TuTu Chic Ballet Fashion Show & Luncheon

The gorgeous Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House will be graced by Texas Ballet Theater dancers on Tuesday, December 1 for the TuTu Chic Ballet Fashion Show & Luncheon. The dancers will arabesque and piroutte across the stage in fashions provided by designer J. Mendel and Stanley Korshak to a glittering and festive backdrop of The Nutcracker.

Socially prominent in both Forth Worth and Dallas, Olivia Kearney and Elaine Agather brought this Fort Worth event to Dallas this year pulling together equally respected Gina Betts and Tanya Foster to chair this unique and exciting inaugural event.

Generous Presenting Sponsor Nancy C. Rogers will join the lucky sold-out crowd who will have a rare opportunity to view the fashion show seated on the Shannon and Ted Skokos Stage. Afterwards, guests will be treated to a delicious Luncheon provided by Wolfgang Puck and have a chance to bid on the Live Auction item - a $2,500 gift certificate from Stanley Korshak/Crawford Brock.

Although TuTu Chic is sold out, a table or two can be added. Sponsorships are $10,000 to $2,500. Individual tickets are $500 and $250.

For more information, please contact Jeanne Cassidy at 817-763-0207x110 or jcassidy@texasballettheater.org.

Plano Symphony's Valentine Gala- Paris Nights: Passport to the Stars

For a romantic evening unlike any other, join the Plano Symphony Orchestra's annual Valentine Gala. This event is always a sold out and is a very entertaining evening. Guests will be transported to romantic boulevards of Paris as they dine and dance the night away in the Malachite Room with Max Class and the Class Act - one of the premier, high-energy show and variety bands in Texas. The gala will present a silent and live auction. Proceeds from the gala benefit the Plano Symphony Orchestra including the Symphony’s education programs.

When: Saturday, February 13, 2010 at 6:00 PM

Where: Intercontinental Hotel, Malachite Room at 15201 Dallas Parkway, Addison, TX 75001

Auction items include: A Marriott resort hotel vacation, an executive suite for 12 to watch the Mavericks play the NY Knicks, a weekend for 6 - 12 guests at a beautiful lighthouse home at Cedar Creek, TX, and a weekend for 4 at a South Padre Island condo.

Tickets: To order tickets, call the Plano Symphony Orchestra Tickets at 972-473-7262, or visit www.planosymphony.org. $125.00 each

Trains at NorthPark Presented by Bank of Texas

A 22-year old Dallas favorite holiday tradition, The Trains at NorthPark, presented by Bank of Texas, is chugging into NorthPark Mall this Saturday, November 21 through Sunday, January 3.

The Trains at NorthPark, chaired by Vera Bangs and Vicky Riley, is a spectacular train display consisting of over 40 vintage locomotives making its way through America’s most famous landmarks. Last year more than 83,000 people watched the train travel past miniature landmarks such as Mount Rushmore, the Dallas skyline, New York City’s Times Square and the Statue of Liberty.

Covering 2,800 square feet, The Trains at NorthPark is located between Macy’s and Dillards next to the Gap. The train schedule is Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Sunday, 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. It will pull into the station at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25, Thursday, December 31 and Friday, January 1 and at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 24. The trains will not be operating on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas. Carol and Sam Dalton and their children, who are this year’s Honorary Family, have been big supporters of this agency that provides a home-away-from-home for more than 25,000 families of seriously ill or injured children who have traveled to Dallas seeking medical treatment in area hospitals. The Ronald McDonald House of Dallas keeps the family intact and helps allow them to establish a normal routine in the midst of crisis. It also provides families with the opportunity to share their concerns with other families in similar circumstances.

The cost of The Trains at NorthPark is $6.00 for adults, $3.00 for children (ages 2 to 12) and senior citizens (65 and older). Children under 2 admitted free. Discount tickets are available at all Tom Thumb stores ($1.00 off regular admission).

