Lee Park Junior Conservancy Cocktail Hour

Don’t even think about leaving town early for Labor Day weekend!

Thursday, September 1, Lee Park Junior Conservancy is hosting a special cocktail hour at Hotel ZaZa from 7:00 – 9:00 PM. They will be serving complimentary bites along with $5 drink specials.

For Lee Park Conservancy members and guests, Dragonfly will even be offering a 15% off discount where you can sample the redesigned menu from executive chef, Dan Landsberg.

The mission of the Conservancy is the continued conservation, preservation, further development and maintenance of Lee Park and Arlington Hall. The Conservancy is dedicated to the belief that Lee Park is truly a jewel in the crown of the Dallas parks system, and invites everyone to enjoy and cherish this "Timeless Treasure." The Conservancy has raised and invested more than $2.5 million in private funds to restore and expand historic Arlington Hall, and almost $3 million in gifts for new gardens and features in Lee Park.

National Yoga Month - September

September is National Yoga Month! Try a one-week free program at participating studios, including Bikram Yoga, Pranaa, and Park Cities Yoga.

New students can get One Week Free Yoga during National Yoga Month which can be redeemed at one of over 1,200+ particiating yoga studios in September and October. Start here.

Pen Pals Wanted

The year was 1988. I was in 5th grade, and Big Bopper was the magazine of choice for us pre-teen girls. You remember it, right? Chock full of New Kids on the Block and Debbie Gibson pull-out posters and interviews. What changed my life though - and I appreciate most to this day - was the "Pen Pal" section in each issue. That magazine forever made an impact on my life, unbeknownst to me at the time.

Gone are the days of a personal, handwritten letter on Cabbage Patch Kids stationary, decorated with Lisa Frank stickers and signed with "LYLAS" and a few heart-dotted "i's"...

The year is 2011, and I am fortunate to know my pen pal (Cecilia from Orange County) for 23 years. She is one of my dearest friends. Our hand-written letters transformed to emails and phone calls and many visits over the years. Yet I still welcome the sincerity of snail mail.

Have you ever felt nostalgic for a pen pal? Crane & Co. celebrates the art of letter writing and indulges our own nostalgia. They are inviting fellow enthusiasts of classic correspondence to become their pen pals. Write them a letter, and they will write you one back. It’s that simple.

“Likewise, no Inbox subject line comes close to the feeling one gets when sifting through the days mail to find a personalized envelope. We’re smitten just thinking about it,” says Jessica Sick, Digital Marketing Manager for Crane & Co.

To sweeten the experience, every pen pal will be entered in a contest to win an assortment of Crane & Co. paper goodies.

Please send letters to:
Crane & Co. Pen Pals
44 West 28th Street, 8th Floor
NY, NY 10001

2011 DSO AT&T Gala

DSO AT&T Gala

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Meyerson Symphony Center

It is time again for the premiere black tie event benefiting Dallas Symphony Orchestra! The evening kicks off with a cocktail reception and exquisite 3-course seated dinner, followed by a concert by internationally-renowned violinist, Joshua Bell, in concert with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra led by celebrated DSO Music Director Jaap van Zweden. September 17th marks the start of Jaap van Zweden's 4th season as Music Director and kicks off the 2011-2012 Texas Instruments Classical Series.

Gala Chairs: Barbara and Don Daseke

Honorary Gala Chairs: The Honorable Joe and Julie Straus

Tables of 10 start at $10,000 and single full Gala tickets start at $1250/each.
Click here to secure your seat
Contact: 214.871.4045 or DSO-Gala@dalsym.com

Boys & Girls Clubs - Day for Kids

Saturday, September 17, 2011
10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Celebration Station
4040 Towne Crossing Blvd
Mesquite, TX 75150

For more information or to volunteer, please contact Carolyn Jordan at (214) 821-2950 x 712 or cjordan@bgcdallas.org

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas' mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.

Hope's Door Anniversary Celebration

Hope’s Door to Commemorate 25 Years of Service with
“Celebrate Hope” Anniversary Celebration

Hope’s Door is celebrating its anniversary with a fun fete on Saturday, October 22. The event, “Reach for the Stars, Celebrate Hope,” will take place at the famous Frontiers of Flight Museum at Dallas Love Field.

