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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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Despite Rumors Flying in New York, Town & Country‘s Pam Fiori Exemplified Class

There’s a rumor floating around about Town & Country Editor-in-Chief/founding co-chairperson of the UNICEF Snowflake Project  Pamela Fiori (pictured) who was in Dallas Monday for a luncheon and book signing of her new book In the Spirit of Capri. No, it wasn’t that she’s a Miranda type. Nor was it that T&C is going weekly. It was. . .

But first, let’s review her Dallas visit. (more…)

Lauren Bacall Delivered “The Look” and the Goods at the Nasher Salon Series

When Hollywood was legendary and the studio system was turning out the likes of Bette Davis, Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, and Cary Grant, a teenage Lauren Bacall was catapulted to film royalty thanks to her captivating looks, one-of-a-kind voice, sultry acting, and marriage to Humphrey Bogart, the leader of the infamous Holmby Hills Rat Pack (predecessor to Frank Sinatra‘s Rat Pack).

Last Thursday she held court at the Nasher Sculpture Center as part of the Nasher Salon Series. Arriving for a lunch with a full room of guests, she surprisingly was upstaged by her companion — Sophie, (pictured with, from the left, Lauren Bacall, Jeremy Strick, and Michael Cain) an adorable and extremely well-manned Papillion. But, no fear of female jealousies. Bacall actually enjoyed the attention that Sophie received. Once seated at Table #1 with Nasher Director Jeremy Strick and old friends Karla and Liener Temerlin (pictured with Nancy Nasher Haemisegger in center),  Sophie sat in her owner’s lap and never raised her nose above the table. Obviously, this wasn’t Dakota-living Sophie’s first rodeo. However, later as Bacall talked to the room of guests, Sophie (pictured) decided that Jeremy was her lap of choice and sat patiently. That Jeremy just has a way about him.

Leave it to the Nasher folks to set the luncheon up perfectly. With B&W movies from Bacall’s past on two of the walls and framed pictures of the lady on each table, it almost made you wish you had brought your autograph book. One table of enthusiastic fans insisted on having their group photographed around the picture centerpiece.

But once she arrived and sat down, everyone controlled their enthusiasm and made it through lunch waiting for her discussion with Dallas Film Society Chairman of the Board Michael Cain.

Poor Michael was just a tad bit apprehensive about the chat. Seems that he had gone a couple of rounds with the sharp as a tack lady when she was in town a couple of years ago for the AFI Dallas International Film Fest. Like Harriet Hubbard, the lady suffers no fools. (more…)

Henry “The Fonz” Winkler Brought Life Lessons to The Destiny Awards Luncheon

Happy Days’ Arthur “The Fonz” Fonzarelli was a very cool Italian kid, whose parents abandoned him, in Milwaukee. He was a high school dropout, never married, and a bit of a ladies’ man.

Henry Winkler (pictured), who portrayed “Fonzie,” is the son of Jewish immigrants who left Nazi Germany in 1939 just before the Holocaust.  He earned a master’s degree from the Yale School of Drama and has been happily married since 1978.

So, what does the fictional character of the 50′s and the man who portrayed him have in common? Both have the ability and sincerity to influence others for their own betterment through life lessons. And that’s exactly what Henry did last Thursday when he came to town for the 10th annual Destiny Luncheon benefiting the St. Philip’s School & Community Center.

Known within the entertainment industry for being down to earth and having a genuine interest in others, Henry with Fredye Factor as his escort started of the day with a rise-and-shine appearance at St. Philip’s. (No problem for Henry since his Labradoodle and Great Dane usually are climbing all over him first thing in the morning back home in California) With parents lining the walls of the gym and uniformed munchkins (pictured) filling every seat in the bleachers, Henry had his work cut out for him. Within minutes of watching the interaction between St. Philip’s headmaster Terry Flowers and the youngsters, Henry looked right at home. You couldn’t help but wonder if Henry sorta wished he’d had a St. Philip’s in his life growing up.

One of the things that you learn from a St. Philip’s experience is the magic of Terry.

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LaunchAbility and The Pointer Sisters Get Excited About Ebby

Dallas sweetheart Ebby Halliday‘s (pictured) celebration of her 99th birthday was comparable to America’s bicentennial. With her internist Dr. Hugh McClung‘s hosting an intimate supper at his Terrell farm on Saturday, a birthday lunch with T. Boone Pickens, and a non-stop slew of other activities, she was busier than a firecracker salesman on the third of July.

Perhaps the biggest hoop-la was the eve of her March 9th birthday when Special Care and Career Services held its annual gala,”A Special Evening with the Pointer Sisters.” at the Winspear. The Sisters may have been the headliners, but the spotlight was firmly on the Great Mother of Dallas Residential Real Estate.

But the gala evening was not just to salute the diminutive Ebby. SC&CS ring mistress Cathy Packard (pictured) had a full agenda for the evening and she neatly got each task done beautifully.

For instance, how about a name change? Yup, on the big screen of the Skokos stage, the new name for Special Care and Career Services was presented. . .

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Alan Jackson to Headline Cattle Baron’s Ball’s “Great State Fair” on October 9

Watch out State Fair of Texas! You’ve got some competition. Another fair is moving into town for a one-night-only happening on October 9 at Southfork thanks to the Cattle Baron’s Ball gals.

