Posted on Mon, May. 12, 2008

SHLACHTER, PEROTIN, FUQUAY & CO.

Two giants of the Barnett Shale are engaging in a giving war

Just when you think the competition between drilling companies Chesapeake Energy and XTO Energy can't get any hotter, it takes a new turn.

This time it's in Southlake and involves the Carroll school district.

Fort Worth-based XTO donated a record-breaking $50,000 to the Carroll Education Foundation, an independent nonprofit set up 12 years ago to benefit the district.

The single largest contribution to the group previously was $10,000, Kacy Hankins, the foundation's executive director, told reporter David Wethe.

Officials for XTO and Chesapeake did not return calls for comment late Friday.

But there are several other reasons why this donation is interesting.

Chesapeake, XTO's rival, has the mineral-rights lease to drill for natural gas under all 402 acres owned by the district itself. The donation, which was made last week without fanfare, will make XTO the "presenting sponsor" at the foundation's only fundraiser this year.

It is called the Culinary Celebration and is held in October at the Hyatt Regency DFW. The foundation had been talking with Chesapeake officials about a donation since December.

Chesapeake even gave a verbal commitment in February, but Hankins said she wanted a signed contract from the Oklahoma City-based company.

After asking a couple of more times for a signed contract, the foundation still never got anything, Hankins said.

XTO, which was solicited by another donor of the Carroll Foundation, turned in its signed contract Thursday.

After telling Chesapeake the news, Hankins said a company official told her it was disappointed but understood that this was a generous contribution that couldn't be turned down.

"And they wished us the best of luck," Hankins said. As far as whether Chesapeake would still make a donation anyway, she said, "I would take that as a no."

This isn't the first donation race between these two.

Chesapeake announced in late March that it would donate $1 million to the United Way to establish the Barnett Shale Endowment Fund.

Also that day, the YMCA rushed out a news release saying that XTO was donating $500,000 to help modernize and expand its workout space.

Both companies are heavily competing for the hearts and minds of property owners who own their mineral rights in Southlake and Colleyville and elsewhere in Northeast Tarrant County.

Chef Love is honored

Fort Worth celebrity chef Tim Love is being given this year's Dateline Award by The American Advertising Federation-Fort Worth professional organization.

Love owns the Lonesome Dove Western Bistro and Love Shack restaurants. Last year, he brought a great deal of attention to Fort Worth when he participated in the Food Network's Iron Chef America program and was victorious in a battle against Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto.

Love was also featured on the network's Challenge: Hawaiian Luau Beach BBQ.

Every year, the local AAF-Fort Worth chapter honors a person or organization that has brought positive attention to the local community.

Love also appeared as a guest chef in an episode of Paula Deen's show, and in February, he was a guest chef at "Rachael Ray's Burger Bash" at the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival.

He has been featured in Bon Appetit, Food & Wine, Conde Nast Traveller and The Wall Street Journal.

Love will be presented the award at the Ad Club's monthly luncheon Tuesday, May 20. The event begins at 11:45 a.m. at the Hut at Joe T. Garcia's, 2201 N. Commerce St. Cost is $20 for members and $30 for nonmembers. Tickets are available at adclubfw.org or at the door.

Endangered-building pins

Last week, when Historic Fort Worth announced its latest list of what the group believes to be endangered properties in Fort Worth, it introduced a collector's series of lapel pins.

Board members and staff of Historic Fort Worth were proudly wearing the enameled pin, which depicts the Will Rogers Coliseum, Auditorium and Pioneer Tower, included on this year's list. It measures 1 3/4 by 1 1/2 inches.

Mary Saltarelli, preservation program director at Historic Fort Worth, said the pin will change each year. Historic Fort Worth issues its Endangered Properties list in May, which is National Historic Preservation Month.

Only 500 pins were made, and about 70 were handed out at the news conference.

The pins cost $5 and will be sold at Historic Fort Worth events and on the group's Web site.

Proceeds will be pay for making the pins and funding the group's efforts regarding the Endangered Places list, Saltarelli said.

If you're interested in buying a pin, call Historic Fort Worth at 817-336-2344.