Partygoers can enjoy dinner from an exquisite chef’s station featuring some of the area’s hottest restaurants, a cigar lounge, and one-of-a-kind items in both silent and live auctions. Acclaimed Dallas band Plush will serve the sounds of disco, 80’s and today’s Top 40.

7pm Cocktails & Silent Auction
8pm Dinner, followed by live auction & dancing
~Cocktail Attire~
Tickets are $150 each, and tables of 10 are available for $1500.
Chair: Caonha Tran-Dillon

Hope’s Door is the only domestic violence shelter in Collin County. Since it first opened its doors to families 25 years ago, the organization has served thousands of domestic violence survivors by providing shelter, transitional housing, and counseling. Trained staff and volunteers have also answered more than 25,000 crisis calls and provided education and vital outreach services to families throughout the Metroplex. Event proceeds will enable Hope’s Door to continue serving families in need of domestic violence services.

The anniversary event is timed just right, as October is recognized as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Throughout the month of October, Hope’s Door will make a special effort to raise issue awareness and distribute its signature purple wrist bands throughout North Texas.

For more information or to purchase event tickets, please visit http://www.hopesdoorinc.org/

Be Aware. Be an advocate. Stop domestic violence.

American Red Cross Reception

American Red Cross - Dallas Chapter
invites you to their
100th Anniversary Red & White Gala
Kick-Off and Preview Reception

Tuesday, September 13, 2011
5:30 - 7:30 PM
Dee Lincoln's Tasting Room & Bubble Bar

RSVP to Whitney Boone at RSVP@redcrossdallas.org
Valet Provided
Business Attire

American Foundation of the Blind - Visionaries Happy Hour

Jennifer Davis and John Clutts

On July 21st, young philanthropists in Dallas braved the heat to support the American Foundation of the Blind Center on Vision Loss for the Visionaries Summer Happy Hour at Ocean Prime. On the outdoor patio, guests Teffy Jacobs, Laura Flores, Alexander Vurpillar, Julie Blankenship, Carol Seay, Abi Erickson, Molly Nolan, Curt Riley, Antonia Hubert, Alison Lehman, Melissa Poe, Melissa and Ivan Bank, Marcela Zevada, and Jacqueline McAllister enjoyed fresh hors d'oeuvres and had their choice of chilled signature cocktails while assisting this truly wonderful organization. Abi Ferrin donated a gorgeous turquoise blue signature five-way dress to assist with membership promotions and Tootsies and the John Clutts Agency also served as supporting sponsors.

Melissa McManness Poe and Jacquelline McAllister

Julie Blankenship, Carol Seay, and Greg Johnson

Lindsay Gunther and Laura Flores

For more information on how you can help, visit their website for more information on events and membership!

2011 SPCA Fur Ball

The SPCA of Texas will host our annual Fabulous Fur Ball Gala to be held on Saturday, September 24th, in the glittering Grand Ballroom of the Hilton Anatole in downtown Dallas.

Last year's Night in Vegas was such a hit, they decided to Let It Ride and continue the party with poker tables, feathery show girls and of course, the King! Get ready to dance to everyone's favorite party band, Live 80, and bring your best bids to win sports tickets, luxurious hotel packages, vacations, gourmet restaurant packages, and more at the famous live auction. Plus, they're doubling down for pet lovers with their silent auction, featuring one-of-a-kind pet items that you won't find anywhere else.

Best of all, SPCA of Texas animals will benefit from your generosity. Your participation at Fabulous Fur Ball will make sure the SPCA of Texas can continue to fulfill their mission to rescue, heal and find homes for thousands of animals in North Texas.

Don your swankiest, silkiest, snazziest, sequined Vegas best and join in the fun!
Tickets $150 each - or be a high roller and buy a table for $1,500.
Click here to purchase tickets or a table.

