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Dallas Opera’s Women’s Board To Honor Marnie And Kern Wildenthal

With the recent death of Henry S. Miller Jr., it seems like the glory days of The Dallas Opera’s founding mothers and fathers had come full circle. Juanita Miller, Elsa von Seggern, Larry Kelly, Nicola Rescigno, John “Cute Curmudgeon” Ardoin, and so many others, who strove to bring the best of La Scala to the dusty plains of North Texas, are long gone.

Photo provided by the Women's Board of The Dallas Opera

We have now moved into the next generation of leaders for the opera. These are the people who took the dreams of their predecessors and turned them into reality. Need an example? Drive on over to the Winspear Opera House.

While there are individuals who have been part of the driving force for the opera’s growth, it’s become a true passion for certain couples. With as much concern as parents of a child, they have nurtured the opera to its present position. One of those couple is Marnie and Kern Wildenthal. They have used their individual strengths to help so many organizations in our community. For instance, (more…)

Attitudes & Attire Puts Teeth Into Annual Fashion Show/Luncheon

If you had no money and had lost several teeth due to drug abuse, what would you do? Wednesday some of Dallas most caring and supportive women and men could hardly believe their ears when they heard what one woman did. But first, let’s set the stage.

The annual Attitudes & Attire covered the full range of emotions today  at the Dallas Trade Mart. Ranging from the runway antics of playful models wearing delicious clothes designed by Paulette Martsolf (pictured) of Allie-Coosh to the heart rendering stories from beneficiaries of the A&A program, the room of ladies and gents had a memorable time.

Surprise highlight was Ebby Halliday Acers, who donated one of her suits to A&A, and then pulled out her ukulele to sing a tribute to honoree Caroline Rose Hunt. At one point, Ebby kept strumming and stopped singing trying to recall the lyrics. Then the nearly 99-year old smiled and said, still strumming, “I’m showing my age.” She brought the house down.

As hard as it was to follow up that act, A&A Executive Director Lyn Berman started the presentation of the Kim Dawson Attitude Award by introducing Laurie Harrison and her mother Caroline Rose Hunt (pictured with Laurie). It was Laurie’s task to introduce her mother. It was a marvelously rich and strong introduction filled with a daughter’s love and admiration. So much so that Caroline hesitated to receive her award. “I didn’t know what Laurie was going to say,” as she teared up. Capturing the mother-daughter exchange was Caroline’s granddaughter/Laurie’s daughter Hassie Harrison (pictured) with her trusty iPhone. What a cutie! (more…)

Think And Wear Red Friday

Have something red to wear? A brand new sweater? A dress in the back of the closet? Some special undies in the drawer? Well, pull them out with pride to celebrate Friday, February 5 — National Wear Red Day. The goal is to promote heart health among women.

To get area people, both men and women,pumped up, two groups are offering great opportunities to do the “red” thing:

• Park Place Dealerships (pictured) is turning red but not with envy. Rather, it’s getting behind the heart-healthy program for both clients and associations. Its employees are also getting into the effort through a one-day-only opportunity to dress down. PPD is “allowing employees to wear jeans with red shirts/blouses” in exchange for $5. May not seem like a big deal to most folks, but the PPD staff is notorious for being buttoned-down fashion plates. As for guests, they can come any old way. But if they take a test drive of a vehicle on Friday or Saturday, PPD will make a $25 donation to the American Heart Association.
• Need Him Ministries is holding the Tender Hearts luncheon at its new location, The Hope Center in Plano, with music by local artist Jenn Petersen and guest speaker Amena Brown. Sponsored by Baylor Regional Medical Center and The Heart Hospital Plano, the luncheon will benefit Need Him Ministries. One request: please wear red.

Here’s some “FYI” provided by the Park Place Dealership on women and heart health:

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Chick Lit Luncheon Author Revealed To Chic Calypso Crowd Last Night

Last night Calypso in Preston Center East was jamming with chic young chicks. You would have thought it was Thursday night at Ocean Prime or Rattlesnake Bar. But, no! It was the “reveal party” for the April 29th Chick Lit Luncheon at Brook Hollow. And what did they reveal? This year’s author who will be the main event at the luncheon.

Since this group of very un-bookworms cuts to the chase, the author announcement was made early in the evening — Chicago’s Jen Lancaster. If that name is new to you, settle back, have a good laugh, and join her fan club. Getting her start as a blogger, Jen’s talents have resulted in such books as Bitter is the New Black; Bright Lights, Big A-s ( a word that SweetCharity is not allowed to use); Such a Pretty Fat; and Pretty in Plaid.

