Back for a second year, after a wildly successful 2012 debut, the Art on the Greene arts festival opens today and runs through Sunday in the beautiful Richard Greene Linear Park between the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington and Cowboys Stadium.
Festival producer Steve Moya, who is determined to build on the success of the inaugural event, said his company has worked diligently for the past year to bring in some of the finest artists in the country. "This year we have assembled 80 incredible artists from seven states that will feature work in 11 different categories."The quality of artwork at the event is on a par with that at Main St. Fort Worth Arts Festival and Southlake's Art in the Square. Art collectors will find outstanding selections in ceramics, drawing, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, mixed media, painting, photography, sculpture and wood.The park, in the heart of the Entertainment District, is also the home of the Caelum Moor sculptures by artist Norm Hines. Reportedly, more than 20,000 guests enjoyed the festival's opening year, and larger crowds are expected this year.Entertainment tonight features tribute bands for Heart, Journey and Led Zeppelin; Saturday's lineup includes more great tribute bands, along with the Jace Bersin Trio and blues singer Andrea Dawson. Mingo Fishtrap will be the headliner. Sunday's shows feature the UTA Jazz Orchestra and a Santana tribute group.Attendees will enjoy delicious foods from several popular local eateries (Grease Monkey Burgers, Dickey's BBQ, Flamingo Grill) and food vendors with specialties including crepes and other tasty delicacies.Check out the artists and their work at www.artonthegreene.com and get festival details on hours, parking and pets. Admission is free, and a one-time $5 parking fee covers the whole weekend.Doing the Most GoodElizabeth Smart, who in 2002 was kidnapped from her Utah home at age 14 and held captive for nine months before being rescued, will be the keynote speaker at the annual "Doing the Most Good Luncheon" hosted by the Salvation Army on April 3 at the Omni Fort Worth Hotel.Smart, 24, frequently speaks on the subject of child abduction and is involved in the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, which works to prevent crimes against children.Luncheon guests also will enjoy a moving testimonial by a beneficiary of Salvation Army services and will meet officials of the organization who will briefly highlight some of the agency's remarkable accomplishments.Honorary chair of the event is Kelsey Patterson, from the Gary Patterson Foundation. Pat Lorimer, from the Van Cliburn Foundation, and local surgeon Doug Lorimer are heads of a large host committee including Anne Bass, Mary Lee Cruz, Bonnie Epstein, Gail Landreth, Kit Moncrief, Adelaide Royer, Jan Scully and Susan Young to name only a few.Spokesperson Pat Patey said the funds raised will help Salvation Army continue to provide "free daily meals for the hungry, shelter for the homeless, a homeless-prevention program, transitional housing, substance-abuse rehab, a food pantry, after-school care, senior citizen programs, Christmas assistance and a permanent supportive housing program for homeless veterans."Tickets are $150 per person and reservations are needed by March 28. To RSVP, call Patey at 817-344-1820. Learn more at www.salvationarmydfw.org.City Slickers Pre-PartyAn after-work social time 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at JR's Steakhouse at 5400 Texas 121 in Colleyville will offer an opportunity to meet and greet other local business folk while enjoying delicious complimentary hors d'oeuvres. The cost of admission is an auction item to put in the Colleyville Chamber's City Slickers Party, which is coming up on April 28.Businesses are encouraged to donate an item that represents their company -- it's a good marketing and promotional tool as well as helping the chamber continue the fine programs it offers the community.The first 10 guests who arrive at the party will receive a 25 percent discount card for dining at JRs. RSVP to Erin Pedersen at erin@colleyvillechamber.org.Mayor's Cup Golf ChallengeThe competition to win the Mayor's Cup traveling trophy is heating up as the staff at Haltom City Parks and Recreation gear up for this year's Mayor's Cup Golf Challenge on April 19 at Fossil Creek.The tournament -- with three flights of completion -- will have a shotgun start at 2 p.m.Haltom City Mayor Richard Hutchison is again inviting all area mayors (or their designee) and city managers to play in a four-man scramble for the Mayors Cup. Sponsors and supporters will compete in a four-man scramble in the Friends Flight while the First Responders Flight (police officers versus fire department personnel) competes for bragging rights in a two-man scramble.North Richland Hills Mayor Oscar Trevino took home the first-place trophy last year and has already registered to defend his title. Roanoke Mayor Pro Tem Holly McPherson, who came in second in 2012, is hoping to move up to first place. Hurst and Grand Prairie have teams ready to play and other cities are expected to follow soon says parks director Tom Henry.Entry fee is $100 per player or $300 per team and includes green fees, balls, cart, GPS and a delicious dinner after the tournament, which also will feature some nifty raffle items.It's all for a great cause because funds raised benefit the annual Back-to-School Health Fair attended by hundreds of families in need in the Birdville school district.Register by April 15 by calling Henry at 817-831-6710 or Christi Pruitt at 817-831-6471. Learn more at www.haltomcitytx.com.Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