High-profile sponsorships are available. Contact Gina Parker at gparker@spca.org or 214-461-1810

Junior League of Collin County Annouces $35K Gift

In honor of its' 35th anniversary, the Junior League of Collin County (JLCC) today announced a donation of $35,000 to the Education Foundations in the four major cities of Collin County. This will benefit Title One Schools in Collin County as well as Sci-Tech Discovery Center in Frisco.
The donation is designated for each schools 4th grade classes to experience a field trip to the science and technology museum as well as to support the special museum-supported assemblies at each school.
Sci-Tech is also making sure that each student will go home from their trip with two spare tickets so they can visit the museum again with a parent.
To commemorate the organizations anniversary as well as the science center's newest exhibit, the JLCC will tour the museum on Monday, September 19th. City and school officials from all four district counties, members of the Sci-Tech board and JLCC donors and agencies and the JLCC community advisory board will be in attendence for this reception and celebration.
For more information about the Junior League of Collin County call 972-769-0557 or visit www.jlcollincounty.org

ManeGait Gala is The Main Event!

Shine your boots and grab your Stetson. Gala at the Gait will be held Saturday, October 1, 2011 at the ManeGait facility in McKinney. With your support, this year's gala will help bring the power of therapeutic horsemanship to special needs riders. Guests gather from Dallas to Oklahoma for this must-attend occasion where western attire, country music and inspirational stories are all found under a covered equestrian arena. This year's hosts include Lori and Andy Weber, Anne and Brandon Osborn and Linda and Peter Raphael, MD. Each year Mane Gait touches the lives of over 1,000 people either as volunteers, donors, riders and their families.
Founded by Pris and Bill Darling, the growth at ManeGait has been overwhelming. The Darling Family continues to spearhead operational fundraising and initiate long-term plans for additional expansion.
Only in it's fourth year, the Gala has been a sell-out event in North Texas. For more information and reservations call 469-742-9611 or go to www.manegait.org/gala.
Join in, mount up and ride tall for ManeGait and all they do!!

Hoffen Foundations's Little Black Dress Party!

Mark your calendar for Friday, September 9th 2011 from 8 pm to Midnight for the Hoffen Foundation's second annual Little Black Dress party. This fundraising event benefits The Hoffen Foundation in "Giving Children a Ray of Hope" through funding causes, that directly assist children with cancer and serious diseases, disabilities and socioeconomic challenges.
The event takes place at Dallas' hottest new venue eM The Venue, 1500 Dragon Street, in the Design District.
The evening will feature music by Random Axis, Catering by Marc Events, Little Black Dress Wine, Special Celebrity Guests, a Dream Date Auction and a Silent Auction to name a few of fun events planned for the evening.
Tickets are sixty dollars in advance and seventy five after August 26th. To reserve tickets visit www.hoffenfoundation.org.
The event is sponsored in part by GE Energy Power Electronics. To became an event sponsor of for silent auction donations, please contact Linda Lemmond at 214-803-9186.

Battle of the Badges All-Star Game

Join the Texas Legends as they honor the true legends of our community for the second annual Police vs. Fire Battle of the Badges charity basketball game. Police and Firefighter All-Star basketball teams lock horns on Saturday, August 27 at Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco.

Fans get the opportunity to shoot on the Texas Legends home court, meet celebrities, win prizes, take pictures, grab autographs and honor our true heroes.

The Texas Legends, Duke's Original Road House, Paul Rego's Sports Car World, Jumper Bee Entertainment, and the Guns and Hoses Foundation of North Texas are sponsoring the night's activities.

"This is a tremendous opportunity to honor, recognize, and support the true heroes of our community, the men and women in uniform who protect us every day," commented Texas Legends owner, Donnie Nelson. "This is a great event for the whole family as there will be activities for kids before, during, and after the game. Then watch Texas' Top Guns compete in one of the biggest rivalries - Battle of the Badges!"

Doors open at Dr Pepper Arena at 6:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. tip-off.

Purchase your $10 tickets at the Texas Legends offices, by contacting Taly Haffar at 214-734-2124 or thaf7@aol.com or by visiting www.battleofthebadgesbasketball.org

Crystal Charity Luncheon and Fashion Show

and Neiman Marcus Downtown
invite you to the
Annual Luncheon and Fashion Show
Thursday, September 8, 2011

The luncheon will honor the Ten Best Dressed Women of Dallas, as selected by members of the Crystal Charity Ball Committee.

