Getting in front of industry decision makers is probably the toughest challenge for those seeking careers in modeling, acting, singing and dancing.

With a mission to help people gain access in myriad ways, the Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center is doing its part, hosting the sixth-annual Open Model and Talent Call on Saturday, Jan. 20, for men and women ages 16-50. Free and open to the public, the event is from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Registration, which is also free, begins at 9:45 a.m. with auditions kicking off at 10:30 a.m.

“We are more than a training facility offering basketball skills; we are a multipurpose, multicultural center dedicated to educating and equipping young people on and off the court,” said Trina Terrell-Andrews, CEO of the Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center. “It is our priority to maintain a healthy learning environment for young people who are willing to invest in themselves.”

The program began in 2018 and has helped launch the modeling and entertainment careers of numerous North Texans. For example, curve model Asia Allen was placed with Wallflower Management in Dallas and NTA Models in Los Angeles. She’s been featured in national ad campaigns for Starbucks, Uber, JCPenney and Gwen Stefani’s beauty line.

The call is hosted by Dallas-based Willie Johnson of J3 Productions, a fashion show production and modeling management company whose mission is “to find the diamond in the rough and make him or her shine.” The panel includes fashion show producers, acting and performing coaches, dance instructors, talent agents and more. 

The chosen individuals will spend 12 weeks working with Johnson and will receive professional head shots and other support. J3 Production will serve as the mother agency, with Johnson introducing the individuals to other regional and national agencies. While fees vary for the workshops and portfolio developments, the Heroes Foundation will offer scholarships to cover costs.

REQUIREMENTS: Female models should be 5’7”-6’, and male models should be 5’11”-6’3”. Singers and dancers should bring music on a flash drive. Singers may be asked to sing for 30 seconds, and dancers may be asked to perform a 45-second routine. Actors may be asked to do a cold read.

The Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center is located at 1800 Bonnie View Rd., Dallas, TX 75216. For more info, go to markcubanheroescenter.org or call 214-379-7451.

ABOUT THE MARK CUBAN HEROES BASKETBALL CENTER.The Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center is a multi-purpose facility for neighborhood youth and families providing sports and leadership programs. The Center expanded its services to address the critical needs arising during the pandemic related to food insecurity, including the distribution of afterschool snacks, meals and food boxes to neighborhood families.



For more info, go to markcubanheroescenter.org or call 214-379-7451.

Fall in love with breakfast again for Valentine’s Day at Overeasy, downtown Dallas’ favorite breakfast destination. The restaurant is offering the opportunity for a sweet celebration including heart-shaped red velvet pancakes with a warm cream cheese anglaise from Saturday, Feb. 10 to Wednesday, Feb. 14 for $14.00.

Diners can enjoy this celebration all day and are invited to complement their meal with Overeasy’s exciting new brunch menu, including an array of melts and handhelds. The Valentine’s Day special can be purchased for dine-in, take-out or delivery. Details and reservations are available at overeasydallas.com.

If you have questions or need hi-res images from the restaurant, please contact Kelly Hunter at khunter@sunwestpr.com.

Overeasy

1914 Commerce St.

Dallas, TX 75201

469.320.8998

overeasydallas.com

Texas Woman’s University has named longtime nonprofit executive and community relations veteran Monica Christopher as the inaugural president of the university’s Dallas campus. She begins her role on Feb. 1.

Christopher, who has held key fundraising and relationship building posts spanning 25 years at Communities Foundation of Texas and The Dallas Morning News/WFAA, will lead the Dallas campus as it works to elevate the impact of the campus in the Dallas community.

“Monica is an exceptional innovator and collaborator with a solid track record of successful fundraising and relationship building in Dallas, which will serve Texas Woman’s well in its quest to grow the Dallas campus,” Texas Woman’s Chancellor Carine Feyten said.

“Her Dallas roots run deep, and she has an extensive background working with boards, foundations, nonprofits and corporations. With her leadership at Texas Woman’s ? Dallas and her partnership with other university and college leaders, I can see Dallas developing into even more of a destination city for those seeking higher education credentials,” Feyten added. “Monica demonstrates great passion for her work and exudes a polished, energetic professionalism.”

As president, Christopher will provide strategic leadership for the campus, which is located in the Southwestern Medical District. She will work with students, faculty, staff and key stakeholders — including alumni, community members, business and industry leaders, legislators and policymakers — to ensure Texas Woman’s is a key contributor to the higher education landscape in Dallas.

“Texas Woman’s has a distinguished history in Dallas, and I am honored and beyond thrilled to serve as the inaugural president of the Dallas campus,” Christopher said. “I look forward to working with the university’s talented faculty, staff and students to grow the campus, build on its legacy of excellence and bring greater awareness to the outstanding degree programs offered here.” 

