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“Spotlight Humane” Rallies Puppies’ Best Friends with Glitz and Gab

In recent years, a small, dedicated group of people has committed themselves to building awareness of puppy mills in North Texas. It’s not because puppy mills were the new problem in the animal lovers world. They’ve been around forever largely due to pet stores and uneducated folks who want a nice puppy and didn’t realize the source.

Did you know that there are 10,000 puppy mills in this country selling between two and four million puppies yearly?

To combat the problem, three main programs were initially undertaken by the group. First, protests outside local pet stores selling puppies from such mills. Second, investigating and notifying authorities of such operations and closing them down. Third, educating the public on the right way to get a puppy.

They have since added state legislation to their “must-do” list.

Photo credit: Lara Bierner

To salute the efforts of the local group, The Humane Society of the U.S. presented Spotlight Humane benefiting the Stop Puppy Mills Campaign at Union Station Friday night. To do the honors of welcoming the 400 guests, Humane Society of the United States President/CEO Wayne Pacelle (pictured with from the left Kristina Bowman, Catharine Flagg and Holly Forsythe)) was on hand, as were guest speakers Puppy Mills Campaign Senior Director Stephanie Shain and Arthur E. Benjamin, founder and president of American Dog Rescue and vice chairman/CEO of ATI Career Training.

The event itself was a bow-wow feat when you realize event chairs Kristina Bowman, Catharine Flagg, and Holly Forsythe had just five months to pull the whole thing off. BTW, at one point it appeared to be a bit of a pep rally for Lady Photographer Bowman. Any time her name was mentioned on the screen or from the podium, a wave of cheering took place in the Grand Hall.

But prior to all the hoopla in the Grand Hall, a VIP reception was held in the Texas & Pacific Room while the silent auction was being held in the Frisco Room. Interesting. This practice has been seen at other events and one can’t help but wonder if the high rollers might have goosed up the silent auction bidding had they had some time to browse around the hundreds of silent auction items.

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Cotes du Coeur Holds a Sneak Catalog Preview with Wine, Whiskey, and Porsches

Last night Park Place Porsche was jiving with whiskey and top level sponsors/donors of the April 10 Cotes du Coeur’s International Fine Wine Auction & Celebrity Chef Dinner. The occasion was the catalog preview of the items that will be up for bid.

But before the reviewing started, Macallan‘s Brand Ambassador Jay Liddell (pictured) with a twinkle in his eye told the group assembled around the newest Porsches on the showroom floor that, “If some of you see me with a glass of whiskey, it’s OK. I’m a professional.”

Then, referring to the week’s topic of interest, Jay said, “In the old days, it was actually safer to drink whiskey than water. So, that’s the health care reform I think we all need.”

Let’s hoist a glass on that one.

Then Pappas Brothers Steakhouse Master Sommelier Barbara Werley (pictured) reviewed the catalog listings for the auction at the Hilton Anatole benefiting the American Heart Association. The items are simply remarkable and set many hearts thumping.

While some were sampling wine and being quite charming, Anita Dickey (pictured) was doing her homework reviewing the catalog and taking notes. This girl is going to be prepared for the auction.

Sponsors for last night’s gathering of wine lovers included Central Market, Macallan, Glazer’s, Park Place Porsche, and Sprinkles.

“Walk On The Wildside” Tonight

Sure there’s a chill in the air and Belo is broadcasting a debate of the Republican governor contenders, but do you really want to sit at home and listen to more politics? And speaking of Belo, why not “Walk on the Wild” to Belo Mansion for a buffet, silent auction, and dancing to The Spazmatics?

It’s all a part of the 11th annual benefit for the Interfaith Housing Coalition.

It starts at 7:30 and attire is “totally rad casual.” Ah, but you were already going to wear that.

Paws Cause — Tongues Were Wagging!

Animal behaviorists recognize the dynamics of pack behavior. In the canine world, there is “an innate sense of social inequality;” in the human world at Sunday’s 10th Annual Paws Cause, there was an absolute equality of fun.

A half hour into the party at Sambuca, room after room was filled with two-legged critters looking happier than dogs at Unleashed Park on a Saturday afternoon. But what else would you expect when you have alpha dogs Diane (pictured) and Hal Brierley as the honorary chairs? Needless to say, the twosome hardly made it through the front door before guests were lining up to chat with the notorious dog lovers.

You do know that Diane is the Park Cities unofficial dog whisperer, don’t you? Need proof? Okay, here’s a tale that’s absolutely true — cross our paws! It seems that over the holidays, Lynn and Alan McBee‘s canine housemate, Otis, decided to go wandering around the neighborhood.

Want to find out how this dog’s tale ended? (more…)

True Confesssion: Bishop’s Gala Was A Lot More Fun Than Mass

The Hilton Anatole was buzzing with three different groups Saturday night. There were those lugging briefcases and luggage. There were those in ball gowns and tails. There were those who mixed and mingled blue jeans with tuxedoes.

Now try to match which group was which – The Bishop’s Gala for Catholic Charities, the Terpsichorean Club, January Total Home & Gift Market. If you’ve been around the Dallas social circle more than once, it was a snap matching the groups. Now guess which one had the most fun — The Bishop’s Gala.

