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.

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.

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:

• 5K Walk
• Karaoke competition with $600 cash prize
• Storytelling
• American Diabetes Association will provide information on children’s and adults’ obesity
• Methodist Hospital will screen for prostate cancer, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar for men
• The Agricultural Extension will provide nutrition and food facts
• Carter Blood Mobile will be accepting blood donations
• Storytelling
• Presentation and book signing of Stoplight Phonics by author Nikisha Jackson, a multi-sensory early reading readiness kit which has been awarded the “2010 Mom’s Choice Gold Award”
• Housing and Urban Development and several mortgage companies will discuss home buying, avoiding foreclosures, and rental assistance
• Deborah Dennis, author of of The Road to Credit Repair, will be signing her book
• Saxophonist Jeff Aycock
• Mini-flea market with vendors selling arts and crafts

“Walk for Literacy” will  benefit the TOY (Teacher of the Year) Foundation, a non-profit organization that commends educators from the southern sector of the Dallas Independent School District; provides students with scholarships to Historically Black Colleges and Universities; and offers grant funding to select teachers to continue to inspire and improve their educational strategies.

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.

Before you even walked into the Dallas Trade Mart for the Limbs For Life’s “Roaring 20′s” gala Saturday night, you realized that these party guests redefined costume parties and the whole stereotype of helpless amputee. There was no valet parking and almost all the handicapped parking spaces were empty. No, this group needs no help with their vehicles or getting from point A to point B. In other words, leave the morose attitude behind because Limbs For Life can “shake a leg” and have a great laugh doing it.

But that was only the beginning. Upon entering the Mart, you truly felt like you had returned to Prohibition, flappers, and Valentino (as in Rudolph). Let’s face it: Costume parties usually are a bust. Typically, one or two innocents don a homemade outfit and feel foolish all night, while everyone else is in street wear. Nope, not with LFL-ers.

Just to enter LFL’s “speakeasy” with its silent auction action, gaming tables, open bars, and vast dining tables, you had to know the password to get by the two bouncer-type doormen. Did we see a twinkle in their eyes when we messed up the password?

But once inside it was a “real class joint.”  We’re not talking no blind pig .

Chances are you didn’t see LFL ringleader Doug Brooks (pictured) before you heard him. Dressed as a Boston policeman, the Brinker International CEO loudly proved there was nothing wrong with his lungs and he blew his whistle throughout the evening. He hustled around the ballroom greeting everyone as an old friend. When asked about his state-of-the-art, $45,000 bionic leg, he pulled up his pant leg and showed it off with a big old smile. In the world of prosthesis, Doug’s leg is a Ferrari. It can do practically everything except cook Old Timers.

But Doug is the first to admit that he is one of the lucky ones. Without hesitation he’ll tell you about the 7,700 amputees who have been provided prostheses by LFL since its establishment in 1995.  Thanks to the $400,000 raised at the night’s gala, Doug reported that 150 people would receive new arms and legs.

Then before it got too serious, Doug blew his whistle and was off to greet and/or arrest others like Weston “Newsie” Bryan (pictured), who had a Dallas Morning News rolled up in his back pocket.

Luckily, Doug didn’t have to handcuff him, but he headed in another direction blowing his whistle.

Then there were Elizabeth Rivas and Yessenia Garcia (pictured right with Elizabeth), who redefined flappers in their outfits that they found in a vintage costume shop in Plano. Who knew that Plano had anything older than yesterday?

Doug’s son Taylor Brooks in his black and white shirt, white braces and too-cute-to-be-a-gangster attire has attended the annual gala ever since his Dad lost his leg. This time he brought Houstonian fifth-grade teacher Caroline Magruder (pictured with Taylor) in her “sparkly” outfit. When asked if she was a flapper, Taylor chuckled, “She’s flappy.”

