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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)

Attitudes & Attire Puts Teeth Into Annual Fashion Show/Luncheon

If you had no money and had lost several teeth due to drug abuse, what would you do? Wednesday some of Dallas most caring and supportive women and men could hardly believe their ears when they heard what one woman did. But first, let’s set the stage.

The annual Attitudes & Attire covered the full range of emotions today  at the Dallas Trade Mart. Ranging from the runway antics of playful models wearing delicious clothes designed by Paulette Martsolf (pictured) of Allie-Coosh to the heart rendering stories from beneficiaries of the A&A program, the room of ladies and gents had a memorable time.

Surprise highlight was Ebby Halliday Acers, who donated one of her suits to A&A, and then pulled out her ukulele to sing a tribute to honoree Caroline Rose Hunt. At one point, Ebby kept strumming and stopped singing trying to recall the lyrics. Then the nearly 99-year old smiled and said, still strumming, “I’m showing my age.” She brought the house down.

As hard as it was to follow up that act, A&A Executive Director Lyn Berman started the presentation of the Kim Dawson Attitude Award by introducing Laurie Harrison and her mother Caroline Rose Hunt (pictured with Laurie). It was Laurie’s task to introduce her mother. It was a marvelously rich and strong introduction filled with a daughter’s love and admiration. So much so that Caroline hesitated to receive her award. “I didn’t know what Laurie was going to say,” as she teared up. Capturing the mother-daughter exchange was Caroline’s granddaughter/Laurie’s daughter Hassie Harrison (pictured) with her trusty iPhone. What a cutie! (more…)

Chick Lit Luncheon Author Revealed To Chic Calypso Crowd Last Night

Last night Calypso in Preston Center East was jamming with chic young chicks. You would have thought it was Thursday night at Ocean Prime or Rattlesnake Bar. But, no! It was the “reveal party” for the April 29th Chick Lit Luncheon at Brook Hollow. And what did they reveal? This year’s author who will be the main event at the luncheon.

Since this group of very un-bookworms cuts to the chase, the author announcement was made early in the evening — Chicago’s Jen Lancaster. If that name is new to you, settle back, have a good laugh, and join her fan club. Getting her start as a blogger, Jen’s talents have resulted in such books as Bitter is the New Black; Bright Lights, Big A-s ( a word that SweetCharity is not allowed to use); Such a Pretty Fat; and Pretty in Plaid.

Now normally guests exit quickly after such an announcement is made, but, oh, no, not with this group! They stayed; they chatted; they drank; they met Chick Lit Luncheon sponsors Lara (pictured) and Robert Tafel; they tried on clothes; they bought clothes, perfume, purses (with a nice percentage going to Community Partners of Dallas).

Must admit that the shower curtain-style changing rooms at times proved to be a bit revealing themselves. As one guest passed by, her purse accidentally pulled the curtain open revealing a guest who was in a state of undress. Thank heaven, she heeded her mama’s advice to wear her prettiest undies. Oh, well, it was a girly party, so what the diff.

And speaking of girls, those gals responsible for the Chick Lit fun

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Sammons Once Again Takes Philanthropy To A Staggering Level With $100M Gift

The name Sammons is simply synonymous with greatness in giving. This morning the Sammons Foundation truly raised the philanthropy bar to a level that is simply put, “astounding.” The estate of founder Charles A. Sammons and the 3,500 people of Sammons Enterprises Inc., are presenting a $100 million gift to be divvied up among six beneficiaries.

Take a deep breath and think about that number –a one with eight zeroes. Need a comparison? That is more than the marvelous Crystal Charity Ball has raised since its founding in 1953. And this $100M gift, as well as many previous acts of Sammons generosity, is the legacy provided by an Oklahoma orphan, who made Dallas his home.

“With this historic contribution we are honoring Mr. Sammons’ conviction that the worth of a company should be based on its profitability and its contribution to the community,” said Sammons Dallas Foundation President Heather Kreager. “The beneficiaries will be able to continue their missions of helping improve the quality of life for the people within our community who are facing challenges.”

The six groups reeling from their good fortune and which were identified by Mr. Sammons prior to his death in 1988 are:

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Noble Santa Ho-Ho-Ho’s In Diamond Class

Santa is a mischievous chap. While most of us think the old fella is toiling away in his workshop nowadays with “seven-dwarf-like” elves, the real truth is that he was at Bill Noble‘s annual Christmas party Tuesday night with some pretty drop-dead looking elvettes  (pictured). But give him a break. His #1 stand-in (Bill N) was hard at work hosting and putting his money where his heart is. Not only did he offer to donate a portion of the evening’s proceeds to The DFW Metroplex Salvation Army, Diamond Bill (pictured center with Salvation Army Captain Michele and Major Ward Matthews) jump-started the whole process with a $25,000 check.

