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Sherri Ansley

Rainbow Days Names New CEO

 

Forney resident Sherri Ansley has been named the new CEO of Rainbow Days.  She succeeded Cathey Brown, Rainbow Days Founder and CEO for the last 36 years.

 Rainbow  Days  has  been  a  vital  part  of   the  Dallas community for the past three and a half decades.  What began in 1982 as a grassroots effort to work with young children whose parents faced addiction, has since expanded to become an award- winning nonprofit that has served over 215,000 children and youth locally and impacted millions more nationally and internationally through training services for adults working with children in their communities.  Rainbow Days’ mission is to help children and youth in  adversity  build  coping  skills  and  resilience  to  create  positive futures.   

Through  evidence-based Curriculum-Based Support Groups,  classroom  education,  summer  day  camps,  mentored events and tangible items, Rainbow Days serves over 11,000 at-risk and homeless children and youth in the Dallas area annually.   By learning important decision-making skills, goal setting and coping skills, children and youth are equipped with the skills and support they need to make healthy choices, stay in school and stay drug-free.

 “Rainbow Days has had such a huge impact on the community and the children and families we serve. I look forward to continuing the growth and accomplishments of this outstanding organization,” Sherri shared.

Sherri’s passion and experience with working with families in crisis make her an ideal fit for advancing Rainbow Days’ vision of helping kids rise above adversity.  An all-star in the Dallas non- profit field, Sherri has over twenty years of non-profit leadership experience, particularly in the area of serving homeless families. Sherri comes to Rainbow Days from the Housing Crisis Center in Dallas where Sherri was Executive Director. Prior to that, Sherri was Director and a founding board member of Wisdom’s Hope serving low-income and homeless families with special-needs children. Formerly, Sherri was part of the senior management team of the Interfaith Housing Coalition, where, among other things, she was involved in innovative therapeutic children’s programming and the development of teen leadership programs.

Personally, Sherri has been an active member of her community, having served on the Forney Chamber of Commerce and the Planning and Zoning Commission, among other community and church involvement.

 For more information about Rainbow Days and how to get involved as a donor, volunteer or advocate, please visit our website at  www.RainbowDays.org or call us at (214) 887-0726.

 

 * Photo by Rob Wythe/Gittings

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Luncheon chair Lindsay Billingsley; Will Bracken Evans, featured speaker; Laura Gillette, Luncheon Chair; Becca Crowell, Executive Director, Nexus Recovery Center

The Women’s Auxiliary of Nexus Recovery Center Spring Luncheon at the Dallas Country Club featured heartfelt testimonies of recovery from alcoholism, addiction and the hard-fought road to sobriety experienced by luncheon chairs Lauren Gillette and Lindsay Billingsley, Nexus Recovery Center client testimony from Audrey Crouch and the one that brought the house down, or rather a standing ovation from the sold-out crowd, was keynote speaker, Will Bracken Evans.  

            

The event began with a welcome by Lauren who recognized honorary chairs Cai and Robin Glackin and Liz Pasquinelli, president of the Women’s Auxiliary of Nexus. Lauren has been sober for over fifteen years and said that today, she is thankful to have learned about the disease of addiction and how it manifests itself in so many ways. She an active member of the recovery community and supports several 12 Step programs along with her involvement on the board of Nexus and other nonprofit organizations.  Married to her best friend, Jason, she is a devoted mother of four and is eternally grateful for how her recovery has positively impacted every relationship in her life.

            

Following the invocation by Reverend Laura Barnes, Audrey shared her story of drug addiction, through the humiliation of her family intervening and taking care of her son at only six months old, then of her treatment at Nexus Recovery Center. Even better news is, as a Nexus Alumni, she is 13 years sober and is now employed there as the Adult Women’s Program Director.

            

Lindsay welcomed the crowd and shared her personal battle with alcoholism. She has been in active recovery since January 2015 when she went to a 45 day treatment program at The Meadows in Wickenburg, Arizona, which she said totally changed her life. She works in the real estate industry, which is how she met Will Bracken Evans. She is a member of Dallas Assembly, a graduate of Leadership Dallas and sits on numerous boards. She and her husband, George have two children, a son Davis and a little girl, Gracie, named after God’s unwavering Grace, which she believes is the cornerstone of her recovery.