Photo credit: Holt Haynsworth

CBB Chair Kristi Sherill Hoyl (pictured with from the left True North Advisors founders Scott Wood and Mark Gehlbach) revealed Thursday night that this year’s theme will be “Great State Fair.” The headliner for the annual gala will be Alan Jackson with 2008 Academy of Country Music “Best New Male Vocalist” Jack Ingram appearing on the the Live Auction Stage.

The Thursday announcement was made at a party sponsored by True North Advisors in the Legends Room at Cowboys Stadium.

“We are returning to Southfork Ranch where we will have access to several structures and hard surfaces to ensure a great experience for our guests, rain or shine!” said Kristi.

Wonder if they’ll have a Big Texanna instead of Big Tex to greet guests.

Faith Hill Concert Creates a Fashion Quandary for Dallas Gents

There are some Dallasites who are more familiar with NYC than Fort Worth. Whoa! Thanks to Super Bowl XLV, that situation took a major step forward with the Kick-Off Concert Series at Bass Hall with Faith Hill.

Since it was a private event with series tickets going for a whopping $1500, it had all the frills and spit-and-polish that a high-spending crowd deserves. Starting with a VIP party at McDavid Studio across the street from the Bass, it became apparent that not all Dallasites agreed on the Fort Worth  dress code for special events.

Usually it’s the ladies who are all in a tizzy about what to wear. Not on this night! The gents were really in a quandary about what is appropriate at the Bass for a Faith Hill concert. Some came in their best bib-and-tucker dark suits like Troy Aikman (pictured, he had an excuse since he was co-hosting the reception); Drew Pearson in a bold-striped suit with brown/black striped shirt and goldfinger metallic tie and handkerchief; George Riba (pictured) in a very sportscaster flash-and-dash orange tie, blue shirt, and camel-colored suit; and Bill Lively (pictured) in CEO-styled uniform with a natty orange tie and his ever-present dazzling smile.

On the other hand, those who have probably frequented Joe T’s knew that dress-down is thumbs up in FW and opted for the open shirt with the windowpane sports jacket look. The fashion question of this group was, “Do you unbutton the top one or two buttons on your shirt?” (more…)

Go On the Carpet for the Resource Center Now!

You know it’s always more fun to watch the Academy Awards, the annual Super Bowl of celluloid, with a crowd of film lovers. If you hurry, you can still make it to “On the Carpet” to watch the distribution of the Oscars tonight. The annual fund raiser for the Resource Center is taking place at the Rose Room. General admission is $10 and VIP tickets are $25.

Co-hosts for the soirée include CW 33′s Roni Proctor, Dallas Morning News style master Jason Sheeler, and Kraddick Foundation – Kidd’s Kids and board chair Beaux Wellborn.

What can you expect? According to Resource Center’s Rafael McDonnell, how about –

Hosted by master of ceremonies Paul J. Williams and honorary event chair Hector Garcia, attendees will enjoy a night of fun, games, laughs and memories from the best movies of the year. Williams is an award-winning actor/comedian who has made his mark on scores of theater, cabaret and stand-up comedy stages across Texas, as well as New York City, Provincetown, Aspen, Key West and other cities. Garcia, a well-known Dallas restaurateur, also held a series of legendary Academy Award ©-watching parties in the 1980s and 1990s. They were held first at his home, then in Fair Park and finally the Lakewood Theater. At times, the parties also gathered food and donations for the Center’s food pantry. Garcia held the last of these parties in 2002.

Queen Latifah Bowed out of DIFFA, but was Present for Essence

Back in December, Dimples announced that Queen Latifah would be the headline performer for DIFFA’s new event, DIFFA 2010, on March 3 at the Winspear. Yahoo! Loved her in Chicago. Loved her with Steve Martin. Always love her voice.

By mid-February after DIFFA’s silent auction at Reunion Station, an uneasy rumor started making the rounds that the Queen would not be appearing after all. Surely not!

Before you could slam that rumormonger’s mouth shut, the rumor became reality . . . the Queen had to “cancel all March engagements.”

This “development” is a nightmare for any organization. Do you proceed with a Winspear full of people and no “big name” entertainment? or do you postpone? The DIFFA leadership evidently opted for the latter.

Checking with Queen L’s schedule, it seems that she didn’t cancel all of her March engagements.

Saturday is Going to Be a Greyt Day

Photo provided by GALT

Most of them are athletes whose best days and tracks are behind them. Despite their racy past, greyhounds are notorious for their loving and intelligent nature. Unfortunately, once their racing days are at an end, they are abandoned by handlers. Bob (pictured) is just three of the 55 greyhounds that is being cared for by the Greyhound Adoption League of Texas.

While they wait for their “forever homes,” their caregivers are hosting The Greyt Gala Mardi Gras Dinner and Silent Auction this Saturday at Hackberry Creek Country Club.

Besides all the typical human frivolity, there’s going to be the naming of the king and queen of Greyt Mardi Gras. The voting is online, so why not pick out your idea of a grey royal?

Event co–chairs Debi Joynt and Shannon Forrest have arranged for humans of note to help raise funds for the GALT including MC/Emmy Award-winning sportscaster  John Rhadigan, actor Burton Gilliam, voice of the Dallas Mavericks Mark Followill, and former baseball greats Jose Guzman, Jack Lazorko and Mike Phillips.

Tickets are still available, but you better move like a greyhound to get on track.

BTW, if you can’t make it to the gala, think about adopting one former tracksters.