(WARNING: The luncheon is on the verge of being another sell out. But, of course, when you have former first lady Laura Bush serving as honorary chair, and Dr. Condoleezza Rice as the featured speaker, what else would you expect.)

But we digress. Back to last night’s party.

Looking like a woman who is thriving on success, Genesis Executive Director Jan Langbein, along with  party hostess Erin Mathews (pictured left with Jan Langbein), was at the front door of a Park Cities estate to meet and greet all 300 guests.

Must admit that the real show stopper of the night was the garage with Bentleys, Porsches, Rolls, and other members of the Park Place motor family. The CEO-type guests looked like children on their first visit to a toy store.

Thank heaven for the Shinsei yummies being passed around. Way too delicious. And thank whoever was smart enough to have follow-up servers with platters for used napkins and naked skewers. So much better than trash cans being placed everywhere.

Among the crowd of guests was longtime supporter Paula Minnis (pictured with husband Todd Minnis), who has just launched Gaia for Women. If you love napkins, you’ll love these vintage cloth napkins created by women in need in the Dallas area. They’re made from vintage, repurposed, or sustainable materials. . . Genesis Alliance President Susan McCutchan (pictured) should just have the word “president” tattooed on her forehead. She’s president-elect of the Junior League.

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.

The lunch bunch including Dallas Film Society‘s Tanya Foster at one table and Carmelita Whiteley with Barbara Daseke (pictured right with Carmelita Whiteley) at another was thrilled to have such a icon of the great days of movies among them. She didn’t let them down. Her talk was filled with nuggets from the golden days of Hollywood with personal feelings interjected throughout.

Then it was back to her hotel with Sophie to rest up for the evening’s talk.

Just past 7 it was a return to the Nasher. With red carpet once again waiting at the curb, the black limousine pulled up and out came the girls. Sophie in her finest fur and Bacall with little if any makeup in black. No, she isn’t the teenage “Slim” from To Have and Have Not, but darn it if she doesn’t still have “The Look.” Graciously, she and Sophie posed for pictures with the VIP guests (pictured right Dr. Joanne Stroud with Lauren Bacall) and chatted with each of them.

Then it was time to go downstairs for the talk. As she entered the room, the sellout crowd gave her a standing ovation. Or, rather, gave her and Sophie a standing O.

Michael once again girded his loins to interview Bacall. With cards in hand, his plan was to go through the questions in chronological order. That evidently didn’t fit Bacall’s plan. He had to reshuffle his cards. Then he asked about her romantic relationship with Bogart that started during the filming of To Have and Have Not.

Whoa!

The Look was not a happy one. She corrected Michael that she and Bogie did not have any type of romantic relationship during the filming of the movie: “He was married.”

Michael looked nervous.

He asked if it was true that for her first movie, Howard Hawks gave her a choice of either Cary Grant or Humphrey Bogart as her leading man.

She looked a bit shocked instructing Michael that she was not in a position to choose anything. . . “I was too scared.” Looking at Bacall now, it was hard to believe that she’d ever had a nervous Nellie moment.

Michael then asked about a string of her various “leading men” including Woody Harrelson. Mistake. . . big mistake!

“Take him out of that list! Woody Harrelson? That is a lulu,” she demanded. Later she diplomatically said she liked him (Woody), but …

At this point in the cat-and-mouse game, Michael was on the verge of tossing the cards and just letting nature takes its course. Instead he decided to simply forgo the chronological order and just chat. Wise decision. That is until he asked if it was true that Bette Davis was her role model.

Screech of brakes.

She questioned his use of the expression “role model.” After getting the definition of role model clear in her mind, she concluded, “I wanted to be Bette Davis (as an actress), but not live her life!. . . No one had what Better Davis had. She was surprising.”

In passing, Michael mentioned that guests might like to read her “book.” Like a schoolmarm correcting a student in front of class, she let him know the word should have been “books.”

