Oak Cliff Cultural Center's Cliff Crawl

Cliff Crawl

Friday, October 9, 2026

6:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Oak Cliff Cultural Center

223 West Jefferson Boulevard

Dallas, TX, 75208

Get ready to explore, sip, and support the arts! 

The Friends of the Oak Cliff Cultural Center (FOC3) invite you to The 2nd Annual Cliff Crawl, a high-energy event that blends the excitement of a scavenger hunt with the social fun of a neighborhood crawl through the heart of Oak Cliff — all in support of the Oak Cliff Cultural Center.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

- A fast-paced scavenger hunt through local businesses and cultural stops

- Exclusive drink specials and bites

- Prizes for top teams and best team spirit

- An evening of fun, friends, and fundraising!

Cliff Crawl is more than just a Scavenger Hunt and Neighborhood Crawl Adventure —it’s a fundraiser to support the Oak Cliff Cultural Center, a space dedicated to nurturing the arts in Dallas. Your presence (and donations) help fund exhibitions, workshops, youth programs, and community events that celebrate Oak Cliff’s rich cultural heritage.

TICKETS AVAILABLE
Individuals - $50
Couples - $85
Teams of Four - $160
(Must be 21+ to participate)

https://www.oc3friends.org/events/cliff-crawl

New Friends New Life (NFNL) announces the recipients of its 2026 ProtectHER Awards

New Friends New Life (NFNL) announces the recipients of its 2026 ProtectHER Awards: Baker Botts and Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., Elizabeth Carlock Phillips, and Janet Jensen. 

The awards, sponsored by Thomson Reuters, will be presented at the annual NFNL Stand for Her Luncheon, on September 24 at the Hyatt Regency Dallas. 

The luncheon will feature actress, producer, and founder/CEO Tracee Ellis Ross in a conversation moderated by NBC 5 anchor Laura Harris.

Community leaders Lottye and Bobby Lyle will serve as honorary luncheon chairs, joining mother-daughter co-chair teams Beth Thoele and Brooke Russo and Kathy Helm and Marci Kramer in leading the event, which supports NFNL’s mission to restore and empower survivors of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation.

For the past two years, the Baker Botts/Toyota Pro Bono Legal Clinic has played a critical role in supporting members of NFNL’s Women’s Program by providing free legal services that remove barriers to stability and independence. From addressing family law matters to resolving issues that impact employment, housing, and financial security, the clinic has helped survivors move forward with confidence and hope.

Through her tireless advocacy for Trey’s Law, Elizabeth Carlock Phillips has become a powerful voice for survivors of sexual abuse and human trafficking. This landmark legislation prohibits the use of nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) to silence survivors of sexual abuse, child sexual abuse, and human trafficking. Inspired by the tragic loss of her brother, Trey Carlock, who experienced childhood sexual abuse at a summer camp and died by suicide in 2019 at the age of 28, Phillips courageously shared his story with lawmakers to help ensure survivors would never again be silenced. Today, Trey's Law is helping hold perpetrators accountable in Texas and serving as a model for similar legislation across the country.

As founder of The Jensen Project, Janet Jensen has transformed the way organizations serving women and girls affected by gender-based violence build capacity and strengthen their impact. Through strategic funding, leadership development, collaboration, and technical support, The Jensen Project has equipped agencies across the country with the resources needed to expand services, improve outcomes, and better serve survivors.

Underwriting sponsorship opportunities begin at $3,000. A limited number of individual tickets are available at $300. To reserve sponsorships or seats, visit www.newfriendsnewlife.org/luncheon, email events@newfriendsnewlife.org

A Writer’s Garden Celebrates 20th Anniversary at November 10th Symposium and Luncheon

 

One of the most anticipated events of the fall is A Writer’s Garden Literary Symposium and Luncheon, this year celebrating its 20th anniversary and benefiting the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden and the development and maintenance of A Woman’s Garden, the centerpiece garden of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden.        

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, November 10, 2026.

