Sizzling Salsa Night for Frisco Family Services

Frisco's premier social event is just weeks away and Frisco Family Services will be celebrating thier 15th anniversary year as well. This annual event raises funds to ensure homelessness and hunger are prevented in the Frisco community. "In a year where client numbers have increased more than 34% we are anticipating serving more that 6000 individuals by year end, the support of our sponsors, donors, attendees and volunteers is crucial" states Joni Klarin, FFS Developement Director.

Salsa Nights, is to take place Saturday, April 17th 2010 at the newly renovated Dr. Pepper Arena in Frisco. Guests will dance the night away to the music of one of the top Dallas Party bands, Signed Sealed Delivered, enjoy sumptuous food from area restaurants, try their luck at the casino and have the opportunity to bid on an expansive array of silent auction items. General reservations are $75.00 per person or $1000 for a reserved table for 10. With another sell out expected, make your reservations now! For more information about this event visit http://www.friscocenter.org/ or call 972-335-9495.

Swinging Against Child Abuse for City House!

Come out and have a great day of golf and join SACA:Swinging Against Child Abuse Golfathon. The generous people at Los Rios Golf Course have agreed to waive all course and cart fees and are also providing lunch on April 24th to support City House. All the golfers need to do is get pledges to raise money for City House and the abused and homeless children they serve and then go out and play 36 holes of golf and enjoy themselves!
City House provides emergency shelter and transitional residential services to children and young adults who are in need due to abuse, neglect or homelessness.
Go to www.cityhouse.org and click on Get Involved. Print out the SACA Golfathon Registration Packet, fill it in and return. Contact Shannon Halla at shalla@cityhouse.org for more information.

Chamberlain Performing Arts Casino Royale

The Chamberlain Performing Arts invites one and all to support the art of dance -James Bond Style. This annual gala will take place on April 17th at Prestonwood Country Club, The Hills at 6:30 pm. Champagne reception, dinner, dancing, live and silent auction, casino games and the fabulous Dave Whiteman Band will keep everyone entertained and on their feet!
Chamberlain Perfomring Arts is the principal pre-professional ballet company of North Texas, currently celebrating its 25th anniversary season.
For reservations please call 972-985-1374.

Thirteenth Annual Vance C. Miller, Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament

LIFT your golf clubs this Monday, March 29 for the Thirteenth Annual Vance C. Miller Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament at Prestonwood Country Club in Plano, Texas. Hosted by loving parents Tincy and Vance, brothers and sister, Vaughn, Greg and Cynthia, the Miller Family created this golf tournament to honor the memory of Vance C. Miller Jr. by raising money for charity and celebrating his love of golf.

So grab your clubs for a day of competitive golfing fun from 11:30am – 5:30pm. After purchasing your Mulligans head over to the putting area for the putting contest. Then at 1:00pm, the Tournament begins with a shotgun start. As you advance through the Hills Course, there will be several contests: Closest to the Pin, Longest Drive and of course a Hole-In-One.

After the Tournament, head over to the Clubhouse for dinner and the Awards Ceremony. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase for some amazing prizes including three individual Men’s Luminox watches, a golf bag and wedges.

100% of the proceeds go towards two charities. One is LIFT – Literacy Instruction for Texas, an agency founded in 1961 to enhance lives and strengthen communities by raising the adult literacy rate in Dallas. Their free English-as-a-Second Language Literacy and Adult Basic Literacy classes are offered at 15 locations in the Dallas area and they served over 8,000 students last year. Over the last 5 years the number of adult learners participating in LIFT programs increased by 300% from 2,103 to 8,000. For more information, visit http://www.lift-texas.org/.

The event also benefits the Vance C. Miller, Jr. Classical Guitar Scholarship established in 1998 by a gift from Henry S. Miller, Jr. and Juanita Miller. The scholarship provides funding for undergraduate and graduate students studying classical guitar in the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University. The recipients are chosen by faculty recommendation of students who exhibit outstanding artistic ability on the classical guitar. For more information, visit www.smu.edu/meadows/music.

Entry fee for an individual player is $150; $600 for a foursome. Sponsorships are available from $2,000 to $750. To participate or donate, please contact Valorie Hubler at 972-419-4005 or vhubler@henrysmiller.com.

Heroes & Handbags Benefiting Heroes for Children

Glittering, studded, unique, vintage, designer – a silent auction full of amazing handbags, evening clutches, totes and diaper bags help make the Heroes and Handbags Brunch a spring-time favorite. Chairman Jennifer Dix will welcome a sold-out crowd on Thursday, April 9 to the Ritz-Carlton, Dallas for this fifth annual event.

