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Faux — A Different Type of Volunteer

It was 14 years ago on March 17 that a marvelous litter of Australian Shepherds was born in our neighborhood. Six weeks later while walking my cantankerous Border Collie Chauncey, I saw the litter and immediately spotted one (pictured) out of the dozen that seemed to be the center of attention. All the others wanted to play with her because she was such a happy little soul and such a great sport. I didn’t need another dog, but there was just something about her that was magical, so I asked if I could just take her home for one night. Chauncey was not pleased, but it was for just one night.

The next morning I called our neighbors and asked how much the puppies were. They said “$250, but they would sell her to me for $200.” At that time they might as well have said a thousand, but I decided that my rainy day fund could help me out this one time and paid the full $250. I wasn’t going to treat this pick of the litter with anything but top dollar.

While Chauncey was still not very happy about our new roommate, she adjusted because the puppy hero-worshiped her. I always thought that I trained the puppy, but looking back I realize now that it was Chauncey who taught the puppy how to raise a human.

Eventually after many name tries (Clancy, Mary Posa, etc.), we settled on Faux Marble because her coat looked like fake marble. Over the years, she grew from an adorable puppy to a rather beautiful Aussie (pictured). Yet, she retained her Miss Congeniality title with everyone and every dog that she met.

She excelled in her puppy obedience, so much so that she moved up in the ranks to advanced, super duper obedience. There was talk of her competing in trials, but I decided that she wasn’t meant for that.

Then one day I read a notice in the paper that Baylor University Medical Center‘s animal-assisted therapy program was testing candidates for its program. It sounded interesting and I thought it would be nice for Faux to have people pat her on the head. After all, what more does a therapy dog do, but visit people in the waiting room? So, we signed up for the test. (more…)

$5M Gift for Dallas CityDesign Studio is Announced Despite a Torn Cornea

When Trinity Trust Foundation President Dr. Gail Thomas (pictured) woke up this morning, she thought it was going to be a no-hitch day. She planned to head down to City Hall, where the Trinity Trust and the City of Dallas would announce a $5-million gift from that art-loving twosome Deedie and Rusty Rose. But a phone call at 7 a.m. changed Gail’s game plan. It was gift-giving Deedie reporting that she had a torn cornea, but never fear she was going to try her best to be there. Alas, what Deedie wants doesn’t always jell with doctors. She was confined to home, while her generous gift was announced.

Luckily, the behind-the-scene organizers had a video of Deedie talking about the gift. Two million dollars of the gift will be be “used to establish the Dallas CityDesign Studio to expand the city’s design efforts for planning and development.” The studio will be funded for five years with three full-time positions created and paid for by the Trinity Trust until 2014-2015 when the city will assume the entire cost.

Actually the gift should surprise absolutely no one. Just this past January, the Roses donated “$1M to the school of architecture at the University of Texas at Austin to fund two endowments in urban planning.”

And on September 26, they were also the Platinum Underwriters for the Dallas chapter of the American Institute of Architects’s CelebrateArchitecture! 2009 Gala that honored 13 organizations and individuals for their distinguished contributions to the city’s cultural and architectural achievements.

Despite the missing Deedie, the ladies who lead were well represented by Emily Summers, Bess Enloe, Nancy K. Marcus, Caren Prothro, and Mary McDermott Cook (pictured from the left), who were either taking the Girl Scout oath or giving a sign of “victory” for Dallas.

Score another gift for The Trinity Trust team. Score another generous example of philanthropy by the Roses.

Trinity Trust Gift Announcement Tuesday Morning

From those wonderful Trinity Trust people, word has just come in that the final bows are being tied on their latest gift. Details of the gift will be revealed including  the donor and details about the final establishment and new name of Dallas CityDesign Studio.

What the heck is the Dallas CityDesign Studio?  Housed in Dallas City Hall, the Studio will work collaboratively to advise, plan, and consult with public and private entities onthe imoprtance of urban design in the 21st century Dallas. This resource center at City Hall wil engage, advise, and support work focused both outside the levees, particularly as potential development occurs, and on the Trinity River Corridor Project.

Just wait until Tuesday when the names and details are revealed at 10 a.m. in the Flag Room of City Hall. In the crowd will be the Trinity Trust team members, city officials, and reps from the American Institute of Architects Dallas and the Real Estate Council.

$5M Gift Announcement for Trinity Bridges Postponed Until Next Week, But Don’t Tell Anyone

Remember last week how we said that Mayor Tom (pictured) told us on the QT that a $5M gift for the Trinity Bridges would be revealed this week? Ah, now you recall. He was up on the stage at the Bridge Fair. You know, the one that (Trinity Bridge) National Honorary Co-chair/Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson had to miss because she was needed in Washington.

Evidently the gift wrap is taking a little bit longer than expected, so the announcement is tentatively rescheduled for some time next week.

Just wanted to keep you on top of things.

