Annual fundraiser supports Carroll students on all campuses | Fort Worth Star-Telegram

The folks at the Carroll ISD Education Foundation know how to put on a party, and their annual gala coming up Sept. 9 at the Southlake Hilton will only serve to keep their party reputation intact. The annual benefit will transport guests to a party scene typically found in the bright lights of Las Vegas.

For a Vegas party to rock your world, it needs Elvis — hence the event name “Viva Las Dragons.” Event organizers are working like crazy to make sure guests party like the King of Rock and Roll while helping students in all Southlake schools. Tasty dishes from top local chefs, all the beverages you want, music, casino games and an expansive auction are on the agenda for the evening of fun.

“Please join CEF at our 21st annual celebration and benefit as we raise funds that will directly benefit our CISD teachers and students,” said event co-chair Kathy Talley. “This year’s Vegas-style event will be loaded with fun, including a Cash Cube and Big Texas Wheel. Ed Bunner and I are proud to co-chair this year and represent CEF as we move forward in exciting, new directions.” Others on the event committee include Stephanie Pennington, Julie Doyle, Laura Grosskopf, Alec Knight and Jessica Byrne.

Arriving guests will be led into the ballroom by senior members of the Carroll Dragon Drumline to hear an exclusive announcement about an upcoming rebranding effort geared to help the education foundation better respond to funding needs of the schools. Musical entertainment will be provided by a DJ, and emcee for the evening is Chuck Cooperstein, radio voice of the Dallas Mavericks and ESPN Radio talk show host.

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Bidders will go crazy for auction items like an Argentinean dove hunt complete with a private guide and personal bird assistant. Or how about winning a four-day vacation at any of eight exclusive resort homes in destinations like Tahoe, Grand Cayman, Los Cabos or Costa Rica?

For those ready for some Mavs magic, place your bid on four floor seats to a Mavericks home game. Another lucky bidder will experience a behind-the-scenes look at Cooperstein’s pre-and-post game interviews, dinner with Chuck and special ESPN seats at the game.

A gorgeous ocean-side villa in the Residences at Las Ventanas will be the vacation home for the top bidder on a magical dream escape. For those eager to think ahead to Christmas, up for bid is the chance to become honorary mayor of Southlake at the annual tree-lighting festivities.

Mobile bidding will make it easy to keep track of bids while guests see if Lady Luck will smile upon them in casino games like poker, Texas hold ’em, craps and the Texas Big Wheel, where a spin wins a prize valued at more than the cost to play.

Local restaurants generously donate their time and cuisine to provide gala guests with the best in culinary small plates. Brio Tuscan Grille, Copelands of New Orleans, Del Frisco’s Grille, Feedstore BBQ, FnG Eats, Great Scott and Howard Wang’s China Grill are among the lineup of eateries.

Other chef-prepared dishes will come from Il Calabrese, Kirby’s Prime Steakhouse, Mason & Dixie, Meat U Anywhere, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Scratch Kitchen, Taverna Rossa, Truluck’s and Wildwood Grill.

Since CEF formed in 1996, classroom grants totaling more than $1.3 million have been awarded for special initiatives and programs. The foundation has raised another $1.2 million for a special investment account to cover educational programs as needed. The CEF has also awarded around $200,000 in scholarships for graduating seniors.

Tickets to the gala are $125 per person and can be purchased online at www.southlakecef.org. Event proceeds will enable grants and scholarships to continue. Direct inquires to Executive Director Laura Grosskopf at 817-949-7064.

It’s that time of year that Fort Worth art lovers eagerly anticipate. Serious collectors and those making casual art acquisitions both love the monthlong event called Preservation is the Art of the City hosted by the folks at Historic Fort Worth.

“In its 15th year, the art show and sale is comprised of works by almost 60 local artists who paint in a variety of mediums. A special section of the show called ‘Stories from the City’ is for preservation-themed artworks,” said HFW spokeswoman Suzy Coleman.

Coleman said in the past 15 years nearly 700 artists have participated by exhibiting and selling nearly 4,000 works of art for the thousands of visitors who attend the show. The artists receive 65 percent of the sale of their art with the remaining 35 percent going to the preservation programs operated by Historic Fort Worth.