At this point, Michael wisely decided to let the lady have her head and answer questions from the audience:

• On her recent Lifetime Achievement Oscar: “There’s so many awards. There are awards for breathing. But I figure, what the hell. If it’s for me, it can’t be that bad.”
• “Did she have a song with Humphrey Bogart? Bogie’s song was That Old Black Magic, but “he had no taste when it came to music.”
• On George W. Bush and current trends in art/writing/etc.: “I think people are affected by events and government. For eight years, we had a government that couldn’t even spell the word ‘art.’ There was no appreciation of the arts in those eight years. George W: one of the great brains of our age.”
• Is there somebody she would love to work with? “Unfortunately, most of them are dead.”
• She momentarily reflected on the days of the big studios. “It was the best time for quality movies. Solid, wonderful projects. … The standards were higher in those days. … Today stars run it, with the big salaries.”
• On the Australian actors: “The Australians have taken over. Cate Blanchett. Nicole. Hugh Jackman. I’m a groupie for Hugh Jackman.”  Like talking with old friends, she looked into the audience and asked if they had seen him in the The Boy From Oz. . . “You’ve got to see him in it!”
• She was astounded that no in the room knew who Louis Bromfield was.
• “I was once told, ‘Always be with people who know more than you.’ So what am I doing here?”

Then just as Michael was getting ready to close the evening’s program, one more question arose from the audience: “Next time you’re in Dallas, will you talk about Frank Sinatra?”

“The Look” froze. OMG, did the person not know the history behind Bacall and Sinatra? Well-read Photoplay and Walter Winchell devotees of the 50′s raised eyebrows and prepared for a Bacall bashing. Would Bacall order Sophie to tear the questioner’s throat out?

“Why would I want to talk about him?” she said with feathers obviously ruffled. Then she settled back in her chair and the “Look” changed to be like a Persian cat appearing to have just swallowed a very plump canary. “He was very good when he sang,” she purred.

Only problem of the night was the staging of the event. Unlike 79-year-old Robert Duvall‘s recent appearance in which he sat in a high chair on stage, 86-year-old Bacall sat in a low chair. This change of staging was probably due to the staff’s concern for her comfort and safety. However, guests in the back of the room found it a bit challenging to see her on the stage, with some resorting to standing along the sides of the room for a better view.

That situation should be easily remedied for the next Nasher guest — Gladys Knight, who will be interviewed by KLUV’s Jody Dean on June 17. Tickets go on sale May 2 at 8 a.m. and remember Nasher Sculpture Center Patron Members get a nice discount on tickets.

But the beauty of flowers is not limited to the lush beddings of the Arboretum. Think the Dallas Museum of Art.

That’s right  — the DMA. It’s all a part of the Dallas Museum of Art League’s Faye C. Briggs Art in Bloom Floral Symposium and Luncheon on March 29 at the DMA.  With the theme “East Meets West,” Japanese designer Mami Ogata and Dallas’ own Howard Eckhart will provide presentations of floral design representative of Asian and western cultures.

With DMA Board of Trustee President John Eagle and his wife Jennifer serving as honorary chairs, Lunchen Chair Barbara Bigham says, “We are thrilled to have two designers who will bring such diverse backgrounds and talents to the event. Every aspect of the day offers an enticement for all tastes.”

In addition to the flora design demonstrations, other activities during the will include:

• A seated luncheon featuring a fashion presentation by upscale retailer Betty Reiter with Jan Strimple producing the show.
• New York’s Billy Pry of BBJ linens, discussing not only  table top trends but also providing linens for the luncheon pro bono.
• A specially-created boutique offering floral containers for purchase.
• Travel guru Jim Strong donating copies of his newest book, Craving for Travel: Celebrating Life’s Moments for luncheon favors.

“Barbara has done an excellent job of creating a fresh and exciting event that captures the entertaining and educational components of a successful event,” said DMA League President Marilyn Willems.

If you can’t make the Monday event, you might be interested in the two half-day workshop on March 24 at Magic Moments Parties and Events. Debbie Jordan is opening her Magic Moments for a morning workshop conducted by Howard, and Mami will present an afternoon workshop following a formal Japanese tea ceremony.

