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JUST IN: Cece Smith To Succeed Sanjiv Yajnik As Dallas Symphony Association Board Chair
Looking ahead to life AC (After Coronavirus), the Dallas Symphony Association’s leadership for fall 2021 has been announced. Music-loving Cece Smith will be taking over the reins of leadership from current DSA Chair Sanjiv Yajnik, who has been at the helm of the organization since 2017.
According to Dallas Symphony Orchestra Ross Perot President/CEO Kim Noltemy, “This new leadership confirmation is an important step in securing the future of the Dallas Symphony, particularly in light of the challenges that the industry now faces due to COVID-19. Sanjiv’s remarkable leadership has helped us make incredible progress. I am confident that with Cece’s leadership, we will build upon this momentum and embark on the next successful chapter of the Dallas Symphony.”
During Sanjiv’s tenure, former music director Jaap van Zweden was succeeded by Fabio Luisi, Kim replaced Jonathan Martin, “a new strategic plan to revitalize the orchestra’s involvement in the community” was put into place and the DSO “assumed management of the iconic Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.”
As for Cece, the University of Michigan magna cum laude graduate has held various roles within the DSO world. Most recently she has served as president of the Dallas Symphony Foundation and secretary of the DSA. She and her husband Ford Lacy “also recently named the Principal Trombone Chair, which was the orchestra’s last unnamed principal chair.”
Cece also brings a collection of leadership roles in the business community to her new position. In addition to serving as a director and board chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, having co-founded the President’s Research Council at UT Southwestern Medical Center and serving as a director of numerous retailing companies, she was executive VP of Finance and Administration of Pearle Health Services and is the co-founder and managing general partner of Phillips-Smith, Machens Venture Partners of Dallas.
* Photo provided by the Dallas Symphony Association
Canceled Event SOS: Family Gateway’s Day To Play
According to Family Gateway President/CEO Ellen Magnis,
During this time of increased need, we had to cancel our spring fundraiser, Day to Play, which was expected to have more than 500 attendees. We already spent significant resources in preparation for this event, including deposits for vendors, and will only get a small portion of those funds back. Unless it is impossible during this challenging time, we have asked our sponsors and donors to keep their financial commitment for Day to Play so that we may cover sunk costs and loss of overall revenue. The event funds were unrestricted, to be used wherever needed most. And now we need those funds more than ever.
As a result of COVID-19, all family shelters are full or closed to intake except for Family Gateway. We are overflowing into hotels to keep up with capacity constraints so as not to turn families away. The biggest increase in need is from families who have been living week to week in hotels to support their families; without jobs, day care, school, etc. they are now seeking shelter care.
We know that this COVID-19 crisis will spark additional need for our services as soon as eviction bans are lifted, as so many families are being destabilized. If you can provide additional support for our agency this year, know that this will enable us to continue moving forward from a position of strength and creativity, rather than shrinking back into a protective mode and reducing service delivery. Please help us prepare for these increased needs and make up for funds lost with the cancellation of Day to Play by donating online at https://www.familygateway.org/donate.
* Graphic and photo provided by Family Gateway
MySweetKindness: Glenn Hunter
According to Glenn Hunter,
The doorbell rings and it’s Mark, holding up a plastic grocery bag with a GladWare container inside.
“How ’bout some p’sketti”? he asks with a smile, using his shorthand slang for “spaghetti.”
Like many in our East Dallas community, we’ve kept up a passing acquaintance over the years with a few of our neighbors, trading pleasantries on Halloween, say, and occasionally small presents at Christmas.
Among those neighbors is Mark, the grown son of the man who lives next door. Mark actually hangs his hat elsewhere but checks in every day with his father, a widower and former Air Force pilot who uses a walker now.
Mark’s also taken to checking in frequently with us. Which is appreciated, especially in these crazy times.
One time the doorbell will ring and there he is, offering a container of homemade chili and a box of Texas Toast. Another time, it might be a couple of rib-eye steaks. Or a chocolate sheet cake. Or maybe more spaghetti (to which the little lady likes to add a few vegetables).
On very early mornings when he swings by, he’ll pick up our newspaper out in the front yard — yes, we’re among the dwindling few who still take the paper — and prop it up on the doorstep.
With everyone so skittish these days, it’s become sort of reassuring to hear the doorbell ring. And then the familiar refrain of our Good Samaritan neighbor:
“How ’bout some p’sketti?”