Underwriting, tickets and sponsorships are available now! Click here for tickets, here for sponsorships, or visit the website at www.wcdabg.org

     

The Announcement Party was hosted by Suzanne Caruso and chaired by Renee Farren. They were joined by Women's Council president Rose Gault and A Writer's Garden chair, Dorothea Meltzer, a past Founder's Award recipient and the force behind securing some of the major speakers over the past many years.

        

Dorothea revealed the poster announcing the theme Garden Bliss Magical Abundance, celebrating the 20th Anniversary of A Writer’s Garden. She recognized Nancy Bierman, founder of A Writer’s Garden and Renee for chairing the first Writer’s Garden, as well as former Writer’s Garden chairs who are serving as the Host Committee. 

In attendance were former chairs Sandy Ammons, Sharon Ballew, Nikki Beneke, Christy Doramus, Mari Epperson, Bettina Hennessy, Joni Krieg, Michelle Mew, Dyann Skelton and Kay Weeks.

Former A Writer’s Garden chairs gathered together at the 2026 Announcement Party at Suzanne Caruso’s
Front Row: Michelle Mew, Nancy Bierman, Bettina Hennesy, Kay Weeks
Back Row: Sandy Ammons, Renee Querbes Farren, Nikki Beneke, Dorothea Meltzer (2026 Chair), Dyann Skelton, Mari Epperson, Christy Doramus

Featured speakers are the team of Edmund Hollander and Melissa Reavis, partners of Hollander Design, Landscape Architects, New York, NY and Chicago, IL. Hollander Design Landscape Architects creates finely crafted landscapes at every scale, from the Hamptons to Hong Kong. Each project responds to the natural, architectural, and human ecologies that make a place distinct. 

        

Also speaking will be Ngoc Minh Ngo, New York, NY. Ngoc Minh Ngo is an author, photographer, and speaker widely regarded as one of the world’s most poetic landscape and botanical photographers. Her recent distinctions include serving as the 2025 national speaker for the Garden Conservancy and authoring seven books, including Roses in the Garden.          

Books by both authors were on display and will be signed by the authors and sold at the November 10th event.

Patron tickets are $500 per person and include the Symposium and Luncheon. Sponsor tickets start at $1,000 per person and include the “Meet the Authors” Reception and Sponsor Party, Symposium and Luncheon. 

Visit the website for more information: https://www.wcdabg.org/a-writers-garden.html

Meet the 2027 Junior Symphony Ball Co-Chairs

 

JSB Steering Committee tickets go on sale 

starting Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at 10am

(Left to right) Levi Shore, Lyla Durrett, Natalie Anne Brewer, John Edge Sowa, Brooks Main, Miles McLeod, Madi Mayes, Juliet Allen, Olivia Shapiro, Hudson Krug

Photo by Carol Vig Photography

Mark your calendars for a night of music and dancing on Saturday, January 30, 2027, as the Junior Symphony Ball takes over the iconic Gilley's Dallas for an evening of fun and entertainment.

The JSB is the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League's longest running fundraiser and is now in its 69th year. It is a student-led event that unites high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors for a night filled with live music, dance, gaming tables, exciting raffle prizes, and refreshments. Funds raised benefit education and community engagement programs of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

The lineup of the 2027 Co-Chairs represents schools across Dallas: Olivia Shapiro (Parish Episcopal School), Juliet Allen (The Hockaday School), Lyla Durrett (Ursuline Academy), Natalie Anne Brewer (Highland Park High School), Madi Mayes (Bishop Lynch High School), Hudson Krug (Jesuit College Preparatory of Dallas), Miles McLeod (Jesuit College Preparatory of Dallas), Brooks Main (St. Mark’s School of Texas), John Edge Sowa (Episcopal School of Dallas), and Levi Shore (Highland Park High School).

Their supportive and proud moms are: Holly Krug, Amie Mayes, Jamie Sowa, Nicole Brewer Cahoon, Destin Shore, Annie McLeod, Lindsey Durrett, Jori Shapiro, Mandy Main, and Bonner Mead Allen.

Steering Committee tickets with two price levels will go on sale starting Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 10am and will be available online at www.dallassymphonyleague.com. General admission tickets will go on sale in early January, 2027.

