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Parting is Such SweetCharity

There are some things that you just know you’re not going to do well. This post is one of them.

When we started SweetCharity on August 31, 2009, it was the brainchild of Wick Allison. He reasoned that if there was ever a time when nonprofits needed a little help, it was then. Originally, SweetCharity was just supposed to be a simple little blog. But then it grew with photos and event coverage.

As it grew, so did the demand. The SweetCharity email at times looked like Santa’s mailbox in December.

We were gratified to report goals being met, incredible amounts of money raised, and success story after success story. Guests put up with our photo-stalking. PR people patiently worked with us. Commenters kept us on our toes. You have all been generous with your support and advice.

In return, we hope we provided a “friendly but honest” blog.

Now, seven months later, SweetCharity is closing down its blog neighborhood. It’s not that we don’t love you. And, no one thinks the nonprofits are rolling in money and volunteers. The fact of the matter is that SweetCharity itself was a victim of the economy and failed to locate an angel for its continuation.

But, please don’t stop sending the invitations. Your humble photo-scribe will continue to cover events for D Magazine‘s “D Scene” and FrontBurner, as well as the Park Cities/Preston Hollow People newspapers.

Thank you for helping SweetCharity have a great run. It was our pleasure to have chatted with you. See you later.

Somebody Congratulate Dr. Gail Thomas

Dr. Gail Thomas (pictured), president/CEO of The Trinity Trust Foundation, is at D headquarters this morning “talking shop” with real estate guru Joel Kotkin.

Hopefully, someone will congratulate Gail on just being granted honorary membership in the American Institute of Architects. She is just one of six in the country to be selected for the designation. You did know that it’s one of the highest honors that the AIA can bestow on any person outside the profession., didn’t you?

Albert Kriemler of Akris to be Featured Designer for Ten Best Dressed Luncheon

Neiman’s Downtown President/GM Shelle Sills revealed that Swiss fashion wunderkind Albert Kriemler of Akris will be the featured designer for Crystal Charity Ball‘s 2010 Ten Best Dressed Women of Dallas Luncheon/Fashion Show on September 10 at Neiman Marcus Downtown.

Albert’s 2010 collection showed his appreciation for fabrics and amazing ability to blend classic looks with modern clean lines.

If you’re wondering which ladies will be designated as Dallas’ 10 top fashion leaders, you’ll have to wait until March 21 when it’s announced. Don’t try bribing Luncheon Chair Alison Farrow. She’s sworn to secrecy.

Don’t rush out and order your tickets to the luncheon quite yet. They don’t go on sale until early May.

BTW, if you hadn’t heard the 2010 Crystal Charity Ball beneficiaries include Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas, Children’s Medical Center, Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center, The Family Place, Texas Home Access Fund Inc., and Parkland Foundation.

Jack Tierney Selected for Double-Goal Coach Award

While movies are made about coaches who have made a difference in a youngster’s life, the vast majority of hardworking and dedicated coaches work with kids without note.

Liberty Mutual Insurance is making a note of St. Philip’s Saints coach Jack Tierney (pictured), who also participates in the BRIDGE Lacrosse Dallas program. The insurance company recently announced that Coach Tierney was one of 20 coaches in the country to receive the Positive Coaching Alliance’s “Double-Goal Coach Award” for his inspiring players to win and to learn “life lessons through sports.”

“Jack wins on the scoreboard, and more importantly, he wins by creating a positive, character-building sports experience for youth athletes,” said Jim Thompson, PCA’s founder/executive director and author of several books on coaching and sports parenting, including the just-released The Power of Double-Goal Coaching. “Ultimately, the youth athletes Jack coaches are the real winners, and as those athletes become tomorrow’s leaders our society as a whole wins.”

BRIDGE Lacrosse Dallas is a program that provides a “cross-cultural exchange between inner-city youth players and those from more affluent areas.”

According to BRIDGE Lacrosse Dallas President/Founder Edie Lycke, who nominated Jack: (more…)

Alan Jackson to Headline Cattle Baron’s Ball’s “Great State Fair” on October 9

Watch out State Fair of Texas! You’ve got some competition. Another fair is moving into town for a one-night-only happening on October 9 at Southfork thanks to the Cattle Baron’s Ball gals.

Photo credit: Holt Haynsworth

CBB Chair Kristi Sherill Hoyl (pictured with from the left True North Advisors founders Scott Wood and Mark Gehlbach) revealed Thursday night that this year’s theme will be “Great State Fair.” The headliner for the annual gala will be Alan Jackson with 2008 Academy of Country Music “Best New Male Vocalist” Jack Ingram appearing on the the Live Auction Stage.

The Thursday announcement was made at a party sponsored by True North Advisors in the Legends Room at Cowboys Stadium.

“We are returning to Southfork Ranch where we will have access to several structures and hard surfaces to ensure a great experience for our guests, rain or shine!” said Kristi.

Wonder if they’ll have a Big Texanna instead of Big Tex to greet guests.

