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Council for Life's "Life Lessons" Box Lunch Series

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Nexus Spring Luncheon Announces Keynote Speaker

Please join luncheon chair Jane Geisse, with honorary chairs Sally and Forrest Hoglund, for the Nexus Recovery Center Women’s Auxiliary Spring 2014 Luncheon – A Conversation with Dr. Drew Pinsky. Proceeds from this annual fundraiser support the vital drug and alcohol addiction treatment services at Nexus Recovery Center for the adolescent /adult women and children served in their residential program.

A highlight of the luncheon will be featured speaker Dr. Drew Pinsky. Dr. Pinsky is a Board Certified Internist, a Board Certified Addiction Medicine Specialist, and one of the most sought-after doctors in radio and television. He starred in VH1's hit reality series Rehab with Dr. Drew and is heard on the nationally syndicated radio show Loveline where he has entertained radio audiences with his humor and guidance for over 20 years. You can also see him Monday through Wednesday nights hosting Dr. Drew on Call on HLN where he addresses some of the most pressing topics of our time including the pressures of dealing with drugs and alcohol to the impact the loss of intimacy has on our society.

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Hilton Anatole Dallas

Individual seats are $150; sponsorships begin at $500.

For sponsor and ticket information, contact Jane Geisse, jane-1@att.net

Join the Fight Luncheon with Darrell Hammond

Former “Saturday Night Live” cast member and child abuse survivor Darrell Hammond will be the featured speaker at the second annual Join the Fight Luncheon benefiting the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County on Feb. 6 at the Embassy Suites in Frisco.

Join the Fight brings together business and community leaders to generate awareness about the Center’s mission to provide safety, healing and justice to children victimized by abuse in Collin County. The luncheon raises much needed funds to fight child abuse and to help abused and neglected children heal from their abuse.

“Darrell’s story will really resonate with luncheon attendees because it illustrates that child abuse happens not only in the darkest corners of our society but also in the most unexpected places to people we know and love,” Event Chair Carolyn Speese said. “None of us watching him portray Al Gore or Bill Clinton on Saturday Night Live would have imagined all that Darrell experienced, but the truth is that child abuse is much more common than any of us would like to believe.”

As the longest-tenured cast member of television’s best-loved comedy series, keynote speaker Darrell Hammond in 2011 revealed his abuse-laden past in his autobiography which details a childhood filled with traumatic physical abuse at the hands of his mother. His journey from victim to SNL cast member illustrates how one person climbed from the deepest despair to the very top of his profession.

“Nearly 1,100 children are confirmed victims of abuse or neglect each year in our community,” CACCC CEO Lynne McLean said. “This luncheon provides a chance for our generous business and community leaders to ‘join the fight’ against child abuse and give children in Collin County help and hope for the future.”

With support from the community, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County provides a child-friendly environment where children can safely tell their stories and begin healing from their abuse. The Center’s multi-disciplinary team approach encompasses all aspects of the child protection system including law enforcement, Child Protective Services, the forensic interview staff, therapists, nurse examiners and client services under one roof to minimize trauma to vulnerable child victims.

Individual luncheon tickets are $125. Sponsorships range from $1,200 to $20,000. For more information on sponsorship opportunities or to purchase tickets, visit caccollincounty.org or contact Special Events Manager Dana Bielamowicz at 972-633-6602 or at DBielamowicz@caccollincounty.org.

Meet The Bachelor's Zak Waddell in Plano Tonight

 Taverna Rossa is holding their first charity fundraiser of 2014 benefitting Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County, Tuesday, January 7 from 6:30pm-9:30pm.  In honor of the partnership and the 2014 season premiere of The Bachelor, last season contestant Zak Waddell joins Taverna Rossa for Ladies' night.  Guests can take photos with the Texas native in the photo booth hosted by Premiere Booths. All photo donations from the photo booth, whether taken with Zak or friends and family, will go back to the Children's Advocacy Center of Collin County.

