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Somebody Congratulate Dr. Gail Thomas

Dr. Gail Thomas (pictured), president/CEO of The Trinity Trust Foundation, is at D headquarters this morning “talking shop” with real estate guru Joel Kotkin.

Hopefully, someone will congratulate Gail on just being granted honorary membership in the American Institute of Architects. She is just one of six in the country to be selected for the designation. You did know that it’s one of the highest honors that the AIA can bestow on any person outside the profession., didn’t you?

Terdema Ussery Revs Up The Real Estate Council “To See Greatness”

Commercial real estate folks thrive on getting up early in the morning with plenty of energy. So, Thursday’s breakfast at the Fairmont to celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Real Estate Council felt like a joint gathering of Toastmasters and Zig Ziglar. And the caffeine kick only moved the zeal rate up a couple of notches for the 400+ attendees.

After TREC Vice Chairman Melissa Eastman handled “the housekeeping issues” like reminding guests of the May 6th “Fight Night” at the Anatole and that TREC’s new website was up and running, she introduced a well-done video showcasing the many community projects in which TREC has been involved.

Then Melissa got to the featured act — Terdema Ussery (pictured above). The guy’s credentials not only go on for a week, but each one is a showstopper. Ivy Leaguer, lawyer, president/CEO of the Dallas Mavericks, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Dallas Housing Authority. (more…)

Home Sweet Dallas Home Site Charity Sponsorship Program

Retailers are clever folks. During the recent holiday season, they offered percentage of purchases to benefit nonprofits in the hopes of sweetening the buying process. It seemed like everything from bangles to bagels helped to raise funds.

Now when it comes to being in the clever department, residential real estate pros can give retailers a run for their $$. With the recent topsy turvy world of home sales, they’re really upping their creative brain cells. Just ask Sweet Candy.

Need an example? How about David Marett of Keller Williams Elite Park Cities. He’s just launched “Dallas Home Site Charity Sponsorship Program.” It’s simple and sweet.

“For each home purchased or sold while working with David, he will make a $500 donation per transaction closing in your name to any area non-profit organization of your choice. This means a donation of up to $1,000 per client.

As a court-appointed special advocate for CASA and a former board member for A.R.T.S. for People, Marett know the impact non-profit organizations can have on others. “I created Dallas Home Site Charity Sponsorship Program because I had not seen another program like it. It is an easy way for me to give back to the community and allows me to support many worthy causes and organizations. It is something I intend to do throughout the duration of my real estate career.”

While David has created the program to celebrate his 10 years in real estate, he’s also practicing Creative Salesmanship 101 with benefits for all.

Better Than A Caffeine Kick — Terdema Ussery For Breakfast

Sure, everybody knows Terdema Ussery (pictured) and his being president and CEO of the Dallas Mavericks, president of the Dallas Mavericks Foundation, and chairman of the board of Commissioners of the Dallas Housing Authority. But he didn’t just land in the lap of success by luck.

Oh, you already knew about his growing up in the Watts section of south central LA? Then you know what drove him to achieve such accomplishments as being an Ivy Leaguer and law school. If you don’t or just want a great way to start the day, make reservations to hear Terdema tell his story at  The Real Estate Council Community Breakfast on Thursday, January 21, at the Fairmont. Reservations have to be in by January 18, so get on it.

Event sponsors include Ernst & Young, Haynes and Boone LLP, and Stewart Title.

St. Valentine’s Luncheon Kick-Off Party Launches in a Sweetheart of a Lakeside Palace

Sorry, dear Candy, but you’ll have to be a SweetCharity party-trooper and cover last night’s Les Femmes du Monde. The action for the SweetCharity home team was at the kick-off party for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s 26th annual St. Valentine’s Day Luncheon and Fashion Show (February 11, 2010). Honey, you should have been there. Talk about the Ritz! The party was held at Denise (pictured center with Natalie Fogiel, left, and Alicia Landry) and Dr. Larry Wolford‘s spectacular place on Lakeside and would have had your real estate eyes wide-open huge. Just imagine–the party itself was held in the world’s most elegant garage that can be transformed in seconds to a luxurious lanai. With a finger touch to a switch, the four garage doors on either sides of the room can be opened or shut. Last night it was party central in overtime.