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. . .

“LaunchAbility.” It may seem like a new word to you, but it makes perfect  sense when you realize the purpose of this organization for nearly 50 years has been to enable “clients to become more self-sufficient.”

As if that wasn’t enough, there was the presentation of the Milton P. Levy Jr. Outstanding Volunteer Award to Walgreens Senior VP Randy Lewis, who has been “instrumental in introducing a new concept to Walgreens that would transform the company’s distribution centers and employment opportunities” by integrating a workforce composed of 40% persons with disabilities. Randy has established a goal of employing 1,000 (10% of the workforce) in its distribution centers by the end of 2010.

His involvement in this issue is of a personal nature since he and his wife Kay (pictured) have a son, Austin, who is autistic. But don’t put on the pity towel. There are no prouder parents around.

And speaking of awards and Walgreens, the company was on a real roll. LaunchAbility presented Walgreens with the Alliance Data Corporate Champion Award for its outstanding contributions in empowering children and adults with development disabilities to lead fulfilling lives in their communities.

Then it was time for the official honoring of Ebby. From her balcony seat, she waved to the Winspear-full crowd. Emcee Jody Dean with a ukulele accompanist (pictured) led the thousands of Ebby fans in a birthday sing-along. To return the favor, Ebby with mic in hand smiled mischievously and said, “I’m so excited. . . I just can’t hide it. . . I’m about to lose control and I think I like it” to the delight of the crowd especially the gals across the way in the balcony with the feathered boas.

What many in the crowd didn’t know is that this was the second time during the evening that Ebby had been sung to. Earlier a VIP reception had been held backstage at the Winspear with oodles of Ebby fans including Ruth and Ken Altshuler, Diane and Stuart Bumpas with son Joe (pictured), Ellen Terry, Brandy and Will Taylor, Randall and Myriam Graham, Cody Baker, Dave Perry Miller, and DallasDirt girl Candy Evans in attendance.

Upon being presented with a candle-ladened cake, Ebby (pictured) took a deep breath and blew most of the candles out.

When asked if rumors were true about riding a customized bus with a “dance pole” to the McClung dinner in Terrell, Ebby chuckled saying that fellow bus riders Toni Brinker and Nance Chapman had tied for best performance of the night’s ride.

But enough of these Ebby shenanigans and back to the Winspear, where event chairs Elizabeth (pictured) and Eric Gambrell introduced a video on “Launching into a New Era” for the organization.

After the lights came up, Jody auctioned off “an on-stage performance with The Pointer Sisters and an opportunity to meet” the sisters after the show. With the zeal of a preacher, Jody got the bidding up to $6,000.

Then the lights went down and The Pointer Sisters (okay, so they’re not really sisters anymore. They are related, though) set the Winspear in motion with some guests getting up from their seats and dancing.

Was there any doubt that the occasion deserved a little dancing? Now imagine what’s in store for LaunchAbility? And how Ebby’s going to celebrate the big 1-0-0? Yes, we can can!

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?”

Leading the charge for the undone-one-button was legend of legends Roger Staubach (pictured) in blue jeans, blazer and open shirt. Doug Brooks looked right at home in his red-white-yellow-blue striped shirt and gray/white jacket. Jerry Jones Jr. (pictured) must have been thinking along the same lines as Doug, since he wore a gray/white jacket but opted for the windowpane design with a pink shirt. Rich Dalrymple (pictured) played it safe in a navy and light striped blue shirt with blazer.

The most daring look of the night belonged to Shy “Cleavage” Anderson (pictured) with his top-two-unbuttoned shirt. Oh, my, what would mother say! But Shy’s so charming, he can get away with anything.

Exception to the male fashion either-or breakdown was party co-host Joe Buck (pictured), who walked the fashion line by not wearing at tie at the reception but putting one on for his on-stage emcee duties.

