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Dash For The Beads Tomorrow

So it’s rather gloomy and damp outside today, but the sun is scheduled to return tomorrow with the temps in 50′s. Those are all the elements for a good run. But wait, where is there an area that you haven’t done ad nauseam? What about the Bishop Arts District? That’s what we thought, and it just so happens that your timing, as usual, couldn’t be more perfect.

Starting at 9 a.m., Dash for the Beads will take place with proceeds directed to “Light Up Bishop Arts Project.” For your non-beautification types, DftB Steering Committee Member David Sassano explained, (more…)

Turtle Creek Association Ain’t Just Your Same Old Homeowners’ Association–Thank Heaven!

At most homeowners’ associations and organizations, it’s a big deal to present and vote on the new officers. Ah, but the Turtle Creek Association is a totally different operation. Just imagine Board Chairman Ann Swisher with Ed Beanland (treasurer), Dick Geiger (secretary), Anne Crews, Robert Dotson, Jane Dunne, Scott Kimple, Kate Kosut, John Lesselyong, Allan McBee, Paul Rich, Dr. Ann Stuart, Janet Watts, and Will Terry making up your board. A little like having Mario Andretti warming up your Ferrari in the turnaround at the Mansion.

Oh, and speaking of which, The Mansion is where the Turtle Creek Association held its annual association meeting last night. Most folks hold it in the neighborhood church, school, or clubhouse. The standard is already set. Gear up.

As the jam packed room listened to Ann Switzer discuss the accomplishments and plans for the association, such stellars as Caroline Rose Hunt (that cutie pie) hosted the event, Nelda Pickens (pictured)pretty in pink extolled the virtues of the Creekies, Garrett Boone in bow tie revealed plans for his new digs in the Turtle Creek community (oh, my!!! DallasDirt will have more info), Bev and Terry Heil admitted to loving life in the clouds along Turtle Creek, and Ango Wynne  joined the crowded room.

Meanwhile Mayor Tom  Leppert got a “get-out-of-jail card.” It seems that he was pretty far down on the agenda, but got moved up to second place. Was it due to his good looks, his needing to be at another five-star event, or a pressing issue about the Dallas world? Heck, no! The poor guy was fighting major allergy challenges. We feel your pain, Tom Terrific. Did you get a good whiff of bad stuff at the Mary Kay Nature Explore Classroom groundbreaking at The Family Place earlier in the day? Ah-choo! Bless you and pass the Puffs and hand sanitizers!

Anyhow, Tom did his pat-on-the-back duties despite his heady condition and quickly exited accompanied by political princess Carol Reed. Did you know that she’s agreed to participate in this year’s White Rock Marathon as part of a relay team? To quote Ms. Carol, “I know what you are thinking and you are absolutely right, but the proceeds from our efforts will go to Friends of Fair Park.  As you may know, Fair Park is not only a National Historic Landmark but also my favorite place in Dallas.”  Carol’s relay team Fair Park includes City Manager Mary Suhm, Friends of Fair Park Executive Director Craig Holcomb and The Reeds (Laura, Angela and Carol). They should do well, since they also run the city.

Ah, but then the TCA big surprise came out!  No, silly, not a gift box. Rather, Dr. Jeff Gusky (pictured). Besides being an ER doc in East Texas, he’s a photographer who loves Turtle Creek–not just any photog, but a poetic, photographic artist. Seems Jeff has created a whole series of photos on Turtle Creek. Yup, our little creek that runs through the toniest parts of Dallas and the Park Cities is picture perfect. Besides his photographic talents (pictured) and using some of his incredible buddies in the Dallas photographic community like Marty Perlman, Jeff has created an upcoming exhibition with a book in the offing with proceeds going to the revitalizing and maintaining the magic of Turtle Creek.

Copyright 2007-2009 Jeff Gusky

ADMISSION: I grew up along Turtle Creek before it was high-end. It was a magical place where wildlife thrived and children observed in wonderment at the natural beauty of a creek in an urban setting. We learned to skip rocks, bury  dead robins, and tell the good snakes from the bad. Loved the turtles except when they chomped on the webbed feet of the ducks.