Crystal Charity Celebrates New Members, Beneficiaries at Escada

Those wonderful gals at Crystal Charity are already gearing up for this year’s December 4th gala at the Hilton Anatole. And Escada’s Melinda Moore helped the ladies celebrate their new members by hosting a brunch Wednesday with a fashion show, of course.

What did you expect? A vintage car collection? Silly.

Besides the drop-dead gorgeous spring and summer fashions, ball chair Cynthia Mitchell welcomed the newest members of CCB including Angie Kadesky, Kay Beecherl, and Suzy Giekere (pictured) and

Janie Cooke, Leslie Diers, Rozalyn Colombo, and Alicia Wood (pictured)

The six hardworking and very fortunate beneficiaries for this year’s ball were also revealed including

1. Boys & Girls Clubs,
2. Children’s Medical Center,
3. Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center,
4. Parkland Foundation,
5. Texas Home Access Fund and
6. The Family Place

(Photos by Dana Driensky)

Haynes and Boone Backs Museum of Nature & Science’s Corporate Council

More good news for the Museum of Nature & Science and it involves Haynes and Boone! No, the museum is not in need of any legal assistance. Think philanthropy.

Last Thursday it was announced at a reception that Haynes and Boone will be the museum’s first presenting sponsor of the museum’s Corporate Council, “an advisory board that helps connect local businesses and the community with the museum.”

Photo: Jason Janik

According to the museum’s VP of Development Hal Rose (pictured second from the left with, from the left, Emily Snooks, Sara Vale and Noel Shastid), “Our Corporate Council is comprised of a powerful set of professionals that apply their expertise and connections to further our cause. Haynes and Boone’s support allows us to bring these influential people together and ultimately deliver more STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education opportunities to kids.”

Photo credit: Jason Janik

Speaking of kids, there were a bunch of them at the event. A pre-teen group of Dallas-area kids, XS NRG (pictured), reprised their FIRST LEGO League Competition  robotic performance that won them first place. According to one mom-type who attended the event, “These are the most articulate, sweet, fun kids who just happen to be brilliant to boot. They used words like ‘ultra-capacitor’ and ‘zero-sum’ when describing ‘strategies they considered’ for their various projects.”

The XS-ers had also researched sustainable solutions for reducing jet plane fuel inefficiencies at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and cited their estimated economic-, airline-ticket-price-, and environmental-impact nationwide.

Gee, maybe one of these kiddos could connect our TiVo for us.

How about some factoids about the future museum digs, which will open in late 2012/early 2013? Take a jump and learn some to impress your friends: (more…)

Susan G. Komen Tops Two Categories According to Harris Interactive

Not to brag, but Dallas-born and -bred Susan G. Komen for the Cure was named the most valuable non-profit brand and the charity people are most likely to donate to, according to global market research firm Harris Interactive.

But let’s not stop there!

Of the 1,151 organizations in the rankings, Komen placed second among the most trusted non-profit organizations in America just behind St. Jude Research Hospital.

“We are enormously humbled to be recognized in this way by the public that we serve,” said Komen founder and CEO, Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker. “This validation redoubles our resolve to our promise to end breast cancer through science, education, advocacy and relevant support programs all around the world.”

Harris Interactive Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Justin Greeves said of the top-performing non-profits: “They are working to solve many of society’s most complex and relevant problems in efficient, new, and innovative ways and have achieved personal relevance in many of our lives – that is why they are at the top.”

Congratulations to the thousands of volunteers and staff members who have made Komen a lifesaver.

Dallas Opera Seeks High Falutin Men for Moby-Dick

If you’ve ever had the acting bug or wanted to appear in an opera, now’s your chance. Just two things:

1. You can’t be afraid of heights.
2. You’ve got to be a guy. Now, ladies, don’t get all huffy. There’s a reason that even NOW would understand.

Here’s the scenario: The Dallas Opera is looking for some stout-hearted men for its upcoming world premiere of Moby-Dick. According to Dallas Opera’s Suzanne “The Voice” Calvin:

“We need men with a slim to medium build, ages 16 and up who are able and willing to climb a truss up to 30 feet in the air without hesitation.  They should have absolutely no fear of heights. No previous opera/theatre experience necessary.

“As the supernumeraries or ‘supers’ (non-speaking, non-singing extras) you would add height to the workings of the ship by appearing in the crow’s nest and other various parts of the ship above the rest of the “Ship’s Crew” throughout the show.”

Ladies, you’ve probably calmed down by now knowing that there weren’t any women on whaling ships in the 1850′s and besides what woman would be crazy enough to climb up in the crow’s nest?

The open casting call  (“just bring yourself, no equipment necessary”) is Tuesday, March 16, between 7:00 and 8:30 p.m. at the Karayanis Rehearsal Production Center, 4301 S. Fitzhugh. That’s on the edge of Fair Park off of Gaisford Street. Please park at the back of the building and enter through the back door.

Limbs For Life’s “Roaring 20′s” Gala had the Joint(s) Jumping for Bootleggers

WARNING: Please! Oh, please! Do not read the following post on the Limbs For Life’s annual benefit, if you think you’re going to read about  a pity party for amputees.

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