Now normally guests exit quickly after such an announcement is made, but, oh, no, not with this group! They stayed; they chatted; they drank; they met Chick Lit Luncheon sponsors Lara (pictured) and Robert Tafel; they tried on clothes; they bought clothes, perfume, purses (with a nice percentage going to Community Partners of Dallas).

Must admit that the shower curtain-style changing rooms at times proved to be a bit revealing themselves. As one guest passed by, her purse accidentally pulled the curtain open revealing a guest who was in a state of undress. Thank heaven, she heeded her mama’s advice to wear her prettiest undies. Oh, well, it was a girly party, so what the diff.

And speaking of girls, those gals responsible for the Chick Lit fun

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The Newsies Got It Right Today

SweetCharity congratulates The Dallas Morning News for today’s choice for Texan of the Year.

Want To Be Part Of The Conspiracy?

Sure it’s a dark, dank day and you’ve seen all the movies. You don’t want to stay at home. You did that last night. Need a suggestion? How about Art Conspiracy?  No, it’s not your typical wander-and-stare art gallery opening. It’s a coming together by visual artists and musicians to raise funds for a deserving group. To do this, the AC crew transform an empty warehouse at 511 West Commerce into a one-night-only art gallery and performance space.

Still not convinced that it’s all that different? You’re a hard sell.

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Countdown for 2009 Crystal Charity Ball’s “License To Thrill” Is Underway

The 2009 Crystal Charity Ball, Dallas’s Super Bowl of charity galas, is less than 48 hours away. Couture associates, hairdressers, jewelers, and makeup artists are as busy as North Pole elves the week before Christmas. The annual black tie celebration is that one night of the year when over-the-top glamor is so very appropriate for the boldface crowd.

You’re shaking your head wondering what could be worth all the fuss. How about $4.1 million earned in one night exclusively benefiting children’s charities in Dallas County?

CCB Chair Debbie Oates, Underwriting Chair Christie Carter, and the CCB committee have spent a year working with vendors, soliciting underwriters, and researching beneficiary candidates. This year’s candidates — Baylor Health Care Systems Foundation, Community Partners of Dallas, Interfaith Housing Coalition, Network of Community Ministries, Phoenix House of Texas, Reconciliation Outreach, and Texas A&M Health Science Center/Baylor College of Dentistry — can attest to the scrutiny of such a achievement.

The committee members also know that they have a longstanding legacy that requires perfection to be the biggest moneymaker every year. In total, Crystal Charity has distributed $88 million to children’s charities in Dallas County since its inception in 1953. Many, many beneficiaries count their blessings for the work that this group has achieved time and time again.

But before “License To Thrill” with Sheena Easton begins, take time and read the hundreds of individuals, foundations, and companies that have dug down in their pockets to support these women, the event, and the grateful beneficiaries. (more…)

Just In: Nancy Brinker Named Komen CEO

Nancy Brinker, who founded the Susan G. Komen for the Cure nearly 30 years ago, has been named CEO for the world’s largest breast cancer organization. According to the Komen announcement:

“The board also appointed Mike Williams as interim president. Williams served as the organization’s interim CFO before the position was filled in early 2009. With these appointments, the board separated the roles of CEO and President, which had previously been one position.”

No Excuses Tonight (Ctd.)

This just added to tonight’s ”No Excuses” list:

“Wine, Women & Shoes” benefiting The Women’s Museum (6:00 p.m. at The Women’s Museum) — Ladies will have an array of shoes and the gents can enjoy their own lounge complete with cigar rolling and shoe shining. Both can enjoy the wines from the participating vineyards, auction, dinner, and fashion shoe. (Attire — if you don’t wear shoes, you can always buy some!)

UPDATE: “Route 66 — Road to Success” benefiting Notre Dame School (6:30 p.m. at the Fairmont Hotel) — Celebrating 25 years of supporting the Notre Dame School, the annual Affair of the Heart will have cocktails, dinner, live and silent auctions, dancing, and casino games. Event chairs Chris Bolding and Amy D’Alise are joined by honorary chairs Margie and Dan Cruse. Sponsors include:  (more…)

November Adopts a Special Theme

“Blossoms in the Dust“– a book on growing cactus in the attic? Heavens, no, and you’re showing your age. It was a movie starring the late (Dallasite) Greer Garson about the incredible work of Fort Worth transplant Edna Gladney, who established the Gladney Center for Adoption.

Try this question: Did you know that November is not only the month of Thanksgiving, it’s also National Adoption Month? Yup, and the Gladney folks have done a whale of lot of good during its 122 years. Having not only placed 28,000 children with caring families, it has also helped 37,000 young women faced with ”unplanned pregnancy.”

So, if you’re adopted or have an adopted member of the family, this is your month.