            

Will Bracken Evans said he would not be alive today if it wasn’t for rehab. He was born in Houston, though he spent his idyllic childhood in Tyler, Texas on his family’s ranch.   While in middle school, he moved with his siblings and mother to Highland Park. While still in high school, Mr. Evans joined the Marine  Corps  and  after  serving  his  country,  returned  to  Dallas  to  spend  more than 25 years in the commercial real estate business.   It was during his successful career in real estate when he began his downward spiral into addiction. On October 5, 1989, Will walked into a treatment center for drug and alcohol addiction, which would ultimately save his life.  After almost three decades of sobriety, Will continues to actively participate in his own recovery by working with others and sharing his story of hope. He is married to Mary Elizabeth Evans and has two sons and two step- children.  He currently spends his time between Dallas and New York City. The Women’s Auxiliary of Nexus is honored to have Will share his story.  

            

GRATITUDE, COMMITMENT, BLESSING, ANGEL, HOPE— these are the words the clients of Nexus Recovery Center begin to recognize in themselves and others every day, as they recover from trauma-based alcohol and drug addiction.  Support from the community, underwriters and sponsors for this luncheon enables the Auxiliary to continue to serve these women and children in crisis.

            

All proceeds benefit Nexus Recovery Center in Dallas, where 2,091 women and 305 children were served last year. This integrated program has a continuum of care that includes prevention and intervention, detoxification, residential recovery treatment, early childhood and high school education onsite, afterschool and summer programs for school aged children, life and parenting skills training, outpatient care, transitional housing and alumni programs.

               

For more information, visit the web site at www.nexusrecovery.org or call 972-322-8416.

* Photos by Jan Osborne and Dana Driensky.

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Kimberly Gonzalez

Casino Night in White benefits Legal Hospice of Texas

 The Casino Night in White benefiting Legal Hospice of Texas happens on Saturday, September 8 at the Candle Room in Dallas at 5039 Willis Ave from 6:30 until 9:30 p.m.  Chaired by Kimberly Gonzalez, the evening will include casino games, entertainment, prizes, silent auction, food, and beverages.

Sponsorships and underwriting are available starting at $300.  Individual tickets $70. All underwriting opportunities and tickets are available through and can be purchased online at: https://legalhospice.givezooks.com/events/casino-night-in-white   

Since 1989 Legal Hospice of Texas has been providing timely and compassionate legal services, at no cost, to low income individuals with terminal illnesses or HIV disease.

Visit the website for more details about their services at http://www.legalhospice.org 

The Dallas Legal Hospice has its origins in an SMU program called  "The Conference of the Professions."

This was an annual event co-sponsored by the SMU Schools of Law and Theology, the University of Texas - Southwestern Medical School and the Dallas Bar Association and Dallas County Medical Society. The purpose of the conference was to examine ethical issues of common concern or relevance to all three professions. In 1988 the focus of the conference was AIDS. A meeting of the minds between Thomas Mayo and Louis Weber would kick start what we now know as Legal Hospice of Texas.  Learn more  at  http://www.legalhospice.org 

 

 
 
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Dorothy Budd, Sandy Secor, McGruff, Martha Lang, Barenda Hino, Sandy DeBusk, Anne Mackintosh.

IMMUNIZATIONS BY CARING FOR CHILDREN FOUNDATION CARE VAN™
Saturday, August 18, 2018 from  1pm - 3pm

 

Uptown, Dallas, Texas – Located at 3966 McKinney Avenue, just north of Blackburn Street, Church of the Incarnation Episcopal hosts a Free Back to School Immunization  Clinic. The event is free to the public and is an easy way to bring your child’s shots up to date. It is sponsored by Church of the Incarnation with immunizations provided by Texas Care Van.

Also participating are the Dallas County Medical Society Alliance, The Dallas Police Central Neighborhood Patrol, Texas A&M College of Dentistry  and North Dallas Shared Ministries.  

FREE Meningitis, HPV and whooping cough vaccines will be included in the vaccines offered. Free student sports physicals will also be given.  First come, first served. Participants need to bring their immunization records.

