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Sip happens and from time to time, concepts freshen up their wine offerings. For The Ivy Tavern that time has come and a new wine list will be introduced October 7But what to do with all of those bottles of wine being taken out of rotation?  Starting today, wine offerings not remaining on their wine list are being sold at $20 a bottle (while supplies last). Stop by and pick up a bottle (or four). 
 
 
THESE WINES ARE NOW $20 PER BOTTLE WHILE SUPPLIES LAST:
Conundrum Red blend (Retail value $42)
Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon (Retail value $50) 
La Crema Chardonnay (Retail value $32)
Tomassi Pinot Grigio (Retail value $33)
 
 
Every Wednesday this Fall, you can enjoy half-price bottles of wine with the purchase of food (valid with to-go orders or dine in).
 
 
The Ivy Tavern is located at 5334 Lemmon Avenue, Dallas, TX 75209, 214-559-4424, www.theivytavern.com. Open seven days a week from 11am-2am. Kitchen service is offered Sunday through Thursday, 11am-10pm  and Friday and Saturday, 11am-12am.
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World Food Championships 2021 (Credit: Danny Campbell)

World Food Championships will return to Dallas for its third year November 9-13, 2022. This culinary competition features over 1,000 visiting chefs competing for industry awards. WFC is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year and will occur in Centennial Hall at Fair Park. From “Burger Battles” to exclusive, award-winning VIP tastings, there are dozens of mouth-watering opportunities for foodies of all ages to take a bite out of the event that ABC News called the “Olympics of Food.” Tickets for the year’s biggest and most unique live-cooking competition are now on sale.  

 

According to event organizers, this year’s event will offer a new experience for DFW foodies. “Every year we receive questions from attendees about how they can taste the incredible dishes in our tournament,” said Mike McCloud, President and CEO of WFC. “So this year, for the first time, we are creating an experience that will allow them to do just that. While our trained judges will still determine who wins each category and moves on to the $100,000 Final Table, we are introducing an unparalleled opportunity to sample 10 incredible dishes from each of our categories through our People’s Choice “Best of the Fest” tasting sessions.” According to McCloud, WFC’s Best of the Fest will allow almost 1,000 people to taste actual dishes from the BBQ, Bacon, Burger, Dessert, Sandwich, Seafood, Soup and Steak categories. In addition to sampling up to 10 dishes in each session, ticket holders will get to vote for their favorite to determine a People’s Choice winner.

 

Since tickets for the Best of the Fest will go fast, WFC organizers have also planned many more tasting moments in the event, ranging from four-course tastings at the VIP Champion’s Tables to an all-you-can-eat sampling at BBQ Ranch. Here’s a list of the official WFC 2022 line-up:

 

BBQ Ranch ––  Back by popular demand, WFC and its barbecue partners will be serving up over 5,000 pounds of barbecue favorites in a Texas-style block party that lasts all five days of the event. Pitmasters and celebrity chefs will be conducting demos, free samplings, competition secrets and one-on-one insights about the hottest grills and barbecue pits on the market. This attraction is part of the event’s general admission and always features special guests making incredible food.

 

Best of the Fest ––  For the first time in WFC history, YOU get to taste the championship food that is normally reserved ONLY for certified judges!! WFC’s Best of the Fest will feature actual dishes entered into our competition by award-winning chefs. From Dessert to Seafood to Sandwich and Barbecue, our most popular categories will be available through special “session tastings” with a chance for ticket holders to choose their very own winner! You’ll get to taste all 10 samples of the session you choose, and then vote for your favorite – which will help WFC determine which team wins their way back for the 2023 Championship!

 

Biscuits & Jampionships –– WFC has once again partnered with the Dallas-based jam and jelly company, The Jelly Queens, to bring back the “Biscuits and Jampionships” ancillary chef competition. Determined through an online recipe contest months prior, ten finalists will recreate their recipe submissions in person at WFC for an esteemed panel of judges. This delicious and quirky contest is always full of fun surprises, thanks to the lovable Jelly Queen herself, Donna Collins. All sweet tooths should standby for leftovers!

