It appears that Wednesdays are giving Thursdays a run for their money to become the busiest weekday in North Texas fundraising. Wednesday, October 7, just hinted at what was to come. At noon the VNA hosted its annual Celebrity Chef luncheon with Anne Willan providing demonstrations on the right way to prepare traditional French sauces at the VNA Haggerty Center. Later that day The Slipper Club gals held their fall members meeting at Board Member Carrie Patterson’s family home.
International Pop
At the Dallas Museum of Art, an experiment was going a bit too successfully. Instead of doing the traditional members-only opening reception, DMA folks decided to open International Pop up to the public for a fee. The idea went over big with loads of folks arriving. And that became the problem. When a couple of loyal DMA members pulled up at the entrance, they were asked how much they had donated to the museum. When they didn’t have an immediate number, they were directed to go to self-parking. When they explained that they were supposed to valet, they were told to scoot. Not happy, one of the rejected patrons went on Facebook with an unhappy post. Evidently the DMA got wind of it and the next morning did a mea culpa, explaining that its rep had indeed erred and they hoped the patrons would accept their sincere apologies. The DMA mind trust is rethinking the way to handle success.
Meet Me On Continental
Over at the Continental Bridge, The Trinity Trust Rat Pack and River Rats were partying. Here’s a report from the field:
“The sultry notes of a saxophone danced across Continental Avenue Bridge as The Trinity Trust Rat Pack and River Rat members gathered for an evening over the Trinity. The membership event – “Meet Me On Continental” – brought out 85 guests, who enjoyed perfect fall weather to stroll the active pedestrian bridge while mingling, sipping drinks, munching on gourmet popcorn and enjoying the live music.
“’There is no magical formula to what makes a great city; it takes having places where people of all backgrounds come together and engage with one another,’ said Gail Thomas, President and CEO of The Trinity Trust, as she addressed the group with the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge glowing in the background. ‘Continental Avenue Bridge is a perfect example of this and there is so much more of it coming with the Trinity project.’
“Guests including The Trinity Trust board member Jim Bass, Tori and Joe Mannes, Dana Juett, Judy and Patrick Kelly, Vicki Briley-White and Jim White, Bob Thomas, Steve Smith, Jill Crow, Jean Bateman, Annie and Bud Melton, Sarah Mannes, and Elizabeth Ygartua strolled the bridge and watched families playing in the splash park and enjoying a lively Zumba class.
“The event encouraged members and guests to explore the new pedestrian bridge, which opened in June 2014 and connects West Dallas to Downtown Dallas. The Trinity Trust raised the private funds to convert Continental Avenue Bridge from a vehicular bridge to a pedestrian and bike bridge. These funds were given by an anonymous donor in honor of The Trinity Trust board chair Mary McDermott Cook. The City of Dallas runs programs throughout the week on the bridge including Zumba, yoga, nature fairs and family days.
“The evening was hosted by The Trinity Trust, which raises private funds for the Trinity River Corridor Project amenities, and sponsored by Smith Group Asset Management and Texas Capital Bank. Join the Rat Pack or River Rats today to participate in upcoming cocktail events, grand openings, private paddling adventures on the Trinity River, Trails & Ales parties in the corridor and more.”
* Photo credit: Jerry McClure