While sipping on mimosas, guests will be able to view the beautiful collection with their friends and bid on them for the first hour and a half. Afterwards, a seated brunch will follow.

Raffle tickets will also be available for purchase for $25 each or five for $100. Raffle packages include:
- 25 Blow-outs at Ceron Salon at Neiman Marcus Downtown. Donated by Ceron Salon. Value $1,375.
- Rainbow moonstone hand-wired earrings with matching vintage necklace with moonstone and natural calcite. Donated by Ashley Montgomery Lyon. Value $550.
- Spa party for ten – includes two spa services each. Donated by Tower Athletic Club and Spa at City Place. Value $1,500.
- Two Dermal filler injections to be used as a lip volumizer or line diminisher. Donated by Cosmetic Care Concierge. Value $1,000.
- Fractional resurfacing for the face, six light peels for the face, four pedi-peels and one photo facial treatment for the face and neck. Donated by Skin Technology. Value $1,400.

Marianne Staubach and her daughters Jennifer Gates, Michelle Grimes, Amy Mentgen and Stephanie Phillips are the Honorary Chairmen. These wonderful ladies have been very generous and involved in the event. Marianne and Roger hosted the Underwriters Party on Thursday, March 4 where a record $84,000 was raised in the Live Auction.

All proceeds benefit Heroes for Children which provides financial and social assistance to families, within the state of Texas, with children ages 0 to 22 years of age battling cancer. Founded in memory of Taylor Anne Brewton and Allison "Allie" Leigh Scott, who both passed away from Acute Myeloid Leukemia, this agency has given over $2 million to families in need over the past five years. Assistance has ranged from paying rent and electric bills to purchasing a laptop for a child to enable them to continue their schooling while getting treatment.

Sponsorships are available from $25,000 to $500. For more information or to donate, please contact Larissa Linton at llinton@heroesforchildren.org or 214-256-5824.

ESTEEM A Fashion Show Benefiting the Elisa Project

For guests such as Leesa Alhadef, Jane Robertson, Becky Peacock Morris, Trudy Cresswell, Bethany Siggins, Patricia Granowski, Nancy Campbell and Kate Wagner, Wednesday, March 3 began with the First Annual ESTEEM A Fashion Show at The Grand Pavilion of the Dallas Trade Mart. Talented and creative Rhonda Sargent Chambers did double duty as Chairman and Fashion Show Producer through her company RSC Show Productions.

After guests got breakfast treats and went to their tables, they were welcomed by Mistress of Ceremonies, Debbie Denmon from WFAA-TV. Then models including Diane Johnston, Drew Pearson, Amy Mueller and Carole and Scott Murray walked down the runway in gorgeous fashions from Saks Fifth Avenue Galleria Dallas selected and coordinated by Becky Peacock Morris.

ESTEEM is the newest event of The Elisa Project a nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention and effective treatment of eating disorders through awareness, information, education, support, and advocacy. The Elisa Project was founded in 1999 by Rick and Leslie McCall in memory of their daughter Elisa McCall, a vibrant 20-year old college student who suffered with the pain of an eating disorder and ultimately took her own life. She recorded her struggle in a personal journal and its posthumous publication has inspired many in our community to join in combating eating disorders. The McCalls wanted to share the message that recovery from eating disorders is possible and that no one should have to suffer or recover alone.
For more information or to donate, please contact The Elisa Project at 214-369-5222 or theelisaproject.org.

"Rock The Runway" Fashion Show and Designer Competition Benefiting the Junior League of Dallas

Fashion designers Abi Ferrin, Oscar Fierro, Patti Flowers, Shemara Jeyarajah and Khanh Nguyen will be “Rocking the Runway” on Thursday, April 8 at F.I.G. for the “Rock the Runway” Fashion Show and Design Competition. This edgy inaugural event for the Junior League of Dallas will feature a special evening-wear look created by each designer specifically for this contest using non-traditional materials given to them. Among the non-traditional materials are copies of D Magazine and D Home as well as emblems from Park Place Dealerships. Guests will be able to see these designer creations on celebrity models Tina Craig, Aiysha Spears, Victoria Snee, Amy Venderoef and Tracy Rathbun.