Alas, have no idea which category Mayor Tom Leppert would have fit in, because he and wife Laura couldn’t attend due to a prior commitment in Dallas. Bet that won’t be the case on May 22 when concert #2 takes place with Sting at the Winspear.

But let’s not discard the ladies thinking they were in hoop skirts and bonnets. Why these gals have been playing dress up since their mamas taught them the phone number for Neiman’s at NorthPark. There was nary a Daisy Duke in the crowd. Still, it wasn’t the traditional cocktail fluff either. Event co-chair Marianne Staubach (pictured) rejected the safe black look for a remind-me-of-Santa-Fe turquoise outfit that dazzled with her blonde hair and multi-strand pearl necklace. Another color standout was Andrea Alcorn (pictured) in hottest pink leather jacket over a black beaded dressed with floral appliqués. How cute that she managed to find matching pink and buff boots to top things off. Speaking of leather, Barbara Daseke (pictured) must have compared notes with Andrea with a black dress overlaid with a belted leather jacket, but Barbara went the reddish brown route.

Then there were the gal pals. For instance, Linda “First Lady of Arlington” Cluck, Charlotte “First Daughter of Cowboys Stadium” Anderson, and Kathy “First Daughter of Arlington” Beatty (pictured from the left) interpreting the ever-popular black. However, that Charlotte in the skin-tight black leather pants gave a whole new meaning to chaps.

And then there were the showstoppers Sonia Black in her faux fur collar and black boots with Lori Jones (pictured right with Sonia), who must have checked with sis-in-law Charlotte about the pro’s and con’s of wearing black leather slacks. Or perhaps it’s just a Jones family uniform.

Joni McCoy (pictured) didn’t bother with all that boot and leather stuff. She went for the simple, classic look of “Wow!” in her beige oh-so cling, past the knee dress, bouquet of blonde curls, and a “Thank God for Texas” smile. Hey, this gal’s an oldtimer when it comes to Super Bowl who-ha. She and her husband Mike attended all three of  Troy’s Super Bowls conquests (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX, if you’re counting).

But enough of the fashions. Let’s do a quick check of the activity:

One minute the very notables were at the McDavid reception and then they all seemed to disappear. Not to worry. They were led to the tunnel connecting the McDavid facility to the Bass, put in an elevator to the ground level, and into a meet-and-greet with Faith herself.

You didn’t know there was a tunnel? Yup. Even Mayor Mike Moncrief admitted that this was his first time to walk under Calhoun Street. It was really cute watching him stroll the tunnel handholding with the love of his life/wife, Rosie.

Then it was on to the concert with segments of Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington blending into one big melting pot. Before Faith even hit the stage, the two warm up acts were enough to leave the room talking.

FOX football commentators Joe Buck and Troy Aikman had their timing just right even when they missed cues. From walking on stage with a couple of bags of presenting sponsor Frito-Lay chips to Troy’s wearing a sign (“emcee sponsors Diane and Hal Brierley“) on his back, these totally different personalities won over the audience with their style and humor. They gave Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin a run for their emcee money.

With the mood set, the boys introduced the infamous debut of the North Texas Super Bowl XLV version of Faith Hill’s “Kiss” with area notables (Roger Staubach, Tony Romo, Nolan Ryan, Jerry Jones, Clarice Tinsley, Tom Leppert, Mike Moncrief, Arlington Mayor Dr. Robert Cluck, Dirk Nowitzki, Emmitt Smith, and many others who might not want their names mentioned) sacrificing their reputations singing like a two-for-one night karaoke bar. Tony Romo captured the “Most Painful Looking and Sounding Award” of the off-key singing luminaries. With sounds as pleasing to the ear as nails across a chalkboard, there are serious doubts that a Christmas album is in the makings.

Perhaps it was the tone of the evening, but the video was rewarded with an exuberant round of hooting, hollering, and applauding. . . much better than the following week’s Internet/media critical reviews. Let’s face it. Some things just take on a different feel in the light of day.

