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TACA Silver Cup Luncheon Gets People Like Kenny Goss Thinking and Talking

What do international art collector/hottie Kenny Goss (pictured) and former JCPenney President and COO/Dallas Opera General Director John T. Cody Jr. have in common? Later. . . But first, let’s cover the 32nd TACA Silver Cup Award Luncheon.

If you just arrived in the area, you probably don’t realize that this luncheon is the pinnacle gathering of the area art groups and those who tirelessly support them. Each year a man and woman are honored for their efforts. This year the luncheon recipients were Cindy Rachofsky and John T. Cody Jr. (pictured) at the Anatole.

But before the luncheon, which is an artistic occasion in itself, past Silver Cup recipients, VIP’s and honorees gathered for a “catch your breath” reception. It also allowed for a group picture to be taken of past recipients with the “new kids on the block.”

After the official photos were taken, Cindy and John were presented with boxes that would have been too big for Santa to fit in his Christmas sack. Like two eager children, the two pulled off the ribbons, dug through paper stuffing, and discovered their silver cups (pictured).

But before you go off thinking that this heady group of art lovers was only involved in discussing the intellectual side of the arts, back up and rethink. (more…)

2003 Linz Award Recipient Paul M. Bass Jr. Died Tuesday

We regret to report that Paul M. Bass Jr. (pictured) died yesterday. He was part of the leadership group of such organizations as Southwestern Medical Foundation, Zale Lipshy University Hospital, Parkland Memorial Hospital, Phoenix Houses of Texas, Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, and numerous others.

Among his many accolades were his receiving the 2003 Linz Award, and being named the SMU Cox School of Business Distinguished Alumni in 2008 and SMU’s Distinguished Alumnus in 2006.

Aside from these good deeds, he was also known for his great stories and his sense of humor. This past October he moderated a panel made up of Elaine Agather, Linda Custard, and Tincy Miller for the “Expanding Worlds Through Giving” luncheon to the delight of all.

Walmart Makes Nice Donations to Visiting Nurses, Tarrant County’s Meals on Wheels

Congratulations to the Visiting Nurses Association and the Meals on Wheels of Tarrant County. They’re two of 147 very lucky local programs providing meals to homebound seniors and other seniors in need. Why are they lucky? Because the Walmart Foundation is divvying up a $2.2 million donation among the 147 to provide essential items like stoves, refrigerators, freezers, delivery vehicles, and other equipment.

“Seniors have been hit especially hard in this economy and we feel a responsibility to help,” said Margaret McKenna, president of the Walmart Foundation. “We’re proud to support Meals On Wheels programs across the U.S. who work on the front lines of ending senior hunger.”

Limbs For Life Co-founder Craig Gavras’s Sackcloth Admission and Apology

On stage at the Saturday night gala for Limbs For Life in front of blinding spotlights and 500 people who have financially and emotionally supported his efforts, LFL Executive Director/Co-founder Craig Gavras (pictured) admitted and apologized for a lie — allowing the world to think that he had lost his leg as a result of a “mob” incident while serving as a Dallas police officer. Choking back tears, he was contrite and humble emphasizing that it was stupid and not one cent had been earned through his telling his tale.

That is where a question must be raised. (more…)

Honoring Dr. Bobby Lyle Was Easy and Tough

The Hearts of Texas Award Luncheon organizers knew darn well that honoring Dr. Bobby B. Lyle (pictured) with the 2010 Lifetime Award was going to be both easy and tough.

“Easy” because Bobby is the prototype for which the award was created by the Volunteer Center of North Texas — “to recognize individuals in North Texas area, who have dedicated themselves to the betterment of the community through the donation of their time, talent and resources.” To say Bobby fits the description is to understate his accomplishments. From the Salvation Army to the Boy Scouts of America to SMU, he has not just contributed his time, money, and effort. No, Bobby has taken on each task and relationship with a commitment that would stagger even the most accomplished CEO.

On the other hand, honoring Louisiana-born Bobby was going to be “tough” because he has a tricky way of shying away from accolades. Perhaps that’s why his name is unfamiliar to those who aren’t down in the trenches. As Jack Furst put it, “Bobby allows others to take the credit for what he’s done.” (more…)

Executives in Action Are Celebrating Their First Anny Today

Executives in Action are celebrating their first anniversary today with a “virtual event.” Translation: You don’t have to dress up and get in your car. You just have to get on the Internet.

According to EIA Executive Director Jeremy Gregg,”We are asking all of our supporters, members, and more to Tweet, blog, update Facebook/LinkedIn and email their supporters about our anniversary.”