Okay, now that we’ve gotten the niceties out of the way, let’s talk party. (more…)

Showers Forecast at Forty Five Ten And Craft

Now if you don’t know of the Showers mother/daughter team, you have  limited your reading to Field & Stream and Popular Mechanics. Jan and dotter Elizabeth are poster girls for la-de-da designs, both in the home and in the jewel box. Jan‘s words of wisdom in Glamorous Rooms are on the best coffee tables and Elizabeth‘s ring, earrings (pictured), and things embrace the rich and adorable.

Hopefully, Jan and Elizabeth have all their Christmas shopping because they’re going to be busy girls the next few days benefiting others:

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10 (7 to 9 p.m.) – Benefiting The Family Place, December Decadence 2009 will take place at Forty Five Ten with Honorary Chairs Jan Showers and Cameron Silver. With 10% of all sales from the evening going to TFP, the evening will feature Cameron, Jan signing her Glamorous Rooms, Elizabeth Showers, Raven Kauffman, and Waylande Gregory.  Hosts of the event are Forty Five Ten, PaperCity, and Kimberly Schlegel Whitman.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 14  (11:00 a.m.) — Elizabeth is going solo at the December Fashion Dish series at Craft. Benefiting Two by Two for AIDS and Art, Elizabeth’s 18-karat Gold Couture Collection will be on hand for viewing; lunch will be delicious; and you’ll be able to “mingle with Elizabeth.” Reservations are a must!

Jason Terry Hits The Grill For Gilda’s Club North Texas

Mavs guard Jason Terry is known for his skills on the court, but now he’s burger king. Oops, let’s rethink that last one. He’s king of burgers at Hard Rock Cafe Dallaswith his Jason Terry Legendary Burger, a 10-oz. certified Angus beef burger. Starting today each one of these hunks of beef between two buns will result in a portion of the purchase benefiting Gilda’s Club North Texas.

And, no, Jason won’t be cooking up each burger. You know he’s got a day job.

The Family Place Partners Up with Cadillac and the Galleria

Have heard things about the newest version of the Cadillac SRX? Am even curious, but does it warrant venturing into a dealership with all those eagerly accommodating sales folks? Eek! Well, what about taking the 2010 crossover for a test drive, trying out some competitors, and helping The Family Place? Thought we would get your attention. That’s what is in store (sorry, no pun intended) at the Galleria Dallas this Saturday (10 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.). (more…)

B4Black Offers a Sneak Preview and Opportunities Tonight!

Attention, Black Tie Dinner guests: Tonight’s preview party “B4 Black” is a great opportunity for those who wish to pre-shop and buy anything on the floor of the Sheraton Dallas Hotel’s Lone Star Ballroom without tomorrow night’s gala crowd.

Judy Shepard, mother of the late Matthew Shepard, will be signing copies of her just-released book, The Meaning of Matthew: My Son’s Murder in Laramie, and a World Transformed. Tomorrow night she’ll receive the 2009 Elizabeth Birch Equality Award at the BTD.

The preview party will be a party in itself with DJ Micah B handling the entertainment and featured cocktails and vodka drinks compliments of Grey Goose Vodka.

Starting time tonight: 8 p.m.

Attire: business casual or festive attire.

Reminder: Don’t party too hard tonight, my darlings. You’ll need to be in shape for tomorrow night’s gala.

ClubCorp Opens Tower Club and Area Golf Clubs to Benefit Dallas Can!, MDA, and ClubCorp’s Employee Partners Care Foundation

Imagine dining at the Tower Club for $50 and helping three nonprofits! That’s what’s going to happen Tuesday night when ClubCorp opens the private dining club on the 48th floor of Thanksgiving Tower from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Actually, Tuesday night is just a smidgen of “The Charity Classic,” which is the world’s largest multi-site charity golf and dining event, with participating clubs teeing up from California to New York. This year 140 of Dallas-based ClubCorp’s country clubs, private business and sports clubs and resorts will participate to raise money for nearly 100 charities.

The lucky local beneficiaries are Dallas Can! Academy, Muscular Dystrophy Association, and ClubCorp’s Employee Partners Care Foundation.

Participating golf clubs slated to hold tournaments for the causes are Oakmont Country Club in Corinth (October 2), Stonebriar Country Club in Frisco (October 9), and Shady Valley Country Club in Arlington (November 13).

It’s a great opportunity to sample the ClubCorp way of life and to help the three beneficiaries.