Texas Ballet Theater Season Tickets

Put your best foot forward this fall (and I’m talking toe shoes here) and purchase season tickets to the Texas Ballet Theater. The Texas Ballet Theater makes its debut this fall at the Dallas Center for Performing Art’s Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House along with its continuation as the resident ballet company at Nancy Lee & Perry R. Bass Performance Hall in Ft. Worth.

What better says autumn than satin, tutus, and a choice between two equally charming venues? With a 2009-2010 Season line-up that should make even Romo dance, it’s quite the esteemed ticket to assure a graceful transition into the new season.

2009-2010 Texas Ballet Theater Season
The Russian Masters: Oct. 2-4 at Bass Performance Hall
The Nutcracker: Nov. 27-Dec. 6 at the Winspear Opera House and Dec. 11-24 at Bass Perfomance Hall
Romeo and Juliet: Feb. 12-14 at Bass Performance Hall and March 12-14 at the Winspear Opera House
The Sleeping Beauty: April 9-11 at Bass Performance Hall and June 11-13 at the Winspear Opera House
Visit texasballettheater.org call 877-828-9200 information on season tickets and pricing and receive 20% off the regular ticket prices for the best seats in the house! Season Ticket Pricing: $75-$291

"Express Success Campaign" event this Tuesday

This Tuesday, singer and actress Vanessa Williams will be at the Hotel Palomar for the "Express Success Campaign" benefiting the non-profit organization, Dress for Success. Dress for Success Worldwide is an international non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of women located in 85 cities across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., the Netherlands and New Zealand. The organization works for disadvantaged women around the globe, helping to provide the tools and skills they need to begin, develop, and sustain a professional career.
The evening at the Palomar will include an appearance by Williams, Dress for Success CEO Joi Gordon, and an aesthetic-specialty physician who will educate attendees on BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments, developed by Allergan, Inc. Allergan will be contributing to the Dress for Success organization through a $250,000 campaign donation.

Where: Hotel Palomar, 5300 E. Mockingbird Lane
When: Tuesday, September 1st, 6-8pm
Donation: Nearly new professional attire

Want It! Fashion Show at Saks & The Junior League of Plano

Saks Fifth Avenue launches their Want It! campaign with a fantastic fashion show at thier Willow Bend location on Thursday, September 10, 2009. Along with the launch of the falls newest fashions it will be the kick off to The Junior League of Plano's holiday market November 12-15th, 2009 at the Plano Center. One of the highlight events of Neath the Wreath is Ladies Night Out where 1000 women come to shop, eat, drink, shop and visit with freinds.

To join and hear more about The Junior League of Plano and see the wonderful fashions Saks has in store for everyone please call 469-443-3450 ext.5207 to reserve your seat!

Refreshments will be served at 5 pm and the Fashion Show begins at 6:30!

Women's Auxilliary at Children's Medical Center at Legacy

The City of Plano and Collin County are so fortunate to have the beautiful new Children's Medical Center at Legacy in our neighborhood. An Inaugural New Member and Prospect Coffee is being held at the facility on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 from 9:30 am to 11 am.
Please stop by to learn about the newly formed Women's Auxiliary and it's expansion of activities and services for the families served by Children's at Legacy.
Tours of the Children's newest campus will be hosted at the event as well. Membership is $40/year and there are committtee's that you may get involved with to make a difference.
The hospital is located at 7601 Preston Road , Plano, TX 75024.
Please reply to Lisa Raskin at lisa@raskinfamily.com

Fish for Thought.

The Children's Medical Center is private, not-for-profit, and is one of the largest and most reputable pediatric healthcare providers in the nation. From newly born enfants and to children through the age of 18, Children's Medical Center provides a range of comprehensive care from basic examinations and the areas of hematology-oncology, heart dieasease, and cystic fibrosis. It also serves as one of the country's major organ transplant centers. For many children and families whom are battling life-threatening illnesses and undergoing constant care, the hospital is not just a day-trip, it becomes their home away from home.

The new Children's Garden at the Medical Center will serve as a haven and place of solace for the young patients and their loved ones. According to the Center, "hospital studies show that patients who had views of natural elements such as botanical gardens and waterscapes used less pain medication, were in better moods and recuperated faster." Artist, Greg Lundren, the lead designer for Seattle Stained Glass will be uniquely designing fish sculptures in four sizes of Texas Trout. By reserving a Rainbow fish, your glass sculpture will be permanently mounted Children Garden's stream and your name recognized in the Children's Circle of Care for your philanthropic investment. Don't let this great catch swim away and lend your support to the Children's Garden by ordering here.

