Mayor's Back to School Fair is Friday, Aug. 5, at Fair Park

The 20th Annual Mayor's Back to School Fair will be presented by Walmart and Sam's Club on Friday, August 5, 2016, at Fair Park's Automobile and Centennial Buildings.

 

The Mayor's Back to School Fair is a collaborative effort between the City of Dallas, Dallas area schools, public health departments, state agencies, non-profit organizations, corporations and hundreds of volunteers.

 

Together, we help economically disadvantaged children start off the new school year with many of their school-related needs met in a 'one-stop destination.'

 

Be a sponsor

Sign up to volunteer

Become an exhibitor

2014 Mayor’s Summer Reading Club (June 7 - August 2)

Hey kids and parents! This summer, hop on the book bandwagon for a fun-filled journey of fables, fiction and more with the 2014 Mayor’s Summer Reading Club. The free eight-week program, which runs June 7 - August 2, encourages reading throughout the Dallas community.

 

Presented by Walmart and Sam’s Club, the Mayor’s Summer Reading Club is now a family affair, open to both children and adults.  You can sign up online at dallaslibrary.org, or at the kick-off parties held Saturday, June 7, at all branches.

Young club members can win weekly incentive prizes – from free books and fun foods to zoo, circus and baseball tickets – simply by reporting what they read in person at any Dallas Public Library or online at dallaslibrary.org. Grand-prize drawings will be held for kids and adults who faithfully log reading hours for at least six of the eight weeks. Three of the weekly prizes will include a new book for Reading Club participants up to 18 years of age. All readers may report any reading material including books, e-books, audiobooks and magazines.

 

"All students experience some degree of learning loss during vacation months, but one of the best ways to prevent that from happening is to keep kids reading throughout the summer,” Mayor Rawlings said. “The Mayor’s Summer Reading Club makes reading exciting and gives children a way to earn terrific prizes. Getting parents and adults to read is also important because children model the behavior of the adults in their lives.”

 

Weekly incentive prizes include tickets and gift certificates to Auntie Anne’s Pretzels; Benihana Restaurant; Chipotle Mexican Grill; Dallas Children’s Theater; Dallas Zoo; FC Dallas; Mesquite Rodeo; Nasher Sculpture Center; Legoland; Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus; SMU (tickets to the Meadows Museum and a soccer game plus a drawstring bag); and the Texas Rangers.

Grand prizes include tickets, passes and gift certificates for area attractions and restaurants such as the Al Biernat's Restaurant; AMC NorthPark 15; American Airlines Center; ASI Gymnastics; Bahama Beach; Billy Bob's Texas; Brinker International; Casa Manana Theatre; Celebration Restaurant, Catering and Market; Chuy's Restaurant; Creative Arts Center of Dallas; Dallas Arboretum; Dallas Film Society; Dallas Marriot City Center; Dallas Museum of Art; Dallas Summer Musicals; Dallas Zoo; Fort Worth Zoo; Gene and Jerry Jones Family Foundation (for AT&T Stadium tour); HP; James Avery Jewelry; Jumpstreet; Ken's Man's Shop; Learning Express; LOOK Cinemas; Maggiano's Little Italy- NorthPark; Magic Time Machine; Medieval Times; Mesquite Arena; Neiman Marcus NorthPark; Perot Museum of Nature and Science; Place at Perry’s; Plano Symphony Orchestra; Pocket Sandwich Theatre; Richardson Bike Mart; SeaWorld San Antonio; Six Flags Over Texas; Speedzone Dallas; State Fair of Texas; Terilli’s Restaurant & Bar; Texas Motor Speedway; The Aaron Family Jewish Community Center of Dallas; The Dallas Opera; The Fairmont Dallas; The First Tee of Dallas; Theatre Three; Tootsies; and the YMCA.

For more than 40 years, the Dallas Public Library’s summer reading program has encouraged more than 250,000 children to read. The Mayor’s Summer Reading Club is a collaborative effort between the City of Dallas Mayor’s Office, the Dallas Public Library, Dallas ISD and dozens of community sponsors and donors.

