Partner, Clint McDonnough, and TI Coordinating Partner Chris Chastain, saying that their companies would be the first to pledge their $10,000 in response to the TI Foundation challenge.
DCT’s Executive Artistic Director, Robyn Flatt, replied, “Texas Instruments Foundation cares a great deal about the arts organizations in this community and they back it up by listening to our challenges and opportunities, and by responding with great advice and strong financial support. They are an outstanding example of corporate responsibility. It is humbling to be associated with them.”
But to add the cherry to the sundae of fundraising, the Hoblitzelle Foundation has offered DCT an additional challenge: to raise $100,000 from first-time, new donors, after which they will provide a grant in the same amount to the organization.
Shoot! This breakfast was better than Mother’s Day Brunch at the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek.
Anyone interested in learning more about DCT or how they can contribute to these matching grant opportunities should contact Senior Director of Communications and Philanthropy Sandra Session-Robertson at 214.978.0110.
This development is more than a marvelous investment by great Dallas groups. It’s a very much appreciated opportunity for a unique organization for children.
A simple bravo will do for now. The encore will come when the challenges are met.
Photo provided by Dallas Children's Theater
With back-to-school already being promoted in every store from Office Depot to Target, it’s a good time to remind parents that munchkins are required to have their vaccinations for a number of communicable diseases (polio, diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis, measles, rubella, mumps, hepatitis B, varicella aka chickenpox, and hepatitis A) before attending schools (Kindergarten through 12th).
As for wee ones attending day care in Texas, they must be vaccinated for three more communicable diseases (haemophilus, influenzae type b and invasive pneumococcal).
And speaking of chickenpox, in days of yore when one child came down with chickenpox, measles or mumps, it was no surprise to have friends bring their youngsters over to catch the disease and get it over with. Ah, but thanks to research, vaccinations were developed to prevent children from having to suffer through the pain.
Unfortunately, many baby boomers who did have a case of chickenpox are now facing the reality that they are susceptible to suffering from shingles. It’s a painful, ugly disease. Until you’ve had it, you’ve never experienced the true purity of pain.
Again, thanks to research, a vaccine (Zostavax) has been developed that will reduce “the course and severity” of the disease. It’s become such a hottie among the boomers that it’s even available at the Preston Road Pharmacy, Tom Thumb and Walgreens!
If you’re over 60, you do not need a prescription. However, if you’re still a baby-baby boomer, then your doctor will have to provide you with a script.
And one more thing. It ain’t cheap ($215 at the Tom Thumb in Old Town) and not all insurance plans cover it. But just ask anyone who has had a bout of shingles and they’ll tell you they only wish they had spent the dough.
Once again thanks to fundraising, vaccinations have been developed to help both the very young and old.
covers the people, organizations and activities that make the North Texas area unique thanks to philanthropic and nonprofit endeavors.We limit our coverage to only news that directly impacts the area, but we do it with an "honest but friendly" hand.
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