The winner of this contest will be selected by judges Barbara Adelglass, Donnie Brown, Shirin Askari, Kate Wagner, Stephanie Quadri and Elaine Raffel during the event. Emcee Lisa Garza will announce the winner while Janine Turner will present the award. In addition, the designers’ evening creations will be displayed at Dillard’s NorthPark for one week following the event.

While sipping on cocktails from Rose’s and Diageo, the 500 guests will also see some of the designers’ current creations showcased during the fashion show. And in addition to the rockin’ fashion show, guests can bid on fabulous silent auction items such as custom design tote bags from Kate Unger, the cast of Wicked, Todd Fiscus, Cal Slayton, The Nest and Cosabella plus many others.

All proceeds benefit the Junior League of Dallas, an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, 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.

Individual tickets are $100 each. Sponsorships are available for $2,500. For more information, please contact Lauren Maggard at maggard.lauren@att.net.

Obelisk Gala & Awards

The 2010 Business Council for the Arts will hold the Obelisk Gala & Awards dinner honoring businesses that give life to the arts in North Texas. Now that we are entering the 21st century our values center on the importance of creativity and sustainability in the arts community. The business sector gives life to these ideals and helps to sustain our prosperity and quality of life.
Please join us for the spectacular evening when one extraordinary CEO and seven businesses will be honored for their outstanding service to our North Texas arts and cultural community.
The Obelisk Awards are chaired this year by Lisa and Larry Glasgow. The event will be held at The Fairmont Dallas, 1717 N. Akard Street with complimentary valet parking on Saturday, May 8th, 2010.
For more information, please contact Katherine Wagner, CEO, Business Council for the Arts 972-991-8300 or katherine.wagner@ntbca.org.

Strutting for the Children of Collin County with Star Children's Charity!!

The shoe-lovers of Collin County are strutting for the children on May 6th at the Neiman Marcus Willow Bend Stiletto Strut benefitting Star Children’s Charity. This is a not-to-be missed opportunity to show off a runway-worthy strut in your favorite shoes and join girlfriends for an evening of high fashion, fun and philanthropy for the children of Collin County. Chaired by Jan Richey, she has combined well-heeled members of Star Children’s Charity to lead the cause including Carrie Benson, Linda Bucy, Pam Braley, Jean Callison, Nora Carter, Paula Delzell, Mary Ellen George, Lori Greer, Michelle Brennan Hall, Ronelle Ianace, Macie Jepson, Julie Karnes, Liz Kimberlin, Daniel Lewis, Charlotte Patterson, Brenda Snitzer, Susan Spindler, Chuck Steelman, Justine Sweeney, Stacy Urtso, Stephanie Weeks and Dr. Fiona Wright.

“We are strutting for the children of Collin County. Each day the demand grows for services to meet the safety, health and well being of our children. Neiman Marcus Willow Bend and Star have partnered to create a fun event to raise the much needed money to support the nonprofits of Collin County who serve children. It is an honor to chair the inaugural Stiletto Strut. The community is invited to strap on their heels and strut for the children,” shares Jan Richey, Stiletto Strut chair and Star member.

"Neiman Marcus Willow Bend is excited to partner with Star Children's Charity on our first annual Stiletto Strut event. We know women in Collin County love designer shoes and we have the best selection from vendors like Chanel, Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin, Prada, Gucci and more. The event will be an evening of fashion and fun while raising money for seven Collin County non-profit agencies," states Marcus Wyss, Vice President and General Manager for Neiman Marcus Willow Bend.

The evening includes a strut throughout the Shops at Willow Bend with stops along the way for shopping and goodies. The strut concludes at Neiman Marcus Willow Bend for cocktails, bites, make-up artists, sample spa treatments, celebrity shoe auction, designer shoe raffle, runway workshop to refine your strut and swag for all guests.

The evening is dedicated to raising $100,000 funds for the children of Collin County through Star Children’s Charity which provides significant financial support to efforts to improve services for medical, education, enrichment and safety through nonprofit organizations in Collin County serving children. The beneficiaries include Boys and Girls Club of Collin County, Children’s Medical Center at Legacy, CITY House, Crossroads Family Services, Plano Children’s Medical Clinic, The Samaritan Inn and Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano.
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Sponsorships and ticket reservations for the Stiletto Strut are available at www.StarChildrens.com or by calling 972.943.3344. Packages begin at $100.