Inaugural Fashion for Freedom Fashion Show and Luncheon at Al Biernat's

The inaugural Fashion for Freedom is a fashion show and luncheon benefiting Mosaic Family Services in its efforts to combat human trafficking. 100% of proceeds will go toward building a new shelter to expand Mosaic's capacity to meet the ever increasing need for its services. 

 

Guests can shop the pop-up store inside the restaurant during the event.  A percentage of sales from the pop-up store will also benefit Mosaic.

 

The fashion show will feature designs from Abi Ferrin and introduce Juliette Longuet who is breaking into the Dallas market.  Hosted by favorite local restauranteur Al Biernat, the luncheon will also include remarks from the Honorable Mike Rawlings.

 

Seating is limited for this fabulous event. Click here for tickets and more information.

http://mosaicservices.org/events/

Reading Partners Celebrity Spelling Bee

 

2nd Annual

Reading Partners Celebrity Spelling Bee

February 26, 2014

City Performance Hall, Dallas

 

6:00 pm – Cocktail hour
7:00 pm – Opening remarks and introductions
7:30 – 9:00 pm: Spelling Bee

The evening event features prominent local Dallas celebrities including, Mayor Mike Rawlings and Kristi Nelson of NBC, corporate leaders and community members coming together for a fun night of competition and celebration.

General Admission Tickets: $50

Discounted Tickets: $10

Discounted tickets available for Reading Partners' Tutors and Dallas ISD Employees

 

Purchase your tickets at www.dallascelebrityspellingbee.eventbrite.com

 

Celebrity Spelling Bee Committee

Miranda Bond, Jasmin Brand, Laura Elcock, Glenda Garcia, Shannon Gilliland, Shannon Louis, Aurora Lora, Dustin Marshall, Jane Rimer, Marchella Simon, Yasmeen Tadia, Abby Williams

Starring

Kristi Nelson, Host, NBC Anchor

Garrett Boone, Chairman Emeritus, Container Store

Mina Chang, President of Linking the World

David Chard, Dean of Education, Southern Methodist University

Jenny Grumbles, c-host of A&E's Storage Wars Texas

Mike Rawlings, Mayor of Dallas

Samantha Riddle, Miss Texas International

Ben Scott, ABC's the Bachelor

Rock Out For Red Cross March 27th

THURSDAY, MARCH 27th

6:30PM - 10:30PM

Gilley's Dallas - 1135 South Lamar - Dallas, TX 75215

Join Cory Morrow, the Keith Mitchell Band, honorary chair Mayor Mike Rawlings and the American Red Cross Dallas Area Chapter in celebrating March is Red Cross Month! Net proceeds from this event will benefit the Red Cross' mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies. 

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS!

November 1: Extra Mile Day

Mayors across the United States are recognizing a growing movement to encourage individuals and organizations to “go the extra mile” in service and volunteerism. It is a day to renew our commitment to going the extra mile, and it is a day to acknowledge and thank those around us who go the extra mile for us in our everyday lives.

Thank you very much to the following mayors and cities for declaring "Extra Mile Day" in their communities:

Allen – Mayor Stephen Terrell

Arlington – Mayor Robert Cluck

Dallas - Mayor Mike Rawlings

Denton - Mayor Mark Burroughs

DeSoto - Mayor Carl Sherman

Irving – Mayor Beth Van Duyne

McKinney – Mayor Brian Loughmiller

Plano - Mayor Harry LaRosiliere

"We all talk about wanting change…happiness…more opportunity. However, relying on others to make that happen is only wishing for life to get better. Taking personal responsibility…and going the extra mile individually…is where true success is found. Extra Mile Day is a small reminder of the power we each have to create change at any time…on any day." --Extra Mile Day Founder Shawn Anderson.

The Wilkinson Center Gala Kick-Off Party

The Wilkinson Center gala kick-off party will take place on Tuesday, October 1 from 5:30-7:00 PM at the Kendra Scott boutique in West Village.

Kendra Scott is giving attendees 10% off their purchases at the event and is donating 10% of the evening’s profits to Wilkinson Center.