  • Free Immunizations
  • Free Participation/Sports Physicals
  • Free Dental Screenings
  • Free Eye Exams

Immunizations are important, Safe, and Effective Vaccines are free to: Children and students 2 months old to 18 years of age, Medicaid eligible, Uninsured: a child with no health insurance coverage, American Indian or Alaskan Native, Underinsured (a child whose health coverage does not include vaccines).

VACINATE BEFORE YOU GRADUATE - free meningitis vaccines

 

The clinic will feature the immunizations, a Zumba class, free sports physicals and other health information. A bicycle with helmet give away will also take place with a limited number of donations. The Mounted Patrol, McGruff the Crime Dog will also be there the day of the event.  Some of the volunteers involved are Dorothy Budd, Sandy Secor, Martha Lang, Barenda Hino, Sandy DeBusk, Anne Mackintosh. 

 * Photos by Jonathan Moon and courtesy Church of the Incarnation.

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Venise Stuart, President, Les Femmes du Monde and Boots, therapy dog

Venise Stuart, President, Les Femmes du Monde
Mari Epperson and Melissa Lewis, Woman of the Year Gala Dinner Chairs

Each year Kyra Barnett, Development Officer at Children’s Health, hosts a brunch in their beautiful Butterfly Atrium honoring Les Femmes du Monde, both in gratitude for their support over the years and as an educational event for the LFDM members.
         

One of the real treats at this brunch is meeting the therapeutic facility dogs which serve patients and families at Children’s Health. These pups bring comfort to the unfamiliar hospital setting and promote positive coping during challenging health-related situations. 
         

This year hearts melted as guests met Boots and Badger, two of the therapy dogs, an integral part of the pet therapy program at Children’s. The unconditional bond formed between patients and therapy animals can help children endure difficult procedures, motivate them to achieve important treatment milestones, and reduce anxiety.
         

The brunch began with Venise Stuart, President of Les Femmes du Monde, welcoming everyone and reminding all to be sure to get their underwriting and sponsorships now for the Woman of the Year gala dinner honoring Dr. Sandra “Sandi” Chapman as the Woman of the Year. Chaired by Mari Epperson and Melissa Lewis, the gala dinner is slated for Wednesday, October 24, 2018 at the Dallas Country Club. The Woman of the Year event has been celebrated for the past 27 years honoring 32 individual women and one Couple of the Year. A featured speaker will be announced soon!
         

Venise also thanked Kyra for her hospitality and former LFDM president Alyce Heinrich and Connie Rhoades, for their help in organizing the event.
         

Thresa Belcher, LCSW, Director of the Child Life Program, gave insight into the program and how these specialists help children from the time they enter the hospital throughout their stay and walk the journey with patients and their parents, providing understanding and encouragement.
         

At Children’s Health, Les Femmes makes an incredible impact on the psychosocial needs of the patients and families through the Child Life program. Some of those services include keeping the playrooms open (where the patients get to be kids), providing medical play to help the patients/siblings better understand the procedure they are going to undergo, providing diagnosis specific weekend and weeklong summer camps so that the patients don’t miss out on this critical experience, providing tools like ipads to help explain procedures; wii’s for entertainment, prize closet items and music therapists help the children express their feelings through music. And a big favorite, the therapy dogs.
         

After brunch, guests were invited to a personal tour of the playrooms and more, to see their donations in action.
         

Les Femmes du Monde was founded in 1961 as a fundraising committee on behalf of the Dallas Council on World Affairs, now the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth.  In 1987, Les Femmes became its own nonprofit organization. In 1998, The Child Life Program at Children’s HealthSM Children’s Medical Center was added as a second beneficiary. Since its inception in 1961, Les Femmes du Monde has given over $850,000 to Children’s Health and $2 million to the World Affairs Council.
         

The Global Young Leaders Program at the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth seeks to educate students and teachers on how international events affect  their lives, their communities, and their country.  The goal is to empower students to become effective, active global citizens and leaders in the community.  Celebrating its 14th anniversary in 2018, this program has impacted more than 1 million students and trained more than 8,000 teachers since its inception in 2004.
         