 

Bourb’N’Que –– What do you get when you mix premium bourbon tastings with delicious ribs prepared by the best pitmasters in America? The best barbecue block party - and People’s Choice voting - Dallas has ever seen (or tasted)! If you’re a foodie who loves barbecue and bourbon, then this is a WFC must-attend event!

 

Burger Battle –– Watch TEN WFC Burger All Stars as they compete for the title of the People’s Favorite in an epic two-hour sampling extravaganza! Guests will receive tastings from all ten contestants before casting their votes for THE best burger of the night. If you love a good burger, then you’re going to LOVE this championship throwdown which will be paired with fantastic brews and views of the Fair Park Esplanade!

 

Champion's Table –– Feast on exclusive tastings from WFC’s previous champions as your sweet and savory guide. This is your chance to taste $100,000 worth of award-winning dishes that will be perfectly paired with cocktails to enhance your experience. This luxury tasting event will take place next to the heat of WFC’s live-action culinary competition in Kitchen Arena and available only to VIP patrons.

 

E.A.T.™ Food Judge Class –– An interactive event where you’ll be trained by a WFC associate or professional chef on the E.A.T.™ methodology, which is WFC’s scoring system that enables judges to rank any dish based on three key criteria: Execution, Appearance and Taste. Only foodies who are E.A.T.™ certified are eligible to judge at WFC’s Main Event. As a bonus, all judges will receive FREE WFC General Admission access throughout the five-day event.

 

Fire Woman –– Ninety minutes. Four award-winning female pitmasters. One challenge. Zero help. Need we say more? Join us to see who will rise from the smoke to take home the Fire Woman title and cash prize.

 

Hall of Taste –– This is a new area to Food Sport, where WFC attendees have the opportunity to sample a variety of complimentary food-related products as they enter the gateway to Kitchen Arena. From exclusive Texas bites to hidden gems throughout America and the World, this area will warm up everyone’s palettes as the perfect prep for the sights, sounds and smells of WFC.

 

VIP Lounge –– Want to sip and savor in comfort while taking in all the WFC action? Then the VIP Lounge is your best bet! Attendees will enjoy a separate entrance to the main event, a private cash bar, TV screens to keep up to date on all of the action, complimentary chef demos and sampling, featured cocktails & refreshments, and more!

 

Tickets to WFC start at $10 and are available HERE. Stay up-to-date on all culinary competition news, by following the World Food Championships on Twitter (@WorldFoodChamp), Facebook and Instagram (@WorldFoodChampionships).

 

 

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Standing: Cynthia Seay, Ann Bell Worley, Kyla Rankin, Rev. Tiffany Wright, Edie Zehr, Jo Ann Parkman, Carrie Pickell. Standing: Betsy Rector, Vivian Cutler, Dr. M. Joan Terry, Leigh Wilcoxson (Photo: Ed Lazano)

On Wednesday, June 22, Dallas 24 Hour Club hosted their inaugural Tea For Recovery presented by the family of Steven and Jennifer Reynolds inside the historic Alexander Mansion on Ross Ave. The fundraising concept of an Afternoon Tea was imagined by Dr. M. Joan Terry and her daughter, Rev. Tiffany Wright who both share a love for this age-old tradition.

As guests entered the estate they were greeted with a live performance from Steinway Artist, Stephen Nielson. Attendees in their Sunday best sipped iced coffee provided by Michael Wyatt of Full City Rooster Roasting Coffee Studio and admired everyone’s hats. The party moved upstairs to the ballroom where Afternoon Tea was shared with tea sandwiches prepared by Chef Jason Martin, scones and sweets provided by Ben E. Keith Co, Central Market, La Duni Baking Studio, Dude, Sweet Chocolate, Cavallini, and Wackym’s Kitchen. The tables were decorated with beautiful tea pot florals by Libby Albritton. Terry Kranz provided front of the house management. Highland Park and Shelton students served as The Flower Girls of The 24, setting the tables and contributing many hours to set up and take down.