Ah, but more about that later. Let’s first talk about what mother-daughter team–who look more like a sister-sister team–Rainey Fogiel (pictured) and dotter Natalie are cooking up for this year’s must-get-your-tickets-now annual event. The gals have really done their homework by recruiting Dallas’ A-team to make this year’s show a blockbuster. For instance, the featured designer will be none other than Lela Rose; Stanley Korshak will present the spring fashion under the watchful cat eyes of show producer Jan “Picture Perfect” Strimple; Briggs-Freeman wunderkind Gigi Potter will be the “Heart of Gold” recipient; and honorary chair will be none other than Nancy Rogers.

Speaking of Nancy (pictured), when her name was announced, one guest whispered, “How come she’s not only gorgeous, but she’s so nice, too?” With that a murmur was heard within ear shot of agreement. Drat! The woman can’t be that perfect.

Now, which would you like to hear about–the Wolford digs or the going’s on?

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Real Estate Council Plays and Sells Green Playhouses at Giving Gala

We’ve got good news. Then we’ve got some not-so-good news. And finally we have more good news.

The first good news is that Real Estate Council will launch “Project Playhouse” at its Giving Gala tomorrow night in the Anatole Hilton’s Sculpture Garden. Mr. Up-And-Coming CW star Jack Ingram (pictured) will be the headliner. What is “Project Playhouse”? According to GG Chair Dan Fryman of Comerica, “Project Playhouse is a highly-creative way to utilize the professional expertise of our members to showcase green building techniques through three unique playhouses.”

The three Project Playhouse teams are Balfour Beatty Constructions and HKS Architects; ENTOS DESIGN and Tri-Texas Construction, Inc; and Corgan and MAPP Construction LLC. The playhouses will be sold at a live auction during the gala.

What was the bad news? The weather, what else? It’s gearing up to be another tsunami evening.

What was the other good news? The organizers are stressing they have a backup plan in case the weather prevents them from using the Sculpture Garden. 

And, no, my silly ones, they’re not going to hold the shindig in the playhouses.

“Giving Gala” sponsors include

Presenting sponsors–Deloitte and Republic Title

Limelight sponsor–Holt Lunsford Commercial

Spotlight sponsors–Crow Holdings (VIP reception sponsor), Ernst & Young (entertainment sponsor), Thackeray Partners (margarita sponsor), ZOM Living (project playhouse sponsor), Winstead Attorneys (invitation sponsor), CMC Commercial Realty Group (main reception sponsor), Jackson-Shaw (photo booth sponsor), and Comerica Bank (video sponsor).

The Real Estate Council Foundation Comes Through With Cash and Elbow Grease for Community Impact Initiatives

The Real Estate Council Foundation is putting its effort where its money is. TREC President Michelle Corson (pictured) just revealed that the council’s foundation would be providing eight organizations with $301,650 in cash and $445,000+ in volunteer technical assistance. In this day and age, when dollars are rather scarce, the TREC’s leaders recognize that some old-fashioned hands-on help is priceless. Here’s a breakdown of the financial and volunteer efforts: Shared Housing Center, Inc. ($75,000 in cash/$150,000 in technical assistance services); St. Anthony School ($20,000 in cash/ $20,000 in technical assistance services); Forest Heights Neighborhood Development Corporation ($50,000 in cash/$100,000 in technical assistance services), Circle of Support, Inc. ($25,000 in cash/$25,000 in technical assistance services); Uplift Education ($25,000 in cash/$25,000 in technical assistance services); Builders of Hope Community Development Corp. ($66,650 in cash/$100,000 in technical assistance services); Big Thought ($25,000 in cash/$25,000 in technical assistance services); and Communities Foundation of Texas ($15,000 in cash plus technical assistance).

Ebby Halliday Putters Around for Frisco United Way

While other golf courses are traditionally closed on Mondays, the Golf Club at Frisco Lakes will be alive with action on Monday, September 14, for the Ebby Halliday 2009 Frisco United Way Golf Tournament. Yes, Ebby Halliday herself will be in attendance, but, knowing Ebby, she’ll more likely be wielding a ukulele than an iron. Registration deadline is September 1, so e-mail steveyunker@ebby.com to reserve a spot. Entry fee is $90 per golfer.