Membership in Les Femmes du Monde is open to the public and includes benefits such as exclusive events in private homes, the Woman of the Year gala dinner, private parties like this brunch and more. For details and updates, visit the website at www.lesfemmesdumonde.org

* Photos by Dana Driensky

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Members of the committee are: Standing: Lindsey Sanders, Chair; Karen Luter. Seated: Jonna LaGrone-Haynes, Alesia Coffman Turner,

Lindsey Sanders, Chair | Becca Crowell, President

 

East Dallas-based Nexus Recovery Center invites everyone to join in support of their mission to serve as a link to sobriety, independence, and dignity for low-income women and their families affected by addiction at “A Night for Nexus” chaired by Park Cities resident Lindsey Sanders.
         

Slated for Thursday, September 20, this will be a fun-filled night of a seated dinner, dancing and bidding all in the very swanky and newly remodeled Statler Hotel, featuring the Downtown Fever Band. White Party theme. Black is an acceptable additional color.
         

Becca Crowell, president of Nexus Recovery Center said Nexus inspires hope, offers respect, and honors the unique differences of female addicts. In 2017 Nexus served 2,091 women and teens and 305 children, including 72 Nexus born babies.
         

Sponsorships and underwriting are available priced from $3,000 to $25,000. Individual tickets begin at $300 with limited availability. For more information, visit the web site at www.nexusrecovery.org, email development@nexusrecovery.org  or call 214.321.0156 ext 2104.
 

Mission Statement: The mission of Nexus Recovery Center is to serve as a link to sobriety, independence, and dignity for low-income women and their families affected by addiction. We inspire hope, offer respect, and honor the unique differences of female addicts.

 

About Lindsey Sanders:

 

Lindsey Sanders was born and raised in Sugar Land, Texas and moved to Dallas to attend Southern Methodist University in 1995.  She found great success in pursuing a professional modeling career with Kim Dawson, Ford and Elite, traveling the world for the next 15 years.

 

Lindsey and her daughter, Isabella, 14, live in the Park Cities where Lindsey continues her modeling career and is active in her community. She is proud to be a 9th generation Texan and loves spending time with friends and family.  Her interests include travel, working out, fashion, horses and equestrian pursuits, retail therapy, and interior design.

 

Lindsey is a tireless volunteer with Nexus Recovery Center and is honored to chair the 2018 Night for Nexus. She welcomes everyone to join her on the committee, as a sponsor or underwriter. 

Statistics: In 2017, Nexus served 2,091 women and teens and 305 children, including 72 Nexus born babies.

In March 2018, Forbes reported that drug overdoses are the leading cause of death from injury in the United States and that women are more susceptible to become addicted to drugs as a result of gender-specific issues. The Hartford Courant reported that women face a higher risk for an opioid addiction and women have significant barriers to receiving treatment. Because addiction takes hold of women faster and results in increased negative physical effects, women generally come to treatment for addiction in worse shape than men.  

Drug overdose deaths have outpaced motor vehicle accidents and gun homicides combined, killing Americans at a faster pace than the HIV epidemic did at its peak. The US consumes more opioid pain medication than any other country on Earth, and drug overdoses are now the leading cause of death in Americans under 50. These statistics have spurred multiple governmental entities to name this the defining epidemic of our generation.

Women-specific treatment is needed to accommodate gender-specific needs and barriers such as; child care, psychiatric problems, trauma induced by physical or mental abuse and increased inability to pay.

History: Established in 1971, by 1974, Nexus programs included therapy and life skills training and housed 17 women. In 1990 the facility relocated to a 12-acre campus in east Dallas to provide a wider array of services. The new space enabled Nexus to become a leader in treatment for women by allowing children to accompany their mothers into treatment. In 1991, Nexus expanded the adult women program to 40 beds. In 1993 because no treatment providers would accept pregnant or newly parenting teens Nexus began filling this service gap. In 1999, the Child Development Center was built to meet the needs of accompanying children. In 1997, Nexus opened a secondary site for outpatient services. In 2012 the adolescent program expanded to 30 beds.

 

Joint Commission accredited since 2006, a rare accomplishment in the non-profit sector due to the high standards required to earn and maintain. Nexus is committed to providing top-notch care for low-income women and their children.

 

* Photo by Alicia Peoples.

 

 

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Honorary Chairs Bela Cooley, Lisa Cooley and Ciara Cooley.