Event Chairs Dr. M. Joan Terry and her daughter, Rev. Tiffany Wright shared their family’s personal journey through addiction. The pair spoke passionately about a family member who has gone through the program of Dallas 24 Hour Club and had his life changed beyond belief. Their loved one will graduate from The 24’s sober living apartments, Tillman House, this August when he leaves to complete his degree at Texas Tech University. With only six hours left, he will graduate with his bachelor's degree at the end of this year and begin his Master's Program. They spoke of their gratitude to have their loved one back and they attribute his success in recovery to The 24. LaShunda Duty, Dallas 24 Hour Club alumni, also shared moving testimony about her introduction to drugs and alcohol at 4 years of age, her descent into addiction in her 20s, losing her children and family support in her 30’s – and how a chance encounter with a stranger at a bus stop led her to The 24 where she was able to turn her life around. Today, LaShunda is in recovery, has her family back and works full-time in the recovery field helping others find hope through the program taught at The 24.

Funds raised from this event will assist Dallas 24 Hour Club in their continued mission to provide transitional living, support services and essential life skills for homeless alcoholics and addicts, so they can embrace long-term sobriety and become contributing and self-supporting members of the community, as well as provide operating funds for Friends of The 24, the alumni group of Dallas 24 Hour Club. For more information, visit https://www.dallas24hourclub.org/

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On Thursday, May 19, the bright golden haze on the meadow met the sophistication of the Dallas Arts District inside the stunningly sleek Bill Booziotis designed home of Broadway Dallas patrons Laree Hulshoff and Ben Fischer. Ticketed guests enjoyed an expansive view of Downtown Dallas from the twenty third floor of Museum Tower at a Spotlight Dinner benefiting Broadway Dallas in anticipation of the upcoming performance of OKLAHOMA! The premise of the series, generously sponsored by PNC Bank, is for patrons to experience exclusive dinners in beautiful Dallas homes or venues, each showcasing a specific Broadway Dallas production. This dinner, imagined and executed by Hamilton A. Sneed of HAS Events, marked the third event in this new fundraising series.


During the reception hour, attendees enjoyed an interactive experience with W Durable Goods who stitched personalized bandanas for each guest and could wander the spacious apartment admiring the owner’s personal art collection curated from their many years of travels. Ken Novice, Broadway Dallas President and CEO gave a toast to welcome guests and introduced performers Rachel Poole, Preston Page, and Joey Rodriguez who serenaded the room with songs from OKLAHOMA! including Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’ and People Will Say We’re in Love.  A four-course dinner paired with HALL wines was served at curated tables placed throughout the home, creating an intimate experience for theater lovers to share conversation. The evening ended with another live performance of The Surry with the Fringe on the Top. In attendance were PNC’s Beth Hollowell with her husband Mark, Janey and Jack Lowe, Stacey Angel, Broadway Dallas Board Chair Tom Watson and Chair Elect Mark Cannon with their wives Leigh Ann and Elizabeth respectively; Lynn Fisher, Robert Emery, Broadway Dallas Board member Chris McRore and his wife Julietta, Broadway Dallas Board member Gail Plummer and more.

Tickets for Broadway Dallas’ Fall 2022 Spotlight Dinner Series, which are $450 a seat, go on sale this June and will be themed around the shows Ain’t Too Proud, My Fair Lady and SIX. Proceeds will benefit artistic and educational excellence at Broadway Dallas including programs in classrooms and throughout the community that serve more than 40,000 students and families each year. www.BroadwayDallas.org 

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Robin Bagwell, Jason Starkey, Quida Bradshaw, Nolan Bagwell (Photo credit: Stanley Johnson, PE Images)