Finally, it was time for Faith to perform. For the intimate setting. . .  well, it was intimate compared to the likes of Gilley’s or Billy Bob’s. . . she wisely chose to use only a handful of musicians and three backup singers for the concert hall. During the first few songs, even this small coterie of musicians seemed to overwhelm Faith’s voice, but the group juggled a couple of knobs allowing her voice to take the lead.

In between sets, her interaction with the crowd seemed a little tentative. Perhaps it was the fact that she was due to walk the red carpet at the Academy Awards the next night with hubby Tim (The Blind Side) McGraw. Just like any wife trying to pick out the right outfit for her husband’s big company party, she admitted that she was still trying to figure out which dress to wear — The Louis Vuitton or the Roberto Cavalli. The crowd leaned toward the Vuitton. (She decided to go with the black lace Cavalli, which garnered reviews from “a little bit red-light district” to “easy and sexy.” Interesting for a gal who prefers sweats.)

Irritating moment: Four people insisted on standing up and swaying throughout the concert. While it’s perfectly understandable because of the music and their exuberance, it was downright irritating to the folks seated behind them, who were forced to stand just to see the stage.

Growing issue facing performers: At least one person in the audience was seen recording the entire concert on her iPhone, while scattered throughout the hall phone cameras were shooting Faith. Don’t think Faith’s agent would have taken very kindly to all this activity, but what’s a guy to do?

Following an encore and a SO, the VIP’s strolled back to McDavid Studio for a dessert party and the rest headed home.

Orchestrating all these concerts and parties were the five Action Team Honorary Co-chairs — Linda Cluck, Gene Jones, Laura Leppert, Rosie Moncrief, and Marianne Staubach along with their team of 111 female volunteers from North Texas.

Can’t wait to see what the fashion theme will be in May!

Graphic provided by Texas Discovery Gardens

Is sterling silver organic? Well, tonight it doesn’t matter at the Texas Discovery Gardens’ Organic in the City Fashion Show + Auction thanks to Dallas jewelry designer Matthew Trent. He’s has “fashioned a sterling silver pin modeling it after the ‘Butterfly Maiden’ logo (pictured).”

According to Texas Discovery Gardens’ Sarah Gardner, “These pins, generously created for Texas Discovery Gardens, have been donated to be released at the close of the fashion show for a special price.”

Don’t you always love the phrase “special price”?

You don’t have to wait any longer. Both will be at The Discovery Garden Wednesday for the “Organic in the City Fashion Show + Auction” produced by Rhonda Sargent Chambers and with ABC-Channel 8′s Gloria Campos handling the MC duties.

One of the designers whose clothes (pictured) will be on the runway is Dallas’ own Lindsay Weatherread, who has been making a name for herself with her “Origami for Your Body” and her organic and non-organic line for women and babies.

Other featured designers will include Ross Bennett with a new collection of green fashion and “fashion stars with show pieces from El Centro College’s Fashion Design students.

What’s organic fashion?

It’s exactly what is sounds like — clothing that is made from materials that are grown sans the use of pesticides or other chemicals.

How terribly appropriate that funds from the event will go to the Discovery Garden’s 2010 education programs and the maintenance of its 7.5 acres.

The evening will include hors d’oeuvres, wine, music, and a silent auction that will include sustainable clothing, tickets on Southwest Airlines, garden and lawn service packages, and entertainment packages from Smoke, the Belmont Hotel, and the Fairmont.

Event partners include Whole Foods, Lindsay Weatherread, Ross Bennett, El Centro College, RSC Show Productions, Susanne Taylor & Associates, Campbell-Wagner Runway LLC, Designkor, Blue Mesa Grill, and AAA Digital Media & PreMedia Design.

To kick off the buildup for the event, organizers (and a v-e-r-y good looking group, it is) held a party at Hotel ZaZa with cigar rollers, big brimmed hats, lots of liquid refreshments, and some excellent news — Park Place Volvo will be the presenting sponsor of the festivities.