The School of Fish:
Rainbow (measures 14 inches) $10,000
Lake (measures 12 inches) $5,000
Brook (measures 10 inches) $2,500
Golden (measures 8 inches) $1,000

Dine on the Line on 09/09/09!

It would be quite the folly to neglect the city trolley! The McKinney Avenue Trolleys are celebrating the M-Line's 20th Anniversary and "Rosie" the beautiful red trolley's 100th birthday. The M-Line provides Dallas with safe public transportation between uptown and downtown and certainly without sacrificing character. Of course, riding is free and today, more than 350,000 people per year use the Dallas trolleys for professional commutes, shopping and dining. Community support is needed in order for the M-Line to keep and maintain these historic trolley cars. The upcoming "Dine on the Line" on September 9th, with honorary Chairwoman Caroline Rose Hunt, is a charming way to pay your dues.

For private sponsors, the evening of September 9th will begin at 6pm at the Fashion Industry Gallery for a cocktail reception, then, guests will board the trolley's to begin a progressive dinner at some of McKinney Avenue's finest restaurants including: Arcodoro & Pomodoro, Capital Grille, The Crescent Club, Fearing’s, Hully & Mo, Nick & Sam’s Steakhouse. After dinner, guests will return to FIG for cocktails and dancing. This is one ride, you do not want to miss!

To Participate:
Corporate Sponsorships are available in various levels of commitment from $5,000 to $20,000 donation to MATA which include marketing and advertising benefits. To “Dine On The Line” please contact Andrea Alcorn at 214-289-1126 or bigaalcorn@aol.com.
Individual Tickets are available at $25.

September & the North Texas Food Bank

With the long summer days quickly coming to a close, our community embarks on the beginning of a new school year. Though most children are looking forward to going back to school to reconnect with their friends, break-in their fresh new school supplies, and to meet and greet their new teachers, there are many children that are excited for school because it means that they will have the ability to eat a normal meal again. Jann Pruitt, President and CEO of of the North Texas Food Bank, wrote that "a recent USDA study sponsored by ConAgra found that Texas leads the nation with the highest percentage of children who are food insecure at 22.1 percent." These statistics are both saddening and frankly, unacceptable.

Supporting the North Texas Food Bank helps break out of this vicious cycle and the shockingly truthful figures. This past June, the charity launched the Summer Lunch Box program and 12 different sites throughout the Metropolitan Dallas area provided 500-800 boxed lunches to consistently hungry children to help stop the hunger crisis and lessen the burden on their families. Additionally, the Food Bank's Food 4 Kids program allows schools to identify chronically hungry children and sends them home with backpacks full of nutritious, kid-friendly food each Friday to get them through the weekend.
It is certainly your gifts and volunteer time offered towards the North Texas Food Bank that enable their ability to offer nutritious meals of yogurt, fruit, and sandwiches to children in need and allow programs like this to continue. After all, feeding the future of our city as they embark on the new school year, is certainly a cause worth nourishing.

Save The Dates for September!

September: Hunger Action Month

-9/24: "Everyone Deserves a Place at the Table" at the Haworth Showroom for a tasting party and silent auction benefiting the Food Bank.
- 9/25: "State Fair of Texas" Bring a 20-ounce or larger unopened Coca-Cola product to the State Fair and you'll get in opening day for $4 (9/25). Then, come back every Wednesday (9/30, 10/7, 10/14), bring three canned food items from Kroger, and gain admission into the fair for $1.
- 9/26: "All About Uptown" from 11am-10pm donations in the Kids Korner from Chef James Williams 'secret recipe' chocolate chip cookies will benefit the Food Bank's children's programs.

Everyone Loves a Parade!!

Come out and support the award-winning Plano West Wolf Band on Saturday, September 12!

The band will be marching its annual PROWL, a 10K parade route through the neighborhoods and shopping centers of West Plano, RAISING FUNDS for its awesome band program.

Come out and hear the band at a mini-concert! Approximate times:
11:00 a.m. Brinker Elementary
11:45 a.m. Tom Thumb
12:45 p.m. Parkway Hills Baptist Church (Parkwood at Chapel Hill)
1:20 p.m. Wal-Mart

You can even request a song...for a donation! ($50 for 1 song; $100 for 3!)

Email song requests to mrcmd@aol.com. Put "Prowl" in subject line.
For route information: http://www.planowestband.org/.

Thank you for supporting the Plano West Wolf Band! See you at the PROWL!