Centerstage 2010 Benefiting the Dallas Theater Center

The Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre in the AT&T Performing Arts Center will be a jeweled setting for Centerstage 2010 on Saturday, March 27. This bold and lively evening of entertainment will start with hot Spanish cocktails, tapas and music. And then the attendees will enjoy a delicious seated dinner by Wolfgang Puck amid the Dallas skyline and colorful theater lights above.

Over dessert, Chairmen Pilar and Jay Henry and Honorary Chairmen Bess and Ted Enloe and their 375 guests will laugh the night away to the headline entertainment Whose Live Anyway with their improvised witty scenes and songs created from audience suggestions. Whose Live Anyway also performs some of the hilarious games played on the Emmy Nominated TV show Whose Line Is It Anyway? in addition to new ones.

After the entertainment, Centerstage Late Night kicks off with Motion to keep the party going! Guests will dance the night away to this high-energy, exciting dance band. For those of you who have early evening plans, come join the festivities at 10pm for cocktails, dessert and dancing!

Centerstage is the signature fundraiser of Dallas Theater Center, with all proceeds benefiting the theater’s acclaimed artistic and expansive education programs. For more than 50 years, Dallas Theater Center has produced innovative, exciting plays for Dallas audiences of thousands each season. From beloved classics to new plays, Dallas Theater Center’s productions are among the best in North Texas.

Individual tickets are $1,000. Centerstage Late Night tickets are $150. Underwriting and sponsorship packages begin at $2,500. For more information or to attend the event, please contact Lauren Zugaro at 214-252-3915 or lauren.zugaro@dallastheatercenter.org.

Dallas International Film Festival

Tanya Foster, President & CEO of The Dallas Film Society announced exciting news for The Dallas Film Society!! They recently received a $200,000 challenge grant from an anonymous donor that must be completed by April 1. This is a dollar for dollar match - when $200,000 is raised, it will be matched and the Dallas Film Society will have $400,000!
The Dallas Film Society is a non-profit agency that supports community outreach and the education of film. One way to donate is to become a member. The Circle of Stars Membership level ranges from $2,500 and up. Members receive an array of benefits and privileges created to maximize the experience with The Dallas Film Society and its many year-round programs and events. The $2,500 level includes invitations to exclusive Circle of Stars events, invitations to Premiere Screenings and other Dallas Film Society events, complimentary passes to the annual Dallas International Film Festival, complimentary invitations to the annual fall event, recognition in event programs and on the Society’s website and VIP seating where available.

Regular Memberships range from $40 to $1,000 and include benefits such as members-only screenings and events throughout the year and during the Festival, priority invitations and free admission for one to DFS screening (DFS Regular and Premiere Screenings, Fall Outdoor Series, Monthly Nasher Series), Vouchers for the Dallas International Film Festival, Festival Program and Poster. To become a member or to see all membership options, click on the following link:
2010 Dallas Film Festival Membership - Select Your Pass.

Another way to donate is to become a sponsor of The Dallas International Film Festival which runs Thursday, April 8 – Sunday, April 18. Over 150 features and short films from all over the world will be shown at The Magnolia, Angelika Film Center, DMA and the Studio Movie Grill during this Festival so there is something for everyone! Other venues are the Dallas Museum of Art for family day and the Nasher for panels. In addition, celebrities will be attending various screenings. A complete list of films that will be showing will be announced the week of March 15.

Mayor Tom Leppert and his wife, Laura are serving as Honorary Chairmen for The Dallas International Film Festival. On Friday, April 16, the Dallas Film Society Honors will be at the Hotel Palomar. Circle of Stars members, Festival sponsors and filmmakers will enjoy this invitation-only Awards Dinner. After walking the red carpet and enjoying a cocktail hour, over 300 guests will enter the Ballroom for a seated dinner and will be on-hand for the awards presentation given to the filmmakers who win the festival. There are two Target Filmmaker Awards with each award recipient receiving $25,000 and the Dallas Stars Awards which are given to filmmakers selected by the Dallas Film Society.

In addition, Circle of Stars Members, Film Festival sponsors and press will be invited to the Dallas International Film Festival Underwriters Party on Thursday, April 1.

This is the fourth year for the Dallas International Film Festival. With the hardworking, dedicated and talented Tanya Foster joining the Dallas Film Society, continued success is sure to come. I have had the pleasure to work on numerous committees with her over the last ten years and every event she chaired has been a homerun.

For more information, contact Tanya Foster at 214-720-0555 X18 or tfoster@dallasfilm.org.