Friends of Wilkinson Center will host “Shaken, not Stirred”, a James Bond-themed gala, Friday, October 25 at The Adolphus, benefitting Wilkinson Center.

Honorary chairs for the gala are Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and Micki Rawlings.

A Special Destination Connects Moore Park and Santa Fe Trestle Trail

Paul W. Harris, president & CEO, Hoblitzelle Foundation; Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings; Judge Vonciel Jones Hill, City Councilmember; Craig Holcomb, executive director, Trinity Commons Foundation; Dr. Gail Thomas, president & CEO of The Trinity Trust; Lynn McBee, board member of The Trinity Trust; Larry Jones, Dallas Park & Recreation board member

The City of Dallas joins The Trinity Trust Foundation and the Hoblitzelle Foundation in announcing the opening of the Pavilion and Amphitheater connecting Moore Park to the Santa Fe Trestle Trail on June 13.  These new amenities were made possible by a $2 million donation from the Hoblitzelle Foundation in honor of Mr. Will Moore, the park’s namesake, and his contributions to Dallas’ African American community and culture.

The new space at Moore Park creates a link to both the existing 75-year-old park and the Santa Fe Trestle Trail, which opened fall of 2012.  Moore Park has athletic fields and parking with beautiful mature tree groves and views of Cedar Creek. 

The beautiful new space centers on a shade pavilion with picnic tables and a gravity-defying 25-foot cantilevered overlook with views toward Cedar Creek. The performance amphitheater with thoughtful memory wall, sloped lawn for seating and icon tower lend dramatic flair to the architecturally finished and angled retaining walls. The amphitheater is a perfect outdoor venue for intimate daytime musical performances, dance events, school plays, student field trips, or the readings of novelists and poets.

A steel bridge connects from the entry plaza near the new pavilion to the terraced grove of red oak trees. Shared parking with the Santa Fe Trestle Trail is located at 8^th Street and the DART overflow lot. A picturesque trail link to the adjacent Santa Fe Trestle Trail (.86 mile concrete trail) is shaded by mature trees taking visitors past a pecan grove and landscaped beds of native grasses or across the new Cedar Creek Bridge.

Dallas CVB 'BIG' photo contest

The Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau (Dallas CVB) recently announced a social media contest to inspire locals to explore Dallas by capturing photos at prominent locations throughout the Metroplex and sharing over social media for opportunities to win one-of-a-kind experiences for family and friends. The month-long digital contest - March 28 through April 27 - kicks off the city's new brand campaign - "BIG Things Happen in Dallas."

More than two dozen oversized displays at select venues throughout Dallas will feature the letters "B" and "G" where locals simply snap a photo of themselves in between the display as the "I" in BIG and then share photos via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and other social media channels using the hashtag #DallasBIG. Fans can submit one photo per location for the weekly contest for multiple chances to win exciting Dallas experiences and the BIG grand prize. Locals can visit www.VisitDallas.com/BIG to discover a map of the BIG display locations, prize packages and complete contest rules.

Beginning April 5, one winner will be randomly selected each Friday from photo submissions to win Dallas prize packages for sports, arts and culture, shopping or dining experiences. A sampling of prizes include a private dinner with wine pairings for ten guests by Chef Matt McCallister of FT33, a personal driving experience at Texas Motor Speedway, a VIP tour and tickets to the State Fair of Texas and a NorthPark Center shopping spree with a personal consultant and much more.

Mayor Mike Rawlings and the Dallas CVB unveiled the city's new branding campaign on Wednesday, March 27, at the BIG Celebration at Victory Park.

BIG display locations include Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas Zoo, Deep Ellum, Fair Park, Galleria Dallas, Klyde Warren Park, Love Field Airport, Main Street Garden, NorthPark Center, NYLO, Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Omni Dallas, Reunion Tower, Texas Motor Speedway, Victory Park and West End Historic District.