Bridging the Trinity Party

Celebrate the construction of the stunning new Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge while listening to area musicians and munching on delicious treats and vodka-flavored snowcones from the Continental Bridge, the unique site for the Bridging the Trinity Party. This event, chaired by Lynn McBee will start at 7:30pm on Friday, September 25.

The internationally acclaimed and award-winning architect of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, Santiago Calatrava will be an honored guest at the event and will be there to talk about it. Joining him will be Mayor Tom Leppert and National Honorary Chairs U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson. Mary McDermott Cook, Al Hill, Jr., Lyda Hill and Alinda Wikert are serving as Honorary Chairs.

Underwriting sponsorships are $500 to $5,000. Individual tickets are $150.

Proceeds will go to The Trinity Trust Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the community and raising private funds for The Trinity Project. The Trinity Project is one of the nation's largest urban developments. Plans include a whitewater course, two downtown lakes, ball fields, an ampitheater and hike and bike trails. It is a $2 billion public works project.

To purchase tickets, please contact: Christy Berry: 214-693-1600, christyberry@swbell.net or Janie Bush: 214-740-1616, janie@thetrinitytrust.org.

An Evening at the Derby benefiting CITY House

The most unique event of the season, " An Evening at the Derby" benefiting CITY House will take place at the Marriot Legacy Town Center on Saturday, September 26th, 2009.
Local Mayors, Steve Terrell of Allen, Maher Maso of Frisco, Brian Loughmiller of McKinney and Phil Dyer of Plano will be jockeying for the finish line as they compete in the Celebrity Sweepstakes.
Don't be left at the Starting Gate! For sponsorships, table reservations or individual tickets call event chair, Andre Davidson at 214-914-5992.

Texas Trailblazers Award Luncheon

Co-Chairs Lillie Young and Maggie Cooke Kipp expect 500+ guests to attend the Texas Trailblazers Award Luncheon Wednesday, September 23 at the Frontiers of Flight Museum. Ebby Halliday Acers is the Honorary Chair for this Luncheon that benefits The Family Place.

Candice DeLong, Former FBI Agent will be the keynote speaker. She is the 15th woman accepted into the FBI, a top criminal profiler, expert television commentator, author of Special Agent: My Life on the Front Lines as a Woman in the FBI and the subject of a Lifetime Original Movie.

While attendees will enjoy the cuisine provided by Wendy Krispin Caterer, four awards will be given out.

· The Texas Trailblazer Award which recognizes a local woman who has made significant contributions either in her community, business or profession. No matter what her accomplishments, however, she is a woman who has blazed a trail for others to follow.
· The Family Place Man of Influence Award recognizes a North Texan who is leading by example to make domestic violence a “community issue” rather than a “women’s issue.” Through his lifestyle, he is setting a standard of compassion, support and commitment that promotes healthy relationships.
· The Family Place Youth Service Award and Scholarship recognizes students who are outstanding leaders in their high school communities.
· The Family Place Advocacy Award recognizes an organization that has played a vital role in furthering the mission of The Family Place to stop the suffering of women and children victims of family violence in North Texas.

The Family Place is the largest family violence service provider in the Dallas area. They help thousands of victims of family violence each year with award-winning programs that keep women and children safe. For 30 years, The Family Place’s mission to end the epidemic of family violence has remained constant. They believe that intervention, emergency shelter, and crisis counseling for all victims—women, children and men—will save lives and that transitional housing and case management will transform lives for the better.

Individual tickets are $100 with sponsorships starting at $1,500. For more information, please contact Emily Santillan at essantillan@familyplace.org or (214) 443-7717.

TACA's Proscenium Weekend presented by ALON USA and the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek

Delicious cuisine, fabulous wines, unique and spectacular auction items and entertainment flown in from New York is to be enjoyed at TACA’s Proscenium Weekend presented by ALON USA and the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek!!

This third annual weekend extravaganza kicks off Thursday, night September 10 with the TACA RBC Wealth Management Custom Auction Gala. Chaired by Dee and Glenn Simmons the black-tie evening features a seated dinner in the restaurant and both the Burford and FDR Suites. Following a spectacular live auction, guests will enjoy entertainment provided by the Loston Harris Trio, direct from Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel, New York. Underwriting levels are from $2,000 to $12,000. Individual tickets are from $500 to $1,500.

The next evening, guests will enjoy cuisine from the Rosewood Mansion's Chef Eric Brandt and Chef David Collier along with approximately 15 celebrity chefs including Chef Roland Mesnier, former White House pastry chef and Chef Martin Yan of the PBS cooking show "Yan Can Cook!" This Friday fete under the stars, chaired by D’Andra Simmons will also feature a fabulous silent auction created by the chefs, a Wine Cork Pull and live entertainment. Casual attire. Table of 10 is $5,000; tickets are $350 or $500.