To get the attention of guests arriving via four-wheeled vehicles, the organizers had Tracy Moore and his Chance (a pretty palomino quarter horse pictured with Tracy) next to the entrance. No, Chance ain’t gonna being running in the Derby. He’ll probably just watch the flat screen in his stall.

The party was held in the tented patio with the pool safely covered. Hotel Manager Noel Rodriquez (pictured) looked quite pleased about the turnout and he also was sporting a very nice tan that was purchased down the street. Much healthier than baking in the sun, you know?

In the crowd were some familiar faces from Saturday’s Dallas Museum of Arts’ Junior Associates wow-evening. Hmm, wasn’t that David Dees (pictured) the other night in the ascot? Yup, sure was! For this evening, he wore a more casual red ascot admitting that ascots are “just more comfortable than a tie.”

And then there was Junior Conservancy Vice Chair Allison Edwards. Almost didn’t recognize her from the Saturday night soirée with her hair down and no major jewelry piece around her neck.

Hmm, do we see a certain thread running between the Junior Associates of the DMA and the Junior Conservancy of Lee Park? Ooh, we’d better be very nice to these groups. They may end up running Dallas philanthropic efforts some day.

That smart Lee Park President/CEO John Williams (pictured) evidently recognizes this treasure trove of talent assembled in the Junior Conservancy and was ecstatic about the turnout and the involvement of these make-it-happen-and-have-fun-doing-it crowd.

And what a crowd it is! Ralph Lauren (West Village) GM Colleen Kelly (pictured) set the pace for what-to-wear for the May 1 party in an adorable sun dress with smashing green necklace. Why does one suspect it came from RL’s? . . . Showing off two types of chapeau suggestions for the May 1 event were Michelle Scott (pictured) in a XXL wide brim and Lindsey Thomas in a coquettish cocktail hat with netting. That one won’t keep the sun out of Lindsey’s face, but it sure can catch a look or two. . .  Lee Park & Arlington Hall Conservancy Board of Director’s Executive Officer Peter Dauterman (pictured center with, from the left, Lindsey Thomas, Allison Edwards, and Jose Reyes) was finding time to promote the April 1 “A Spirited Tasting for Lee Park” in the Sky Club of the Mayfair. Only 100 are allowed to attend this Thursday night event for liqueur lovers. Like “Day at the Races,” it has become such a success. Perhaps it’s due to their providing only the best scotches, bourbons, wines, beers, tequilas, and liqueurs. Tickets are $25 for members and $35 for non-members. Heck, a couple of drinks at Ocean Prime cost more than that! . . . Junior Conservancy’s Scott Turner (pictured) was working the check-in table and getting major back-patting for his joining the LP&AHC’s board of directors. The board is wisely keeping itself vital by bringing in members from the Junior Conservancy. . . To add a bit of “standout” for the occasion, Janielle Dodds and Lindsay Clem (pictured right with Janielle) stopped traffic in their red hot outfits. They weren’t wearing hats, but who noticed? Tally ho, y’all!

You’re in luck! In celebration of “Spay Day 2010,” MAC, the SPCA of Texas, Kaufman County Animal Awareness and Texas Coalition for Animal Protection have joined forces to make you an offer you can’t. . . or rather, shouldn’t refuse. For a mere $45, dogs and cats will be spayed/neutered this Sunday at the SPCA of Texas Martin Spay Neuter Clinic as part of the campaign to prevent unwanted births.*

We’re talking major league cost cut. This price break makes Sam Moon and The Dump bargains look like Bergdorf’s.

In addition, the pet will also get vaccinations and a vet check.

Along with the organizations pushing this effort are a lot of local vets, vet techs, and volunteers to provide these surgeries and added services.

You’re at your calculator wondering if this is really a deal-deal. Normally, to provide such services can run anywhere from $250 to $500. Now, do the math and make reservations. They’re a must.

*  Dogs and cats must be seven years of age or younger. Weight maximums are 50 pounds for female dogs and 80 pounds for male dogs. Puppies and kittens must weigh at least two pounds and be two months or older.