As an anniversary gift, they just received a $500,000 challenge grant from their board to expand their efforts in 2010. As you probably know, this group engages transitioning, senior executives in short-term, high-yield consulting projects with local nonprofit organizations. In its first year, EIA has placed nearly 130 such executives on high-impact projects throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth nonprofit community  – and is on pace to hit 300 later this year.

The organization’s executives have been placed at nearly 50 nonprofits over the past year including the American Red Cross, Central Dallas Ministries, and the Samaritan House of Fort Worth.

EIA is the brainchild of Ashlee and Chris Kleinert along with Jeremy, Pam Gerber, Cynthia Nunn, and Brent Christopher.

Happy anniversary to EIA and congratulations to the nonprofits that benefit from its efforts.

Bryan’s House Adds To New Board Members

Bryan’s House has added two members to its board of directors. Serving two-year terms will

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  Photo provided by Bryan's House

  A. Shonn Brown (pictured), who is a partner of Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell  where she focuses her practice on commercial litigation. She has represented clients in an array of complex litigation matters, including banking and financial services, class actions, and construction, telecommunications, software, trade secret and debt collection practices and holds substantial experience in both trial and arbitration. Ms. Brown is named as a “Rising Star” by Texas Monthly Magazine and among “Best Lawyers under 40 in Dallas” by D Magazine. Ms. Brown is a graduate of SMU School of Law.

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  Photo provided by Bryan's House

  Antonio Rocha (pictured), who is a tax manager with Weaver and Tidwell, L.L.P. His professional experience includes nine years in state and local tax with six years experience in public accounting. He is a former independent contract auditor for the Comptroller of Public Accounts and a former State of Texas Tax Auditor. Mr. Rocha is a graduate of the University of North Texas.

TACA Rises To The Financial Occasion And Gives Away $1M

With final tallies for businesses and nonprofits in 2009 looking as dismal as Toyota salesmen, it’s amazing to report that one group managed to hit its projected goals. In fact, it’s a real celebration. That’s what happened Monday night at the Museum of Art when TACA in one breath announced that the group had made their million-dollar fund raising goal and in the next breath gave it all away.

TACA Chair Lynn McBee admitted that the goal looked in jeopardy around the holidays, so she decided to take a pass on a Christmas vacation and womaned the phones to make the million dollar mark. For her efforts and those of the other  dedicated TACA mainstays, 35 Dallas County performing arts groups were more than appreciative in receiving their shares of the million.

The arts groups have really been stretched to the max this past year and every cent helps. One member of the arts community confessed that many of their supporters had targeted their money to the AT&T Performing Arts Center this past year, “but that was perfectly understandable. It just made us tighten our belts a bit more than usual.”

Not only were TACA officials well aware of the financial pressures, they used it as call for action and it worked.

Here’s a breakdown of how the funds were distributed: (more…)

Dallas Film Society Announces Lepperts To Be DIFFS Honorary Chairs, Launches Membership Program

Dallas Film Society‘s new President/CEO Tanya Foster has already started rearranging the furniture so to speak. With the DALLAS International Film Festival just around the corner (April 8-18), she announced that Mayor Tom Leppert and unsung heroine, Dallas First Lady Laura Leppert (pictured) will serve as honorary chairs for the festival.

Tanya also added the news that the DFS is launching its very first membership program, Circle of Stars. The individual $2,500-membership will provide invitations to exclusive events, Premiere Screening, and other DFS events, complimentary passes to the annual DALLAS International Film Festival, and recognition in event programs and on the DFS’s website. That Tanya girl is smart. She’s even providing an installment plan.

TACA Announces New Board Members and Officers

TACA’s announcement of new board members and officers had some very well-known names in the line up.

New board members include: Lucy Paige Billingsley, Connie Carreker, Janie Cooke, Jennifer Eagle, Lauren Embrey, Ann Hobson, Eric Johnson, Jacquelin Sewell, and Zannie Voss.

Board members returning for their second three-year term include: Nancy Carlson, Barbara Daseke, Jan Deatherage, Duncan Graham, Jeff Netzer, Kemp Sawers, Andy Teller, and Marnie Wildenthal.

Leading these art-loving troopers for 2010 are Chairman Lynn McBee, Treasurer Jim Nugent, Secretary Tara Lewis, and Vice Chairman of Programs Karol Omlor.

Chairmen Emeriti include Sis Carr, Jane Dunne, Ed Fjordbak, and Linda Gibbons.