If you just arrived in the area, you probably don’t realize that this luncheon is the pinnacle gathering of the area art groups and those who tirelessly support them. Each year a man and woman are honored for their efforts. This year the luncheon recipients were Cindy Rachofsky and John T. Cody Jr. (pictured) at the Anatole.

But before the luncheon, which is an artistic occasion in itself, past Silver Cup recipients, VIP’s and honorees gathered for a “catch your breath” reception. It also allowed for a group picture to be taken of past recipients with the “new kids on the block.”

After the official photos were taken, Cindy and John were presented with boxes that would have been too big for Santa to fit in his Christmas sack. Like two eager children, the two pulled off the ribbons, dug through paper stuffing, and discovered their silver cups (pictured).

But before you go off thinking that this heady group of art lovers was only involved in discussing the intellectual side of the arts, back up and rethink. They’re so normal. For instance, sisters Nancy Cain Marcus and Nelda Cain Pickens (pictured on right with Nancy) are as different as salt and pepper  — Nancy the professor at SMU and UD; Nelda the country western singer. Yet, put them together and they giggled like any sisters about growing up and providing their mom with challenges. . . Tincy Miller admitted disappointment over the recent election results and discussed her future plans after she goes off the State Board of Education. . . . John Eagle expressed amazement that wife Jennifer (pictured) actually found her sky-high heels  extremely comfortable. He, on the other hand, is the type who just likes to kick off his shoes at the end of the day . . . Luncheon Chair Rebecca Fletcher (pictured) was an old hand at TACA Silver Cupping. She is second-generation TACA with her mom Bess Enloe having received the Silver Cup in 1993.

Then TACA President/Executive Director/Top Wrangler Becky Young signaled the group that it was time to head to the Anatole’s grand ballroom. With 1,000 crowding the ballroom, Becky wisely had the head table guests escorted around the perimeter of the room to avoid all the well-wishers and to expedite their seating. If this group had tried to make it on their own, we’d still be waiting for lunch to be served.

(Sidenote: The TACA program booklet was one of the best. No, it wasn’t hardbound with embossing. Rather, it was extremely well put together with a full explanation of the event, program, bios, credits for the sponsors/committee members, the 2010 TACA beneficiaries with contact info, etc. For a novice at events, this item may seem rather frivolous to mention, but to old-timers and underwriters, the program is tangible proof of the event’s organization and professionalism.)

One of the highlights of the luncheon was the lineup of performances by various arts groups throughout the meal. This year the performing artists included The James Gilyard Ensemble, Dallas Wind Symphony, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Opera Orchestra, Big Thought, and Fine Arts Chamber Players. Each group performed atop mini-stages placed throughout the room.  The performances weren’t too loud or too long, they were just right. However, the stages with the chairs and equipment proved to be a bit challenging afterwards for guests whose view of the head table was blocked. Usually it’s three-foot centerpieces that provide the viewing challenge. On a more positive note, TACA’s centerpieces were the most delicious platter of cupcakes that allowed guests to actually see guests on the opposite side of the table.

But back to the action and enough of this nitpicking.

Lee Cullum‘s (pictured) MC skills were top-notch. She had tales on everyone and somehow managed to handle the usual luncheon housekeeping info with humor and charm.

But it wasn’t all levity. The fact that TACA managed to raise a million dollars this past year to support the art groups despite the extremely challenging economy was food for thought throughout the luncheon. This number will help support 22,000 local performances.

One of the recipients of the TACA efforts was Meadows Schools of the Arts/tenor Juan Jose de Leon, who was presented the Neiman Marcus Performing Arts Scholarship at SMU. To show his appreciation, Juan performed “Ah! mes amis . . pour mon ame” from Le Fille du Regiment. Neiman’s, your scholarship went to the right student!

Then it was on to the presentation of the Silver Cup. Last year’s recipient Hal Brierley is everyone’s dream of a presenter. He knows his stuff, is to the point, and gracious. His intro of Cindy (pictured) was a blend of sincerity, respect, and warmth focusing on her incredible involvement in the visual arts arena. Cindy reciprocated with an acceptance speech that ranged from tearing up in thanking husband Howard (pictured) to energetically firing up the audience with her admission that her recognition was due to “working as a team” with others.