The 2011 Best Dressed Women of Dallas are Tricia Besing, Nancy Carter, Robyn Conlon, Claire Emanuelson, Kim Miller, Pat McEvoy, Pam Perella, Nancy Rogers, Lee Ann White and Ellen Winspear.

Elaine Agather will be the 2011 Best Dressed Hall of Fame Honoree. Longtime Crystal Charity benefactor Annette Simmons will serve as Honorary Chairman of this year’s luncheon.

The 2011 Crystal Charity Ball will benefit eight beneficiaries with a collective need of $4,265,030: Communities in Schools, Contact Crisis Line, Dallas Mission for Life, Los Barrios Unidos Community Clinic, Methodist Health System Foundation,
Nexus Recovery Center, Trinity River Mission and Vickery Meadow Learning Center.

Prizes include: a fabulous Paris vacation with 2 nights at Mandarin Oriental, 2 tickets to Valentino Fall 2012 show in March 2012, and 2 business class round trips on American Airlines; NM Downtown shopping spree; and Canyon Ranch 7-night spa getaway for two.

Tickets for the luncheon may be purchased by calling 214-526-5868 x25.

The Ritz-Carlton and SoupMobile Feed the Hungry

From The Ritz-Carlton Kitchen to The SoupMobile Headquarters,
Guests Aid in Feeding The Hungry

The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas and SoupMobile, Inc. have partnered together to provide guests with the opportunity to work behind-the-scenes and Become a “Soup Savior” or visit the front-lines of hunger to See & Serve “The Save” as a part of The Ritz-Carlton’s “Give Back Getaways” program. “Give Back Getaways” is a component of Community Footprints, The Ritz-Carlton’s social and environmental responsibility program, and provides guests with a unique opportunity to volunteer within the communities they visit.

Food and shelter are two of the most basic needs for long-term well-being, yet an alarming number of North Texans lack these critical resources.

Guests of The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas are invited to Become a “Soup Savior” and give back to the SoupMobile’s mission. As “Soup Saviors”, guests experience the real-life excitement of the culinary world by working with The Ritz-Carlton culinary team in the hotel’s state-of-the-art kitchen to create a nutritious and filling soup. The freshly-prepared soup is immediately delivered to the SoupMobile headquarters for lunchtime distribution to a group of Dallas residents who need it most.

Guests of The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas are also invited to See & Serve “The Save” with the local community and SoupMobile team through a very special hands-on experience. Volunteers meet at the SoupMobile headquarters and caravan to a nearby outdoor area, where SoupMobile patrons await the arrival of smiling faces and a hot meal.

"The SoupMobile is honored to be a beneficiary of The Ritz-Carlton's Give Back Getaways program. To have the opportunity to stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas, see the inner workings of their kitchen and work with their team on a project that gives back, is an exciting and meaningful experience that will make a difference to so many lives,” said David Timothy, Founder of SoupMobile, Inc.

Become a “Soup Savior” is offered on select Tuesdays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., and See & Serve “The Save” is offered on select Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Reservations should be made by calling 214.922.4731. One week advance notice is required for both programs and participation is based upon availability.

Bull and Bear Grand Opening

Bull & Bear Grand Opening
Friday, August 19
6:30-9:00 PM
$10 donation benefits Paws in the City

Stepping Out in Style - 09.15.2011

Save the Date for the annual Kidney Texas benefit, Stepping Out in Style. The fashion event and luncheon will be held on September 15th at Brook Hollow Golf Club.

Click here for underwriting opportunities.

Personalized Railcars Available

Now in its 13th year, The Trains of NorthPark returns November 19th to NorthPark Center.

This year's exhibit is completely redesigned and NEW this season! Designed to be more than just another seasonal attraction, the new Trains at NorthPark experience will immerse visitors in a brilliantly themed Holiday train environment.

Just as visiting The Trains at NorthPark has become a tradition for families and businesses, ordering personalized railcars have also become a holiday tradition. Talented local artists hand-paint railcars with a message of choice, either a company name or logo, children's names, or a holiday greeting. Each year, the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas sells approximately 500 railcars which decorate the walls of the Exhibit and ride on the tracks.
Personalized railcars make great holiday gifts!

A tax-deductible donation will purchase:
Standard Railcar - $175
Caboose - $225
Engine- $300