The 34th Annual Jim Bradshaw Memorial Stars in Recovery event with featured speaker Jason Starkey took place on Thursday, April 21st at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, with more than 150 live and virtual attendees. Growing up in West Virginia, Starkey was the captain of an undefeated, Division 1 football team and received a scholarship as a walk-on at the University of Marshall where he played alongside Chad Pennington. Starkey went on to play for the Arizona Cardinals for 4 years. He bravely shared the journey of his spiral into addiction and how his wife's love, family support, and a “Thundering Herd” brotherhood helped Jason win his battle against addiction. With more than 15 years of sobriety, Starkey now travels to colleges and treatment programs sharing his story of recovery, inspiring hope, and insights on how to conquer addiction.

Once inside the reception hall Event Chair Shauna Jenkins and NBC Texas Today co-host, Kristin Dickerson welcomed attendees and brought Recovery Resource Council CEO, Eric Niedermayer to the stage to share new findings about how alcoholism and drug addiction are impacting our North Texas community. Niedermayer talked about the many ways the Council is supporting those seeking recovery and the tools the Council makes available to those seeking a life in recovery the tools to do so. Niedermayer then introduced Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, who served as Honorary Chair for this year’s Stars in Recovery event. “It's really awesome when you get to be Mayor and you get to use your bully pulpit for good,” smiled Parker. “Believe me, there are no shortage of nonprofit events I get invited to go to, but I can promise you there is not one organization in this city that means more to me than Recovery Resource Council and I can say that from the bottom of my heart.”

Since its inception, the annual Stars in Recovery Luncheon has featured local citizens and well-known celebrities alike speaking publicly about their struggles and triumphs over alcohol, and substance misuse and mental health issues. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Recovery Resource Council, North Texas’ largest non-residential non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery of thousands of individuals and families struggling with alcohol, substance misuse and trauma. To learn more visit https://recoverycouncil.org/ 

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FriscoUncorked2022-TrinityFallsVIPTent-GernelleNel Inside the VIP tent hosted by Trinity Falls at the 3d Annual Frisco Uncorked Festival. Credit: Gernelle Nelson for Trinity Falls

The 3d Annual Frisco Uncorked festival presented by H-E-B took place on Saturday, April 30th at Frisco Square. Trinity Falls, a master-planned community located in McKinney, hosted the VIP tent complete with a photo booth, Blue Fizz sparkling cocktail with edible flowers, and an appearance from W Durable Goods who customized Trinity Falls-branded bandanas for attendees. Twenty-one award-winning wineries, fifteen delicious restaurants, and a wide variety of retailers were on hand for shoppers to enjoy and shop. The event was held in partnership with the Frisco Arts Foundation.

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Jennifer Shaw and Nancy McPherson of Nebraska Furniture Mart. Photo by Erik Carlson

On April 14, Dallas 24 Hour Club hosted donors and supporters in celebration of the one-year anniversary of Tillman House, an 18-unit apartment complex that provides affordable housing for up to 41 residents. The building is named Tillman House, after Dallas 24 Hour Club’s Founder Lee Tillman, and was created to positively impact The 24’s ability to provide safe, sober transitional living for homeless men and women seeking a brand new life away from drugs and alcohol. Successful graduates of The 24’s program are eligible for this affordable, sober living opportunity that allows them to practice critical life skills and establish an even stronger foundation of recovery. Tillman House has allowed for a 53% increase in The 24's maximum capacity which has shrunk The 24's Wait List, since they can offer the option to discharge to a solid, safe, local apartment. This opens up beds more quickly for those who are in need of immediate access to crisis help and stabilization and takes away the stress of moving far away from their "sober family" members and home-like, family environment. The expectation is that the recidivism rate will be reduced by a significant percent. 

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On Wednesday, March 23, Dallas Summer Musicals announced a name change to Broadway Dallas and its 22/23 Germania Broadway Series Season, at the first in an exciting new “Spotlight Dinner Series” of fundraising evenings generously sponsored by PNC Bank.