Then Tincy introduced John (pictured) with a true appreciation for his work taking charge of the Dallas Opera. In accepting his honor, John told how his interest in the opera wasn’t love at first earshot. No, his first attendance was all right, but not life-changing. Then his wife Patti started including the librettos in his briefcase as he traveled the world for JCPenney. Thanks to this positive education, he started understanding and growing his appreciation for the operatic nuances and productions.

This is where Kenny Goss comes in. We know you’ve been waiting. Now settle down. If you think we’re going to dwell on Kenny’s relationship with superstar singer George Michael, get over it. Instead, we’re going to cover Kenny as a part of the turnout of art supporters at the TACA luncheon.

So, what does the white-haired, stately, operatic impresario Cody have in common with the hip contemporary art aficionado/Goss-Michael Foundation founder? It was John’s acceptance speech.

Besides embracing contemporary art, Kenny also recognizes that nurturing future generations in the field is vital. His focus on education is contagious, but it is not limited to just contemporary art. Kenny and sis-in-law Joyce Goss (pictured with Kenny) go in overdrive on the subject of education and encouragement of young people.

And, yes, Kenny has been putting his money where his ideas are. By not only providing scholarships for Booker T. Washington, he and Joyce have been putting various programs in place to encourage young people to learn and express themselves through art. In hearing John’s talk encouraging education and not giving up on the first try, Kenny recognized a kindred spirit. Kenny admitted that scholarship money is important in many situations, but that recognition and a pat on the back can be life-changing for a young person who is frustrated or questioning his/her own abilities.

In summary, class, the TACA luncheon was established 32 years ago to recognize a man and woman who have gone beyond the call of duty to support the arts. Friday it also provided an opportunity once again to open communication and understanding for diverse groups and people to come together, share, and re-energize their efforts. If you have any doubts, just ask Kenny and John.

Luncheon founder Annette Strauss would be extremely pleased to see her awards luncheon idea has come full circle thanks to the following people:

Co-Title Sponsors: Chase and Neiman Marcus

Aria Sponsor: Nancy C. and Richard Rogers/Mary Kay Inc.

Chance Ticket Sponsor: RBC Wealth Management

Program Sponsor: Jennifer and John Eagle/John Eagle Dealerships

Valet Sponsor: Lexus

Concerto Sponsors: Bess and Ted Enloe/Rebecca and Barron Fletcher, Marguerite Steed Hoffman/Sharon and Michael Young, Cindy and Howard Rachofsky, and Vin and Caren Prothro Foundation

Media Sponsors: Modern Luxury and Sweet Charity

The worker bees that made the occasion so very special were:

Chairman: Rebecca Fletcher

Committee: Naomi Aberly, Carrie Becker, Barbara Bigham, Lucy Paige Billingsley, Diane and Hal Brierley, Nita Clark, Mary McDermott Cook, Janie Cooke, Garry Cox, Linda and Bill Custard, Mason S. Custard, Barbara Daseke, Cammy Davis, Arlene Dayton, Suzanne Droese, Lynne Duncan, Jane Dunne, Jennifer Eagle, Gwen Echols, Bess and Ted Enloe, Heather Esping, Ann Fielder, Nancy Halbreich, Ann Hobson, Marguerite S. Hoffman, Kaki Hopkins, Jennifer Houser, Lisa Kazor, Elizabeth Malakoff, Lynn McBee, Janie and Cappy McGarr, Geraldine “Tincy” Miller, Cynthia R. Mitchell, Joyce Mitchell, Lisa Ogle, Karol Omlor, Barbara Baker Page, Nelda Cain Pickens, Caren Prothro, Serena Young Ritch, Catherine Rose, Deedie Rose, Lizzie Routman, LeDée Sachs, Deborah Scott, Peggy Sewell, Abigail Sinwell, Margaret Flanagan Solomon, Gigi Sussman, Ann Swisher, Andy Teller, Michelle Thomas, Merry Vose, Sarah Weinberg, and Marnie and Kern Wildenthal

Chance Ticket Committee: Amy Campbell (Chairman), Kimberly Alexander, Tamara Campbell, Aparna Crosnoe, Mary Adair Dockery, Sarah A. Hamlin, Zoé de Ropp Hart, Pilar Henry, Katie Johnson, Laura Jorgeson, Gigi Lancaster, Ashley Lett, Michelle Lockhart, Paula North, and Betty Schultz

Photo provided by Dallas Opera

This Friday Cindy’s also going to chalk up another honor. She’ll join the illustrious list of recipients of TACA’s Silver Cup Award along with the Dallas Opera’s main man John T. Cody Jr. (pictured) at the Anatole.