Family and Friends Join Together in Support of KidneyTexas, Inc.        
KidneyTexas, Inc. The Runway Report 2018 Luncheon and Fashion Show  Theme Transforming Lives Honorary Chairs and Beneficiaries Announced

 

Lisa Cooley, Ciara Cooley and Bela Cooley, Honorary Chairs
 Annalee Aston, Luncheon Chair | Anna Bland “AB”  Aston, Co-Chair
Therese Rourk, Underwriting Chair | Lauryn Gayle White, Luncheon Advisory
Mary Lee Cox, President


KidneyTexas, Inc. luncheon chair Annalee Aston, and her co-chair and mother Anna Bland "AB" Aston; along with Mary Lee Cox, president of KidneyTexas, Inc. and her daughter Therese Rourk, Advisory Board chair and luncheon underwriting chair, along with dear friend Lauryn Gayle White, Luncheon Advisory; announce Lisa Cooley, her daughter Ciara Cooley and daughter-in-law Bela Cooley as honorary chairs of the September 27, 2018 Fashion Show and Luncheon  themed Transforming Lives at Brook Hollow Golf Club.  It's a family and friends affair for sure!

          Since its founding in 1999, KidneyTexas, Inc. has provided more than $3.5 million in local funding to help in the search for a cure, to promote research, enhance treatment and support quality renal care in our community.

          This year's beneficiaries are:
*        Baylor Health Care System Foundation, $28,955 for a Program Coordinator;

*        Children's Medical Center Foundation, $26,000 for a Nephrology Child Life Specialist;

*        Camp Reynal, $19,500 for campers and counselors;

*        Methodist Health System Foundation, $30,000 for a Kidney Transplant Study;

*        Parkland Health & Hospital Foundation, $30,500 for a Kidney Dialysis Unit;

*        Texas Health Resources Foundation, $10,943 for a Hemodialysis Unit;

*        UT Southwestern Medical Center, $10,950 for PKD drug research.

         

Each and every year, more people die from kidney disease than from breast cancer or prostate cancer and thousands more, including both children and adults, are profoundly affected by the tremendous physical, financial and emotional toil brought on by kidney disease. 
         

Thanks to the efforts of everyone involved in KidneyTexas, Inc., along with underwriters, supporters, community and business leaders, this organization is Transforming Lives. North Texans living with kidney disease and the diseases this research impacts have reason to hope for a better life. 
         

One of the first major fashion shows and luncheons of the fall season, fashion show sponsor TOOTSIES works hand-in-hand with the fabulous Jan Strimple who produces a fashion show with surprises that consistently hits everyone's Insta and FB immediately. 

Media sponsors are Modern Luxury Dallas, The Park Cities News/The Waters Family and MySweetCharity.com.
         

Underwriting begins at $2,500 and is available at levels up to $50,000. Table host, sponsor and underwriter benefits include preferred seating, special program visibility and more. A limited number of $250 seats are available. Patron Individual seating tickets are at $500 and $1,000.
         

For more information, visit the web site at  http://www.kidneytexas.org, email kidneytexas@sbcglobal.net or call 214-891-0896.

         

Now is the time to join KidneyTexas, Inc. and get in on the ground floor of this year’s exciting private events, including teas and parties at private homes and Fashion Show and Luncheon announcements.
         

Membership in KidneyTexas, Inc. is open to the public and offers many benefits. Men are invited to join in their own special category, Men of Kidney. There is also a special Young Adult membership level for those from 21 – 35 at a discounted rate. Sign up through the website at at http://www.kidneytexas.org, contact 214-891-0896 or email kidneytexas@sbcglobal.net         

 

Mission Statement: The purpose of KidneyTexas, Inc. is to provide funding to improve the methods of treatment, the search for a cure and prevention of kidney disease and other kindred or contributory diseases; and to develop more adequate provision for the care of persons suffering from such diseases.

 

Statistics: Debilitating kidney diseases impact approximately 20 million people in the United States today. Groups at high risk include African Americans, Hispanics, senior citizens and people with diabetes. In Texas, there are over 30,000 people on dialysis and 4,000 on a transplant list. The number of patients on dialysis is anticipated to double this decade.