Honorary chairman of the event is Michael J. Bennett, principal and CEO of Bennett Benner Partners. The featured artist is Val Hunnicutt, who is a Fort Worth native. A highlight of the multifaceted event is the announcement of the Artists Awards. Given the difficult task of choosing the winners will be local art gallery owner David Dike.

“The Party with the Artists on Sept. 7 will give guests an opportunity to meet the talented artists who have created the lovely artwork that surrounds them and be the first to purchase original pieces for their home or office,” said Coleman. Party tickets are $150 for general reservations and $100 for HFW members.

“The art show and sale is a wonderful way to find just the right work of art to enhance an undressed wall or add a fresh look to an existing space,” Coleman said. The art show and sale opens Sept. 8 and runs until Sept. 23 at the Fort Worth Community Arts Center, 1300 Gendy St.

Special events include Gallery Night on Sept. 9 and the Cantey Lecture & Preservations Awards on Sept. 21. Check out a complete schedule of events at www.historicfortworth.org or call Coleman at 817-336-2344, ext. 100, to inquire about details. Event proceeds benefit the preservation programs of Historic Fort Worth as they preserve such landmarks as Thistle Hill and McFarland House.

The Downtown Mansfield Historic District will be a jammin’ place on Saturday, Sept. 9 from 4 to 10 p.m. for the Music Alley Festival. Music will be performed on four stages throughout the event along with interactive painting demonstrations and a kids area to make this a family-friendly day of fun.

Bands will perform on each stage throughout the day and at 8 p.m. the headliner band will be Motown legends The Drifters. Artwork will be for sale at booths located throughout the festival space. Twelve talented vocalists will be standing on stage at The Lot to compete in the Mansfield’s Voice competition, where first-, second- and third-place winners will take home cash prizes.

Food trucks and vendors and a beer and wine tent will provide all the festival foods anyone could want. And for those who love dancing, they can cut a rug on a 400-square-foot dance floor. Instructors will be on hand to teach basic dance steps in everything from swing and salsa to the Texas two-step just before each band takes the stage.

In a unique twist, there will be a live art exhibition where guests can watch artists create a painting or mixed media piece on the spot in real time. The completed masterpieces will then be available for purchase.

Special guest artist is Jimmy Don Holmes, a metal artist frequently featured on HGTV’s “Fixer Upper.” A great photo opp in front of the hand-painted murals (complete with props) decorating the stages and streets will be popular with attendees. And the chance to create a piece of record spin art will be a big attraction.

The Kids Alley will have magician Braden Daniels doing amazing tricks as well as a puppet show and an interactive drum circle. A hands-on experience at the musical instrument petting zoo will be a unique chance for more kids’ fun.

“Historic Downtown Mansfield is ready to rock with the area’s newest music and arts festival where we will truly have something for everyone,” said city spokeswoman Ann Beck. Admission to the festival and all concerts is free. Festival space is located at Broad Street at Farm Road 157/Main Street. Contact Beck at 817-804-5766 and visit www.mansfieldtexas.gov for details.

To celebrate 62 years of expertly serving the business community in Hurst, Euless and Bedford, the H-E-B Chamber of Commerce will host a Birthday Bash on Sept. 16 at the Hurst Conference Center.

Party guests will enjoy a seated dinner, live music from the Northeast Orchestra and pianist Stan Paschal along with the buzz and excitement generated by silent and live auctions. Also, guests will have the chance to visit “Chamber of Magic” escape rooms created by Escape Pro where they will have 10 minutes to solve a variety of puzzles.

Featured performer is Jeff Lee, a professional illusionist. He has performed all over the United States and was a headliner at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas for four years.

“This year’s Birthday Bash is going to be really special,” said Mary Frazior, president and CEO. “We’ll have live music, a great dinner, the illusionist performing and the escape rooms going. It’s not only going to be a great way to support the important work the chamber does, it’s also going to be a lot of fun.”

Tickets are $75, and proceeds benefit chamber programs, including Leadership H-E-B and Challenge by Choice. Learn more at www.HEB.org or call the office at 817-283-1521.