The luncheon is presented by Chase and Neiman’s. Ticket info is available by calling 214-520-3930.

Just in case you’re wondering who are the people behind the scenes making this shindig happen, here you go:

CHAIRMAN — Rebecca Fletcher

COMMITTEE — Naomi Aberly, Carrie Becker, Barbara Bigham, Lucy Paige Billingsley, Diane and Hal Brierley, Nita Clark, Mary McDermott Cook, Janie Cooke, Garry Cox, Linda and Bill Custard, Mason S. Custard, Barbara Daseke, Cammy Davis, Arlene Dayton, Suzanne Droese, Lynne Duncan, Jane Dunne, Jennifer Eagle, Gwen Echols, Bess and Ted Enloe, Heather Esping, Ann Fielder, Nancy Halbreich, Ann Hobson, Marguerite S. Hoffman, Kaki Hopkins, Jennifer Houser, Lisa Kazor, Elizabeth Malakoff, Lynn McBee, Janie and Cappy McGarr, Geraldine “Tincy” Miller, Cynthia R. Mitchell, Joyce Mitchell, Lisa Ogle, Karol Omlor, Barbara Baker Page, Nelda Cain Pickens, Caren Prothro, Serena Young Ritch, Catherine Rose, Deedie Rose, Lizzie Routman, LeDée Sachs, Deborah Scott, Peggy Sewell, Abigail Sinwell, Margaret Flanagan Solomon, Gigi Sussman, Ann Swisher, Andy Teller, Michelle Thomas, Merry Vose, Sarah Weinberg, and Marnie and Kern Wildenthal

CHANCE TICKET COMMITTEE — Chairman Amy Campbell, Kimberly Alexander, and Tamara Campbell

(Yes, we’re talking about Annette the Socialite before she was Annette the Mayor of Dallas.)

This very hardworking and savvy lady recognized the need for recognition of one man and one woman who had made outstanding contributions to the arts in Dallas. Annette also saw the opportunity to raise funds for the arts by presenting the awards at a luncheon.

Since then, the TACA Silver Cup Award has been presented to 30 men and 30 women who have been instrumental to the incredible growth of the Dallas arts community. On Friday, March 5, Cindy Rachofsky (pictured) and John Cody Jr. (pictured) will have their names officially added to that list at the TACA Silver Cup Award Luncheon sponsored by Chase and Neiman Marcus.

Now, we know what you’re thinking. Cindy and John probably gave a bundle of money and this is their thank you. Oh, we thought we knew you so much better than that. Both Cindy and John have been down in the trenches working tirelessly to not only encourage others to support the arts, but to make the various arts accessible to those without the means.

As luncheon chair Rebecca Fletcher put it so perfectly, “Cindy and John are giants in the Dallas arts community. It is our privilege to honor them and shine the spotlight on two volunteers who are setting an example of excellence in all they do.”

To show their appreciation, members of Big Thought, The Dallas Opera, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Wind Symphony, Fine Arts Chamber Players, Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra, and Meadows School of the Arts of SMU will perform at the luncheon.

Shameless bragging: SweetCharity is the very proud blog sponsor of the TACA Silver Cup Award.

By the way, we realize that you probably haven’t memorized the other 30 pairs, so here they are:

1979 Mrs. Eugene McDermott and Mr. Henry S. Miller, Jr.
1980 Mrs. Grace Stemmons Kepler and Mr. Robert S. Folsom
1981 Mrs. William Plack Carr and Mr. George V. Charlton
1982 Mrs. Leland Fikes and Mr. Waldo E. Stewart
1983 Mrs. James B. Francis and Mr. Jerry Lee Holmes
1984 Mrs. Edward S. Marcus and Mr. Irvin L. Levy
1985 Mrs. Theodore H. Strauss and Mr. Stanley Marcus
1986 Mrs. Henry S. Miller, Jr. and Mr. Ralph B Rogers
1987 Ms. Elsa von Seggern and Dr. Philip Montgomery, Jr.
1988 Mrs. Patricia B. Meadows and Mr. William A. Custard
1989 Mrs. Edith O’Donnell and Mr. Peter O’ Donnell, Jr.
1990 Mrs. Nancy B. Hamon and Mr. Liener Temerlin
1991 Mrs. Greer Garson and Mr. Curtis W. Meadows, Jr.
1992 Mrs. Wendy Reves and Major General Hugh G. Robinson
1993 Mrs. Robert Ted Enloe III and Mr. C. Vincent Prothro
1994 Mrs. Lawrence S. Barzune and Mr. William Winspear
1995 Mrs. Edmund J. Kahn and Mr. Jeremy Halbreich
1996 Mrs. Virginia L. Nick and Mr. John W. Dayton
1997 Mrs. Deedie Rose and Mr. Robert L. Crandall
1998 Mrs. Joyce Mitchell and Mr. Raymond D. Nasher
1999 Mrs. Arlene J. Dayton and Mr. Howard Hallam
2000 Mrs. Linda Pitts Custard and Mr. Charles Wyly
2001 Ms. Mary McDermott Cook and Mr. Otto Wetzel
2002 Mrs. Patsy Miller Donosky and Mr. Harvey R. Mitchell
2003 Mrs. Caren Harvey Prothro and Mr. Marty Weiland
2004 Mrs. Diane Brierley and Dr. Kern Wildenthal
2005 Ms. Lynn Flint Shaw and Mr. Howard Rachofsky
2006 Mrs. Marguerite Hoffman and Mr. Robert Hoffman
2007 Ms. Linda Perryman Evans and Mr. Ruben Esquivel
2008 Mrs. Elaine Agather and Mr. Brad Todd
2009 Mrs. Geraldine “Tincy” Miller and Mr. Harold M. Brierley

Photo by Dana Driensky

Friday night when half the city was without electricity and streets were literally obstacle courses of downed tree limbs, the TACA Board of Governors held its annual Valentine’s party at Kelly and Norm Green‘s (pictured) home. With SweetCharity’s home team literally homebound, Dillard Spring filed this report –

Despite the inclement weather the days before and subsequent power outages, a group of about 90 gathered in the warmth and stunning beauty of the Green’s home. “Do you have electricity?” was a resounding question as you can imagine!  The Green’s electricity had been out until Friday afternoon, and the (ed. note: Lynn and Allan) McBee’s had gone out Thursday morning and had still not resumed.  As always Lynn looked impeccable in spite of the hardship.

With the weather cancellation of the Dallas Symphony performance on Friday night, Dallas Symphony President Doug Adams (who was in attendance) had personally greeted symphony attendees who could not be reached by phone or email to apologize for the inconvenience.

Barbara and Don Daseke, Nick Even, Karol Omlor, and Barbara and Bob Bigham were headed to WaterTower Theatre, and Tara Lewis and John Swords and Amy and Scott Hofland to a Dallas Wind Symphony performance.

Photo by Dana Driensky

Kelly and Norm host this event each year with a Valentine’s theme and this year the signature drink “Strawberry Kiss” (pictured) and mini-conversation heart cupcakes helped set the tone.

Connie and Denny Carreker, as well as many others, were dressed in red for the occasion.

The event is a thank you to members of TACA’s Board of Governors, and this year’s underwriter is U.S. Trust.

TACA Chair Lynn McBee admitted that the goal looked in jeopardy around the holidays, so she decided to take a pass on a Christmas vacation and womaned the phones to make the million dollar mark. For her efforts and those of the other  dedicated TACA mainstays, 35 Dallas County performing arts groups were more than appreciative in receiving their shares of the million.

The arts groups have really been stretched to the max this past year and every cent helps. One member of the arts community confessed that many of their supporters had targeted their money to the AT&T Performing Arts Center this past year, “but that was perfectly understandable. It just made us tighten our belts a bit more than usual.”

Not only were TACA officials well aware of the financial pressures, they used it as call for action and it worked.

Here’s a breakdown of how the funds were distributed:

• $5,000 – Anita Martinez Ballet Folklorico, Lone Star Wind Orchestra, Meadows School of the Arts – SMU, and Project X
• $6,000- Arts District Chorale
• $7,000 – Voices of Change
• $8,000 – Irving Chorale, Irving Symphony Orchestra
• $9,000 – Dallas Bach Society
• $10,000 – Orchestra of New Spain
• $11,000 – Undermain Theatre and Uptown Players
• $12,000 – Echo Theatre and Teatro Dallas
• $13,000 – Dallas Museum of Art
• $14,000 – Sammons Center for the Arts, Sammons Jazz
• $15,000 – TITAS
• $18,000 – Chamber Music International and Orpheus Chamber Singers
• $20,000 – Fine Arts Chamber Players
• $28,000 – Children’s Chorus of Greater Dallas
• $30,000 – Junior Players and Theatre Three
• $32,000 – Shakespeare Dallas
• $34,000 – Dallas Wind Symphony
• $36,000 – Lyric Stage
• $41,000 – Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra
• $42,000 – WaterTower Theatre
• $45,000 – Dallas Black Dance Theatre
• $50,000 – Big Thought
• $65,000 – Dallas Children’s Theater and Texas Ballet Theater
• $90,000 – Dallas Theater Center
• $100,000 – Dallas Opera and Dallas Symphony Orchestra