Close out the weekend honing your cooking skills and adding to your wine list. Watch culinary experts demonstrate the latest and greatest cooking techniques followed by a three-course lunch at the TACA Mega Capital Culinary Master Class. Michael Flynn, The Rosewood Mansion's Food and Beverage Director will select wines to complement each course. This class is from 11:00am to 1:00pm and will be held at the Milestone Culinary Arts Center and The Viking Cooking School. Tickets are $125.

TACA's mission is to provide financial support and services and to increase public awareness and participation in the performing arts of North Texas, which improve the quality of life for citizens of all economic, social and ethnic backgrounds. Since its inception in 1966, TACA has raised and distributed more than $14.6 million to 115 performing arts organizations from proceeds of the TACA Silver Cup Award Luncheon, TACA RBC Wealth Management Auction Gala, TACA Board of Governors, Party on the Green, and other events. Last year was the second consecutive year, TACA granted $1 million to the North Texas Performing Arts Community.

To purchase tickets, call Amy Taylor, Director of Development at 214.520.3930.

Pat Smith Honorary Chair of 2009 Yellow & Black Tie Gala

Methodist Richardson Medical Center Foundation Will Host November 14 Gala to Raise Money for Cancer Center

Pat Smith, founder of “Treasure You” and wife of football legend Emmitt Smith, will serve as honorary chair of the Yellow & Black Tie Gala set for November 14 at the Marriott at Legacy Town Center in Plano. The gala will benefit Methodist Richardson Cancer Center, which is affiliated with UT Southwestern Medical Center.

“As I learned when my mother passed away from breast cancer, this devastating disease touches so many lives,” said Pat. “The gala is an opportunity to honor our loved ones, celebrate the lives of cancer survivors, and support the fight against cancer. I’m honored to be a part of this special event.”

Pat Smith is the President of Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities and Founder/CEO of “Treasure You.” Her career highlights include being the first African-American woman to win the Miss Virginia USA title and first runner-up of the 1994 Miss USA Pageant. As a wife, mother, television host and former actress, she is known for her philanthropy on behalf of women and children.

“We couldn’t have chosen a more inspiring individual to serve as our honorary chair,” said Linda Armstrong Kelly, Methodist Richardson board member and mother of Lance Armstrong. “We know her support will help make the gala a resounding success.”

This year, the Yellow & Black Tie Gala presents “A Night in the Mediterranean” as the theme for the evening. Inspired by the beautiful isle of Capri, Italy, guests will enjoy a resort experience while they stroll through the piazza of live and silent auctions. The event also will feature a cocktail reception, seated dinner, and entertainment. Gary Cogill of WFAA-TV will serve as master of ceremonies, and Lee Nagel of Plano, a cancer survivor, is event chair.

Sponsors this year include Fujitsu, Crest Auto Group, Ericsson, Texas Monthly, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Gen InsYght, HCFS, Ducky-Bob’s Event Specialists, Caprock Winery, Mr. and Mrs. Leo Eveleth, Vanguard Resources, and ViewPoint Bank.

Sponsorships, tables of 10, and individual gala tickets, which cost $150 each, are available by calling the Foundation at 972-498-7678. All sponsors receive recognition in the Gala program and other promotional opportunities.
For more details, visit www.yellowandblacktiegala.com.

Neiman Marcus honors Collin County Women

A luncheon is being held at Neiman Marcus Willow Bend in Plano to honor the following women and their contributions to the agencies they support on August 20, 2009.

Here are the names of the women and their charities who will be honored:
Jean Newman - The Arts of Collin County
Rosanne Best - Boys and Girls Club of Collin County
Diane Chester - CASA of Collin County
Julie Karnes - Chamberlain Performing Arts
Christina Andrea - Children's Medical Center at Legacy
Jenny McCall - CITY House
Carolyn Speese - Collin County Children's Advocacy Center
Amy Davis - Frisco Family Services
Beth Webb - Plano ISD Education Foundation
Sherrie Varrichio - Plano Symphony

Congratulations to all of these women and the many volunteers in our communities that continue to make a difference!!

The Arts of Collin County

I wanted to update you on the recent donations The Arts of Collin County has recently been getting so that you can see that getting EVERYONE involved in donations of some kind works and it builds excitement and momentum.