The State of Texas established Texas Woman’s University System in 2021 as its seventh university system, pushing its Dallas and Houston campuses to transform, grow and continue serving the state and its communities as the nation’s only system with a woman-focused mission. Among the system’s strategic priorities is installing leadership at both campuses. A search is currently underway for a Houston campus president.

About TWU Dallas

Texas Woman’s first established a presence in Dallas in 1954, when the nursing program was launched at Parkland Hospital. Today, the T. Boone Pickens Institute of Health Sciences – Dallas Center is a 190,000-square-foot facility that sits in the heart of the Southwestern Medical District. Since then, Texas Woman’s has become a notable contributor to the healthcare workforce, graduating an average of 2,000 nursing and allied health professionals each year.

The Dallas campus also is home to the renowned Stroke Center, which provides more than 5,000 hours of clinical, neuro-rehabilitation services annually at no cost to members of the community. In addition to an MBA and graduate level Healthcare Administration programs, the Dallas campus offers upper-level undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs in nursing, occupational therapy and physical therapy.

About Monica Christopher

Christopher is the inaugural president of Texas Woman’s Dallas campus. A seasoned fundraiser and community relations professional, she has served in key positions in both areas for the last 25 years, forging numerous successful private-public sector partnerships and amassing extensive experience in cultivating and stewarding major donors, grant making, program management, and public speaking. During her 15-year tenure at Dallas-based Communities Foundation of Texas, she rose to the level of senior vice president and chief giving and community impact officer, leading several teams in fundraising efforts that set new benchmarks in gifts and funds created. While at The Dallas Morning News/WFAA, she also held several positions over nearly 10 years in community relations aimed at building community engagement, raising brand awareness and coordinating charity events. Additional leadership roles for Christopher include involvement in the Dallas Regional Chamber, Dallas Summit, Junior League of Dallas, Cotton Bowl Athletic Association, and the Women’s Auxiliary at Children’s Medical Center, among other organizations.

Stan’s Blue Note will heat things up with their “Great Bowls of Fire” 12^th annual Chili Cook-off on Sunday, February 18^th. From 2pm-6pm the best self-proclaimed chili chefs from around the area will compete for cash prizes and bragging rights to be crowned the best! What makes this event even better is that we do it for an important cause – this year benefitting Foundation 45 and their efforts to provide mental health services in Dallas/Fort Worth.

How to enter? Register online and your $25 registration fee ($30 day of event) gets you in the competition for cash prizes PLUS domestic draft beer from 3pm-5pm.

Prepare your showstopping chili! With beans or without, spicy or not, vegetarian or venison – it’s up to you and we will try them all! Just make sure you deliver it to Stan’s by 2:30 on February 18 (see rules online) to be included in the judging.

Who will win? Two awards will be given - Judges’ Choice, by our special panel, and a People’s Choice Award.

Want to be in on the judging? Anyone can participate in the People’s Choice voting! Bring $10 and you’ll get a spoon, a ballot, and a beer to wash it all down. If you really love chili buy a couple ballots at $10 each.

How can we make it more fun? By offering raffle prizes, of course! Special thanks to our sponsors, East Dallas Automotive and Milo Butterfingers! Plus, we have several area restaurants and businesses who graciously donated gift certificates and prizes. There’s something for everyone to enjoy from Lounge Here, Salute Wine Brokers, Walton’s Garden Center, Sundown Granada, Lochland’s Irish Pub, Libertine, Terilli’s, Dodie’s Cajun Diner, Table 13, McRae’s American Bistro, Top Golf, and more!

And because it is Stan’s, our big screens will have all the sports! We also add to the fun with pool, darts, shuffleboard, music, great beer, and food.

Why? This event is all fun for a good cause. Proceeds from Stan’s 12^th annual Chili Cook-off benefit Foundation 45. Foundation 45 is a suicide, addiction, and mental health awareness group serving the Dallas/Fort Worth creative community by providing free top-tier mental health and recovery services while working to destigmatize the conversation around mental health. 

Stan’s Blue Note, Dallas’ oldest continuously operating drinking establishment has been named has been named one of the best bars in DFW and Best Sports Bar.  Stan’s is located in Lower Greenville at 2908 Greenville Avenue. 