2010 Fresh Faces of Fashion Presented by Stanley Korshak, Modern Luxury Dallas and Park Place Motorcars Dallas

Chairmen and great friends Yvonne Crum and Jill Rowlett along with Honorary Chairman Lisa Browning will welcome a sold-out crowd and the 12 Fresh Faces of Fashion to Stanley Korshak on Friday, March 26. This evening celebration of fun and fashion begins with a cocktail hour followed by a seated dinner and spectacular fashion show featuring new arrivals from Stanley Korshak at the Rosewood Crescent Court.

The 12 Fresh Faces of Fashion selected by the readers of Modern Luxury Dallas will also be presented. This darling group of young women include Bradley Agather, Leigh Bailey, Marybeth Conlon, Cary Christensen Deuber, Dulaney Miller, Jessica Requa, Peyton Riley, Jennifer Brickman Roberts, Maleiah Rogers, Jennifer Lott Smit, Paige Westhoff and Anna-Sophia van Zweden.

The proceeds will help support the mental health and community outreach programs of the Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas. Programs such as Teens Can Survive and Survivors of Suicide are among them. To see more of the important programs of SCC go to http://www.sccenter.org/.

Individual tickets are $250. Sponsorships are $25,000 to $5,000. To donate or for more information, contact Margie Wright at 214-824-7020 or margiew@sccenter.org or Yvonne Crum at yvonnecr@flash.net.

Brighter Beginings Event Tomorrow and Saturday!!

Get ready for Spring by cleaning out of all your unwanted items to share with those in need! Enjoy the lovely weather while we have it everyone and join in the fun!

March 5th & 6th
Friday & Saturday
9:30 am - 3:30 pm

Drop off at PCPC Oak Lawn West
Oak Lawn @ Newton (next to Equinox building)

Brighter Beginnings is the hands-on service project of Council for Life. It provides local pregnancy resource centers with baby care necessities.

We need your gently used or new baby items! Items and supplies needed include:

New Quality Bottles with Nipples

Diapers - all sizes (Huggies and Pampers most appreciated!)

Baby Wash

Powdered Formula - Emfamil Lipil with Iron

New Infant Carrier Car Seats

Umbrella Strollers

Cribs and Crib Mattresses

**Sorry, due to storage limitations, we must only accept items listed.**

For more information, check our website!
Tax receipts available at drop off.


www.councilforlife.org

Pink in the Rink

It is not often that you see hockey players wearing pink but this weekend you can! The Texas Tornados partnering with the American Cancer Society Relay for Life in Frisco to dedicate a weekend of hockey to raising funds for cancer awareness. A percentage of the proceeds from ticket sales, pink merchandise, and a Jersey Auction will benefit the ACS! The players will be wearing the one-of-a-kind pink jerseys all weekend in honor of Lisa Flowers, a long-time Tornado fan who served as a host mom to many of the players throughout the years, who lost her battle with cancer last fall. The jerseys will be auctioned off by silent auction throughout the weekend. Last year's auction raised over $10,000!

The Tornado will play the Springfield Junior Blues on Friday March 5th at 7:30 pm, on Saturday March 6th at 7:00 pm and on Sunday March 7th at 3:00 pm. Click here for ticket information or call 972-335-9800. The tickets start at $7 so it is a great way to have some family fun and give a little back at the same time.

Don't forget to mark your calendars for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life in Frisco as well! The 24 relay will begin on May 7th at 6:00 pm and end on May 8th at 7:00 am. It started in 1985 when Dr. Gordy Klatt, a surgeon in Tacoma, Washington, walked and ran around a track for 24 hours straight. Since then it has grown into a relay that involves over 3.5 million people a year in 19 countries! Everyone and anyone is invited to participate. There is $10 entry fee and then you are free to raise as much as you can for a donation. The best way to participate is to put a team together and "camp out" at the track. Each team is encouraged to have at least one representative on the track at a time.

TACA Silver Cup Luncheon Presented by Chase and Neiman Marcus

Patrons of the Performing Arts are looking forward to the 2010 TACA Silver Cup Luncheon Presented by Chase and Neiman Marcus this Friday, March 5 in the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton Anatole. Chairman Rebecca Fletcher who has been very involved in the Arts for many years will welcome a nearly sold-out crowd.

The highlight of this Luncheon is the presentation of the 2010 Silver Cup Award which is given to one woman and one man for their outstanding contributions to the Arts in Dallas. This year’s award recipients are Cindy Rachofsky and John T. Cody, Jr.