Since December, Mike Simpson, Executive Director of the Arts of Collin County and former Mayor of Frisco, has made over 70 personal presentations to organizations, clubs, businesses, cities and individuals. Mike have been involved with 30 companies or individuals where he specifically asked for a donation. He has accomplished the following since December.
1. Raised an additional $ 1.7 million that we didn’t have before December 1-that includes the ATT Foundation gift
2. Opened donations to all size gifts
3. Instituted an On-Line Donation process where you go to our website and simply hit Donate Now.
4. Created a new brochure
5. Updated our website to include the annual report, power point presentation, visual tour of the outside and inside of the ACC using slides of the architects rendering.
6. Awarded a contract for a Virtual Tour that will be on a DVD and our website
7. Awarded a contract to develop a new more creative and interactive website
8. Now use social media like Facebook and Twitter

Mike has also met with the architect and construction manager and they have gone through all the elements of the arts hall and park and determined that if they can bid this job this Fall we can save millions of dollars due to low construction cost.

THIS WILL HAPPEN-THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!!

msimpson@artsofcollincounty.org

Star Children's Charity Updates

More than $7,800 Raised for Star
Helicopter Ball Drop Benefiting Star Children's Charity Proved Profitable

Not only was the Helicopter Ball Drop beneficial to Star financially, but great exposure and new support by Jarrod Saltalamacchia came from the opportunity from Shady Valley Golf Club. This great event was the brain child of Cassie Threadgill, Star's Communications Associate, and Stacy Threadgill, Membership Director for Shady Valley Golf Club.

The event generated media attention from WFAA 8, NBC 5 Web and The Texas Rangers media crew.

As wrap up to the event, Star Children's Charity and our beneficiaries will be featured at the Rangers game Aug. 1st with a live interview with Brenda Snitzer during their "Community Corner" segment at the top of the 2nd Inning. Footage from the event will be highlighted on the jumbotron during the interview--spreading our message to thousands of people!

Upcoming Star Events
Star Sporting Clays Benefit

Mark your calendars, dust off your favorite boots and load your shotguns as Star kicks off its second annual Star Sporting Clays Benefit, Oct. 8th at 12:30 at the renowned Dallas Gun Club. Compete at the sporting clays stations, Annie Oakley and flurry stations for prizes any hunter would enjoy. Join sponsors and teams the night before for the dinner and auction party Oct. 7th at the Haggard Party Barn. Two step to live music, enjoy Texas style barbeque, win one of many hunters' specialty items in the live auction and buy new gear in Hunter's Row from outfitters and various retail vendors. It will be an evening you can't miss.We want to see you at this Texas-style event, chaired by Cynthia and Tim McDonald, to make a difference in the lives of children in Collin County.

Beneficiary Spotlight
Children's Medical Center at Legacy

Star Children's Charity is proud to have Children's Medical Center at Legacy (CCBD) as one of the 2008-2009 Star Beneficiaries. To date, Star has distributed $101,081 to the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. With these funds, Children's has been able to purchase additional medical equipment for the infusion rooms as well as items that help ease anxiety and make the process more enjoyable for kids (toys, Wii, televisions and blankets).

"If anyone wonders about the impact that Star Children's Charity has had upon Children's Medical Center at Legacy, all they need to do is come visit our Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders! The CCBD at Legacy has truly become a "home away from home" for many children with oncologic and hematologic disorders, a place where children feel comfortable and safe as they receive their treatments," shares Dr. Mary Ellen Cavalier, Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children's Medical Center at Legacy.

Being faced with a debilitating disease is not only hard on the child who is braving the journey, but the affects it can have on the personal lives of silblings and parents can also be life-altering. The opening of the CCBD at Legacy has allowed families to continue with after school activities and normal daily routines instead of commuting to the downtown Dallas location. Thirty percent of Legacy patients used to travel to the downtown Dallas location for treatment, but now can stay closer to home.

"Star Children's has allowed the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders to provide care to our patients and families near their own home. Their generosity helps Children's Medical Center at Legacy make life better for children, " shares Kathy Carlisle RN, BSN, Legacy Clinical Manager for the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders.

Traditional Home Celebrates 20 Years!!!

Traditional Homes' September Anniversary issue is celebrating 20 years of classic taste and modern life with an article on the beautiful residence of Kimberly and Justin Whitman's Highland Park home and with their dining room on their cover. The 10 page article highlights long time friend of Kimberly's, interior designer Jan Showers and her signature sophisticated elegance. Kimberly and Jan have worked together on six projects over eleven years so when it came time work on the Whitman's Highland Park home Jan knew the couples taste. The article features beautiful photographs of living room, navy laquered library and master and guest bedrooms.
The September issue is now on newstands.