Special values for underwriters at certain levels guarantee VIP swag
benefiting the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden and A Woman’s Garden

Allison Brodnax, chair of the 36^th Annual Mad Hatter’s Luncheon, and Gift Bag chairs Tara Terry and Marija Hoppe, are delighted to announce Eataly as the Official Gift Bag Sponsor, guaranteeing special gifts for everyone who attends.  All luncheon guests will receive a gift bag valued at $50 containing goodies from Eataly. Table hosts and underwriters at the $1,000 level and up will receive gift bags valued at $125.”

“In the three years that Eataly has been here in Dallas at NorthPark Center, we have made sure to give back to the community by participating in some of the most important philanthropic events for the city. We are now thrilled to support the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden with the 2024 Mad Hatter’s Luncheon,” said Robert Domian, Director of Store Operations at Eataly Dallas.

Slated for Thursday, April 18, 2024 at the Dallas Arboretum with Barbara Bigham as honorary chair and Karen Sargent as Women’s Council president, this fabulous party has been an ongoing fundraising event sponsored by the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Monies raised assist with the development, growth and maintenance of A Woman’s Garden, a major garden at the Dallas Arboretum. 
        
Guests travel from all over the United States, planning their trips to Dallas not only to take part in the Mad Hatter’s Luncheon, taking the theme as inspiration for their sophisticated, glamorous, and delightfully lavish hats, but to view the glorious springtime azalea displays and flowers that grace the Dallas Arboretum.

        
The morning will begin with a Welcome Reception, a stroll in the gardens and a Silent Auction while the discerning hat judges take note of the Grecian-influenced interpretations of this year’s theme Gardens of Greece, including these hat categories: My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Olympic Games, Greek Mythology, Greek Life (sorority), Best Botanical Using Fresh Flowers and Greek Goddesses (group of 3 or more).  Inside Rosine Hall, Hat Contest winners will be announced, which will be followed by the fashion show and then a delicious three-course luncheon.
        
Last year, just over 650 people attended the Mad Hatter’s Luncheon in a party spread over Rosine Hall and A Tasteful Place. This year, the cap on attendance is 500, as it will take place only in Rosine Hall. So, do not delay securing tables, underwriting and sponsorships now.
        
Sponsorships begin at $2,500. Patron Tickets start at $500. Visit https://e.givesmart.com/events/tua/  or scan the QR code below to purchase sponsorships or tickets. Individuals who purchase a patron level ticket and up will be invited to a patron party at the Harlan Crow Library. Visit the website for more information www.wcdabg.org    

About the Women’s Council: Celebrating its 42^nd Anniversary in 2024.
Since 1982 the major goal of the Women’s Council has been the design, construction, funding and endowment of A Woman’s Garden, the only public garden in the United States conceived by women, funded by the efforts of women and dedicated to the spirit of women. The support of over 600 members of the Women’s Council make possible the continued expansion and development of A Woman’s Garden. The Women’s Council is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  www.wcdabg.org

About A Woman’s Garden: Celebrating its 27^th Anniversary in 2024.
A Woman’s Garden is the only public garden in the nation conceived, constructed and maintained by the funding efforts of women. Ablaze with color in every season, A Woman’s Garden is a living testament to the passion and vision of the Women’s Council founders and the boundless energy and devotion of its members whose commitment to creating a garden dedicated to the universal spirit of women across generations is realized in its inspired design. Our beautiful garden celebrates the power, creativity, resourcefulness, passion and unwavering commitment of the women who came before us and those entrusted with its care now, and into the future.     

About Mad Hatter’s: Celebrating its 36^th Anniversary in 2024.
In 1989, Carole Ann Brown chaired the first Mad Hatter's Tea to bring awareness to the Women's Council and the Dallas Arboretum. The tea was held in the Camp House garden for 100 ladies and raised $10,000. Over the years, Mad Hatter’s has been chaired by many notable Dallas ladies such as Linda Ivy, Barbara Bigham, Connie Carreker, Barbara Daseke and Patti Flowers. Honorary Chairs have included some of the most philanthropic names in Dallas history such as Annette Simmons, Gene Jones, Caroline Rose Hunt, Tincy Miller, Sally Hoglund, Dee Wyly, Margaret Crow, Nancy Rogers, Amy Warren, Patty Dedman Nail, Sherwood Wagner, Laurie Sands Harrison and Kim Hext.

Finally, it would not be a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party without the hats. The creativity at Mad Hatter’s over the years has been impressive. Ladies have been inspired to create millinery creations based on Royal Ascot, Run for the Roses, April in Paris, Steel Magnolias, Under the Tuscan Sun and even Garden by the Sea. We have seen the Golden Age of Hollywood, have come Out of Africa into the Garden, enjoyed a Wonderland of Fashion while having Tea with Alice and Majestic Mad Hatter’s –A Celebration of English Elegance.   

Photo by Thomas Garza