Inaugural Dallas Arts Week Announced

To celebrate Dallas artists and the city as a prominent cultural destination, Mayor Mike Rawlings and the Dallas Cultural Affairs Commission are proud to announce the first Dallas Arts Week, April 7‐14. During Dallas Arts Week, residents and visitors alike can participate in this community‐wide celebration that embraces, educates and raises awareness of Dallas as an art nexus.

The first year will launch with a social media photo contest using the hasthag #DallasArtsWeek and Mayor Rawlings moderating a free panel discussion at the new City Performance Hall on April 10 called Dallas Arts: A Creative Conversation.

“Dallas Arts Week is a great opportunity to show the variety and quality of literary, visual and performing artist in Dallas,” said Mayor Rawlings. “This week‐long celebration will become a signature event in our city, and we look forward to showcasing our city’s passion and commitment to supporting and advancing the arts.”

Dallasites are encouraged to share their experiences with art around the city online. Participants can enter the contest and win prizes by sharing their photos using the #DallasArtsWeek hashtag on Twitter and Instagram, or by visiting the photo contest tab on the Dallas Arts Week Facebook page. Prizes include memberships and tickets to exhibits and performances throughout Dallas.

On April 10, Mayor Rawlings will moderate a panel called Dallas Arts: A Creative Conversation, sponsored by the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau. The event will take place at the Dallas City Performance Hall and will focus on the state of the arts. Individuals and organizations citywide are urged to attend and participate in the discussion.

Dallas Arts Week will coincide with the Dallas Art Fair, Dallas Art Ball, Dallas Jazz Appreciation Month

(D’JAM) celebration, ARTsPARK, the dedication of new public art works at Love Field Airport, the official historical marker of the Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Dallas International Film Festival, Target Second Saturday at the Latino Cultural Center, Dance Planet 17, the League of Historic American Theatres Conference, the Visit Dallas' BIG campaign and many more performances and exhibitions around the city. KERA’s Art & Seek calendar has a full calendar of events where organizations can submit for the public to discover and enjoy.

For more information on Dallas Arts Week and the social media photo contest, please visit www.facebook.com/DallasArtsWeek.

Schooling the Mayor

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

6:30 p.m.

Omni Dallas Hotel

Candace and Jim Krause, Chairs

Charley and Rozene Pride, Honorary Chairs

Elaine Agather, Mistress of Ceremonies

Please join us for this celebratory roast as we honor the commitment to education and community shared by Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and St. Philip's & Community Center.

Tickets:

$75 General Seating

$150 Reserved Seating

$250 Premier Seating

Click here to reserve your seat

Contact: Anyika Herod, Director of Advancement

aherod@stphilips.com / 214-421-5221 x238 

P.L.A.Y. Foundation event was a success

A newlywed of only six months Jennifer Griffin woke up in the hospital to realize she would live her life as a quad amputee. Just days prior, she and her husband thought she had a bad case of the flu but was diagnosed with a ruptured ovarian cyst which led to sepsis, a deadly blood disease. After her organs began to fail the doctors at Medical City Dallas determined that her extremities would require amputation due to lack of oxygen and blood flow. Three months later Jennifer was discharged from the hospital with new physical challenges yet with a more resolute spirit than before. Her daunting physical transformation led to a new purpose in life which now encourages other amputees to live an active and positive life.

Chef Tracy Miller, Brian Girard

Since 2009 Jennifer's grass roots efforts have brought a sense of normalcy and joy to those who have lost a limb and specifically touched Chef Tracy Miller's heart of Local restaurant. Following Limb Loss Awareness Month in April, Chef Miller joined Jennifer in a cooking demonstration/event to show attending guests how to overcome physical and emotional obstacles in the kitchen, as well as in life.

On May 2, 2012, guests - including Mayor Mike Rawlings - gathered at Local restaurant for an evening of cocktails, cheers and charity, along with a live Q&A with Tracy & Jennifer. The evening benefited P.L.A.Y. (Positive Living for Active Youth) Foundation, aimed at bringing awareness and understanding to the challenges and victories that an amputee encounters and to further benefit recipients of P.L.A.Y. Foundation grants.

Jennifer Griffin, Mayor Mike Rawlings