Cindy is the Chairman of the Trustee Nominating Committee, Board Member and Executive Committee Member for the Dallas Museum of Art and serves on the President’s Advisory Council for the AT&T Performing Arts Center. She and her husband, Howard annually host Two x Two for Aids and Art which has raised over $21 million over the last 10 years.

John served on the Board of Directors of the Dallas Opera before becoming President of the Board and then Chairman. He then assumed the position of Interim General Director of the Dallas Opera twice. Before retiring, John was the President and Chief Operating Officer of JCPenney.

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. On February 1, they distributed $1,000,000 to 35 performing arts organizations such as the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Dallas Children’s Theater, Irving Symphony Orchestra and the Dallas Museum of Art.

Individual tickets are $500, $250 and $125. Sponsorships are $10,000 to $1,250. For more information, please contact 214-520-3930.

"Breakfast at Tiffany" for A Child Can Do All Things Luncheon and Fashion Show

Join A Child Can Do All Things Luncheon and Fashion Show Chairman Alicia Wood and Heather Pujats, Store Director, for “Breakfast at Tiffany” Friday, March 5 at Tiffany & Co., NorthPark. While munching on delicious brunch bites and sipping on Passion Fruit Mimosas, guests will see Christina and Chris Murzin and the City of University Park City Council be awarded the first ACCDAT Child Impact Award for their efforts in creating a barrier-free playground at Coffee Park (Hillcrest and Northwest Highway). The mayor of University Park, Blackie Holmes, has also declared March 5 as A Child Can Do All Things Day in UP!

This fun Tiffany & Co. event also kicks off the Third Annual A Child Can Do All Things Luncheon and Fashion Show scheduled for Tuesday, March 30 at Brook Hollow Golf Club. Alicia, the petite fundraising powerhouse, has secured a partnership with NorthPark Center for the Luncheon. BARNEYS NEW YORK will provide the adult fashions with professional models and local children will show off the latest from Peek….Aren’t you curious and PLAY@planet funk for the runway show. And NorthPark Center is donating $1,000 in NorthPark Gold for the Raffle. Tickets are $25 a ticket or five for $100.

A Child Can Do All Things is an agency dedicated to helping children with motor disabilities reach their highest level of independence and integration into society. Children with Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida and motor disabilities can learn how to incorporate fine and gross motor skills along with self-care skills in an educational setting. This Conductive Education tailors each child’s curriculum to ensure proper growth and progress in the program.

Patron tickets are $200 and regular tickets are $150 each. Sponsorships are $25,000 to $1,500. For more information, please contact Alicia Wood at 214-293-4040 or aliciawood@sbcglobal.net.

The American Foundation for the Blind's Center on Vision Loss launches "Desgining with a Vision"

The rain flowed and so did the champagne as Honorary Chairs Minnie Caruth, Linda Ivy and Dee Simmons welcomed 135 guests who braved the thunderstorms to attend the official launch party of Designing with A Vision, at the beautiful home of Bill & Heidi Dillon. Barbara Brice was unable to attend (hospital adventure), but fellow Chairs Bobbie Sue Williams, Bri Crum and Heidi thanked event "Czarinas" D'Andra Simmons, Hassie Harrison, Sara Faye Egan and Sarah Losinger and event committee Carol Seay, Ramona Jones, Marilyn Hailey, Dori Wright and Kelly Bennett who have worked diligently to create this unique and not-to-be-missed event.

How does he do that? Is the first question people asked as they enjoyed mouthwatering canapés from Bella Restaurant whilst viewing photographs of the events focus - couture designs by Sergey Ermakov. Sergey is blind and dresses the famous, elite and those that love to wear beautiful clothes in the Ukraine. He lost his vision at the age of 11 from diabetic retinopathy. This is his first showing in the United States - and it's here in Dallas!

Designing with a Vision is two events on April 16, 2010 at the Fairmont Hotel. They include (1) Blintz & Bellini Bruncheon and (2) Evening Runway & Cocktail Party in the Suite 206 Lounge for younger Fashionistas. A majority of the expenses have already been funded so ticket and table sales will go directly to support the Center on Vision Loss, and not pay hotel, meals or travel expenses. Both events are being produced by our very own fashion maven, Jan Strimple.

Invites went out this week for the sit-down morning Bruncheon and separate evening event. Contact Abi Erickson at 214-438-3515 or aerickson@afb.net for details or invitations to either event. The events theme is "living successfully with Vision Loss".