Bridge Fair Holds Its Own Against the State Fair

Friday was fair night. You either were headed to Fair Park or the Bridge Fair on the Continental Bridge (the future “living bridge”). Evidently the mosquitoes opted for the Continental Bridge, but so did a lot of highly notables. With jugglers, food stations, and couches for lounging, it was easy to forget the pesky little skeeters.

Just as folks were getting comfortable with the beautiful night and looking at the beginning construction of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, Brenda Teele Jackson in her most exuberant cheerleader voice took over the MC duties. And while audience participation works when it comes to doing the wave at Cowboys Stadium, this group seemed a little shy. At one point BTJ urged the crowd to cheer on a bus approaching on the bridge. Ah, but this bus was worth the coaxing. Within it were Bridge Kids Mary McDermott Cook and Lyda Hunt Hill, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, bridge designer Santiago Calatrava, Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, and a whole bunch of other VIF (very important folks) sans Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, who couldn’t make it in body but was there in spirit. They all seemed to enjoy the DART ride. (Wait til they try the Green Line to Fair Park!)

Then the evening turned into a high school pep rally, with motivational ramp-ups from the likes of Leppert, Calatrava, and Hutchison (pictured). Santiago even autographed t-shirts and other things.  

Somewhere in the sis-boom-bah, Mayor Leppert told the crowd a secret. Now, don’t tell anyone, because Tom asked us to keep it under wraps, but next Friday those wonderful Trinity Trust minions are going to make another $5M gift announcement. Remember, you’re sworn to secrecy.

Then there was a countdown for a big  . . . big. . .  fireworks display. Well, we got two nice fireworks and then nada. One man in the crowd said, “Is that all there is?” Everyone within earshot looked at him in disappointment.

Just as they were heading to the valet lineup, though, the rest of the really big fireworks display commenced just behind the construction of the MHH Bridge. It razzled, dazzled, and oozed explosive beauty. You just know the guys at Lew Sterrett wondered if the terrorists had taken over the Trinity.

JUST IN: $10M Anonymous Gift Announced in Honor of Mary McDermott Cook to Convert Continental Bridge into a “Living Bridge”

Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert just announced a $10-million anonymous gift to the City of Dallas for the conversion of the Continental Bridge into a pedestrian and living bridge. The gift was made in honor of Mary McDermott Cook(pictured with Leppert), chair of The Trinity Trust Foundation, for “her tireless vision for Dallas.”

The “living bridge,” which will be undertaken following the completion of the Santiago Calatrava-designed signature bridge, Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, will be “an outdoor venue for walkers, bikers, and potentially, a future trolley line across the Trinity River,” according to Mary.

It just so happens that the Continental Bridge is where tomorrow night’s “Bridge Fair” is taking place.

Looks like Mary is going to have to write a whopping thank you note.

BIG Trinity Trust Announcement Pending

Those wonderful folks at Trinity Trust know how to set the mood for a great party. With their Friday soiree set to celebrate the construction of the Margaret Hunt Hill bridge and local meteorologists threatening a damp day, the organizers, like Lynn McBee, her hi-ho, hi-ho team of volunteers and Santiago Calatrava are going to make a MAJOR announcement of something very special Thursday.

Stay tuned. SweetCharity will not only let you know what the surprise is, but we’ll also let you know where to head for Friday’s fun at the bridge.

Bridging the Trinity Is All-Systems-Go According to The Bridge Kids and Their Cohorts

Despite the days of rain, the sun was ordered to make an appearance at Alinda (Hill) Wikert’s Tuesday night for the supporters and patrons of The Trinity Trust’s “Bridging the Trinity.” On cue the rain was replaced by sunshine and Alinda opened the doors to the home’s beautiful loggia with its Dale Chihuly glass sculpture.

Then the group got down to the party planning business. The Friday, September 25, party to celebrate construction of the Santiago Calatrava signature Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge is on regardless of the weather. The Todd Fiscus troops are in charge of transforming the Continental Bridge into a Bridge Fair complete with Vodka snow cones, a taco truck, numerous bridge food stations, entertainment by Dallas Disc Jockette Lucy Wrubel and Boys Named Sue, and surprises. Tickets are still available!

And even bridge mastermind Santiago Calatrava himself will be in town to celebrate the construction of his first vehicular bridge in the U.S.

But what do you do if the rain falls on that night? Never fear. These veterans of galas already have a contingency plan lined up. SweetCharity will let you know where to head if the plan is needed.

In the meantime while you pick out your best bridge attire, here is some insider info on the bridge building group: Trinity Trust Board of Directors Chair Mary McDermott Cook, Honorary Event Chairs Al Hill Jr. and sisters Lyda Hill and hostess Alinda have been nicknamed “The Bridge Kids,” since two of the bridges are named in honor of their mothers (Margaret McDermott and the late Margaret Hunt Hill). . . . Speaking of Margaret McD, did you know that prior to marrying Eugene McDermott, she caught the bouquet at Margaret Hill’s wedding on October 15, 1938, to Al Hill Sr.?