First consider that we often think the main challenge facing the military is on the battlefield. That’s where the war correspondents report their stories — on the frontlines. Movies are made about this dramatic action.

But there is another conflict that Reserve Service Members face on the home front — financial loss. While not as breathtaking, it takes a real toll. A reported 41% of Reserve Service Members are “impacted by a pay discrepancy between their military and civilian salaries.”

To help remedy this situation, ReserveAid Texas was created in October 2006 to raise awareness and funds for the reserve and active duty military service members and their families. Leading the charge has been NexBank, which has been a lead sponsor for the annual “Stars and Stripes Dinner”.

Photo provided by ReserveAid Texas

“Our reserve members, while dedicated to our country and call to duty, are many times uprooted at a moment’s notice and there can be lapses in pay or help needed to make payments when salaries many times decrease with deployment,” said NexBank President/CEO Davis Deadman (pictured left with Donovan Campbell, Chris Mawn, and Polly Weidenkopf). “With the support of a great organization like ReserveAid Texas, these service men and women can focus their efforts on defending our great country, and not on their financial situations back home.”

Held last Saturday at the Frontiers of Flight Museum, the dinner’s highlight was best-selling author and former Marine Captain Donovan Campbell.

Does Donovan’s name sound familiar? Yes, he did write Joker One: A Marine Platoon’s Story of Courage, Leadership, and Brotherhood, but he also hails from Dallas and was graduated from Cistercian High School. Yes, that Donovan! After graduating from Princeton, he became a Marine to allow him to “give back to his country, engage in the world, and learn to lead.”

Another highlight of the evening to raise funds and provide entertainment for the evening was Brian Olsen, who is renowned for his Art in Action. And, boy, was it in action Saturday night. Brian created a painting on a 4.5′ by 6′ canvas of John Lennon using fingertips, palms, elbows, and up to three brushes in each hand. The painting sold for $25,000.

“Since its beginning in October 2006, ReserveAid has already helped over 1150 families impacted by the Global War on Terror with over $2.7 million in grants distributed so far,” said event co-chair Highland Capital Management in Dallas Exec Chris Mawn . “A lot of these grants address basic needs, such as food, clothing, shelter and transportation, making them vital and so important for our service men and women.”

Photo provided by ReserveAid Texas

While the event raised $420,000 for ReserveAid Texas, it also provided an emotional support for Reservist with such attending guests as 100 veterans, 10 families and individuals who have received ReserveAid funds, three general officers and 7-Eleven CEO Joe DePinto (pictured with wife Ingrid) fresh from his stint on Undercover and his sit down with Oprah.

Sponsors for this under-the-radar event were:

• Medal of Honor ($50,000 and above) — Highland Capital and NexBank
• Bronze Star ($10,000 and above) — 7-Eleven, Hayman Capital, Lockheed-Martin, and L-3 Communications
• Purple Heat ($5,000 and above) — American Airlines, Credit Suisse Group, Employees of Citi, Epocal Inc., Haynes and Boone LLP, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Jarvie, Investment Technology Group Inc, Jefferies & Company Inc., Knight Capital Group, Lackey Hershman LLP, Raytheon, Safety-Kleen, Strasburger & Price LLP, and Vought Aircraft Industries Inc.
• Meritorious Service ($2,500 and above) — Jesse and Melinda Bray, Broadpoint Capital, Mr. and Mrs. Davis Deadman, David Gately, Goodwin Proctor LLP, Jackson Walker LLP, Employees of J.P. Morgan, Kane Russell Coleman & Logan PC, Loughlin Meghji + Company, Moll Industries Inc. PetroCap, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Mr. and Mrs. William Pruitt, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Rossi, Simons Petroleum, Mr. and Mrs. Amit Walia, Willis Group, Winchester Carlisle, and Mr. and Mrs. Miles Woodall.
• In kind donation — Markham Fine Jewelers, Corinthian Wellness Spa, and Willoughby