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Cotes du Coeur Holds a Sneak Catalog Preview with Wine, Whiskey, and Porsches

Last night Park Place Porsche was jiving with whiskey and top level sponsors/donors of the April 10 Cotes du Coeur’s International Fine Wine Auction & Celebrity Chef Dinner. The occasion was the catalog preview of the items that will be up for bid.

But before the reviewing started, Macallan‘s Brand Ambassador Jay Liddell (pictured) with a twinkle in his eye told the group assembled around the newest Porsches on the showroom floor that, “If some of you see me with a glass of whiskey, it’s OK. I’m a professional.”

Then, referring to the week’s topic of interest, Jay said, “In the old days, it was actually safer to drink whiskey than water. So, that’s the health care reform I think we all need.”

Let’s hoist a glass on that one.

Then Pappas Brothers Steakhouse Master Sommelier Barbara Werley (pictured) reviewed the catalog listings for the auction at the Hilton Anatole benefiting the American Heart Association. The items are simply remarkable and set many hearts thumping.

While some were sampling wine and being quite charming, Anita Dickey (pictured) was doing her homework reviewing the catalog and taking notes. This girl is going to be prepared for the auction.

Sponsors for last night’s gathering of wine lovers included Central Market, Macallan, Glazer’s, Park Place Porsche, and Sprinkles.

Chris Murzin Family, University Park to be Honored at “A Child Can Do All Things Luncheon”

Back in 2008 Chris Murzin shaved his head. It wasn’t due to a trendy new hair style. It was to draw attention to a cause that affected his family deeply. You see, one of Chris’s children is forced to use a wheelchair and this fact made Chris realize how limited area parks are for the physically challenged.

Thanks to the Murzin family’s efforts, Coffee Park in University Park is barrier-free and includes a trail system with dioramas depicting the history of University Park, new picnic facilities, athletic field improvements, park entrance signage, decorative fencing, expanded acreage on the park’s northern edge (made possible because of the Northwest Parkway Wall) and the City’s first barrier-free playground to provide fun for children of all ages and abilities.

Photo provided by A Child Can Do All Things

” A Child Can Do All Things Luncheon” Chair Alicia Wood (pictured left with, from the left, Blackie Holmes, Jerry Bradley, Christina Murzin, and Heather Pujats) announced at a breakfast at Tiffany & Co., that the Murzin family and the City of University Park will be awarded  the “Child Impact Award” at the annual luncheon on Tuesday, March 30, at Brook Hollow Golf Club.

In an addition to the presentation of the award, a NorthPark Center-sponsored fashion show under the direction of Rhonda Sargent Chambers will feature clothes from Barney’s New York, Peek. . . Aren’t You Curious, and Play @ Planet Funk.

For ticket and sponsorship information, just check here.

Saturday’s Crummy Weather Will Not Bother “Walk for Literacy”

First, let’s get the bad news over with. Weather is predicted to be cold, wet, and miserable. Not as miserable as pre-Valentine’s Day weekend. But it sure ain’t gonna be what you would expect for the first day of spring.

Now for the good news. This Saturday’s “Walk for Literacy & Education Fair” will continue on despite rotten weather. It’s going to take place at Fair Park starting at 9. You’ve got that worried look on your face. Relax. There’s a backup plan! It’ll take place in the Coliseum.

Now for the dry activities scheduled throughout the day hosted by Charles Haley, Derrick “DJ” O’Hara Johnson, and Kelvin Edwards: (more…)

Susan G. Komen Tops Two Categories According to Harris Interactive

Not to brag, but Dallas-born and -bred Susan G. Komen for the Cure was named the most valuable non-profit brand and the charity people are most likely to donate to, according to global market research firm Harris Interactive.

But let’s not stop there!

Of the 1,151 organizations in the rankings, Komen placed second among the most trusted non-profit organizations in America just behind St. Jude Research Hospital.

“We are enormously humbled to be recognized in this way by the public that we serve,” said Komen founder and CEO, Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker. “This validation redoubles our resolve to our promise to end breast cancer through science, education, advocacy and relevant support programs all around the world.”

Harris Interactive Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Justin Greeves said of the top-performing non-profits: “They are working to solve many of society’s most complex and relevant problems in efficient, new, and innovative ways and have achieved personal relevance in many of our lives – that is why they are at the top.”

Congratulations to the thousands of volunteers and staff members who have made Komen a lifesaver.

Limbs For Life’s “Roaring 20′s” Gala had the Joint(s) Jumping for Bootleggers

WARNING: Please! Oh, please! Do not read the following post on the Limbs For Life’s annual benefit, if you think you’re going to read about  a pity party for amputees.

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UPDATE: Gail McGovern Had More on her Mind Than Haiti During Dallas Visit

If you’ll recall, dearest ones, when the Haiti earthquake broke loose back on January 12, American Red Cross President/CEO Gail McGovern (pictured) was in town to visit the facilities and meet with the influentials of Dallas. By the end of the day, she was guest of honor at a private party at Myrna and Bob Schlegels‘ and afterwards at Margot and Jim Keyes for an even more private dinner, plus putting into place the Haitian relief efforts. All of this and it was her birthday, too!

As if that wasn’t an example of multi-tasking in overdrive, the next day she visited with former President George W. Bush, ExxonMobil’s Rex Tillerson, T. Boone, and the head of Kimberley-Clark.

No one would have suspected that during her day with W and the rest of the big boys that she had just received word that she had breast cancer.

Let’s see. Within 48 hours, she had met with the former president, started coordinating relief efforts for a major catastrophe, and learned she had cancer. Seems a little overwhelming, doesn’t it?

This news about her health and her undergoing surgery on February 11 was revealed over the past weekend. According to American Red Cross spokesperson Roger Lowe, the reason for the delay was Gail “wanted to wait until she knew what she was dealing with and what the effect would be on her work before she announced it.”

Luckily, the doctors report the prognosis is “excellent” and Gail has added the Chile earthquake situation to the Red Cross’s “must-do-list.”

Let’s Practice Safe Sex This Sunday

Did we get your attention? Do you have a dog or a cat that “needs fixin” as the Metroplex Animal Coalition puts it?

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.* (more…)

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…)

Brinker’s Doug Brooks Isn’t Asking Much This Saturday. . . Just an Arm or a Leg

Let’s play “The Five Minute Game.” What, you don’t have five minutes right now? That’s okay. You can play it whenever and wherever you want. It requires only you.

Now, here are the rules. (more…)

Let’s Take A Walk Thanks To Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake

There are times when spectacular things happen. No, they don’t always demand a gala nor a press conference. They’re just very cool and long lasting. So, the announcement that Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake will sponsor the one-mile fitness trail at the Dallas Arboretum is one of those times.

“We look for specific opportunities to sponsor programs, organizations and sites in Dallas that support our mission to be committed to the care and improvement of our community.  The One-Mile Fitness Trail at the Arboretum fits our mission well and we are pleased to have been given the opportunity to join them,” said Scott Manis, newly-appointed Doctors Hospital CEO.

The Doctors Hospital Fitness Trail features quarter-mile markers and takes walkers throughout the Arboretum’s most beautiful landscapes including the Jonsson Color Garden, Palmer Fern Dell, Paseo de Flores, and around the historic Alexander Camp House. Since 2001 the Fitness Trail has attracted Dallas and Fort Worth residents for their daily walks.