Underwriting sponsorships from $500 and personalized hand-painted railcars for purchase are also available. Railcars are $175, cabooses $225 and engines $300.
In addition, raffle tickets for a Thomas the Tank Engine train set are $5 each of 5 for $20.
The four foot by eight foot "HO" gauge train set includes Thomas, Percy, James, Abigail, the Troublesome Trucks and many others. The three locomotives have the latest sound and remote controls, and two people can play with the set simultaneously. There are twelve electric push button control-switching tracks on a bi- level, twisting, and mountainous landscape with trees, bears, and deer figurines. The drawing is December 17, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. and you do not need to be present to win.

Contact the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas at http://www.rmhdallas.com/ or by calling 214.631.7354.

The Crystal Charity Ball 2009

This year's Crystal Charity Ball is to be held on December 5th in the Chantilly Ballroom at the Hilton Anatole Hotel. The Crystal Charity Ball is a non-profit founded in 1952. Today, thanks to outstanding growth, support, and volunteers, the Crystal Charity Ball supports a number of local charities and organizations. The 2009 Crystal Charity Ball will benefit: the Baylor Health Care System Foundation, Community Partners of Dallas, Interfaith Housing Coalition, Network of Community Ministries, Phoenix House of Texas, Reconciliation Outreach, Texas A&M Health and Science Center/ Baylor College of Dentistry, and the Crystal Charity Ball Signature Project.


Underwriting opportunities are available, as well as the ability to purchase contribution tickets into the raffle for some fantastic items while supporting a truly amazing organization.

What: The 2009 Crystal Charity Ball
Where: Chantilly Ballroom of the Hilton Anatole Hotel
When: December 5th, 2009
R.S.V.P.: The Crystal Charity Ball

Vine & Dine Dinner and Auction

Honorary Chairmen Debbie and Jim Francis will be amongst some of Dallas’ leading philanthropic guests at the second annual Vine and Dine Dinner and Auction tomorrow evening at the Zodiac Room in Neiman Marcus downtown. The stellar duo Chairmen DeeDee Lee and Janie Condon sold out this event benefitting the United Cerebral Palsy of North Texas in two days!!

Guests will be treated to a delicious dinner of a house smoked shrimp and smoked salmon appetizer followed with a Black Angus filet and wild Alaskan king crab entrée created by Chef Kevin Garvin while listening to the sounds of Hunter Sullivan.

A highlight of the evening is their exciting live auction. A few of the luxe packages that will be auctioned by Dwight Emanuelson are a wine-tasting trip to Napa Valley, tickets to the Masters, a lunch for 12 with a fashion presentation and special favor bags for each guest provided by Neva Hall and a pair of white gold hoop earrings with 1.34 carats of diamonds donated by Neiman Marcus.

Celebrating their 56th year, the mission of the United Cerebral Palsy of North Texas is to help disabled children and adults in our community live a more independent and productive life. In 2008 UCP therapists, teachers and other caregivers provided more than 1.2 million hours of direct care to their clients in Dallas County and the surrounding areas.

Methodist Richardson Cancer Center Yellow and Black Tie Gala

Lee Nagel Chairs November 14th Event, Pat Smith Serves as Honorary Chair

The Yellow & Black Tie Gala is set for Saturday, November 14, at the Marriott at Legacy Town Center. Honorary Chair Pat Smith and her husband Emmitt Smith will join more than 500 guests for an evening benefiting 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 Smith. “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.

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. Auction items include a vacation package to Napa Valley Wine Country, a luxury suite for 20 guests at a Texas Rangers ballgame, a dinner night with Gary Cogill, a Lance Armstrong signed jersey, and an exclusive Neiman Marcus experience with John Hardy jewelry designer Guy Bedarida.

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.

“Our goal is to raise as much money as possible to support the Methodist Richardson Cancer Center and people in our community facing cancer,” said Nagel. “That is the bottom line – making a difference in our own backyard.”