It seemed a little ironic that the two largest amounts were presented to the two tallest chaps in the Horchow Auditorium (John Cody of the DO and Doug Adams of the DSO). By the way, John better get use to going on stage and accepting. He’s slated to receive TACA’s Silver Cup next month.

The only downside of the event was the auditorium that was bulging with people who were about to explode. They really wanted to applaud after each presentation, but MC Ken Travis (pictured) warned them that all appreciation would have to hold until all in the group had received their checks. Frustrating!!! But thanks to Ken’s strategy, the event was quickly over and everyone headed to Seventeen Seventeen for the reception. And we mean everyone. There was hardly room to back slap, but there were plenty of happy people like Jose Bowen (pictured), who had been the featured speaker at the presentation. He revealed that one of the lessons being taught to students of the arts at SMU was the business side of the any and all arts. . . . Doris Jacobs (pictured) looked quite pleased with the results of the evening in a black Dolce Gabanna.

New board members include: Lucy Paige Billingsley, Connie Carreker, Janie Cooke, Jennifer Eagle, Lauren Embrey, Ann Hobson, Eric Johnson, Jacquelin Sewell, and Zannie Voss.

Board members returning for their second three-year term include: Nancy Carlson, Barbara Daseke, Jan Deatherage, Duncan Graham, Jeff Netzer, Kemp Sawers, Andy Teller, and Marnie Wildenthal.

Leading these art-loving troopers for 2010 are Chairman Lynn McBee, Treasurer Jim Nugent, Secretary Tara Lewis, and Vice Chairman of Programs Karol Omlor.

Chairmen Emeriti include Sis Carr, Jane Dunne, Ed Fjordbak, and Linda Gibbons.

Now wouldn’t it  be quite lovely to have some of that lovely Chase money end up here in Biggest D?

Speaking of overdrive, the collection of finery in the Dallas Convention Center could only be described as Howard Carter once put it, “Yes, wonderful things!” Everything from centuries-old antique Asian saddles to gems that needed no light to sparkle to one-of-kind ancient Chinese screens inlaid with little vignettes (pictured)–row after row of mini-boutiques caught the eyes of folks like Kelly and Norm Green, Barbara Bigham, Linda and Steve Ivy, and the usual suspects.

Such a suspect was Ritzy chef Dean Fearing (pictured) who looked more like the rabbit in Alice in Wonderland as he scampered down the aisle to check on the Ritz cafe saying, “I have to be back at the hotel in 45 minutes.” One would have expected him to say, “I’m late. I’m late for a very important date.”

(Between you and SweetCharity, Dean did have an important date back at the Ritz.)

But back to the show– according to the mastermind of the show, Scott Diament (pictured), they’re expecting between 20,000 and 30,000 during their Dallas show ending Monday night. Scott isn’t a Dallasite but he sure talks like one. “Dallas is Texas. This is our hub city. Look at the airport, the number of hotels, this facility.”   

In order to make an excellent first impression, Scott vetted the potential participants in the show with a finest tooth comb. Only the best would do for him and the show.

Even something as unusual as a collection of antique and unique gambling machines just off of the main drag. Don’t pooh-pooh the idea that slot machines and horse racing games are just silly video games without the video. The star of the Daniels, Daniels & Daniels collection is the Musical Venus (pictured). Built in 1907, she’s one of three still in existence. Seems that during Prohibition gambling machines were destroyed, but this lucky Venus was kept under wraps in a private collection. Made in Switzerland, she was unique not only for her beauty and ability to handle two types of coinage, but she played Yankee Doodle and Grand Old Flag. To prove her position within this high-falutin’ show, you might want to know the number on her price tag: $500,000.

Remember the show is like Brigadoon. It’s only here briefly and then it disappears.