SPARKtacular

 

SPARK! Dallas, the innovative educational nonprofit fostering creativity and empowering youth, has announced SPARKtacular, a fundraising event on Thursday, September 10 from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at a private Dallas residence. Designed exclusively for adults 21 and older, the immersive evening will feature exceptional cuisine, handcrafted cocktails, live music and opportunities to support SPARK!’s mission. Event co-chairs are Kristi and Ron Hoyl and Melissa Sherrill and Ross Martin.

Meg Bittner, SPARK! president and CEO, said, “In a world being consumed with AI, we must be intentional about creativity and original thought for our future generation of leaders. As a community-based arts education program working with schools, we know creativity powers communities. STEAM education in a uniquely creative setting at SPARK promotes learning and is crucial for growth and critical thinking skills. We invite you to support this incredible organization.” 

Melissa Sherrill added, “SPARK! has channeled its expertise to be one of the most dynamic nonprofits serving students and educators by providing a pathway to success through art education and STEAM. We need your help to support these efforts at SPARKtacular.”

Kristi Hoyl added, “We need your help to provide scholarships for well deserving students from Title 1 schools, giving them access to SPARK!’s creative environment to develop their creativity. The next artist, architect or engineer could be one of these students whose future is transformed through your support.” 

To date, SPARK! has hosted 105 schools and organizations serving nearly 7,000 students on field trips during the 2025-2026 school year, with more than 51% of students from Title 1 schools. Nearly 40% of the open play admissions are from Museums for All attendees (reduced admission for families that receive government benefits such as SNAP, WIC and Medicaid). 

Sponsorships, which range from $1,000 to $50,000, are available. Tickets will be for sale closer to the date, if available. More information can be found at https://sparkdallas.org/sparktacular/

Introducing the 2026 WDL Co-Chairs

 

Friday, October 9, 2026

11:30 a.m.

Hilton Anatole

https://www.gsnetx.org/en/support-us/donate-locally/women-of-distinction.html

DFW Restaurant Week is Back for its 30th Year!

Get your appetites ready!

DFW Restaurant Week is back for its 30th year and offering a great deal while also supporting long-standing charity partners, the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) and Lena Pope. From August 10th through September 7th foodies can enjoy a month of delicious dining experiences for lunch, dinner, and brunch at top restaurants across the Metroplex. 

The excitement starts July 16th with Reservation Day. On that day the official list of participating restaurants is revealed and reservations open.

As North Texas’ largest culinary event and the nation’s second-longest running restaurant week campaign, most restaurants will extend their dining options for additional weeks. Some restaurants even offer a head start on dining with DFW Restaurant Week Preview Weekend August 6th – 9th.

Explore a variety of cuisines with premier restaurants across Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, and Denton counties through an expanded selection of anniversary prix-fixe menu dining options, including brunch and Signature Experience dinners. Approximately 20% of the cost of each meal will be donated to NTFB in the Dallas area or Lena Pope in the Tarrant area.

Women of Distinction Luncheon

Save the Date!

Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas Women of Distinction Luncheon

Friday, October 9, 2026
11:30 a.m.
Hilton Anatole

https://www.gsnetx.org/en/support-us/donate-locally/women-of-distinction.html

 

DFW Hero Games I September 26th at Riders Field

 

Mark your calendars for an unforgettable day of impact, connection, and fun at Hero Games on Saturday, September 26, at Riders Field in Frisco, Texas.

Hero Games is a one-of-a-kind experience that brings together families, corporate partners, volunteers, and community leaders for a full day of purpose-driven fun.

Fun Run | 8:00 AM

Kick off the day with a family-friendly run or walk that gets everyone moving for a mission.

Community Field Day | 10:00 AM

Stay for a free community celebration featuring inflatables, field games, activities, and plenty of fun for all ages.

Hold 'Em Poker Tournament | 5:00 PM

As the sun sets, join us for an elevated evening experience where corporate leaders and supporters come together for friendly competition and meaningful impact.

Whether you're running, playing, volunteering, sponsoring, or cheering from the sidelines, Hero Games offers something for everyone.

Sign up here!