Whether it was the theme, the familiar friends getting together, or just Bishop Kevin Farrell‘s Irish ability to make for a good time, 600 partied the night away. Or, perhaps it was because the party ‘s honorary chairs were the David G. and Mary Fox family.

Before we get caught up in the all the fun stuff of the night, Bishop Farrell gently suggested that guests make a donation to the Haitian victims, noting that hundreds of Catholic missionaries and volunteers were lost or missing in the aftermath. (more…)

Dragonfly Fights January Guilt Factor, Supports Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

There’s a tendency in January to cut back on everything that we did over the  holidays — eating, spending, partying. But thanks to Dragonfly, you don’t have to go overboard in the denial department. The staff is launching “Neighborhood Night.” Every Thursday starting January 14, they’ll redefine happy hour. Instead of a narrow couple of hours that never really fits anyone’s schedule, they’ll have happy hours from 5 to closing with live music and Dragonfly yummies like crispy calamari salad with Asian greens and sweet Chile Vinaigrette, ZaZa french fries with seranno Chile ranch dressing, burger sliders with horseradish pickle, red onion relish and smoke gouda cheese will be available for $5 each.

“We created Thursday ‘Neighborhood Night’ as a way to treat Uptowners with ZaZa style and offer them an intimate and relaxed atmosphere where friends can meet; enjoy excellent food and service; creative entertainment and the best of company,” said Noel Rodriguez, Hotel ZaZa general manager.

And how does this reduce the January guilt factor? The staff has arranged for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to host the debut night on January 14. Proceeds from a silent auction and raffle will benefit CF.

Guilty Pleasure: Designer Poochie Beds

Photo credit: Chris Kraus

When it comes to pooches, it’s easy to spoil ‘em. Let’s face it. You don’t have to put them through college  or pay for any weddings. So why not provide them with their own comfy place. That’s exactly what those SPCA folks have created — designer pet beds. And we’re talking designers using their maxed out creativity!  How about:

• “Pup Tent” (pictured) by Ann Sutherland at Perennials Fabrics
• “Precious Cargo” by The Mews
• “Coco to Go” by Neal Stewart Design and Jim Couch
• “Jungle Secret” by Pawlocity/Greg Hooper/Susan Kilgore
• “Industrial Pup” by Barb Gover, Kay Chefchis, and Richie Almond
• “Swank Dog” by Swank Lighting/Doug Taylor/Faith Scheznayder (It includes its own vintage Murano lamp)
• Rubic Cube-inspired bed by Taylor Boyd

If you want a gander of a dozen of the bow wow boudoirs, head on over to Highland Park Village where a dozen of them are on display in the old Harold’s windows through December. Then the beds move to the Neiman display windows at NorthPark from January 14-21.

What next? They’re auctioned off at the January 24 Paws Cause benefiting the SPCA spay/neuter programs at Sambuca Uptown. Co-chairs for the event are Escada’s Melinda Rathke and Neiman’s Susan Jones. Honorary chairs are Diane and Hal Brierley.

Sure it may seem a bit extravagant, but the money goes to a very good cause. So go ahead and bid and don’t feel guilty.

Want To Be Part Of The Conspiracy?

Sure it’s a dark, dank day and you’ve seen all the movies. You don’t want to stay at home. You did that last night. Need a suggestion? How about Art Conspiracy?  No, it’s not your typical wander-and-stare art gallery opening. It’s a coming together by visual artists and musicians to raise funds for a deserving group. To do this, the AC crew transform an empty warehouse at 511 West Commerce into a one-night-only art gallery and performance space.

Still not convinced that it’s all that different? You’re a hard sell.

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Crystal Charity Ball Part I: The Facts And Setting

When one encounters a tsunami event, one admits that an excruciatingly long blog would be worthless. Instead it would be much wiser to break up the coverage into areas of interest.

Needless to say, Saturday night’s Crystal Charity Ball was such the case and SweetCharity will post accordingly. Your patience is appreciated.

First, let’s tackle the facts and setting for “License To Thrill.”

FACTS AND SETTING: Since 1952 Crystal Charity Ball has held the top place in the tiara of charity galas in North Texas. There are no if’s, and’s, or but’s about it. It’s the Big Mama of events earning multi-million $$$ funds for children’s charities in one night. This year CCB chair Debbie Oates (pictured with husband Nickey) and her committee faced that challenge of providing a mega spectacular event that satisfied the investment of underwriters and sponsors, but also didn’t cross the line of appearing to be the 21st century’s Marie Antoinette court.

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Gingerbread Haus Is Good Enough To Bid On

Courtesy photo provided by GermanDeli

If you can whip up an entry, start your batters churning because the GermanDeli in Colleyville is holding its fifth annual Gingerbread “Haus” competition as part of the 10th annual WeihnachtsFest on Sunday. (Side note: It’s words like WeihnachtsFest that makes one glad not to be a radio or TV reporter.) If your primary or secondary language isn’t German, WeihnachtsFest means Christmas Festival.

A new addition to the competition is a silent auction of the little hauses (Is that the plural of haus?) with 100% of the proceeds going to the Susan G. Komen For The Cure Foundation.