It also was the ideal backdrop for the announcement of the 2010 TACA recipients. Now the drum roll, please. No, wait. There are just a couple of more housekeeping items to take care of. You see, when Bruno owned the place (which was incredibly well built from a construction point of view), the giggly press loved reporting that every now and then a guest would leave din-din sopping wet. What’s that, you ask? Sopping wet dinner? Well, you see, the dining room is terribly surrounded by a moat, or a lake, or a pond, or a pool. Whatever you want to call it, you’re in trouble if you scoot your chair too far back. The moat also separates the living room from the dining room. So the lifeguards, or servers, kept vigilant eyes on potential drowning victims. That explains why half the staff attending tonight’s event were serving as “lifeguards.” No guest was lost thanks to the able-bodied guards.

Oh, and by the by, there is an embargo on the announcement of the 2009 2010 TACA Silver Cup recipents, but SweetCharity was there, so we were granted dispensation. We always want you to have the sneak preview of the real news, not the press release handouts.

Let’s not make you suffer any longer, my art-loving dears. The 2009 2010 recipients for TACA’s Silver Cup Award will be Cindy Rachofsky and John T. Cody.  Talk about two different types of  folks! Cindy, who has been part of the infamous Dallas art triumvirate Howard Rachofsky (Cindy-girl’s husband)/Marguerite and (the late and handsome) Robert Hoffman/Deedie and Rusty Rose (Hello, they just gave $5M to the Dallas DesignStudio), looked like a high school cheerleader just learning that she was named homecoming queen. When we finally caught up with Cindy, she was giggling in the corner with “my best friend”  Marguerite H. Why-oh-why do we suspect that the two were cooking up more on their agendas to improve the art world of Dallas?

Over across the room was former president and COO of JC Penney John Cody (pictured), meantime being tall, charming, and gracious chatting with host John E. Don’t you just love men in suits? It’s so Mad Men of the 21st century. There’s something about the graying at the temples. . . oh, never mind.

And don’t even get John E started talking about the arts. He’s absolutely in high drive on the subject. No doubt when you’ve got a knockout like Jennifer on your arm, art becomes an avocation. But John admitted that it was the idea of giving back to the community and his father’s influence that drove him to support the arts. He also gave the credit for this support to his associates at his auto dealerships. “Anything we achieve, we owe to them.”

Ah, but back to the behind-the-scenes activities of the party. We know that’s what you’re hungry for. Here we go:

TACA Board Chair Lynn McBee was getting used to being the mistress of the microphone. This event was her second of the week handling the wicked mike as lady-in-charge-of-happy-announcements. Tuesday she chaired the Equest luncheon. . . . While Lynn was the charming MOC, husband Allan was looking forward to teaching a gun class at that fabulous area hideaway, Rough Creek Lodge. After talking with Allan, we almost wanted to grab our pearl-handle derringer and pack it on over to RCL. . . .Hal Brierley and his miraculously wonderful Diane were shaking their heads  over Hal’s vehicle escapade at last weekend’s Cattle Baron’s Ball. Diane was already proclaiming that next year’s event would be better than ever, while Hal was concerned thinking that there were people expecting the American Cancer Society to reimburse them for the evacuation of their vehicles. . . . Rebecca Fletcher was looking quite humble as Lynn McB announced that Rebecca would be the chair of next year’s luncheon. . . Doris Jacobs as usual looked oh-so perfect, as did Linda Ivey, Barbara Daseke, and Tincy Miller, who was smiling in delight at the announcement of the recipients. . . Oh, did we tell you that almost all of the past Silver Cup recipients attended the vote and were thrilled at the results back in September? . . . And while we rarely post a typical “stand and smile” party  photo, we couldn’t help shooting this one of previous and future TACA Silver Cup recipients Hal and Diane Brierley, Cindy and Howard Rachofsky, and Marguerite Hoffman (from the left). . . . The official presentation of the Silver Cup will be made to Cindy and John C. on March 5, 2010, at the Hilton Anatole.

UPDATE from last night’s TACA auction:  Seems the bidders got wrapped up in vying for the “Magical Maui Retreat” (14-day stay for six people at a plantation-style estate on the Garden Isle’s North Shore). After the auction was over, Lynn realized something was up when she heard two different groups talking about their winning Maui bid. After placing a couple of calls to the very right people, Lynn managed a win-win —both groups get their trips and TACA doubled their income on the item.