Get Up And Get Doing: Practice Photo Perfection
Remember when you were out and about with your pals at fundraisers having photos taken and doing selfies? Sure, you do. Some shots made you look terrific and others had you looking like you were in a police lineup. Why not take some time off from being a social-distancing Spartan and have some fun by brushing up on your photogenic skills? Did you know the perfect spot to be in when being photographed in a group? Did you know how to strike that perfect pose? Do you know what to do with your arms? Did you know that you can hit a certain stance that will make you look svelte? Did you know that “cheerleader toothy smile” isn’t always the right choice?
There are loads of videos providing hints on how to achieve the perfect look, but here are some tips from Houston’s KPRC anchor Dominique Sachse that hit the mark best.
The great thing is that you can stay at home without a soul knowing that you’re practicing for your coming out partying; you can do it with the rest of the folks hunkered down in your place; you can share the great shots; you can do it without wearing a mask; you can do it without gaining an ounce of weight. And when you have those too-good-to-be-true shots, send them to family and friends to show that you’re not going to let a nasty germ get the best of you.
And, who knows? You might have your Christmas photo already locked down!
So, check out Dominique’s tips and pull out that cellphone. Remember, practice makes perfect photos.
* Video courtesy of Dominique Sachse
Passover Is A Time To Remember The “Journey From Slavery To Freedom” During This Time Of Loss Of Freedom
Wednesday night at sunset (7:52 p.m.), the Jewish celebration of Passover will commence honoring the “journey from slavery to freedom” from the Egyptian pharaoh in 1513 B.C.
According to the Book of Exodus, the celebration resulted from the Lord’s “smoting the land of Egypt” including the final plague — the killing of the first born. To spare the Jewish children, the Israelites were told to mark their doors with lamb’s blood for the angel of death to “passover” their homes.
Before the sun sets on the first night of Passover, Jews gather at their homes for a “seder” blending religious rituals, food (matzo ball soup, gefilte fish, beef brisket, chicken and potatoes), song and storytelling. Throughout the eight days of Passover, Jews abstain from eating leavened bread.
To assist families in celebrating Passover, area restaurants (A Taste of the World, Cindi’s New York Deli and Bakery, Eatzi’s Market and Bakery, Meat Point, Milk and Honey, Simcha Catering and TJ’s Seafood Market and Grill) are providing meals for pickup and/or delivery.
During these months when COVID-19 has enslaved the world, Passover will provide a period of reflection of another time when a group of people were freed from another evil.
* Graphic courtesy of Cindi's New York Deli and Bakery
Goodwill Industries Of Dallas Is Providing Drop-Off Locations For PPE Donations
After rummaging through all your cabinets and those countless swag bags, have you found that you have more hand sanitizers than an octopus could use? Or, perhaps you’ve pulled out that sewing machine to create dozens of fabric masks? So, what are you going to do with 'em? Seriously, you don’t need … Read More...
Canceled Event SOS: Incarnation House’s Casino For A Cause
According to Incarnation House CEO Evelyn Costolo, It was to be a night to remember! Event Co-Chairs Alison and Mike Malone and Jamie and Ian Charles along with Honorary Co-Chairs the Claire and Dwight Emanuelson Family planned an exciting evening – Casino for a Cause – benefiting … Read More...
MySweetCharity To Launch “Canceled Event SOS” Series Monday
Everyone knows that North Texas nonprofits have taken major hits due to COVID-19. Dozens and dozens have been forced to cancel their spring fundraisers for the well-being of their supporters, staff and vendors. In most cases, the financial loss was truly devastating to their programs and … Read More...
April 3 Updates On Reschedules And Postponements
UPDATE [9:30 p.m.] - There’s confusion about an announcement made late this afternoon by Dallas County Court Judge Clay Jenkins regarding how far the coronavirus restrictions would extend. Nonetheless, the nonprofits still made changes to their May and June plans. This afternoon Dallas County … Read More...
MySweetKindness: Peggy Meyer
According to Peggy Meyer, Got an email today [March 23] from Peacock Alley about a wonderful initiative their workroom is undertaking. "Our work room that is usually busy making sheets, is now sewing fabric protective masks for those who need them most. These masks will go directly to help two … Read More...
Grant Halliburton Foundation Provides Coping Tips To Handle These Mind-Boggling Times
Between the round-the-clock reports on the coronavirus and having the kids at home, it’s no surprise that meltdowns are taking place. That’s perfectly understandable. But a few tips from Grant Halliburton Foundation’s Outreach and Education Director Cami Fields might help folks through these … Read More...