The major sponsors this year include Fujitsu, Lisa and Kenny Trout, Crest Auto Group, Ericsson, Texas Monthly, and Judy and Max Martin.

Tickets, which cost $150 each, are available by calling the Methodist Richardson Medical Center Foundation at 972-498-7678. For more details, visit www.yellowandblacktiegala.com.

WISH GALA - Nasher Sculpture Center

The luxury collection at NorthPark Center cordially invites you to the inaugural WISH GALA, benefiting the Nasher Sculpture Center and celebrating A Season of Wishes with an evening of art and fashion. The evening event will feature a runway presentation including collections from Barneys New York, Oscar de la Renta, Roberto Cavalli, Salvatore Ferragamo, Valentino, and Versace, as well as cocktails and a seated dinner presented by Kent Rathburn Catering.

All proceeds will go directly to grant one wish for the Nasher Sculpture Center as voted upon by guests during the event. The three wishes that may be granted fall in the realm of: the Contemporary Projects Series, a Jaume Plensa: Genus and Species-Catalogue for the upcoming exhibit, or to benefit the Contemporary Artist Lecture Series.

What: The Inaugural Wish Gala benefiting the Nasher Sculpture Center
When: Sunday, November 15th at 6:30pm
Where: NorthPark Center, South Entrance (P.F. Chang's/McCormick & Schmicks)
Dress: Cocktail chic
R.S.V.P. p. 214-369-1234

GILDA- Rita Hayworth Gala

This Saturday, November 14th, The Alzheimer's Association with honorary chair Princess Yasmin Aga Khan are proud to welcome the Rita Hayworth Gala to Dallas, honoring Margot Winspear. The event will allow guests to "step back in time to a steamy 1940's Buenos Aires Nightclub Casino" with a floor show, delicious dinner, and lots of dancing.

The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support, and research. Proceeds from the Rita Hayworth Gala will go directly to support all of these services. As Gilda herself said, "I'll look my very best, Ballin."

When: Saturday, November 14th, 2009, 6:30pm
Where: The Ritz-Carlton, 2121 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX
R.S.V.P. p. 877-885-5776, or email RHGalaDallas@alz.org

2009: Doing the Most Good Luncheon

The Salvation Army's 2009 Doing the Most Good luncheon will be held next Tuesday, November 19th at the Hilton Anatole Hotel from noon- 1:30pm. The chairmen for this year's luncheon are Gene Jones, Charlotte Anderson, and Jan Pickens, with the underwriting chairman, Charles J. Wyly, Jr. Proceeds from the Doing the Most Good luncheon will help the Salvation Army to continue it's community services which include: caring for the poor through feeding the hungry, providing shelter for the homeless, and clothing for those in need.

The Salvation's Army national average is to "use 83 cents of every dollar donated in direct services for people in need. As a result, people believe that when they contribute to The Salvation Army, they're giving where it will do the most good..." The keynote guest speaker for next Tuesday is Brit Hume, a Senior Political Correspondent for FOX News Channel and a national contributer to all major political news coverage. So, please consider doing the most good and attending this noble luncheon that will certainly serve your community and those in need most honorably.

When: Tuesday, November 29th, Noon-1:30pm
Where: Hilton Anatole Hotel
RSVP: e. dfwmc_events@uss.salvationarmy.org, p. 214.637.8254, or visit the website.

"Rock the Dice" - Junior League of Dallas Auction and Casino Party

“ROCK THE DICE” at the 13th annual Junior League of Dallas Auction and Casino Party on Friday, November 13 at Union Station!

Guests at this nearly sold-out event will have a hard time deciding on which activity to enjoy first. In addition to a fabulous silent auction, big board and live auction, there is a Texas Hold ’Em Tournament sponsored by Patton Boggs, a 1980s arcade sponsored by Chuck E. Cheese and a drawing for two $5,000 black diamond rings donated by Azature..