The premise of the series is for attendees to experience exclusive dinners in beautiful Dallas homes or venues, each showcasing a specific Broadway Dallas production. On the menu for each event will be fine wines, an exquisite multi-course plated dinner, and exciting show-themed entertainment and décor. These intimate events, filled with song, fun facts, and always a surprise or two, benefit artistic and educational excellence at Broadway Dallas, including programs in classrooms and throughout the community that serve more than 40,000 students and families each year.  Interested patrons can select the dinners that entice them the most - or sign up the entire series.

Wednesday’s kickoff saw Ken Novice, Broadway Dallas President and CEO, host the first Spotlight Dinner on the stage of Music Hall at Fair Park in celebration of the Broadway Dallas renaming and the 2022-2023 Season Announcement. Starting in an elaborately decorated Music Hall lobby, in celebration of the show announcement of My Fair Lady, Act One had guests sipping on British inspired cocktails including classics Pimm’s Cup No.1, the Vesper Martini and Elderflower Gin & Tonics paired with passed hors d’oeuvres of tea sandwiches, mini-Yorkshire puddings, and stilton tartlets with pear, with an intermission solo performance of “I Could Have Danced All Night” by Riley Jones, a student from the Broadway Dallas High School Musical Theatre Awards program.

For Act Two, attendees entered the theater and were greeted by the unveiling of the dinner on stage. Attendees including Diane and Hal Brierley, Calvert Collins-Bratton and Vince Bratton, Laree Hulshoff and Ben Fischer, Leigh Ann and Tom Watson, Gail Plummer, Stacey Jones Angel, Kymberley Scalia, Terry Loftis, Veletta Forsythe Lill, and Helen and Brendan McGuire dined on a four-course meal inspired by the 2022-2203 Broadway Dallas season. From the amuse bouche of a deconstructed lobster roll to the decadent milk chocolate crème brûlée dessert the evenings dinner was accompanied by HALL Wines, additional unveilings of the season’s shows including Moulin Rouge, Six, To Kill A Mockingbird and more,  [HS3] and additional performances from the Broadway Dallas HSMTA students.

The evening concluded with the curtain lowering and rising again with an encore bow, lights, applause, and a champagne toast to celebrate the announcement that Moulin Rouge! will be the theme for the Broadway Dallas Gala to be held Saturday, April 1, 2023, with Kathryn and Craig Hall serving as Honorary Chairs.

While the organization’s name is changing, its commitment to bringing the best Broadway productions to Dallas is not.  As the premier presenter of touring Broadway in the region, Broadway Dallas will continue to deliver the hottest, most award-winning, edge-of-your seat exciting shows to its diverse, multi-generational audiences on a year-round basis (not just in the summer). The name change and a series of new sub-brands also reflect the core of Broadway Dallas’ mission to grow its already expansive education programs and community partnerships which allow the organization to share the “Spirit of Broadway” with members of the community who might not otherwise have access to these world-class productions.
 

“We changed our name from Dallas Summer Musicals to Broadway Dallas to accurately capture who we are and what we do. It encompasses not only the magnificent work that we put on our stage, but also our other exciting events and community engagement and education programs through which we share ‘the spirit of Broadway’ with as many members of our community as possible,” said Ken Novice, President and CEO of Broadway Dallas.

The next Spotlight Dinner Series will be held on April 27 at a private estate centered around Broadway Dallas’ upcoming performance of Mean Girls. A revival of the classic Rodgers & Hammerstein musical Oklahoma! will be the third themed dinner in the series, held on the 23d floor of Museum Tower on May 19. These intimate gatherings of 50 are already sold out.

Tickets for Broadway Dallas’ Fall 2022 Spotlight Dinner Series, which are $450 a seat, will go on sale in late Spring 2022 and will be themed around the shows Ain’t Too Proud, My Fair Lady and SIX. Proceeds will benefit artistic and educational excellence at Broadway Dallas including programs in classrooms and throughout the community that serve more than 40,000 students and families each year. Tickets on sale now at www.BroadwayDallas.org.  Please contact Deborah Ann Trimble, Broadway Dallas Vice President of Development at 214-413-3957 or dtrimble@broadwaydallas.org for more information.