Then it was time for the guests to take their seats for dinner. But before that took place a lone man was seen onstage with spotlights focused on him. It was Craig Gavras (pictured), executive director and co-founder of Limbs For Life. Was he going to greet the crowd of 500? He looked so alone and serious on stage with the spotlights bearing down on him. It didn’t fit with the frivolity of the night. He tried to get the crowd’s attention, but they were having too much fun. He tried again and again. Finally he looked down and tried one last time without stopping. The crowd went silent. He told them that years ago he had erred by misleading a few people with a story about being a Dallas police officer and losing his leg at the hands of a mob. This story was not true. However, it took on a life of its own and Craig admitted that he was wrong not to have stopped it. Choking back tears, he apologized to his family, his friends and to the people of Limbs For Life.

Earlier in the evening Doug had admitted that when Dallas Morning News reporter Tanya Eiserer called him just a couple of days before asking about Craig. Doug just thought she was doing a profile perhaps in connection with the gala. Then she asked if Doug knew how Craig had lost his leg. He replied that he didn’t and recommended that she ask Craig herself. She then shared with Doug the story that she had been investigating. Her story broke Saturday morning.

Doug said that he had had an hour-long talk with Craig the afternoon of the gala and had accepted his apology.

So it was for the crowd listening to Craig. They took in his sackcloth address and accepted it with a standing ovation led by Toni Brinker (pictured).

Then Craig left the stage, the spotlights dimmed and dinner was served.

After dinner the parade of merrymaking organizers, with Holly “Flaming Red Flapper” Brooks (pictured) in the lead, strutted down the main aisle with policeman Doug blowing his whistle and hustling them along. Once on stage, he warmed up the crowd with typical Doug Brooks humor. Example: “You have all these illegal activities (here tonight): prostitution, drinking, gambling. Sounds a lot like a Saturday night at Chili’s!”

Then on a more serious note, it was revealed that Limbs For Life would be working with Haiti to help with the multitude of people who lost arms and legs in the recent earthquake.

Interesting fact: When one dies or has their prosthesis replaced, the old prosthesis cannot be “recycled” for use in the U.S. due to health regulations. However, Limbs For Life is able to provide them for use in other countries, making an incredible difference for those in great need.

Then it was on with the show including the keynote speaker motocross racer Chris Ridgway and recognition of adorable Connor Karow.

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.”

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.

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.

While the test for the program is different each time, the Baylor test under the direction of Linda Marler is right up there with facing the Supreme Court. As we waited in the outer room for our turn, we watched other canine/human partners leave the testing area looking like they had just weathered the Iditarod. What had I gotten us into?

As we were called into the room filled with veteran teams of the therapy program, I hesitated but Faux pulled the leash and headed into the room as if she knew exactly what to do. During the test, they did all types of things to rattle us. I was a bit shell shocked, but Faux never wavered. It was as if she had been studying for this opportunity all of her life. At the end of the test, Linda announced to the veteran therapy program teams that Faux had passed the test with flying colors. I think they let me in because Faux was so outstanding.

That day led to a journey taking us far beyond the waiting rooms. We would work in various areas of Baylor — the Baylor Institute of Rehabilitation, the psych unit, the transplant floor, and Our Children’s House. Faux would do tricks to entertain both patients and staff. She especially loved the staff who always greeted her with special pats and knew just the right spot to scratch.

But it wasn’t all tricks like shake, sit, and down. No, the dogs were expected to work with the patients and therapists. While at home the canines were just regular pooches, but once inside Baylor they became working staff demonstrating patience and showing no apprehension of the equipment, noises, and smells in the facility. They proudly wore their uniforms of blue bandannas, leashes, and collars. You got the impression that these dogs knew they had a talent and an awareness like the rescue dogs in Haiti or the service dogs that aid the blind. They were simply cut out for this type of work and thrived on it.

What amazed me about Faux and the other dogs in the program was how time and time again they would sense a patient who needed a certain type of attention. They tended to gravitate to the patient who had left a pet at home weeks ago and needed some “unconditional medicine” that wasn’t in medical books. Simply by putting her head on the knee of someone, or letting a child pull a little too long on her ear, she just knew how to handle those moments without a word being said.