 

History: Since 1999, the dedicated volunteers of KidneyTexas, Inc. have worked in tandem with our generous underwriters to raise over $3.5 million for local efforts to improve the ability to diagnose and manage kidney disease. 

 

Each fall KidneyTexas, Inc. hosts its Fashion Show and Luncheon in an effort to raise money for designated beneficiaries and awareness for a disease that affects millions of people each year. The success of this event depends heavily upon the contributions and dedication of our Dallas business and community leaders, and we're asking for your support.   

 

About TOOTSIES: Housed in a vast 20,000 square foot space in the Plaza at Preston Center, Tootsies is a modern full line specialty store offering the very best dresses, denim, ready to wear, shoes, handbags and jewelry.  We are a one stop shop known for exceptional service and on site personal styling in addition to our curated collection of designers including A.L.C.  Aquazurra, Brandon Maxwell, Cinq a' Sept, Self Portrait, Ulla Johnson and Veronica Beard.  

* Photos by Dana Driensky

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Glenn Beck, Founder, Mercury One and his wife, Tania; D'Andra Simmons Lock and her husband, Jeremy Lock, M1Ball Chairs.

Francie Moody-Dahlberg and Kevin Dahlberg are Honorary Chairs

Announcements were made at the Kick-Off Party at Mercury Studios Stage 19

Over 100 business and community leaders gathered at Glenn Beck’s Mercury Studios in Irving to hear the announcements for the M1Ball benefiting Mercury One, the nonprofit organization founded by him and his wife, Tania.
         

Everyone agreed it is a real treat to be invited to a private party at such an exclusive location, inside the working radio and TV studio at Stage 19, named after Orson Welles’ Sound Stage at Universal.
         

Anticipation filled the room as guests entered the biggest TV and movie studio between New York and Hollywood in daily production where they were greeted with the bigger-than-life sized robots from the 2013 live-production and movie Man In The Moon and joined in the reception in the studios where films such as RoboCop, JFK, Silkwood, Born on the 4th of July and Problem Child were all filmed as well as shows like Walker, Texas Ranger and Barney.
         

Setting the scene on one side of the studio were ten-foot tall photographs from a mission in Iraq last fall and on the other side, a stage was set with pop culture icons and pieces of historical, political and spiritual items reflecting America and its history.
         

Mercury One’s executive director and north Dallas resident Suzanne Bock Grishman welcomed the crowd and gave some background about Mercury One, a 501(c)(3) charity founded in 2011. The organization’s focus is in three different areas: Humanitarian Aid, including disaster relief, help for veterans, support in the fight against human trafficking; Education Initiatives and The Nazarene Fund, which are depicted in tall posters placed around the studio.
         

She explained the initiatives and programs the foundation supports, including most recently sponsoring the Dallas Film Society’s High School Roundtables in the 2017 and 2018 academic year, their High School Day and Stand to Honor in Dallas honoring veterans. Mercury One’s initiatives include providing programs to individuals to advance the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary for communities to help themselves as well as assisting our nation’s veterans, providing aid to those in crisis, and rebuilding and restoring the lives of Christians and other persecuted religious minorities in the Middle East.
         

Glenn shared a story about one of the huge photographs depicting a bombed-out church sanctuary in Batnaya, which had become Isis headquarters and through help from Mercury One’s The Nazarene Fund, citizens were given job training, clothing and are helping rebuild their church. 
         

The big announcement of the evening brought a resounding round of applause, this year’s M1Ball chairs, Highland Park residents D’Andra Simmons Lock and her husband, Jeremy Lock, who had toured that site in Iraq last fall.
         

Taking the stage, D’Andra and Jeremy gave a heartfelt and emotional retelling of their experiences in touring Iraq and the impact that has had on their lives, which was the strongest influence that has led them to the commitment as ball chairs this year. Jeremy said that not since his retirement from the Air Force in 2013 has he felt the sense of purpose and camaraderie than with this organization, which they have seen save lives, and he and D’Andra are truly honored to be on board.

         

They also announced honorary chairs Francie Moody-Dahlberg and her husband, Kevin Dahlberg and in even more exciting news, Dee Simmons as underwriting chair.
         