Throughout the evening, guests can also enjoy cigars on the terrace, try their luck at the beauty roulette filled with services and products in the Skintastic Beauty Lounge and munch on yummy treats from a special exclusive menu provided by host Wolfgang Puck Catering. Capping off the evening, guests can dance the night away to the sounds of Mars Hill.

The Junior League of Dallas is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Each year the Junior League donates approximately $1 million and more than 120,000 volunteer hours to the Dallas community through 40–50 selected agencies.

Sponsorship levels are $50,000 to $1,000. Benefits also include attendance to the Junior League’s “Rock the Stars” Ball on Saturday, February 20, 2010 and the Sponsor Cocktail Party in early 2010. For more information, contact Recognition Chair Lauren Maggard at maggard.lauren@att.net.

DHS: Awards for Excellence in Community Service

The 28th annual Dallas Historical Society's Awards for Excellence Luncheon will be held next Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at the Fairmont Dallas to celebrate civic leaders and their remarkable contributions to the Dallas Community. Luncheon Co-Chariman Lynn and Allan McBee invite you to celebrate this years honorees as they are recognized for playing vital roles as history makers in the Dallas community.

2009 Recipients

• Bess Enloe- Arts Leadership
• Pedro Aguirre - Business
• Clarice Tinsley- Creative Arts
• Dr. Anne Bromberg- Education
• Dr. Eugene Frenkel- Health/Science
• Michael Rawlings- Humanities
• Dr. Bruce Buchanan- Humanities
• Mary Suhm- Jubilee History Maker
• Visiting Nurse Association- Jubilee History Maker
• Diane and Hal Brierley- Philanthropy
• JoAnne and Tony Roosevelt- Volunteer Leadership

When: Tuesday, November 10th, 2009
Where: The Fairmont Hotel, Dallas
RSVP: Nora Lenhart at 214.421.4500 ext. 106

March of Dimes' Signature Chefs Auction - Culinary Constellation

Signature chefs such as Lead Chef Kent Rathbun, Jim Severson, Richard Chamberlain, Scott Romano, Stephan Pyles and Samir Dhurandhar will alight The Fairmont Hotel Dallas this Thursday, November 5 for the 2009 March of Dimes Signature Chefs of Dallas Auction. Chaired by Merry and Brady Wyatt, A Culinary Constellation presented by Comerica Bank, will be a sparkling evening of sumptuous food, fine wines and an exciting silent and live auction.

Chef samplings and the silent auction start the evening from 6-8 p.m. followed by the evening’s glittering live auction filled with packages provided by the participating chefs. Gilbert Garza will be your own personal chef at a private Seaside beach home for you and five guests. Or join Sara Johannes along with 14 friends who will lead your group in an interactive cooking class at PoggenPohl’s showroom ending with a three-course meal with wine pairings.

Throughout the evening travel the constellation of food stations from 20 of Dallas top chefs.

Proceeds benefit The March of Dimes whose mission is to prevent birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Individual tickets are $300. Contact Katie Sperry at 972-669-3463 or ksperry@marchofdimes.com for more information.

Get Ready to Rock and Roll!!

On Tuesday the Collin County Children's Advocacy Center had their kick off party to their 2010 "Rock On" Gala at Park Place Lexus in Plano. While admiring the new 2010 Lexus models for raffle and enjoying cocktail and hors d'oeuvres generously donated by Silver Fox guests got a glimise of next years fantastic entertainment. WCR ( World Class Rockers) which is made of former band members from Santana, Journey, Boston, Steppenwolf, Toto and Lynyrd Skynyrd will entertain the guests and have everyone dancing in their seats!
This year's chair, Carolyn Speese, announced that Rent-A-Center will be the 2010 presenting sponsor and that the event will be held at the Hilton Anatole on April 24th. The Center anticipates ov er 1,000 in attendance. It will be a fantastic event and for a worthy cause.. For more information on how to purchase Gala tickets or raffle tickets, please visit www.cacplano.org.