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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.

Lee Park Junior Conservancy is off to the Races at Hotel ZaZa with Hat-a-Tudes

The folks at the Lee Park Junior Conservancy have learned their lesson. Last year’s “Day at the Races” was such a success that they’re ramping up their plans for this year’s May 1st Dallas-watching of the  135th running of the Kentucky Derby.

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.”

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Wake up Call for Reverchon Roundup

Since you’re up so early on this Saturday morning, why not grab a cup of coffee and do something good. No, we don’t mean work on your tax returns. Boring!

Instead, head over to Reverchon Park for the 12th annual Reverchon Roundup.

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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.

Valentine Pet Photos For Spots At Unleashed Park

Photo by John Sealander

Unleashed Park is to dogs just as NorthPark is to the fashionable types. See-and-be-seen types scampering about having a heck of a good time in lah-di-dah surroundings.

This Saturday and next (February 13) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Unleashed Park will have dog-loving photographer John Sealander taking Valentine’s Day photos of pets with proceeds benefiting Dalmatian Rescue of North Texas.

Two suggestions:

1. Cats might not be too keen on this photo opp.
2. Make reservations.

Katy Trail Elects Officers, Board Members And Presents David Stocks Award

Heading up the Friend of the Katy Trail board of directors for 2010 will be the following officers:

• Chairman – Philip Henderson
• President – Matt Lucas
• Vice President – Beth Huddleston
• Treasurer – David Demarest
• Secretary – Pat Snoots

New board members are Jayson Bales, Charles Chen, Sherri Conger, Greg Rohan, Joni Rose, and Tommy Tucker.

Also,the David Stocks Award was given to Keith Nix. The award is given annually to one board member in recognition of outstanding work for the Katy Trail.

Keep up the great work. Dallas is starting to get a reputation for having unique and wonderful parks.

Jamie Dimon Gets A Key, Elaine Agather Receives Kudos And Bandages

OK, so let’s admit it. Having JPMorgan Chase & Co. VMIP (Very Most Important Person) Jamie Dimon front and center for the $3M donation announcement for The Park was like having Steve Jobs on hand to activate your iPhone. Locals were so thrilled with his in-person participation, they even presented him with a key to The Park. Why do we suspect that Jamie knew that The Park is still under construction and there’s no lock in need of a key? Hey, it’s the thought that counts.

But the hometown honey of the day was that rodeoing banking lady of Chase, Elaine Agather. Looking like a homecoming queen and having the marvelously good taste to walk into the overly-crowded room of media and city alpha dogs with publishing magnate Wick Allison, Elaine actually seemed to blush as accolades kept coming and coming and coming.

And rightly deserved. In this day and age when money is especially tough to come by and banks are under scrutiny, Elaine managed to be a driving force for the donation that will result in a marvelous promenade for The Park.

Yet did anyone notice her fingers? Yup, despite holding up a billboard-size check for the multi-million $$ amount, hardly a soul saw the bandages wrapped around her fingers. Had she cut them while cutting the check? Nope. She slammed them in a door. But no harm. As she said, “I can still write and ride.”

Elaine, honey, let’s take better care of those digits.

Last Call For Lee Park Conservancy Membership At 2009 Rates

Just a reminder that before membership rates increase on Monday, you can renew or even join the Lee Park Junior Conservancy.

Oh, so you thought it was made up of a bunch of old biddies who sit around and conserve.  Wrong! Think the way other end of the social spectrum (pictured).

Just In: New Woodies

Rendering provided by Woodall Rodgers Park Foundation

Those wonderful people over at the Woodall Rodgers Park (pictured) Foundation have just added three great additions to its board. They are. . . drum roll, please!

• Nancy Best, president of the Shelter Ministries
• Garrett Boone, chairman emeritus of The Container Store and
• Jeff Jackson, executive VP of Corporate Business Development for Sabre Holdings

The new kids-on-the-park join Chairman Jody Grant, President Linda Owen, Leo Corrigan, Ed Fjordbak, Sheila Grant, John Muse, Rob Walters, and John Zogg.

The group has their work cut out for them. Their goal for the entire board is to raise $30M for the 5.2-acre deck park between Pearl and St. Paul, just down the road from D‘s international headquarters. With this high-powered group shaking the money trees, it will happen, but don’t rush over just yet for two reasons.

1. Park isn’t slated for completion until 2012.
2. The TX DOT folks are closing a frontage road lane this Saturday.

Congratulations to all except those stuck in the Saturday traffic jam!

New Hired Hands For The Friends Of The Katy Trail

Robin Baldock (pictured) has been named executive director of the Friends of the Katy Trail. She’s replacing Eric Van Steenburg, who is going after an advanced degree in marketing. Robin used to be director of branch capital campaigns for the Dallas YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas. She’d been with the Y for 23 years.  In her new position, she’ll be responsible for the FKT operations, trail management, financial development, membership, and continuation of the partnership with the City of Dallas.

And before the ink dried on that announcement, Ashleigh Falk (pictured) was named to replace Betsy Orten, who has taken a position with the Texas Trees Foundation. Ashleigh, formerly with the Point Group, will assist in membership and development.

They’ll have their work cut out for them. After all, FKT are tackling more than $2M in construction projects, including Snyder’s Union overlooking Lee Park, Dedo’s Place on the Trail’s north end and new entrances at Hall Street and Armstrong Boulevard.

Now, let’s all update our contacts list.