Suzanne reminded everyone to purchase their raffle ticket to enter to win a Mercedes-Benz 2018 CLA250. Tickets are $100 each and a limited number will be sold. The winner will be drawn at the M1Ball. Winner does not have to be present to win. She thanked raffle partner Mercedes-Benz of Plano and leading sponsors D’Andra Simmons Lock and Jeremy Lock, Bank of America and Merrill Lynch for their support and everyone there for taking part in supporting Mercury One.
         

Slated for Saturday, November 17 at Mercury Studios Stage 19, the M1Ball benefits Mercury One, a humanitarian aid and education organization focused on restoring the human spirit. It will feature a VIP reception for underwriters at certain levels, cocktail reception, a savory three-course seated dinner, live and silent auctions of priceless experiences and one-of-a-kind treats, followed by entertainment everyone will enjoy.
           

Individual Tickets are $350 and a Patron Ticket is $750. Host Committee is $1,500 for two tickets. Sponsorship opportunities are $5,000-$100,000. Find out more at mercuryone.org/m1ball or contact Patrizia Pelfrey, ppelfrey@mercuryone.org  or call 972-499-4747. 

* Photos by Rob Wythe/Gittings.

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Melissa Rieman, president of the Friends of the University Park Library; Venise Stuart, President, PCHPS

The Park Cities Historic and Preservation Society (PCHPS) and The Friends of the University Park Library celebrated the dedication of The Archives of the Park Cities at an event held at the University Park Library earlier this month. 
          

They were joined by representatives from Highland Park Independent School District (HPISD) and the Highland Park Educational Foundation, along with HPHS football Coach Randy Allen and players from the 1945, 1957, 2005, 2016 and 2017 football teams – representing the five years HPHS has won Football State Championships. Highland Park Mayor Margo Goodwin attended, along with PCHPS president Venise Stuart and Melissa Rieman, president of the Friends of the University Park Library.
          

PCHPS is working with HPISD to store and display their archives, including memorabilia from those five years HPHS has won Football State Championships, including trophies, uniforms, photos, souvenirs and more. Coach Allen shared stories beginning with the 1945 State Championship.  He recognized members from the 1957 championship team who were present, as well as members from the 2016 and 2017 teams, including Thomas Shelmire, Finn Corwin and Colby Hopkins, who shared insightful stories about their experiences and camaraderie as HPHS players. HPHS Yearbooks beginning in 1924 through to the present are also stored and some on display.
          

Taylor Armstrong, PCHPS board member, gave special thanks to the HPISD Education Foundation for contributing its collections to the archives. PCHPS has designed and built the cabinets to store archives and memorabilia for the Park Cities, which are located on the second floor in the University Park Library. Residents are encouraged to bring their memorabilia to the library for consideration for display. Some items one might think are old relics and not important may in fact be items of historical significance and interest to residents and history enthusiasts.
          

The cabinets also house maps and the Brown Books that are a valuable resource for the residents of University Park. The books have a photo of each home with related statistics and dates. Residents took a few minutes to research their own homes and those of their parents, as well.
          

Everyone is encouraged to drop by the UP Library located at 8383 Preston Center Plaza #200, Dallas, TX 75225 (on the east side) and take a few minutes to reflect on the history that is displayed in this wonderful ongoing exhibit.  You can find hours of operation at the website https://www.uptexas.org/Government/UP-Public-Library  or call 214-363-9095.  
          

Park Cities Historic and Preservation Society’s mission, the central purpose and mission of the Society, is to preserve and promote the history, architecture, aesthetics and cultural traditions of the Park Cities, “Shaping the Future of Our Past.”  PCHPS vision, the desired future vision for the Society, is to inspire passionate community support for the preservation of historic homes, buildings, parks, landmarks and traditions of the Park Cities.      
          

Membership in PCHPS is open to the public and includes such benefits as educational meetings in private homes, opportunities to become involved in the Taste*Tour*Explore events each spring, including the Distinguished Speaker Luncheon, Historic Home Tour and the Classic and Antique Car Show, participate in the annual July 4th parade and more. Visit the website at pchps.org for more information.

* Photos by Rob Wythe/Gittings.

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Greg and Kim Hext, Zoo To Do chairs

Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 13, 2018

 Zoo To Do kicked-off Safari Soirée with a private party at the Simmons Safari Base Camp at the Dallas Zoo where guests enjoyed viewing elephants roaming in their Giants of the Savanna habitat in the background. 