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On Tuesday, March 15, Irving-based Shoebacca delivered a donation of 500 pairs of shoes ($40,000 retail value) to residents of Dallas 24 Hour Club (The 24). March 15 was selected as the day for donation because it was National Shoe The World Day, which was created to shed light on the importance of footwear and the need for quality footwear for millions of people worldwide who can't afford or don't have access to it.

 

Shoe the World Day is something we celebrate every day here at Shoebacca, so it’s an honor to be able to share this with such a meritable and worthy organization such as the 24-Hour Club. Addiction is a powerful disease that effects the lives of so many, especially given the current climate, so giving back to our community has been a priority for us and will continue to be for years to come. We wish nothing but the best for the residents of The 24 and are grateful to those who strive to help them recover.” said Ryan Schlachter, President, Shoebacca.

 

Since 1969, Dallas 24 Hour Club has provided transitional living, support services and essential life skills for homeless alcoholics and addicts, so they can embrace long-term sobriety and become contributing and self-supporting members of the community. With over 140 residents between their facility on Ross Avenue and their sober living community, Tillman House, The 24 is always in desperate need of shoes and apparel for their newcomers, many who come to the facility directly off the streets.

 

Shoebacca has been a great resource partner of Dallas 24 Hour Club and her residents who desperately need shoes for everyday wear, but also to enable them to secure a job which leads to an improvement in their self-esteem. Supplying 500 pairs of brand new shoes gives 500 of our residents who have sought safe shelter and recovery from substance abuse at The 24, a wonderful start on a brand new life! We are so appreciative of this gift!” said Marsha Williamson, CEO, Dallas 24 Hour Club.

 

"We thank Shoebacca for their ongoing support of our residents from the bottom of our hearts.  Men and women need quality shoes when they come off the street, and by donating 500 pairs of shoes, Shoebacca will fill that need for many months to come.  I can't wait to see the faces of the recipients of this generous gift when they try on a fresh, new pair of shoes!" – Tim Grigsby, COO, Dallas 24 Hour Club.

 

Each year, The 24 helps over 500 people get off the streets, find employment and embrace recovery. 63% of those individuals arrive without funds and are extended credit upon intake. The 6 month program at the facility on Ross Avenue aids residents in locating employment and beginning their journey of sobriety. After 6 months at The 24, Successful Graduates can move into Tillman House, which is a year long program that offers “real life” opportunities for the residents to learn how to live independently by practicing their life skills such as credit restoration, budgeting, meal planning, grocery shopping, cooking, etc. in a safe, structured environment, which promotes long-term recovery. To learn how you can support this mission, visit https://www.dallas24hourclub.org/  

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The Fourth Annual Polar Plunge took place on Saturday, February 19 for residents of Trinity Falls, a master-planned community in McKinney, Texas. Temperatures were at around 45 degrees this morning, but that didn't stop residents from taking a thrilling dip in the community pool located inside the Trinity Falls development. Those who dared to take the plunge received a commemorative Polar Plunge T-Shirt. Members from resident Girl Scout Troop Number 572 were onsite to help warm up guests and jumping participants with complimentary Hot Cocoa. This event is just one of the many engaging amenities on Trinity Falls robust activity calendar, providing residents ample opportunity to connect and bond with neighbors.

 

Trinity Falls is a master planned community created by Johnson Development Corp. that is thoughtfully placed on 2,000 green acres along the Trinity River, 6 short miles from downtown McKinney, Texas. Trinity Falls is a community that lives in harmony with nature and each other. Each day is an adventure with trails to explore, green spaces to play, lakes to gaze upon and wildlife to enjoy. www.trinityfalls.com