Northeast Tarrant
Denim & DiamondsTo imagine the scene at one of the area's big social events -- Denim & Diamonds presented by the Northeast Tarrant Chamber of Commerce -- picture a 75 percent off shoe sale and you might have a glimmer of what happens when more than 1,500 folks show up to taste signature dishes from local eateries and watering holes and peruse 300 items or so in a massive silent auction.The scene is a happy bedlam where hands are waving overhead, gesturing to friends across the room and pointing to the best food booths and unique finds in the auction. Sports memorabilia, golf outings, gift certificates, and a slew of products and services, as well as all kinds of specialty items are snatched up at great prices. Many will leave with brimming arms and full tummies.But hopefully, your pocketbook will be empty because proceeds will benefit all the great programs of the chamber.A sneak preview of the auction revealed these goodies: a Lamborghini driving experience, Stars tickets, a football autographed by LaDainian Tomlinson, and a VIP party in a Texas Rangers Suite."D&D's Got Talent" is a fun-filled talent show with local people entertaining the audience with singing, dancing and comedy acts. A panel of judges will select the winning acts from among 50 contestants competing for 20 spots. Now in its third year, the talent show has proved to be a hit with the audiences at this event. MC's are Trent Hotman and Cheri Walker.In another competition, the restaurants will be hoping to win your vote for "Best Tasting," "People's Choice" and "Best Decorated Booth" awards. Visiting restaurants include Hoffbrau Steaks, Fusion Under Glass, Black Diamond BBQ, Sweet Memories, Bite the Weenie, Iron Horse, Texas Roadhouse, Jersey Mike's Subs, Habanero's, Abuelo's, Chick-fil-A and Fuzzy's.According to chamber president Jack Bradshaw, "Attendees come back year after year because the event is so much fun, inexpensive and the proceeds benefit programs of the ... chamber, which include annual college scholarships and Leadership Northeast."It all happens 6-9 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at the Wiley G. Thomas Coliseum, 6108 Broadway Ave., Haltom City. Advance tickets are $15 adults/$5 ages 6-12. Pay $20 adults and $10 ages 6-12 at the door.Call the chamber office at 817-281-9376 to reserve tickets or inquire.The Arts League Membership CoffeeWomen who live in Northeast Tarrant County and love the arts may want to attend the annual meeting of the Arts League to learn more about the organization. Prospective members can attend the meeting 9:30-11:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, at the Bedford Public Library, 2424 Forest Ridge Drive.Operating as an arm of the Arts Council Northeast, The Arts League raises money for local arts-related organizations and the council's scholarships for the Summer Arts College. They offer a slew of fun activities, excursions and programs each year for the members."Come and have some refreshments, get acquainted with our members and enjoy some beautiful music by popular classical guitarist Chris McGuire, who will entertain guests at the coffee," said league President Jean Lewis.Learn more about the group at www.artscouncilnortheast.org/arts_league.aspx. RSVP to Connie Nichols at 817-577-0754 by Feb 25.Fort WorthWalk With MeHere's a new twist on a fundraising walk -- instead of braving the elements, this one's indoors at the massive and spacious Grapevine Mills mall. Hosted by the Fort Worth office of Easter Seals, the 1-Mile Family Fun Walk begins at Entrance No. 5 at the mall Saturday, March 2.The neat thing about the event is that interested registrants can be partnered with an adult or child with a disability who benefited from the services of Easter Seals -- that should really put a meaningful touch on the experience of all walkers.There is no fee to register, but walkers are encouraged to get donations of any amount to sponsor their walk. For those who want a souvenir T-shirt, a $25 donation is required.Easter Seals officials hope the entire family will come out to walk, stroll or roll the one-mile lap inside Grapevine Mills Mall.For extra fun, let the kids get an airbrush tattoo and a ride on the carousel at the food court. Also, since this will be Texas Independence Day, Easter Seals North Texas will pass out Texas flags.Teresa Woodard of WFAA/Channel 8 is the emcee and Cara Landry will sing Deep in the Heart of Texas. The Fort Worth Song Writers Association will entertain with several songs."Easter Seals North Texas' Walk With Me is an opportunity for families, friends, neighbors and colleagues to walk together for fitness and a common purpose -- to help people with disabilities and their families," said Jennifer Friesen, vice president of therapeutic and autism services ESNT.Walk day registration will be available at Grapevine Mills Mall, beginning at 8 a.m., before the walk starts at 9. Register early at www.WalkWithMe.org/NorthTexas or call Ashley Townsend at 817-759-7914.Breakfast With the StarsA children's festival March 2 beckons children and their parents and grandparents to come for breakfast and have the unique opportunity to meet popular childhood personalities -- both real and imaginary -- from books, movies and television fame along with some pretty spectacular local heroes and celebrities.Kids will get to meet, among others, Yoda, Darth Vader, the Maverick's "Champ," Cinderella, Rocky Raccoon and other superheroes along with some real ballerinas, cheerleaders, TCU basketball players, firefighters and many others.It all happens at the warehouse of the Tarrant Area Food Bank (which is hosting the event) at 2600 Cullen St.The hardworking volunteer steering committee includes Jennifer and Michael Aragon and Stacy and Matt Posey among 45 local couples who have rounded up stars and activities for this fifth annual benefit for Tarrant Area Food Bank's "BackPacks for Kids" weekend feeding program that operates in 29 schools in three counties.Gymnastics, martial arts, storytelling, fortune-telling, music-making, crafts, petting therapy dogs, Angry Birds games, interactive science exhibits and more will keep the young festival-goers entertained throughout the morning. Youngsters at the event will create colorful handprints on a canvas that will be preserved as a memento of the "kids helping kids" occasion.A Food Bank news release said, "Backpacks for Kids supplies backpacks filled with nutritious child-friendly, nonperishable food to students and their siblings who are at high risk of hunger on the weekends. Currently, Tarrant Area Food Bank provides food to the program in 29 schools serving an average of 1,700 children per week ... In Tarrant County, 1 of 4 children lives in a food-insecure household that doesn't always have the resources to access enough nutritious food for growing children and active adults."Tickets are $40 adults; $20 kids 12 and younger. Purchase online at www.tafb.org/anevents-breakfast.html or call 817-332-9177, ext. 132. The deadline for purchasing tickets is 5 p.m., Monday, Feb. 25.Walk MSSince 1988 the MS Society has hosted a walk to connect folks living with MS to those who care about them. The longtime fundraising event makes them feel connected by helping raise money to support programs that help MS sufferers and to fund research.The North Texas walk steps out at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 2, in Trinity Park, 2401 S. University Drive. 1K and 5K routes will offer choices for varying abilities.Event spokesperson Coleen Petersen said, "Registration is free, but most participants raise an average of $225 for the cause. Raising at least $100 earns you a commemorative walk event T-shirt."Leah Weatherl, vice president of development of the Society's Lone Star Chapter, adds, "Dogs are welcome to participate, too. So grab friends, family, co-workers and those four-legged pals and 'go orange' -- the official color brand of the society -- with a hued T-shirt, hat, bandana, dog leash or whatever you can find."Learn more at bit.ly/11UmuGs or call Petersen at 214-697-6808.Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