         

A cool breeze was in the air and everyone was in a festive mood as they were greeted by drummers dressed in colorful traditional African dress and boarded trams taking them to this special location for the kick-off celebration.

Zoo To Do Chairs Kim and Greg Hext set the scene for the evening with a fabulous and quite dramatic tablescape filled with luscious flora created just for this event to announce the theme and inside, tables were set with gourmet delights created by the Zoo’s Executive Chef Ian Feiwus.
         

Lois Finkelman, a Dallas Zoo chair-elect and former board chair of both the Dallas Park Board and the NRPA (National Park and Recreation Association) as well as a former member of the Dallas City Council, thanked everyone for their support and for attending this evening’s celebration. She introduced Darryl Griffin, Executive Vice President Advancement at the Dallas Zoo, who said this is the 27th year of Zoo To Do and congratulated last year’s chairs, Barbara and Don Daseke, in raising over $1 million to support the Zoo’s mission of making the world a better place for animals.

         

Kim and Greg announced their event chairs and committee members: Ruth O’Donnell Mutch, Honorary Chair; Hal Brierley, Don Glendenning and John Levy, Live Auction Co-Chairs; Jenna Alexander, Rozalyn Colombo and Nancy Gopez, Silent Auction Co-Chairs; Denise Glazer and Gayla Von Ehr, Silent Auction committee; Robyn Chauvin, Raffle Chair, Barbara and Don Daseke, Host Committee Chairs; Cindy Gummer, Big Board Chair; Diane Brierley, Lane Britain, Mike Gruber, and Michael Meadows, Underwriting Committee; Ellen Winspear, Chef Hospitality Chair; Chef Dan Landsberg, Dragonfly at Hotel ZaZa, Honorary Chef Chair; Brett Krafft, Hilton Anatole, Chef Wrangler. Gregg Hudson is President and CEO of the Dallas Zoo. Joan Walne is Chairman of the Board.
         

Lifting the cover from the gorgeous tablescape, Kim announced this year’s theme, Safari Soirée and logo, to a rousing round of applause. She also revealed two additional events added to the traditional Zoo To Do: A family picnic honoring participating chefs happening in September and the ZTD2, The After Party chaired by Travis Andres. Planned as a special event targeting Zoo friends and young professionals, ZTD2 begins at 9:00 p.m. and is included with the main event ticket or has a separate ticket price of $150 per person, featuring exclusive chefs, along with open bar and dancing until midnight to the Emerald City All-Stars.

Slated for Saturday, October 13, 2018 and hosted at the Dallas Zoo, guests and patrons of the 2018 Zoo To Do Safari Soirée will stroll through the award-winning Giants of the Savanna exhibit, sample exquisite dishes from more than 25 of Dallas’s premier chefs and restaurants, and enjoy interactive animal demonstrations and musical entertainment. Following dinner, guests will move to the Wilds of Africa plaza for a live auction featuring rare Zoo experiences, travel and more! Finally, partygoers will dance the night away to music from Emerald City All Stars.
         

Zoo To Do is a major source of funding for the Dallas Zoo. Proceeds from the event help support the Zoo’s dedication to providing the best animal care, delivering unique education offerings and furthering its wildlife conservation efforts. 
         

Sponsorships range from $7,500 to $50,000. Underwriting ranges from $7,500 to $100,000. Individual tickets are $750 each and a VIP ticket pack is $3,000. For more information, visit the website at http://www.DallasZooToDo.com or contact Makalah Brown, Events Manager, 469.554.7341, Makalah.Brown@DallasZoo.com

 

 

About the Dallas Zoo: The Dallas Zoo is dedicated to creating a better world for animals. Named one of the nation’s Top 10 Zoos by USA Today, it is the largest zoological experience in Texas. The zoo has been accredited continuously by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums for 33 years, and features a 106-acre park, thousands of animals, and an education department that offers programs for all ages. The zoo is located at 650 S. R.L. Thornton Freeway (I-35 at Marsalis) and is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit DallasZoo.com or call 469.554.7500.

 (Photos by Cathy Burkey.)