I would kiddingly say that she was the volunteer and I was simply her escort.

But it wasn’t all work. There was the infamous annual Pink Pooch Parade at Baylor’s Plano facility in October. Each of the poor therapy dogs was humiliated by being dressed in various pink outfits and then paraded through the hospital as part of breast cancer awareness month. It was at this time that Faux thought I was akin to a stage mother of a baby beauty contestant.

One of the lessons that I learned from the program was the phrase, “crossing the rainbow bridge.” I had never heard of it. But every now and then I would get an email from Linda that one of the dogs in the program had died, or “crossed over the rainbow bridge.” It was a painful email that all the program teams dreaded. Not only for the loss of a marvelously giving animal, but also because we knew that one day it would hit our team.

This morning Baylor lost one of its volunteers. Faux crossed the rainbow bridge.

Now, here are the rules.

You may pick the limb of your choice. No, not a tree limb. An arm or a leg. Once you’ve decided which limb it is, go five minutes without use of that limb. Some of you are saying, “Hey, that’s a snap. What kind of game is this?” Others are grumbling, “This doesn’t sound like fun.” Excuses, excuses, excuses. Go ahead and try functioning without that limb for just five minutes. If you pick a leg, you’re going to have a great time just trying to get up from your computer. If you picked an arm, you’re swearing at your keyboard by now. If you really want a challenge, try taking a shower or putting on clothes.

Photo provided by Brinker International

Once your five-minute “game” is up, think about Brinker International’s Chairman of the Board/President/CEO Doug Brooks (pictured). Back on July 22, 1998, while training in Plano for the New York Marathon, he was struck by a car and had to have his left leg amputated above the knee. Yes, he had excellent medical care and through technology he has a extremely high-tech prosthetic leg. But even with all of this, it’s not the same ease, agility and convenience of having the original leg.

Instead of grousing about his loss, he took on another type of marathon — the Limbs for Life Foundation.

For the past nine years, he and his wife Holly along with their limbed and limbless pals like Toni and the late Norman Brinker, Peter Cancro, Pat and Pete Schenkel, and Craig Gavras have nurtured LFL to provide fully-functional prosthetic care for individuals who cannot otherwise afford it and raise awareness of the challenges facing amputees.

Approximately 380 children and adults in the area have benefited from LFL. Why, did you know that the nationwide average for a below-knee prosthesis is $7,000 and an above-the-knee prosthesis is $16,500? Thanks to the foundation, LFL can purchase a below-the-knee prosthesis for $1,500 and an above-the-knee prosthesis for $2,000.

Photo provided by Brinker International

This Saturday LFL will hold “The Roaring 20′s” at the Dallas Trade Center including live and silent auctions, a four-course meal, cocktails, and a casino reminiscent of the real Roaring 20′s underground. Guests are encouraged to “shake a leg.” Hey, just because you lose a limb, doesn’t mean you lose your sense of humor. As Doug (pictured right with Craig Gavras and Holly) told ChainLeader, “We’re not asking for much, just an arm and a leg.”

Past honorary event chairs and other notable attendees have included Honorary Underwriting Chairs Toni and Norm, Marianne and Roger Staubach, Matrice and former Dallas Mayor/present U.S. Trade Rep Ron Kirk, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children President JC Montgomery Jr., and Iron Chef America contestant/Abacus and Jasper’s headman Kent Rathbun.

Benefit partners include Andrews Distributing Company of North Texas, Anheuser-Busch, Ben E. Keith Beers, Coca-Cola North America Food Service, ColorMark, Devin Lindsey Photography, Glass Lake Production Group, Glazer’s Distributors, Jo Tiller Interiors, Ten Eighty Media and nFusion.

Tickets are still available by calling Julie Smith at 972.770.9504.

“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.