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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.

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…)

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.

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.

Eric Brinker Elected To Komen Board

Eric Brinker has been elected to the board of directors for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. If you earned a degree in family trees, then you know that Eric is

• the son of breast cancer survivor and Komen founder/CEO Nancy Brinker,
• nephew of the late Susan G. Komen, for whom the organization was named and
• former stepson of the late Norman Brinker, who was previously married to Nancy.

Eric is filling the seat left vacate by Norman’s death.

TREC Announces New Boss Types

Shout out to DallasDirt’s Candy: This item may be more in your neck of the woods, but SweetCharity will tackle it because you’re so busy being presidential and worldly.

Photo provided by The Real Estate Council

With local real estate practitioners grateful that Dallas hasn’t taken the hit that other markets have, those friendly folks at The Real Estate Council are staying busy making news. On the heels of announcing plans for the group’s annual breakfast, the group’s 2010 leadership has just been revealed. According to TREC President Michelle Corson, Jim Berry, managing partner, North and Central Texas Audit Services, Deloitte, will serve as chair for the 2010 board of directors. Joining him will be Stewart Title Senior VP/National Business Development manager Melissa Eastman (pictured with Jim Berry) as vice chairman, and Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P. Executive Managing Director/Founding Partner Mark Gibson as chairman-elect.

If you would like to see the list of real estate types involved in the operation of TREC, it follows the jump.

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Bryan’s House Board Adds New Members

The Bryan’s House board of directors has added Julie Anne Chandler, Barbara D. Christian, Helen M. Dorsey, and Christopher Williams to its membership. Each new board member will serve a two-year term.

Originally created in 1987 to provide for the needs of children affected by HIV and AIDS, Bryan’s House expanded its mission in 2006 to include children and families who suffer from other serious medical issues.