Turtle Creek is no huge, drop-dead project like the Trinity Trust, but it is a gem that Dallas has and the Turtle Creek Association is working to maintain.

Komen Reminder: Don’t Forget to Set the Alarm Real Early

Tomorrow’s Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is a definite challenge for the best of alarm clocks on a Saturday. Remember to allow yourself enough time to get ready, set, go, and find a parking place at NorthPark.

The morning’s schedule is

• 6:30 a.m. – Race day registration inside NorthPark Center
• 6:30 a.m. – Survivor breakfast
• 7:30 a.m. – Fun Walk/Fun Run start (line up on Boedeker St. heading north. Translation: Neiman’s heading toward Nordstrom’s*)
• 8 a.m. – 5K Walk/Run start (line up on Park Lane heading west. Translation: Macy’s heading toward Nordstrom’s*)
• 9:30 a.m. – Survivor Celebration and Awards Presentation begins

There’s no rain in the forecast, but there are lots of goodies to collect. Oh, and afterwards, you can go shop at NP or just head home, kick off your sneakers, and watch the Texas-OU game on your widescreen.

* We  know the kind of directions that make sense.

Tory Burch Pink Vest is Best for Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation

In the olden days, October was usually associated with fall and Halloween-ish colors–black, gold, brown, pumpkin. But then the Susan G. Komen gals changed the whole palette of October colors to pink. Bright pink, light pink, positively pink, pink pink. For instance extremely fashionable ShopTalk  has taken on a Mary Kay/Pepto Bismol aura this past month.

Leave it to the true trendsetting capital of the world. . . . well, okay, of the Park Cities. . . Highland Park Village has come up with a Tory Burch pink vest. Plus 15% of the price goes to Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation.

Hmm, we’re going to have to check the weather and see if it might go with our wardrobe for Saturday’s Race for the Cure. Great excuse to shop and help, don’t you know.

Run on Over to NorthPark or Luke’s to Register for the Komen

If you thought you would registerfor this Saturday’s Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure via the Internet, toss that idea. The online registration is closed.

But just as we suspected you never really planned on that. You’re a crafty one, you are. We know you always planned to trot yourself over to NorthPark or Luke’s Locker in Dallas now through Friday (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and do some shopping and register.

And for you oh-so tardy trotters, you can even register 6 a.m. on Saturday at NorthPark, if you get up very, very early. You might even beat the crowd looking for a parking spot.

And besides a ton of hardworking volunteers and staff members, the following sponsors are making this legendary event possible:

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Woof! Let’s Go for a LifeWalk/LifeBark. . . Now

Good morning! There’s a little nip in the air and your best friend is giving you the evil eye. After all the poor thing has been inside pretty much of the week because of the weather. Grab a cup of coffee, read the paper (online or print), and then head over to the 19th Annual AIDS LifeWalk and Life Bark at Lee Park. Organizers are so smart. Instead of one of those before-the-sun-rises 5K Fun Runs/Walks, this one starts at a civilized 1 p.m.

Registration for the four-legged walkers is $10 and each pet will receive a LifeBark bandanna. Just in case one of the participants suffers an overpanting episode, vets will be on-site.

Following the leggy activity, a festival will commence in Lee Park complete with music, concessions, vendors, information booths, and a kids area (i.e. bounce house, balloon clown, and face painters).

A program of AIDS Arms Inc., LifeWalk has raised more than $8 million for AIDS services throughout the Dallas community. The goal this year is $400,000.

Here is the timeline:

• Registration starts are noon.
• Walk begins at 1 p.m.
• Festival takes place from noon to 6 p.m.
• Turtle Creek Chorale and The Women’s Chorus perform at 2 p.m.

So get your leashes out and start walking. And don’t forget your pet mitts and leave the cat at home.