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Let’s Breakfast With Bill Lively And June Jones For Communities In Schools

Did you know that football season never really ends? That’s right especially in Dallas. If you have any question about that, reserve a seat for the 7 a.m. Communities in Schools Dallas Region breakfast Wednesday at Prestonwood Country Club. No, they won’t be tossing a pigskin around. Better! North Texas Super Bowl XLV President/ CEO Bill Lively (pictured) and SMU Head Football Coach June Jones will be the featured speakers.

Trust us. Having Bill and June talk to you first thing in the morning is better than three shots of espresso in your latte with a Red Bull chaser.

But they’re not going to be pitching folks for sponsorships or tickets. Rather they’re going to share “stories about achieving their dreams.” You see, the breakfast is just the first of three “Dream Achiever Breakfasts” held in connection with the year-long CISDR’s 25th anniversary celebration.

According to Jeff Morris, President/CEO of ALON USA and CISDR Endowment President, “The CISDR model is proven to be successful and makes the future much brighter for thousands of young people. ALON USA has committed to supporting CISDR’s yearlong 25^th birthday celebration and we look forward to seeing what the organization will accomplish in the future.”

Terdema Ussery Revs Up The Real Estate Council “To See Greatness”

Commercial real estate folks thrive on getting up early in the morning with plenty of energy. So, Thursday’s breakfast at the Fairmont to celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Real Estate Council felt like a joint gathering of Toastmasters and Zig Ziglar. And the caffeine kick only moved the zeal rate up a couple of notches for the 400+ attendees.

After TREC Vice Chairman Melissa Eastman handled “the housekeeping issues” like reminding guests of the May 6th “Fight Night” at the Anatole and that TREC’s new website was up and running, she introduced a well-done video showcasing the many community projects in which TREC has been involved.

Then Melissa got to the featured act — Terdema Ussery (pictured above). The guy’s credentials not only go on for a week, but each one is a showstopper. Ivy Leaguer, lawyer, president/CEO of the Dallas Mavericks, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Dallas Housing Authority. (more…)

Better Than A Caffeine Kick — Terdema Ussery For Breakfast

Sure, everybody knows Terdema Ussery (pictured) and his being president and CEO of the Dallas Mavericks, president of the Dallas Mavericks Foundation, and chairman of the board of Commissioners of the Dallas Housing Authority. But he didn’t just land in the lap of success by luck.

Oh, you already knew about his growing up in the Watts section of south central LA? Then you know what drove him to achieve such accomplishments as being an Ivy Leaguer and law school. If you don’t or just want a great way to start the day, make reservations to hear Terdema tell his story at  The Real Estate Council Community Breakfast on Thursday, January 21, at the Fairmont. Reservations have to be in by January 18, so get on it.

Event sponsors include Ernst & Young, Haynes and Boone LLP, and Stewart Title.

All Aboard — The Trains At NorthPark Thanks To Dr. Choo-Choo

The trains are up, running, and even stopping at NorthPark. Yup, Ban “Dr. Choo-Choo” Bywaters and his out-of-this-world miniature train set are officially back in action between Dillard’s and Macy’s. It was kicked off Saturday morning at a breakfast ribbon cutting (pictured, back row: Sam Dalton Jr., Katie Dalton, Loring Dalton, Peyton Nichols, and his mom Katie Nichols; front row: Alexandra Riley, Pearson Riley, and William Dalton) complete with sponsors, kids, and adults who are young at heart including NP GM Billy Hines (pictured with Ban in the blue shirt).

The ever-changing, mega-train world that Ban has created over the years takes 9 engineers, three exhibit managers and a  mere 1,500 volunteers to operate daily from Saturday until January 3 except for Thanksgiving and Christmas days. So far the trains have traveled hundreds of thousands of miles since they debuted in 1988 resulting in raising $5M for the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas. Last year over 83,000 people ooh-ed and awed at the incredible world with the 30+ trains running the rails. (more…)

Lee Ann White and Chuck Negron Score One For Dallas C.A.R.E.

With the Cowboys playing late into Sunday night, Monday morning came way too early for most folks–especially for those who are not used to joining the always-in-place traffic cha-cha-cha to downtown Dallas. Maybe that’s why Mondays are pretty verboten for early morning meetings or events.

But for Lee Ann White (pictured), “No way situations” are “Hey, no problem.” She somehow managed to not only get a jammed crowd to toddle down to the Belo Mansion for the 25th annual Dallas C.A.R.E. breakfast, she actually turned it into a rock fest. Stay tuned. We’ll explain after the jump.

As you probably know, C.A.R.E. stands for Chemical Awareness Resources & Education and is very near and dear to Lee Ann. Her son Michael struggled with “demons” for 15 years and thanks to professional help and Lee Ann’s husband, Alan White (picture, right, with Rick Hubbard) Michael has been clean, sober, and the pride of the White household for four years, four months, and “a number of days.”

So taking on a fundraiser for C.A.R.E. was an effort of love and a celebration for Michael’s accomplishments. Little did the folks at C.A.R.E. know what they were getting in the brunette cutie from Arkansas. Little did Lee Ann know the challenges she was facing.

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Joy To The World! Monday’s Dallas C.A.R.E. Breakfast With Chuck Negron Is A Sell-Out

Leave it to Lee Ann White! Her Dallas C.A.R.E. (Chemical Awareness, Resources and Education) breakfast isn’t til Monday and it’s not only a sell out, it’s raised $290,000 as of this afternoon. But it wasn’t all without some mountains to climb. For instance, she didn’t let a little thing like the Dallas Country Club’s renovation slow her down one bit. You know that’s where the 25th Annual C.A.R.E. Breakfast has been held for ages and ages. Nope, our Lee Ann simply moved the event down to the Belo Mansion.

And then there was that time challenge. (more…)