A percentage of the Tuesday’s sales will also benefit the organization which provides safety, healing and justice to children victimized by abuse or neglect. Ladies' night happy hour from 4:00pm until close includes 1/2 price glasses and bottles of wine in addition to the regular Monday through Friday happy hour 3:00pm -7:00pm featuring $2 off drafts, $3 wells, $5 house wine (for men), and $8 RossaRitas, Rossa Mules, and Spicy Bloody Rossas. 

Specializing in unique, rustic thin-crust pies baked in a stone-fired oven, Taverna Rossa settles for nothing less than handmade goodness and hometown flavors with a strong commitment to sourcing local and natural ingredients whenever possible.Taverna Rossa is located at 4005 Preston Road, Suite 512 at the Lakeside Market in Plano.  For more information go to www.TavernaRossa.com or call 972-403-3321.

30th Annual Saint Valentine's Day Luncheon invite

Fashion Stars for a Cause's Cabo San Lucas Vacation Raffle

Support the Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas by purchasing raffle tickets to Fashion Stars for a Cause's Cabo San Lucas vacation drawing! Contact Cynthia Smoot at cynthia@ohsocynthia.com for details!

6th Annual Stewpot Soup's On Luncheon

Mark your calendars for one of our favorite January events that combines Dallas' best chefs, art auction and an inspiring speaker.

The 6th annual Stewpot Alliance Soup’s On! Luncheon and Art Sale to be held Thursday, January 30, 2014 at the Omni Dallas features ten of Dallas’ finest chefs serving up signature soups to benefit The Stewpot and Encore Park. 

Soup’s On! features keynote speaker Liz Murray, emcee and Dallas Morning News columnist Steve Blow, performances by Dallas’ own Shoot Low Sheriff and includes an art sale of more than fifty original paintings and handmade jewelry from artists of the Stewpot Open Art Programs.

Liz Murray

Chef Brian C. Luscher of the popular Grape Restaurant acts as Chef Chairman of the luncheon who along with Bruno Davaillon, The Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek; Omar Flores, Driftwood; Danyele McPherson, The Grape; Matt McCallister, FT33; Chad Kelley, Café Pacific; Janice Provost, Parigi; Abraham Salum, Salum; Nathan Tate, Boulevardier and Jason Weaver of the Omni Dallas will prepare a signature soup as the first course of the luncheon.

Chef Brian C. Luscher

Keynote speaker Liz Murray, the subject of the TV film Homeless to Harvard and author of Breaking Night speaks about the unlikely turn of events that changed her life and her struggle to triumph over adversity and dream big.  Murray’s life as the child of cocaine-addicted parents in the Bronx was bitterly grim.   By age 15, Murray’s mom had died and she was homeless—living on the streets, riding the subway all night and eating from dumpsters.  Determined to take charge of her life, Murray finished high school in just two years while camping out in New York City parks and subway stations.  Murray received her B.S. in Psychology from Harvard University in June 2009.

Stewpot Alliance members Sarah Leverett Charbonnet and Gail Davis chair the 2014 luncheon along with honorary chairs and civic leaders Ellen and John McStay.

More than 35 years ago, The Stewpot began providing meals to our homeless and at-risk neighbors. Programs have developed to assist with medical needs, counseling, enrichment of children and youth, job training, and cultural expression. Seizing a remarkable opportunity to acquire the historic buildings at 508 and 515 Park, The Stewpot has embarked on a groundbreaking project entitled Encore Park. When completed, this expanded campus will include an outdoor amphitheater, community garden, a Museum of Street Culture, an Art Gallery for the Open Art Program, and expanded space for its partner agencies and its own programs.

The reception and art sale begins at 11a.m. with the luncheon at 12 p.m.  The Omni Dallas is located at 555 South Lamar.  Sponsorships, tables and individual tickets (beginning at $150) now available. For more information and to purchase tickets call 214-746-2785 ext. 234 or go to www.SoupsOnDallas.org.